Riverview High School graduates Class of 2022
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On June 8, the Riverview High School Class of 2022 commencement was held to celebrate the achievements of the district’s 52 seniors.
It also happened to be the 50th anniversary of Riverview School District.
The festivities began with a parade that started at the high school on Third Street in Oakmont and wound through town, eventually wrapping up in Verona. The graduates rode in vehicles with their families, with local police and fire departments also joining the procession.
Commencement started with the entrance of the graduates to the playing of the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance.” Once the students were in their seats, Principal Eric Hewitt gave a welcome, followed by the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by the Grace Note seniors and the Pledge of Allegiance led by senior class co-presidents Makenna Cameron and Kelsey Mayhood.
Distinguished Scholars were introduced, the students who finished their high school careers with a 4.0 grade-point average: Alessandra Ciccone, Julia Ciorra, Julia Franciscus, Domink Gearhy, Jaiden Heffley, Ty Laughlin, Gracie McShea, Jocelyn Schaaf, and Lucas Wilton.
Assistant principal Scott Newell then introduced the class salutatorian by saying, “To earn the title of salutatorian, one must possess a keen intellect, a work ethic that exceeds all others, and dedication to achieve your goals. Julia Franciscus personifies these attributes.”
Franciscus thanked her classmates and everyone at the school.
“Be proud of yourselves, because every single person earned the right to be here,” she said. “There’s certainly nostalgia looking back at our time here. A large of part of our day, every week day, was spent at this school. When reflecting on the past, I see so much growth from our seventh-grade class just arriving at the high school up to today. We have learned together and grown together, not just as intellectuals, but as people.”
Hewitt then introduced valedictorian Julia Ciorra, to whom he referred as “one of the most pleasant people I have ever met. Her sunny disposition can brighten anyone’s day. And I admire her endless energy, positive attitude, and dedication to making herself into the best she can be.”
Ciorra thanked those who helped the graduating class along the way.
“It is safe to say that I speak for all of us students when I say thank you to anyone who has supported and guided us throughout our time here at Riverview,” she said. “I would like you all as an audience to know that your children, students, athletes, and friends are the type of people that I will have in my mind forever, even after I leave the hallways of Riverview.”
Superintendent Neil English introduced guest speaker Gary Rogers, president of the Oakmont Historical Society. English also gave extensive thanks to Riverview personnel, including teachers, the school support staff, school board, and the Oakmont and Verona communities.
Rogers drew attention to Riverview’s 50th anniversary before wishing the students well on their journey following high school.
The Stuart Chapman Hill Senior Singers performed a rendition of “Song of the Apple Tree,” after which diplomas were presented to each graduate. The Wetzel Senior Singers led the crowd in the Riverview alma mater before the culminating moment in which the seniors turned their tassels and tossed their caps in the air.
The sunny, 75-degree evening was then capped off with the recessional song “Liberty Bell March” by John Philip Sousa before the families joined their children on the field to celebrate.
Hewitt summed up the proceedings by saying:
“I am very excited for our graduates this year. They have worked so hard over the last 13 years, made it through a difficult situation (covid-19) and emerged in their senior year to a changed educational landscape. This group of young people are truly prepared to go out into the world and accomplish great things, and I am looking forward to seeing what they can do.”
Riverview Class of 2022
Xavier M. Bear, Brooke A. Benton, Micah J. Black, Makenna Caroline Cameron, Dean W. Cecere, Alessandra Noelle Ciccone, Julia Gianna Ciorra, Samantha Michele Cooper, Ari Q.H. Crowell, Madeline Steele Deem, Alexander W. Donatelli, Madeline Grace Entwisle, Jordan Alexander Escalera, Silas Wolfe Fabyanic, Eloise Taylor Fischer.
Gracie Miriam Flanick, Julia Maradei Franciscus, Dominik Michael Geahry, Nolan X. Gornic, Jordan N. Hart-Brown, Justin M. Hart-Brown, Jaiden D. Heffley, Daniil Allan Howard, Makiah Howard- Owens, Tanae Denise James, Olivia Francesca Kadylak, Seth E. Kobal, Ty R. Laughlin, Elizabeth M. Lekovitch, Kelsey E. Mayhood.
Anthony John Madia Mazur, Jordan A. McClain, Christian Michael McDowell, Gracie E. McShea, Mia Bella Milliken, Moth Morrissey, Madison Rae Orkwis, Zander G. Payne, Giovanni Heath Pecora, Samantha Preisner, Alicia A. Renna, Taylor E. Rhodes-Zellefrow, Jocelyn M. Schaaf, Orion A. Shields, Vincent R. Shook.
Parker F. Steele, Jason J. Straw, Brandon Leonard Trabbold, Aidan J. Vespi, Cristian E. Wakefield, Kaylee Rayne Weinberg, Lucas A. Wilton.