UHS graduates vow to make the world "their house"

Utica High School's Class of 2012 have shown the confidence to master high school, now it is time to move on to the next stage, speakers told graduates at commencement ceremonies Saturday.

"We have the power to make the world our own; make it our house," said commencement speaker Pedro Espinosa.

Principal Janet Jones told graduates they must continue to focus on their future.

"Don't ask the question why, but ask what now?" Jones told graduates. "Analyzing the why of a situation will only keep you in the past."

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."

Valedictorian Nicholas Simopoulus talked about the changes that have brought students to the point of receiving their diplomas.

"While our friendships have grown, what has changed most in our process of self-discovery is our dreams," he said.

2012 UHS graduates are:

James Douglas Abbey 5 MCL
Andrew William Ackerman
Derek Tilman Adkins
Jeffrey Scott Adkins
Katie Marlena Adkins
Tiffany Nicole Agrusa 5 MCL
Saad Areen Al Najjar SCL
Melhem I. Aliahmad
Justin Jay Allard
Jessica Lynn Alsobrooks
Mazen Alzuhairi
John Paul Anderson, Jr.
Matthew August Anderson
Orlando Javier Arizmendi
Lukas Marek Baginski
Stuart MacDonald Bailey 4
Chelsea Ann Baker
Cameron Jennings Ban
Shelby Lauren Beauregard 1 MCL
Taylor Lorraine Beauregard MCL
Sarah Christine Beccari
Kristen Melissa Berg 1 5 6 SCL
Monica Ann Berisaj
Matthew Michael Berlin 1 5 CL
Erald Bicja
Hunter Thomas Binkowski  CL
Joelle Cecelia Black
Holly Aleece Bono
Dario Bosankic
Shawna Leigh Boyd 1 5 6 SCL
Christopher Robert Bozich
Chelsea May Brennan
Emily Paige Briggs 1 5 6 SCL
Jonathan Joseph Brohl
Bradley Andrew Bryant
Kelsi Lynn Buchanan
Alicia Serafina Burke
Grace Marie Butler
Kaylor T. Byrd
Ashley Noelle Campbell
Joshua Adam Campbell
Andrew Douglas Carroll
Michelle Marie Carver
Anthony Rosario Cassisi 1 5 MCL
Anthony Jerome Cavataio 5 CL
Devpreet Kaur Chahal 1 2 5 SCL
Joshua Dwayne Chapman
Thomas James Charleston
Brittany Anne Chetosky CL
Haeven Hadeer Cholagh
Anthony Joseph Ciraulo
Austin Reed Claeys 1 5 SCL
Miranda Evelyn Clements MCL
Olivia Ann Clisby CL
Austin James Cooney
Nicholas Edward Cope
Brianna Nicole Corrado 1 5 MCL
Nicole Marie Crouse
Erik Michael Culberson 4
Taylor Ann Cyphers
Alaina Reed Danielson
Sarah Marina Dano
Megan Marie Darr
Samantha Hawley Davey CL
Arianna Nicole Davidson
David Dawood
Steven Paul DeClerck
Annjenette Renee DeCocco-Cole
Derrick Mitchell DeCoste
Christopher Daniel DeLuca 1 5 MCL
Sarah Marie Dembeck
Brandon Michael Denean
Kortney Rachelle DePriest
Rebecca Carrie Detroyer
Kasee Nicole Diaz 1 MCL
Megan Elaine Dickey
Carly Ann DiDonato
Peter Gjoka Djelaj
Adam William Doane
Linda Dokic
Stephanie Cornelia Domsic 5 CL
Jacob Alexander Doran
Stacey Renae Drake 5 CL
Luke Benjamin Drejewski MCL
Xavier Michael Dries
Vanessa Maria Duffie
Mikayla Bree Dunne MCL
Tiffany N. Earls
Eric Joseph Edward Eby
Nicole S. Eid
Alexander Michael Einkorn
Gino Charbel Elian
Destiny Ann Elias
Celine Jamie Eliopoulos
Mason James Eller
Errand Victor Engel
Joseph Angelo Engel
Spencer Gary Engel
Kevin Gustavo Erazo
Pedro Ricardo Espinosa 1 5 6 SCL
Elizabeth Nichole Evans
Michael Moomen Farah 1 5 6 SCL
Kiya Shelone Felton
Jordyn Lee Finta
Shelby Rose Firestine 5 MCL
Avery Bryce Fluet
Jacob Hunter Foster 1 5 CL
