AKRON – As the mythical phoenix is said to have risen from the ashes, so has Brunswick High School’s graduating class of 2013.
“Ours is a story of perseverance and triumph,” senior Justin Miller said during his commencement address at the James A. Rhodes Arena June 2.
Miller said that losing five classmates over the past year – three of whom were set to receive their diplomas with this year’s graduating class – has undoubtedly taken a toll on his classmates. But like the phoenix, he said, the students have demonstrated their resiliency time and time again.
“Together, we have become stronger,” Miller, who ranks 16th in his class of 610, said. “Brunswick strong.”
‘Brunswick Strong’ became the class’ mantra over the past 12 months and was memorialized on T-shirts that were distributed to every Brunswick High School student last month following the death of Cora Ann Flemming, a senior cheerleader who passed away from Osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.
June 5 marked the one-month anniversary of her death, Miller noted.
But that wasn’t the only anniversary that students had to come to grips with this week. One year ago, four Brunswick High School students – Blake Bartchak, Jeffrey Chaya, Kevin Fox and Lexi Poerner – were killed in a car crash that took place June 3, just hours before the 2012 commencement ceremony was set to begin.
Chaya and Fox were to have graduated with the class of 2012, while Bartchak and Poerner would have graduated with the class of 2013, which also includes the crash’s lone survivor, Julia Romito.
Like Miller, commencement speaker Marissa-Ann Pappas said that it was her class’ ability to come together following these tragedies that helped define her class, as well as the entire Brunswick community.
“We have been brought together by the resilient spirit of Brunswick,” she said, noting how the community has supported each other following the tragedies. “This is what a community ought to be.”
Like the students, Superintendent Michael Mayell said during his speech that the class of 2013 has taught him more than he ever expected.
“I’m a better leader, father and person today than I was a year ago, and that is because of the class of 2013,” Mayell said during his address.
Mayell thanked the graduates and said their class will never be forgotten.
“It was your spirit and your faith that carried us through these tragedies that no community should ever have to face,” he said. “You have given us the hope, pride and knowledge that we can conquer any challenge moving forward.”
Other speakers, including School Board President Thomas Neumann and High School Principal Tracy Wheeler, expressed similar sentiments.
Wheeler, who asked for a moment of silence for the students who passed away over the past year, said the Brunswick community has shared the ups and downs that have stemmed from the tragedies of the past year.
“And all of us have come through in true Blue Devil fashion,” Wheeler said.
Other triumphs recognized as part of the ceremony include the class’ top 10 students, who all carry grade point averages between 4.43 and 4.704. Those classmates include Cody Bukszar, Nathan Canterbury, Tara Daly, Stephan Dornauer, Alexander Muir, Jeffrey Neuhaus, Nadine Nofal, Holly Sarazin, Katherine Schaffner and Jennifer Sens.
All top-10 students received medals, presented by BHS Assistant Principal Marisa Bavaro.
The entire BHS graduating class of 2013 includes the following:
