06/21/2026
Congratulations to the top ten graduating seniors at both of our high schools! 🎓
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West Shamokin HS Top 10 graduates spotlighted
FOR THE LEADER TIMES
The following are the top 10 seniors of the Class of 2026 of West Shamokin Junior-Senior High School:
Class Rank: #1 — Valedictorian
Name: Alexia Wilson
Hometown: Shelocta, PA
Future Plans: Attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Activities: Class Secretary, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS), IUP Scholars Forum, National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), LEO Club, Math Heritage Competition Team
Awards & Accomplishments: Valedictorian of the Class of 2026, Distinguished Honor Roll, Perfect Attendance, Awarded multiple scholarships
Class Rank: #2 — Salutatorian
Name: Aiden Oesterling
Hometown: Elderton, PA
Future Plans: Attend St. Vincent College to earn a degree in Aviation Management and a Pilot’s License, play volleyball and be a part of ROTC training to eventually become a military pilot.
Activities: Football, Basketball, Volleyball, AAU Volleyball, President of National Honor Society, Envirothon, Heritage Conference Science Team, FCA, Key Club, Girls Volleyball Manager, Member of Franklin Union Baptist Church
Awards & Accomplishments: Ding-A-Ling Sports Club Scholarship, Heritage Conference Science Award, Heritage Conference Student Athlete Scholarship, Leader Times Student of the Week, WS Student of the Month, St. Vincent College Merit Scholarship, District 6 All-District Volleyball Team, WPIAL All-Section Volleyball 1st Team, Varsity Team Captain for Football, Basketball, and Volleyball
Class Rank: #3
Name: Samuel Parks
Hometown: Elderton, PA
Future Plans: I plan to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania to pursue a 4-year degree within the major of Medical Imaging.
Activities: Soccer, cross country, band, Leo Club, serving in church, National Honor Society, jazz band, Heritage Math Team, County Band participant, Enviroquest.
Awards & Accomplishments: Distinguished Honors, Rural Valley Ministerium Scholarship, WSHS Faculty Scholarship, Region and District Band Participant, September Lions Club Student of the Month, Indiana Gazette Teen of the Week, state Envirothon team member.
Class Rank: #4
Name: Ryan Booher
Hometown: Kittanning, PA
Future Plans: Attend Penn State University for Finance
Activities: NHS, LEO Club, FBLA, Football, Wrestling, and Volunteer Firefighter
Awards & Accomplishments: Distinguished Honor Roll, Pete Lazzeri Scholarship
Class Rank: #5
Name: Madison Keirn
Hometown: Kittanning, PA
Future Plans: Attend Mount Aloysius College to major in Echocardiography and continue playing softball
Activities: Volleyball, softball, basketball, Student Council, LEO Club, Spanish Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Heritage Conference Math Team, First Church of God Youth Group
Awards & Accomplishments: 2025 Indiana All Gazette Volleyball Team, 2024 & 2025 Indiana All Gazette Softball Team, Distinguished Honor Roll, National Honors Society, November Lions Club Student of the Month, Heritage Conference Academic Scholarship, Woodman Life Focus Forward Scholarship, Mount Aloysius Mercy Presidential Scholarship, Shannock Valley Ministerium Scholarship
Class Rank: #6
Name: Chasity Schultz
Hometown: Rural Valley, PA
Future Plans: I plan on attending IUP for Nutrition and Dietetics and finding a career in nutrition. I also want to travel the world and have lots of pet sheep.
