Buckeye sends off class of 2017
Diplomas were presented to 180 students
Valedictorian Melissa Matz addresses her classmates during commencement. Photo by ALLISON WOOD
MEDINA – Many of the 180 students who made up Buckeye High School’s class of 2017 expressed gratitude for teachers who had helped them along the way during commencement ceremonies May 21 at the Performing Arts Center.
“They have taught us more than the subject matter, they have left us with life lessons we can use every day in our college and careers,” said Melissa Matz, class valedictorian, during her commencement speech.
She mentioned Dr. (Nick) Baldwin, or Dr. B, who taught them kindness, compassion and selflessness, along with science.
Matz also mentioned Mrs. (Courtney) Smith, (language arts), who taught them they could achieve full potential if they worked hard enough.
“She taught us not to let things such as age, gender or ethnicity stop us reaching our goal,” Matz said.
Speech teacher Mrs. (Carolyn) Constance also showed them the importance of good communication in all aspects of their lives and her passion for her work showed every day.
“From relationships with significant others to those at work, we refined what we learned every day,” Matz said.
Science teacher Mrs. (Lindsay) Valenti was also mentioned, stating Valenti went above and beyond every day to encourage her students to be the best they can.
Matz, who graduated with a 4.5 GPA, will be attending Kent State University on a nursing scholarship and while at Buckeye, wore the costume of Bucky, the school’s mascot.
Also speaking was Sierra Grubb, class salutatorian. She will be attending Vanderbilt University to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering. She urged her classmates to take their time when making decisions and consider all the options beforehand to avoid regrets.
“My goal is to be a hardworking person who puts proper thought into my decisions in order to do what is right with honor and integrity,” she said.
Superintendent Kent Morgan, in his first commencement speech as the district’s leader, said it is normal to struggle with the direction of your life and that you always have the power to change it.
“The best advice I can give you is to keep your options open,” he said. “Your past does not have to dictate your future ... Every day offers an opportunity to make a new decision.”
The class of 2017
Marissa Taylor Acevedo, Marianna Elizabeth Ashley, Victoria Anne Avallone, Candace Joy Bargar, Sophia Rollene Barnes, Jesse James Barrett, Joseph Thomas Bartinelli, Eric John Bartos, Autumn Marie Baskerville, Arabelle Rose Berkheimer, Mikayla Anne Berry, Mikhaila Gabrielle Besida, Alexander David Bloniarz, James Stephen Boesch, Jessica Lee Boesch, Jack Allen Bradnan, Katelyn Joy Brooks , James Nelson Brown, Mikayla Lynn Brown, Madison Rose Busse, Matthew John Byrne, Erica Marie Chambers, Abigail Elizabeth Coffey, Nicholas William Conn, Abigail Jane Cooper, Jaclyn Marie Cremeans, Jessica Marie Crozier, Korrie Josephina Czerwony, Jordan Robert Mackenzy Davis, Bernhard Gustav Derksen, Olivia Diane DiBernardo, Darren Joshua Dobson, Michael James Doerge, Adam Justin Dougher, Michael Edward Dougher, Kevin Mark Duplaga, Joshua Michael England, McKenzie Rae Erne, Emalidene Cheyanne Ezell, Quinton Charles Fechko, Graham Lawrence Swartz Fitzgerald, Victoria Sierra Foster, John Conrad Franz, Zachary Scott Funk,Ian Randall Gassaway, Richard Benjamin Gatt, Daniel Jaden Geteian, Elmer Dean Gilles, Jr., Hannah Rae Gooch, Nicholas Gabriel Gorris, Hunter Kenneth Gray, Benjamin Michael Grega, Sierra Noelle Grubb, Katelyn Marie Haberkorn, Madison Elizabeth Haines, Mason Thomas Haines, Alexander Andreas Halupnik, Madison Page Harmon, David Lee Harrington, Olivia Helena Hartley, Franklin Scott Hist, III, Deanna Taylor Holt, Kaitlyn Laverne Hubeny, Kaylee Elizabeth-Ruth Huffman, Damien Michael Hughes, Rebecca Marie Illes, Cody Thomas Jackson, Lindsey Marie Jaeger, Adam Louis Jennings, Olivia Layne Johnson, Marshall Robert Johnston, Jesse Dean Jones, Troy Bennett Jones, Eric Matthew Keller, Rebekah Lynn Kemp, Cameron Patrick Kennedy, Tyler Alexander Key, Nathan Jeffrey Kieswetter, Steven Tyler Knepper, Eric