Correspondent photos / Sean Barron Graduates and undergraduates in Youngstown State University’s Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences and Education fill Beeghly Center on Saturday for the second of four commencements. The first one was Friday.

YOUNGSTOWN — A significant level of success has added a feather to Bonnie E. Missos’ cap, though her crowning achievement will be doing her part to ensure success touches many other lives.

“I’m working on applying to schools to find a job where I’m meant to be,” Missos, a 2021 Boardman High School graduate, said.

One need not ask Missos about the level of commitment and determination in achieving her long-term goal and aspiration. All that’s needed is a quick glance at the top of her graduation cap, on which is inscribed, “My student’s success is my greatest degree.”

Beforehand, Missos earned a bachelor’s degree in education and was among those in Youngstown State University’s College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences and Education who crossed the stage for that purpose during Saturday morning’s spring commencement in Beeghly Center.

The gathering was one of four ceremonies Friday and Saturday. The others were for graduates and undergraduates in YSU’s Bitonte College of Health and Human Services, College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, the Williamson College of Business Administration and Cliffe College of Creative Arts, the last two of which were combined.

An estimated 2,100 spring semester grads and undergrads, combined with those who will graduate this summer, will earn degrees, Rebecca Rose, YSU spokeswoman, noted.

Also Friday, YSU’s Sokolov Honors College held a senior ceremony in Kilcawley Center’s Chestnut Room.

Missos, who graduated magna cum laude, majored in primary / primary intervention specialization, which will allow her to be dually licensed to work in special education or general education. Whatever career she lands, it will have been rooted deep into her past.

“I’ve always loved kids, and knew I wanted to go into the helping field,” she said.

Missos, who began college intending to major in social work, stuck to pursuing her greatest interest, despite some naysayers’ views that entering the education field likely would mean making little money and lead to a less-than-optimal future. Instead, she listened to her heart and followed where it told her to go, Missos explained.

She also has been interviewing at area schools, with plans to stay in the Mahoning Valley, Missos continued.

Also Saturday morning, 49 of Youngstown Rayen Early College’s 66 students simultaneously earned their high school diplomas and associate degrees, Chris Chrestay and Marines Ramos, YREC’s senior advisers, noted.

“They’re amazing kids,” Chrestay said.

The YREC students have wide-ranging aspirations that include entering the nursing, engineering and social services fields, with one student desiring to be a chemical engineer, Ramos said, adding that many of them achieved their success despite having to overcome anxiety and nervousness related to graduating and facing their futures.

Three such students were Elijah Rollins, Ronald Fernandez and Jordan Roberts.

“I’m very good at talking to people,” Rollins, who hopes to major in communications and human resources, said.

Sparking that interest is a friend of his mother who has a business in New York City selling tech-related programs. As a result, Rollins envisions himself working in marketing, he said.

Perhaps his most prideful achievement at YREC was having earned straight A’s during the final semester.

“I went out with a bang, you know,” Rollins added.

Fernandez’s desire is to major in teaching and specialize in English as a Second Language efforts to help foreign students mainly at the middle school level. In the short term, he hopes to find a job this summer to begin earning money for college, Fernandez added.

Entering the computer science field, with an eye on possibly beginning his own related business, is on Roberts’ radar. He also is proud of his time at YREC that included assisting many of the teachers, he said.

Delivering the keynote address Saturday morning was Suzanne Barbati, founding director of OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology in Youngstown.

Barbati, who also worked for the Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic, owned a counseling business and served numerous area nonprofit agencies, advised the grads to keep their eyes on accomplishing further success, but also to take stock of a few important basics.

Specifically, the students would do well to take care of themselves physically, emotionally and mentally, find joy in what they do, be thoughtful and kind to others, be inspired by other people and things around them, refrain from taking certain actions personally, plan for their retirement and make their voices heard at the ballot box.

“Your career will take many detours,” Barbati said, adding, “OH WOW! was on life support when I took over.”

Nevertheless, the once small children’s museum grew into a regional, popular and desirable downtown Youngstown destination that also had a significant impact on the community largely because of many committed and compassionate people, she told the graduates.

The student speaker was Jordan M. Pintar, an Honors College philosophy student with a minor in political science. She urged her fellow graduates to tap into their ability to use their education and knowledge to listen to others and continue to learn and grow.

Higher education also has the power to strengthen the nation, society and democracy, Pintar said, adding that the students are obligated to challenge injustices and uplift others.

“The degrees you earn today are just a down payment on your future,” YSU President Bill Johnson said in his remarks, adding that the degrees, though very important, are less so than the grads’ character and integrity.

In addition, Johnson asked graduates who are serving in the military and who wore special red, white and blue cords to stand and be recognized. Afterward, he followed suit for those in the audience who are veterans or are currently serving the country, both of which were met with applause.