Luke Charles Foster
Heather Nicole Fox
Carly Ann Franklin
Zachary Allen Freeland
Cory Michael Gage
Frank Thomas Gambino
Connie Gao 1 5 6 SCL
Amanda Hope Gawronski
Andrew Ryan George
Marisa Nichole Germaine
Henna Ahmed Ghayas
Muhammad Ahsan Ghias 5 CL
Megan Marie Gilbert
Nicholas Thomas Giles
Tiffani Lyn Gittens
Kevin Charles Gitter 1
Joshua Robert Goepper
Margaret Ellen Goettsch 1
Zachery Ty Goss
Anthony Michael Goucher
Aaron John Grady
Alesha Marie Green
Daniel David Green
David Aaron Grove
Milan Cedo Grujic
Angelo S. Gulla
Samantha Sarmad Habib
Angela Marie Hagen
Stephanie Marie Haist 1 5 MCL
Brigette Marie Halsey
Melissa Obal Hannish 1 MCL
Michelle Frances Harms
Samantha Marie Harrington
Caitlin Reneé Hawkins
Mohaimn Hekmat
Rickael Francesca Herrera
Timothy Lawrence Hicks
Yousif Hilal
Austin Richard Hill
Justin Rishárd Hill
Thea Adriana Hill
Samantha Reneé Hockey
Felicia Marie-Mohamed Holiday
Mighael William Hollingsworth
Jacob James Hoppe
Megan Catherine Horan
Aaron Roy Hrynyk
Shahad Basil Humam
Andrew Michael Hupfel  CL
Ji Youn Hur 5 CL
Jenna Marie Hurrell
Damien Robert Idziak 1 5 SCL
Chidima Faith Ifezue
Issa Issa
Jessica Jabro
Ashley Marie Jacques
Paige Lorraine Janis
Adriana Jirjis
Veronica Jirjis
Dandon Johnson
Justin Michael Johnson
Samantha Lee Johnston 4
Kelsey Mickel Jones
Victoria Nicole Jones 1 5 MCL
Kader Bassam Kanam
Rani Haitham Karana
Fadi A. Kathawa
Haitham Kenaya
Carly Nicole Kerr
David Salman Khalaf
Cecilia Marie Kinney
Brian Saleem Kiryakoza
Kyle David Klein 1 5 MCL
Christopher William Koester
Lukas Issa Koja
Shelby Erin Kolp CL
Kyle Korthals
Andrew Douglas Koval
Alyssa Mary Kraemer 5 CL
Chesleah Faith Kribs
Anna Robin Krohn
Dustin Lee Kunz
Stanislaw Gabriel Kusnierz
Loren Patrick Lacy
Kelsie Rose Lafond
Tyler Allen LaForte
Oliver Fredrick Lance Jr.
Erika Elena Lang
Nicholas Patrick Langelier-Reeves
Kassidy Ann Langley
Jarrett Daniel LaPointe
Lisa Marie Latouf
Lori Catherine Latouf 5 CL
Sabrina Jo Laughlin
Delton Imad Lazar
Nicholas Timothy Leach
Tyler James Leader
Joslyn Shelby Lehr
Lauren Ashley Leming
Lawrence Joshua Levi V
John David Lewis
Devin Daniel Liberty
Kristine Ljuljduraj
Thomas Carl Lorkowski
Augustina Lucaj
Salvatore Lupo
Justin Michael Macks 1 5 7 SCL
Alexander Richard Maday
Ashley Irene Makowski
Katrina Josephine Manetta
Jordan Taylor Marks
Salvin Khalid Maroof
Andrew James Marroquin
McKenzee Marie Martin
Agustin Martinez Martinez 1 5 6 SCL
Kendall Raé Masters
Grisela Matia
Antonino Matina 1 5 6 SCL
Brittany Mary Mattia 1
Christian Gerard Mazurek
Courtney Noel McAnsh
Aaron Edward McCulloch 1 CL
Danielle Marie McGregor
Ian Crawford McGregor
Shannon Audrey McKeogh 5 CL
Molly Ann McKeon
Jessica Lynn McNeil 1 2 5 MCL
Kristin Jo Meixner
Gabrielle Kay Meloche
Kristina Ann Metzenthin 1 5 MCL
Sebastian Michalski 1 MCL
Chad Joseph Miller
Thomas Lane Miller
Sarah June Mitcler
Vincenza Monaco
Patricia Victoria Morris
Olivia S. Mousa
Chad Moyer 3 5 MCL
James Norman Murphy 4
Kirtis Jamil Murphy
Trevor Ian Murphy 4
Brandon Michael Musse
Tiara LaShawn Myers
Matthew Angelo Navarra 5
Klodiana Ndoj
Benjamin Scott Neary 4
Elena Nikaj
Angela Nikolovski
Amalia Sabah Nimo
Nicholas David Nixon CL
Katelyn Christine Oberts
Christopher Earl Ogg
Amanda Michelle Ogryzek 4
Jaclynn Rae Oleskie
Kayla Alexis Olson
Adrian Mariusz Ossowski
