Slippery Rock graduate Brody Hays holds his rose in his mouth as he gestures to the crowd after receiving his diploma during Slippery Rock High School commencement at Morrow Field House at Slippery Rock University on Friday, June 2. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — At Morrow Field House on Friday, Slippery Rock High School seniors transitioned to graduates as they moved their tassels across their cap, indicating that their time at the high school had come to an end. Like the turning of the tassels, graduates are turning a new chapter in their lives.

According to superintendent Alfonso Angelucci, 64% of graduates from the Class of 2023 will attend a postsecondary institution and 22% will be joining the workforce immediately following graduation.

“It is impressive to see where you will be headed and what you will be doing in trade school, military service, careers and colleges in states like California, Alabama, Indiana and New York,” said Angelucci, addressing the crowd of graduates.

Valedictorian David Hu will attend Stanford University in the fall and plans to study physics. He said he’s excited for the change of scenery.

“I’d like to go see what it’s like out west,” David said. “Growing up in this little town in Western PA, I wouldn’t have chosen a better place to grow up in. But it is time to see some new places.”

David’s mother, Jialing Wang, said that she would often take David along on business trips when he was young to broaden his horizons. Every time they visited a new place, Wang said, she would try to visit nearby university campuses with her son.