State College Area School District Class of 2020 ‘defined by their ability to embrace change’

Members of the State College Area School District Class of 2020 are no strangers to change, as the inaugural class to graduate from the brand-new high school building.

Since the class’s biggest change — a shift to remote learning in March due to the coronavirus pandemic — they have been honored in various ways through nontraditional end-of-year events. That includes a senior send-off parade and virtual awards ceremony, with a virtual commencement to be held Saturday.

What’s a cherished memory from the Class of 2020?

Elliot Sheehan, class president: What weren’t cherished memories for the State High Class of 2020 were all the times when it was rainy or cold and windy and we had to cross Westerly Parkway between the North and South Buildings, or when we were sweating profusely in cramped classrooms in the warmer months. So I would say that one of the most cherished memories of the Class of 2020 was walking into the new State High building for the first time. It was the first day back from winter break in 2018 and the school gathered in the North Building Gym to commemorate the new building. Then we all walked over together and entered for the first time. Students were really happy to be able to learn in such a modern facility and the Class of 2020 is especially thrilled to be the inaugural class to graduate from the completely finished building.

What makes the class of 2020 special?

Curtis Johnson, State High principal: This class has been defined by their ability to embrace change. They have lived through numerous building projects, challenges that have impacted our community on a global, national and local level, and most recently the dire effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, through these uncertain times our students have developed the skills to use their voice to make a positive difference within the school community. They have also turned out to be one of our most resilient classes at State High. For these reasons, this class of students will achieve great success in the years to come.