Adam T. Abdallah, Paige Morgan Abshire, Bradley Scott Adkins, Nimmer Akel Said Ahmad, Connor Lawrence Ambrose, Forrest Christian Andrew, George William Applebee, Taylor Matthew Armagost, Rachel Nicole Arthur, Nicolas Jamie Asad, Christopher Dale Ashley, Mario Anthony Asturi, Kristen Marie Bahr, Hannah Marie Baier, Caleb Nathaniel Baker, Holly Elizabeth Ballinger, Robert Frank Balmert, Josilynn Marie Barna, Ieshia Laquitta Bass, Christina Elizabeth Baxter, Alyssa Nicole Bayne, Emily Kaitlyn Beck, David Laslzo Bedocs , Shane Michael Benner, Michael Dean Bernsdorf, Nicole Marie Bianchi, Tiffany Nicole Bianco, Alyssa Nicole Biedron, Elizabeth Marie Bland, Kelly Marie Blatnik, Briana Christine Blythin, Mitchell Alan Boerke, Coral Ann Boggess, Darius Bogdan Bordea, Gabriella Christiana Borsellino, Jacob Allen Bosak, Kyle Andrew Bowen, Justin Craig Breus, Kyle Kirk Brice, Austin Tyler Brooks, Samantha Marie Brown, Justin Alexander Bruketa, Danielle Arlene Bruno, Cody Austin Bukszar, Gabrielle Bulic, Kyle Andrew Burson, Victoria Nicole Busch, Caitlyn Marie Buser, Arnold Bykov, Joseph Michael Calanni, Alexander Collins Cameron, Taylor Christopher Cameron, Nathan Michael Canterbury, Anthony Jordan Caputo, Tyler Michael Carpenter, Jessica Ann Carver, Michael David Carver, Nathan M. Caswell, Holly Nicole Chakan, Spencer Ryan Chaney, Justin Gregory Chappell, Kyle Matthew Chappell, Jennifer Hali Cherconis, Megan Kristine Chiara, Mark David Christe, Michael Richard Cintron, Katie Marie Cipolla, Sarah Ann Cleckner, Ashley Rae Clelland, Hope Erin Clingan, Stephanie Renee Close, Aaron Xavian Coats, Mikenzi Kae Coffer, Kyle Anthony Colantonio, Kaila Erin Combs, Michael Allen Combs, Brendan James Connor, Michael Kenneth Conrad, Jason A. Cook, Jordan D. Cooper, Jacob Roland Coseo, Lloyd Martin Courtney, Brittney Lynn Cox, Kelly Rose Crabtree, Sara N. Craddock, Casie Lee Craft, Kyle Andrew Craigs, Sadie Deanne Crittenden, Haley Noel Crookston, Christopher Lee Crowder, Mallory Rose Cummings, Beth Marie Curiale, Sean Cwalinski, Tara Lynn Daly, Chad Loyd Damian, Corey Michael D’Angelo, Brad A. Darlington, Andrew Phillip Datko, Courtney Nichole Davenport, Brent Alexander Dean, Christopher David Deem, Kristina Deenanat, Jacob Allen Deighton, Shannon Marie Delsanter, Brian Joseph Demeter Jr., Tyler E. Devorak, Ross Gerrard DiDonna, Christin A. DiFilippo, Dragan Djakovic, Steven Charles Dodds, Stephan Joseph Dornauer, Rebecca Rose Dornbach, Tiffany Lynn Dreher, Alexander James Dryer, Brianna Lynn Dugan, Andrew Russell Dukles, Chelsey Romaine Durr, Jacob Matthew Dybiec, Shannon Narelle Egan, Jessica Lynn Ehrmentrout, Paige Marie Elias, Amanda Faouzi Eljaouhari, Jack Anthony Ellis, Allen Donald Erwin, Natalie Vawn Esson, Stephanie Lynn Evensen, Adnan Adell Farhood, Faith Marie Farnam, Daniel Richard Farrell, Rachel Rose Fazekas, Aristides George Felouzis, Clayton Ferrell, Nicole Ann Marie Ferrier, Kevin David Field, Cassandra Marie Fielder, Katlin Marie Fields, Allison Nicole Fischer, Anastasia Xenobi FitzRoy, Carly Naomi Fleck, Brandon Tyler Flemming, Cora A. Flemming, Jacquelyn Renee Fletcher, Lauren Elizabeth Fletcher, Douglas John Florek, Erin Michele Flynn, Rachel Amanda Flynn, Brian Michael Fontana, Jonathan James Foraker, Bradley James Forsythe, E. Gordon Foust III, Shannon Elizabeth Fox, Jordan Rae Frederick, Charles Edward Freehoffer, Seth D. French, Amanda Nicole Frost, Alexandria Lynn Fuldauer, Cody