Lowellville High Class of 2013 boasts 50 graduates

By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK

news@vindy.com

LOWELLVILLE

2At Sunday’s commencement, Dr. Toni Lynn Bisconti, a psychology professor at the University of Akron, urged the 50 graduates to take advantage of that new beginning from Day One.

“You’re in a unique position to start anew,” she told them before they accepted their diplomas in the Paul V. Johnson gymnasium. “You’re in a unique position to redefine yourself.”

Borrowing from the movie “Sweet Home Alabama,” she told them they can have roots and wings.

“Today, you get to decide how far you fly and how often you come home,” she said.

Shelby Williams’ plans are taking her to Kentucky to study culinary arts at Sullivan University in Louisville.

She spent two years at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center in Canfield, studying culinary arts.

“At first, I wanted to be a cosmetologist, but now I realize I want to cook,” she said. “I love cooking.”

Though she’s nervous about going so far from home, she’s looking forward to eventually opening her own restaurant.

During her four years at Lowellville High, Williams played trumpet in the band. “I’m going to miss it a lot,” she said.

Ryan Previtte is staying closer to home. He will attend Youngstown State University and plans to become a certified public accountant.

He feels prepared for the next stage of his life, he said, but will miss his teachers.

“It’s a small school, so they personally get to know you,” he said. “So they can help you out and push you along with your schoolwork.”

Senior year went by fast, he added. “It was a fun year. It was quite an experience.”

During high school, he played football, ran track and was a member of the bowling team.

He will miss playing those sports, he said.