Brookfield High School’s graduating seniors chose “Good Old Days” by Macklemore as the class song, and Lillie Toth was one of those who supported the choice for the nostalgia it evoked.
“It reminded me of my good old days – fires at the cabin with my buddies, nights riding four-wheelers,” Lillie said in her co-valedictory address May 26. “Most of all, our summer parties every weekend. Swimming, playing kickball and hide-and-seek. We have created some pretty amazing memories over the years, and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.”
But, she said, “It is time to start the next chapter of our lives, whether you’re entering the workforce, going to trade school or attending college to pursue a degree. Now, is the time to follow your dreams. Your priority in this next chapter is all about you. This is the time where you learn the best version of yourself, and don’t let anyone stand in your way. Have enough courage to start and enough heart to finish. I know that we all have the ability to make our dreams come true.”
Co-valedictorian Ashley Harden also asked her classmates to look out for themselves, “because you deserve a long, happy and fulfilled life.”
Part of living a long, happy and fulfilled life is embracing challenges and obstacles, Lillie said.
“To all the people who have always enjoyed making my life difficult, I would like to personally thank you for helping me become the strong person that I am today, and reminding me of the type of person I never want to be,” she said.
Cadence Huffman walks into the gym for the graduation ceremony.
For Class President Troy Randall, the person who made his life difficult the most was himself.
“I was a kid who pushed boundaries, broke rules and often found himself in trouble,” Troy said. “My teachers and my parents can attest to the countless times I spent in the principal’s office. I was unaware of the potential I was squandering. I didn’t realize that my actions were not just only affecting me, but others, those who cared about me.”
Troy said his story is one of “transformation, growth and the power of second chances. I owe a great deal to those who never gave up on me – my parents, who love me unconditionally; my teachers, who saw me beyond my mischief, and recognized my potential; and my friends, who stood through the thick and thin.”
Troy asked his classmates to “strive to be the best versions of ourselves, to make a positive impact on the world and to never forget that change is always possible.”
“We all have our own stories of struggles and victories,” Troy said. “As we move forward with the next phase of our life, remember that our pasts do not define us. Our action, our choices, and our commitment to doing better, does.”
The Class of 2024 spent most – and, in some cases, all – of freshman year at home, schooling by computer thanks to the COVID-19 epidemic.
Reanna Reardon and Amanda Murphy pose for a photograph after Brookfield High School’s May 26 graduation ceremony.
Co-valedictorian Gavin Marsh said, with his tongue in his cheek, that COVID-19 was only one of several cataclysmic events that occurred during the class’s high school years. His list included the deaths of O.J. Simpson and Jeffrey Epstein, and the legal troubles of Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Bill Cosby and R. Kelly.
“I, for one, am shocked the school is letting me talk on a live mic,” he said before proving that any trepidation on the part of school officials was justified.
Gavin turned serious briefly when he said he’s not sure what path his life will take, and he bet that many in the class also are undecided.
“I’m glad I got to walk part of that path here at Brookfield with all of you guys,” Gavin said.
Co-valedictorian Reanna Reardon said she was “lucky to grow up in a small town in the Class of 2024. I’m forever thankful for everything everyone has helped me through.”
“I’ve learned many things from my fellow classmates,” added Co-valedictorian Brian Smith. “No matter the situation you are in, there are always people willing to provide help. I would like to thank every single one of you for that. I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for you guys. I hope, as we all start our lives, and figure out our path, we will continue to keep our heads held high with confidence and not let future obstacles get in the way of us doing great things.”
@@@
Brookfield High School graduated 85 students at commencement May 26 in the high school gym.
The graduates are listed below along with their class offices, awards, scholarships and plans for the future:
- Rayann Aldhamari – workforce.
- Ryan Atkinson – class treasurer; National Honor Society; honors diploma; community service cord; Ohio State University.
- Kaleb Banjak – workforce.
- Paitynn Barthlemess-Foist – community service cord; Kent State University.
- Addie Blatt – outstanding student in career pathways 2; U.S. Air Force.
- Danica Bliss – National Honor Society; community service cord; Optimist Student of the Year Scholarship finalist, $100; Kent State University.
- Amber Brophy – outstanding student in career-based learning; community service cord; Kent State University.
- Justin Budnik – outstanding student in career-based learning; workforce.
- Leonard Burke – completed Trumbull Career and Technical Center’s engineering technology program; Youngstown State University.