Honors

Valedictorian: Jupiter Lu Ding

Salutatorian: Silu Snow Shen

SCASD Class of 2020

Elliot Addison Sheehan

Elle Elizabeth Haushalter

Anne Howlin Gustafson

Kaylee Ann Richards

Amelia Clare Kasdorf

Joy Zhu

Jupiter Lu Ding

Silu Snow Shen

Anna Alisha Abashidze

Madelyn Hope Adams

Jordaan Wadsworth Ahlkvist

Rachel Ericka Ahn

Fredy Luis Ajualip

Rahaf Said Saif Al Hashmi

Alexandra Lee Albert

Matthew David Allgeier

Yousif Mahmood Sulaiman Alshekhkder

Khalifa Sultan Alsuwaidi

Jax Michael Alvarez

Sarah Katherine Ambrose

Joseph Michael Amendola

Michael Jonathan Andreychik

Lauren Rachelle Arnold

Morgan Renee Arnold

Zachary Scott Aronson

Kobe Lakota Asendorf

Umar Aslam

Sydney Nicole Assalita

Noah Ryan Aungst

Natalie Elizabeth Babitzke

Taylor Grace Balboni

Henry Dean Ballard

Madison Lynn Baranak

Lily Cameron Barber

Sarah Lowrie Barber

Mackenzie Esox Barker

Jefferson Edward Barnes

Michael Alexander Barnett

Tanishq J Barot

Sullivan James Barter

Mechi Christopher Bartley

Scott Anthony Bartram

Jacob Eli Beck

Trevor Allen Beck

Jennie Hope Berda

Jane Patt Biddle

Mira Alvena Bigatel

Abdullah Yasser Binsiddiq

Molly Beatrice Biver

Angelica Justine Blaine

Ashley Kate Blumenthal

Destiny Michelle Boas

George Nathan Bodenschatz

Maya Elizabeth Bokunewicz

Noah Zachary Boliek

Connor Joseph Bollinger

Ethan Patrick Bollinger

Vivian Anne Bottiger

Roi Henri Bowser

Isaac Rainier Brackbill

Tanner James Brandimarte

Caitlyn Marie Brannon

Benjamin Michael Brauser

Grace Ann Brennan

Kai Alexander Brennan

Zachary Joseph Brezovec

Matthew Kyle Brownstead

Jenna Naomi Brugler

Liria Rudbeckia Burgos

Nina Rose Burgos

Holden James Burkett

Floyd Samuel Burleigh

Tynan Curtis Butler

Natalie Kay Cady

Garrett Zeigler Callenberger

Jason Harold Cameron

Emmalee Lynn Campbell

Margaret Anne Campbell

Natalia Carrasco-Munoz

Michelle Elizabeth Cassidy

Catherine Ann Caswell

Mason Bailey Catherman

Olivia Michaela Cavell

Katie Nicole Cepullio

Jodie Susanna Challis

Kyle Michael Chatterley

Krista Chen

Alinda Cheung

Benjamin Samuel Clapper

Jack Michael Clark

Nicholas James Clark

Skyler Rain Clemmer

Avery Ryan Clifford

Kimberly Christine Cody

Nicholas Robert Cole

Tyrike Lamar Coleman

Fiona Caroline Combs

Sara Elise Conklin

Aryka Marie Cook

Sarah Emily Cook

Evan James Courts

Ari Nilsson Osgood Cox

Bernard Sanderson Crane

Katherine Autumn Crawford

Matthew Douglas Crawford

Stacy Zarnoth Cremer

Tristan Dale Crossman

Lydia Anne Crown

Kaylyn Marie Cunningham

Benjamin Jin Curtin

Ryan Jay Cymbor

Nicholas Tilden D’Altrui

Abigail Mary Dale

Angelina Cherie Danuski

Addison Monaghan Darcy

Rohan Datta

Virginia Ruth De Armitt

Hanna Elizabeth De Lorenzi

Siena Rose De Tuerk

Keegan Isaac Dean

Zachary Leonard DeCarmine

Evan Spyros Degleris

Benjamin James Frank Deighton

Arif Aditya Demirci

Anthony Kristopher Devaney

Danielle Juanita Devine-Aker

Claire Kathleen DiPerna

Maxim Sebastiano DiVirgilio

Kyle David Domico

Michelle Elizabeth Donelan

Hannah Elyse Donnell

Brennan Paul Dorefice

Brady Paul Dorner

Lazarus Ezekiel Doss

Hannah Kalyn Dowell

Molly Catherine Drass

