Friday, May 26, 2017
By AMANDA TONOLI
atonoli@vindy.com
YOUNGSTOWN
A Chaney Campus salutatorian encouraged her peers to never limit their challenges, but to challenge their limits.
“Go beyond your full potential and reach for bigger and better things,” salutatorian Rayonna Booth said during Chaney’s commencement Friday afternoon in the school’s auditorium.
Booth read aloud the following famous Rocky Balboa quote: “It ain’t about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.”
She reminded her peers that getting knocked down is not definitive, but something to overcome.
“No one ever said growing up was easy, but we all pulled through toward the end,” said salutatorian Markalia Fareed.
Farteed said she couldn’t describe the joy she feels for completing graduation.
“The road toward success was never easy, but here I am,” she said.
Booth mirrored Fareed’s sentiment and said she owes it all to her family.
“Without my mom, none of this would be possible,” she said. “As a single mom, raising myself and my siblings, she always pushed me to be my best. She was always encouraging and pushed us all to do better and to never give up.”
During her speech, she quipped: “And thanks, Mom, for the good genes that gave me these crazy good looks.”
Keynote speaker and state Rep. Glenn Holmes of McDonald, D-65th, stressed the importance of a support system and overcoming all obstacles to reach one’s goals.
“Cherish your family and always reach toward the greater good,” he said. “The world is counting on you to do that.”
Reaching toward the greater good is something Chaney graduates definitely have done.
Principal Joe Krumpak announced the 67 graduates have together been awarded more than $700,000 in scholarships for their next steps forward.
The following students rated in the top 10 of their class: Booth, Fareed, Tasianique Coder, Mark Herron, Makayla James, Ralph Reddinger, Yesarily Sanchez-Rivera, Te’Ana Sullivan, Victor Tenorio and Zachery Wright.
In addition, six students are National Honor Society members, and 24 are National Technical Honor Society members.