East High grads credit teachers going extra mile to push them toward their dreams

YOUNGSTOWN

They have aspirations of careers in medicine, manufacturing and education with plans beginning next year in college, trade school or the military.

They are the 137 members of the East High School Class of 2016 who received their diplomas Friday at a commencement ceremony at Stambaugh Auditorium.

Davon Ashford, Ky’Asha Blackwell and Don’jeane Love gathered with their classmates in the Stambaugh ballroom before the ceremony started.

“I’m very excited,” Love said.

She and Blackwell are joining the Army. Ashford plans to enter the workforce.

Though the three said they’re happy to be graduating, Blackwell said she’ll “miss the teachers who helped us.”

They listed English teachers Leslie Davanzo and Selina Cotton and math teacher Kelly Daley.

“They always went the extra mile to make sure our education was top-notch,” Ashford said.

The Class of 2016 is the first class of city high school students to earn Y-STAR scholarships through the Youngstown Foundation. Y-STAR scholarships are last-dollar ones aimed at helping students pay for costs such as books, parking and fees, which generally aren’t covered in financial aid. The scholarships are applicable at YSU and Eastern Gateway Community College.

Read more about the ceremony in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.