McHenry Community High School graduate Dr. Gabrielle Schweitzer was a sophomore in college before she decided she wanted to be a medical doctor. At the time, she knew she had some work to do to catch up with her classmates, who may have started college with a medical degree in mind.
But she kept at it. “Life rarely moves in a straight line,” she said.
Schweitzer, a 2015 graduate, shared her message to resilience and persistence Sunday with 194 Class of 2025 students who are graduating from her alma mater with the Distinguished Warrior graduation honor.
Schweizer encouraged Distinguished Warriors to push through inevitable self-doubt and other obstacles to find their own success. Now in her residency in obstetrics and gynecology, Schweitzer also encouraged soon-to-be graduates to make great use of the next 10 years.
“It’s very hard to believe that 10 years ago, I was in your shoes,” Schweitzer said. “Only you get to determine what success means.”
After graduating from McHenry High School, Schweitzer went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. Then she went on to earn her doctor of medicine from Loyola University in Chicago. She’s currently in the residency program at University of Michigan.
Schweitzer was in one of the early classes of Distinguished Warriors, a program started more than a decade ago to recognize excellence in academics, career training and community service.
To be a Distinguished Warrior, a student has to meet several criteria that relate to academic achievement, workforce development and community service. For details on the program, visit the district’s website.
“We realize success goes beyond academics,” said Carl Vallianatos, McHenry High School District 156 assistant superintendent for learning and innovation. “This is a true community celebration.”
Distinguished Warrior students wear an orange stole at graduation, and get a yard sign to display the honor.
