For the first time mid-year commencement exercises were held for January graduates of the Maine Township high schools. Each of the four high schools held a graduation ceremony and reception. Board of Education members and school administrators awarded diplomas and honored those students who completed their graduation requirements by the end of the first semester.

Maine West awarded diplomas to 35 graduates in the auditorium on Thursday, January 25, at 8 p.m. The graduation ceremony began with a processional followed by the National Anthem. The Reverend Mark G. Bergamn of the Des Plaines Trinity Lutheran Church gave the Invocation, and the welcoming address was given by Mr. Herman L. Rider, principal.

Dr. Richard R. Short, superintendent of schools, then presented the graduates; and Mr. Michael Bartos, member of the Board of Education, presented the acceptance of the class. Mr. Robert C. Claus, board member, then followed with the presentation of the diplomas. The Commencement Exercises were closed with a recessional and followed by an informal reception in the cafeteria.

To graduate a student must have 18 1/2 units of credit consisting of one unit of math, three units of English, and four years of physical education. Two units of social science, including U.S. history, government, and another course of the student's choice must also be satisfactorily completed.

A course in safety, consumer education, and 1/2 unit of health re also required. A student must pass an examination of the Declaration of Independence, the United States Flag, the United States Constitution, and the Illinois Constitution before graduating.

Those who graduated on January 25 are Linda Antolec, Cathy Aulert, Pamela Aylward, Sharon Banger, Kim Baske, Jean Baylie, Erna Beerheide, Cindie Benton, John Branstrom, and Marie Brunetti. Others were Collin Carrell, Christine Cline, Lynette Colby, Patricia Colecchi, Kathleen Coleman, Matthew Courtois, Daniel Doroba, Robin Fedell, Thomas Felz, Roger Fischer, and Robert Fischer.

Gwendolyn Gehrke, Jeannett Garnica, Wendy Goldbach, Linda Grant, Terry Grooms, John Heil, Jr., Joann Kaminski, Maria Kanavoutsis, Beth King, Ann Kocelko, and Noula Mandas Kanakaris were also included. Other graduates were Maureen McKenna, Paul Mertes, Jr., Debra Michalik, Mark Mlodoch, Sharon Money, Martin Monnat, Paula Nelson, Kathleen Oman, Robin Opfer, and William O'Shaughnessy.

Carol Panzer, Debra Parotte, Lore Platek, Jama Poulos, Diane Rasmussen, Linda Richard, Mary Romano, and Gary Royer were also among the graduates. Others were Susan Schaefer, Mary Shanahan, Luraine Smith, Siegfried Sonstrom, Sam Sparacino, Jr., Sharon Szaltis, John Teruggi, Carol Trombatore, Kathy Tyler, Thomas Van Vleet, Michael Weber, Wendy Wright, and Suzette Zabinski.