Armstrong School District grads get set to face the world

If you listen closely this evening, you may hear the familiar notes of "Pomp and Circumstance" wafting through the air in your neighborhood, played as students in the Armstrong School District in their caps and gowns prepare to receive their high school diplomas.

Beginning at 7 p.m., 352 seniors from the district's four high schools will march down the aisle at their schools and officially graduate as the Class of 2008.

"As superintendent of schools, I am very impressed with this senior class," said Superintendent William Kerr. "The Class of 2008 has demonstrated a commitment to education by working hard and striving for academic achievement. This graduating class marks a tradition of excellence where generations of students have been enriched by dedicated teachers that have made a positive difference in the lives of our young people."

Kerr said will be attending Elderton High School's graduation ceremonies in order to uphold a promise he made to a student at the school who asked him to attend the ceremony more than a year ago.

Graduation ceremonies at Elderton High School will be in the school gymnasium for the 48 graduates. The class valedictorian is Colleen A. Dailey and the salutatorian is Kristina J. Woodside.

At Ford City High School, ceremonies for the school's 97 graduates will be at the school's front entrance, or in the gymnasium in case of rain. The class valedictorian is Samantha J. Shiring and salutatorian is William P. Armentrout.

At Kittanning High School, ceremonies for the 136 graduates will be in the school gymnasium and will feature guest speaker William Detillo, a Kittanning Junior High School English teacher. The class valedictorian is Adam J. Moyer and salutatorian is Kaitlyn E. Heginbotham.

West Shamokin High School's ceremonies will be in the school auditorium for the 71 graduates. The class valedictorian is John P. Mohney and salutatorian is Blair L. Connelly.

For those students who must return to school in the fall, classes are tentatively scheduled to begin Aug. 25.