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Howland graduated 203 at W. D. Packard Music Hall
Howland graduated 203 at W.D. Packard Music Hall
HOWLAND
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Nolan Nadler, whom his mother, Dr. Sheffali Nadler, described as “passionate, smart and kind,” is headed to Kent State University to study graphic design and business administration.
Anastasia A. Kistler, whom her mother, Leslie Vickers, said is a “typical kid who didn’t like school, but toughed it out anyway,” is headed to Stauzenberger College in Brecksville to become a veterinary technician.
“An honorable young man who is well-liked in the community,” is how Eric C. Murray Jr. is portrayed by his aunt and uncle, Roberta Wells of Kinsman and Michael Murray of Warren. Eric, the son of Melinda Loychick and Eric Murray Sr., both of Howland, is going to Youngstown State University to study nursing.
Nolan, Anastasia and Eric are three of the 203 members of the Howland High School Class of 2016 who walked across Warren’s W. D. Packard Music Hall stage Wednesday to receive their diplomas and start new chapters in their lives.
Introducing the graduates, Sandra Williams, first-year high-school principal, described them as a “very amazing, hard-working and creative class that challenged me to create some new traditions.”
Among the new traditions is Senior Week, which included a day of community service; a class picnic, and a visit in their caps and gowns to the elementary, intermediate and middle schools to show them what they had to look forward to.
Williams was one of several speakers who made the graduates laugh, gave them advice for the future and urged them to take risks, stay positive in the face of challenges, and be the generation that “stops fooling around” and solves problems, as Jacob G. Eisen put it in his “honor oration.”
He offered a bucket list that includes finding a cure for cancer, going to Mars, fixing the political party system, ending world hunger and ending the destruction of natural resources.
“If each of us concentrated on just one, we could solve them all in one generation,” he said.
Hannah J. Cooley injected humor into her honor oration.
She thanked parents and grandparents for “seeing through us when we said we were sick” and making them go to school.
She also said the graduates learned from others and each other at Howland High the “power of work, the power of being kind and the power of having fun.”
“As we stand on the precipice of our futures, each graduate has school teachers and administrators, each other, and especially parents and families for their unconditional love and support, said Brooke E. Kulusich, senior class president and one of three class valedictorians.
Scott Lehman, president of Howland Board of Education, urged the graduates to “seek out and surround yourselves with positive, upbeat people.”
“A positive attitude will enable you to deal with the coming changes and challenges,” he said.
“We all face storms,” said schools Superintendent Kevin Spicher.
He urged them to commit to the joy of the journey, not the outcome.
“We are with you and proud of you every step of the way,” Spicher said.