In recognizing the 2013 graduating class at Lackawanna Trail on Friday night, Superintendent Matt Rukauskas reminded them that they all started kindergarten together at the start of a new century.
And they have boldly moved since to tackle new challenges, or what Principal John Rushefski called "unforgettable memories."
He said that the fact that 76 percent of the class of 87 grads would be going on to college and 24 percent will enter the workforce was a testimony that "By far, this class is focused and ready to take the next step."
In a commencement ceremony that moved indoors to the gym from the football field because of threatening rain, Trail grads heard from commended student Cameron Crock who noted, "Life is not about when we rise above a tough time, but how we rise above it for the betterment of ourselves never giving up."
The ceremony featured a performance by the school band and the madrigal singers leading the class one last time in the alma mater.
And then awards were presented to the top students in several subjects: Isaac Barbolish (in technology); Colleen Brace (in math, business and French); Mr. Crock (in science); Victoria Ellsworth (in English); Aliza Furneaux (in social studies); Amanda Hirschler (in Spanish); and Mikaela Noble (in art).
Ms. Furneaux, the salutatorian, said she was nervous as a speaker, but despite the fear, realized that "overcoming it is a choice."
She said a defining moment in her own life came last summer in Australia when she was committed to go scuba diving, but once faced with the challenge of the Great Barrier Reef, found herself suddenly terrified.
Then she realized that the best way to experience something new "is to plunge right in, relax and enjoy the moment."
Ms. Furneaux, who also served as senior class president, told her peers to face their fears.
Ms. Brace, the valedictorian, acknowledged that everyone in the class has incredible opportunity despite coming from a rural area.
"Don't stand back," she said. "Embrace the challenge, and take up all life has to offer. Go out and show the world what a small-town kid can do."
Contact the writer: bbaker@wcexaminer.com
GRADUATES ARE
Andrew Peter Babiarz, Martina Ann Babiarz, Alicen Kelly Backus, Justin Barber, Isaac George Barbolish, Krystalle Annette Lucienne Bednar, Bridget Benko, Levi Christian Bennett, Jessica Christine Bowman, Desiree Nicole Boylan, Colleen Mulhern Brace, David Henry Brown, Bryanna Marie Burdett, Kyle John Burgette, Andrew Travis Cardone, Michael Joseph Chermak, Sarah Ann Clancey, Miranda Lisette Cobb, Michael A. Cook, Wyatt Emmerson Cooper, Kevin Edward Crawford, Cameron Lenay Crock, Morgan Elaine Curran, Matthew William Decker, Courtney Nicole Ditchey, Keirnan S. Dougherty, Marissa Lynn Dunckle, Patrick Quinn Dunleavy, Victoria Elizabeth Ellsworth, Aliza Gray Furneaux, Tyler Glenn Gardner, Matthew Michael Goodrich, Zachary Michael Goodrich, Jeremy David Greenley, Robert A. Hallesky, Dylan Blair Harris, Amanda Maureen Hirschler, Duran C. Hofmeister, Kyle Justin Holmes, Meredith Marie Horwatt, Joseph Howard, Matthew Nicholas Huertas, Emily Ann Huffsmith, Kayley Ashlyn Kavetski, Bryce Andreas Kongvold, Zachary Andreas Kongvold, Jason Wendell Konopka, Keith Richard-Vian Kozubal, Kaitlyn Christine Kruger, Tane Robert Law, Mason Joseph Lengel, Taryn Lynn Maleski, Molly Kathryn Mattes, Dillon James McHugh, Benjamin Aloysius McLaughlin, Dalton Michael Mecke, Jamie Lynn Morden, Jennifer Lynn Moore, Kyle Edward Munley, Peter Douglas Murazzi, Ilyssa Danielle Myers, Shea Douglas Myers, Mikaela Maree Noble, Sean Paul Noone, Shannon Davis O'Malley, Taylor Lynn Otto, James John Owens, Richard Steven Pollock, Olivia Marie Pompey, Daniel Welles Richards, Victor Edward Rosa, Kodi Lynn Rozanski, Cheyenne Mae Rozelle, Courtney Lynn Sawkulich, Heather Marie Scala, Hayley Nicole Schomburg, Mollie Seigle, Jarrod Dylyn Sharp, Brianna Rose Smarkusky, Mary Christine Sorak, Gabrielle Erin Sunseri, Anna Claire Sweppenheiser, Kaycee Marie Swift, Anthony William Urban, Jordan Adam Wallen, Devin Patrick, Walsh, James Zachary Walters, Gary Lee Weidner III, Zachary Dean Wetzel and Evelyn Mae Woodcock. VALEDICTORIAN COLLEEN BRACE
Parents: Maureen and David Brace, Nicholson.
Achievements, activities: Member of volleyball team, student council, envirothon, Kane Physics Competition team, recycling club. National Honor Society, French National Society, mock trial team, Scholastic Bowl Team. Also: Trail student of month, QuestBridge finalist, National Merit Commended Student Scholar of the Year and Lackawanna Trail 'Good Guy."
Plans: Attend the University of Pennsylvania and major in mathematics.
SALUTATORIAN ALIZA FURNEAUX
Parents: Margaret and Colin Furneaux, Factoryville.
Achievements, activities: Member of National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, President of her freshman, junior and senior class, student council president, school board representative, field hockey and track teams. Also involved in scholastic bowl, DAR nominee, Envirothon, Senate Youth Leadership Program. 2013 Times-Tribune Scholastic Superstar.
Plans: Attend Lafayette College and major in environmental science.