One More Walk Through the Halls
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Some graduates revisited old classrooms. Others stopped to hug former teachers, laugh with classmates or point out pieces of the building that still looked exactly as they remembered. Along the hallways, younger students lined up to clap, wave and celebrate the graduates as they passed by.
Now in its third year, the tradition has quickly become one of the district’s most meaningful end-of-year celebrations, creating moments of reflection not only for graduates, but also for the teachers, staff members and younger students who welcomed them back.
As a unit district, District 205 provides a unique educational experience. Many students begin their journey in one of the district’s elementary schools and remain part of the District 205 community through middle school, high school and graduation. The Senior Walkthrough offers graduates the opportunity to return to where it all began, celebrating the connections, experiences and memories that helped shape their journey.
“It was so nostalgic to be back here walking around, and it was so special,” York graduate Camden Dolvig said.
The walkthrough tradition first began through the York PTO and has continued to grow each year as more students choose to participate.
“I think it’s especially meaningful because the students and the staff get to connect again,” said Laura Gibson, a parent of a York graduate and York PTO representative who helped
coordinate the walkthroughs for the Class of 2026.
“Those people help shape you along the way, both the teachers are shaping the students and the students are shaping the teachers.”
Before the walkthroughs began, graduates arrived at their former elementary schools throughout the morning, reconnecting with classmates and teachers before gathering for the parade through the halls. As elementary students settled into their school day and morning announcements wrapped up, graduates lined up in caps and gowns, preparing to walk the same hallways they once traveled as elementary students themselves.
At several schools, graduates gathered to look through old class photos and videos, sparking conversations about favorite teachers, classroom memories and how much life had changed since they last walked those hallways as children.
As graduates made their way through the buildings, many found themselves reconnecting with teachers they had not seen in years.
“Being able to see all the teachers that we used to have and also all the new teachers, how everything’s changed,” York graduate Margaret Pas said. “There’s little pieces that are still the same. It is really fun.”
For teachers, the experience often carried just as much emotion.
Michelle Quinn, who taught several of the returning graduates during third and fourth grade, described the experience as “bittersweet.”
“On one hand, I was so excited to see them, and I’m so incredibly proud of this milestone that they’ve reached,” Quinn said. “I’m eager to see what the next chapter holds for them. With that said though, it makes me nostalgic.”
Quinn said memories instantly came flooding back when she saw her former students walking through the halls as graduates.
“I’ve been emotional ever since I saw them,” Quinn said. “When I just made eye contact with them, I flashbacked to when they were in third and fourth grade. Funny ones, heartwarming ones, and being able to see that they’re still excelling and they’re still doing so well, it just really means the world to me.”
Quinn also brought an old third-grade class photo featuring many of the students who returned for the walkthrough.
“This is our little family tree,” Quinn said. “Some kids would be very recognizable. Some are unrecognizable, and they’re all still fantastic kids.”
For some staff members, the tradition also represented a full-circle moment personally.
Kathryn Wheeler, a first grade teacher and York graduate herself, said watching students return to their elementary schools reminded her how quickly time moves.
“I think it’s a really special and full-circle moment to revisit where you started your public education and then come back as someone who has now completed their public education,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler said the walkthroughs also serve as a reminder for younger students that their own journeys will pass faster than they realize.
“I think the elementary students assume that those years are so far away for them, but as we know, the older we get, the faster the years go by,” Wheeler said. “Before we know it, these students are going to be the ones returning and being in their caps and gowns.”
York graduate Anand Peel experienced that feeling firsthand while returning to the elementary school
where he attended fourth and fifth grade after moving to Illinois.
“All my first friends in Illinois are from this elementary school, and kind of all the first connections I made are here,” Peel said. “So all my early experiences here are in this elementary school. That’s why it’s kind of special to me to come back.”
For many graduates, seeing younger students line the hallways added another layer of perspective to the experience.
“I hope that they kind of realize first of all that it goes fast,” Peel said. “I know they’re really young now, so they still have a lot of time, but it does go fast.”