Activities: Cross Country, National Honors Society, LEO Club, Drama Club, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, IUP Scholars Forum, Envirothon, Enviroquest, IUP Physics Olympics, and DiMaio’s Supermarket cashier
Awards & Accomplishments: Ford City Garden Club, Armstrong County Herb Group Scholarship, PRFSD Debra Morrone & Veronica Keener Scholarship, Armstrong School District Foundation Scholarship, Distinguished Honor Roll, 1st Place PJAS Regional Award, 2nd Place PJAS State Award
Class Rank: #7
Name: Aleya Talmadge
Hometown: Elderton, PA
Future Plans: Attend Saint Francis University to become a Physician Assistant and play volleyball
Activities: Senior High Student Council, Leo Club, Spanish Club Treasurer, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, West Shamokin Varsity Girls Volleyball, West Shamokin Varsity Girls Basketball, Math Heritage Conference Team, Pennsylvania Jr. Academy of Science, National Honor Society Awards & Accomplishments: National Honor Society, Distinguished Honor Roll 9-12th, September Lions Club Student of The Month, Leader Times Teen of The Week, Indiana Gazette Athlete of The Week, Leader Times Athlete of The Week, 2x All-Indiana Gazette Volleyball Player of the Year and First Team Selection, 2x Volleyball All-State Setter, 2x District 6 AA Volleyball First Team, All-Conference Volleyball Team, Armstrong Hall Of Fame Nominee & Scholarship;
Class Rank: #8
Name: Sophie Baker
Hometown: Dayton, PA
Future Plans: Attend IUP, become an elementary teacher, and eventually have a family, and get lots of dogs
Activities: Soccer, track, cross country, PJAS, NHS, Leo Club
Awards & Accomplishments: Kimberly Dawn Spencer scholarship
Class Rank: #9
Name: Addison Stiveson
Hometown: Dayton, PA
Future Plans: Attend IUP for Biology: Pre-Medical Studies
Activities: Track & Field, Leo Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), National Honor Society (Fundraising Chair), PA Junior Academy of Science (PJAS), Enviroquest, Envirothon, IUP Scholars Forum
Awards & Accomplishments: Selected for IRMC Pre-Med Highschool Internship, nominated for Leader Times Teen of the Week, Merit Certificate at IUP Scholars Forum, 1st place award at regional-level PJAS, 2nd place award at state-level PJAS, varsity letter in cross country
Class Rank: #10
Name: Briar McClafferty
Hometown: Rural Valley, PA
Future Plans: My plans following high school include attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania for Early Childhood and Special Education.
Activities: Leo Club President, Student Council Vice President, Yearbook Treasurer, SADD Treasurer, Spanish Club, Key Club, National Honor Society, and Softball.
Awards & Accomplishments: 2026 Pennsylvania Leo of the Year, Kimberly Dawn Spencer Memorial Scholarship, National Wild Turkey Federation Scholarship, Lions Club Student of the Month, Distinguished Honors, and Varsity Softball Letter.
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AHS spotlights Top 10 students of Class of 2026
FOR THE LEADER TIMES
Armstrong School District recently released biographies for the Top 10 student graduates of the district’s Class of 2026:
1. Class Valedictorian Nathan Ramer of Kittanning Township is the son of Roger and Nicole Ramer. He is the Lab Assistant Founder & President, Quizbowl President, NHS member and Math League member. He has an internship at Trust Management Network and has written multiple math books. Nate is the Valedictorian. He also is the recipient of the American History Award, Biology Department Award, Math Department Award and 4.0 Recognition Award. Nate will be working full time at Trust Management Network as a Shadow Processing Specialist.
2. Class Salutatorian Gracie Heilman of Ford City is the daughter of Jason and JoyHeilman. Gracie is the Captain of Girls Varsity Soccer, treasurer of newspaper. She is also a member of Student council, LEO club, National Honor Society and musicals. Gracie is the Saludatorian. She is also the recipient of the AP Scholar Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award, School Recognition Award, Leader Times-Rosebud Mining Co Teen of the Week, Senior Female Athlete of the Year, STEM Award, English Department Award, Physics Department Award and the Principal Award. Gracie received the Dr. Henry E. & Victoria B. (Halas) Reich Memorial Scholarship Fund 2026, Robert A. & Geneva K. Deveney Engineering Scholarship 2026, Richard and Mary Krauland Scholarship Fund 2026. Her plans are to attend Penn State Schreyers Honors College for chemical engineering.
3. Abby Thompson of Kittanning is the daughter of Casey and Jessica Thompson. Abby is a member of the golf team, National Honor Society, Class Cabinet, Leo Club, Student Council, Musical, SADD and Key Club, and volunteers at her church. She was the recipient of Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and River Hawk Faculty Scholarship. Abby is a 4.0 student. Additionally, she was awarded I.B.E.W. Local Union No. 5 and Western PA Chapter, N.E.C.A. Scholarship,Electric League of Western PA Scholarship and Katherine E. Fear Memorial Scholarship. Abby will be attending Bucknell University to major in Chemical Engineering.
4. Abigail Shirey of East Franklin is the daughter of Mark and Andrea Shirey. She is a member of Unified Bocce, Unified Track, Buddies club, Leo Club, SADD and Key club. Abigail also served as senior school board representative and was the Sophomore and Junior class president. She is on the Distinguished Honor Roll, a member of National Honor Society and was the recipient of the Civic Engagement Award. She was awarded the Barbara A. Snyder Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Rotary Club Scholarships. Abigail will be attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania to major in Speech Language Pathology.
