California Area commencement set
California Area High School will graduate 54 seniors at commencement exercises at 7 pm. Friday the high school gymnasium. Jordan Rossell, McKenna Corinne Patterson, and Kaylee Elizabeth Spitak are the valedictorians and Hanna Jarrelle O’Savage is the salutatorian.
Rossell is a son of Stanley and Robin Rossell of Coal Center.
He received the West Virginia University Blue and Gold Level and Mountaineer Connection scholarships, Gift of Life Scholarship, Rotary “Sowden” Scholarship, Binnstown Lowhill Lions Club Scholarship, MacFann Family Scholarship, Roscoe Lions Club Scholarship, Italian-American Association Scholarship, Vesta Baseball Scholarship, and Pamela Antonio Memorial Scholarship. He received the regional exemplary award in microbiology and outstanding senior award at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science.
Rossell was co-editor in chief for the Burgundian, Student Council class president, and president of the Interact Club and Leo Club and vice president of the National Honor Society. He was a member of the Drama Club, Envirothon Team, SADD Club and Student Forum and participated in baseball, track and cross country.
He will attend West Virginia University for pre-medicine and Spanish.
Patterson is a daughter of Randy and Lori Patterson of Scenery Hill.
She received the Novak Family Scholar Athlete Award, Rotary Youth Leadership Academy Scholarship, Don Sheppick Award, Interact Scholarship, S&T Scholarship, Daisytown Athletic Club Scholarship, and the MVP and sportsmanship awards for cross country.
Patterson was secretary of the National Honor Society, the Leo Club and the Interact Club, documentation manager for Bots IQ, and a member of Student Council, The Future is Mine, Peer Jury, Drama Club and the Media Club.
She will attend Elon University to pursue a degree in accounting.
Spitak is a daughter of Rodney and Darlene Sisler of California.
She won the American Voice National Medal from the Scholastic Art and Writing competition, as well as Gold, Silver and Merit awards. She also received the DAR Good Citizen Award, Challenge Program Award for Community Service and Academic Excellence and the U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence and Leadership Award.
She received the Merit, Rachel Carson and American Voices Medal scholarships from Chatham University, as well as the Rachel Carson Award for Science and Writing, and the Chapman Family Fund Scholarship.
Spitak was president of the National Honor Society and Students Against Dangerous Decisions, vice president of the Interact Club, and a member of the Leo Club, a yearbook illustrator and a Burgundian journalist.
She will attend Chatham University to pursue a degree in economics and intends to obtain a degree in corporate law.
O’Savage is a daughter of Jack and Dara O’Savage of Stockdale.
She received the Zonta Club of Washington County Scholarship, the West Virginia University Blue and Gold Level Scholarship, Gift of Life Scholarship, Binnstown Lowhill Lions Club Scholarship, Interact Club Scholarship, Catherine Kulak DeAntonio Memorial Scholarship, West Brownsville Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 940 Scholarship, Allenport Civic Club Scholarship, the sportsmanship award for cross country and the Scholar/Athlete Award for track and field.
O’Savage was treasurer of the National Honor Society and Interact Club, secretary of the Senior Class and Students Against Destructive Decisions, vice president of the Leo Club, Drama Club and The Future is Mine.
She will attend West Virginia University.