California Area to graduate 64
Mitchell Niccolai, salutatorian
Michael Luketich, valedictorian
Kailyn Clancy, valedictorian
Kimberly Sears, valedictorian
Eilish Miller, valedictorian
California Area High School will graduate a class of 64 at its commencement ceremony at 7 p.m. Friday at the high school gymnasium.
Valedictorians are Kailyn Clancy, Michael Elliott Luketich, Eilish Miller and Kimberly Paige Sears and salutatorian is Mitchell Armand Niccolai.
Clancy is a daughter of Kevin and Lori Clancy of California. She is a two-time Class AA state shot put champion and the 2014 Penn Relay shot put champion, and a two time WPIAL girls’ shot put and discus champion. Her activities included National Honor Society, Leo Club and Student Council. She will attend Iowa State University, where she received academic and athletic scholarships, and major in engineering/geology.
Luketich was captain of the golf and baseball teams, and was named to the all-district baseball first team. He was president of National Honor Society and participated in Leo Club, Envirothon team, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, Student Council and Drama Club. He received several awards and scholarships, including the Washington Hospital Auxiliary scholarship and the Washington County Historical Society Scholarship. A son of Kevin and Pamela Luketich of Scenery Hill, he will attend the University of Pittsburgh to study chemical and petroleum engineering.
Miller was president of the Leo Club, vice president of the National Honor Society, class treasurer and a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions and the track and cross country teams. She received scholarships from the Pennsylvania Association of Bankers, Association of American University Women, Roscoe Lions Club and the Richard A. Niccolai Memorial Scholarship. She is a daughter of Jim and Wendy Miller of California and will attend West Virginia University and major in computer science.
Sears is a daughter of Michael and Cherie Sears of California. She was a member of the varsity tennis team, co-section leader of the marching band, co-editor of the newspaper and a member of Drama Club, The Future is Mine, Model United Nations, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, Envirothon team, Peer Jury and Charleroi Academic League. She received a full-tuition McNair Scholarship to attend the University of South Carolina, where she will major in international business, and several other scholarships. She was also a Rotary youth exchange student to Spain.
Niccolai was a member of the varsity baseball and golf teams and treasurer of the National Honor Society. He received several scholarships, including the Southern Illinois University dean’s scholarship, where he will attend and major in forestry. His parents are Brian Niccolai of Washington and Gina Martinak of Allenport.