MOUNT CARMEL - Red Tornado pride filled the packed gymnasium at Mount Carmel Area High School Friday night, when 111 graduates were honored for their various talents during commencement ceremonies, featuring addresses by a 1965 alumnus and the class valedictorian, salutatorian and president.
Members of the talented Class of 2012 were challenged to exceed their expectations, establish meaningful relationships that will help them succeed in life and always be faithful and loyal to their alma mater, friends and family.
After the graduates and faculty entered the gymnasium, class president Dylan Matukaitis delivered a welcoming address.
"Twelve years ago, we began a journey - a long, extensive expedition - that led us to this moment," he said. "Our journey is something like a novel, so unique, epic and memorable. It seems like just yesterday we walked into kindergarten with our heads held high, ready to learn our fundamental golden rules. This was our exposition and introduction to our life's novel. It was where we set up the setting and met our heartwarming cast of characters."
He added, "In the 12 years that have passed between that day and this, I think we can all declare proudly that we have been through a lot. We have experienced a whirlwind of emotions. And here we are at the forefront of the next chapter of our lives. We did it."
Matukaitis thanked administrators, faculty, parents, classmates and community members for their support throughout the 12-year journey.
He concluded, "Begin a novel for your life that you can one day look back on and proudly proclaim - I was here. We were here. We lived. We loved. We've done everything we wanted and it was more than we thought it could be. We left our mark."
Mount Carmel Area Acting Superintendent Bernard Stellar described the class as "impressive." He said the graduates excelled in the arts, music, academics and athletics.
Stellar, who noted there were 46 honor students in the class, told the graduates, "You were special and if you work hard, I'm sure you will be successful."
'Such an honor'
Stellar then introduced the commencement speaker, Dick Bridy, a 1965 graduate of Mount Carmel Area High School who resides with his wife, Ginny, in Cardiff-by-the Sea, Calif.
Bridy is the chief executive officer of DBI Group, a boutique real estate firm that specializes in the development and redevelopment of commercial retail centers and single tenant properties.
He has more than 34 years of commercial and real estate development, brokerage and asset management experience.
Bridy said he cried after being asked by Stellar to serve as the guest speaker because it was such an honor.
"I am very proud to be a Red Tornado," Bridy said.
After encouraging the graduates to display their pride, Bridy discussed the importance of establishing relationships.
"Relationships mean everything in life," he said. "The key to establishing relationships is creating dialogue. If you have mutual benefit and mutual respect in your relationships, there is no limit on what you can achieve in life."
Bridy also said it was vital to find mentors in life who are trustworthy and very supportive.
He recalled the advice given to him by his high school freshman football coach who stated, "You got to live life with reckless abandon."
"You have to live life with passion," Bridy said. "That's a key to being successful."
Bridy told the Class of 2012 to "take little steps at a time" when meeting tough challenges.
"Life is about having hope," he said. "As a proud Marine, I always try to live by the slogan, 'Semper Fidelis,' which means - always faithful, always loyal. That is more than a phrase. It's a way of life."
Bridy has supervised the redevelopment of 14 shopping centers with more than 3.5 million square feet of leasable area. He also has brokered the purchase and leasing of over $375 million of commercial properties for clients and partners, and negotiated over 1,630 leases.
He earned letters in football, track and baseball and was a member of the 1965 Mount Carmel Area High School baseball championship team.
Following high school, he attended the University of Pennsylvania and received a bachelor of science degree from the Wharton School Class of 1969. He served in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and several bases in the continental U.S. with all three Marine Corps divisions.
He attended San Diego State University Graduate School of Business, where he earned an MBA in 1975 while majoring in finance.
In May 2008, he graduated from the EMBA program at the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business while majoring in executive management.
He is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Phoenix, where he will complete his dissertation by the end of the year.
Bridy also has been selected to act in 21 operas during the past 12 years.
He was presented with a special gift by Stellar after his address.
Bittersweet
Salutatorian Kirsten Sinopoli opened her address by thanking everyone for the roles they played in the development of their high school careers.
"Since our very first day of kindergarten, we have been blessed with outstanding educators who have filled our minds with the knowledge we have today," she said. "We could not have done it without your overwhelming support and encouragement."
She added, "As a senior on the brink of graduating, I can honestly say that I do not want it to come to an end. We've adjusted to each other in such a way that we know one another as more than just a name. It's almost as if we're more than friends, as if we've become a family. It's such a bittersweet moment in all of our lives that we'll certainly remember forever."
Sinopoli challenged her classmates to be different and more than ordinary.
"Go where no person has ever gone before and leave your own footprints," she said. "Instead of following in the path that previous graduates have taken, make your own. I hope that all of you walk out of this gymnasium tonight with no regrets. I love all of you like brothers and sisters and wish everyone the best of luck in your future endeavors."
Interim high school principal and curriculum coordinator Lisa Varano presented numerous awards to the graduates, including one given in memory of Nathan McFadden, who would have graduated this year but died from cancer several years ago. McFadden's brother, Bryan William McFadden, received this year's award.
Interim junior high school principal and athletic director Gregory Sacavage recognized the numerous graduates who earned more than $870,000 in scholarships.
