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Campbell salutatorian: Difficulties made result rewarding
Gallery
CLASS OF 2010
Class number: 100
Class colors: lavender and silver.
Class gem: diamond.
Class flower: white rose.
Class song: “Forever Young” by Jay-Z.
Class motto: “Our lives are before us, our pasts are behind us, but our memories are forever with us.”
Staff report
CAMPBELL
Angello Astorga didn’t have an easy four-year journey toward the podium and his salutatorian’s address to the Campbell Memorial High School Class of 2010.
But his difficulties, he told the class Thursday evening during commencement at the stadium, made the journey’s end “all the more rewarding.”
Astorga had braved a battle with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia that began in 2003 and ended with his last treatment in May 2009.
The ALL kept him home during half of his freshman year and all of his sophomore year.
Nonetheless, he told the class, he does not believe his own struggles were more important than anyone else’s.
He loves that there were so many unique personalities in that single unit, the Class of 2010.
That unit is a base to step off from toward adulthood, and it should be a source of strength in values gained, lessons learned and friendships to remember as the graduates go off on their own paths, speakers told the class.
Sentiment and advice boomed from the podium under the hot sun.
Another class salutatorian, Bianca Koup, said the day marked the end of a long journey. “But the journey is a prelude to the rest of our lives,” she added.
“On this special day, we celebrate each and every one of us,” said class president Katerina Mallias.
“Make decisions that will always result in a better life for you and those around you,” said schools Superintendent Thomas Robey.
“You’re gonna graduate. How cool is that?” asked Stephen Duca, commencement speaker, a 1974 Campbell graduate. Duca is director of global engineering and operations for Delphi Packard Electrical & Electronic Architecture.
“Graduation is another word for opportunities,” Duca said.
“You demonstrate unconditional acceptance of one another and exceptional school spirit,” said class sponsor Jennifer Vaschak.
Larry Frangos, class valedictorian, will go on to study computer engineering at Youngstown State University.
“I know we’re all prepared to grab life by the throat and achieve that lifelong success,” he said.