[MULTIMEDIA PACKAGE] Saying goodbye to the class of 2024

As 484 students walked across the stage on May 15, the moment was bittersweet.

By Fernando Calvillo-Morales, Michael Birdsell, Oscar Munoz-Granados, Michael Angeles, Miley Pegg, Ryley Salazar, Karidja Monjolo, Drew Zeman, Brandon M. Heath, Fernando Arroyo Garcia, Aly Dusing, Ja’Nyah Villa, Sami Moesch, Yace Morejon, Alexa Morales, Alyssa Apostoli, Affaan Aleem, and Shee Nay Paw

May 17, 2024

Photo by Aly Dusing

The Class of 2024 left a mark on West Chicago Community High School.

With more than 13 stories and two videos, no one can say that the Wildcat Chronicle has not done the Class of 2024 justice. From Senior Assassins to Senior Ditch Day, from prom to commencement, we have it covered. Check out our latest and most expansive multimedia package here.

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About the Contributors

Fernando Calvillo-Morales, Multimedia Content Creator

Senior Fernando Calvillo-Morales has put a lot of his time into clubs and sports including, Rock Climbing Club, the Varsity tennis team, Robotics Team, yearbook, and Compass. Fernando is clearly a leader within the West Chicago community. He has always been very dedicated, and applied himself to being the best he can be. A significant part of Fernando is his humor: most would say he is quite a jokester. He can never fail to make someone laugh and instantly improve their day. Loyalty is also an especially important quality to Fernando, and he is a firm believer in helping others find success. When Fernando is not found drinking chia water, he is listening to NF. His favorite part about NF is his ability to sing and go in-depth about the highs and lows of life, and how to overcome obstacles.

Michael Birdsell, Reviews Editor

Michael is a senior, and a second-year member of the Wildcat Chronicle. He has been involved with the West Chicago golf, tennis, and scholastic bowl teams throughout his time in high school. In his free time, he enjoys reading literary fiction, watching arthouse films, and listening to music. He plans to attend a four-year university to study either English or law.

Oscar Munoz-Granados, Reporter

There is no doubt Oscar Munoz-Granados has a strong sense of humor: the smile on his face is seemingly plastered on there. He frequently jokes around, though he knows when to get serious. He is currently mourning the loss of a beloved pet fish, who drowned.

Michael Angeles, Reporter

Michael Angeles is a passionate performer in WeGo Drama's theatrical productions. He is a senior and is currently in his fourth year in the performing troupe. Michael has always been very interested in interacting with others and would describe himself as "very social." He loves to draw, create art, and occasionally play videogames on his PS4 and Nintendo Switch.

Miley Pegg, Content Specialist

Miley Pegg is running into her third year on the Chronicle. She is an avid review writer and Taylor Swift specialist, with the exception of some country as well. She hopes to peruse a career in Athletic Training at the Univeristy of Michigan and minor in journalism there, too. The trackstar herself also enjoys drinking her daily Celcius or Alani to keep herself motivated.

Ryley Salazar, Reporter

Ryley Salazar likes filming and editing videos, and is good with a camera, having created several YouTube videos back in middle school. Since then, Ryley has become active in WeGo Drama, and has performed in a number of shows, including playing Audrey II in "Little Shop of Horrors", Grandpa Joe from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", and Tom Buchanan in "The Great Gatsby". Ryley also likes to watch movies after school, and can frequently be found at the movie theater. It is no surprise, then, that people describe Ryley as "funny" and "creative."

Karidja Monjolo, Managing Editor

Karidja Monjolo is a senior, and this is her third year on the Wildcat Chronicle. She participates in WeGo Drama, Speech Team, Roar, and more! Her hobbies include reading, writing, and listening to music. In the future Karidja would like to pursue a career in Broadcast Journalism.

