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2020/05/11 - Mayor's Column: Congratulations to the Class of 2020!

 

­­­“An Open Door to O’Fallon”
A Weekly Note from Mayor Herb Roach
­­­

It is an understatement to say that things are different this year. However, the month of May still brings forth the end of the school year and time for graduation. For all our 2020 graduates, the year certainly did not end as they expected. Maybe years from now they will look back and remember how their graduation period was different than any others before them. And, I hope that some of the gestures the community has shown to these graduates will help them feel a little better about missing the final few months of their school year.

So, I would like to join the 33,000+ residents of O’Fallon in wishing the over 550 Elementary School Graduates and the 576 OTHS Graduates by saying CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2020!

In talking with school administrators, family members and teachers from all of our schools, there are several things that each graduating class had in common with each other.  They seem to distinguish themselves in many ways, but especially in their growth as individuals and their personal preparation for their future. 

Yes, there were team successes such as District 104’s Boys’ Basketball team, Carriel Cross Country, and both Fulton and Carriel Bands went to Super State. But, there were many of the sports programs and other activities cut short or seasons eliminated this year due to the early school closings.

But on the other hand, there were many scholastic successes.  Here are just a few:

  • At OTHS, the graduates earned millions of dollars in scholarships.
  • The OTHS Graduating Class had 180 members of the National Honor Society.
  • OTHS had 90 graduates ranked in the top 10% of all Illinois graduates based on SAT & ACT scores.
  • OTHS had 140 graduates as IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award Honorees.
  • OTHS had 12 National Merit Commended students and Mr. Wynne Radcliffe was a National Merit Finalist.
  • Fulton Jr. High was rated in the top 10% of Illinois Schools.

I would be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to our Miss O’Fallon, Miss Hannah Bennion, who is a member of this year’s graduating class. Thank you Hannah for all of your efforts to reach out to others and give them inspiration despite the limitations.  

I also want to compliment the staff at all of our schools for their hard work and efforts to prepare our students for their next challenge whether that be high school, college, trade school, military, or wherever else the future may take them.  

To our parents and family members that have given them the help, the support, and the encouragement that they needed, I say THANK YOU.  The time and effort that you spend with them now is helping to shape their future and preparing them to be the future leaders of our community and our country.

                                                  CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2020!

As residents of O’Fallon, you should always be able to reach out to your elected officials and ask questions about what is happening in O’Fallon. Having open communications is important to me and something I care very deeply about. Thank you for reading, and please remember, my door is always open (virtually, at least)!