5. Allyn Frazer of North Buffalo Township is the daughter of Stuart and Colby Frazer. Allyn is the Vice President of SADD, Class Treasurer and Turning Point USA Treasurer. She is a member of Unified Track & Field, Key Club, LEO Club, STUCO, and National Honor Society. Allyn is the recipient of the Bernie Smith Memorial Scholarship, Dr. Paul Opalka Scholarship (Ford City Lions Club), River Hawks Faculty Scholarship and ASD Foundation Scholarship. Her future plans include attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania to major in Chemistry with plans of attending dental school to become a pediatric dentist.
6. Michael Grantz of Bethel Township is the son of Teri and Jerry Grantz. Michael is a member of Track and Field, Taekwondo, Lab Assistants and Quiz Bowl. He received an AP Scholar Award and College Board National Recognition Program Award. Michael will be attending Penn State University for Aerospace Engineering.
7. Rory Pschirer of Ford City is the son of Daniel and Jamie Pschirer. Rory is a member of Baseball, Hockey, Golf, National Honor Society, Class Cabinet, Leo Club, SADD Club, Key club, Best Buddies, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Athletic Advisory Council and Ski club. Rory earned 2022-2023 Hightop Sports Newcomer of the Year, Four Year Varsity Letterman for Baseball, 2024 WPIAL 5A First Team All Conference Outfielder, Three Year Varsity Letterman for Hockey, PIHL Academic Excellence Achievement 2022-2025 and Two Year Varsity Letterman for Golf. Rory is the recipient of the Marci Rogalski Pawk Scholarship and Armstrong School District Foundation Scholarship. He also received an academic and athletic scholarship at West Liberty University where he will be majoring in Biology Pre-Medical in hope of becoming a doctor of chiropractic.
8. Samantha Reed of Manor Township is the daughter of Miachel and Lindsay Reed. She is a member of Scouting America, Native American dancing, Dancing (ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary, lyrical), LEO Club, Key Club, SADD Club, Musical, Yearbook Committee and Hawks’ View Newspaper Committee. Samantha is a member of National Honor Society, Distinguished Honor Roll, National Order of the Arrow Conference Fancy Shawl Champion Dancer (2022), Carolinas Indian Seminar: Eastern Region Fancy Shawl Champion Dancer (2024-2025), The Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry: Forest Conservation Award (2025), Junior WIldlife Conservation Award (2025), Senator Joe Pittman Good Citizenship Award (2026), 4.0 Recognition (2026) and PFEW (Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week) Honorable Mention (2024). She is the recipient of the River Hawks Faculty Scholarship, Armstrong School District Foundation Scholarship, Armstrong County Community Foundation Scholarships: Armstrong County Building & Loan Association Scholarship, Bruno-Higginson Medical Trust Scholarship, Dannette “Liffy” Cockroft Charitable Scholarship, Dr. John Garrot Memorial Scholarship, Gretchen Moss Memorial Scholarship, Joseph and Judith Nickleach Scholarship, Nathan Keibler Think B4 U Act Scholarship and Gannon Academic Merit Scholarship. Her future plans are to attend Gannon University for their 5-year Accelerated Master’s of Physician Assistant Studies program to become an Emergency Medicine PA.
9. Jonas Miller of East Franklin Township is the son of Andy and Alyssa Miller. Jonas is a member of Varsity Hockey, Varsity Golf, Unified Track and Field, National Honor Society, Senior Class Cabinet, Fellowship of Christian Athletes,, Buddies Club, LEO Club, SADD Club, Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Drive, Polar Plunge, Special Olympics Volunteer, Youth Hockey Assistant and AHS Buddy Skate Chaperone. He is the recipient of Leader Times Athlete of the Week, Rosebud Mining Teen of the Week, 2026 Armstrong County Sports Hall of Fame Student Athlete Award, 2026 PIHL All Star, Letterman for Hockey, Golf, and Track and Field, PIHL Academic Award and Distinguished Honor Roll. Jonas received the Leo S. Kijowski Memorial Scholarship, Mable R. Slagle Nurses Training Fund, Armstrong School District Foundation Scholarship and Armstrong County Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship. Jonas will be attending Slippery Rock University to pursue a degree in nursing with the aspiration of furthering his education to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
10. Lydia Gavran of Manor Township is the daughter of John and Kami Gavran. Lydia is a member of National Honor Society, Student Council, LEO Club, Golf team and she is a Praise and Worship Leader. Lydia is a 4.0 GPA Recipient and is on the Distinguished Honor Roll. She received the Jack A. Bennett Golf, Ralph and Mary Lou McAllister, Marci Rogalski Pawk, and Dr. Opalka (Ford City Lions Club) Scholarships. Lydia plans to attend Penn State University to major in engineering.
