Meet the Slippery Rock Area High School graduates
Slippery Rock Area High School will have its commencement ceremony at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 5, in the Morrow Field House at Slippery Rock University.
This year’s valedictorian is Kara Shidemantle. Kara is the daughter of Danell and Rob Shidemantle, of Mercer Township. In her time at Slippery Rock, Kara has taken eight Advanced placement classes including U.S. History, English Language, Biology, Calculus, English Literature, European History, Physics and Statistics. Along with her demanding academic schedule, Kara has been a contributing member of National Honor Society, Interact Club, Marching Band, Musical Theater, Chamber Singers, Tri-M and East Main Presbyterian Worship team. Kara plans to attend Slippery Rock University after graduation, where she will major in social work. Kara also plans to pursue a master’s degree and find a clinical social work job in upstate New York.
This year’s salutatorian is Joseph Anderson Franco. Anderson is the son of Alexandra Franco-Tuten, Eric Tuten and Jeffery Franco, of Slippery Rock. During his time at Slippery Rock, Anderson has taken nine Advanced Placement classes including Calculus, Statistics, Physics, Biology, U.S. History, English Language, Chemistry, European History and English Literature. In addition to his academic rigor, Anderson has also been an active member of the varsity basketball and soccer teams. He also has been a member of National Honor Society, Chamber singers, volleyball club, youth group, Musical Theater, Tri-M and the Thespian Society. After a two-year mission trip for his church, Anderson will attend Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where he will major in Applied Mathematics. Anderson sees himself pursuing medical school in 10 years.
