SUSQUEHANNA - A semi-retired engineer and alumnus told the Susquehanna Community High School class of 2012 that the sky is the limit for their future, as long as they are willing to work hard for what they want.
Guest speaker John Kukowski, a 1968 graduate, was one of several speakers at the school's graduation ceremony Saturday.
"You now enter a critical stage in life to achieve your dreams," he said. "The opportunities are limitless but there is a price to pay. The price will be your time, as it takes time to study and put learning ahead of other things."
He also challenged the graduates to dare to be all they can be - to chase their chosen career and leave a mark in the world.
Class President Mary Kemmerer gave the welcome and introduced valedictorian Morgan Ofsharick, who thanked the administration for providing its students with such a variety of course subjects and for teachers being so caring.
Morgan described her class as being relentless and headstrong and thanked faculty, friends and especially parents, for being present to witness the graduation of their children, and she urged her classmates to do more than just exist in life but to live life.
Also at Saturday's ceremony, Principal Mark Gerchman presented scholastic awards to Morgan, Jeffrey Wayman, Alexandria Dominick, Courtney Arthur and Branden Deakin.
Graduates are:
Jeremy Acone, Elizabeth N. Acosta, Dylan S. Aldrich, Kristine Argyros, Aaron J. Arthur, Courtney L. Arthur, Ashley C. Ballard, Daphne B. Barnes, Tabitha L. Bibalo, Jamie B. Boerner, Adam M. Boughton, Andrew M. Burdick, Kayla Coleman, Tiffani A. Colwell, Danielle C. Conklin, Emily Arissa Conroy, Duane R. Consla Jr., Karlene Cottrell, Austin J. Cowperthwait, and Ashley Lynn Craig, Brandon M. Deakin, Brett M. Deakin, Alexandria Rain Dominick, Timothy Thomas Flanagan, Casey Fortune-Squires, Rex A. S. Fullam V, Benjamin G. Gall, Autumn S. Hadlick, David M. Hansen, Heather L. Hedrick, Brittany I. Herold, Matthew R. Hilling, Ashley R. Kapcsandi, Mary H. Kemmerer, Justin A. Kerber, Brenda L. Kochmer, Jared D. Lawson, Mikeala H. Lee, Thomas G. Maby, Jon-Michael P. Marino, Vincent Matta Jr., Sierra M. McConnell, Kristy L. Monks, Alexx J. Nelson, Morgan E. Ofsharick, Zachary P. Ord, Gregory Price, Cooper A. Quick, Dillian J. Rivenburg, Brandon P. Saddlemire, Austin Sampson, Elizabeth Seymour, Stephanie H. Skurski, Christopher Michael Snyder, Zachary S. Stanford, Shane T. Stanton, Anthony S. Stark, Toni A. Testa, Corey M. Towers, Melissa J. Valentine, Lindsay M. Way, Jeffrey A. Wayman Jr., George L.S. Wilkes and Stephanie L. Zappe. Valedictorian
MORGAN E. OFSHARICK
Parents: Francis and Kathryn Ofsharick
Activities: Art, marching and concert band, Envirothon, drama crew, National Honor Society, Scholastic Scrimmage and Bowl, WVIA Artist of the week, NEIU Scholar of the Year, Ross Park Zoo junior biologist
Plans: Attend Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts to major in illustration, and then would like to teach
Salutatorian
JEFFREY A. WAYMAN JR.
Parents: Jeffrey Wayman Sr. and Vicki Goodrich.
Activities: Envirothon, theater, Football, track and field, Engineering Olympics, Marywood math competition, Sabers News Network and National Honor Society
Plans: Attend Rochester Institute of Technology to pursue mechanical engineering