Last graduating class leaves old high school building
By: Molly Petrilla
FLORENCE When singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins co-wrote "Your Heart Will Lead You Home," odds are he was not thinking about Florence High School.
And yet, the lyrics seemed fitting on June 16, when students, parents, teachers and administrators listened to the school’s choir perform the song at the Class of 2006’s commencement.
"Somehow right before your eyes / The sun fades away," they sang. "Everything is different / And everything has changed."
Change was also the subject of Salutatorian Patrick Hollern’s speech, which was the first of the evening.
"We have grown together for most of our lives," he said, adding that many of the students have known each other since kindergarten. Though he and his classmates’ post-graduation days will undoubtedly be different from the ones they have spent in school, Patrick said it is important that they all "utilize the past … to move into the future."
But this year, it is not just the Class of 2006 that will face changes. The school itself, which has housed Florence high schoolers since 1952, will become a middle school this fall, when a new Florence High School opens near Cedar Lane.
"This graduating class is leaving behind the building we can all see from here a building that has served the community well," Assistant Principal Maria Sadar said from the graduation stage set up on the football field behind the high school.
In addition to discussing change, "Your Heart Will Lead You Home" also includes lyrics about friendship: "If you feel lost / And on your own / And far from home / You’re never alone, you know. / Just think of your friends, / The ones who care / They all will be waiting there."
Valedictorian Daniel Sasse discussed the importance of friendship, noting that "the friends you have made the friends I have made will be with us forever."
Among these friends is the graduates’ classmate Rena del Rosario, who was struck by a car in front of the high school in 2003, the spring of her freshman year. Though she has not been able to attend the high school since the accident, Rena received an honorary diploma.
"Over the past three years, Rena has faced challenges that most of us cannot comprehend," said her friend and classmate Lisa Bencze. "(She) has struggled and endured the past three years with a courage that is beyond imagination. We pray her continued strong will and determination will continue her along the path of recovery."
Following this emotional address, Ms. Sadar took the podium to remind the graduates of the all-important "three R’s." She was not talking about reading, writing and arithmetic, though.
"I would like to tell you the three R’s that will help you be successful in whatever you decide to do with the rest of your life," she said. "Respect yourself; respect others; and take responsibility for all of your actions."
And, as the Kenny Loggins song maintains, "Follow your heart / Know that you can’t go wrong."
The Florence Township Memorial High School graduating Class of 2006: Kenneth M. Allen, Debra Ann Beach, Lisa Diane Bencze, Nicole Lois Buffin, Adrianna Bulanowski, Stefanie Rose Bulleck, Anthony David Cardone, Kristie N. Carmignani, Adam D. Carocci, Shirley Ann Carter, Gary Kevin Carugno, Eric T. Centofanti, Evelyn Alca Ceruti, Aaloka Bimal Choksi, Jessica Lynn Cook, Lisa M. Cornelius, Matthew Aaron Czepiel, Mary Jo DeArmitt, Rena Lynne del Rosario, Kenneth Brian Deptula Jr., Joseph Diehl, Evan Michael DiPasquale, Heather Marie Donahue, Shauna Marie Donavon, Jennifer L. Dulo, Roy C. Duncan, Ugur Evci, Tiffany Lynn Golab, Francisco Jose Gordillo, Harpreet Grewal, Alyssa Joyce Hammond, Jonathan Arthur Hand, Kimberly Shea Hausmann, Patrick Edward Hollern, Sarah Elizabeth Horner, Adam M. Hummel, Abree Javon Jones, David Michael Jones, Kristen Nicole Kelsey, Joseph Frederick Krause Jr., Michael V. Laux, Ross Cameron Lawrence, Caleb James Lederer, Alicia Marta Lewandowski, Kara Jaclyn Linico, Stuardo Javier Lopez, Nicholas Thomas Maldonado, Ryan William McLaughlin, Adam David McMonagle, Tierney L. Medvedik, Ivan Melendez Jr., Katherine Lynne Melnyk, Lyndsey Nicole Meszaros, Jacklyn A. Miller, Thomas Charles Miller, Andrew C. Munger, Megan Murisan, Nuran Elizabeth Onal, Cynthia Helena Ramirez, Diana Michele Riker, Malik Talbert Robinson, Tiffany R. Salaga, Daniel Robert Sasse, Vincent Paul Sayers II, Lauren Janice Schouck, Joseph Evan Spahn, Daniel Matthew Starkey, Scott F. Stone Jr., Rachel Jane Stoner, Rita Suri, Robert N. Sutton, Melissa Anne Thompson, Nicole M. Tully, Kristen C. Vockel, Stephanie Ann Wallace, Jarrell D. White, Heather Leigh Williams, Melissa Kathleen Wright.