Butler High School Students of Distinction
Butler High School honor students with distinction — students who have achieved a 4.3 or higher grade point average — in the class of 2023 are:
Carson Boden, daughter of Angie and Scott Boden, of Butler. She was a varsity cheerleader and is a member of student council and the National Honor Society. She plans to attend the University of Kentucky, where her major will be pre-dental.
Isaac Boring, son of Miranda and Eric Boring, of Butler. He was a member of the soccer team, Future Business Leaders of America and the National Honor Society. His awards include AP Scholar with Honor, Butler Tornado Soccer Academic Award and Certificate of Honor from Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. He will attend Case Western Reserve University, majoring in finance.
Samantha Cornell, daughter of Mike and Jeanie Cornell, of Chicora. She was a member of varsity cross country and track and field teams, the Sequinettes, varsity mock trial team, student council and Best Buddies. She will attend the University of Miami to study biology and pre-law.
Maeley Cornetti, daughter of Bobbi Jo and Paul Cornetti, of Butler. She was a member of the varsity girls lacrosse, bocce and Sequinette flag teams, Environmental Club and Best Buddies, and was a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society campaign team member. She was named a Scholar Athlete. Maeley will attend the University of Pittsburgh, where she will major in physician assistant studies.
Rhyan Deal, daughter of Larry and Meredith Deal, of Butler. She was co-captain of the Sequinette dance team, student council treasurer, and Student Visionaries of the Year Co-Candidate. She was a member of Best Buddies. She will attend West Virginia University to major in pharmacy.
Bryce Dryden, son of Valerie and Jeffrey Dryden, of Butler. He is a member of the Environmental Club, the National Honor Society, varsity boys track and field team and Spanish Club. He will attend Penn State University, studying security risk analysis.
Zoe Fischer, daughter of Matthew and Marcia Fischer, of Butler. She was a member of the Sequinette dance team, Best Buddies and the National Honor Society. She also received the Ronald and Joyce Brandon Scholarship. She will attend Grove City College, majoring in biology and health.
Kendall Froilan, daughter of Chris and Michelle Froilan, of Butler. She was president of Best Buddies, vice president of FITE Club, and a member of the National Honor Society. She will attend Kent State University to study early childhood education.
Autumn Gall, daughter of Richard and Heidi Gall, of Butler. She was a member of student council, varsity girls golf and track and field teams, Best Buddies and Spanish Club. She was class vice president and a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society campaign team member. She will attend Slippery Rock University to study biology and pre-physician assistant studies.
Maisy Gibson, daughter of Candi and Mike Gibson, of Butler. She was a member of girls varsity volleyball, girls varsity basketball, girls varsity track and field, the National Honor Society, student council and Best Buddies. She received the Three Sport Varsity Athlete Award, Scholar Athlete Award and Academic Excellence Award. She will attend the University of Tennessee, where she will major in aerospace engineering.
Cameron Hanratty, daughter of Belinda Bacho-Hanratty and Michael Hanratty, of Butler. She was a member of tennis, bocce, Sequinettes, Best Buddies, Environmental Club and the National Honor Society. She will attend Ohio University to study civil and environmental engineering.
Isabella Holman, daughter of Julia and David Holman, of Butler. She was a member of Butler SOZO and International Club. She will attend PennWest Clarion University to study medical imaging.
Katherine Hortert, daughter of Rhiana Seefeld, of Kittanning. She was a member of the Art Club and the National Honor Society. She will attend Kent State University, majoring in art education.
Hope Look, daughter of Brent and Carole Look, of Butler. She was a member of the National Honor Society, varsity girls basketball, Butler SOZO Club and Art Club. She received the Kent State Presidential Achievement Award and will attend Kent State University to study architecture.
Timothy Luchkiw, son of Matthew and Donna Luchkiw, of Butler. He will attend Butler County Community College, where he will study computer science.
