Niles McKinley grads take aim at their future

May 29, 2016 at 12:02a.m.

WARREN

2016 Niles McKinley Graduation

For much of her time in high school, Nicole M. Norman has taken pride in singing in her school’s choir, but now she’s tuning up for a far different chapter in her life: entering the medical field.

“I want to go to Kent State University and go into nursing,” the Niles McKinley High School Class of 2016 graduate said. “I want to be a trauma nurse.”

Norman’s parents are physical therapists and an aunt is a nurse, all of whom have inspired her to enter a profession that will allow her to improve others’ lives. The family members also were among those influential in other areas of her life, including helping to pave the way for Norman to receive her diploma. She and 167 fellow grads were awarded those rites of passage during Saturday afternoon’s commencement at W.D. Packard Music Hall, 1703 Mahoning Ave. NW.

Norman recalled having taken 10 years’ worth of music lessons, which undoubtedly primed her to be in her school’s Belles & Beaux choir. She also sang for about a year in a women’s choir, she said, adding that she may try out for choir while at KSU.

Beyond getting good grades and performing musical numbers, her high-school experiences have allowed her to blossom in other ways and push herself harder, she said.

“In ninth and 10th grades, I was shy. In 11th grade, I opened up and found out who I was,” she said.

Entering Cleveland State University’s pre-law program this fall is on Max F. Elliott’s radar screen. After that, he hopes take the next step of being accepted into CSU’s School of Law, then becoming a public defender for the military, he said.

In between, though, the bulk of Elliott’s summer likely won’t mean the usual cookouts and spending time with family and friends and by the swimming pool.

“I’m going on Aug. 16 to basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C.,” said Elliott, who also has enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard.

Another of his major goals is to be accepted into the Army’s elite Judge Advocate General’s Corps. So perhaps not surprisingly, he also intends to take time this summer to participate in monthly drill exercises and get into top physical shape, which will include running three miles daily and spending time at a gym, he said.

At the beginning of the ceremony, graduate Jordan M. Dyce was pleasantly surprised when his two brothers, Spc. Eddie Brooks and Pfc. Cameron Clark, both of whom are in the Army, greeted and hugged him. Dyce had no idea either would be there, Principal Mark Lucas said beforehand.

Brooks flew home Friday from Hawaii after having been away for about two years.

Jaret M. Johnson, one of the Class of 2016’s two valedictorians, told his fellow grads that success is determined by their happiness in life. He also urged the students to use their talents wisely and cherish their high school memories.

Expounding on a similar theme was fellow valedictorian Jaclyn M. Rowley, who told her classmates that endurance and persistence will help them weather life’s inevitable difficulties. At the same time, life will deal its share of blows, but knowing how to get back up and deal with them effectively makes a person stronger, she advised, adding that enjoying one’s time also is pivotal.

“Cherish every moment you’ve got until it’s gone,” Rowley said.