Eager East graduates embark on their future

East High School Graduation

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By AMANDA TONOLI

atonoli@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Pride emanated from Stambaugh Auditorium on Friday morning as 189 East High students celebrated their last hurrah of high school.

“Today is just another reminder that all the hard work is worth it,” said Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel.

Tressel was the guest speaker, congratulating the parents, community, students and staff for their efforts to get to the finish line.

“It’s hard not to be so proud of all of the kids and their families,” he said.

Board of education member Ron Shadd mirrored Tressel’s sentiment.

“There is so much success here and in our future,” he said. “The thanks go to all the staff who help students get to this point to be able to move on with their futures.”

Denise Vaclav-Danko, East principal, said she was thankful for the time spent with the students.

“I was glad to be a part of their journey,” she said. “As an educator, my job is to – in any capacity that I can – make a difference in people and their lives. I think at East High we have successfully provided opportunities in the form of pathways.”

Brenda Kimble, school board president, said watching successful students cross the stage and the threshold to their new lives is wonderful to see, but not surprising.

“There is no surprise that these are great students,” Kimble said. “With everything going on in our schools, our students are still doing great, and we are beyond happy to be celebrating the successes with our children.”

Pride was evident in parent Christina McCall’s teary eyes and wavering voice as she cheered for her daughter Tyonna.

“I’m just so happy,” she said. “I’m so very proud of her and who she’s become in the last 13 years of schooling.”

East graduate Ja’Mya Walker said she’s practically speechless, because in this one morning it all came to an end. “The ceremony went really, really well, and it was just so beautiful for our last time all together,” she said.

But Vaclav-Danko said the ceremony isn’t so much of a goodbye, but a hello to new adventures.

“The journey continues,” she said.