Wall of Fame inductees provide insight for SV grads
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Attorney Jason Banonis speaks during Wednesday's commencement ceremony.
SHENANDOAH – “Out of everything you will ever possess in your life, your knowledge can never be taken away from you,” Jason Banonis, class of 1990, told the 71 Shenandoah Valley graduates Wednesday night.
Banonis is one of three Wall of Fame inductees this year at the high school, and had the opportunity to speak to the graduates during Wednesday’s commencement.
A longtime defense attorney, Banonis had a multitude of points to share with graduates.
“Whatever you do, learn every day,” Banonis said. “Whether it’s formal schooling, on-the-job training, informal surfing the internet, stay curious. Absorb as much information as you can. You will evolve and develop as a person every day of your life.”
“The more you know and continue to seek out, the better you will be prepared for life’s challenges,” Banonis said.
He urged graduates to accept change, saying its the only constant they will find in life. He also urged students to work hard.
“You never know when opportunity will knock, but it will, often at the most unexpected times. Constantly work hard to create and be ready for those opportunities,” he said.
He also urged graduates to accept responsibility.
“You are in charge of your own life, own it,” he said.
He also encouraged students to be kind and courteous, and to demand the same.
“Appreciate the good people in your lives and the lessons they share,” Banonis said. “Do not take them for granted. Work at maintaining those relationships and cultivating others. Those are the people who truly know you and will give you the perspective you need in the most difficult of times.”
“Stay humble, and modest, and honest. Ignore, or at least limit the influence of technology and social media in your life,” Banonis added. “Everyone has an opinion, and now a platform. Most of it is just wrong or uninformed or attention seeking, so why waste your time? Save your energy and attention for the important stuff. Life your life, do not let others live it for you. Be happy, and have fun.”
Dr. Jodi Loughlin, Class of 1989, was another Wall of Fame inductee.
She said the honor was bittersweet, as the notification came shortly after mother passed away.
“As she, more than anyone, looked forward to this day,” Loughlin said. “I know my mom, godson, and other relatives who have recently passed are proudly looking down at me at this very moment and smiling.”
Loughlin then addressed the graduates.
“You have a strong educational foundation to flourish at whatever you choose to pursue. Whether it’s learning a new skill in the workforce, fine tuning your selected trade, serving your country in the armed forces, or studying for a new career at the collegiate effort, all this is possible with an education from Shenandoah Valley Junior/Senior High School,” Loughlin said. “Whenever you are asked where you graduated high school, because you will be asked during an interview, at work, at school, or during everyday conversations, before you answer, I want you to stand a little taller, be a bit boastful, and respond as I always do when that question is posed to me, ‘I am a proud graduate of Shenandoah Valley.'”
“Never forget where it all began and never let anyone take that Blue Devil Pride away from you. You earned it,” Loughlin added.
The final inductee to the Wall of Fame was Dr. Anthony Rizzardi, Class of 2004.
“Awards such as this one are an accomplishment of a goal. The same goes for your graduation here tonight,” Rizzardi said to the graduates. “Most would view achieving a goal as an end point. A culmination of hard work and dedication. I implore you to think of them differently.”
“Goals are not just an end but also a beginning. They allow you to celebrate the achievement as well as provide a starting point for the next goal,” Rizzardi added. “Much like chapters in a book, the completion of one chapter allows for the beginning of the next. These are not just any chapters we’re talking about, they’re yours. Your life is your story.”
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