Graduation success at Starpoint High School

The students of the Class of 2012 at Starpoint High School ended their high school career this week, each choosing a different path for their future.

Valedictorian Nick Filippini, 18, and Salutatorian Steven Foulis, 18, both gave speeches during Friday’s ceremony.

Filippini spoke about choices everyone faces.

“It’s about when we make choices, not regretting we could of made a different choice,” he said. “Running with everything we do and keep going.”

Filippini attributes his academic success to his parents and the “good habits” his brother and sister showed him while growing up. He also always has to try his best.

“I hate having regrets and I never want to have those,” said Filippini.

For the underclassman, Filippini has the advice to always manage their time. He said it seems whenever you have nothing to do, there is nothing to do and when you want to go out and do something there is a bunch of homework to do.

“Manage your time,” he said. “It’s easy to waste it. Do your homework in the time you have nothing to do and you’ll be able to do other things when you want to do them.”

Filippini is also the president of the senior class. He was the captain of the varsity soccer team, a member of ski club and foreign language club, the historian of National Honor Society and co-captain of the varsity tennis team.

“I’m going to miss seeing the same people every day,” he said. “I like being able to be friends with hundreds of kids. I feel like in college I will have 10 or 15 close friends. It won’t be anything of this magnitude.”

While in school, Filippini said his favorite teacher was George Riscile, who taught AP Chemistry.

“He was always very honest and I knew what he was about,” he said. “He was very blunt and I liked that.

Next year, Filippini will attend Ithaca College for psychology and communications.

Though not completely sure on his career path, he is considering being a psychology professor.

Foulis focused his speech on comparing the journeys at school with chapters of a novel.

“Even though one chapter is complete you have an entire novel left to be written,” he said.

For Foulis, being successful has a lot to do with doing your homework and trying your best.

As for advice for younger students, Foulis said to never give up.

“Keep trying,” he said. “As long as you work hard you’ll always be rewarded. The result may not be what you anticipated but you will get places in life.”

Foulis is the vice president of the Class of 2012. He is also president of National Honor Society, the co-captain of the varsity tennis team, a member of the All-County Band and Orchestra and vice president of the wind ensemble.

His favorite teacher was Dave Kayne, his former wind ensemble teacher.

“He was able to strike the balance between perfecting what you’re working on and at the same time having fun,” he said.

Foulis said he would miss his friends the most.

“All the fun times with your friends and all the different challenges you’ve faced and how you overcame them,” he said.

Foulis will attend Niagara University in the fall for pre med and political science. He hopes to one day be a pediatrician.