Ford City Scholars Recognized at Honors Banquet

by Jonathan Weaver

Nearly three dozen Ford City Junior-Senior High students were honored for their academic and community achievements at the annual Honors Banquet at the Latin American Club last night.

About 35 High students and their families attended the annual event honoring seventh through 12th graders at the school, which will close in June.

School Principal Michael Cominos – a 1988 Kiski Area graduate - referred to it as “a very high achievement” to be named to the Distinguished Honor Roll during the first three nine weeks – which ended in April - and said the honors banquet is one of his favorite events of the school year.

“The fact that we are limited in our number of (total) students shows the hard work and effort students put forth to reach this plateau,” Cominos said. “Not to diminish any students that I have, but these are the students that volunteer in their churches, are our student leaders, are involved in sports and activities – these are the well-rounded kids, the ones that will take a step forward and make progress as they move forward in life.”

During an about-20 minute ceremony after the dinner, the students were all recognized with certificates and read their academic and civic achievements.

As well as being honored, Sophomore Alicia Velcko gave the invocation during the evening ceremony.

Velcko –Class Cabinet Treasurer, Student Council and Leo Club Secretary and silver award winner, among other activities – has given the invocation for four years North Apollo Church of God, where she is a Worship Team musician and community event volunteer.

“I’m just really involved in my church, love God and like to do everything I can to show others I love Him too,” Velcko said.

Velcko’s mother –Kathy (an ARC Manor Outreach Specialist) – praised all the students that were honored last night.

“What you (saw) in this room (were) the best of the best – the kids work hard, enjoy learning and are out in the community,” Kathy said. “As they go to the new school, I think you’re going to see that combination of excellence, volunteerism and community spirit (continue) – it’s an excellent opportunity for everybody.
“We’re all very proud – this is the legacy of the community.”

Older daughter, Cassandra, was also a Distinguished Honor Roll student last year before graduating high school. Cassandra just completed her freshman year at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio – where she is studying Music Composition.

Youngest daughter, Tonya – a seventh-grader – nearly also was honored last night.

“It’s a great honor, so I gladly said (that I’d give the invocation again),” Velcko said.

Morgan Shellhammer – whose three older sisters (including last year’s graduate, Devin) also attended Ford City - was the lone seventh grade honored Tuesday evening.

Shellhammer said it was a difficult transition going to the junior-senior high school, but she persevered through her advanced math and science classes. She has even more next year as she pursues going to law school after graduation.

Junior High Guidance Counselor Jocelyn Ursiack (a Ford City Class of 1989 graduate) has been a guidance counselor for seven years in the district and will transition to Armstrong Junior-Senior High this fall.

Ursiack and Senior High Guidance Counselor Emily Giconi (a Ford City Class of 1985 student who will also transition to Armstrong Junior-Senior High) gave congratulation letters to the students and also sent letters to parents. She praised the total 60 students that were invited and received honors.

“Definitely hard workers, good role models – they work really hard and they should be proud of being on the Distinguished Honor Roll because it’s a good accomplishment,” Ursiack said.

Cupcakes were also made for students and parents by Family and Consumer Science students

 

 

 

 

No Comments

No comments yet.

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI

Leave a comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.