Ike graduates celebrate their accomplishments

Eisenhower graduates celebrated the hard work that went into earning their high school diplomas.

"Nobody said life was going to be easy, they just said it would be worth it," said commencement speaker, Samantha Michelson.

Utica Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Christine M. Johns reminded graduates that recent top movies like The Hunger Games and Avengers showed the importance of working together to overcome challenges in a world where rules constantly change. She also said their world will need heroes to create a better future.

"In our world – the real world – the challenges of poverty, disease and social tensions call for everyday heroes armed with the power of knowledge, the strength of conviction and the talent to achieve," she said.

UCS Board of Education Vice President Gene Klida urged graduates to "be worthy of all of dreams you have yourself today."

Commencement speaker Jeffrey McFarland spoke to graduates about how "Change is an Opportunity."

"Graduation is not a time to think about what we leave behind, but rather a time to celebrate what we have achieved," he said.

2012 graduates

Caitlin Anne Abdo
Alexandra Hedy Abela
Erica Megan Achs
Monique Milena Acich CL
Jacob Louis Ackerman
Betsy Kristine Agosta CL
Nicholas David Agostini
Cody Michael Aiello
Leonardo Frank Aiuto
James Theodore Aleck
Lauren Margaret Alfonsi 1 5 SCL
Kyle Anthony Allen
Natalie Renee Allen
Brianne Nichole Alward
Silvana Amato
Austin Patrick Ames
Marielle Elizabeth Ames
Kristine Marie Andreski 5 CL
Marie Ashley Angst
Bryan Paul Arment 2 5 MCL
Dylan Anthony Arwady
Sanders Wainwright Aspelund 1 6 SCL
Adam Christopher Atallah 4
Andrew Lazar Atleski 5 CL
Stefanie Marie Austin
Michael Gregory Avesian
Carly Nicole Backhus
Megan Valerie Backos
Sorin Florin Badila
Charles Edward Bailey
Hannah Claire Bailey
Justin Troy Balko
Travis Joseph Banks
Kimberly Nicole Bareis 2
Emily Elizabeth Barg
Alexander Francisco Barile
Rachel Elizabeth Barns
Alyssa Marie Barraco
Sabrina Maria Barretta 5 MCL
Allyssa Carmella Bartolomeo
Christina Sarah Barton
Alec Michael Bartoy CL
Cody Ray Basham
Lauren Michelle Batchik
Christopher Allen Baubie CL
Alexander James Bayagich
Jose Antonio Beas Ibarra MCL
Evan Alexander Beatty 2
Marissa Marie Beffrey
Matthew Christopher Begtzos
Nicholas James Bely 1 2 6 SCL
Brianna Christine Berger
Kathleen Elizabeth Berta
Juliet Maria Biondo
Miranda Rae Blankenburg
Matthew Steven Blaul
Joseph Thomas Boike
Jonathon Matthew Bové 5 MCL
Taylor Marie Bradley
Kelly Anne Bradsher
Austin Blake Brodowsky 5 CL
Brock Jonathan Brothers
Katherine Paige Brotz 5 MCL
Alex Robert Brown
Genevieve Melanie Brown
