Boardman schools chief offers advice to 387 Class of '07 grads

BOARDMAN — The atmosphere after graduates from Boardman High School recessed from their commencement was one of confusion.

Graduates were standing in the high school cafeteria, looking for their friends and parents. Family members, too, were searching for their graduates.

Then, as the connections were made, the questions from mothers changed to arranging their children into groups for photographs.

The 387 graduates and their families and friends packed the school’s gymnasium to capacity and BHS Principal Timothy Saxton offered the Performing Arts Center to anyone who wanted out of the heat and a seat with a back, where the ceremony could be watched on TV.

Frank Lazzeri, superintendent of Boardman Local Schools, provided the opening remarks.

He reminded the students they are “at a place in life full of opportunity and adventure.”

The acronym CAN was also part of Lazzeri’s speech. There were three points he wanted the graduates to take with them, and he told them to remember the points with CAN.

The first point was care. He wanted the students to care about people, the world and the past, present and future.

Secondly, Lazzeri wanted the graduates to aim high, take risks and not give up their dreams.

Lastly, the “N” signified “never stop learning.”

By following CAN, “we expect great things from you,” Lazzeri said.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com