Once a Chieftain, always a Chieftain

Chieftain pride was on display, as members of the Utica High School Class of 2015 celebrated their graduation.

“Fellow chieftains, we stand here tonight primed to achieve anything in the world: any dream is within our reach, any obstacle stands feebly before us,” said commencement speaker Mario Russo. “We have all worked incredibly hard, like warriors, to be perched on this precipice, and through that hard work, we deserve all that we have accomplished, but our work must not end here.”

The thoughts were echoed by fellow student speaker Mahmoud Hijazi, who expressed his thoughts on what it meant to be a Utica High School student.

“Home is 47255 Shelby Road, Utica, MI. Home is where I’m surrounded by all of you, the greatest people I know,” said Hijazi. “Where the teachers and staff always have our backs and treat us like family. Where we grow up wanting to leave and grow old wanting to come back. Home is Utica High School.”

Other stage speakers celebrated the accomplishments of the graduates and their ability to meet their goals.

Referencing the themes of the plays performed at the schools, Superintendent Dr. Christine Johns told graduates told students that they have always performed well on a public stage, regardless of whether they participated directly in theater.

“Graduates, we know you will do great things because we have been in the audience watching you navigate the different stages of your life,” Dr. Johns said.

Board of Education Vice President Gene Klida told the graduates their Utica Community Schools background makes each senior “unquestionably ready for the choices you will have going forward.”

Principal Thomas Lietz acknowledged the accomplishments of the graduates, including 20 valedictorians, 2 salutatorians, an average ACT score of 21.9 - nearly 2 points higher than the average score in the state of Michigan - and collectively 500 Advanced Placement exams and $9 million in scholarships.

I have heard a common moniker over and over again since coming to Utica High school - ‘Once a Chieftain, always a Chieftain,’ Lietz said. “The Class of 2015 certainly lives up to that proud title and to the proud Chieftain history we all share.”

Utica High School graduates this year are:

Thea Lynn Abbatoy 4 MCL
Vibin Mathew Abraham
Tanner Austin Abro
Alec Benjamin Achatz
Andraya Jordan Ackerman 4 MCL
Stiver Nashwan Alias
Vincent C Allen
Adrianna Isabel Andrews
Alin Asaad Anees
Martin Apostoloski
Olivia Alison Arch
Juliana Cathleen Arcori
Jose Daniel Arizmendi - Gomez
Anthony Michael Aul 7
Lillian Clare Auten CL
Keefn George Aziz
Ashley Marie Badalucco
Emanuel Baftijaj
Stephen Friedrich Baird CL
Bryan David Balaj 1 4 5 SCL
Ryan Michael Bankstahl
Jaskiran Bansal MCL
Megan Elizabeth Baranski 4 CL
Keaton Joseph Barbes
Brody David Barnes
Mark David Barnett
Anthony Ray Barson
Makayla Joy Barthlow
Alen Q. Batres
Julia Virginia Beccari
Alyssa Mari Beeker 7 CL
Nikolas John Beers
Stephanie Elizabeth Belprez
Rayvin Benno
Jacqueline Marie Berg 1 4 5 SCL
Antonetta Berisic
Ryann Christine Lorene Betham 7
Ishani Bhavinbhai Bhatt 4 MCL
Marisa Grace Biernaczonek
Emily Paige Binkowski 1 SCL
Ryan Mitchell Blakeman
Gina Nicole Bodeep
Patricia Margaret Borycz
Kyra Odessa Boyd
Anna Lynn Braet
Emily Michelle Branthoover 4 CL
Erin Symone’ Brantley
Emily Ann Brohl
Angela Ann Brooks
Angelica Gail Broome 3
Corey Adam Bruck
Olivia Paige Capizzi
Jacob Anthony Carlo 7
Wesley Nicholas Carlson
Devon Malik Carter
Lancer Andres Casem
Tyler B. Cassisi CL
Jasmine Castillo-Trigilio 1 4 MCL
Marissa Rose Cavataio 4 CL
Caleb Dwayne Chapman
Noah Philip Chapman
Alyah Faith Chmiel 1 4 7 SCL
Parker James Chmiel 1 2 4 5 SCL
Kishan Kumar Mukeshbhai Chudasama
Kelly Ann Clarkson 4 MCL
Angelia Rene Colden
Sarah Michele Conrad
Stefan Octavian Constandache
Alexis Contreras-Morales
Laryssa Lanette Copen
Emily Nicole Cortes 4 SCL
Alexandra Cristina Cox
Cassia Gisalle Cunningham
Faith Danielle Curtis
Shelby Nicole Daiek
Samer Bahir Danha
Taylor Lynn Davis
Dominic Dawood
Dewand Bryant Dawson
Antonio Christopher DeCocco-Cole
Mason Robert DeLeeuw
Emily Rose Delise 1 5 SCL
Dylan Matthew Demo 4 CL
Leonardo Valmir Dokic MCL
Nicole Elizabeth Doran 1 2 4 6 SCL
Chris Aleks Dorywalski
Faith Marie Dues CL
Preston Delander Dukes 4 MCL
Jacob L. Taylor Dymond
Katelyn Rose Elder 1 4 5 SCL
Aywan Ibram Elia
Cayman Matthew Eller
Nathan David Ersig
Christina Nicole Evanoff 4
Justine Marie Ezell 1 4 5 SCL
Taylor Lynn Fair 1 4 MCL
Nicole Kay Fantauzzo
Joel James Farmer
Tyler Joseph Farrell-Easterling
Jacob Michael Feeman 4 MCL
Joshua Robert Forkin 1 2 CL
Nicholas James Fortin
Chloe Elisabeth Fortune
Shelby Lynn Frank
Tyler Symone Franklin 4 CL
Caroline Ann Franzen 1 4 5 SCL
Luke Michael Fraylick 3
Nicholas William Freeman
Michael Kenneth Frick
Alexis Lauana Friedman
Isabella Rose Fuhrman
Monica Anne Gaddis
Marc Joseph Galui
Mareesa Elizabeth Galui
Paul Garbarino 8
Consuelo Ixzayana Garcia Espino
Christian Gegovic
Trevor Michael George
Carlie Jordan Gibson 1 MCL
Rachel Leigh Goepper
Josef Austin Gojkow
Rania Haitham Gorg
Alena Thaier Gorges
Mnar Basil Gorgis
Mackenzie Rose Grace Graziano
Alexander John Grimes
Abigail Julia Grube
Stephanie Gulla
Mallory Suzanne Guth CL
Stavros Sarmad Habib CL
Joseph Michael Halikos
Yvette Hanna
Patros Talal Hannish
Matthew Allen Harding
Kristen Rose Hardy
Anna Marie Harms 4 CL
Anthony Brice Harris III
Trevor Allan Harrison
Sydney Gabrielle Hazelett
Dale Thomas Henderson
Patrick Scott Henig
Estefany Marisol Hernandez
Mahmoud Ahmad Hijazi 1 4 5 SCL
Jaylin Melvin Hill
Lauren Taylor Hill
Kayla Rachelle Hoover 4
Cole Mark Horvath
Fabjola Hotaj
Dillon Jared Huling
Ryan Joseph Hupfel
Joseph Michael Imbrunone
Mirna Muneer Issa CL
Shalenah Nicole Ivey 1 5 SCL
Nashwan Fawzi Jabbo
Kara Earline-Amanda Jackard 1 4 MCL
Chaicee Elizabeth Jacobs 4 CL
Desara Jaho MCL
Nabilah Jaidirdar CL
Edward James Janis II
Cameron Kelly Jankowiak
Jacob Martin Johnson
Alan Sam Jose 3 MCL
Kaitlyn Therese Kaczmarczyk 3
Robert Keith Kadrich CL
Shelbi Erin Kahler
Tyler Scott Kammerer
Selena Sam Kas-Mikha
Christopher Thomas Kaschalk 4 MCL
Mark L. Kasic 7
Zakhar Mykolayowitch Katsuba
Jordyn Erica Katterson
Aliceya Kimberly Kenner
Ashley Morgan Kerr 1 4 5 SCL
Jay Sunwoo Kim
Angela Nicole King
Alexandra Jordan Klein
Laura Anne Knaffla
Chelsea Elizabeth Koger 4
Jordan Jeffrey Kohlmann 7 CL
Caitlin Taylor Koki
Michaela Jane-Marie Koontz
Samantha Yvonne Korber MCL
Olivia Ryan Korthals 1 MCL
Austin Tyler Kowalczyk
Tristan Cole Kowalski
Veronika Krasnic
Kristopher Cheng Kue
Anthony Joseph Kulczynski
Johnathon Cecil Kulczynski
Sabrina Lee Morgan Kurish
Brady Aaron Labrada
John George LaFata
Alyssa Nicole Lafever 4 MCL
Lucas Allen LaForte
Jacob Scott Landenberger
Jacob Wilson Lawson
Austin Binh Le 1 2 5 SCL
Brienna Rose Ledbetter 1 4 MCL
Tia Latrice Lee
Sidney Alexandra Leming 2
Anna Morgan Lewis 4 CL
Robert Albert Lewis
Mikala Ann Lindenthal
Jordynn Chrisanthy Lodge 1 4 6 SCL
Gino Michael Lombardo 1 4 SCL
Timin S. Lukose
Antonella Lupo
Trevor Daniel Luzenski
Trevor Francis Macks 1 2 4 5 SCL
Michael Joseph Maday
Connor Christopher Madek 3
Cathlene Caren Malone
Christina Maria Maltese
Laurita Anna Mansour 4 MCL
Pasko Marki
Joy Azziz Marouki
Austin Louis Matney
Jonathon Michael Matthews 7
Anthony Joseph Mattia
Ashley Morgan Mauser 1 4 5 SCL
Hannah Marie Maze 1 4 MCL
Logan Steele McAnsh
Kelsea Marie McGregor
Grace Corinne Medlin 4 SCL
Tyler Steven Meholic
Samantha Ann Merandi 4 CL
Christopher Ian Merrill 1 4 MCL
Jenna Kristine Metcalf 4 CL
Jacob James Miller
Dylan Jacob Misajlovski
Stefen Ljupco Misovski 4 MCL
Garrett James Mitchell
Cynda Katherine Molina 4 CL
Tayler Alexandria Monroe
Jessica Donae Moore
Matthew Richard Moreton
Alexander Moticsak 2 MCL
Renee Danielle Mozal 1 5 SCL
Timothy Muraeky
Taylor Angela Nicole Murphy
Amanda June Muss
Sowmyaw Nakkina 1 2 4 5 SCL
James Gregory Neal
Elizabeth Grace Neary
Andrew Phong Nguyen 4 MCL
Austin Phu Nguyen 4 MCL
Davina Phuong-Hanh Nguyen CL
David Christopher Nikonowicz 1 4 5 SCL
Jacob Earl Nixon
Sadeer Salwan Noeel
Shannen Maureen O’Kane
Morgan Leigha Olmstead
Victor Alexander Olson
Jacob Andrew Otto
Collette Marie Overton
Patience Lyn Paine 1 4 CL
Maria Victoria Palazzolo 7 CL
Kayla Grace Paparizos
Katlyn Marie Parker
Okie Lee Randall Parker
