May 30, 2002 By Melissa Glisan 3 min read

As the highest-ranking student, the valedictorian’s responsibility is to give the farewell speech at a commencement ceremony. However, as the Laurel Highlands Class of 2002 graduates this evening, its valedictorian will be there only in spirit.

Tylar Andaloro, who was killed with another student in a car accident April 28, will retain her title of valedictorian.

“She really earned it,” said her mother, Lyn Andaloro.

By mistake, she said, Tylar learned at the beginning of her senior year that she was the top student.

“Ranking in school never made a difference to her. It wasn’t something she worked for or wanted. She was totally self-motivated. She wasn’t pushed or pressured by me, her mom, or her dad. Sometimes I swear I didn’t know where she came from, but she carried that standing all year,” Lyn said.

During commencement, either Lyn or Tylar’s sister, Katey, will read the poem, “Live Your Life with Courage,” by Caroline Kent. Tuesday night at the academic awards ceremony, Katey accepted multiple awards on Tylar’s behalf.

“It took a lot out of her, but we all feel that this is what Tylar would have wanted, for us to show courage in her honor,” Lyn said.

Spanish teacher Anita Abbott was chosen to accept the valedictorian award tonight. Though Tylar loved all of her teachers, Abbott was the only one who taught her all four years of high school, Lyn said.

“At the time of her death, she was number one in her class,” said high school principal Dr. Gary Brain. “It was a decision I made, and I did it in no disrespect. Graduation is a happy occasion, a time to celebrate. We need to get past the losing of two students, two classmates and celebrate.”

To honor her acumen in the classroom, the Andaloros started a scholarship fund in Tylar’s memory. Lyn said the family wanted to give the award to Elizabeth Garbutt, who was moved from salutatorian to co-valedictorian, but Garbutt gave it Tuesday night to new salutatorian Gerald Rogers.

Lyn said the family will work with the Laurel Highlands Academic Foundation to make the memorial scholarship one based on science merit. Tylar had been accepted on an academic scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Pharmacy when the accident happened.

Instead of allowing their loss to immerse them in grief, the Andaloros agreed to turn Tylar’s memory into “a true opportunity to remember a young lady that had achieved so much,” Lyn said.

They are still astounded to witness the impact Tylar in the community. After the funeral, the family received boxes of letters from residents in the area and the nation, as people from as many as 25 states offered support to the Andaloros, Lyn said.

However, through it all, the greatest support has come locally, from students, Lyn said. Last week, the Connellsville Area High School track team sent the family a signed banner made in Tylar’s memory.

“The school has been excellent…the kids, her friends, stop by every day to see how we are doing, to share a memory, to show us a picture. One wrote a song for her. Another student wrote a poem that will be published. It’s amazing to see how many people she touched.

“But it’s a bittersweet pain. Not a day goes by that I don’t want her back in my arms. But to know how much she did and see the others makes it a little easier,” Lyn said.