SLIPPERY ROCK — Out of all 190 students that graduated from Slippery Rock High School on Friday night, Michelle Hartzell was at the top of the class.

“It took a lot of hard work,” said Michelle, 18, of Slippery Rock, the valedictorian of the Class of 2012.

However, she is not the first valedictorian in her family. Her sister, Janelle, was the valedictorian of the Class of 2006.

“She was a good role model for me,” Michelle said.

In the fall, Michelle will attend Penn State University with plans to major in immunology and infectious disease research. She hopes to work somewhere in the medical field.

“It could be so many things,” Michelle said.

She said she is excited to break out of the high school paradigm and have more independence.

“I’m not going to miss the structure,” Michelle said.

However, she will miss her friends and classmates.

“We’ve been together for so long,” Michelle said.

Many other members of the Class of 2012 said they will miss their time at Slippery Rock.

Megan Cravener, 18, of Worth Township said that graduating was “pretty awesome,” but also bittersweet because she will miss friends, teachers and running track.

However, she will not be straying far. She will be going to Slippery Rock University this fall.

“I like the community,” Megan said.

Kelsey Reott, 18, of Prospect, the class president, said she too had mixed emotions.

“I’m happy, but I’m sad,” Kelsey said. “There’s a lot of opportunities out there, but you’re going to miss your friends and teachers.”

She will attend Westminster College in the fall, and likely will major in business or public relations.

Mikaela Schmeider, 17, of Brady Township said her time at Slippery Rock seemed to go quickly.

“But I’m pretty excited to start a new chapter of my life,” Mikaela said.

She will attend Penn State University, but she does not know what her major will be.

“It’s really up in the air right now,” Mikaela said, although she might go for occupational therapy.

Caleb Whitney, 18, of Harrisville said he was excited to get out and try something new.

“I’m a little nervous, but I’m looking forward to the new world,” Caleb said.

Of course, like the rest of his classmates, he will miss friends.

“I’ll get to see them, but not as much,” Caleb said.

He will go to Clarion University in the fall to play football. At Slippery Rock, he played tight end and defensive end.

While at Clarion, he plans to major in athletic training. He hopes eventually to get a doctorate in physical therapy and open his own practice, maybe in South Carolina.

“I like the weather (there),” Caleb said.

Samuel Furrh, 18, of Slippery Rock Township described feeling “relief” that he was graduating.

“It’s over, starting something new,” Samuel said.

He will go to Butler County Community College and will play baseball there. Samuel said he wants to major in computer programming.

Daniel Bertozzi, 18, of Slippery Rock said it was “amazing and exciting” to graduate.

He will go to BC3 in the fall and then will join the Navy. He hopes to one day be a Navy SEAL.

“It’s going to take a couple of years,” Daniel said.