Paul Knierim, Tobias Sabastian Kohl, Jacob Daniel Kohler, Dylan Alex Kott, Jessica Brooke Kronenberger, Austin Paul Kunch, Elijah Mark Kupetz, Kaylee Ann Lariche, Harold Gage Lora, Morgan Elizabeth Lucak, Jacob Lawrence Madigan, David Michael Maitland, Christina Marie Mamrak, Douglas Robert Ian Manross. Kyre’ Nashelle Marshall, Dennis William Matson, Melissa Kay Matz, Brendan Morgan Maxwell, Wyatt Anthony May, Brenden David McBride, Dustin Michael McCullough, Erin Dawn McElligott, Brent Frank Medvec, Ray William Mier, Caleb Patrick Milam, Brittany Suzanne Miller, Michael Walter Miller, Danielle Marie Mink, Brittany Diane Marie Motylinski, Kaitlyn Jessica Neitenbach, Rita Mary Neugebauer, Brooke Elizabeth Noel, Michael Joseph Novick, Sarah Elizabeth Oliver, Dominique Maria Parete, Megan Nicole Peicu, Anna Margaret Petek, Corrinne Lee Phillips, Shyann Marie Pindroh, Samantha Alexis Ponczoch, Samantha Rose Ponomarenko, Andrew Joseph Posa, Evan William Pratt, Eric David Prest, Sammantha Renea Propst-Sanders, Garrett Matthew Rivett, Lena Marie Ross, Austin Lewis Rossi, Emily Ann Rossi, Molly Kathleen Russell, Keaton James Sandor, Zachary Allan Sanger, Sarah Elizabeth Scheiman, Morgan Lee Schindler, Jacob Alexander Schmidt, Isabella Maria Serio, Ariana Rose Shaerban, Matthew Robert Shook, Kaitlin Marie Sluss, Colin Michael Slykhuis, Meredith Hanah Slyman, Hannah Marie Smith. Madeline Zoe Smith. Connor James Sobey, Joshua Gregory Sovizral, Casey Rose Spangler, Alyssa Nicole Srail, Alexa Celeste Stapleton, Braeden Sean Stauffer, Nicholas Aaron Stefanski, Meg Aleece Stegkemper, Lynsi Jill Stephenson, Jeffrey Scott Sterchi. Alyson Brena Stoll. Shannon Makenzie Storch, Emily Marie Stoskopf, Josiah Charles Strahsburg, Alexandria Nicole Sweeney, Alexis Nicole Tecco, Casey Brandon Tester, Brennan James Thiergartner, Corey Vincent Thiergartner, Madeleine Marie Urban, Hannah Usanovic, Brady Owen Valentine, Sheri Laverne Valore, Richard Andrew Van Boxel, Kelsey Brooke Verhoff, Spencer David Vermilye, Neca Marie Warren, Gregory Thomas Watts, Alicia Rayne Weese. Kayla Marie Whitmer, Anna Patricia Wittman, Kira Ann Wondrak, Rhiannon Rose Wood-Albert, Rose Marie Yohman, Jacob Andrew Zaranec
“They have taught us more than the subject matter, they have left us with life lessons we can use every day in our college and careers,” said Melissa Matz, class valedictorian, during her commencement speech.
She mentioned Dr. (Nick) Baldwin, or Dr. B, who taught them kindness, compassion and selflessness, along with science.
Matz also mentioned Mrs. (Courtney) Smith, (language arts), who taught them they could achieve full potential if they worked hard enough.
“She taught us not to let things such as age, gender or ethnicity stop us reaching our goal,” Matz said.
Speech teacher Mrs. (Carolyn) Constance also showed them the importance of good communication in all aspects of their lives and her passion for her work showed every day.
“From relationships with significant others to those at work, we refined what we learned every day,” Matz said.
Science teacher Mrs. (Lindsay) Valenti was also mentioned, stating Valenti went above and beyond every day to encourage her students to be the best they can.
Matz, who graduated with a 4.5 GPA, will be attending Kent State University on a nursing scholarship and while at Buckeye, wore the costume of Bucky, the school’s mascot.
Also speaking was Sierra Grubb, class salutatorian. She will be attending Vanderbilt University to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering. She urged her classmates to take their time when making decisions and consider all the options beforehand to avoid regrets.
“My goal is to be a hardworking person who puts proper thought into my decisions in order to do what is right with honor and integrity,” she said.
Superintendent Kent Morgan, in his first commencement speech as the district’s leader, said it is normal to struggle with the direction of your life and that you always have the power to change it.
“The best advice I can give you is to keep your options open,” he said. “Your past does not have to dictate your future ... Every day offers an opportunity to make a new decision.”
