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The ADVANCE, May 17, 2023/Page 9A
Obituaries
Mr. Nicholas Marsicano
Mr. Nicholas F. Mar
sicano, age 75, of Vidalia,
passed away peacefully at
his home on Monday, May
8, 2023.
Born on June 13, 1947,
and a native of Hazleton,
PA, Nick possessed a re
markable and charming
personality. He was sociable
and adept at utilizing his
inherent skills of communi
cation, wisdom, and knowl
edge in his profession in the
garment industry which led
him to travel extensively
around the globe. He held
a deep appreciation for life
and his faith in God. Nick
was grateful for life’s simple
pleasures, such as tending to
his lawn with his zero-turn
mower and reading his Bi
ble daily. He was a devoted
member of Christ Lutheran
Church in Hazleton, PA,
where he belonged for his
entire life.
He was preceded in
death by his mother, Ruth
“Bousk” Marsicano, his fa
ther, Frank Marsicano, and
his sister, Adelia Marsicano.
Nick was in the com
pany of the love of his life
and spouse, Magdalene
“Lutsky” Marsicano, whom
he had been devoted to for
over five decades and mar
ried to for 40 years. His fam
ily also includes his daugh
ters, Gina McLaren from
Ketchum, ID, Nicole Perez
and her husband Randy
Perez from San Clemente,
CA, and Alysa Marsicano
from Vidalia, GA. In ad
dition, he is blessed with
several grandchildren, in
cluding Hunter McLaren,
Skyler Perez, Nicholas Mat
thews, Hanna McLaren,
and Katelyn Perez, and also
has many nieces, nephews,
and cousins.
He was a native of Ha
zleton, PA, a 1965 graduate
of Hazleton High School in
Hazleton, PA, and complet
ed two years of Commerce
& Finance studies at Wilkes
College in Wilkes Barre, PA.
Starting his career at
a young age, Nick worked
at The Marsicano Family
Italian Restaurant on Altar
St. in Hazleton, PA, fol
lowed by Price’s Restaurant
and Dairy on Church St.
in Hazleton, PA. After col
lege, he joined Mullens &
Co., a stock brokerage firm
in Harrisburg, PA, and later
managed The Space Restau
rant in Hazleton, PA. Nick
ventured into the garment
industry in 1975 with Scot
ty’s Fashions in Lehighton,
PA, and then joined Ship
& Shore in West Hazle
ton, PA, in 1977. In 1980,
he moved to Model Gar
ment Co., Inc., in Frackville,
PA, and took a big leap of
faith in 1981 by joining
ENRO Shirt in Woodruff,
SC. He made yet another
significant move in 1985
with ENRO - The Apparel
Group Inc. in Louisville,
KY. Nick became an Inter
national Packaging Man
ager in 1996 with Oxford
Shirting, Vidalia, GA, and
worked as a garment indus
try consultant from 2010 to
2021 with Button EZ/Jay
Apparel Group LLC in vari
ous international locations,
becoming a worldwide trav
eler.
Plans for future service
and burial will take place
at St. Johns Evangelical Lu
theran Church & Cemetery
in Drums, PA.
The family wishes to
express gratitude to all the
caregivers and associates
with Community Hospice
ofVidalia, GA.
If you wish to honor the
memory of the departed,
you may consider donating
to the American Diabetes
Association.
Full Paid Obituary
Lowry
continued from page 7A
tioned.”
It’s absurd to pretend
that this provision some
how authorizes the presi
dent to arrogate to himself
the fiscal powers of Con
gress if the debt limit isn’t
raised or — more to the
point — isn’t raised in a
manner to his liking.
The House isn’t saying
that the debt ceiling
shouldn’t be extended, only
that it should happen with
accompanying spending re
ductions that make it more
likely that our debts will be
honored in the future.
Even if the debt limit is
breached, it doesn’t mean
our debts will be written
off. Under a 2011 Treasury
contingency plan, other
payments would have been
delayed. This makes the
14th Amendment argu
ment even more attenuated.
The Biden administra
tion could save itself the
trouble of trying to twist
the Constitution to suit its
narrow political purposes if
it simply sat down with
Congress and negotiated in
good faith.
Rich Lowry is editor of the
National Review.
(c) 2023 by King Features
Synd., Inc.
Grads
continued from page 1A
the annual baccalaureate
service, which will be held
at the Board of Education
office at 7 p.m. The seniors
will then turn their tassels
on Friday, May 19, begin
ning at 8 p.m. at Brogdon
Field.