That same message was echoed by many of the graduates who returned to their former schools.
“I hope that they don’t take for granted their time,” Dolvig said. “Before they know it, they’ll be in their gown walking through the halls as well.”
For Gibson, those moments captured exactly why the Senior Walkthrough tradition had become so meaningful throughout District 205.
“It’s a really cool opportunity to show these young kids where their journey is going,” Gibson said. “And I think for the seniors, it’s just an awesome experience to come back and relive these days one last time.”
Beyond the Classroom: Transition Center Students Build Skills for Life
At the Elmhurst Public Library, student Zaid Abusaid helps organize books and media, sort returned items and assist with shelving throughout the building. Across town at F3 Law, Lauren Gerbasi restocks office supplies, updates spreadsheets and supports employees with organizational tasks throughout the office. Meanwhile, inside Brewpoint Coffee’s roasting warehouse, Henry Stolzenbach and Elijah Badeaux weigh coffee beans, label bags and package products that eventually make their way to customers throughout the community.
While the workplaces may look different, the goal behind each experience remains the same.
For students in Elmhurst District 205’s Transition Center, these opportunities are about much more than completing workplace tasks. They are about building confidence, independence, and the skills needed for life after high school.
The District 205 Transition Program supports young adults with disabilities who have completed their graduation requirements at York High School and are preparing for what comes next. Some students explore employment opportunities throughout the community. Others take classes at the College of DuPage. Additionally, students are developing essential life skills, including communication, transportation training, time and money management, social development, problem-solving, self-advocacy, and goal setting.
Helping students connect those skills to real-world experiences is a major part of the program’s mission.
Transition Center Vocational Coordinator Justin Olson said workplace opportunities allow students to apply what they are learning in meaningful settings while also discovering new interests, strengths, and future goals.
“When students get an opportunity to practice what they are learning in school out in an authentic community setting, they have the opportunity to generalize the skill and deepen their awareness,” Olson said.
Inside the Transition Center, staff work closely with students and families to identify each student’s strengths, preferences, interests, and needs, as well as their goals, before helping connect them with community partners. The team engages in this collaborative, systematic process to promote a successful fit for both the student and community partner. The process is highly individualized, with the ultimate goal of helping students gain the confidence and independence needed to navigate life beyond school.
Olson said many students enter new workplaces nervous about meeting new people or trying unfamiliar tasks. Over time, those anxieties often begin to fade as students become more comfortable in their environments and more confident in their abilities. Staff from both the Transition Center and community partners work together to provide a positive environment and supportive strategies to the students, empowering them to overcome these barriers to find success.
That growth can show itself in many different ways.
For Zaid, it has meant becoming more independent while helping library patrons locate books and media more easily through organized shelving and sorting systems. Tasks like shelf reading and organizing materials correctly were difficult at first, but became easier with patience and repetition.
“I like to keep things organized so that would help the patrons find the books where they need to be,” Zaid said. “Since I have learned so many things about this job and I am now working independently so I can do my job tasks responsibly.”
At F3 Law, Lauren said learning how to navigate websites and use Excel for research projects initially felt overwhelming. As she became more comfortable with the work environment and daily routines, she began gaining more independence and confidence in her abilities.
“One thing I found difficult when I started was the superintendent project, looking up the names and the emails on the websites and learning how to use Excel,” Lauren said. “But it’s easier now because I’m more independent with it.”
Stephanie Jones of F3 Law said Lauren’s growth has been noticeable both professionally and personally since joining the office environment. What may have started with smaller organizational tasks has evolved into someone who feels comfortable communicating with coworkers, asking questions and contributing throughout the workplace.
“She’s a part of our team,” Jones said.
Jones said the partnership has also allowed F3 Law to create opportunities for students to build real workplace and communication skills in a professional environment. Tasks are tailored to each student’s strengths and abilities, ranging from organizing materials and scanning documents to updating contact information and assisting with projects throughout the office.
