292 graduate from Warren G. Harding

May 31, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

WARREN

Moving on to the next stage of life is a common graduation theme, but Michael Notar, principal of Warren G. Harding High School offered a somewhat different description of commencement for the Class of 2012 Wednesday.

“Graduation is like walking the plank,” Notar said to the school’s 292 graduates during ceremonies in the packed Harding gymnasium. “You’re leaving the safety and security of high school to [embark] on a new adventure.”

Some of the graduates said their thoughts are still on the lives they are about to leave behind.

“We’re leaving a really great experience and especially good relationships with our teachers,” said Lia Niforos, a National Honor Society member who will study biology at the University of Mount Union in the fall.

Some of the students, such as Caitlyn Brown, class vice president, hugged their teachers shortly before the start of commencement. Brown, who will attend Youngstown State University, reminisced with Natalie Shaner, Harding math teacher, before reflecting on the upcoming change in the lives of her classmates.

“This is bittersweet, but the memories are special, and I’ll never forget them,” she said.

Michael Coates, class valedictorian, called upon his fellow graduates to “bask in the glory of our accomplishments.” Coates, a Niles resident who attended under the school’s open-enrollment policy, called Harding “the best educational experience in the Mahoning Valley.”

Several graduates plan to enlist in the armed forces. One of them, Tracy Brown Jr., will join the Marine Corps and hopes to eventually become an officer. “I’ll miss seeing all my friends, but I want to make a career in the Marines and also go to college,” Brown said.

It was left to Korey Gall, the class salutatorian, to wish his fellow graduates success of a different type.

“I hope that everyone finds happiness in the future,” Gall said. “Let’s be the first generation to make happiness its goal.”