150 Rockets to shoot for the stars
SLIPPERY ROCK TWP — 150 seniors from Slippery Rock Area High School blasted off into the next stage of life after their high school graduation on Thursday, June 5.
The floor of Morrow Field House on the Slippery Rock University campus was filled with a stream of red gowns as family and friends applauded from the stands on each side as the band performed “Pomp and Circumstance.”
One of the seniors to walk the stage Thursday evening was class salutatorian Joseph Anderson Franco. After graduation, Anderson Franco will take a two-year mission trip for his church, then attend Brigham Young University to major in applied mathematics.
During his speech, Anderson reminded his peers that they cannot be defined by a grade-point average or class ranking, and he asked them to recognize their own unique qualities.
“Whether you’re ranked 8th, 77th or 128th, you are one of one, and no one else is you,” Anderson said. “These grading systems that our world creates are flawed because they do not consider the originality and noteworthiness of being you.”
He continued on, telling the class that regardless of the where life takes them, they should go through it in their own unique ways.
“Some of you in the class might be mechanics, some doctors, some teachers and some cashiers … and you will each shine your light in different ways and in different places, but none will be more valuable than the other,” Anderson said. “Each of you will provide the world, and the people living in it, the help that only you can.”
Another graduate is Kara Shidemantle, class valedictorian. She plans to attend Slippery Rock University after graduation, where she will major in social work. During her speech, she highlighted her generation’s tendency to call themselves “stupid.”
“I can guarantee with full confidence that you are not stupid. Everyone is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid,” Shidemantle said, quoting Albert Einstein.
She explained that, through quantum physics, we can neither call light a wave nor a particle. She said that we should avoid putting ourselves into boxes as well, as we are capable of change and growth.
“You are your own worst enemy, but if we can bridge the gap of misinformation and hypercriticism, then maybe the sky can be the limit,” Shidemantle said. “So, I am not stupid, and neither are you. We are intricate human beings, full of life, full of complexity and full of opportunities.”
Before diplomas were handed out, superintendent Alfonso Angelucci presented the Class of 2025. He expressed his pride that 70% of the class plan to continue their education and another 16% plan to go into the workforce.
“How fortunate I am to have known this class all the way back to when they were in second grade,” Angelucci said. “So many talented, hardworking students. So many courteous, kind and respectful students among you.”
School board President Diane Double accepted the Class of 2025. She reminded graduates that a perfectly good life is there for them to have, but challenged them to take risks to make a life of their dreams.
“Try things, listen to others, don’t be afraid to fail and don’t just settle for what is easy,” Double said. “Seize the day, maximize your experience; and if you don’t try things because they’re uncomfortable, you will never know what could have been.”
“You will never know what you’re missing unless you try,” she added.
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Kalyn Just receives her diploma during Slippery Rock Area High School's commencement for the Class of 2025 at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area High School graduates smile at family as they take their seats during Slippery Rock Area High School's commencement for the Class of 2025 at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Ava Link receives her diploma during Slippery Rock Area High School's commencement for the Class of 2025 at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area High School graduates walk back to their seats after receiving their diplomas during Slippery Rock Area High School's commencement for the Class of 2025 at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Salutatorian Joseph Franco and valedictorian Kara Shidemantle lead Slippery Rock Area High School's Class of 2025 into the Morrow Field House at Slippery Rock University during Slippery Rock Area High School's commencement on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Madison Hicks receives her diploma during Slippery Rock Area High School's commencement for the Class of 2025 at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area High School graduates exit the auditorium after receiving their diplomas during Slippery Rock Area High School's commencement for the Class of 2025 at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area High School graduates exit the auditorium waving to family after receiving their diplomas during Slippery Rock Area High School's commencement for the Class of 2025 at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Logan Raub receives his diploma during Slippery Rock Area High School's commencement for the Class of 2025 at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area High School graduates walk back to their seats after receiving their diplomas during Slippery Rock Area High School's commencement for the Class of 2025 at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area High School graduates walk back to their seats after receiving their diplomas during Slippery Rock Area High School's commencement for the Class of 2025 at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area High School graduates walk back to their seats after receiving their diplomas during Slippery Rock Area High School's commencement for the Class of 2025 at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Senior Class President Tessa Szymanski leads Slippery Rock Area High School graduates in the turning of their tassels during Slippery Rock Area High School's commencement for the Class of 2025 at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Valedictorian Kara Shidemantle walks to the stage after leading the Slippery Rock Area High School's Class of 2025 into the Morrow Field House at Slippery Rock University during Slippery Rock Area High School's commencement on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Madison Hicks waves to family after receiving her diploma during Slippery Rock Area High School's commencement for the Class of 2025 at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area High School graduates exit the auditorium after receiving their diplomas during Slippery Rock Area High School's commencement for the Class of 2025 at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Kalyn Just reacts after the turning of tassels during Slippery Rock Area High School's commencement for the Class of 2025 at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area High School graduates exit the auditorium after receiving their diplomas during Slippery Rock Area High School's commencement for the Class of 2025 at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House on Thursday, June 5, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