Jackson Thomas Driban

Jason Frederick Dry

Vita Najiyah Dubose

Nicholas Blake Dugan

Willem Antonio Duiker

Tyler Mason Dunlap

Kaylen Eleanor Dutt

Benjamin Charles Dworsky

Terrell James Ealy

Zachary Michael-Hall Eckley

Isaiah Lamar Edwards

Madeline Faith Einfalt

Gabrielle Narcisse El-Adas

Amira Nasr Elsaid

Samuel Frederick Emel

Juliana Elizabeth Erb

Jack Kristofer Erickson

Steven Alexander Etter

Allen James Farabaugh

Andrew Paul Feathers

William Alexander Fecko

Emily Elizabeth Felice

Graham Marcus Fetterolf

Mary Olivia Fick

Matthew Joseph Fiochetta

Sydney Alexis Fitzgerald

Declan Malloy Flanagan

Christopher Nevin Fletcher

Alexander William Flubacher

Elisabeth Marie Fortin

Rylan Quinn Foster

Jordan Isabella Fralick

Mikhail Quincy Francis

Ashley Elizabeth Franks

Leonardo Frepoli

Cole Joseph Friberg

John Chase Friberg

Lydia June Fry

Bradie Drew Fuentes

Katia Marie Lewa Fuller

Adler Lee Gabel

Faith Renee Gallegos-Hampton

Conner Wiser Gardner

Lauren Elizabeth Gaylor

Joshua James Gearhart

Emily Isabelle Germann

Ari Shiri Gieros

Yazdan Muhammad Gill

Elizabeth Marie Gilpatrick

Ainsley Jane Glaze

David Eytan Gluckman

Ashwin Aman Godura

Elizabeth Celia Golaszewski

Max Peter Gold Stachowski

Jessica Anne Gondak

Taylor Lauren Gonet

Jessica Alexandra Gordon

Lauren Emanuelle Gorenflo

Alex Payton Gotwalt

Celia Leigh Graef

Tristan Ezvan Grassmyer

Christina Colleen Greeley-Erwin

Noah Klien Green

Rylie Nicole Gregg

Rylie Jasmine Grube

Abigail Lucy Grunwald

Sandy Guo

William John Gustafson

Dara Hadighi

Travis Wade Hahn

Caoilin Martine Leonard Hall

Emily Joan Hall

Keri Ann Harlow

Clayton Dallas Harner

Victoria Margaret Harrington

Lindsey Emma Hauser

Jina Belal Hayajneh

Foster Joseph Heasley

Michael Louis Heim

Nathaniel John Helton

Adam Jeffrey Henderson

Dylan Andrew Henderson

Gabriel Machado Hernandez

Amber Nicole Heverley-Hahn

Ashton Alexander Higgins

Cian Andrew Hildebrandt Nelson

Eric Russel Hill

Harsin Robert Hill Bird

Jacob Elliott Hillard

Makenzie Zangrilli Hoag

Brett James Hockenberry

Jackson Carter Hockenberry

Jacob Tyler Hockenberry

Shi-Anne Rayne Hockenberry

Radison Quil Hockenbury

Sierra Ashley Hockenbury

Jacob Shawn Hodge

Keyaira Samantha Hodges

Sarah Ione Hodges

Taylor Jacob Hoey

Sarah Elizabeth Holleman

Saoirse Hopp

Katherine Marian Horn

Alison Dawn Houtz

William Bernard Howell

Ariana Sue Hoy

Emily Jia Hu

Yen-Chih Huang

Ethan Daniel Humm

Alyssa Marie Hunkins

Elizabeth Jane Hunter

Jack Bratton Hurley

William Timothy Hurtz

Jakob Alexander Iceland

Johnathan Matthew Inman

Kasey Ann Ishler

Leigh Ann Jacobs

Annabelle Elizabeth Johns

Elijah William Johnson

Kassi Meiling Johnson

Allison Diane Johnston

Evan Lee Jones

Micah Renee Jones

Rayna Kay Jones

Alexa Nicole Jordan

Maxwell Seung Katsouros

Fatima Rana Kaya

Sophia Rose Keene

Alexander Carlin Kelly

Clover Ann Kelly

Selena Margaret Kesidis

Hannah Nicole Kessling

Michael Y Khapilin

Laila Khouzani

Najee Daquawn King

Parker Jonathan Kingshipp

David Alan Klein

Kendall Louise Kleinman

Maryanne Elisabeth Knappenberger

Christopher David Kopp

