Canfield graduates ready to take the next step

June 5, 2017 at 12:05a.m.

CANFIELD

Combine a four-year perfect-attendance record, a love for dancing, a desire to perform a variety of community projects and a drive to improve others’ lives and you have the essence of Erica L. Whittenberger’s high-school years.

“I want to be a pediatrician,” she said without hesitation. “I’ve always baby-sat and I take care of little kids, but I want to be a doctor to help people.”

Suffice it to say Whittenberger first took a giant step toward helping herself by earning her diploma, which she proudly accepted during the Canfield High School Class of 2017 commencement Sunday afternoon at the school on Cardinal Drive.

Her primary goal is to enter Youngstown State University’s pre-med program this fall to major in biology and chemistry. From there, it’s on to medical school, she said.

While at Canfield High, Whittenberger, a National Honor Society member who graduated summa cum laude, was part of the Young Leaders and Leo’s clubs, both of which are service organizations. Their efforts have included raising money for a girl with eye problems and participating in many food drives, she continued.

“I will miss my classmates,” Whittenberger said, adding that the perfect attendance is among her proudest accomplishments. “I enjoyed being around all my friends.”

In many ways, Whittenberger’s high-school trajectory parallels that of James E. Lorelli, whose main ambition is to enroll in Ohio State University’s pre-med program and major in biology.

“I want to be a doctor, actually an ophthalmologist,” said Lorelli, another summa cum laude graduate who also took part in food drives as part of Leo’s Club and the school’s Key Club.

Also, Lorelli participated in an effort to donate shoes to children who were less fortunate, he added.

Lorelli called graduating “exciting but bittersweet,” saying he, too, will miss seeing friends and classmates on a regular basis.

Delivering the commencement address was Anthony R. Vross Sr., co-owner of Simon Roofing and a 1979 Canfield High graduate.

Having big dreams and goals is fine, but coupling those with the desire and discipline to execute them is the surefire way to carry both to fruition, he reminded the Class of 2017.

“Execution is important in all aspects of your life, school relationships and in your school,” said Vross, whose son, Anthony R. Vross Jr., was among the graduates.

To highlight that point, Vross Sr. noted that acting on a plan to diversify his business model beyond Youngstown resulted in Simon Roofing’s having more than 500 employees in 66 regions throughout the U.S.

“We didn’t just scratch it on a napkin and hope for the best,” Vross said in underscoring the value of executing what for him was initially a mere goal and plan.

When he graduated from high school, Sony Walkman devices were popular much like iPods are today, but the Walkman’s invention was the result of moving an idea from a plan to an action. The students may not come up with the next great innovation, but they can reach success one step at a time, he explained.

“Execute, be a doer, get things done,” Vross advised. “It’s OK to have a dream, but do it. What’s stopping you?”

Also making speeches were Cecilia M. Shaer and Mitchell G. Halley, both of whom are NHS members who offered words of encouragement and reminded their fellow grads that dealing with hardships won’t change the essence of who they are.

Shaer cited the significance of the numbers 100, 168 and 712, saying that 100 represents the school’s address, 100 Cardinal Drive, where the grads will always be welcome, and that 168 is the number of hours in a week.

“You have 168 hours [every week] to get from where you are to where you want to be,” she said, adding that 712 days have passed between the students’ first day of high school and graduation.

That number of days has allowed Class of 2017 members to learn a lot about themselves and others while making them wiser and stronger, Shaer said.

Making additional remarks were Michael J. Moldovan, principal, along with Superintendent Alex G. Geordan and assistant principal David K. Mullane, who noted that about $9 million in scholarships was awarded to the Class of 2017.