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Staff photo / Allie Vugrincic
Jean OâConnell Spalla of Girard holds onto her diploma after receiving her Ph.D. from Youngstown State University Saturday afternoon in an outdoor ceremony at Stambaugh Stadium.
YOUNGSTOWN — The meaning behind the expression on Alexis Porterfield’s mortarboard runs considerably deeper than her decision to travel some 300 miles to attend college.
“It stuck with me. Eventually, I plan to get my Ph.D. and keep going until I can’t,” said Porterfield, of Accokeek, Md., referring to the phrase that read, “There’s just no telling how far I’ll go.”
The exercise-science major, who’s a year from earning a master’s degree, added the saying atop her cap also is symbolic of her resolve to continue forging ahead and refusing to allow obstacles related to the health pandemic to stop her.