Ryan Timothy Brunk 1 2 5 6 SCL
Emily Ann Budzol
Jonathan David Bugg
Alyssa Danielle Burko CL
Samantha Kathryn Burko
Brian Jacob Hyun-Woo Burton 1 5 MCL
Jacob Thomas Busacca CL
Anthony Vincent Buscemi
Alexa Nicole Bush MCL
Kelsey Ethel-Lynn Marie Buterbaugh
Austen William Wilson Butler
Chelsea Rae Byers
Jeffrey Terrence Cairns
Evan Andrew Callert
Marc Anthony Capicchioni
Jordan Katherine Capling
Alexa Christina Carducci 1 5 6 SCL
Daniel James Carnaghi
Jeffrey McFarland Carr Jr. 1 2 5 6 SCL
Nicholas Paul Caruana 7 SCL
Gladys Faye Caruso 4
Kevin Patrick Cassidy II
Bianca Maria Castellana
Taylor Marie Catania
Kari Lynn Ceranowicz
Stephanie Frances Chace
Jacob Joseph Chandler
Stephanie Marie Chapman 5 MCL
Kevin Andrew Checinski MCL
David Marquise Cheeks
Gina Monique Cherniawski 1 5 SCL
Nicholas Austin Chirco
David Joel Chisholm 4
Christina Boyoon Choi
Cameron Jeffrey Christofis
Kelsey Rose Ciagala
Shannon Elyse Cilluffo
David Anthony Cimini II
Natalie Vitina Ciolino MCL
Nina Rosita Ciolino SCL
Christopher James Cipriano
Samuel Vincent Cipriano
Anthony Edward Clark
Christian Michael Clark
Kiera MiKenna Clark 4
Amber Nicole Cleveland
Shane Austin Cochran
Melissa Ann Cokley
Nicole Paige Coleman
Kaysey Alexander Collins
Sarah Kay Coltman
Michael Alexander Coluzzi 4
Brendon Joseph Connor
Michael Ryan Cooper
Alexa Anne Copacia
Tyler Alexander Crawshaw
Jacob Tyler Craze 5 MCL
Andrew Michael Cuellar
Corey Robert Cullen
Alyssa Beth Cummings MCL
Maggie Chanleigh Cusack
Tyler John Cusack
Katerina Lynn Cvetanovski
Shane Michael Czarnik
Diaz Fitzgerald Dabney, Jr.
Rachel Marie Deason
Dominic Anthony DeGrandis
Steven William DeLong
Dominic Joseph DeMark
Giovanni Arnold DeMartinis
Jasmine Nicole Demings CL
Taryn Riane Alexia Dennis
Matthew Gerard DeRaedt
Devon Joseph Dewey MCL
Jenna Marie DeWitte
Jessica Clementine DeWitte
Victoria Ann Di Filippo
Erica Rose DiCarlo
Dominic Vincent DiClemente
Ryan Alan Diehl
Danielle Nicole Dillon
Paolo Mercurio DiMaria
Cristofaro Salvatore DiNoto
Nicholas Gianfranco DiPucchio
Vitore Vicki Djelaj
Kristina Djokic
David Richard Dober
Daniel Doljevic
Alison René Dolsen 5 MCL
Donavan Dettman Domin
Garret Walter Domish
Jehona Dresaj
Sheldon Stephen Dries
Kaitlyn Rose Droope
Lauren Nicole Drwencke CL
Robert Daniel Dubay
Jeremy Daniel Dudziak
Rebecca Michelle Duffy
Megan Elizabeth Dukes 5 CL
Courtney Nicole Dusablon
Pashk Dusaj
Aleksander Dushaj
Evan John Earle
Megan Arika Ebury
Paige Pauline Eggert
Alen Toni Eid 1 5 MCL
Alina Beatrice Eisenbach 5 CL
Dylin Jay Eschenburg 5 CL
Giuseppe Evola MCL
Marino Andre Fabiilli
Lea Marie Faoro 5 MCL
Kelly Marie Fedoruk
Katelyn Marie Felix
Robert Thomas Ferrantelli
Kaylyn Marie Fields 5 CL
Nile Thomas Fifield
