ALLEGANY - Graduates with the Class of 2009 at Allegany-Limestone Central High School were told on Sunday that they were not just saying farewell to each other, but to their childhood as they received their diplomas.
Those comments were delivered in the farewell address by Daniel Jaremko to his fellow graduates during commencement at the high school auditorium. Receiving special recognition out of the 105 graduates were Pranay Soni, valedictorian of the class, and John Andrew Reed, salutatorian.
In his remarks to the class, Mr. Jaremko told the class that "in a few months we're not only going to have to learn how to stand on our own, but also learn how to take responsibility for our own actions."
He borrowed a concept from the movie "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" when talking to the class about leaving each other after graduation. He said the movie's main character, Gilbert, gives his brother a lesson on how to leave others we care about.
"He tells (his brother) that instead of saying good-bye, you should say good night. Good-bye means that you might never see that person again, while good night means you're going to sleep and will see them again as though they never left," Mr. Jaremko told the audience. "We may be leaving (after graduation) but we'll never be gone from each other's hearts and minds.
"This may be a farewell speech but we're not going to lose each other … so good night, everyone, good night, because I know we'll be seeing each other again someday soon."
Delivering the welcome address was Lauren Piccioli, who said, "Now that we have completed this journey, a new one is about to begin.
"It is now time for each of us to start traveling the path towards new aspirations," she told her classmates. She also noted that the class of 2009 contributed much to the community.
"Each one of you sitting here behind me has made a difference in this community, an impact that will remain here forever," she said. "Whether it be collecting coats for a local church, putting on a Battle of the Bands, participating in the Big Brother/Big Sister programs or finding a good home for an animal in need. Everyone of us has volunteered time to help others who are less fortunate."
In her greeting to the graduates, Superintendent Diane Munro said she has seen the class develop into "a group of highly accomplished individuals, national merit scholars, technical education award winners, championship athletes, authors, community organizers, concerned and giving friends, award-winning artists, musicians and very independent thinkers.
"You're a wonderful collection of unique - and I emphasize unique - individuals," Mrs. Munro said to the graduates.
"Many of the powerful senior projects you completed this year made a difference in the lives of strangers around the corner and around the world," Mrs. Munro said. She also told the class that they face an uncertain future because of the world they are entering into.
"You will need to work harder and smarter … so remember to do what you've always done, ask questions, take initiative, include and respect the contributions and interests of others.
"And, finally … stay in touch. Come back and share your challenges and successes with the community that truly cares," Mrs. Munro added.
Graduates with the Class of 2009 are:
Jaclyn Irene Appleby, Aaron J. Babb, Amanda Marie Barth, Kimberly Ann Baxter, Amanda Marie Bednarz, William R. Beggs, Megan Courtney Bischof, Amanda M. Brougham, Travis Haynes Butchello, Cassidy L. Calabro, Derreck Jeffery Carapellatti, Amy Marie Carls, James Charles Covert Jr., Kathryn Jean Custard, Cameron E. Davis, Matthew David Domboski, Ashleigh Elizabeth Donner, Lindsey Marie Dziennik and Casey Ensell.
Danielle Anee' Evans, Timothy Michael Farr, Alex J. Fellows, Lee W. Filbert, Curtis Allen Ford, David G. Forsythe, Timothy Forsythe, Robert Joseph Fox, Douglas Floyd Gayton III,
Melissa Josette Graves, Fletcher C. Greb, Crystal Anne Gross, Kristopher R. Heidrick, Brandon Michael Heimbrock, Courtney Lynn Hilliard, Tyler Alan Hoard, Kaili Maureen Hollamby, Shawn Matthew Horowitz, Daniel Steven Jaremko, Erik Carl Jones and Victor Daniell Kavanagh;
Kaitlin Kellogg, Sara E. Kuhn, Ryan James Lamberson, Annelise Solveig Larsen, Bryan Michael Legere, Kelly Nicole Lippert, Jayde C. Little, Charlotte Juliet MacVittie, Matthew T. Marino,
Hector Martinez Jr., Julian Martinez, Mason Lyle Maynard, Brendan James McCole, Michael David Meyers, James Jeffrey Miller, Abby Maria Minich, Jacob T. Mink, Katelyn Marie Mohr, Carl Edward Monkhouse IV, Mason James Moshier, Adam Michael Mott and Joshua Thomas Myers;
Brendon Raymond O'Keefe, Dominic Joseph Passerino, Shawn R. Pavia, Chad Everett Perry, Donald James Peters Jr., Ethan James Peters, Jessica L. Petruzzi, Nolan Jeffery Phearsdorf, Timothy R. Phearsdorf, Lauren N. Piccioli, Skyler J. Pierce, Corey Stephen Potter, Cody James Provorse, John Andrew Reed, Chelsie Renee Rich, Kyle Roosa, Alexander Michael Sader, Justin Shane Perry Schaeper, Karissa Lynn Schneider, Arnita Maria Smith, Erica Kathleen Smith, Pranay Soni;
Adam Bradley Spears, Alec J. Spears, Shawna Lyn Stillman, Scott William Stuckey, Johnathan Scott Sue, Brandon A. Swetland, Matthew A. Swick, Mark Wallace Taylor, Aaron James Thompson, Kayla Lea Thurston, Mitchell Alan Tilly, Brent A. Tingley, Breanne Lynne Updegrove, Tessa Nichole Vaughn, Cody J. Vreeland, Quincy Anne Walker, Amanda Rae Warters, Daniel Russell Winger, Christian Alan Worth and Donna J. Wyant.
