Miksich and Weaver Named Valedictorian and Salutatorian
Cassidy Miksich earned the top academic honor, and Mikenzie Weaver earned second honors.
Senior Cassidy Miksich is Valedictorian and senior Mikenzie Weaver is Salutatorian of the Tyrone Area High School Class of 2023.
Valedictorian is the title awarded to the highest-ranked student in the class, based on the highest grade point average. Salutatorian is the title awarded to the second-highest-ranking student in the class.
“Both Mikenzie and Cassidy are extraordinary students who go above and beyond in every aspect of their life, including academics, extra-curricular activities, and helping others. Their personalities shine through daily and they represent our school well,” said Tyrone Area High School math teacher Michele Marasco, who taught both Miksich and Weaver.
Miksich was ecstatic when she found out she had earned the top academic award in her class, a goal that she set for herself as a freshman.
“I felt a sense of relief, but more importantly, I was proud,” said Miksich, “All of my hard work for the past four years paid off.”
The honor of being the highest-ranking student in a class is a prestigious one. The importance of the honor can mean different things to different people.
“I am extremely grateful for receiving this honor and being capable of earning an honor like this. Throughout high school, I worked extremely hard to maintain good grades while being an athlete. I quickly learned work ethic and time management skills after going into high school. Being valedictorian and earning this award makes all of those late nights and stressful weekends worth it,” said Miksich.
Miksich was able to maintain the top academic spot while also excelling athletically as the best golfer in District VI over the past four years.
In addition to golf, Miksich was also very involved in extracurricular activities as a member of Golden Revolution, Student Council, YAN, NHS, POPS, and Drama Club.
Along with a strong work ethic and excellent time management skills, Miksich credits asking questions as a key to her success.
“I obviously turned in assignments on time and to the best of my ability, but it was my willingness to ask questions that led to my success,” said Mikscih.
Miksich’s chemistry teacher and varsity golf coach Mike Funicelli agrees.
“[Cassidy] would try the problems and develop actual questions when she needed help. She wouldn’t just say, ‘I don’t know how to do this’,” said Funicelli. “Another thing that sets Cassidy apart from other students that I’ve encountered is that she would work ahead when she knew she’d be missing school.”
Dual enrollment US History teacher Suzy Burket was also impressed with Miksich’s work ethic.
“Cassidy doesn’t take a pass on doing work, even when she might have cause to,” said Burket.
When asked about what accomplishments she was most proud of, Miksich cited both academic and athletic achievements.
“I am proud of being able to maintain such a high-grade point average. I am also proud of the [journalism awards] I received, as it was my first time being in Eagle Eye. Athletically, I was a four-time District 6 [Golf] Champion and four-time State Qualifier, all while taking dual enrollment and college-level classes and being at the top of my class,” said Miksich.
Miksich will attend Alvernia University in the fall and major in occupational therapy, where she will also be a member of the women’s golf team.
Weaver was also very excited to hear that she earned Salutatorian. The accomplishment is an especially significant and proud moment because she will be the first person in her family to attend college.
“It means a lot to me. I’m the first person in my family to go to college and graduate even in the top 10% of my class. It means so much for me and my family,” said Weaver. “It felt as though all of my hard work had paid off and I was extremely excited to have this title.”
According to Weaver, her proudest high school accomplishments were earning the Challenge Program’s awards for both academic excellence and STEM.
Weaver said that her key to success was making the effort to go beyond the classwork assigned by the teacher in order to make sure she understood the material.
“Learning to find additional resources on my own [has been a key to my success]. I have found that YouTube videos are extremely helpful for classes like history, math, and science just to review or re-teach topics,” said Weaver.
Her advice to other students is to always ask for help when you need it, and don’t compare yourself to others as long as you are doing the best you can do.
“There is nothing wrong with not understanding something right away, and sometimes you need a little one-on-one to understand. Even ‘the best of the best’ don’t understand everything,” said Weaver. “It’s also okay to not be at the top of your class and not know what you’re going to do after graduation, but always try your best and remember to do something you love!”
Weaver was very involved in extracurricular activities including NHS, Quiz League, Mock Trial, Student Council, Golden Revolution, Star-lite twirlers, and Dance Fusion. Weaver was also a key member of the Tyrone Band and Majorettes.
Balancing academics with rehearsal time and performances for the fall football and competition season, concert band, majorettes, dance and all of her other extracurricular activities was a challenge, but Weaver was always able to manage it.
“Mikenzie was always a great student in the marching band and as a Starlite Twirler. She worked hard and did so with a smile and a positive attitude. She’s a joy to be around and inspires other students with her leadership qualities and smile,” said Tyrone Band Director David Hock.
Science teacher Gary Aharrah was impressed not only with Weaver’s academic abilities but also her personality and willingness to help others.
“Mikenzie is an amazing student who doesn’t shy away from a challenge. She is someone who is always willing to help anyone succeed,” said Aharrah, “I feel what separates her from other people is when given a chance, she doesn’t choose the easier way. Mikenzie pushes herself to be her best. When faced with a challenge she attacks it head on and preservers to the end.”
Burket described Weaver as “hard-working, reliable, humble, friendly, and kind.”
Weaver plans to attend Mount Aloysius College in the fall. She is unsure of her major but is initially planning to study criminology.
The Valedictorian and Salutatorian have the honor of addressing the senior class, faculty, administration, and guests at tonight’s commencement ceremony at the TAHS gymnasium at 7 pm tonight.
Graduation will be streamed live on the Eagle Eye YouTube Channel.
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