Allen Furr, Kaitlyn Ann Gawelek, Blaine L. Geary, Katelyn Mary Gembarski, Attila Ian Gereg, Megan Erika Giedt, Brandon S. Gircsis, Ian Andrew Gladish, Nicholas Anthony Glatzhofer, Nathan Aaron Globokar, Benjamin Lawrence Glueck, Angela Marie Golak, Daniel Stephen Golobic, Eliott Michael Golod, Kaylee Nicole Golod, Asaiah Daniel Gomez, Jonathan Amado Gonzalez, Rhianna Marie Gordon, Chase Allan Gorgan, Lindsey Nicole Green, Austen Lane Gregg, Allison Marie Greiner, Sean M. Greissing, Scott Alexander Grenig, Brandon Joseph Gross, Clay Patrick Guddy, Taylor Alexis Hagler, Jordan Ryan Haight, Robert Marcus Hale, Emily Lynn Hall, Madison Nicole Hall, Mary Margaret Halloran, Steven Michael Halloran, Brianna Lee Hanshaw, Zachary Lee Harbaugh, Meghan Brenna Harkin, Adam Robert Harrell, Alexander Joseph Hartill, Breanna Marie Hartory, Brittany Danielle Hartze, Bradley Allan Hayes, Kayla Brooke Hayes, Allison Marie Haynes, James Allen Haywood, Victoria Brooke Hedger, Nicole Marie Heil, Samantha Noel Heilman, Kelly Lynn Helbling, Ashley Marie Henke, Kevin Gregory Hennis, Erin Nicole Hensley, Kaylie Alexis Hensley, Christopher Hernandez, Adam Erich Hetzel, Brady Michael Hildebrand, Ahren Alexander-Benson Hill, Karly Christine Hill, Michael Bayard Hill, Sara Catherine Hnizdil, Kathryn Rose Hobe, Jessica Ann Hoerig, Kelsey Nicole Hofer, Marina Louise Holbert, Selena Alexis Holley, Michael Albert Horvat, Kylie Rose Houdek, Calvin Andrew Hovan, Devan Keith Hovanetz, Kyle Robert Howe, Jonah Christopher Howell, Samantha Paige Hoyt, Brad Hozjan, Chase Edward Hrivnak, Shane Christian Hruby, Ranisha Elizabeth Pauline Hudson, Alex Michael Hughes, Tyler James Hughes, Aaron James Hummel, Michael Jacob Hund-Redli, Nathanael Harrison Hunter, Collin J. Huntington, Stacy Marie Hurayt, Lindsey Renae Ina, Logan Charles Indre, Amiera Itayem, Erica Rose Jacks, Lindsay Ellen Jakubowski, Alexis Nicole James, Brent John Janik, Patrick Daniel Jarvis, Daniel Norman Jindra, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Jindra, Monnie Lynn Johnston, Abby Leigh Jones, Samantha Marie Jordan, Cullen Michael Karecki, BreannaMarie Kargle, Haley Alexandra Kashi, Stephen Perry Kasidonis, Elizabeth Halley Katona, Marna Dorisa Kebberly, Rebecca Joyce Killmer, Erica Irene Kilroy, Brett Andrew Kirk, Brittany A. Kirk, Heather Marie Kirks, Luke Jeffrey Kitko, Kelly Nicole Klass, Brittany Nicole Kline, John Paul Kocisko, Garrick Douglas Koermer, Kaitlin Anne Kopin, Nicholas Raymond Kopy, Erik Allen Kostura, Gordana Kovcic, Alexis Nicole Kratche, Meghan Taylor Krise, Megan D. Krukemeyer, Haley Marie Krysiak, Skye Leeanne Kubit, Victoria Kurilov, Madison Liann Kutrubs, Jordan Michael Lack, Michael Anthony Lanese, Colton James Laudato, Courtney Nicole Laudato, Crystal Ann Lavelle, Nicole Danielle Lawrence, Christina Amber Layne, Adam Robert Lee, BrianGilmore Lees, Kelci Ann Lemon, Cynthia Nicoele Lenhoff, William Henry LePrevost, Brittany Marie Liba, Zachar y David Linderman, Micheal Bernard Linnert, Julie Marie Locy, Yianni Christos Loulis, Kelley Scott Love, Rachel Hanna Lowery, Alexis Nicole Lowry, Michala Rose Lowther, Eric S. Lynch, Allison Marie MacIvor, Courtney Marie MacLellan, Brennan Kyle Magalski, Collin Michael Mahoney, Thomas Jason Malkus, Alexa Maria Maloney, Kyle Steven Manzo, Joseph Michael Marincek, Amber Diane Markley, Ashley Nicole Martin, Brittany Ann Martin, Danielle Lynn Martin, Matthew John Martin, Jeanette Suzane