Columbiana grads get diplomas, dance Euro-style

By Sean Barron

COLUMBIANA - You might say that Kaitlin R. Steeb’s high school years began and ended with Cascada.

During her freshman year, Kaitlin and many of her fellow classmates started what became a four-year tradition of gathering in a large circle, swaying and jumping to the German Eurodance group Cascada’s hit “Everytime We Touch.” Proms and other special events were fair game for their overt celebrating.

Kaitlin and several students found themselves doing the same Sunday - only this time, they were decked out in caps and gowns and had received their diplomas.

Memories of that tradition will likely be among many Kaitlin, class president, will carry with her long after Sunday’s Class of 2009 commencement ceremony in the high school.

“It hasn’t hit me yet,” Kaitlin said, trying to conjure up her feelings about being a new graduate. “It will be different, in that I won’t see these people anymore.”

From here, Kaitlin plans to attend Kent State University to study journalism and mass communications.

Along those lines, her accomplishments include a Tom Holden Award for having written a public service announcement for the Girl Scouts of America.

For more than 30 years, Holden had been a sports reporter and news anchor on WKBN-TV 27 before stepping down in April 2005. He died June 11, 2005.

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