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Madonna holds 2017 graduation ceremony

Dr. Ronald Cercone, Madonna High School alum and UPMC Passavent Hospital director of urology, was the keynote speaker at Sunday’s graduation ceremonies. — Summer Wallace-Minger

WEIRTON — Madonna High School held graduation ceremonies for the 41 members of the Class of 2017 Sunday at St. Joesph the Worker Catholic Church.

Dr. Ronald Cercone, Class of 1973, was the keynote speaker.

Cercone spoke about the importance of teaching, learning and knowing when to ask for help or admit you don’t have an answer. As the UPMC Passavent Hospital director of urology and an associate clinical professor, he teaches residents and physician assistants.

“I have an opportunity to teach on a daily basis, and I’ve found it’s best to do it by example,” he said.

He advised the graduates to be confident and prepared in the things they know, but to understand the difference between confidence and arrogance. They should be honest with themselves and others about those things they don’t know and unwavering in their commitment to find the answers.

Success will come through hard work, preparation and persevering, he said. He added his father, Gino Cercone, had told him many times that, in order to succeed, you have to work hard and there are no shortcuts to success.

“The harder you work, the luckier you get,” he said.

This generation is one of the most sophisticated, technology-savvy and educated, he added.

“I’m looking at a group of young men and women and I see tomorrow’s leaders,” Cercone said. “Every generation thinks their generation is the best, but I think you will prove us wrong.”

He added that if the graduates are not making mistakes, they are not working hard enough. They should embrace, get over, learn from and not repeat those mistakes, he noted.

He encouraged the members of the Class of 2017 to push themselves, avoid being predictable and do things they have never done before, plan for the future without sacrificing the present, be humble and kind, remember faith will see them through, say please and thank you and smile.

Valedictorian Rebecca Garan and Salutatorians Emma Chartier and Lea Colontonio addressed the graduates.

Garan opened her remarks by saying the class has much to learn.

“We are graduating into a larger and more complex world,” she said.

The graduates will experience failures and successes, confidence and anxiety, as they grow in body, mind and spirit. She encouraged them to listen for the voice of God and be true to their faith.

Garan told her classmates they must continue to grow and learn, and as “Madonna-born and Madonna-bred,” they will make an impact on the world through service to the country, their families and community.

Chartier told the graduates this is the final step of a long journey, and, while they will enjoy new freedoms, they also will now be responsible and must face the consequences of their actions in ways they have not before. She encouraged them to make good choices that will make their families and the Madonna community proud.

Colontonio quoted explorer Christopher Columbus, “you can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore,” noting the graduates are setting out on new paths that will take them away from their comfort zones. She said the Class of 2017 will tackle new things with excitement, hope, anticipation and even fear, but they will have the foundation of their Madonna education.

“Our faith will give us the courage to put one foot in front of the other and carry on,” she said.

Garan, class president, gave the welcome and led the graduates in singing the alma mater; Eva Loch, Class of 2020, sang the national anthem; the Rev. Dennis Schuelkens Jr. gave the invocation and benediction; and Principal Jamie Lesho presented the valedictorian, salutatorians and the awards.

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