What started as a hallway display idea has evolved into one of Grayslake Central’s most meaningful storytelling projects, They Walked These Halls. Led by Social Studies Department Chair Jason Janczak, the initiative connects current students with alumni through honest, inspiring video interviews that highlight the many paths a Ram can take after high school.
“The whole idea is showing students what’s possible, and that there’s life after high school, no matter what these four years feel like,” said Janczak. “Our goal is to build connection, hope, and a sense of legacy.”
After reaching out to staff and social media networks, Janczak expected to hear back from a few dozen alumni. Instead, over 250 former students responded, eager to share their stories. The result is a growing collection of video interviews with graduates pursuing careers across a wide range of fields, from healthcare to journalism, public service to entrepreneurship. A Jersey Mike’s franchise owner who once dreamed of being an attorney, a researcher at the National Institutes of Health, a land surveyor, an Army psychiatrist, a critical care EMT at the Mayo Clinic. Each story is honest, unscripted, and rooted in the values that connect them all back to GCHS.
The interviews explore what each alum is doing now, how they got there, and the advice they’d give their high school self. Many emphasize the importance of staying open to change, finding support, and not letting early struggles define your future. One particularly moving interview features an alum who candidly shared how isolating high school felt, but now thrives in a career of service and leadership. “It’s a reminder,” Janczak said, “that you can struggle in high school and still go on to do amazing things.”
Students will be viewing these stories during Rams Block Advisory, and plans are underway to expand the project into career exploration and curriculum. In many cases, alumni asked to be interviewed alongside former teachers, creating powerful reunions that underline the profound impact of meaningful relationships built during high school.
For Janczak, it’s been a personally rewarding experience. “We don’t always get to see the finished product,” he said. “But this is proof that our students go out and do amazing things, and that what we do matters.”
As for today’s students, the message is clear: these stories remind us that being a Ram means you’re part of something bigger, a legacy that embraces curiosity, resilience, and the understanding that we are all unfinished. What starts here at GCHS can take you anywhere.