Butler grads plan for future
BUTLER TWP — The rain held off Wednesday night, and proud families celebrated the Butler High School Class of 2012 commencement at Art Bernardi Stadium.
The 565 graduates who received their high school diplomas were the 50th class to graduate from the Butler Township campus, the 122nd in the district's history.
They honored John J. Pinder Jr., a war hero, with their Distinguished Graduate Award. Pinder died on D-Day at Omaha Beach, Normandy, France, 68 years ago.
In contrast, the graduates' lives are just beginning.
Natalie Francese of Butler will attend Slippery Rock University this fall, and major in elementary education.
Both Brandon Gray of Center Township and Travis Grey of Butler also will attend SRU, majoring in prepharmacy. Travis, an honor student with distinction, maintained at least a 4.3 GPA for four years. An 'A' is a 4.0.
Matt Dowdy of Renfrew is off to Rosedale Technical Institute in Pittsburgh. He's a volunteer firefighter now and wants to join a fire company after he graduates.
Honor student Maria Soldner of Butler will attend Butler County Community College this fall, and major in communications. She earned at least a 4.0 grade point average for four years.
Many other graduates said they'll attend BC3, too. Ashley Dobson of Butler will major in business administration there. Jocelyn Duttry of Fenelton will major in criminology. Ryan Stalnaker of Butler Township will major in parks and recreation law enforcement. Kaitlin Skelton of Prospect will major in cosmotology management.
The Class of 2012 spent their school years under Ed Fink, superintendent, who retires June 30 after 18 years heading the district and after 43 years of service.“You cannot be an innocent bystander in creating your own future,” Fink told the graduates, congratulating them for their accomplishments and their conduct.Tyler Friel of Renfrew and Rachel Swain of Evans City, an honor student with distinction, were chosen to address their classmates.“You were my motivation to write something special. You deserve it,” Tyler said. “I am filled with admiration for all of you who have met your challenges with a 'whatever it takes' attitude. Without all of you, my paper is blank.”Don Pringle, school board president, advised the students that their high school graduation was just the first of many milestones.“Have the patience to listen to one another,” Pringle said. “What you hear may help you to solve a problem.”And Andy Yaracs, Golden Tornado Marching Band director for 15 years, led the district's symphonic band in the commencement ceremony for the last time. His retirement became official last night, after 39 years of district service.
