Celebrating a trio of graduations
By Harold Gwin
CAMPBELL — This spring was busy with graduation proceedings for members of the Leonard and Theresa Cain family.
A daughter and a son graduated simultaneously from Youngstown State University and a grandson graduated from Liberty High School.
Traci Cain-Tiggs earned a master of science in educational administration, while brother Leonard Cain Jr. earned a bachelor of science in electrical engineering.
Traci’s son, Torrence Mabry Jr., finished his years at Liberty with a 3.4 grade point average.
Rather than trying to have three separate graduation parties, “We just had one big one,” Leonard Jr. said.
One phase of their education may be over, but all three say they aren’t done.
Torrence has already started classes at the Pittsburgh Institute of Art, where he plans to major in animation design.
While at Liberty, he was involved in choir, the Art Club, the Drama Club and the newsletter staff. He also volunteers at the Jewish Community Center, where he works with the preschool program.
Leonard Jr. is a 2004 graduate of Campbell High School, where he was on National Honor Society.
His long-range plan is to go on to school to earn a master’s degree.
Right now, he’s looking for employment in the power-generation field. It’s a tough job market, he said, noting that some electrical engineering graduates got jobs, but many did not.
Traci is already working on another master’s degree, expecting to complete her master of science in chemistry at YSU in December.
She already has bachelor’s degrees in both chemistry and secondary education from YSU, having earned the former in 1996 and the latter in 2000.
She was a co-valedictorian of her 1991 East High School graduating class and has worked the last nine years in the Youngstown city schools as a chemistry/physics teacher.
She has served as science department chairwoman, a senior class advisor, National Honor Society advisor and the KnowledgeWorks Foundation school representative.
Currently, she is a member of the district’s new Leadership Initiative for School Leaders, and her immediate career goal is to become a principal in the city schools.
All three are active in the Bibleland Church of God In Christ.
Traci is a trustee, usher and the church photographer. Leonard Jr. is an usher, and Torrence is active with the Youth Church.
gwin@vindy.com