Butler High School graduates attending this year's All Service Academies Ball pictured, front row from left, are Andrew Tonini, Kristi Vogel, Admiral Jonathan Greenert, Elise McCaskey. Middle row, from left, are Joseph Boben, Kristen Cypher, Yuki Schaper, Ashley Duespohl and Ike Backstrom. Back row, from left, are Nicholas Cottage, Matthew Kalin, Jessica Oliver, Elizabeth Small and Adam Kowalski.

Fourteen Butler High School graduates were present Dec. 27 at the 10th annual All Service Academies Ball, held at the Soldiers and Sailors National Military Museum and Memorial in Pittsburgh.

At the formal event, the cadets and midshipmen attending of the five U.S. Service Academies were individually presented along with their escorts in a grand march. A formal dinner followed with four-star Admiral Jonathan Greenert, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, as the guest of honor.

Greenert is a 1971 graduate of Butler High School, which currently is represented at the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis and the United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs.

This year's ball was hosted by the Western Pennsylvania Naval Academy Parents Association. Susan Backstrom of Butler was chairwoman. Her son, Nathaniel "Ike" Backstrom attends the Naval Academy and will graduate this year.

Attendees from Butler County also included Andrew Tonini, 2005; Kristi Vogel, 2005; Elise McCaskey, 2005; Joseph Boben, 2007; Kristen Cypher, 2007; Yuki Schaper, 2007; Ashley Duespohl, 2006; Ike Backstrom, 2005; Nicholas Cottage, 2007; Matthew Kalin, 2005; Jessica Oliver, 2007; Elizabeth Small, 2007; and Adam Kowalski, 2006.