Monique Laine Fiscelli 1 5 6 SCL
Amber Rose Fischer
Rino Americo Formicuccia
Aleksa Breeze Fortuna 1 5 CL
Hali Sky Fortuna CL
Cortney Nicole Fortune
Lauren Kimberly Franklin
Lauren Ashley Frascone 5 CL
Jacob Ryan Gajeski
Jason Anthony Gallerani
Castrenze Vincenzo Gambino
Rutvik Dipesh Gandhi 1 2 5 6 SCL
Jacob John Peter Gardner
Gina Christine Garontakos
Kayla Marie Geffert 5 MCL
Rachel Christine Georges
Anthony Mario Giacona CL
Joann Marie Giannola CL
Josephine Mary Giannola
Tyler Michael Gierc 1 2 5 6 SCL
Brandon Lukas Gignac
Michael Paul Gilbert
Jiwanjot Singh Gill
Amanda Gjolaj
Georgina Frankie Gjonaj
Martin Gjonaj
Jacob Michael Glasgow 4 CL
Adam Ronald Glidden
Kevin Gilbert Gliniecki
Angela Michele Goble
Evan August Goike
Anthony Vaselj Gojcaj
Daniel Gjelosh Gojcaj
Lydia Kathy Gojcevic MCL
David Norbert Golonka
Micaela Ann Gonino
Aubrie Lynne Goodman 5 MCL
Nolan Michael Gorecki
Tyler Alexander Gould
Daniel Patrick Gowdy
Ryan Richard Grady 2 MCL
Felicia Marie Graf
Jacob David Gross
Rachel Ann Grosz
Devon Christopher Grove
Steven Joseph Guerra
Paige Olivia Gulyas 5 CL
Zachrey Michael Halloran
Steven Frank Harris
Bailey Anna Hatfield
Marc Christopher Havrilla
Brandon Rielly Hawkins
Kristiaan William Hector 5 MCL
Katy Lynn Heid CL
Thomas Wayne Henn
Justin Allen Henry
Kevin Lee Her
Alaina Michelle Hering 5 MCL
Yousseff Bujaidar Hernandez
Justin Paul Herridge
Emma Lynn Herrman 1 5 6 SCL
Alexandra Marie Hodas
Darren Edward Hohensee Jr.
Ashley Marie Horn
Austin Thomas Howard
Chad David Howell
Olivia Marie Hrymak
Sean Michael Huber
Michael Jerry Huotari III 4
Jacolyn Marie Hurd MCL
Angela Nicole Hurley
Marlyss Megan Hutchinson MCL
Keith Lee Hutchison 4
Stefania Rose Iacobelli
Christopher Ivezaj
Dennis Jakupovic
Ryan Marshall James
Mitchell Evan Jamieson 1 5 6 SCL
Brittany Ann Jaroniewski
Michael Herbert Jernukian
Tristan Robert Jonek
Matthew James Jones MCL
Christopher Juncaj
Jennifer Lee Jurcak 5 CL
Nathan Michael Kaganac
Raechel Delia Kaiser
Briana Marie Kakares
Nicolle Ann Kakares
Erin Michelle Kappaz 5 CL
Emily Grace Kaptor
Jessica Marie Kardynal
Sarah Marie Kay
Andrew Michael Kaye
Steven John Kearney
Stephanie Anne Margaret Kehrig 5 CL
Max Andrew Keller 4
Jacob Thomas Kelly
Mark Edward Kendziuk
Omuwa Izegbuwa Kerobo 5 MCL
Tyler Christian Klebba
Andrew Thomas Klein
Christine Elizabeth Klingert 1 2 5 MCL
Scott Thomas Klozik
John Edward Knight Jr. 4
Cameron Ian Koch
Christopher Martin Koehler
Jordan John Kogelman
Bryan Adam Kolpacke 5 MCL
Tyler Joseph Komeshak
Shawn E. Konikson
Tabitha Marie Koppinger
Bryan Gregory Kosciolek
Megan Rae Kosciolek
Kenneth George Kott II
Kyle William Kozlowski
Kevin Raymond Krantz
Madison Ann Krause
Ashley Kristine Kreger
