“Dream big and work hard. Don’t sell yourself short. Your goals should be so big they scare you.”
That’s the advice Jack Nemetz has for next year’s graduating class of 2019. As Vice President of the North Royalton High School Senior Class of 2018, Nemetz is nothing short of a student leader. He walked the State Theatre stage at Playhouse Square on June 1, along with more than 380 of his classmates in receiving their high school diplomas. It was North Royalton High School’s 112th Annual Commencement Ceremony.
“As Senior Class Vice President, I was responsible for the planning of many school events. My responsibilities included but were not limited to attending and speaking at every Student Council event, being a leader inside and outside the class room, being an active member of the Student Advisory board, and being an active, spirited student,” Nemetz said.
Spirit runs rampant in Bear Country, as North Royalton City Schools recently ranked 88th in the state as one of the best high schools in the country, according to information released by the City Schools. This is up from last year’s rank at 98th. The accolades don’t stop there, however, as North Royalton City Schools Treasurer Biagio Sidoti was named the 2018 Treasurer/CFO of the Year by the Ohio Association of School Business Officials, according to information released by the school district, and library staff received a $500 grant from OverDrive, a digital distributor of ebooks, audiobooks, music and videos.
This year’s graduating seniors chose violet and black as their class colors, the white rose as their class flower, “God’s Plan” by Drake as their class song, and “Have a No Ro-Tastic Day!”-Papa O” as their class motto, according to information released by Activities Secretary Sandy Stergios. Senior Class President is Chazzlyn Jackson, who presented a Welcome Address; and Commencement Address Speakers were seniors Elizabeth Kelly and Rachel Pavelich. Music selections were played by the Commencement Band and Band Seniors and the Presentation of Colors was provided by the United States Army Color Guard with the National Anthem following. Principal Sean Osborne performed the Presentation and Certification of Class and Superintendent Greg Gurka officially accepted the graduating Class of 2018. Military Recognition was provided by Assistant Principal Kevin Atkins.
According to a graduation survey completed by 346 seniors released by Stergios on June 4, 73.1 percent of graduating seniors will be attending a four-year college, 15.6 percent will attend a community college with plans to transfer to a four-year university, four percent will attend a two-year college or trade school, 1.4 percent is entering the military, and 5.8 percent are entering the workforce.
Nemetz, a high school football player and wrestler, will attend Florida’s University of Miami to study neuroscience on a premed track with the goal of attending medical school and becoming a physician. Among his top favorite memories of high school are the experiences he made as a student athlete.
“I pursued this office (of Vice President), to be a positive influence on my classmates, and to be an active student leader making sure all of my classmates had a fun and memorable senior year,” Nemetz said.
To hold the elected position, an essay was required, along with signatures from fellow classmates, teacher recommendations, and a clean behavioral record. Candidates who met those requirements were put to a vote by the graduating class.
When asked about the challenges today’s teens face and advice for overcoming them, Nemetz noted how social media plays a near-constant role in an adolescent’s life.
“In today’s society, teens have a constant struggle with fitting in,” Nemetz said. “As social media brings instant feedback to one’s everyday life, it can become difficult to live free from the social pressures that are now present in everything one does. My advice to the youth is to find a passion that you can hold on to, there is constant noise and feedback from the world around you, amplified by social media, but as long as you hold on to that passion, you will have something to focus on and something that can let you live your life like you want to.”
In a photo uploaded to the North Royalton City Schools’ Facebook page, the cheerful graduating class is shown tossing their caps high into the air following the ceremony. John H. Kelly, board vice president, commented on the photo, admiring the students’ respect and appreciation for the special day:
“Congratulations Class of 2018,” he wrote. “I have to say, and I know my fellow Board members would agree that this class was by far the most professional and appreciative of any of the past few years. EVERY student looked us in the eye when they shook our hands and EVERY student smiled and said ‘Thank You’ when they were congratulated. It may seem like a small thing, but wouldn’t it be great if more people were courteous and appreciative. Well done; and good luck Class of 2018!!!”
On behalf of the North Royalton Chamber of Commerce and Royalton Recorder, Congratulations North Royalton High School Class of 2018!

By SARA MACHO HILL

Contributing Writer