- Derryk Carlisle – completed Trumbull Career and Technical Center’s power equipment mechanics program; workforce.
- Mercedes Carpec – workforce.
- Brett Carsone – outstanding student in pre-apprenticeship; National Honor Society; honors diploma; community service cord; Youngstown State University.
- Gavin Clark – completed Trumbull Career and Technical Center’s power equipment mechanics program; workforce.
- Hunter Clark – National Honor Society; Mount Vernon Nazarene College.
- Jake Coulter – workforce.
- Dallas Crozier – valedictorian; outstanding student in physics, robotics 2 and Industry 4.0; honors diploma; Youngstown State University Trustee Scholarship, $20,000; YSU.
- Christopher Cunningham – completed Trumbull Career and Technical Center’s engineering technology program; workforce.
- Justin Davis – workforce.
- Lillian Davis – National Honor Society; community service cord; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
- Heather Donaldson – Youngstown State University.
- Mathew DuMaire – completed Trumbull Career and Technical Center’s auto collision technology program.
- Margaret Dupuy – completed Trumbull Career and Technical Center’s visual design and imaging program; Youngstown State University.
- Gregory Forrest – workforce.
- Matteo Fortuna – student council; National Honor Society; honors diploma; community service cord; Ohio University.
- Giovanna Franz – National Honor Society; community service cord; Columbian Home Corp. of Masury, $2,000; Thiel College Dietrich Honors Scholarship, $4,000; Thiel Leadership Award, $4,000; Thiel College.
- Aysha Gibson – Team Rich Scholarship, $1,000; Kent State University.
- Zoe Godsave – workforce.
- Ericka Grandy – outstanding student in street law; workforce.
- Trace Gurish – completed Trumbull Career and Technical Center Air Force Junior ROTC Program; U.S. Marine Corps.
- Justin Hall – community service cord; completed Trumbull Career and Technical Center’s welding program; workforce.
- Telly Hamilton – National Honor Society; honors diploma; community service cord; Brookfield Federation of Teachers Scholarship, $500; Masury-Brookfield Women’s Club Scholarship, $500; Ulysses S. Ward Scholarship, $500; Joseph Vasbinder Scholarship, $500; University of Mount Union Founders Scholarship, $84,000; Marion G. Resch Scholarship, $40,000; Mount Union.
- Ashley Harden – valedictorian; outstanding student in calculus, human physiology, advanced placement English and concert band; student council; National Honor Society; honors diploma; Team Rich Scholarship, $1,000; Masury-Brookfield Women’s Club Scholarship, $500; Brookfield Federation of Teachers Scholarship, $500; Gov. Mike Dewine Merit Scholarship, $20,000; Kent State University Academic Achievement Award, $20,000; Kent Honors Distinction Award, $8,000; Kent Flashes Go Further, $8,000; Hemming Family Medallion Scholarship, $6,000; Kent State Work Study Award, $3,000; KSU.
- Amelia Heckathorn – workforce.
- Nevon Hoffman – workforce.
- Hayden Hoskin – honors diploma; Youngstown State University.
- Tyler Howe – workforce.
- Jasmine Hubbard – outstanding student in music appreciation; community service cord; Optimist Student of the Year Scholarship finalist, $100; Kent State University.
- Eric Hudson – STEM honors diploma; University of Colorado.
- Cadence Huffman – salutatorian; National Honor Society; honors diploma; community service cord; Columbian Home Corp. of Masury Scholarship, $2,000; Youngstown State University.
- Hailey Johnson – outstanding student in three-dimensional art; workforce.
- Aiden Jones – electrical trade school.
- Arianna Jones – community service cord; Rotary Club Scholarship, $500; Kent State University.
- Antwan Josenberger – honors diploma; University of Pittsburgh.
- Emily Kasiewicz – outstanding student in marching band and journalism; student council; National Honor Society; community service cord; Brenda Rae Haun Memorial Scholarship, $300; Brookfield Parents’ Association Scholarship, $1,000; Optimist Student of the Year Scholarship, $1,000; Brookfield Board of Education Scholarship, $500; Norma Jean Kirsch Scholarship, $2,000; YWCA Young Women with Bright Futures Scholarship, $500; Lake Erie College Presidential Scholarship, $72,000; First Place Community Fund Scholarship, $1,000; Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Award, $500; Lake Erie College.
