Oh happy day

It was a scene straight out of a storybook in Oak Park last week, as our very own Class of 2026 kicked off commencement season under a glorious May sun. According to *The Acorn (Oak Park)*, 366 graduates from both Oak Park High School and the Independent School crossed the stage on May 21, capping off years of hard work with smiles, hugs, and that perfect mix of relief and excitement only a diploma can bring. Seeing those caps fly up against our familiar hills was a beautiful reminder that even in a fast-changing world, some traditions—like cheering on our kids—still anchor us.

What makes this class special isn’t just the number of graduates, but the path they’ve walked. For the Independent School students, many of whom balance rigorous academic schedules with acting, athletics, or other demanding pursuits, this milestone represents an extra layer of grit. As neighbors, we get to watch these young adults head off to college, careers, or creative adventures, knowing Oak Park’s tight-knit support system helped shape them. So here’s to the Class of 2026: you’ve made our little corner of the 805 proud.