Angela Frances Palazzola
Adrian Palushaj
Dominique Constantina Pancotto
Maria Nicole Parison
Ryan William Parker
Taylor Renee Pawenski
Aaron James Peabody
Jessica Leigh Peddle
Joseph Anthony Pellerito
Angela Marie Pellillo 5 CL
Allyson Lee Peters
Sama Faiz Philip
Nathan Tyler Phillips
Blake Anthony Pieper
Michael Scott Pilcher 1 6 SCL
Michael Polewski 5 MCL
Jessica Polisena 1 5 CL
Francesco Alexander Pollaccia
Jessica Renee Pollie
Leon Popaj
Vinson Poules
Adelina Prela
Taylor Jean Primeau CL
Nathan Alan Mark Rainville
Joshua Christian Rakes
Brandon Gabriel Rasho
Austin James Rawling
Christina Barbara-Ann Rebbe
Shane Luke Rentz
Cecelia Christine Resendez
Alexandria Marie Rising
Gabriel John Roberts
Donald Michael Rogalski
Dylan Douglas Ross
Kyla Nicole Rowe
Taylor Marie Rucinski
Anthony Michael Russo 1 5 MCL
Marvin Sabah
Fadi Mazin Saleem
Sally Mohanad Saleem
Nadeen Thamer Salman
Dusan Saric
Linda Christine Scheuerman
Danielle Corine Schwenkel
Christopher David Scott 1 5 SCL
Glen William Scott 1 5 MCL
Christopher Lawrence Scully
Jenna Nicole Seib
Alexander Brian Seley
Brianna Suzanne Sellick 2
Stephy M. Shaji
Laureta Shllaku
Russell Jamal Simmons
Dakota James Simms
Michael D. Simonson 4
Nicholas Isaak Simopoulos 1 2 5 6 SCL
Jake Steven Simpson
Navneet Kaur Singh
Gjovalin Sinishtaj
Trinity Marie Slabbekoorn CL
David Patrick Smellie 1 2 5 6 SCL
Alan Ryan Smith
Amy Noelle Smith 5 6 SCL
Tiffany Ann Smith
Scott Earl Socia 5 CL
Granville George Solaka
Crystal Louise Soli
Stephen Paul Souaid
Lindsay Rose Spagnuolo
Valentin Stanciu
Adam Nicholas Stec
Sarah Kathleen Stewart
Jonathan Richard Stiner
Lexus Amber Stokes
Sarah Elizabeth Stone
Natasha Stubbs
Lukasz Suchocki 1 5 MCL
Madison Kendall Suffredini 5 MCL
Alex Paul Susalla 1 5 7 SCL
Shelby Ann Swiss
Stanislaw Sznitka Jr.
Rachel Gladys Tallo
Jonathan Paul Taormina CL
Domenika Tarazhi 1 5 MCL
Cory Michael Terraccino
Andrew Paul Thompson
Mary Catherine Tomlin
Jacqueline Mae Townsend 1 5 MCL
Derek William Troye
Jessica Christine Vallis
Natalie Lauren Vamvas
Daniel John VanCamp 1 5 6 SCL
Sean Michael Vandenbossche
Steven Edmund Vandeputte
Brandon William VanGieson
Latisha Nichelle Vann
Jason David VanRyckeghem 5 CL
Brandon David Van Sickle 1  SCL
Oscar Javier Vargas
Carmella Josephine Venturini 5 CL
Alekzander Devantae Verdun
James Avery Vincil
Cherlyn Marie Virostick
Nicole Ashley Vitale 5 MCL
William Anthony Vultaggio
Merna F. Wadeeh
Shae Lynn Walter
Shuyuan Wang 1 5 MCL
DeMarko Markeise Warren
Lauren Paige Weiser
Austin Scott Weller
Robert Dalton Whicker 2
Natalie Marie Wilk
Aaron Thomas Willcock 1 2 5 6 SCL
Khira Madora Williams
Tanisha Laneal Williams
Marissa Ann Winter 5 CL
Makella Morgan Wissner
Alexander Ryan Wojcickij
Spencer Daniel Wood
Stephanie Joy Woodall
Sierra Colette Woodard
Raymond Michael Wroblewski
Sarah Todd Young 1 5 CL
Taylor Grace Young 1 5 MCL
Samantha Ann Zarins 1 5 MCL
Manar Najeeb Zeebaree
Michael Joseph Zientak
Amber Marie Zuehlke 1 4 SCL
Candace Taylor Zullo 1 5 MCL
Courtney Renee Zullo 5 CL

Total Graduates:  394  

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  
SCL Summa Cum Laude
MCL Magna Cum Laude
CL Cum Laude

Summa Cum Laude - Graduating with Highest Honors - 3.9 gpa and above  
Magna Cum Laude - Graduating with High Honors - 3.7 - 3.89 gpa  
Cum Laude - Graduating with Honors - 3.5 - 3.69 gpa