Massri, Stephanie Ann Mateosky, Kayln Nicole Mathews, Rebecca Louise May, Brian Josef McCarson, Abigail Christine McElroy, Jacob McFarland, Savannah Rose McGill, Nicholas James McGucken, Rachael Nicole McIlvain, Kara Marie McKay, William Frank McKay, Cory Michael McKee, Mitchel Alan McKee, Kyrsten Ashlee McKillen, Kelly Marie McLaughlin, Kayley McNamara, Erin Kelly McNamee, Brady Terry McNeely, Kalie Jo McNeely, Imari Olajuwon McPherson, Ellyn Frances Meade, Kyle Robert Medlen, Jacob Tyler Mehalik, Tyler James Menear, Logan Robert Merritt, Anthony Michael Michalak, Kyle Stephen Michalik, Danielle Elizabeth Michetti, Ethan Brian Mickler, Samantha A. Midea, Stephen M. Midea, Donald E. Miesowitz, Brandon Allen Mietus, Meghan Isabel Mikut, Ryan Dean Milanko, Audra Elizabeth Milewski, Rachel Lynn Milicevic, Justin Robert James Miller, Nicole Marie Miller, Shannon Marilyn Miller, Thomas William Miller, Kaitlyn Marie Millhorn-Taras, Emily Christine Minns, Katie Nicole Misenko, Kayleen Noelle Mitchell, Tyler Brandon Mocio, Amber Nicole Molnar, Brittany Katrina Monday, Kristina Lynn Monkowski, Austin Donald Monyak, Allen Michael Moore, David Robert Morgan, Alex Michael Morgano, Brianna Marie Moss, Michelle Elizabeth Moss, Alexander McDonald Muir, Erin Ashley Mullen, Courtney Paige Muller, Joseph Michael Munaretto, Eric Michael Mundaniohl, Anthony Murea, Thomas Francis Murphy, Summer Lee Murrell, Daniel Ronald Myers, Sarah Marie Myers, Jonathan James Mysliwiec, Hannah Marie Naples, Megan Nicole Nara, Austin Michael Neff, Dimitri Markell Nelson, Douglas Charles Nelson, Scott Oliver Nelson, Joseph Allan Nescola, Justin James Nester, Jeffrey Samuel Neuhaus, Alexis Nicole Nichols, Marissa Emily Nieves, Nadine Jamal Nofal, Ashley Ann Nofziger, Jennifer Nicole Novak, Tatum Elizabeth Nye, Che’ Anthony O’Connell, Kevin Matthew O’Connor, Ryan T. O’Dell, Joshua Taylor Odorcich, Elise Laura O’Dougherty, Nicolas Alan Oliveros, Santana Marlynn Ortiz, Mason R. Owca, Tori Erin Pace, Kyle Damien Pagrabs, Jennifer Lynn Palmer, Samuel Pangihutan, Neil Allan Papesh, Marissa-Ann Kathleen Pappas, Samantha Lynn Parsons, George Albert Patsko, Nicholas Patton, Jacob Warren Pavlisin, Richard William Pawlowski, Derek Edward Payne, Rachel Ann Pearce, Alexander Milagro Pekar, Jessica Lynne Peres, Leah Alexandra Perruchon, Alyshia Marie Peters, Elexa Renee Petrovic, Brandon M. Pettry, Ashley Lynn Phillips, Madison Leigh Phillips, Tiffanni Nikohl Phillips, Sengrithey Huot Pich, Emily Ann Pietrasz, Deven Randal Pistor, Champaigne Nyree Powell, Courtney Raye Powell, Michael Scott Pozna, Daniel Patrick Pratt, Steven Alexander Price, Caitlyn Jane Prior, Emily Rose Punchak, Felicia Rebecca Pyle, Jonathan Squire Radey, Tyler Robert Rager, Shawn Michael Rakusan, Travis Ramsumair, Megan Mary Reber, David F. Reiter, Jaimie Ann Rericha, Kimberly Michelle Reynolds, Colton Austin Richardson, Autumn Lavonne Riddell, Nicole Marie Ridolfo, Cady Ann Riedel, Dylan James Rief, Nicholas Andrew Rienerth, Angelica Feliesha Riley, Kyle Allen Riley, Morgan Anne Ritchie, Derick Dave Rivera, Thaison Paris Smith Rivera, Christina LaVonne Roberts, Derek Richard Roberts, Nicholas Christian Roberts, Matthew David Roden, Rebecca Kay Rodriguez, Daniel Ryan Roginsky, Holly Ann Romaniszyn, Julia Marie Romito, Samantha Marie Rossman, Nicole Elizabeth Rouge, Brooke Jordan Rowe, James William Rutkowski, Karalyn Jean Rutkowski, Ryan Thomas Rylow, Kate Lyn Safko, Gerald