Valedictorian
Rome Thornton has
been named the Eagles’
Class of 2023 valedictori
an. Thornton has attended
the Montgomery County
School System for the
entirety of his academic
career. He has been very
active in athletics during
this time, playing football,
soccer, golf, running track,
and wrestling. Thornton
was very successful in
these endeavors, earning
all region honors for soc
cer and football, as well as
being named a three-time
area champ, four-time state
qualifier, and a state placer
for wrestling.
“It’s a blessing, that’s
for sure,” he commented on
how he felt to receive this
honor. “It’s made me very
grateful for all the work
I’ve put in and the people
who’ve helped me along
the way. I know my mama
sure is happy I got it.”
When asked if there
was anyone he would like
to thank, Thornton imme
diately mentioned his par
ents. “I’d like to thank my
mama and my daddy - my
mama especially. They’ve
always pushed me to do my
very best in all aspects of
life. And of course, a thank
you to all my teachers and
mentors who’ve taught and
helped me along my way.”
Thornton’s advice to
underclassmen in the high
school was simple. “My
best advice is to work hard,
but don’t stress it. You may
mess up here and there,
just let it help you get bet
ter. And enjoy high school
while you can, go out with
your friends and make as
many memories as you can,
because it doesn’t last for
ever, and it definitely goes
by quick,” he concluded.
Salutatorian
Though having attend
ed Montgomery County
High School only since his
sophomore year, saluta
torian Xavier Douglas has
left a legacy of academic
excellence at the school.
Douglas also was ac
tive in athletics during
his high school years, as
he was a member of the
school’s cross country
team. Additionally, he rose
to Eagle Scout rank in the
Boy Scouts of America,
and earned certificates of
excellence in both English
Language Arts and Social
Studies in the past four
years.
When asked how it felt
to be named salutatorian of
his class, Douglas said that
it was great to receive the
honor. “I have to thank my
parents for raising me well,
and guiding me to success,”
he added.
He concluded by urg
ing underclassmen not to
be afraid to do what they
need to in order to suc
ceed. “Pay attention, ask
questions, and do what
feels right,” Douglas re
marked.
Robert Toombs
Christian Academy
The Robert Toombs
Christian Academy Class
of 2023 Crusaders gradu
ated at McLendon Field on
Monday, May 15, signify
ing the end of their high
school careers.
Valedictorian
Valedictorian Kate
Kennedy has not only ex
celled academically, but
also in her extracurricular
activities during her 14
years in the school sys
tem. She has played alto
saxophone in the school
band for the entirety of her
high school career, partici
pated in the one-act play
group for three years, been
a member of the literary
team for two years, shown
pigs at livestock shows,
and been a member of the
school’s chapters of Beta
Club and National Honor
Society.
Kennedy was a mem
ber of this year’s Greater
Vidalia Youth Leadership
Program, and was the sec
ond place winner of the
State National History
Day competition in Ma
con for two years. She was
awarded recognition for
Yarbrough
continued from page 6A
an’s private parts because,
“when you’re a star, they let
you do it. You can do any
thing.” Oh, really?
As for his zealots who
continue to decry a stolen
election, I would ask them
if Trump was so all-fired
popular, why was the 2020
election even that close? I
don’t recall Ronald Reagan
disputing either of his two
elections in defeating
Jimmy Carter (489 elec
toral votes to 49) and later
Walter Mondale (525 elec
toral votes to 13.) Inciden
tally, in his 1984 reelection,
Reagan won Georgia with
60 percent of the vote.
With margins like that,
there was no need to create
fake electors.
I am sure all of this will
get me the usual three cat
egories of responses: Lib
erals irate at my taking pot
shots at a befuddled old
man, Trump Harrumphs
with their tiresome defense
of the indefensible and
then those of you who de
spair of either one being
president again, as the
above polls indicate. The
bad news is that they may
be our only choice in 2024
— a guy who thinks we
have 54 states and one who
is as divisive as he is smug.
God help us. Please.
You can reach Dick
Yarbrough at dick@
dickyarbrough.com or at P.O.
Box 725373, Atlanta, Georgia
31139.
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having the overall highest
average for her class in the
tenth and twelfth grades,
and even won the STAR
Student award for not just
her school, but also the dis
trict.
“It feels very good to
receive this honor. I am so
happy that my hard work
has paid off,” Kennedy
emphasized. “I would like
to thank my parents for
always encouraging me to
do my best work and being
there for me. I would like to
thank my sister for always
being someone I can count
on. I would like to thank
my friends for always being
there to talk to and make
me smile. Lastly, I would
like to thank all my family,
friends, teachers, and class
mates who have helped me
become the person I am to
day. I am truly grateful for
everything you have done
for me throughout my life.”
