SR grads told to find purpose
SLIPPERY ROCK — It was a graduation of first and lasts at Slippery Rock High School Friday night.
It was the first time the commencement was taped on a Webcam, which would carry the event to Colorado where Chrissy Elick could experience the night with her classmates. The senior was in a car accident in early January which left her paralyzed. She is at a Colorado hospital for specialized paralysis treatment.
As Principal Harry Beil announced the Webcam to the class of 188 students, several members turned to wave and smile to Elick.
Beil also said it was Superintendent Lee Beaton's last graduation as superintendent. Beaton will retire in a few weeks after six years with the district.
In her address to the class, Beaton said goodbye to the seniors, who were sixth graders who had lunch with her in her first year at the district.
"They were nervous and I was nervous, but it worked out for all of us," she said.
Also joining the ceremony Friday was Erica FaJohn, Elick's best friend who also was in the car accident. FaJohn is still recovering from brain injuries she received when the Ford Explorer she was driving rolled over on a road in West Liberty.
FaJohn said she was happy to be involved in the ceremony but still has some classes she plans to complete next year, including chemistry and anatomy. After missing several weeks of classes during her recovery, she needs to make up those credits. FaJohn hopes to become a nurse.
Valedictorian Harry Thompson Green in his commencement address titled "What's the Point?" focused on finding purpose.
"We have a thousand voices telling us where to go, both internally and externally," he said. "I believe you should roll with the punches and go with the flow, but you should have a destination in mind."
"Tonight you should ask yourselves what is the point?" he said. "What is the purpose of my life?"
He encouraged classmates not to do great things, but to do meaningful things.
Green plans to attend St. John's College in Anapolis, Md.
For classmate Kelsey Brenneman, her purpose will be to open a surf shop someday. Brenneman plans to attend Butler County Community College for business and combine that knowledge with her love of surfing, though that might mean a move from Butler.
Brenneman has already taken some classes at BC3.
Luke Kelley will attend West Virginia University to study forestry.
"I'd rather be outside than inside," he said.
Classmate Craig Bicehouse said he's chosen another "active job." He plans to go to Grove City College, major in sociology and eventually work in law enforcement.
Kelsey Drennen said she wants to go to college for six years and get her dual masters degrees in elementary and special education. The reason she's so decisive so early has to do with her love of students and she added, "both my parents are teachers."
Green also took time to recognize Zach Kneupper, his best friend and the class member with the highest grade point average. Green said Kneupper would have been valedictorian but a district policy would not allow that because he took classes at Slippery Rock University last year.
School board members discussed that policy a year ago when Kneupper's father protested but the board decided to leave it in place.