Eric Salisbury, Victor Manuel Santana, Matthew Ryan Saplak, Christina Marie Saracco, Michael Kevin Sarama, Holly Nicole Sarazin, Madeline Elizabeth Saris, Matthew A. Sasser, Christopher James Saunders, Katherine Ann Schaffner, Hope Marie Scherban, Christian Jonathan Schick, Sonya Ruth Schneider, Zachary Joseph Schneider, Michael David Schuse, Joseph Dale Sciria, Cody Justin Scott, Amanda Marie Seelbach, Brian Joseph Sejd, Alyssa Corrine Seman, Jennifer Rachael Sens, Justin Richard Senyitko, Alexander James Serafine, Patrick Shaughnessy, Nicholas Matthew Shemo, Cassandra Anne Sherman, Ashley Lauren Shestina, Alexandria Lauren Shirilla, Taylor Lynn Shives, Nicole Catherine Shriver, Zachary Cody Siedschlag, Taylor Nicole Simonelli, Faith Anna-Marie Sindelar, Steven Ray Sizemore, Danielle Elizabeth Skala, Shannon Marie Slade, Thomas George Slusarski, Anthony Richard Smart, Thomas Anthony Smego, Xavier Thomas Smerekovsky, Erin Lynne Smith, Jacob Mathew Smith, Joshua Alexander Smith, Larry Patrick Smith, Madison Rae Smith, Rachel Danielle Smith, Shannon Marie Smith, Tabatha Ann Marie Smith, Daniel Alexander Sobek, Zackary William Soltesz, Melissa Marie Soto, Kevin Anthony Soucek, Troy Daniel Spears, Rhiannon Ashlee Stapleton, Kiersten Ruth Stark, Michael David Stark, Kassidy Simone States, Andrew Ray Steinhauser, Jack Joseph Steitz, Daniel Michael Stepp, Amanda R. Stertzbach, Jacob Ryan Stevens, Amethyst Jade Stewart, Ronald Lawrence Stewart, Savahna Catherine Stewart, Lauren Ashley Stickland, Marina Stojanovic, Samantha Nicole Storch, Peter Thomas Stovicek, Danielle Grace Stringer, Joshua David Sumerauer, Eric John Szabo, Joseph Steven Szabo, Jordan Scott Szanto, Ty Xavier Talley, Michae l Anthony Taylor, Zachary Nathaniel Taylor, Tyler Darrell Tenny, Alexander Merced Tenorio, David Robert Tevs, Allison Michelle Thomas, Kourtney Ray Thomas, Stephanie M. Thomas, James Patrick Thompson, Joseph Antonio Tijerina, Brandon Thomas Titchenell, Joseph Thomas Todd, Alyssa Marie Tomak, Amandeep K. Toor, Stephanie Torres, Courtney Rose Trifari, Vinh Dang Trinh, Renae Salone Trundy, Colin Weidner Trussa, Daniel Wayne Tucker, Kristina Lanelle Tucker, Katrina Ann Turczynskyj, Zachary William Turnick, Alissa Marie Ulery, Cory M. Ulery, Nicholas Cole Underwood, McKenna Kathryn Ritchey Valasek, Arabella Valencia, Ismael Valencia, Caitlin Elizabeth Van Dette, Halle Elizabeth Vargo, Carlos Manuel Velez III, Joseph David Verbiak, Nicole Marie Verdile, Leah Nicole Vida, Andrew John Videgar, Brett Alan Vidmar, Jessie Marie Vorachek, Anthony Henry Vullo, David Robert Wagner, Julia Lynne Wahl, Marissa Marie Walczak, Taylor Marie Walter, Sean Patrick Ward, Maryann Alexis Warden, Triston Michael Wasil, Alexis Marie Weaver, Alexis Nicole Weaver, Nicole Ann Weidman, Ashley Marie Wells, Kyle Andrew Wheeler, Michael Robert Wheeler, Rebekkah Ann Whelan, Sierra Cheyenne Wick, Andrew John Widowski, Caitlyn Marie Wiesinger, Dillan John Williams, Kasey Marie Williams, Rachel Lee Wilson, John Robert Witthuhn, Caitlyn Deborah Wojnarowski, Sydnie Caitlin Wolny, Allison Clair Wood, Mariah Alexis Wowk, Kristina Marie Yatsko, Daniel John Yohman, Keith Robert Yohman, Amanda Sue Young, Brady Patrick Young, Wendy Lynn Yount, Tarren Marissa Yuschak, Brandon Thomas Zaccardelli, Grant Alexander Zahn, Steven Thomas Zahorai, Erin Marie Zaranec, Kaitlyn Summer Zeh, Devin Michael Zemek, Kimberly Michelle Zevchek and Joseph Michael Zitricki.