The 902 graduates of New Trier's Class of 2026 didn't just collect diplomas on Sunday, May 31. They left behind a $40,000 check and three years of hands-on service to North Chicago Community Partners, a record of commitment that senior speakers Cooper Cohen and Lily Dale, both of Glencoe, detailed from the podium at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates.

The class's service work spanned all three years at New Trier: building 2,000 care kits for North Chicago Community High School as sophomores, curating 750 literary kits for students at Evelyn Alexander Elementary School as juniors, and organizing education events for preschoolers at Green Bay School as seniors. The $40,000 gift was raised through a Thanksgiving pie sale, winter carnival, senior auction, book donations, hygiene product drives, and snack packing.

North Chicago Community Partners, founded in 2008, has invested 144,000 service hours and $19 million into North Chicago's schools, according to the organization. New Trier's service project page identifies NCCP as the Class of 2026's official partner for all three years.

"If you bought a pie during our Thanksgiving pie sale, participated in winter carnival, purchased an item at our senior auction, donated a book, bought a hygiene product, packed a snack or simply showed up every morning for your advisory, you helped this class make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families in North Chicago," Cohen told the crowd.

Principal Denise Dubravec opened the 3 p.m. ceremony, followed by remarks from Superintendent Peter Tragos in his first commencement since taking the District 203 role in July 2025.

Alumni speaker Shams Charania, ESPN's senior NBA insider and a member of New Trier's Class of 2012, told graduates about moving to the North Shore as the child of immigrants and feeling like he didn't fit in. After getting cut from the sophomore basketball team, Charania was encouraged by English teacher David Rhee to join the school newspaper. He started covering the Chicago Bulls for ChicagoNow, a Tribune-affiliated blog platform, at 17. Charania, who still lives on the North Shore, urged graduates to believe in themselves as the starting point for any career.

Blake O'Donnell of Kenilworth delivered the class commencement speech. O'Donnell, a coxswain with New Trier rowing, spoke about staying flexible when plans shift. Campbell Bach of Wilmette carried the American flag to open the ceremony.

Per Trevian tradition, graduates wore white and black formalwear or white gowns, long-stemmed red roses in hand. The senior commencement choir closed the ceremony with Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide," accompanied by live cello and guitar.

Next scheduled District 203 board meeting: Monday, July 13, 2026. Multipurpose Room (C234), Building C, Second Floor, Northfield Campus, 7 Happ Road, Northfield. Open session at 5 p.m.; regular business at 6:30 p.m. No agenda has been posted as of June 22. Summer meeting schedules for Districts 36, 39, 38, 35, and 29 have not been published.