Owen Maharg, son of Stephanie Nicol and Richard Maharg, both of Butler. He participated in marching band, Golden Tornado Percussion Ensemble, Environmental Club and FITE Club. He was a High School Head-Start co-founder, Young Musician of Note, drum line captain, and special needs music class helper. He received the Butler Golden Tornado Marching Band 2022-23 Rich Stock/Carol Mitch Extra Effort Award and Extreme Leadership Service Award. He will attend Slippery Rock University, studying secondary education social studies and history.
Dylan McKean, son of Mark and Kimberly McKean, of Butler. He was a member of the National Honor Society and the rifle team. He was named an AP Scholar with Honor, received the Outstanding Achievement Award at Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week, took first place at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science competition, and was on the rifle team that placed first in the WPIAL this year and was runner-up in the state the last two years. He will attend Penn State University to study chemical engineering.
Ryan McLister, son of Timothy McLister, of Butler. He was a member of varsity football, basketball and track teams, Best Buddies and the National Honor Society. He received the AP Scholar Award, academic awards for both football and basketball, the Commitment to Excellence Award for varsity football, Wayne Rawley Fund Scholarship, and Armco Credit Union Scholarship. He will attend the University of Pittsburgh, studying engineering.
Samantha Miller, daughter of Christopher Miller, of Butler. She was a member of girls varsity soccer, girls varsity basketball and the National Honor Society. She was named offensive MVP for varsity soccer. She will attend Michigan State University, where she will study biomedical sciences.
Jessica Mohney, daughter of Mindy and Adam Mohney, of Butler. She was a member of the National Honor Society and varsity soccer, where she was captain. She will attend the University of Pittsburgh to study engineering.
Alexander Moncello, son of Joanne and James Moncello, of Butler. He was captain of boys varsity volleyball and a member of the National Honor Society. He was named WPIAL Volleyball Player of the Week, and All-Tournament Setter at Upper Saint Clair. He will attend Chatham University, where he will study physics.
Brynn Morton, daughter of Cindy and Ryan Morton, of Butler. She was captain of the girls varsity volleyball team and a member of the National Honor Society. She will attend West Virginia University. She has not decided on a major.
Anna Munko, daughter of Julie and Andrew Munko, of Butler. She was a member of Best Buddies and the National Honor Society, and she participated in competitive and game-day cheerleading. She was a state cheerleading competition winner. She will attend the University of Pittsburgh to study finance and accounting.
Claire Nebel, daughter of Dr. Donald and Josi Nebel, of Butler. She was president of International Club and a member of the National Honor Society and Butler SOZO Club. She received the Kent State President's Achievement Award. She will attend Kent State University, where she will major in early childhood education.
Victoria Nebel, daughter of Dr. Donald and Josi Nebel, of Butler. She was a member of Butler SOZO Club, International Club and the National Honor Society. She received the Kent State President's Achievement Award and the Kent State Honors Distinction Award. She will attend Kent State University to study speech pathology and audiology.
Hannah Neely Aldridge, daughter of Pamela Neely Aldridge, of Butler. She was a member of girls varsity basketball, student council, Best Buddies, FITE Club, Environmental Club and the National Honor Society. She will attend Duquesne University to study biomedical engineering.
Rocco Pellegrino, son of Patrik and Laura Pellegrino, of Butler. He was a member of the National Honor Society and varsity hockey. He was named Butler Golden Tornado Hockey Players’ Player. He will attend Grove City College, majoring in mechanical engineering.
Ava Plunkard, daughter of Lori and John Plunkard, of Butler. She was a member of girls varsity volleyball, Environmental Club, FITE club and the National Honor Society. She was WPIAL all-section second team for girls volleyball, and BIG 56 second team for girls volleyball. She will study nursing at Chatham University.
Madalyn Semmler, daughter of Kristan and Alfons Semmler, of Butler. She was a member of varsity cross country, varsity track and field, marching band, Environmental Club, Best Buddies and the National Honor Society. She will attend Thiel College, where she will study biology.
