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CHS Class of 2015 celebrates Baccalaureate
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Matthew Myers performed “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” accompanied by the brass quintet, as the Canfield High School Class of 2015 had its Baccalaureate on June 4.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Interim Provost of Youngstown State University, Dr. Martin Abraham, was the guest speaker at the Canfield High School Class of 2015 Baccalaureate on June 4.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.The Canfield High School Class of 2015 joined together to sing the school’s Alma Mater at the Baccalaureate ceremony on June 4.
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Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Max Lumsden spoke on the pillar of honor at the Canfield High School Class of 2015 Baccalaureate on June 4.
By ABBY SLANKER
The Canfield High School Class of 2015 had its Baccalaureate in the high school auditorium on June 4. Seventy-five members of the class participated in the spiritual non-denominational ceremony.
The graduates filed into the auditorium to the sounds of the brass quintet featuring Robyn Bores, Rosie Bresson, Lexi Jones, Sam Ranttilla and Olivia Slater.
The welcome was given by Neal Timlin, during which he welcomed the graduates’ families and friends.
“We are here to celebrate the first rite of passage in our adolescent lives - our high school graduation,” Timlin said.
Matthew Myers then performed “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” accompanied by the brass quintet.
The Invocation was given by Pastor Larry Bowald of the Canfield Presbyterian Church.
“Baccalaureate is a time in your busy, exciting lives to pause and think about some endings and new beginnings in your spiritual lives. It brings a bigger perspective,” Bowald said.
For the candle lighting portion of the ceremony, graduates spoke on several pillars.
Max Lumsden spoke on honor, Vince Leone and Candace Smith spoke on faith and creativity, Victoria Bosze read the scripture Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 and the spoke on friendship, Maleck Saleh spoke on success, Rachel Rafoth read Ecclesiastes 3:18, Alyssa Armstrong spoke on determination and Grant Gullia spoke on hope.
Cooper Johnson introduced the speaker for the evening, Interim Provost of Youngstown State University Dr. Martin Abraham.
“I want to talk about options, success, choices, dilemmas and hope. As the great Yogi Bera said, ‘When you come to a fork in the road, take it.’ In your lives, you will have a choice, you will have to make a decision. You can’t be paralyzed by indecision. Make your choice and move on with your life,” Abraham said.
Abraham also told the graduates to take a chance.
“If you try, you have a chance. If you don’t try, you have no chance. Make the attempt and try. Take a chance on your own success. You will not be disappointed in the outcome, whatever it is, as long as you tried your best. You need to work hard, make an attempt and strive for excellence. If you do this, you will have many chances for success. You will have your share of failures, but that’s OK, because your will also have your share of success,” Abraham said.
In closing, Abraham encouraged the graduates to be great and do great things.
“Congratulations on your achievements so far. I know many more great things are in store for you. Go out and do great things,” Abraham said.
A Class of 2015 slideshow, prepared by Jacob Duda, showed a baby photo and senior photo of each graduate, and also highlighted each graduate’s plans after graduation.
Alyssa Kerensky gave appreciative remarks and the brass quintet played the school’s Alma Mater as the graduates sang along.
To end the ceremony, Pastor Rebecca Zielke of the Lord of Life Lutheran Church gave the Benediction.
Graduates and attendees were treated to cookies and hors d’oeuvres in the cafeteria after the ceremony.
One Hot Cookie provided a senior cookie table, complete with cookies decorated with cardinals, and many gourmet varieties to honor the graduates.