It’s hard to say what shined brighter – the sun – or the smiles on the faces of the 68 seniors who graduated from Cuyahoga Heights High School (CHHS) at noon on Sunday, May 29 at Ralph P. Adams Stadium.
Principal Mike Janatovich opened the ceremony. Drawing upon the words of a former graduate, he urged the graduating class to “Think back to everything you were able to achieve, think back to everything you were able to experience, think back to the support you received, think back to the love that was shown you, think back to the amazing days in school that helped develop who you are.
‘Thinking back is not a way to remember the good times. It is a way for you to persevere. You will be met with challenges in the next days of your life. Life will get hard. Think back to what Cuyahoga Heights has provided you. Think back to those who supported you and reach out to them for they are always here. You will always be remembered and you will always be supported. Please keep your Alma Mater in your hearts and minds as you go forward and remember to think back.”
Student Riley Conners sang the National Anthem while Class Vice President Carley White led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
“Living in a small community, we have been conditioned to live in our own little box,” Class Treasurer Hannah Morrow said in her remarks to her classmates. We have been defined by our strengths . . . external pressures dictate who we are and we change ourselves to fit the mold that we are given and ultimately we have trouble becoming the people we want to be. Take this box that we’ve been placed in in our whole entire lives – and punch a hole in it!” she urged. “It is time to take our lives into our own hands. We’ve got one life to live and it is completely ours.”
Superintendent Tom Evans, himself a graduate of the CHHS Class of 1977, offered his congratulations to the Class of 2022. “Your actions will define your legacy. Your legacy is one of resilience, your spirit has not been diminished by the chaos that goes on around you. You have helped return a sense of normalcy for the district. Keep that spirit and continue to pay it forward as you move beyond our doors and make your own path,” he said.
“You are passing a milestone and next year you will be onto bigger and better things,” said Salutatorian Thomas (Tommie) Wilson in his remarks. He urged his classmates to be the light, not the darkness. “Spread the light, make it contagious. No masks. No social distancing.” He acknowledged that the world can be cruel. “I know you are all scared and confused. But choose to see the good side of things. It is strategic and necessary. The one thing I do know is that we have to be kind. Please,” he implored, “Be kind!”
Valedictorian Holden Taylor urged his classmates to draw upon the advantages of youth as they move on with their lives. “We are curious and full of questions and willing to learn,” he noted. As they face the demands and responsibilities of adulthood, he urged his classmates to stay true to the childlike wonder that defined their early years. “Don't fall victim to the mundane. As you move on from high school, stay young, remain curious, and please don't grow up.”
The audience enjoyed a performance by the Senior Choir members who sang “Vienna.” Class Secretary Alexandria Krocker then directed her classmates to enter the stands and present their families with a rose to thank them for their love and support over their school years. Members of the Board of Education then awarded the diplomas.
Class President Holden Taylor then directed his classmates to move the tassels on their mortarboards from right to left signifying their graduation. The choir members led everyone in the singing of the Alma Mater, and, to the traditional reverberations of the high school orchestra’s “Pomp and Circumstance,” the 68 graduates filed out of the stadium and onto the next stage of their lives.
THE CLASS OF 2022
These represent the graduates’ plans as of May 31, 2022.
Mikayla Adams – Cleveland State University – Academic Scholarship
Madeline Amari – Baldwin Wallace University
Jacob Artino – Workforce & attending college at a later date
Alexis Baciak – Kent State University & working at Giggles & Grins Pediatric Dentistry
Academic Achievements Scholarships
Zakiya Baker – Ohio University
Samuel Bascone – University of Dayton – Presidential Scholarship
Dominic Belko – Duquesne University
Jacob Bernstein – Workforce
Zachary Bernstein – Workforce – Cuyahoga Hts. Service Department
Ahmad Butler – Ohio University
Samantha Caleris – Cleveland State University – CSU Merit Award
Kaitlyn Calvey – Bowling Green State University – Freshman Academic Scholarship
Alana Castro – Workforce – as a dental assistant
Antonio Chieffallo – Kent State University
Mia Daddario – Considering enlistment in the U.S. Navy
Charles Dalton – University of Dayton – Trustees Scholarship
Tiernan DeFranco – Workforce – Starting a game development business
Colin Deka – University of Toledo & working for the national park – Don Ferris Greater Cleveland Wrestling Coaches & Officials Association Scholarship
Delayne DiSanza – University of Mount Union – Founder’s Scholarships
Andrew Domzalski – The University of Akron – Presidential Scholarship, Private Endowed Scholarship
Hope Dzik – Michigan State University
Jacob Fovozzo – Local 306 apprenticeship & working at Emery Electric, Inc.
Lily Frank – Carnegie Mellon University
Griffin Gross – Cuyahoga Community College & working at Next Level Restoration
Alyssa Jones – Cuyahoga Community College
Mason Jones – Kent State University – Presidential Scholarship, Honors College Scholarship
Nicholas Juchnowski - Traveling
Savannah Kapis – Kent State University
Dustin Kattler – EMS Training & Disaster Preparedness Institute UH Parma Medical Center
Brynn Kawecki – Undecided – Would like to open her own business
Jack Klamert – Kent State University
Angelo Kolcinko – Entering the workforce
Jersey Komar – Cuyahoga Community College
Ryan Krajewski – Fire/EMS training at Cuyahoga Community College, UH Paramedic School in Parma
Alexandria Krocker – Duquesne University
Madison Krzynowek – Kent State University
Carson Kucia – Workforce
Emmanuel Loizos – Duquesne University
Jason Meadwell – Kent State University
Nathan Menkhaus – Borromeo Seminary/John Carroll University – Magis Scholarship
Nicholas Mihal – Workforce – Lucas Electrical Contractors, LLC
Patrick Mischak – University of Toledo
Hannah Morrow – University of Mount Union – Trustee Scholarship
Angel Oajaca – Cuyahoga Community College
Clara Orland – Kent State University – Merit Scholarship
Brady Pinter – Belmont University – Bellmont Merit Scholarship
Paige Porter – Cleveland State University
Julia Quinones – Workforce
Joshua Sanicky – Workforce – Emery Electric, Inc. & Local 306 apprenticeship
Olivia Santiago – University of Kentucky – Bluegrass Spirit Scholarship, William C. Parker Scholarship
Owen Schuckert – John Carroll University
Jacob Seymour – Workforce – Marc’s
Andon Siegmyer – Cuyahoga Community College & Workforce – Conrad’s
Alyssa Simunek – The Ohio State University
Mia Spicer – Kent State University
Dylan Sprouse – Workforce
Jacobb Stalker – Workforce – line cook
Madison Stepka – Entering the workforce
Reagan Sturgill – Appalachian State University – Soccer Scholarship
Holden Taylor – Yale University
Luke Torgerson – University Hospitals paramedic school
Hailey Toth – Kent State University – Merit Scholarship, Kent Promise Scholarship
Alexander Trusso – Baldwin Wallace University
Dominic Trusso-LaPonza – Kent State University
Demitria Tsonton – Kent State University – Entrance Scholarship
Carley White – Workforce – Would like to become an esthetician
Thomas Wilson – Baldwin Wallace Conservatory – Presidential Scholarship
Michael Zorc – Cuyahoga Community College