Northwest Area Grads Welcomed Into The “real World”
By MATTHEW G. SOLOVEY
Tuesday, June 13, 2000 Page: 4
Despite having their graduation ceremony inside because of days of rain,
the Northwest Ranger Class of 2000 enjoyed a packed auditorium as they said
goodbye to Northwest Area High School. The class of 84 graduated on Tuesday,
June 6.
Salutatorian Nicole Naunczek welcomed the crowd of parents, family, friends
and teachers, talking about friendship.
“It was in kindergarten I met my first best friend,” Naunczek said. “Linda
made me realize what a friend is and that we don’t have to go through life
alone. Not all friendships have to end after graduation. It’s our best friend
who will be with us no matter what we say or do. Friends always stay close.”
Naunczek explained it was time for the Class of 2000 to take charge.
“We have so many things to be thankful for: Our teachers, friends and
parents,” she said. “It is now up to us to show the rest of the world what the
Class of 2000 can accomplish.”
Northwest Area Superintendent Robert S. Gardner then symbolically presented
the Valedictorian and Salutatorian Awards, which were awarded during the
Senior Awards Assembly earlier.
“These are awards the students earn because they have many valuable
qualities. We all know intelligence without effort is of little value. They
also possess great character.”
Valedictorian Zachary Lukashefski was recognized along with Salutatorian
Nicole Naunczek who also won the Kenneth L. Pollock Scholarship Award.
Before presenting the Northwest Area Education Association Scholarship to
Jessica Cunningham, association President Mark Reiber offered a few remarks to
the audience.
“On behalf of the teachers, especially to the parents, grandparents, and
families, we appreciate the trust that you placed in us,” Reiber said. “We
hope we have influenced them, so they are all a little better than when they
first came here.”
School board member Duane Evans also said a few words, before awarding the
Northwest Area Board of Education Scholarship to Diane Titter.
“Ladies and gentlemen, you are special,” Evans said. “You are special in
the eyes of parents, of the school, of the community, and of God. I wish you
success in all you wish for. Good luck.”
The last award of the evening was the John Yurkoski Memorial Scholarship,
awarded to Steven Lane.
Guest speaker was Ann Marie Blasick, a former student of Northwest Area who
has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Wilkes University. Since 1999
Blasick has worked for Lucent Technologies, designing fiber optics.
Blasick explained to the students about life after high school, quoting
several well known authors and books, including “Tuesdays With Morrie” by
Mitch Albom.
“You guys are in for a roller coaster of a ride,” Blasick said. “In 10 or
Blasick said that some graduates may not know what they want to do with
their lives yet, but that’s OK.
“At 18 nobody asks if you are ready for the real world, you just are,” she
said. “This world makes it tricky deciding what you want to do. You all have
value, regardless of how much you weigh or what your G.P.A. is. You all have a
purpose. If life’s not working out, change it and make it better. Noone on the
planet has life figured out.”
School board President Peter Grella read the class a poem about
persistence. “That’s what guided me for the last 25 years,” Grella said. “I’m
offering it to the Class of 2000.”
Before the awarding of diplomas, Superintendent Gardner said a brief
speech.”
“Parents are sitting out there, remembering when these tall, strong,
beautiful young people were babies,” Gardner said. He ended with a quote from
the Biblical book of Isaih: “A young child shall lead them.”
After the presentation of diplomas, Valedictorian Zachary Lukashefski
offered a farewell address.
“It’s time to make a big step into what is called the real world,”
Lukashefski said. “The truth is the real world is different to everyone. The
way to prepare for it is to begin living it. Right now the real world still
remains a mystery.”
