TORONTO -Students at the city high school were recognized for their academic and other achievements during two separate functions.
The Toronto High School Honors banquet, held May 20 at Karaffa Elementary School, honored those high school students who were either on the honor roll every nine weeks; were on the principal's list at least once; or was a member of the National Honor Society.
A separate awards assembly held at the city high school on May 23 included awards and scholarships presented to deserving students.
During the awards banquet, Andrew Brower, 2008 Toronto High School graduate, told students building solid relationships and working hard were the keys to future success.
"It seems like only yesterday I sat through one of these banquets," said Brower, adding cultivating both business and personal partnerships would give students the edge in a competitive world. "There are a million ways to be successful at college. Build good relationships.
""It's not always what you know - sometimes it's who you know," continued Brower. "Charm will only get you so far."
Brower said good relationships were like a bank account that you build equity in and sometimes withdrawal from.
"Don't take yourself too seriously," he said. "There's also a reason for poker faces. be proud of who you are and where you come from. Believe in your abilities. Enhance them and use them. You are as prepared as anyone graduating from high school. Take a leap of faith. I encourage you to step outside your comfort zone. You control your destiny. Success is earned - it's not given or found."
Those presented with awards during the banquet included, 12th grade, Stephanie Calabrese, Christie Calderwood, Cary Eckard, GeorgeAnn Fazio, Evan Johnson, Mindy Meadows, Shane Mosti, Emily Price, Spenser Sninchak, Ollie Sutherin, Blake Wollam and Brittany Yanik; 11th grade, Kyle Applegarth, Deszahrae Carter, Carley Cooper, Angelo DeCesare, Dillan Gault, Emily Forcone, Jacob Haynes, Cari Horne, Taylor Linn, Austin Lucas, John Marriner, Anna Martaus, Brad Melville, Andrew Miller, Megan Payton, Erica Price, Mykenna Risler, John Rodesh, Lisa Scalley, Grant Scott, Shane Sears, Mariah Turner, Lisa Walter and Kalie Yasho; 10th grade, Chelsea Anderson, Lindsay Bodnar, Holly Eckard, Chelsea Henry, Kaylee Peckens and Emily Williamson; and ninth grade, Jordan Allison, Makayla Bauman, Maria Dunlope, Alec Haynes, Ben Hlivko, Ian McClelland, Emily Rodesh, Deanna Swearingen and Donna Tharp.
During the high school awards assembly awards and scholarships were presented to graduating seniors, according to Maureen Taggart, school district communications coordinator.
"The Toronto City School District truly appreciates the generosity of the local businesses, community organizations, and citizens who sponsor these awards each year," said Taggart.
Recipients of the diploma with honors were Stephanie Calabrese and Evan Johnson. The awards of merit were given to Evan Johnson, Cary Eckard and Brittany Yanik. Stephanie Calabrese, Evan Johnson, Blake Wollam were recipients of the President's Education Award. The Class of 2012 honor students were Mindy Meadows, Brittany Yanik, Cary Eckard, Emily Price, Spenser Sninchak, Evan Johnson, Stephanie Calabrese and Blake Wollam.
Stephanie Calabrese was named the salutatorian of the Class of 2012. Blake Wollam was named the valedictorian of the Class of 2012. The Rotary Club Scholarship went to Stephanie Calabrese. T.H.S. Alumni Scholarships were awarded to Cary Eckard, Samantha Gregory, Spenser Sninchak, Oliver Sutherin and Brittany Yanik. The recipient of the T.H.S. Alumni Association Foundation Scholarship was Stephanie Calabrese.
The Robert T. Hughes Memorial Grant went to Blake Wollam. The Dr. Verne McConnell Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Evan Johnson. The Jason Motto Memorial Award went to Jeffrey Weidger. The recipient of the Cliff and Hazel Walker Award was GeorgeAnn Fazio. The Bill Davis Award went to Megan McNutt. Titan Cheerleader Award recipient was Kacy Allen. The Titan Football Player Award recipient was Ralph King. Mindy Meadows received the Dr. Jane Shaffer Award. The Ed Gray Award was presented to Emily Price. The Hugh O'Brien Leadership Award was awarded to Zachary Calabrese. The recipient of the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award was Brad Melville. John Rodesh was the recipient of the Susan B. Anthony Humanities /Social Science Award. The Kenneth Young Memorial Scholarship went to Blake Wollam. The Eastern Gateway Community College Scholarship was awarded to Kacy Allen. The Clara Hays Scholarship went to Jeffrey Weidger.
The T.E.A. Scholarship was awarded to Blake Wollam. The Riverview Methodist Scholarship was given to Lindsay Piatt. The Focus in Toronto Community Service Award was presented to Stephanie Calabrese. The Rod Henry Kiwanis Club Scholarship was awarded to Stephanie Calabrese and Cary Eckard. The recipients of the Chamber of Commerce Awards were Evan Johnson and Mason Larkins.
Mariah Turner, Rebecca Schaming, Angelo Decesare, Grant Scott, John Rodesh and Brad Melville were announced as Buckeye Girls and Boys State Delegates. The American Legion Scholarship was awarded to Blake Wollam. The "33" John C. Yappy Smith Memorial Award went to Spenser Sninchak and Jeffrey Weidger. The "33" Wilda M. Flowers Smith Memorial Award was presented to Brittany Yanik. The Roberta Joan Weidger Memorial Award went to Emily Price. The Blaner Gift Scholarship was awarded to Stephanie Calabrese and Cary Eckard. The recipient of the Student Senate Scholarship was Mason Larkins.
The Activity Account Scholarship was awarded to Cary Eckard. The Kathryn Hammond Award was presented to Brittany Yanik. The Larry Herdman Award went to Spenser Sninchak. The Frank "Windy" Kestner Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Ralph King. The Toronto Masonic Lodge 583 Award went to Oliver Sutherin. The Lou Holtz Foundation Scholarship Award went to Alex Terpenning. The Ohio High School Athletic Association Scholar/Athlete Plaques were presented to Emily Price and Blake Wollam. The OHSAA Courageous Student Award was given to Megan McNutt. The recipients of the Athletic Boosters Awards were Evan Johnson and Brittany Yanik.
Archie Griffin Awards went to Brittany Anderson and Shane Mosti. The John Phillips Sousa Award was presented to Stephanie Calabrese. The Arion Award was presented to Stephanie Calabrese. The James D. Crawford Award went to Stephanie Calabrese. The Reanne K. Phillips Scholarship was awarded to Mindy Meadows and Brittany Yanik. The Lucille Campbell Award went to GeorgeAnn Fazio. The recipient of the Three Arts Award was Stephanie Calabrese. The Kent State University Special Scholarship was awarded to Cary Eckard and Oliver Sutherin. The recipients of the Charles M. Pugliese and Thelma M. Pugliese Foundation Scholarships were Spenser Robins, Evan Johnson, Emily Price and Spenser Sninchak. The Weirton Lumber Scholarship went to Michael Palmer. The Nina Gentile Scholarship was awarded to Kirk Piatt. The Movin' and Groovin' Productions Award was given to Jessica Myers.
The Joseph and Anna Marie Karaffa Award for Excellence in Education was presented to educator Jennifer Dickinson. The OHSAA State Award was presented to Tom "Chip" Coulter.
(Miller can be contacted at mmiller@heraldstaronline.com.)
