By Jessica Wasmund<br><a href="mailto:jessye.wasmund@journal-register.com">E-mail Jessica</a>
ALBION — Proud parents and camera flashes were abundant Thursday evening at the Hickory Ridge Country Club, where the top students in the Albion Class of 2009 were honored for their hard work and efforts in the classroom.
“We’re fortunate to be here, and it’s because of your hard work we’re able to celebrate success,” said school board President Michael Bonafede. “You are a class of incredible community service. You have demonstrated an acute awareness of what it means to be a good citizen/ With your success comes a high responsibility ... always recall the great character wealth you have earned through service in others. Share freely your gifts and good fortune.”
Guest speaker for the evening, John A. Paganelli — a 1952 graduate of Albion High School — encouraged students to always remember their roots.
“This is a particular honor to be asked to speak in your own hometown,” he said. “More than half of the honorees tonight are the grandchildren of contemporaries of mine from Albion. You have a very special privilege coming from this town, although you may not think so.”
Paganelli explained how he went to New York City, but within a few years he found himself back in Albion.
“There’s some very special things about growing up in a small town,” Paganelli said. “The nostalgia is absolutely amazing. The experience growing up here is unique — you learn a work ethic that never quite leaves you. Everything that took place here was a combination of work, luck, opportunity and relationships.”
Each student was honored with a certificate documenting their merits in the classroom. They walked down a line of board members and retired teachers, shaking their hands, as words were read indicating where they would be attending school, and what they wished to contribute to the world. Then, each individual was presented a cord by their parents or family member.
The evening was rounded out with a rendition of Albion’s alma mater.
Contact editor Jessye Wasmund at 798-1400, ext. 8225.
Honor Students
The following students will graduate with a weighted GPA of 90.00 percent or higher:
• Kathleen A. Adduci
• Rachael L. Alicea
• Lucas A. Allamon
• Ethan D. Bannister
• Justin E. Barleben
• Katlin M. Barrile
• Elisabeth M. Bierdeman
• Sanford B. Church
• Virginia S. Cole
• Rebecca M. Deegan
• Dylan S. DeSmit
• Brendan M. Doherty
• Rachel D. Fracek
• Nelly J. Galicia
• Michael J. Guzman
• Thomas E. Hicks
• Justin M. Johnson
• Aaron F. Kirby
• Chad E. Kirby
• Mark E. Logan
• Kelsey A. Lombard
• Courtney J. Lusk
• Hannah L. Moffett
• Shelby F. Murek
• Stryker Ostafew
• Molly E. Pahuta
• Amara V. Revelas
• Earl W. Reynolds
• Kenneth Rush
• Traci C. Salmon
• Megan C. Swan
• Patrick A. Taber
• Sarah R. Thomas
• Ashley L. Walter
• Rebecca L. Weller