Jennifer Rebecca Krist
Kelsi Ann Kroll
Paul David Kroll
Jordan Ryan Kubert
Matthew Alexander Kuczera 5 MCL
Avery William Kuehnel
Michael Joseph Kwasnik MCL
Jason Dennis Kwiecinski
Adam Blake LaBonty
Justin Richard LaForest
Anthony Jacob Lajdziak
Justin Michael Lang
Christopher Allen Lange
Justina Rose Lange
Kayla Camille Lapworth 5 CL
Nicholas James Laratta
Derek Jeffrey Latham
Joseph Thomas Lauzon 2 5 CL
Josephine Alexa Leone
Hayden Alexander Lepora 4
Sarah Marie Lepri 5 MCL
Alexa Arin Lewis CL
Emma Berant Liburdi 1 5 6 SCL
Christopher Joseph Ligocki
Peter Benedict Livingston
Vanessa Sakoadune Long
Lance Lewis-Blake Lopp
Anthony Martin Lucido
Kaitlyn Allie Lusk
Shannon Michele MacDougall
Sophia Marie Maccagnone MCL
Natalie Francesca Macherzak 1 5 MCL
Holly Helene Eun Yung MacKay
Robert Edward Maierle MCL
Tyler Max Maisonneuve
Brent Carleton Major
Andrew Shoji Majors 1 5 CL
Tarek Fred Makled
Mitchell Martin Maloney
Ryan Alexander Manauis 4 CL
Andrew Christopher Mannino
Robert Louis Manquen
Kyle Edward Manske
Anthony James Marcinkowski
Cassidy Marie Marcinkowski
Lucine Aghavni Markarian
Jessica Joana Markovican
Anna Marie Marruffo
Andrew Thomas Martz 1 2 5 6 SCL
Jennifer Lynn Matovski
Jessica Lynn Matovski
Sara Nicole Mattina
Stephanie Nicole Maurizio
Krysten Marie Mayer
Ashley Nicole Maynard
Scott Fitzgerald Maynard
Morgan Lynn McGivern
MacKenzy Dakota McClelland
Courtney Elizabeth McGee
Elizabeth Anne McGowan
Timothy Ross McKay 1 2 5 6 SCL
Allison Lynn McKenzie
Janelle Marie McLaughlin
Lehi Allen McLennan
Shelby Diane McPherson CL
Samantha Ann Meagher
Jaclyn Marie Medlow
Orlando Darrell Meeks
Ashley Rose Merkle
Vasilios Paul Merkourios
Michael Anthony Meshinski
Sadmir Mesic
Alyssa Lyne Messner 1 2 5 SCL
Rachel Nicole Meurer
Breanne Nicole Mezser
Hunter Thomas Michaels
Mason Marvin Mikhail
Robert Jon Milbrand
Morgan Pearl Miller 1 6 SCL
Alicia Jessica Millet
Steven John Miner
Danica Anne Misajloski
Brittany Nichole Misich
Samantha Anne Mitchelson 5 SCL
Joseph Gerard Mlot
Marco Francesco Moceri
Joseph Daniel Modafferi
Morgan Danielle Montes
Nicholas Joseph Moons
Mitchell Scott Morano
Chandler Michael Morey
Zachary Joseph Morford
Nicole Christine Moroso
Steven Rogers Moskal
Matthew Joseph Mueller
Elizabeth Mae Murrell
Brendan Christopher Muster
Nathaniel Chase Naschak 4
John Sampson Neely
Taylor Catherine Neverman 5 CL
Steven Paul Nevitt 1 5 CL
Danielle Christine Nevorski 5 CL
YenNhi Thi Nguyen
Melanie Diana Nieske 3 5 SCL
Chantal Breanne Nightingale
Angela Nikolic
Stephanie Nikprelaj
Sara Guida Nimtz
Jaclyn Angelina Norman 5 CL
Anthony Edward Nowaczyk
Jacqueline Eve Nowalski 5 CL
Alexa Kiyomi Noyes CL
Richard Michael Oberender
Grant Morgan Ogden 5 MCL
Milana Ognanovich
