FLORENCE This year’s graduating seniors face a world of challenges, but can succeed with the right attitude and a willingness to take risks, said Principal Stephen Falcone at the Florence Township Memorial High School graduation ceremony June 14.
By:Vanessa S. Holt
Family members and well-wishers filled the school’s athletic field and bleachers to watch the 115 students take the first step toward their future, whether they are headed to college, the military or the world of work.
Salutatorian Lauren Mangus quoted filmmaker Woody Allen, stating that "Success is 80 percent showing up," but adding that she believes the other 20 percent of success is made up of an individual’s accomplishments, ranging from attaining a personal goal to a major academic achievement.
Neha Vyas, the class valedictorian, remarked that the graduating seniors were at the point of transition between adolescence and adulthood, about to step into "unknown territory."
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are for," she said, advising students to have a spirit of adventure, taking risks when the opportunity arises.
Joseph Frappolli, director of student services, said that at least 71 percent of the graduating will go on to further their education, with more than $1.5 million in scholarship money awarded to those students from various colleges and institutions.
More than $30,000 in awards were presented during the graduation ceremony from community organizations, businesses and individuals.
Mr. Frappolli left the students with 17 words that he said would "never fail them" in their future lives, including "listen," "smile" "believe," "risk," and "wait."
School board President Jaime Fauver, who graduated from the high school five years ago, told seniors they should pursue their dreams and concentrate on discovering what they really want out of life.
"Follow your passions and leave your mark," said Ms. Fauver. "Find what you want out of life. Everyone can find success and happiness … whatever your goals are."
Superintendent Gerard Steffe described the feeling of parents, teachers and administrators as they watch students on graduation day, comparing it to the feeling Michelangelo might have had upon finishing a sculpture and wishing it had the power to speak.
Unlike the marble masterpiece, however, the graduating seniors are able to speak for themselves, using what they have learned over the past 12 years.
"We wait to hear what you will say," said Mr. Steffe.
The following is a list of graduates for the Class of 2001. An asterisk denotes membership in the National Honor Society:
Stefan Adam Jr., Jeffrey M. Aker, Francesca Theresa Babino, Stephanie Ann Bacskay, Cherie Lynn Beck*, Kami Lynn Bernardo*, Peter Charles Bieling, Heidi Marie Bingham*, Maria B. Bingham*, Louis J. Blacker, Michael K. Blanton*, Nicole Madonna Bonilla, Robert Bordeaux, Ian Matthew Borgstrom*, Tessa Bresnen, Melissa Marie Brophy, Erana C. Brown.
Also, Kirk Douglas Buddenbaum, Randy Rashawn Burch*, Harvey Jerome Byrd Jr., Elizabeth Dyan Carty, Eric Cawley, LaToya Lynette Cheek, Marlena Cipriano*, Ryan James Corcoran, Jeffrey Marcus Dankanich, Nichole Chantee Dixon, Brooks Dowling, Christina M. Dunca, Christine Elizabeth Dunn, William Anthony Emanuele*, Michael Espenschied, Jessica Fitzpatrick*, Robyn Gay, Joseph Giambrone IV*, Maria Jose Gordillo, Joseph Green.
Also, Megan Nicole Green, Paul Ford Green, Darci Lynn Gresko*, Candice Leigh Higham, Andrea Katherine Hill*, Kelly Ann Hines, Scott Thomas Hines, Kristina Lauren Holt, Natalie Horner, Robert P. Hunsicker, Shannon Pearl Johnson, Daniel Maurice Jones*, Stacy Lynn Kane, Todd Christian Karmazin*, Jasbir Kaur, Manpreet Kaur, Avery Dion Kearse, C.J. Kessler*, Pinar Kilic, Kristen Ann Kimock*, James William LaGrazzo, Thomas Jonathan Lavoie, Michael Andrew Lease, Justin G. Leister, John Lisowski.
Also, Craig Littwin, Heather Moreen Lynch*, Mark Paton Mahoney, Lauren Ann Mangus*, Melanie Rachel Mayberry, Shavonne Maynor, Heather Lynn Mercantini, Kelly Nicole Mich, Warren A. Miller, Andreea I. Milosovici, Frank Robinson Moceri, Shelly Nesbitt*, Sherry Nicole Nesbitt, Megan Ann Neylan, Jenna Courtney Ochs, George Ondusko, Amie Francine Oros, Mary Jean Oros, Stephanie Ostrander, Ryan Walker Pallas*, Ankit P. Patel*, John Porter*, Linda Marie Pullen*, Julio Quinones, Laura Marie Rakes, Talia Yvette Ray-Reed, Jeremy L. Rigelon, Steven F. Rowley, Thomas Sawyer, Matthew Jason Scassero*, Samantha Lee Schwartzkopf*, Matthew Michael Scott*, Jason Anthony Shafer.
Also, Miranda Kathleen Alexis Simm, Shawn Ryan Solotky*, Brandon Christopher Stephens*, Rachna Suri, Jennifer Kathleen Sutphin*, Sandeep Tejpal, Brian Patrick Thompson, Amy Lynn Trice, Calvin LaMar Turner, Kenneth R. VanBarringer Jr., Crystal Lynn Verduchi, Neha Vinayak Vyas*, Melissa Lynn Weincyzk, Zara Williams-Bardorff, James S. Wilson Jr.*, Erin Elizabeth Winder, Kyle Wirth.