Slippery Rock Area High School seniors graduate
SLIPPERY ROCK — One hundred and forty-five Slippery Rock Area High School seniors left the launch pad as they turned their tassels 7 p.m. Thursday, June 11, at Slippery Rock University’s Morrow Field House.
The graduating class, which had a reputation for being one of the most disruptive classes during the beginning of its high school career, has grown to become one of the school’s most beloved.
“As eighth-graders, we probably did come out and we were probably a more rowdy crowd,” class vice president Sierra Pearce said. “I think we learned what the high school was looking for from us and we learned how to mature.”
Pearce is planning on attending Slippery Rock University in the fall to study early childhood education.
Senior class adviser Amy Geibel added they were an “amazing bunch of kids.”
“Find a positive adjective and I can find 10 people to fit it,” she said.
Senior Ellie Jedrzejewski said the class has also been relentlessly supportive of each other.
The graduating class is not unfamiliar with change.
From the COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted their learning to major school renovations that disrupted their senior year, the graduating Rockets have overcome challenges during their time with the district, district Board Member Theresa Pearce said in a speech given during the ceremony.
The graduates contended with dust, drilling and debris during the school year.
“Our senior year was a new school, basically,” Sierra Pearce, Theresa Pearce’s daughter, added. “There’s a lot of changes, honestly, but I feel like we adapted quickly and well.
Seventy percent of the seniors are planning to pursue higher education and 20% will join the workforce, district superintendent Alfonso Angelucci said during the ceremony. He reported that the graduating class garnered more than $630,500 in scholarships and financial aid awards.
“That is a tribute to your hard work and dedication, the upbringing you receive from your parents, immediate family and the guidance and instruction you receive from your teachers and coaches here in Slippery Rock,” he said.
Jedrzejewski and fellow seniors Mykenna Knox and Lauren Wallace are looking forward to exploring what their lives will look like outside of high school.
“I loved my time in high school,” Jedrzejewski said, “but I’m very excited.”
“I feel like it’s opening a door for me and allowing me to explore further options,” Wallace said, allowing her to develop “my sense of self and working on starting my career in the future.”
Jedrzejewski is attending Princeton University in the fall as an exploratory major with focuses in English and international relations. Knox is attending the University of Pittsburgh to study political science and Wallace is attending Youngstown State University’s honors program to study history and journalism.
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Slippery Rock Area School District Superintendent Alfonso Angelucci speaks at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House during the graduation ceremony, Thursday, June 11, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area High School students bring decorated caps to their graduation ceremony at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House, Thursday, June 11, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area High School students planning to go into the military post-graduation stand to be recognized during their graduation ceremony at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House, Thursday, June 11, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area High School senior Ashley Ragan delivers a speech during the graduation ceremony at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House, Thursday, June 11, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area High School senior Travis Carr receives his diploma during the graduation ceremony at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House, Thursday, June 11, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area School District Board of Directors member Theresa Pearce speaks at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House during the graduation ceremony, Thursday, June 11, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Family members cheer for their graduate during the Slippery Rock Area High School graduation ceremony at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House, Thursday, June 11, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area High School students bring decorated caps to their graduation ceremony at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House, Thursday, June 11, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area High School students sing the national anthem during the graduation ceremony at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House, Thursday, June 11, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area High School senior Kingston Sweeting crosses the stage during the graduation ceremony at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House, Thursday, June 11, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area High School senior Sawyer Allen speaks during the graduation ceremony at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House, Thursday, June 11, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area High School senior Lexi Plesakov speaks during the graduation ceremony at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House, Thursday, June 11, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Family members and guests clap for Slippery Rock Area High School students during their graduation ceremony at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House, Thursday, June 11, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area High School students bring decorated caps to their graduation ceremony at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House, Thursday, June 11, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area School District Superintendent Alfonso Angelucci speaks at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House during the graduation ceremony, Thursday, June 11, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Slippery Rock Area High School student Sierra Pierce leads the Pledge of Allegiance during the graduation ceremony at Slippery Rock University's Morrow Field House, Thursday, June 11, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