She said experiences like these not only help students grow professionally, but also allow workplaces to better understand the value students of all ability levels bring into a professional setting.
“I think other workplaces could benefit so much,” Jones said. “Having that opportunity to build those skills for students is really a privilege.”
At Brewpoint Coffee, Henry and Elijah have developed routines centered around labeling bags, weighing coffee beans and packaging products at the company’s warehouse.
For Henry, learning the structure and routine of the workplace helped ease some of his early nerves and allowed him to work more confidently throughout the day.
“I learned I like having a routine because that means I know what to expect when I come in every day,” Henry said.
Elijah said he enjoys being challenged and learning new tasks while working alongside coworkers.
“When I started, it was hard for me to know how much to fill each bag,” Elijah said. “But with practice and using a visual scale with a reference sheet to check, the job became easier.”
Brewpoint Coffee CEO Melissa Villanueva said the partnership with the Transition Center has lasted nearly a decade and has continued evolving alongside the company itself. What began years ago through smaller packaging projects has grown into a long-standing collaboration built around opportunity, flexibility and community connection.
Villanueva said the experience has challenged Brewpoint employees to become more thoughtful communicators, mentors and trainers while reinforcing the company’s mission of investing in the community around them.
“I think that every workplace would benefit from working with a transition program,” Villanueva said.
Brewpoint employee Joey Gleeson said one of the most rewarding parts of the experience has been watching students become more comfortable and capable in the warehouse environment over time.
“Seeing them go from, okay, they can only package five bags of coffee this week to now they’re packaging 30-plus bags of coffee,” Joey said. “It’s a big step for them, for sure.”
At the Elmhurst Public Library, Assistant Director Marcy Rodriguez said the partnership has expanded far beyond traditional workplace tasks over the years. In addition to shelving and organizing materials, students have supported programs, helped assemble kits, assisted patrons and even participated in storytime activities with younger children.
Rodriguez said library staff work intentionally to create a welcoming and supportive environment where students feel valued and included from the moment they walk through the doors.
Over time, she has seen students become more confident, more independent and more comfortable interacting throughout the building.
“They really take a lot of pride in their job,” Rodriguez said. “And I think, again, it’s a win-win opportunity.”
For Olson, those moments represent the deeper purpose behind the Transition Center’s work.
Beyond job training, the program is focused on helping students build communication skills, problem-solving abilities and self confidence that can carry into every part of adulthood. Students learn how to advocate for themselves, navigate new environments and apply the skills they practice inside the classroom to real situations throughout the community.
Olson said one of the most rewarding parts of his role is watching students overcome barriers that may have once felt impossible.
“Many of the students that are part of our program really have had to overcome so many obstacles and barriers,” Olson said. “To see them being successful, having that sense of accomplishment, it’s so rewarding.”
Olson also believes the support shown by local businesses and organizations speaks volumes about the Elmhurst community and its willingness to create opportunities for all students.
“When I go into different employers and community partners that we have around the area and share what our goals are as a program, it is amazing to see how our community partners step up with an opportunity to provide something that is a need,” Olson said.
For students in the Transition Center, those opportunities continue to create something much larger than workplace experience alone.
They are building routines. They are learning how to communicate with coworkers. They are gaining confidence in unfamiliar environments. They are discovering how to advocate for themselves and take pride in what they can accomplish independently.
And with every shift, assigned tasks, and new experience, they are taking another step towards a successful transition to life beyond the classroom.
As the program continues to grow, Olson said the Transition Center is always looking to build additional partnerships throughout the community.
Whether through employment opportunities, volunteer experiences, fitness programming or skillbuilding experiences, Olson said every partnership helps create new possibilities for students to explore their interests and strengths in authentic settings.
Businesses and organizations interested in partnering with the Elmhurst District 205 Transition Program can contact Justin Olson at jolson@elmhurst205.org
Gabriela Vazquez is our most recent Excellent Educator! She is a Special Education Teacher and has worked with the district for nine years.
