Class of 2021

Congratulations and best wishes!

Congratulations Graduates!

Under a beautiful backdrop of sunny skies, warm weather, proud loved ones, and lots of Zionsville green, friends and family gathered to celebrate the ZCHS Graduating Class of 2021 during a formal outdoor commencement ceremony held at the Zionsville Community High School Ascension St. Vincent Stadium on June 6, 2021.

ZCHS Commencement Ceremony

ZCHS Commencement Ceremony

ZCHS Principal Tim East opened the ceremony and invited ZCS Superintendent of Schools Dr. Scott Robison to make a few remarks. After thanking all involved in planning graduation, in his address to parents, Robison talked about how quickly times goes and emphasized that even during a global pandemic, time marches on. He credited hard work and good parenting for opening up their many possibilities upon graduation.

"Members of the Class of 2021, you have come of age in the time of a global pandemic, and you have thrived anyway," said Robison, "I hope this serves as a sturdy life lesson as you pursue your interests and pathways in life."
ZCS Superintendent of Schools Dr. Scott Robison

ZCHS Class President Kate Dimmett

ZCHS Class President Kate Dimmett

In her speech to the graduating class, talking about the year looking a little different because of the pandemic, ZCHS Class President Katherine Dimmett told students that "just because it looks different, doesn't mean it can't happen." She continued, "and here we are the Class of 2021, live and in-person. I am proud to be a classmate to the smartest, hardest-working, talented and kindest individuals, not to mention resilient."

ZCHS Valedictorian Tara Harmon

ZCHS Valedictorian Tara Harmon

Valedictorian, Tara Harmon, and Salutatorian, Hannah Wleklinski, were recognized for their outstanding achievements. Harmon addressed her classmates.

"Remember that success is not measured by the amount of money or recognition received, but by leaving those with whom we have crossed paths a little more happiness and hope," said Harmon. "I am confident that as a class, we are equipped with everything we need to make an impactful difference in our communities."
ZCHS Valedictorian Tara Harmon

Members of the Class of 2021 boast a long list accolades and accomplishments and leave us with memories of individuals who showed what coming together, even in the most unusual of times, can achieve.

The ZCHS Class of 2021 was offered nearly $5 million dollars in academic scholarships. ZCHS seniors passed 1,283 Advanced Placement Exams and 182 dual credit course valued at $1,740,420 in college tuition*.

*Based on the average Indiana public in-state tuition cost of $396/credit hour.  

Students completed just shy of 33,000 hours of community service and donated more than $112,000 during their four years of high school.

Highlights include:

  • Eight Sectional Championships
  • Three Regional Championships
  • One State Runner Up
  • One Mental Attitude Award Winner
  • Three Individual State Champions
  • Three Conference/State Coaches of the Year
  • The Crossroads Officials Association Sportsmanship Award
  • Heart of America Grand Champions in Nashville, TN 2020 (both Choralaires and Royalaires)  
  • Many local and state Grand Championships, even an undefeated season for Choralaires.
  • Best instrumental combo and crew awards
  • Marching Band Gold Rating with Distinction Visual and Music
  • Winter Guard 6th Place at State
  • Indoor Percussion Open Class State Champions –World Championships Finalists
  • Two All-State Band Musicians
  • One IMEA Honor Band Honoree
  • One Junior All-State Jazz Band Honoree
  • Band and Orchestra ISSMA Gold Rated Solo and Ensemble Honorees

Graduates will disperse and settle in many different places upon leaving ZCHS.

Indiana Colleges and Universities include:

  • One Anderson
  • 15 Ball State
  • Six Butler
  • One Hanover
  • 108 IU Bloomington
  • One IU Kokomo
  • One Indiana Tech
  • One Indiana Wesleyan
  • 16 Ivy Tech
  • One Marian
  • 89 Purdue West Lafayette
  • One Purdue Northwest
  • One Rose Holman
  • Two University of Evansville
  • Three University of Indianapolis
  • Three Vincennes
  • Three Wabash

Other notable colleges include:

  • Boston Conservatory @ Berklee
  • Boston College
  • BYU
  • University of CA Berkeley
  • Clemson
  • University of Chicago
  • Georgetown
  • Harvard
  • Loyola University of Chicago
  • Penn State
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • University of Southern California
  • St. Louis University
  • Stanford
  • Tufts
  • Washington University of St. Louis

ZCHS Senior Speaker Daniel Toluhi

ZCHS Senior Speaker Daniel Toluhi

Senior speaker Daniel Toluhi captured the essence of Zionsville Community Schools perfectly when he addressed his classmates during the commencement ceremony.

"I am proud to be a part of one of the most resilient, resourceful, innovative classes in the country," said Toluhi.
ZCHS Senior Speaker Daniel Toluhi

Describing his experience, he said, "As an African American son born of Nigerian immigrant parents, it has been hard for me to feel as if I am ever fully settled. I know I am not the only one who has felt different or abnormal at times. We always have things that are there that others are never going to understand about us. But, in Zionsville, it didn't matter. Despite these differences, we have all somehow found a common home here. In the classroom, on the field, on the court, on the stage or in the company of our peers, we have all found somewhere to call home."

And our hope is that our ZCHS graduates always call this place home. After leaving, we look forward to one day when they might return home to settle once again.

Congratulations, ZCHS Class of 2021.

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To view the entire commencement ceremony, click here.

Many ZCHS students received awards and scholarships. Learn more here: