Utica Academy for International Studies graduates are leaving Utica Community Schools with a unique set of experiences and opportunities, speakers told graduates Tuesday night.
"If we really want to change the world, we need to use the privilege that we have for a greater good," student Danny Haidar said. "We need to live with purpose and give back to the community which gave so much to us."
UAIS grad Robert Pizzimenti - who also gave a commencement address at the ceremony - told Class of 2014 members that they need to embrace both their future successes and failures.
"If your plans today are hindered, address your failures and challenges and create something of yourself ten-times over what you had once considered as success," he said.
In addressing the graduates, Superintendent Dr. Christine Johns congratulated graduates on excelling in a program that met their unique learning styles.
"You have found the perfect environment to grow," she said.
UAIS Program director Thomas Lietz recognized students for several recognitions: $8.8 million in scholarships, an average GPA of 3.67, an average ACT of 27.5 and more than 25,000 hours in community service.
"Tonight's graduates give me hope for the future and the children that are my child's age," Lietz said.
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