Monday, May 26, 2008
STAFF REPORT
COLUMBIANA — The Columbiana High School Class of 2008 valedictorian likened school to the fuzzy confines of a kangaroo pouch and said leaving means being independent.
Benjamin J. Gerlach addressed his 60-plus classmates Sunday afternoon for the 126th senior commencement.
“It’s the first day of the rest of our lives,” the honors student said from the microphone. He wished everyone luck and to his friends added, “I miss you already.”
Outside, after the ceremony, Gerlach said his plans include attending the University of Akron to major in zoology and then research after his degree.
Graduates’ friends and family, roughly 800, filled bleachers in the gym for the commencement that lucked out with a warm sunny day. As the graduates — boys in red, girls in white — filed in to “Pomp and Circumstance,” performed by the concert band, photographers captured the moment for posterity with flash cameras and video recorders.
Speakers had a backdrop of a giant Clipper airship mural. A news photo outside the gymnasium carries an explanation of how the Columbiana Clippers got their name. The press in the late 1930s dubbed a former CHS graduate who excelled at football at Ohio State University the “Columbiana Clipper” because, like the airship, he was fast, reliable and ran for long distances.
Schools Superintendent Ronald Iarussi offered the graduates sage advice. The last, dispensed tongue-in-cheek, drew laughter.
“Sponge off your parents for as long as possible,” Iarussi said. “It gives them more opportunity to raise you.”
Iarussi thanked the Class of 2008 for all the memories, wished them good luck and ended with, “May God bless you.”
Once all the diplomas had been handed out, the graduates, after moving the tassels on their caps from right to left, tossed them high to thunderous applause. “Pomp and Circumstance” played again as they left the gym.
Families gathered in clumps outside the gym to hug their respective graduate and pose for photos.
Amanda L. Erdel took a moment to talk about her future. She’s going to attend Youngstown State University and pursue an engineering degree. She’ll decide later what kind of an engineer she wants to be.
Of high school graduation? “Amazing and a little scary. I’ve been in Columbiana my whole life.”
As for YSU, she’ll be a commuter student and live at home.
Frank Carusone said he’s headed to Kent State University, a bachelor of science in his sights. He wants to be an optometrist. To him, Sunday’s graduation felt “awesome.”