Jackson-Milton sends off 56 in its Class of 2016 Charting their course

June 11, 2016 at 12:02a.m.

NORTH JACKSON

For some people, the right combination of events, circumstances or influences need to merge to change the course of their lives, but for others such as Adriana M. Italiano, a single defining moment can be life-altering.

“I did a service project for mental health in my sophomore year,” the Jackson-Milton High School Class of 2016 member recalled. “It led me to change my mind [about becoming a teacher] and work toward seeing how donations can change someone’s life.”

Suffice it to say that for now, one of the biggest, most-positive changes for Adriana was receiving her diploma, which she and 55 fellow Jackson-Milton High Class of 2016 graduates did during Friday evening’s commencement at the high school, 13910 Mahoning Ave.

Adriana’s short-term goals are to enroll at Bowling Green State University this fall to major in international business and finance. Down the road, she hopes to use her financial acumen to work as an analyst for a global nonprofit agency, she noted.

Besides being class valedictorian, one of Adriana’s crowning high-school achievements was being cast in the play “Wild Pink,” a comedy by Margaret Witt in which she played an older character. Making the accomplishment sweeter for Adriana was that it was her first venture in acting, she said.

This summer, however, likely will consist of more ordinary ventures such as spending as much time as possible with family and friends before packing up for college, she said.

She added that her years in high school helped her “figure out who I am and what I want to do.”

Playing football for and earning a degree in computer science from Hiram College is on the mind of Adriana’s twin brother, Anthony J. Italiano, who was senior class president.

“The people were great. It was like home away from home to me,” Anthony said about his recent tour of the college.

Like his sister, Anthony hopes to carve out a career in the business world. In his case, he will work as a systems analyst for a business, if all goes according to plan, he explained.

Anthony said one of his fondest school accomplishments came during his senior year when he was a linebacker on the first football team in school history to qualify for the state playoffs.

Last November, the 7-4 Jackson-Milton Blue Jays played an Ohio High School playoff game against the Mogadore Wildcats, but the loss didn’t dampen his sense of pride, he said.

Spending time with friends and family, as well as working out in an effort to qualify for Hiram’s football team, probably will be among his summer activities, he added.

Also during the ceremony, school board President Mitch Mascioli presented Educator of the Year awards to Jeanne Reyes, a social-studies teacher for grades 10 to 12, as well as Sue Prozy, a kindergarten teacher, longtime volleyball coach and 1987 Jackson-Milton High grad.

“Both teachers do a lot of good things in the district,” Principal David Vega said. “Their dedication to the kids is the most important.”