43
Mahoning County High School confers 30 diplomas
By Sean Barron
YOUNGSTOWN
If all goes according to plan, Rayshawn Wynn will be receiving quite a few passes, but for now, he’s thrilled to have scored a major victory by having received his high-school diploma.
“You’ve got to keep pushing. Once you quit, you won’t succeed in life,” the Mahoning County High School student advised.
Given the level of adversity he’s faced in his young life, Wynn easily could have given up. Instead, he was among the 30 graduates who took home diplomas during Friday’s MCHS Class of 2015 commencement at the school, 940 Bryn Mawr Ave., on the East Side.
Wynn’s main goals include playing wide receiver for Waynesburg University’s football team in Waynesburg, Pa., and possibly studying business management. Another ambition is to perhaps start a welding business, said Wynn, who’s also an ardent Dallas Cowboys fan.
Nyhuh Dawson hopes to use the difficulties she’s experienced as a backdrop for entering a college in Florida, studying law and becoming a defense attorney. The move also will allow her to be closer to her brother.
“I feel I have what it takes to defend someone,” Dawson explained, adding that she’s unsure of her college choice. “School was worth it. Everything is better once you graduate.”
MCHS, established in 2008, places a heavy emphasis on academics and positive behavior management and support for students who have been suspended or expelled from their schools, noted Magistrate Anthony D’Apolito of the Mahoning County Juvenile Court.
The high school is in a partnership with the court.
“Today, they get to see their accomplishments,” D’Apolito said, adding that the 200th student graduated last year.
Delivering the keynote address was Mahoning County Commissioner Anthony T. Traficanti, who spoke on the value of receiving a solid education and embracing personal responsibility.
“You can’t drop out of high school and drop into a good job,” he cautioned.
Traficanti, who’s also a licensed social worker, told the graduates they have the potential to be great writers, innovators, political leaders, engineers and technology experts.
In addition, Traficanti said, it’s vital to use failures as pathways to accomplishing great things. For example, J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, received 12 rejections before having her first book published, and basketball legend Michael Jordan was cut from his high-school team, the commissioner noted.
During his presentation, Wynn thanked his parents and teachers for their guidance, recalling that in ninth grade, he was on the verge of giving up.
“The teachers here have welcomed me with open arms,” he said. “You’re more than my teachers; you’re my family.”
Making additional remarks was Judge Theresa Dellick of the juvenile court, who praised the graduates’ parents for guiding them toward graduation and working with the youngsters to help them overcome difficult odds.