SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — As their high school years came to a close Friday night, several Slippery Rock High seniors remarked that their class was one that always got along.

The Slippery Rock School District awarded diplomas to 144 seniors in a graduation ceremony at Slippery Rock University’s Morrow Field House.

In her speech, salutatorian Skyler Hinchberger said that teachers had noticed that the class was especially friendly and not competitive.

“Our class had an unbelievable way of coming together and forming friendships,” she said. “We helped each other out.”

Laurena Shick of Prospect agreed with that sentiment after the ceremony.

“There is a sense of family. There isn’t a whole lot of ‘I’m better than you,’” she said.

Shick said she will attend Ashland University in the fall and study fashion merchandising and marketing.

“Fashion and style has always really interested me,” she said.

Other students had other reasons to look back fondly on their high school experience.

Dirk Ritzert said a highlight for him was his experience as a lineman on the football team.

Though it didn’t capture a state championship, the football players in the class of 2015 went 39-4 over their four years, which included a 19-0 record at home.

Ritzert said he plans to enlist in the Air Force.

“I have always been told I am a thoughtful person and I like to help people,” he said about the decision.

Megan Chechak of Portersville said that she noticed a difference in the atmosphere at Slippery Rock when she moved there from the Shaler School District before ninth grade.

“Everybody knows each other; it seems closer,” she said.

Michenzie Ripley said one of her favorite moments of high school was seeing Principal Kristie Shulsky get a pie in her face during activity day earlier in the week.

Activity day is near the end of the school year when the four grades compete in a student olympics.

“The seniors always win because we’re better,” Ripley said.

Christian Lanning said one of his favorite things about high school was learning from teacher Brian Belowich.

“It was a lot of fun. He taught the pre-engineering course and that’s my field of study,” Lanning said.

He said he plans to attend Geneva College in the fall to study mechanical engineering.

The class was commended for its achievements by both Shulsky and Superintendent Alfonso Angelucci.

Shulsky said that 85 members of the class graduated with academic honors.

During the past school year the school was honored with the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Academics and was one of 13 schools in the state to be nominated as a National Blue Ribbon School.

Out of the school districts in Butler, Lawrence and Mercer counties, Slippery Rock was second only to Mars in test scores and its overall academic profile, Shulsky said.

“Every senior played an important role in our success, she said.

Angelucci noted that 76 percent of the graduates plan to continue their education.

“Please remember your roots at Slippery Rock,” he urged the graduates.