Beating her big brother: Mackenzie Molnar is Amherst Class of 2022 valedictorian

CLEVELAND — Sibling rivalry will get you to the top. Just ask Mackenzie Molnar. She took the spotlight Saturday as the valedictorian of the Marion L. Steele High School Class of 2022, standing proudly before 325 fellow graduates during a graduation ceremony held at Cleveland State University's Wolstein Center. "When I was a freshman, I never thought about being valedictorian," she told the thousands gathered in the stadium seats. But she put in the effort for one simple reason: to beat her brother, Ethan Molnar, who graduated as Amherst's salutatorian in 2020. "So in honor of my sibling rivalry, Ethan, this one's for you," Mackenzie said, getting the last laugh. In her commencement speech, she reflected on high school highlights, but also on regrets. Molnar said she wishes she would have spent more time with the people she loves, doing activities that get her excited about life rather than staring at a textbook to prepare for a test. Finding the right balance has been difficult, she said. Class President John Belak joked that the most memorable experiences in high school weren't ones he could share on stage. "But I hope you hold on to those, because they sure do make a good story," he said. Belak recalled the "extended spring break" of spring 2020 and talked about how the COVID-19 pandemic cast a pall over school for many of his classmates. Some lost family members or had to cope with mental health and financial crises while juggling homework. Life is constantly changing and unpredictable, Belak said — but it's yours. "Remember: You're not stuck in one place," he told fellow graduates. "You can always change directions." Changing directions was a hard decision for Genevieve Shaffer, this year's top-graduating Lorain County JVS senior from Amherst. She said leaving her friends behind to attend the vocational school was difficult, but worth it. "JVS gives us the opportunity to graduate ready to start our careers and to dig deep into the skills needed for it," she said. "It also serves as an opportunity for people who may not see college in their future." With some college credits already in hand, Shaffer, who studied cosmetology, said she plans to attend Lorain County Community College to earn an associate degree in business. Together, 130 Amherst students have racked up 2,587 early college credits through a partnership with Lorain County Community College. According to Principal Joe Tellier, that's equivalent to saving $385,463 at LCCC, or $998,582 at a four-year state university in Ohio. Two Steele graduates — Brianna Sadler and Lindsey Stamco — earned enough to receive associate degrees even before they marched across the stage Saturday to pick up their high school diplomas. Beaming with pride, Tellier told the Class of 2022 that it will always be special to him. Its members were freshmen when he became principal at Steele High, and spending the last four years together has created a special bond, he said. "You all have demonstrated what strong individuals you are," Tellier told seniors. "However, never forget there is power in numbers. You can't do everything yourself. You need others to help you along the way." Tellier told graduates to look around the Wolstein Center at the faces gathered there to celebrate their accomplishment. "You see 18 years of relationships," he said, urging the newly minted alumni to pay forward the love and support they were given, and to always build up others. Contact Jason Hawk at (440) 329-7122 or news@lcnewspapers.com.