Zachary Shields, son of Carl and Suzanne Shields, of Butler. He was a member of the National Honor Society, The HEAT Program, Environmental Club, Design to Make a Difference, Best Buddies and Pennsylvania Math League. He earned his Eagle Scout rank in Boy Scouts of America, was named AP Scholar with Distinction, received the Challenge Program STEM Award, participated in the National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program and received a scholarship from the National Honor Society. He will attend Pennsylvania State University, majoring in mechanical engineering.
Carmen Skal, daughter of Damian and Julie Skal, of Butler. She was president of Environmental Club and participated in varsity lacrosse, varsity track and field, Best Buddies and FITE Club. She earned a National Honor Society scholarship and college board recognition. She will attend Pennsylvania State University, Schreyer Honors College, where she will study environmental systems engineering.
Payton Slagle, daughter of Jerri Slagle and Stephen Slagle, both of Butler. She participated in track and field. She will study nursing at Toccoa Falls College.
Lance Slater, son of Stacy Slater, of Renfrew, and Michael Slater, of Butler. He played varsity baseball, basketball and football, and he was a member of the National Honor Society. He will attend Gannon University to study civil engineering.
Chiara Sloboda, daughter of Brian and Belinda Sloboda, of Butler. She was Engineering Club president, co-creator of the Kennywood Education Day packet, and played girls varsity soccer. She received a PSU McLaren Scholarship, and took first place at the Design to Make a Difference competition. She will attend Penn State University, where she will study civil engineering.
Emma Steadman, daughter of Tracy and Nathan Steadman, of Butler. She was student council president, Best Buddies secretary, and a member of the National Honor Society, Sequinette dance team, FITE Club and French Club. She received the Shelly Portman Lewis Award. She will attend the University of London, where she will study English literature and journalism.
Tyler Stoops, son of John and Beth Stoops, of Butler. He participated in varsity track and field. He will attend the University of Pittsburgh, where he will study electrical engineering.
Jack Teff, son of Nina and Cody Teff, of Renfrew. He was a member of the National Honor Society and Art Club. He received the Rural and Small Town Recognition Award and was an AP Scholar with Honor. He will attend Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, majoring in computer engineering.
Cailyn Tosadori, daughter of Colleen and Thomas Tosadori, of Butler. She was a member of FITE Club, the girl's varsity golf team, Environmental Club and Ski Club, and she was a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society campaign team member. She will attend Arizona State University, majoring in biological sciences, pre-med.
Annabelle Turner, daughter of Jason and Angela Turner, of Butler. She was a member of varsity swim team, Best Buddies and FITE Club. She was senior class president and National Honor Society secretary. She was swim team captain and received the Four-Year Varsity Athlete Award. She will attend Westminster College, majoring in secondary education, social studies.
Amelia Valentino, daughter of Tiffany and Jonathan Valentino, of Chicora. She was a member of the National Honor Society, girls soccer, French Club, Best Buddies and Ski Club. She was vice president of the National Honor Society and received the Girls Varsity Soccer Academic Award. She will attend Duquesne University to study physical therapy.
Madison Varner, daughter of Dianna and Derek Varner, of Butler. She participated in varsity competitive and game-squad cheerleading. She will study psychology at Butler County Community College.
Rachel Voelker, daughter of Brenda and Mark Voelker, of Butler. She was a member of Art Club, FITE Club, varsity soccer and the National Honor Society. She earned Best in Sculpture 2023, and was a Carson Scholar. She will attend the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, where she will study communication disorders.
Mikayla Wabe, daughter of Rhonda Wabe, of Butler. She was a member of the National Honor Society. She will attend Slippery Rock University to study exercise science and pre-physical therapy.
Hannah Wills, daughter of Andrew and Rhonda Wills, of Butler. She was a member of Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps: Raider, Drill and Marksmanship Team; cross country; and the National Honor Society. She earned the Daughters of the American Revolution Junior Officers' Training Corps Medal. She has not decided on a college or university, but plans to study chemistry.
Jun Zheng, son of Xiaoxue Lu and Weiping Zheng, of Evans City. He was a member of the National Honor Society. He will attend the University of Pittsburgh with a pre-medicine major.