Ellie Kikue Kovacik

Anastasiya Vladisla Kovalenko

Julie Karen Kozlek

Alexandra Helene Kranich

Max Krasilnikov

Kekoa Loren Krautkramer

Andrew Braeden Krawczyk

Lorenz Kruse

Rohith Varma Kuchipudi

Matthew Austin Kunes

Kevin Patrick Kurzinger

Ethan Noel LaBrecque

Brooke Alexandria LaBrie

Katherine Rose Lachendro

Andrew Joseph Ladrido

Hannah Grace Langelaan

Aalayah Butterfly Lavender

Madeline Elena Lawrence

Olivia Grace Leahy

Isabelle Morgan Leazier

Rachel Marie Lee

Clayton Paul Leidy

Hailee Jordyn Leister

Reagan Lynne Leitzell

Ryleigh Logan Leitzell

Rachel Meira Lembeck-Edens

Kathryn Maura Leous

Iris Lynn Li

Larry Li

Rena Xin Li

Logan Isaiah Lieb

Samuel Bronnum Liechty

Julia Elizabeth Lindau

Kaden Lillian Mitra Litzinger

Guanchen Liu

Joy Liu

Jessica Bryn Lose

Josiah William Charles Lose

Winney Brandy Lu

Yifan Lu

Kai Christian Ludwig

Kiyah Raine Lugue

Nathan Christopher Lusk

Carline Maeding

Michaela Ross Mahon

Kamishele Maila

James Raphael Manyak

Megan Jean Marflak

Hannah Gabrielle Marosi

Aaron Joseph Marsala

Morgan Elizabeth Marshall

Willow Laurell Martin

Gabriel Edward Marx

Nicholas Alexander Mason

Mariano Sullivan Masorti

Lily Hannah Maxwell

Mavalynn Leigh Mc Afee

Aidan Herr Mc Cann

Eryka Leigh Mc Ghee

Andrew Tatem Mc Laughlin

Nicholas Paul Mc Nutt

Nicole Lorrayne McFadden-Derer

Michael Anthony McShea

Zaide Bennizar Meddeb

Mishika Mehta

Jennifer Ashley Mejia

Joshua Caden Merritt-Pevey

Sofia Cohan Micci

Gwenyth Ann Michaels

Alex Hayden Mikula

Genevieve Maria Miller

Julia Grace Miller

Kyle David Miller

Sophia Christina Mochan

Randy James Modglin

Marissa Ann Mondock

Maya Lynn Mondock

Lucas Nathaniel Monroe

Caitlin Elissa Moss

Heidi Ibrahim Moustafa

Ethan Pestell Moyer

Alex Robert Mullen

Meghan Jacqueline Mullin

Alina Zahr Muroski

Gracie Elizabeth Myers

Harry Martin Myers

Samuel Alexander Myers

Joseph Eugene Blair Nastasi

Hope Lynn Neal

Emma Catherine Neary

Emma Caroline Neely

Alec William Nelson

Ian Kenneth Nelson

Todd Jordan Nelson

Julia M Neumann

William George Newcomb

Atheana Thach-Thao Nguyen

Nathan Thien Nguyen

Olivia Catharine Noel

Erik David Norloff

Marguerite Alexis Novikov

John Orlando Ochoa-Andersen

Eric Lee Oelhaf

Eliza Robertson Oesterling

Mary Elizabeth Offutt

Elisa Rose Ohlson

Faisal Shahrior Oishik

Adedoyin Elizabeth Olorunnisola

Wesley Paul Olsen

Carene Elizabeth Olsson

Yelyzavyeta Orlova

Daniel Francis Kim Pacchioli

Merel Margaretha Padt

Mary Michele Pak-Blyzniuk

Kati Panetta

Eireni Elizabeth Parides

Elora Skye Parker

Natalie Renae Parkinson

Hely Parmar

Zoe Garyanna Parsons

Ronit Nilesh Patel

Cameron Eugene Pease

Garrett James Perks

Lydia Elizabette Peters

Alexander Nicholas Petrick

Mefody Petrunin

Dominic Jacob Petruzzi

Michelle Annina Pletcher

Nicholas Scott Pollack

Abeni Jane Pone

Sophia Marie Porter

Gareth Aiden Prebble

Noah Alejandro Prewitt-Koths

Alexis Taylor Pupo

Kashawn Tramine Quick

Robin Lou Rearick

Nicholas Dean Redwing

Julise Dianne Regan

Alexander Michael Reid

Amelia Elizabeth Reinert

Sofiya Reznikova

Ryan Andrew Rider

Jaden Marcello Rigg

Jacob Alan Ripka

