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90 Springfield seniors receive their diplomas
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Madison Groner, one of the top 10 students in the 2012 Springfield Local High School Class of 2012, receives her diploma Sunday at the school’s commencement.
NEW MIDDLETOWN
The 2012 Springfield Local High School commencement Sunday pushed 90 new graduates into the real world ... ready or not.
The class valedictorians and salutatorians, speaking on behalf of their fellow graduates, said they feel prepared to face the world because of the support of their families and the demands, passion and guidance of their teachers and administrators at Springfield Local.
Many will attend college, such as Sarah Mercer, one of three valedictorians, who says she plans to become a journalist.
And some, such as J.T. Lavender, son of Beth and Tom Lavender and brother to Rachael, will go off to prove themselves by serving their nation in the military. Lavender plans to enlist in the Marine Corps.
Though he said he is looking forward to the future and was eager to leave Springfield, Anthony Buzzacco Jr., valedictorian and class president, said he finds it difficult to say goodbye.
“Everyone I have met at Springfield Local has affected me in some way. The teaching staff have taught me everything that I will need to succeed in life.” He said he will miss his friends and the “laughs and energy that is Springfield Local.”
“This building has been our home away from home ... where we have worked, studied, laughed, cried, failed and succeeded together,” said salutatorian Devan Weckerly.
“I know I am going to miss all of my friends here, and leaving ... is bittersweet; but I also know that we are all looking forward to our futures with excitement,” she said.
“Life isn’t about finding yourself; life is about creating yourself, and Springfield Local is a community of our peers which has helped create who we are today,” said Amanda Dicks, co-valedictorian.
“We are a composition of our parents, and families and friends and our schooling at Springfield ... and no matter what is in store for us personally, I honestly have faith in our class and believe you will do great things. We haven’t found ourselves; we have created ourselves, and we will continue to do so as we go confidently into our futures,” she said.
“I loved high school because it is where I discovered who I am and who I want to be. That is the most priceless gift I could have received,” said Mercer.
Whatever their futures, commencement speaker Len Rome wished them the kind of luck he had and that they have a guardian angel “to lead you into a future that works for you.”
“I managed to ‘get lucky’ and get what I wanted by keeping my eyes and ears open to opportunity. You make your own luck,” said Rome, cohost of WYTV Channel 33’s early-morning “Daybreak” show.
“I’ve never worked a day in my life. I don’t go to work, I go to fun,” he said, advising the graduates to find what they want and stick with it.