Arienne Garcia Patano 1 4 MCL
Megha C Patel
Clare Ann Pauck CL
Michael Mackenzie Pavelek
Matthew Ryan Peek
Dominick Leon Pellegrini III
Mario Pengili 7 CL
Kyle Joseph Peraino CL
Jennifer Lynne Peters
Sara Kathryn Phlypo 1 4 5 SCL
Lucy Picari 4 MCL
Erica Jean Pilcher 1 SCL
Kollin David Poindexter 1 2 4 SCL
Maryna Faroug Polse
Andrew Paul Poronto
Andrew David Powerski
Aleksander Prela CL
Sarah Elizabeth Przybylo
Brandon Harrison Pullman
Fadi Fareed Raheem
Brian Richard Reaver Jr.
Jonathan Taylor Rentz
Olivia Rose Rickert
Erunique Carde’ Roach
Mia Alexandria Roberts
Jake Nicholas Robinette
Allison Dawn Romano
Karlee Michaela Romp
River Haley Russell
Mario Vincenzo Russo 1 2 4 5 SCL
Candace Morgan Rutkowski
Merna Mohanad Saeed
Joseph Daniel Santi
Ivana Santoro CL
Gregory Vincent Saragosa
Hunter James Schultz
Christopher Steven Seib 3 4 CL
Skylar Addison Senn 4 MCL
Brittany Renee Setera
Minna Shaba
Merna Shamoon
Christopher Steven Shoudy
Ryan Michael Shuck
Nora Sinishtaj
Merna Sitto
Jacob John Smellie 2 4 SCL
Jesse James Smith
Makenzie Marie Smith
Stephen Robert Smith
Meredith Darcie Sorensen 1 4 5 SCL
James Michael Soriano
Ashley Nicole Spagnuolo 4 MCL
Lauren Rose Spears 7
Lauren Elizabeth Spuz 4 SCL
Lindsay Renee Stack
Andrew James Stauffer 2 SCL
Abbey Arlene Stewart
Jacob William Stout 4 MCL
Victoria Anne Strong
Nickolas Reed Sturgess
Fadia Zuhair Sulak
Kayla Dawn Sultes 3 7 CL
Tristan Andrew Swick
Robert Zachary Syfert CL
Alissa Ann Szandzik 4 MCL
Olivia Victoria Szathmari CL
Steven Zachary Szatkowski 4 MCL
Anthony Garrett Taormina
Mitchel Jonathon Thomas
Taylor Nichole Thomas CL
Madeline Margaret Thompson 7
Martin Owker Toma
Angela H. Tomas CL
Lisa Louise Tomlinson MCL
Zachary Lawrence Torretta
Tyler James Townsend
Nemanja Trajkovic
Kevin Hai Tran 7
Jessica Nicole Trudeau 1 MCL
Brandon James Turkin
Donna Mae Tykoski
Duncan Arthur Underwood
Alicia Jade Van Drunen 4 7 MCL
Maria Margarita Vargas
Michael Vasile
Santino Nicholas Vasquez
Marina Vitanovski 4 MCL
Matthew Edward Vogt 2 CL
Timothy Thomas Vohs Jr.
Thomas Patrick Waldron Jr.
Sean Dean Walters
Tyler James Warner
Steven Alexander Wasik
Andrzej Kyle Wasilewski 4 MCL
Amanda Kathleen Weisman 4 CL
Brittany Marie Werner
Rachel Marie West 7 CL
Nathan Scott White
Bailey Elizabeth Widman 4 CL
Genna Rene Wilkie MCL
Matthew Francis Wilkie MCL
Alexander Marek Will 1 5 SCL
Shanae Imaani Patrice Williams
Arnold Lee Willson Jr.
Michael Robert Woelkers
Brittany Erin Wojniak
Katlyn Elizabeth Wolgamott
River Kai Woodall 7
Jaclyn Nicole Wyrembelski
Juliano Xhamxhi
Amy Marie Yax
Joshua Dale Yeager
Zachary T. Yono 4 CL
Ryan Alan York
William Harris Joseph Young MCL
Justina Niny Yousif
Anxhela Zaclli
Kristi Zaclli
Joseph Henry Zaremski
Blake Allen Zecchin
Elijah Jacob Zentz 3 4


1 UCS Advanced Placement Scholar
2 Utica Center for Mathematics,
Science and Technology
3 Utica Center for Science and Industry
4 National Honor Society
5 Valedictorian
6 Salutatorian
7 Early College of Macomb
8 Utica Academy for International Studies