Slippery Rock High School seniors graduate
SLIPPERY ROCK — Happy shouts and camera flashes from proud family members during the procession of 152 Slippery Rock High School graduates into commencement ceremonies Thursday evening set an upbeat mood for the annual event, which also included an impressive rendition of the national anthem sung by senior Kinzie Miller.
Graduates lined up in their white or red caps and gowns inside Morrow Field House on the campus of nearby Slippery Rock University in preparation for their march into the gymnasium amidst family members in the bleachers on either side.
Twins Jaylene and Jazmine Jones chatted as they waited for the procession to begin.
Jaylene festooned her mortarboard with colorful flowers, a butterfly, musical notes in the shape of a heart, a sparkly tiara and the words, “Let music never die in me.”
She explained that the quote is from a song her chorus class was to perform as sophomores, but the coronavirus pandemic caused the cancellation of the concert.
“We sang it as seniors,” Jaylene said.
Like most of her classmates, she felt excited and nervous at the prospect of graduating.
“I'm going to miss my teachers and friends and the routine of seeing everyone every day,” said Jaylene, who will attend Butler County Community College in the fall to begin classes for an eventual degree in social work.
Jazmine, the more introspective of the fraternal twins, named choir teacher, Heather Groves-Edwards, as an instructor who greatly impacted the sisters.
“She’s the most influential teacher we ever had,” Jazmine said.
Jazmine will attend Pittsburgh Technical College in the fall to work on a business degree.
Jaylene expressed trepidation at being separated from her twin for the first time when the pair starts college, but Jazmine was quick to answer.
“We'll be fine,” she said.
Tanner Kennedy expressed excitement as he waited for the strains of “Fanfare and Processional” to emanate from the instruments played by the high school band.
“There are lots of emotions right now,” Tanner said. “It's the end, but I'm happy to be here with all my classmates.”
He named Troy Parish, a high school ceramics teacher, as an influential teacher.
“Mr. Parish is the kindest soul,” Tanner said. “He’ll never judge anybody and always makes sure students are included.”
Tanner will attend Slippery Rock University in the fall to become a history teacher.
Ella McDermott felt bittersweet emotions as she prepared to graduate.
“I'm going to miss my close friends and teachers and the people I look up to here, but I feel very confident that I'm ready to go.”
Ella, who named high school guidance counselors Stephanie Karwoski and Kelly Gallagher as the two educators who most influenced her, will play basketball and study business marketing at Chatham University in the fall.
Principal Garrett Miller welcomed students and families to the ceremony, and asked the graduates to give their parents a round of applause for sticking with them since kindergarten.
“This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments,” Garrett said. “Please take the time to embrace it.”
Valedictorian Cassie Ray, who will study biology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, advised her classmates to take the lessons of problem-solving, teamwork and responsibility with them as they leave the hallowed halls of high school.
“I wish you all the best, whatever your futures hold,” Cassie said.
