Graduation speaker reflects on academic career
HUNTLEY — Class of 2023 members are preparing for their final moments as Huntley High School students as the graduation day at Northern Illinois University’s Convocation Center nears on Saturday, May 20. The ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m. at the DeKalb campus.
The HHS senior selected to be the student speaker is Yehan Subasinghe, son of Vishan and Sherryl Subasinghe. Subasinghe will attend Vanderbilt University this fall and major in Computer Science with a focus on engineering management. He was selected to receive the James Clark four-year scholarship program, “which will help me pursue my career goals of becoming a lead software engineer and founding my own startup company,” Subasinghe said.
“Subasinghe was voted to be the graduation speaker by his classmates and teachers,” HHS Principal Dr. Marcus Belin said. “He is a very high-achieving student and talented athlete in swimming.”
Subasinghe has received both the AP Scholar with Honor and AP Scholar with distinction awards.
“I will mainly miss my friends here at HHS,” Subasinghe said. “We are all going our separate ways, but some of us have been together since the third grade taking the same classes all the way until now. I think I took many of the opportunities given to me when it came to my education and I encourage everyone at HHS to do the same.”
Subasinghe reflected on his career just before becoming one of the newest HHS alumni.
“During my time at HHS, I was a four-year Future Business Leaders of America member, became the treasurer and chairman of fundraising, and was also a three-time state and one-time national competitor,” Subasinghe said. “I was also a four-year varsity swimmer, one year varsity captain and went to state on the on the first relay in HHS swimming relay. I was in varsity Science Olympiad competitor and state qualifier, on the NHS leadership team, on the varsity math team, Silver Cord and track and field.”
The swimming achievement qualifying for the IHSA State Swim and Diving meet was in the 200 medley relay event. The quartet of Subasinghe, Michael Boelens, Dominic Siwiec and Ben Rocks ended 21st at state.
Subasinghe commented on the main takeaways from his HHS days.
“Challenging myself with classes and taking classes that interest me are the most important things in feeling personal accomplishment,” he said. “I was able to stay motivated because I was intrigued by what I was learning and never felt like it was a waste of time since I tried to take the hardest classes available.”
Three high school teachers made the most impact on Subasinghe.
“Gibson Danekas who pushed me to be a leader, and build a strong connection with me outside the classroom, Stephen Styers who kept me disciplined and taught me a lot of different subject areas at the college level, and Ms. Jenna Gaudio who I had not as a teacher but as a coach and she motivated me to be the best athlete and student I could be.”
Subasinghe noted the memorable experiences were FBLA state and nationals, “filled with multiple day trips which were unique, unforgettable experiences. Guys proms were also once in a lifetime experience and my senior year homecoming and prom were very fun, too,” Subasinghe.
