Class acts

Across the region, thousands of teenagers are poised to seize their diplomas, flip their tassels, and hurl their graduation caps skyward to celebrate the end of their high school years. Most face the future with brimming optimism, tinged with a measure of nostalgia and uncertainty. Before they turn the page and enter college or the workaday world, many graduates -- and those who know them at school -- pause to reflect on how far they've come over the past few years. These are the stories of five remarkable students who made an exceptional impact on their school and community through their talent, passion, and determination.