- Christopher Kay – completed Trumbull Career and Technical Center’s auto collision technology program; New Castle School of Trades.
- Kaiden Kirila – workforce.
- Alexander Kiskadden – completed Trumbull Career and Technical Center’s electrical technology program; workforce.
- Laken Knoxville – completed Trumbull Career and Technical Center’s veterinary science program.
- Jocelyn Linamen – outstanding student in Microsoft and American history through film; National Honor Society; community service cord; Kent State University Academic Achievement Scholarship, $14,000; KSU.
- Lucas Linonis – workforce.
- Gavin Marsh – valedictorian; National Honors Society; honors diploma; Nicholette Bansky Memorial Scholarship, $1,000; Florida Gulf Coast University.
- David Masirovits – outstanding student in Industry 4.0; National Honor Society; community service cord; Strimbu Memorial Fund Scholarship, $2,000; Team Rich Scholarship, $1,000; Kent State University Academic Achievement Scholarship, $1,000; KSU.
- Patrick McDowell.
- Dylan Means – National Honor Society; honors diploma; community service cord; Ohio University Ohio Guarantee Scholarship, $22,000; Ohio University.
- Zach Miller – community service cord; Youngstown State University.
- Dominic Moretti – workforce.
- Stephanie Morrison – completed Trumbull Career and Technical Center’s dental assisting program; workforce.
- Lauren Murcko – National Honor Society; Walsh University Deshayes Scholarship, $80,000; Walsh University.
- Amanda Murphy – National Honor Society; community service cord; Youngstown State University.
- Raelynn Myers – workforce.
- Robert Myers – valedictorian; outstanding student in robotics 2 and world history through film; National Honor Society; honors diploma; community service cord; Brookfield Parents’ Association Scholarship, $1,000; Ohio State University.
- Charles Nicholson – completed Trumbull Career and Technical Center’s engineering technology program; Youngstown State University.
- Jade Pabon – completed Trumbull Career and Technical Center’s education and family services program; Air Force Reserves.
- Tanner Payne – outstanding student in maker space and quantitative reasoning.
- Uriah Pinchot – National Honor Society; honors diploma; Cleveland State University Merit Scholarship, $18,000; CSU.
- Santino Pontera – New Castle School of Trades.
- Troy Randall – class president; outstanding student in pre-calculus; National Honor Society; honors diploma; community service cord; U.S. Air Force.
- Reanna Reardon – valedictorian; National Honor Society; honors diploma; community service cord; Casal Aveda Institute.
- Ian Reichart – workforce.
- Anthony Reiter – workforce.
- Anthony Rowe – outstanding student in drones; honors diploma; Youngstown State University Dean’s Scholarship, $12,000; YSU.
- Alyson Ruschak – outstanding student in English 12 and quantitative reasoning; National Honor Society; Kent State University.
- Evan Shingledecker – military.
- Olivia Simon – Georgia State University.
- Brian Smith – valedictorian; student council; National Honor Society; honors diploma; Youngstown State University Trustee Scholarship, $20,000; Governor’s Merit Scholarship, $20,000; YSU.
- Larz Soos – completed Trumbull Career and Technical Center Air Force Junior ROTC Program; military.
- Carly Taylor.
- Tara Thompson – workforce.
- Tyler Thompson – workforce.
- Lillie Toth – valedictorian; class vice president; National Honor Society; honors diploma; community service cord; Optimist Student of the Year Scholarship finalist, $100; Mark Sydlowski Memorial Scholarship, $1,000; Westminster College Award, $120,000; Westminster College.
- Summer Toy – community service cord; trade school.
- Matthew Van Kirk – class secretary; honors diploma; community service cord; Youngstown State University.
- Christian Vigorito – workforce.
- Cailey Wellman – completed Trumbull Career and Technical Center’s veterinary science program; Kent State University.
- Jade Zyvonoski – community service cord; completed Trumbull Career and Technical Center’s auto services technology program; workforce.
@@@
Brookfield High School graduating senior Eric Hudson is the first Brookfield graduate to earn a STEM honors diploma.
To earn a STEM honors diploma, the state requires that a student earn an honors diploma, which is based on his completion of certain classes, a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher and an SAT score of 27 or higher, along with completing an advanced science course and two elective STEM courses, earning an industry recognized credential or technology seal and proving experiential learning, such as through work or field experience.
