Students take one last look back

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The school graduated 146 students.

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

LIBERTY — Dozens of graduating Liberty High School seniors packed Stambaugh Auditorium to close the door to one chapter of life and open the door to another.

Smiling graduates, wearing burgundy and gold caps and gowns, spent the hours before Monday's commencement ceremony snapping photos with arms around older family members, friends and favorite teachers. Once the ceremony began, students were asked to take a serious look back at their time together.

Brittany Kaback, salutatorian, told the excited assembly of well-wishers in Stambaugh Auditorium that the Liberty High School Class of 2007 is comprised of a very diverse group of individuals who have accomplished a lot over the last four years. She encouraged her classmates to build upon their individual talents.

The graduates will have a nice jump start toward the future. The class of 146 graduates collectively won more than $1.13 million in scholarships.

Bill Rupert, guidance counselor, said, of those graduates planning to attend college, about a third will continue their education at Youngstown State University, and another third will attend other universities in Ohio.

A bittersweet goodbye

Jessica Marstellar, valedictorian, spoke on the athletic, musical, academic and community service achievements of the graduating class. She told the graduates that if so much can be accomplished in high school, they can do great things after leaving Liberty High School.

Marstellar, who will be a pre-med major at Youngstown State University, said she is happy to be getting started on her post-high school plans, but admits it will be hard to say goodbye to longtime friends.

"This is bittersweet. I really want to graduate and go on to college, but I will miss every bit of this. We have had some really great times together," she said of her time at Liberty.

Nancy Hoover, honors class coordinator, took time to pose for pictures with her honor class students before the commencement ceremony began. She called the class one of the most creative she has seen.

"This has been an extremely creative honors class. They have written wonderful children's books, musical compositions, everything. I am really going to miss them," she said.

Looking back

Superintendent Larry Prince said the 2007 graduates will be remembered not only for academic and athletic achievement, but also for the very little trouble they brought to teachers and faculty over the last four years. Overall behavior of the class, he said, was outstanding.

Prince, who is retiring this school year, said watching the graduates move on is a happy occasion, but a reminder that he will no longer be involved in the educational system he's been a part for more than 23 years in various roles.

"For 23 years this is what I have devoted my work life to and I care greatly for the kids, parents and this school district. This means I won't be seeing as much of them," he said. "It's emotional, it really is."

Gerald Taylor, who will attend Ohio State University as an accounting major, said he will definitely miss the band and attending all the football games, but encourages his fellow graduates to achieve their goals by staying grounded.

"Just don't forget were you came from and how you were brought up. In order to know where you are going, you have to know where you came from," he said.

jgoodwin@vindy.com

Tuesday, June 5, 2007