Aleah Zhen Rittenhouse

Robert Edward Ritter

Colby John Robert

Emma Caroline Rockey

Sydnee Elizabeth Rockey

Caitlyn Elise Rodgers

Marc Jacob Rodgers

Nico Dominique Rodriguez

Tomas Rodriguez Hertz

Destiny Joe Rodriguez-Soto

Grace Elizabeth Roeshot

Sean Patrick Rohan

Lindsay Mae Rose

John Michael Patrick Rosenblum

Ethan Wesley Rowland

Anjelica Mireya Sky Rubin

Julia Elizabeth Rush

Caleb Daniel Ryland

Martina Gabriela Saa Jaramillo Galarraga

Andrew James Savage

Kelly Miranda Saylor

Zane Matthew Saylor

Madilynn Carol Scavone

Jacob Cole Schaumburg

Liam Michael Scholton

Mary Ellen Schomer

Savannah Madison Schoonmaker

Bryn Arden Schoonover

Ava Augusta Koenig Schreier

Gavin Patrick Schreiner

Mylinda Karen Scott

Montanna Rae Sellers

McKenzie Sarah Shannon

Melody Beth Sharp

Caroline Alice Shen

Zachary Ryan Sherman

Jacob Wilson Sholtis

Grace Laurene Siegfried

Rachel Lauren Silliman

Alexander Timothy Simin

Julian Louis Simmons

Ella Claire Simpson

Maxwell James Simpson

Bryan Pierre-Donnell Sims

Ethan Anderson Sims

Erin Anderson Small

John Denis Smirnov

Matthew Denis Smirnov

Victoria Elizabeth Smith

Mirta Veronika Snejko

Villi Oleg Snejko

Ava Snyder

Kayden Nicholas Snyder

Kyle Austin Snyder

Kylee Marie Snyder

Justin Richard Sodergren

Parisa Solaimanian

Michael Christopher Solo

Rachael Grace Pfennigwerth Spencer

Isabella Spicer

Ben Johann St Pierre

Owen Grey Staff

Bryant Dawson Stangel

Jacob Gregory Stangel

Thomas Baker Stangel

William Cody Staniar

Michelle Helen Stefanovich

Olga Andrea Stefanovich

Quincy Alexander Steidle

Victoria Catherine Steward

Natalie Claire Stewart

Megan Alyse Stoltzfus

Samuel Elliot Storll

Adanech Addie Strauss

Biniyam Strauss

Mihret Strauss

Beatrice LeAnne Strelow

Samuel John Musser Strickland

Ilse Carolina Suarez Calderon

Charles Mark Suchanec

Paul Louis Sulman

Latif Sushin

Martin William Switalski

Peter Lawrence Takac

Jamey Nicole Tessitore

Alexa Jordan Thies

Ashley Elizabeth Thomas

Caylee Joan Thompson

Sydney Paige Thompson

Miles Norris Tolliver

Lauren Ruth Torbic

Jacqueline Grace Torrez

Chloe Evon Troup

Genevieve Georgianna Trout

Jason Connor Turenne

Finan Ivey Turnage-Barney

Jakob Ammon Twoey

Alsou Fatima Umarova

Enes Uzun

Mehmet Uzun

Thaddeus Buchanan Valentine

John W Van Horn

Alexandra Claire Voight-Shelley

Allaina Colleen Wagner

Naomi D Waite

Hope Laura Walk

Emma Jane Walker

Curtis James Walter

Emily Lyn Wang

Nathaniel Lyle Weaver

Wesley Russell Weaver

Alexa Marie Webb

Emma Marie Wenrick

Marcus David Wheeler

Abbey Page Whipple

Mia Christine Wicks

Quabrim Nyheem Wiggins

Austin John Williams

Benjamin Paul Williams

Nolan Graham Wilson

Gennevia Marie Wingard

Rachel Marie Wisner

Bryana Nichole Witmer

Isabella Morgan Witmer

Audrey Lauren Wolf

Lydia Grace Wolf

Anthony Joseph Wolff

Julia Lola-Noelle Woods

Rania Christina Wright

Yuzheng Xing

Ian Seonho Yi

Colton Miller Yoxtheimer

Auden Louise Yurman

Albert Cheng Zhang

Hanqi Zhang

Wenjia Zhou

Sterling Lance Zoebisch

Aubrey Lynne Zuech

Benjamin Isaac Zydney

This story was originally published June 4, 2020 at 6:00 AM.