Closing a chapter
Following musical selections by the Mount Carmel Area Chorus, valedictorian Alyssa Buggy presented her address.
In quoting author and lecturer Marianne Williamson, Buggy stated, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?"
Buggy told her classmates that they have the potential deep within to transform into the desired role they want to achieve. She said their expectations are raised to the standards they believe they can reach.
Buggy, who thanked classmates, mentors and family members for challenging the graduates to exceed their expectations, stated, "Thanks to their help, you are seated here before me at our commencement, closing a chapter in our life, yet just beginning the start of another."
She added, "The Red Tornado pride installed within our hearts is evident in our character and will guide us toward our aspirations.
"Our diplomas are not just an indication of the accomplishments we attained, but they are memoirs of all the days, all the friends, all the memories, and all the laughs we will never forget and will always withhold. We can carry these credentials in our hearts wherever life may take us. Given the fundamentals from our curriculum and extracurricular activities, we gained the ability to learn not only from our triumphs, but also our mistakes. We received the aptitude to become successful in our studies and in our lifestyle. We were given the right tools to enhance our creativity and our drive to make a difference. Our arms are wide open to the endless possibilities we may choose in our future. So be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous."
'Do I make you proud?'
School board vice president Donna James accepted the graduating class and presented diplomas.
The graduates expressed tears, smiles and laughs while leaving the gym during the playing of the alma mater.
The 2012 class song was "Do I Make You Proud" by Taylor Hicks.
The class motto was "Together we have experienced life, separately we will pursue our dreams, and forever, our memories will remain."
The class colors are red and white.
The class flower is fire and ice rose.
In addition to Matukaitis, class officers are David Meyrick Lamb Jr., vice president; Buggy, secretary, and Maura Frasch, treasurer. Class advisers are Lisa Harner and Matthew Cuttic.
Graduates are Ranotta Cierra Ahrensfield, Stephanie Allen, Amanda Jane Amarose, Lucas Charles Amarose, Kimberly A. Andruscavage, Danelle Nicole Avellino, Shayn D. Balonis, Gregory M. Barkus, Reid Joseph Bergeron, Jordan Drew Bettleyon, Mattthew David Bird, Heather Ann Bolick, Blake W. Boyer, Rebeka Marie Buczeskie, Alyssa Buggy, Randy Lee Campell Jr., Victoria Lynn Chapman, Skyler M. Combs, Kyle A. Correa, Jocelyn Marie Darrup, Brandie Dietrich, Angelina Justine Duda, William O. Dutter, Gabrielle Anne Engelke, Nicole Marie Fiamoncini, Kelly Ann Flynn, Maura Kathleen Frasch, Tyler Joseph Gasperetti and Angelica Ann George.
Brittany Ann Gerth, Taylor Leigh Getty, Ryan C. Gidaro, Patrick Joseph Glanzmann, Levi L. Gray, Sean Michael Hamilton, Stephanie Harrison, Cody Lee Haupt, Mikael Stephen Hause, Justin Michael Hine, Tyler James Hodge, Thomas W. Hynoski, Jordin Alexis Jarzinko, Mary Elizabeth Johnson, Trevor Edward Johnson, Cody J. Kehler, Jonathan D. Kerner, Alexandra Kristine Kessler, Jacob Kleman, Cortney Ann Koschoff, Brooke Jean Ann Kruskie, Amanda Nicole Kuzo, David Meyrick Lamb Jr., Nathan Ronald Lahr, Emily Ann Laskowski, Rachel Marie Levengood, Joseph W. Linn Jr. and Justin Michael MacKenzie.
Dylan Thomas Matukaitis, Gabriel M. Matukaitis, HaleyRae Mazur, Jonathan Michael Mazurkevich, Bryan William McFadden, Aaron David McFee, Amanda Michelle McIntyre, Kevin Brian Mekosh II, Mark "Buddee" Merlo Jr., Amber Lynn Miscavage, Chris Charles Molnar, Stephanie Anne Nicola, Samantha Rose Nolan, Maggie Lynn Nolter, William Okronglis Jr., Angelina M. Peters, Tyler James Petro, Marcus D. Pitcavage, Alison Marie Plisiewicz, Brett Joseph Prezkop, Nicole Elizabeth Pyle, Kelsey Ann Resendes, John Joseph Rimokaitis III, Kaleb A. Roney, Gabrielle Nadine Rosko, Jazon Rusk and Michael Steven Saukaitis.
Jeremy Robert Schmoyer, Alyssa Marie Sessions, Kayla Eve Shamus, Mitchell E. Shields, Cody John Shustack, Andrwew Tomasi Sickora, Kirsten Anne Sinopoli, Edward Paul Smerlick, Shawn Alexander Spotts, Angela Marie Stutzcavage, Kyler S. Swatsky, Joseph Allen Szido, Jakob Anthony Taylor, Joshua David Tomedi, Chelsea Leigh Troutman, Kimberly Ann Turlis, Derek J. Urbanavage, Megan Lynn VanDoren, Justin Nguyen Vu, Dante James Weikel, Michael Richard Wisnoskie, Dane Andrew York Jr., Samantha Morgan Yuschock, Tiffany Marie Yuskoski, Brandon Zarko, Kristin Amber Zimmerman and Alec Zsido.