When asked her ad
vice to underclassmen,
Kennedy remarked, “Al
ways do your best. What
ever you do, do it to the
best of your ability. If you
do your best, you should
never be disappointed by
the outcome. Also, I would
like to say enjoy every mo
ment of high school. High
school goes by so fast and
before you know it you are
graduating and starting a
new chapter of your life.
Don’t spend your short
amount of time stressed
and wishing it away. Spend
time with your family and
friends. Enjoy every mo
ment because it will go by
so much faster than you
think.”
Salutatorian
Salutatorian Andrew
Tuck, who has also at
tended the school for the
entirety of his academic ca
reer, leaves behind a legacy
of academic, athletic, and
leadership excellence at
Robert Toombs Christian
Academy.
Tuck has been a mem
ber of the school’s foot
ball, baseball, and track
teams all four years of high
school. He earned All Re
gion honors in football his
junior and senior years,
and in baseball his junior
year. He was even given the
Academic Athlete Award
at this year’s honors night
event.
In addition to sporting
activities, Tuck has been a
member of the school’s Leo
Club and National Honor
Society, and served as a
Student Government As
sociation officer for three
years, including this year,
during which he served as
vice president.
He was honored for
having the highest overall
average in his class during
his junior year, and was rec
ognized this year for having
the second highest overall
average in the class.
“It feels great to receive
such an honor. All of the
late nights have paid off,”
Tuck commented on the
achievement. “I would like
to thank my parents, teach
ers, and coaches for sup
porting me and guiding me
throughout my career at
Robert Toombs.”
Tuck advised under
classmen to find a balance
between fun and focus
in their high school ex
perience. “Have fun dur
ing high school, but stay
on top of your work so it
doesn’t pile up and over
whelm you. Cherish every
moment while you can
because it goes by fast,” he
said.
Toombs County High
School
The high school expe
rience will end on Satur
day, May 20, at 8:30 a.m.
at The Pit for the Toombs
County High School Class
of 2023 Bulldogs.
Valedictorian
Valedictorian Allison
Waller has attended the
school system for 11 years,
during which she has made
a name for herself as a lead
er and standout student.
Waller has partici
pated in spirit cheerlead
ing throughout her high
school experience, and is
an active member of the
school’s Beta Club. She re
cently received the STAR
Student award for having
the highest SAT score in
the top 10 students of her
class, as well as the Georgia
Certificate of Merit.
“I am very grateful to
receive the honor of being
valedictorian! It makes me
feel like all the time I spent
studying and working hard
on my school work has
paid off!” she emphasized.
“I would like to thank my
family for being so encour
aging and supportive! I
would also like to thank all
of my teachers who have
helped me get to this point
and accomplish my goals.”
When asked if she had
any advice for underclass
men, Waller said, “Work
hard and be disciplined in
order to accomplish your
goals!”
Salutatorian
Salutatorian Joseph
Ramos has been a student
in the Toombs County
School System for seven
years, during which he has
participated in one-act
plays, literary competi
tions, and more.
He is a member of the
school’s Beta Club and
even won first place in
the district for the Young
Georgia Authors Competi
tion.
“I was not sure that I
would be named as the sa
lutatorian. I worked hard
for all of my school career,
yet, I was still shocked
when my name was an
nounced. I am proud and
I am honored to be the
salutatorian of Toombs
County High School's class
of 2023,” he explained.
When asked who he
wanted to thank for their
help and support through
out his high school years,
he shared his gratitude
for his parents, friends,
and teachers. “I want to
thank everyone who ever
touched my life for the bet
ter. To the people who re
minded me that I am loved,
thank you,” Ramos sum
marized.
His advice to under
classmen focused on the
importance of remaining
true to who you are. “Al
ways be yourself and don't
let others hold you down
for who you are, No matter
what you go through, you
can always prevail and you
will live to see a brighter
day, and please show kind
ness,” Ramos concluded.
Wheeler County High
School
The Wheeler County
High School Class of 2023
Bulldogs will graduate un
der the stadium lights of
Bulldog Stadium on Friday,
May 26, at 8 p.m.
Valedictorian
Valedictorian Jasmine
Holland Soto has been
very involved in sports and
extracurricular activities
at Wheeler County High
School since joining the
school system in eighth
grade.
Soto has been a mem
ber of the school’s soccer
team and marching band
for four years, as she served
as the band captain in elev-
Please see Grads page
10A