2017 graduates of Poland High set bar high for future careers

May 28, 2017 at 12:09a.m.

POLAND

Poland Graduation

For as long as she can remember, Nadine Jones has wanted to choose a career that had fairness for everyone as its core, a decision that was further solidified in her freshman year.

“I’ve always wanted to go into law. I love the concept of equality and justice,” Jones said.

Reinforcing that desire was joining Poland Seminary High School’s speech and debate team in ninth grade – along with having been inspired by the example of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., she said with pride.

Jones also has joined the ranks of those who have graduated from the school, from which she was handed a diploma during Saturday evening’s commencement at the school, on Dobbins Road.

The first step toward her career goal is to enroll this fall in Youngstown State University’s pre-law program, something made easier by having received a scholarship from the YSU Foundation, said Jones, who is considering studying international law.

Jones may have taken home her diploma, but that doesn’t mean all of her ties to the school have been cut. In mid-June, she will represent its speech and debate team in a national tournament in Birmingham, Ala., to try to capture another high finish like last year, she said.

Numbers and scientific concepts are more David Gessler’s forte, because he intends to major in mathematics at YSU, with a minor in actuarial science to be an actuary for an insurance agency, he explained.

“I’ve always liked math,” said Gessler, who added up his many school accomplishments that included having been National Honor Society president, a student council member, captain of the soccer team and part of the track team.

Before once again hitting the books, Gessler hopes to spend part of this summer working at Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream in Poland.

“I was shocked. The time flew, and it feels like yesterday that I came here,” said Allie Jones, no relation to Nadine Jones, referring to having moved to Poland in her freshman year from the Toledo area.

In a few years, Allie went from feeling rather adrift and trying to fit in, to making friends, one of whom she hopes to share an apartment with while at YSU beginning this fall. There, she plans to major in fashion and interior merchandising, with a minor in dance management.

“I’ve been dancing, give or take, about 14 years,” said Allie, who listed being in the school choir as one of her proudest achievements.

Giving the commencement address was Judge Anthony M. D’Apolito of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, who told the 169 Class of 2017 members that he had no idea what he wanted to do after graduating from high school about 30 years ago.

But his formula for success, he told the grads, begins with defining what success means to you.

“Success is not measured by what you own, but by what you have,” such as a loving family, a fulfilling job and the desire to make a positive impact on others, the judge said.

It’s also important to be kind toward others, and realize that any small act of kindness can change someone’s life and the lives of many, he continued. He recalled having helped a woman who was suicidal and who later told him that such compassion prevented her from taking her life.

Judge D’Apolito also mentioned the Sandy Hook Promise, an organization formed in the aftermath of the December 14, 2012, elementary-school massacre in Newtown, Conn., that took the lives of 20 children age 6 and 7, as well as six adults, and which is dedicated to offering programs and practices to protect children from gun violence.

Poland High Principal Kevin J. Snyder urged the grads to challenge themselves to excel in their goals while realizing that difficulties and obstacles are inevitable.

“Be the best ‘you’ you can be every day,” he said.

Also making remarks was Jeremy Gondol, assistant principal, along with district Superintendent David R. Janofa, who in advance of Memorial Day asked veterans from all military branches to stand and be recognized. For their service and sacrifices, they received a thunderous applause.