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Austintown Fitch High School graduates 348
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
AUSTINTOWN
Wearing red and blue caps and gowns, the Fitch High School class of 2013 entered the school gymnasium for the last time as students. Family members and friends cheered, whistled and snapped photos.
“The memories we have made should, and will, last a lifetime,” senior class president, Vince Morocco, told his classmates at commencement Saturday.
“All these memories add to our strong Falcon pride.”
Shane Lintlon said he will miss his friends and teachers.
“It’s a great place to be and experience with my friends,” he said about his four years at Fitch. “It’s a great bunch of people, and I’m just glad that I got to experience it here.”
As a soccer player, a highlight of his four years was the team’s undefeated season this year.
“It’s the first time done in Division 1 in Ohio,” he said. “So I’m really excited about that.”
Lintlon will attend Youngstown State University and major in business administration.
He said his Fitch education prepared him for his future.
Sarah Sheffield said it also prepared her for the future.
“That’s the best part about Fitch, the teachers,” she said.
She’s going to miss “the little things” the most.
“Just everyday things,” she added. “Just walking into Fitch every day, going to classes every day, seeing the teachers, seeing my friends.”
Sheffield will attend Duquesne University in Pittsburgh to study chemistry.
“I’ve always wanted to live in Pittsburgh,” she said. “I love big cities.”
Active in several community-service clubs, band and more, Sheffield plans to join the chemistry club at Duquesne and find similar activities to those she experienced at Fitch.
One of seven valedictorians, Sheffield gave a speech during commencement.
“May the best part of the past be the worst of the future,” she told her classmates.
Maribeth McGlynn, senior guidance counselor, recited various statistics about the class of 2013, such as 119 local scholarships earned and 25 honor diplomas given.
“However, the special qualities of this class cannot be found in those facts and figures,” she said.
The class includes many quiet leaders and talented individuals, she said.
Many of the commencement speeches included a “thank you” to Doug McGlynn, principal. He is leaving the Austintown School District this year.
Superintendent Vince Colaluca noted McGlynn’s many accomplishments during his tenure as principal, and the class of 2013 cheered for him.
“Mr. McGlynn was a great Falcon, and he will always be a Falcon,” Colaluca said.