Publications & Sites 
Guerin Prep grads reminded to smell roses
Guerin College Prep held their commencement exercises on May 24t. Kimberly Bianco receives her diploma from principal Anthony Tinerella. | Rob Dicker~Sun-Times Media
Article Extras
Updated: July 3, 2012 11:24AM
A sea of blue-and-white clad students filled the auditorium at Guerin College Preparatory High School on May 24, as the Class of 2012 made their transition.
The male graduates wore blue graduation robes and caps, while the female students wore white for the May 24 graduation ceremony. They marched in the school, located at 8001 W. Belmont Ave., as friends and family smiled with pride or shed a tear.
Anthony Tinerella, the school’s principal, gave the opening prayer and welcome, speaking with emotion about the four years they’ve experienced. He said it should be cherished.
“Pause in all of this excitement and stop and smell the roses, just for a minute,” he said. “I want you to see how blessed you are.”
Tinerella said the graduates were more than students – they were family.
“It’s hard to let a part of your family go, and today I have to let you go,” he said. “We will miss all of you.”
The class valedictorian was Iwona Lazarz and the salutatorian was Melissa Cyrwus.
Dylan Choate was the student speaker for the commencement ceremony calling on his classmates to face the new challenges in life outside of high school with courage. He said the education he’s received has made him and the other 138 graduates ready for the future.
“I feel prepared,” he said. “I feel everyone has the opportunity to do something special with their lives.”
While the students made there way to the stage to receive their diplomas, Kathy Zelm, who has taught art at the school for more than 20 years watched from one of the auditorium aisles with mixed emotions.
“They’re babies when they get here, but you’re proud to watch them grow up,” she said.
Joe Annunzio said he was very proud of her daughter, Giana, graduating. She will attend Illinois State University in the fall.
“It’s been a great experience for her,” he said of her time at Guerin. “Her two aunts went to Mother Guerin.”
“It’s just unbelievable and we’re so proud of her,” he said. “It seemed like her whole high school experience happened overnight.”
But he credits the school for doing a good job preparing her daughter and her classmates.
“The faculty and staff really care about the kids,” he said.
