CHERRY TWP — Moniteau High School seniors Alyssa Dailey and Courtney Sowinski walked off the softball field Thursday afternoon and right into graduation Thursday night.

Surely one of the highlights of their time in high school is being on the first Moniteau sports team, boys or girls, to reach the state semifinals since 1984.

The immediate future for Dailey and Sowinski is the next playoff game on Monday.

They were two of the 92 who are new graduates from Moniteau.

When Zachary Nail arrives in Missouri in September, he will follow in the footsteps of his grandfathers, both veterans.

“I'm going to the Army — military police,” Nail said. “I enlisted for five years. “I hope to continue in law enforcement.”

Maura Kimmel, valedictorian, is the first Moniteau athlete to be a state champion, winning the discus title. She has a scholarship to study chemical engineering and continue with track and field at the University of Pennsylvania next year.

Kimmel said, “Don't be afraid to say yes to new experiences.”

“Follow your passion. Stay true to yourself,” she said. “Make your own path.”

For about 70 of the graduates, the next step will be higher education.

“Academically, we've been able to lead the school to remarkable improvement,” Kimmel said.

According to Kyle Clark, class president, 71 percent of the class made the principal's honor roll.

“We're a very talented class, academically and in sports,” Clark said. “We'll be down in the record books.”

He said, “I'm very blessed to know all the teachers and students.”

He plans to join the work force and continue his education at Butler County Community College or online.

Olivia Tennent moved from New Hampshire and started at Moniteau in the seventh grade.

“It's easier to get to know everyone here,” Tennent said.

Job shadowing reinforced her interest in becoming a massage therapist. From Moniteau, she will head to Columbus, Ohio, to study at the American Institute of Alternative Medicine.

Principal Lance Fox said members of the Class of 2016 are hard working and compassionate.

“Their ability to care for others is a strength. It's why we're having successes,” Fox said. “All the things they've achieved as a group show what kind of people they are.”

He said, “I really enjoyed being their principal.”

Rachael DiBiase is glad she completed a program at the Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School.

“It offers a different learning experience. It's hands on. Even if you don't stay in that profession, you learn life skills,” DiBiase said.

In August, she will start at the Pennsylvania College of Technology to master baking and pastry arts.

“I want to someday own my own bakery,” she said. “I like to do my own thing.”

It was easy to pick out Nicholas Pry in the crowd of seniors. He was wearing a plaid bow tie with his cap and gown.

“I'm not afraid to try something new. I'd be what you don't expect,” Pry said.

He hopes to work for the FBI someday, and he interviewed someone from the FBI as part of his senior project. For now, he'll go to the University of Pittsburgh to major in administration of justice.

Tori Kilcoin, salutatorian, said the class started school like a three crayon box of primary colors, they shine as they've expanded their hues and shades and now they are ready to experience a world of colors. Yet, deep inside, they will always be Warrior black and red.

Kilcoin will take that with her to a five-year physician's assistant program at Saint Francis University.

Fox said, “I'm going to miss this class.”

He told them, “Remember where you came from. “Wherever your path takes you, this is your school.”