383 Fitch graduates urged to embrace future

June 7, 2015 at 12:01a.m.

By SEAN BARRON

news@vindy.com

AUSTINTOWN

Austintown Fitch Graduation 2015

Erin O’Brien may have closed one important chapter in her young life, but if her career aspirations are realized, she will be opening many more.

“Since I was little, I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. I used to play ‘teacher’ with my brothers and sister,” O’Brien recalled.

Suffice it to say she is way past the days of pretending and much closer to making her dream a reality, thanks to having earned her diploma, something she proudly accomplished during Saturday’s 99th annual Fitch High School commencement at the school, 4560 Falcon Drive.

O’Brien was among 383 Class of 2015 members who received the honor.

The new graduate’s next step is to enroll at Youngstown State University this fall and work toward becoming a high school English teacher, she said. Beforehand, though, O’Brien is assessing how thankful she is to her own high school teachers, many of whom she said “really shaped me to be the person I am.”

Another item on her summer radar screen is a possible trip with friends to Myrtle Beach, S.C.

YSU also is on the map for Gino Rozzi, whose main educational intent is to study chemical engineering and pursue that as a career. His chemistry and other science classes at Fitch helped mold his higher-education decision, he explained.

“I will remember my classmates and the laughs we shared about the tests we studied for,” Rozzi added, referring to what he feels will be among his most cherished school memories.

In the meantime, the valedictorian’s primary summer plans are to relax and prepare for college, said Rozzi, who also played for Fitch’s baseball and golf teams.

Regardless of their plans and goals, the grads will continue to encounter inevitable challenges and difficulties. But that should not dissuade them from pursuing their dreams, Austintown schools Superintendent Vince Colaluca said in his presentation.

“Life isn’t easy. Sometimes a curveball will be thrown at you, but have the courage to do something new,” he advised. “Remember, only one person controls your dreams and that’s you.”

Adding a slightly darker element to that theme was Principal Christopher M. Berni, who warned the grads that they must be prepared to handle rejection, ridicule, persecution and failure if they want to make a positive impact, be counted on and compete in a global world.

The grads have the means to overcome such battles, though they should not fight them alone, he continued.

“Be prepared for darkness and danger, but stare it in the face and don’t let it bully you,” Berni concluded.

Also speaking was Marina Pavlichich, senior class president, who encouraged her fellow grads to enjoy their life’s journeys and “detours” while keeping their eyes on their destinations.

Joseph Ciarniello, Eva Coulter, Benjamin Devenport Casey Fairbanks, Patrick Gerberry, Sydney McGrath, Victoria Patterson, Michelle Pfeffer, Taylor Phan, Kayla Rektor, Rozzi, Mackenzie Scrocco, Alyssa Spear and Bailey Varga also addressed their class.

The 14 valedictorians touched on themes such as hanging onto lifetime memories, facing imperfections and failure and rising again, seeking others’ support, remembering their high school achievements and thanking teachers, parents and others who guided them.

Devenport also outlined achievements the school’s football, girls’ soccer, track, cross-country and robotics teams have made, along with those of the cheerleading squad.

Making additional remarks were senior guidance counselors Maribeth McGlynn and Amanda Krygowski, both of whom praised the grads for their accomplishments and the example they have set.

Also expressing his pride in the grads was Tom Mock, president of the Fitch Falcon Forward Committee, a boosters organization.