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CCHS graduates urged to prepare

ADDRESS — The Catholic Central High School class of 2017, along with family and friends heard from 1999 CCHS graduate Julie Grant Sunday afternoon during the school’s 126 commencement exercises at the Franciscan University of Steubenville Finnegan Fieldhouse. -- Dave Gossett

STEUBENVILLE — It was a day of celebration and saying good-bye to classmates, teachers and their principal for the 53 Catholic Central High School seniors Sunday afternoon.

Rich Wilinski will step down from the principal’s job at the end of June and possibly ending a 57 year career in education.

Steubenville Mayor Domenick Mucci proclaimed Thursday as Rich Wilinski Day in the city and the school students last week held a clap off as Wilinski travel the hallways.

Wilinski said he started his career in education at the former St. Anthony’s High School in Follansbee and noted he will look for another job in education.

The past few weeks have been busy for 1999 Catholic Central High School graduate Julie Grant.

She graduated from Temple University with a master of laws degree, covered the Bill Cosby jury selection in Pittsburgh for KDKA Television and attended her brother’s wedding.

And while Grant has seen her career in television news and her law career continue to grow she has never forgotten her roots at Catholic Central or Steubenville.

“We create our legacy every day with how we live our life. We know that one day we will go before God and He will examine how we lived our life on Earth. What we did for other people and whether we used our talents and abilities to the fullest extent.No matter what kind of difference you want to make in our world, no matter what kind of dreams you have for your life, there are three things that will guarantee your success: preparation, persistence and passion,” Grant told the 53 Catholic Central High School graduates at the Franciscan University of Steubenville Finnegan Fieldhouse.

“Your preparation has already begun. You are graduating from the best high school in the country. Your preparation has already begun! You are graduating from the best high school in the country. Thank your parents for giving you what will be one of your greatest blessings in life. This education you already have is second to none! You can do anything with this foundation. It’s your choice what kind of life and legacy you want to build with it,” advised Grant.

“After you develop the will to prepare, you must have the will to persist. Difficulties, disappointments and mistakes are a part of life. We rarely learn when things go right. But we always learn when they go wrong. You might feel upset or embarrassed or frustrated at the time, but you will learn more about yourself during those dark moments than you will when things go smoothly. So be grateful for difficulties, disappointments, and mistakes just like you are grateful for all your blessings,” continued Grant.

“Life is full of highs and lows and everything in between. Be grateful for it all. Because those times of great adversity will be the best test of your character. Those will be the times where you learn the most about yourself. You will think about what you want to accomplish in this life and why it means so much to you,” she continued.

“Don’t be afraid to embrace who you authentically are. Speak with your authentic voice. You will win in life by being yourself. Make it your goal to become the best version of yourself. If you try to be exactly like somebody else, you are short-changing yourself because you are not using your unique gifts from God,” Grant stated.

“Preparation, persistence and passion. If you do those three things, you will succeed at the dreams you have for yourself and your legacy in this lifetime. Win by preparing. Remember greatness doesn’t quit. Strive to become the best version of yourself. If you do these things you will undoubtedly leave behind a legacy that will make God and your Catholic Central family proud,” concluded Grant.

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