SV honors 3 classmates killed in January tragedy
JACKSON TWP — The joy of graduation was tinged with sadness Friday night as 509 Seneca Valley seniors remembered three promising young classmates missing from the ceremony.
High school Principal Mark Korcinsky immediately addressed the situation by conferring diplomas on Sam Bucci, Trevor Barkley and Elijah Lunsford. The three seniors drowned when their SUV in January slid off an icy back road and into a lake outside Zelienople near the Beaver County border.
Relatives of the young men accepted their posthumous diplomas as Korcinsky called each of the boys' names individually. Along with the dipping mortarboards of grief-stricken graduates, many audience members lifted their sunglasses to wipe away a tear as Korcinsky spoke.
In addressing the hushed crowd, Korcinsky admitted he had searched in vain for the right words to share with graduates and guests at commencement. He said the tragedy deeply affected everyone at Seneca Valley.
"But we can remember Sam, Trevor and Elijah with love," Korcinsky said. "Please join me in a moment of silence for your three classmates."
Superintendent Donald Tylinski in his speech dispensed with the "expected and cliché words that tell you this is a new chapter in your life" and implored the seniors to reflect on the laughter, academic and extracurricular successes, and "the dignity you displayed during the tragedy of losing three classmates."
Tylinski, in his dramatic and booming delivery, told students to move forward by looking back on the foundation that shaped their years leading up to graduation.
He also assured the graduates that those in their lives who helped shape them and who occupied the bleachers Friday night would continue to be there as they moved into adult life.
"Remember who picked you up when you were hurt, comforted you when you were sick and wiped your tears when they flowed," Tylinski said.
Before the ceremony, seniors gathered in the school auditorium.
Derek Hathazy said he hoped the friends he made during his years at Seneca Valley would stay in touch as they all moved on to their new lives.
"But it's nice to get it over with," said Derek, who will attend Butler County Community College in the fall.
Derek named Dana Hadley, a high school science teacher, as an educator who made learning interesting."She's a fun teacher," he said. "She knows how to take jokes in class."Kyrstin Nusser said she will not miss one particular Seneca Valley requirement."I'm excited because no more senior project," she said.The soon-to-be Slippery Rock University education major named accounting teacher Mary Wildman as a special Seneca Valley faculty member."She always helped me with everything I needed help with, and she is easy to talk to," Kyrstin said.Alex Sonson used the vernacular in expressing his eagerness to move on in life."I'm stoked to get out of here," Alex said.The future Fordham University international political economy major said family friend and first grade teacher Stacy Richard has been there for him in school and in life."She's been there at all my important stages of life," he said. "She's here tonight."Anthony Storti, school board vice president, said at each graduation he feels fulfilled to see the students he knew as young children grow into the young adults who appear at graduation.Senior Greg Clark said in his speech that the Class of 2010 has been assessed on a 4.0 grading scale for several years, but now success or failure will be graded by the choices and decisions each graduate makes.Greg advised his classmates that whatever path they choose, to never stop giving."Use your actions as your pen and sign your name in the hearts of others."
