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Meeting Milestones: Austintown grads urged to strive ahead
Austintown Fitch Class of 2008
Gallery
6.15.2008 Austintown Fitch Class of 2008 Commencement Ceremony in the School's Gymnasium.
Austintown grads urged to strive ahead
The Class of 2008 is described as ‘dedicated, determined and delightful.’
AUSTINTOWN — “Finally it is our turn, finally it is our time,” said Micaela Rhodes to those gathered Sunday for commencement at Fitch High School in the gym. The president of the 370-member class of 2008, giving a farewell message, reminded graduates of the past, “The memories we have will live on,” and the future, “Work your plan and never give up.”
Evidence of how they already have worked is found in the 131 local scholarships totaling $72,650 and $4.7 million in scholarships overall that members of the class were offered.
And Lawrence Albright offering a farewell to the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center said he was lucky to have found an interest — automotive — he loved and thanked teachers who helped him realize it.
The school’s 10 valedictorians each offered a parting message to fellow classmates.
Misty Alcorn said the high school years had gone by “faster than I ever expected” but the time was an adventure.
Amanda Becerra acknowledged that high school challenged the young people with fears to conquer but, by facing them, it took them “closer to our dreams.” The diplomas, she noted, represent all they “enjoyed and endured” during high school.
Kelli Carney recognized the graduation day as the first day of the rest of their lives. She urged fellow graduates to “find your passion” and “make an impact on the earth.” She said the graduates’ aspirations were important, but laughing and smiling in life had an important place as well.
Steven Gruver looked back on high school days as preparation that gave graduates “determination, dedication and confidence” in their successes and failures.
Sara McAllister viewed graduation as a “celebration” of “who we have become and where we are headed.” She said it was important to "enjoy the present because we don’t know how many tomorrows we have.”
Rebecca Ortenzio acknowledged that some dreams of graduates won’t come true. “But keep trying,” she urged.
Joseph Reedy echoed that idea by saying “even if your dreams don’t work out as you planned, still dream.”
Hannah Roberts said some messages in the high school yearbooks said “never change.” But she noted the graduates will be off to college and then first jobs, and change will come. She said there would be changes as the graduates “challenged themselves.”
Kara Roche talked about homework assignments, tests, rumors, judgment of peers, heartbreak over first loves and using cell phones. She said many in the group had been together for 13 years and now that they wouldn’t be seeing one another nearly daily, it would be a time of missing them. “It’s a gift to see those you care about,” she said.
Lucas Stokes challenged his fellow graduates: “Don’t let yourself be limited.” He said the graduates’ time at Fitch are now memories but the group will always be Falcons.
Their messages were followed by another from Douglas Heuer, superintendent, who congratulated the graduates. He recalled his high school graduation in 1968 — “I gave a commencement address and the next day I was wearing a hard hat and steel-toed shoes” — and working at Ohio Works of US Steel. “Steel was king then,” he remembered, and noted other successes of the day. But too many banked on status-quo success. “You have to change to survive,” he said.
He noted that graduation was a “milestone in life” but also a “steppingstone.”
Heuer said the graduates have experienced failures and successes, and they’ve learned lessons from both. That information will help them make “good choices.”
Doug McGlynn, Fitch principal, told graduates that life will give them what they put into it. “It’s not the rewards but the depth of commitment and service ... that’s what matters.”
Tom Mock, communications director at the General Motors plant at Lordstown, offered a greeting and closing remarks. He described the class of 2008 as “dedicated, determined and delightful.” The class was involved in the community by collecting 1,500 Toys for Tots and 3,000 items for local food pantries and participating in Relay for Life by the American Cancer Society.
Maribeth McGlynn and Lorraine Kreuger, senior counselors, also spoke.
The vocal department seniors sang “For Good,” and the Fitch band also played.