Drew Zeman, Senior Reporter

Drew Zeman is a senior, and this is his first year as a reporter for the Wildcat Chronicle. He has been involved baseball since he was six-years-old, and still plays for the high school. In his free time, he likes to hangout with friends and play video games. His plan after high school is to study finance at Illinois State University, then become a financial adviser.

Brandon M. Heath, Multimedia Content Creator

Brandon M. Heath is involved in the swim team, marching and concert band. He got into music because his middle school band director inspired him - and his sister also played a role. Brandon enjoys making friends through music, and his favorite memory at WEGO involves the Disney trip the music department went on in 2023. Outside of school, Brandon can be found spending time with friends and family, as well as watching baseball. As a senior, Brandon has learned responsibility and what makes a good friend throughout his high school years.

Fernando Arroyo Garcia, Photo Editor

Fernando Arroyo Garcia is a senior who enjoys hanging out with his friends at the gym outside of school. At school, he is involved in AV Club and the newly-formed Drone Club. His favorite shows consist of "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul", though he believes the latter is the better show of the two. His most enjoyable experience over the summer was buying his Canon T6i camera, which he used a lot over the summer.

Aly Dusing, Editor-in-Training

Alyson (Aly) Dusing is an outgoing and engaging junior who enjoys making new connections and spending time with people she values. She strives to earn inspiring opportunities and continue to grow in academic, social, artistic, and other aspects. Once she graduates, Aly plans to pursue her dream career as a criminal defense attorney, hopefully somewhere where harsh winters do not exist.

Ja'Nyah Villa, Editor-in-Training

Ja'Nyah is a junior this year, and excited to be writing and training for the Chronicle! She is very driven and dedicated to her schoolwork and extracurricular activities. Outside of Journalism, Ja'Nyah is an active member of Wego Drama and her hobbies include reading and listening to music. In the future, Nyah hopes to pursue a career in literary editing or journalism after college.

Sami Moesch, Senior Reporter

Sami is a junior in her third semester of Journalism and as a reporter for the Wildcat Chronicle. She first joined to try something new and has since developed a passion for storytelling. Her work has been nationally recognized—she is a national award winner in feature writing and a Best of SNO recipient for her photo essay on the annual senior paper drop. Beyond journalism, Sami plays varsity soccer at WEGO in the spring and competes year-round with her local club team. When she is not on the field or reporting, she enjoys listening to Taylor Swift, The Neighbourhood, Gracie Abrams, Clairo, and Lana Del Rey. She also unwinds by watching "Gilmore Girls" and "Pretty Little Liars." Looking ahead, Sami hopes to pursue a career in physiology, keeping her curiosity and passion for learning at the forefront of her future.

Yace Morejon, Reporter

Yace Morejon is a very independent senior who is more than up for a challenge: she is also a junior graduating a year early at the WCCHS. This is her first semester of journalism, and Yace hopes to have the best experiences and build up many skills for the future. Yace will graduate in May and begin her first year of college in August to pursue her dream of majoring in sales marketing. While pursuing her four-year (bachelor’s) degree, she would like to minor in Spanish to become even more marketable.

Alexa Morales, Features Editor

Although Alexa is a senior at WEGO, she is the captain of the dance team. Something unique about Alexa is that she was an exchange student in France for a week and a half last spring. Alexa's favorite music artist at the moment is Lana Del Rey. Looking ahead into her future, Alexa is planning to go to college to be a nurse.

Alyssa Apostoli, Reporter

Alyssa Apostoli is a celloist of nine years, and an aspiring forensic scientist who plans on using her skills to potentially pursue a career as an investigator with the FBI one day. As a senior at WCCHS, Alyssa is known for her bubbly demeanor and energetic personality. Outside of school, Alyssa loves to draw and enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Shenzi and Teddy.

Shee Nay Paw, Reporter

Shee Nay is described by her former teachers as "one of the sweetest people you will ever know." She is a senior at West Chicago Community High School, and is trying out journalism for the first time.

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Panini C. • May 17, 2024 at 3:02 pm

Bravo!! Great job guys!!!

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