LESSONS IN PERSEVERANCE
3 in class had to cope with loss of parent
By Sean Barron
AUSTINTOWN
Stephen R. Breidenstein plans to enter the computer-technology field, Alisia D. Rivera intends to major in physical therapy and Joel T. Stockslager wants to work as a welder.
It’s inevitable that to achieve their goals and succeed in their respective careers, all three Youngstown Christian School graduates will have to pass more tests, face various challenges and know how to handle adversity.
Nevertheless, it’s probably safe to surmise that they already have faced and passed one of life’s most-difficult tests and adversities, which also has deeply influenced their paths: the death of a parent.
“I think this would mean the world to him,” Breidenstein said, referring to how his father, Mike Breidenstein, likely would have felt to see his son graduate with 47 fellow Class of 2015 members during Sunday’s YCS commencement at Highway Tabernacle, 3000 S. Raccoon Road.
The elder Breidenstein, who died in January 2010, had taught computer courses for 11 years at the school.
“I’m going into the computer business because of him,” said Stephen Breidenstein, who plans to attend Kent State University to be a computer programmer. “He [also] is the biggest inspiration for me to do what I’m doing now. He touched many people.”
In May 2014, Rivera lost her father, who had volunteered at YCS. But he left an indelible imprint on her personally as well as what she hopes to become professionally.
“He was a major steppingstone for me to want to be a physical-therapy assistant. I would see him in pain and no one helped him, so that made me want to be a physical therapist,” Rivera explained, noting that she plans to attend Kent State University at Trumbull.
Acting as a leader for her school’s underclassmen and being around fellow students are two aspects of high-school life she probably will miss most, Rivera said.
Stockslager, a National Technical Honor Society member, lost his mother, who had worked nine years as a teacher and a preschool aide.
“My mom was very strong and looked at the positive things in life, and had a lot of love and faith. Growing up, she made me the person I am today,” Stockslager said, adding that he had spent two years at Choffin Career & Technical Center and hopes to get a summer job as a welder.
Delivering the commencement address was the Rev. Gary Gray, Highway Tabernacle’s pastor.
The Rev. Mr. Gray kicked things off on a humorous note when he asked the grads to stand as he took a selfie with them in the background. The tone turned more serious, however, when he focused on his theme of handling disappointment.
Mr. Gray shared the story of twin 5-year-old boys, one of whom was a pessimist and the other an optimist. The naysayer entered a room filled with toys but cried because he feared breaking them. On the other hand, the optimist’s room was filled with horse manure, yet he reacted happily about what he might find.
“Sometimes life really piles it high and makes it hard to keep going,” said Mr. Gray, whose daughter, Olivia J. Gray, is a Class of 2015 member.
Similarly, the pastor compared the plight of a wealthy person he had met who was unhappy, had suffered a stroke and was on a ventilator with another person who had lost his wife to cancer, yet was able to maintain a strong faith in God.
Mr. Gray said he couldn’t promise the Class of 2015 wealth, prestige and a life free of health problems, but added that a time will come when they will have to examine their belief in God.
“If you lose that, it’s like losing the floor you stand on,” he continued, advising the grads to trust God to help them get through difficulties.
Making additional remarks were valedictorians Perry J. Chickonoski III and Vincent M. Talley, both of whom encouraged fellow students to develop their own relationship with God and not allow fear to stop them from pursuing their passions.
“It’s so much easier to live in fear, since it requires we do nothing but be afraid,” said Talley, who intends to major in astronomy and physics at Ohio State University.
Salutatorians Sarah J. Crouch and Jordan T. Snipes also spoke.