JFK grads: Ready to serve

May 29, 2016 at 12:01a.m.

• Niles McKinley grads take aim at their future

By SEAN BARRON

news@vindy.com

WARREN

2016 John J. Kennedy Catholic Graduation

Gallery

A two-week mission trip to Kenya during his freshman year acted as a template for Andrew Rossi not only to excel in school, but to set his sights far beyond achieving good grades and living for the moment.

“It opened my eyes up to poverty and played a big role in me taking part in service and charity roles,” explained Rossi, a Class of 2016 graduate of Warren John F. Kennedy Catholic High School. “I [also] hope to help others around the world as a doctor.”

It appears that Rossi already has laid the groundwork for accomplishing such aspirations. He plans to major in pre-med at DePaul University in Chicago and enter the medical field.

Rossi has completed the first major leg of his goal: He was one of 47 graduates to receive a diploma during the school’s commencement Saturday at W.D. Packard Music Hall, 1703 Mahoning Ave. NW.

Rossi recalled that during the life-changing trip to Africa, he sponsored a child, helped build a school, made jewelry and took part in other cultural endeavors to improve many local people’s lives.

This summer, however, Rossi’s pace will be considerably slower because he intends to spend time with family and friends and work at an area restaurant before packing up for college, he said.

Also planning to make a foray into the medical field is Taylor Vassis, whose next step after taking home a diploma will be to enter Ohio State University’s pre-med program this fall to major in biology.

“I hope to do something like become a pediatrician. I love being with kids; I’ve done a lot of baby-sitting and volunteering at children’s places,” she said, adding that her two younger brothers also influenced her career choice.

Vassis, whose summer will consist largely of being with family and friends as well as working at Tamer Win Golf & Country Club in Cortland, said her school experiences have allowed her to further appreciate the value of service work. She volunteers at St. Joseph Warren Hospital, which includes everything from doing paperwork to visiting with patients, she said.

Vassis added that graduating with honors and “being challenged in the classroom” are among her proudest high-school achievements.

“I’ve been ready to graduate for a long time,” said Bobby Jefferson, who played quarterback for JFK during his senior year when the team finished 11-2.

Jefferson hopes to take his football-playing abilities to the next level by playing for Malone University in Canton beginning this fall. He’s uncertain of his major, though it likely will be zoology or engineering, he said.

Jefferson has no travel destinations for this summer, except to a nearby football field, where he probably will spend time practicing to make Malone’s team, he said.

Delivering the commencement address was James D. Pipino, a 1978 Warren JFK graduate.

Pipino, who owns several area Arby’s restaurants and is a former JFK speech-and-debate coach, advised the grads to appreciate what they know, seek others’ help for what they don’t know, recognize that much can be gleaned from failure without succumbing to fear, and realize that God loves them.

“Keep learning and growing,” Pipino said. “Don’t forget to love yourself.”

During his presentation, Rossi, the class valedictorian, quickly ticked off in alphabetical order from A-D the names of 47 countries, which also represented the number of graduates. He used the humorous moment as a metaphor to point to the fact that each country is unique and diverse, saying his fellow grads possess the same qualities and have lots of potential to change the world for the better.

Making additional remarks and sharing a variety of memories were Rachel Cullison, salutatorian; and Joseph Kenneally, principal and school president.