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Liberty graduates 98
YOUNGSTOWN
As the Liberty High School Class of 2015 gathered Thursday evening at Stambaugh Auditorium in Youngstown before commencement, friends stood together in twos or in groups, helping one another straighten caps and gowns.
They took selfies with their camera phones and laughed, enjoying the last time they would be together as high-school seniors.
They would listen to speeches filled with hope for them about following their dreams and never giving up, then against the backdrop of the magnificent architecture of Stambaugh, they would walk to the stage and receive their diplomas.
Where were they going? Some seemed more confident than others about their chosen paths. Some seemed unhappy at the idea of being separated from friends, and some knew what they wanted to do, but were unsure where they wanted to do it.
You could see the mix of emotions on their faces as life was coming at them, ready or not: happiness and excitement, but some anxiety and uncertainty as well.
Hailey Vinson and Katherine Serrano have been best friends.
Hailey’s excited about going to Ursuline College in Cleveland to pursue a nursing degree – her mom’s a nurse, she explained, and after shadowing her for a career assignment, she knew it was exactly what she wanted to do.
She’s not so excited, however, about leaving her best friend.
Katherine will pursue a degree in culinary arts at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She’ll earn her bachelor’s degree in three years.
Even though the two will be “two hours and 50 minutes away,” Katherine said, they plan to visit each other and to Skype.
Brandon Hurst is meeting his future with confidence. He’s known for a long time what he would do when he grew up.
“Ever since I was little I loved films, loved movies,” he said. He will go to Kent State University to pursue a degree in digital media production, and then he will go to New York State University to pursue a master’s. He wants to be a director.
For Greg Marsh, who wants to be a dentist, and Stephanie Merrel, who will pursue a career in pediatric nursing, it’s where they want to earn their degrees that they aren’t sure about.
Greg’s debating about schools.
“They’re far away,” he said, and he doesn’t want to leave his family. Youngstown State University does offer a degree in dentistry, he said.
YSU might also suit Stephanie, she said.
The Class of 2015 filed into the auditorium to hear the words of encouragement:
“Now go – make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules,” said their class president, Diala Aburahma.
“Everything will change. Your success depends on your ability to manage this change, or risk being left behind,” said Liberty Board of Education President David Malone.
“After today, we face an unsheltered world that shows no mercy for giving up,” said salutatorian Logan Weinreber.
“Not all dreams come true,” said valedictorian Allison Beckinger. “Sometimes all you can do in life is try to solve the problem in front of you.”
“Face the challenge head-on,” said Valedictorian Shunran Xu.
“This isn’t the end,” said Valedictorian Debra Fabian. “This is just another great beginning.”