The class of 2017
Marissa Taylor Acevedo, Marianna Elizabeth Ashley, Victoria Anne Avallone, Candace Joy Bargar, Sophia Rollene Barnes, Jesse James Barrett, Joseph Thomas Bartinelli, Eric John Bartos, Autumn Marie Baskerville, Arabelle Rose Berkheimer, Mikayla Anne Berry, Mikhaila Gabrielle Besida, Alexander David Bloniarz, James Stephen Boesch, Jessica Lee Boesch, Jack Allen Bradnan, Katelyn Joy Brooks , James Nelson Brown, Mikayla Lynn Brown, Madison Rose Busse, Matthew John Byrne, Erica Marie Chambers, Abigail Elizabeth Coffey, Nicholas William Conn, Abigail Jane Cooper, Jaclyn Marie Cremeans, Jessica Marie Crozier, Korrie Josephina Czerwony, Jordan Robert Mackenzy Davis, Bernhard Gustav Derksen, Olivia Diane DiBernardo, Darren Joshua Dobson, Michael James Doerge, Adam Justin Dougher, Michael Edward Dougher, Kevin Mark Duplaga, Joshua Michael England, McKenzie Rae Erne, Emalidene Cheyanne Ezell, Quinton Charles Fechko, Graham Lawrence Swartz Fitzgerald, Victoria Sierra Foster, John Conrad Franz, Zachary Scott Funk,Ian Randall Gassaway, Richard Benjamin Gatt, Daniel Jaden Geteian, Elmer Dean Gilles, Jr., Hannah Rae Gooch, Nicholas Gabriel Gorris, Hunter Kenneth Gray, Benjamin Michael Grega, Sierra Noelle Grubb, Katelyn Marie Haberkorn, Madison Elizabeth Haines, Mason Thomas Haines, Alexander Andreas Halupnik, Madison Page Harmon, David Lee Harrington, Olivia Helena Hartley, Franklin Scott Hist, III, Deanna Taylor Holt, Kaitlyn Laverne Hubeny, Kaylee Elizabeth-Ruth Huffman, Damien Michael Hughes, Rebecca Marie Illes, Cody Thomas Jackson, Lindsey Marie Jaeger, Adam Louis Jennings, Olivia Layne Johnson, Marshall Robert Johnston, Jesse Dean Jones, Troy Bennett Jones, Eric Matthew Keller, Rebekah Lynn Kemp, Cameron Patrick Kennedy, Tyler Alexander Key, Nathan Jeffrey Kieswetter, Steven Tyler Knepper, Eric Paul Knierim, Tobias Sabastian Kohl, Jacob Daniel Kohler, Dylan Alex Kott, Jessica Brooke Kronenberger, Austin Paul Kunch, Elijah Mark Kupetz, Kaylee Ann Lariche, Harold Gage Lora, Morgan Elizabeth Lucak, Jacob Lawrence Madigan, David Michael Maitland, Christina Marie Mamrak, Douglas Robert Ian Manross. Kyre’ Nashelle Marshall, Dennis William Matson, Melissa Kay Matz, Brendan Morgan Maxwell, Wyatt Anthony May, Brenden David McBride, Dustin Michael McCullough, Erin Dawn McElligott, Brent Frank Medvec, Ray William Mier, Caleb Patrick Milam, Brittany Suzanne Miller, Michael Walter Miller, Danielle Marie Mink, Brittany Diane Marie Motylinski, Kaitlyn Jessica Neitenbach, Rita Mary Neugebauer, Brooke Elizabeth Noel, Michael Joseph Novick, Sarah Elizabeth Oliver, Dominique Maria Parete, Megan Nicole Peicu, Anna Margaret Petek, Corrinne Lee Phillips, Shyann Marie Pindroh, Samantha Alexis Ponczoch, Samantha Rose Ponomarenko, Andrew Joseph Posa, Evan William Pratt, Eric David Prest, Sammantha Renea Propst-Sanders, Garrett Matthew Rivett, Lena Marie Ross, Austin Lewis Rossi, Emily Ann Rossi, Molly Kathleen Russell, Keaton James Sandor, Zachary Allan Sanger, Sarah Elizabeth Scheiman, Morgan Lee Schindler, Jacob Alexander Schmidt, Isabella Maria Serio, Ariana Rose Shaerban, Matthew Robert Shook, Kaitlin Marie Sluss, Colin Michael Slykhuis, Meredith Hanah Slyman, Hannah Marie Smith. Madeline Zoe Smith. Connor James Sobey, Joshua Gregory Sovizral, Casey Rose Spangler, Alyssa Nicole Srail, Alexa Celeste Stapleton, Braeden Sean Stauffer, Nicholas Aaron Stefanski, Meg Aleece Stegkemper, Lynsi Jill Stephenson, Jeffrey Scott Sterchi. Alyson Brena Stoll. Shannon Makenzie Storch, Emily Marie Stoskopf, Josiah Charles Strahsburg, Alexandria Nicole Sweeney, Alexis Nicole Tecco, Casey Brandon Tester, Brennan James Thiergartner, Corey Vincent Thiergartner, Madeleine Marie Urban, Hannah Usanovic, Brady Owen Valentine, Sheri Laverne Valore, Richard Andrew Van Boxel, Kelsey Brooke Verhoff, Spencer David Vermilye, Neca Marie Warren, Gregory Thomas Watts, Alicia Rayne Weese. Kayla Marie Whitmer, Anna Patricia Wittman, Kira Ann Wondrak, Rhiannon Rose Wood-Albert, Rose Marie Yohman, Jacob Andrew Zaranec