Mitchell Benedict Oliver
Andrew Arnold Onaga
Filippo Orlando
Eric John Otto
Jena Sandra Owsiany
Thomas Eliot Pabst
Anthony Enio Pacella
Alessandra Vincenza Palazzolo
Alyssa Christina Palazzolo
Brianna Margherita Palazzolo
Julia Elizabeth Palombo
Sarah Ida Pantalone
Adam James Paolella
Stephen Michael Parent
Olivia Blaire Parker 5 MCL
Garrett Alexander Pascoe
Jacob Paul Patrico
Christopher Steven Pavlovski
Kelsie Lynn Payton
Phillip Richard Peabody
Elliott George Pearson 1 2 5 7 SCL
Thomas John Pecoraro 4
Christopher William Perry 5 CL
Anthony Paolo Persichetti
Emily Taylor Pettke 5 CL
Kirsten Alaina Petzold
Nicholas Armand Pfeiffer
Peter Nicholas Phillips
Spencer Jon Phillips 5 CL
Heather Rosalie Piccariello
Adriana Maria Piccinini
Maggie Alexa Pillars
James George Pirrami
Elizabeth Jane Pishko
Felicia Lynn Plutter
Julia Ellen Poirier 2 5 MCL
Adam Paul Polzien
Zachary Ryan Poma
Kelsey Katherine Pordon 1 5 SCL
Jonathan Thomas Portaro
Nicholas Anthony Portell
Hannna Maria Powalka
Brian Michael Poynter
Derek John Prasiloski
Lisa Marie Precourt
Corey Adam Pribula
James Matthew Priemer
Bo Benjamin Provencher 5 CL
Kasey Lynn Pryg 1 5 6 SCL
Danielle Marie Purgar
Nedal Hassan Qadah
Steven Joseph Quell 1 2 5 6 SCL
Alexandrea Elizabeth Raad 1 5 SCL
Alexis Mercedes Radford
Vincenza Giovanna Randazzo
Elizabeth Roxanne Rasel
Daniel John Rasmussen 4 CL
Brandon Arthur Reed
Jacob Lozen Reid
Natalie Nicole Rembisz
Nicholas Anthony Rende 4
Emily Cecile Renke 5 CL
Kaitlin Alexandra Renner 5 CL
Megan Nicole Rheaume
Shannon Anthony Riddick
Allison Agnes Riley
Kathleen Mary Riley 5 MCL
Brett Joseph Rivard
Joshua Lee Rivard
Matthew Ramon Rizzi 5 MCL
Freddie Kelly Roberts, Jr.
Erik Adam Rodak
Cree Rene Rodriguez
Melissa Marie Rogers
Sabrina Precious Roland
Brandi Michelle Romback
Robert Thomas Roncelli
Brenna Marsie Ropp 1 CL
Rachel Jessie Ross
Adrienne Lina Rosselli CL
Gabrielle Ruggles
Jacob Michael Rybaczuk
Rachel Lynn Saari
Angela Majid Sako
Noimus Salam
Mark Awad Salama
Brian Richard-Krolczyk Sanchez
Karishma Satapathy 1 5 6 SCL
Kathryn Teresa Scapini CL
Madeleine Ann Scapini
Mitchell Allan Schafer
Jordan Myles Schanbeck
Tyler Mathias Schauss 4
Ryan Patrick Schill
Casey Kurt Schiner 5 MCL
Eric Joseph Schmidt
Jacob Richard Schmidt
Aaron Alexander Schneider CL
Peter Matthew Schoppe Jr.
Jamie Marie Schornack 2 5 CL
Benjamin Earl Schulte CL
Haley Nicole Schultz
Joshua Thomas Scott
Cody Michael Scribner
Joseph Michael Scrivano 2 5 MCL
Stephanie Lynn Sekula CL
Giuseppe Antonio Serra
Rachel Renee Setterington
Matthew Scott Sexton
Frank Ryan Shea 5
Ashley Renee Shellabarger
Brendon Michael Shepard
Jessica Ann Shepherd
Raymond Mitchell Shepler
Brett Garrett Sherry
Amber Marie Shinsky
Alexandria Michelle Sieracki
Kaitlyn Leigh Silvestri 5 CL
Matthew Davide Silvestri
Lauren Michelle Simasko
Jordan Austin Simpson
Connor Vincent Skowronek CL
David Michael Smit
Cassandra Joy Smith 1 5 6 SCL
Emma Anne Malley Snider 5 CL
Joseph Soloman III
Paul Setto Solomon
Kellie Marie Spanos MCL
Alexander Matthew Stack 4
Joseph Anthony Stadler
Jessie Marie Stansell-Schmitz
Anna Gene Sterner 5 MCL
Daniel James Stirnemann
Sean Alexander Stock
Brandon Michael Struck
Shelby Ann Swalec
Michael Todd Sweet Jr.
Joseph Antonio Szymanski
Adam Michael Tamer MCL
Daniel Michael Tanner 5 MCL
Kristian Tarja
Cindy Viktor Temali
Andreea Temelie 1 5 2 SCL
Lauren Ashley Theisen
Rachel Leigh Thibodeau
Christine Angeline Thoel
Caitlin Marie Thorn
Barbara Alicia Tolomello 5 6 SCL
Melinda Toma
Marko Tomic
Danielle Marilyn Tonne
Emilio Michael Torres
Demetra Eleni Tourkakis
Stefan Andrew Trentacosta CL
Christina Lauren Trine
Nicole Lauren Tront
John Stewart Turney
Joseph Aaron Tutak
Michael Jonathan Tyburski
Bridget Lee Tyranski
Gueorgui Iovtchev Tzourov MCL
Bobby Raj Ubhi
Valencia Vata Ulaj
Jacob Denis Ulicny
Maria Luisa Vaglica
Hannah Elizabeth Vallie CL
Marissa Emily VanHull
Kaylee Brianne Vanker
Adam Jacob VanLith
Dylan Andrew Vargason
Elena Spyridon Vasilakis
Aleksander Jason Vasilevski 1 5 MCL
Kevin Edward Vaughn
Danielle Marie Vavro
Kiersten Marie Vendittelli
Daniel Vincent Venditti 5 7 SCL
Zachary Daniel Venglar
Quintin Anthony Vierik
Jordan Matthew Vincent
Paolo Antonio Virelli
Santino Dion Vitelli
Haley Nicole Vogt
Alfonso Joseph Vultaggio
Tyler Michael Wakefield
James Michael Walker
Angelo Mario Wallace
Jonathan Trey Alexander Wallace 5 SCL
Miriah Lindsay Wallace
Jacquelyn Sue Walter
Robin Marie Wargo
Genevieve Lynn Weidman SCL
Autumn Rae Westfall
Daquan Latrez Whitcher
Colin Jon Wiebrecht 2 5 MCL
Chisholm Neal Willaert
Kaitlyn Mae Willauer
Michael James Willemsen
James Paul Williamson
Randall John Winarski
Michael Anthony Winchester Jr.
Lauren Emaly Wirth
Kyle Patrick Witherspoon
Larissa Haley Wood
Brittany Mae Woodward
Allyson Mary Wright 5 MCL
Johnny Jamong Xiong
Jonathon Michael Young
Lacey Roberta Zahn
Alex Ryan Zajac 5 MCL
Kathleen Alison Zaya
Leila Zecevic
Alex Harold Zettler 2 CL
Ilira Ziba
Zachary Zickgraf
Zachary Ray Zimmer CL
Jonathan Mark Zink
Anthony Nabeel Zora
Jacob Michael Zott

Total # of Graduates: 631

Legend:
1=UCS Advanced Placement Scholar
2=Utica Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology
3=Utica Academy for International Studies
4=Center for Science and Industry
5=National Honor Society
6=Valedictorian
7=Salutatorian
Summa Cum Laude (SCL) = 3.9 and above
Magna Cum Laude (MCL) = 3.7—3.89
Cum Laude (CL) = 3.5—3.69