Jun 7, 2007 By The 4 min read

Brownsville Area High School will hold its annual commencement ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday in the high school gymnasium. Valedictorian of this year’s graduating is Tara G. Sharpe of Filbert Heights. Salutatorian of the Class of 2007 is Lisa Beth Fraley of Brownsville.

Sharpe, daughter of Gregory and Natalie Sharpe, plans to further her education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she will major in chemical engineering.

After graduating from college, Sharpe said she plans to either work for a major chemical engineering firm or enroll in medical school.

While in high school, Sharpe completed college preparatory classes in mathematics and engineering and earned 20 college credits as a dual enrollment student at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.

Sharpe was commended by and received a National Merit Scholarship and also participated in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, placing at both the regional and state levels.

She also was captain of Brownsville’s Hometown High-Q team and a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society.

In addition, Sharpe received the Brownsville Area High School Math and Science Award, the Dr. Eric and Michelle Miller Math and Science Scholarship and was a John Hopkins Center for Talented Youth participant.

Sharpe also participated in several extracurricular activities, including Redstone Living Historians, the Gifted/Gateway Program, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, the Youth Education Association and the Academic League.

She also was involved in student council, choir, jazz band, theater productions, yearbook and the math competition and debate teams.

Outside of school, Sharpe was involved with the Interact Rotary Club and volunteered for the Jamestown/Yorktown Foundation in Virginia.

She is a member of Holy Rosary/Church of the Madonna and also a two-year member of Brothers and Sisters in Christ Youth Group.

Fraley, daughter of Rob and Karen Fraley, plans to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania and major in both marketing and fashion merchandising.

After graduating from college, Fraley said she plans to become a buyer for a retail company and eventually earn a position in upper management.

While in high school, Fraley completed academic, advanced placement and college prep courses and received several academic honors.

She was named to the National Honor Roll, Who’s Who Among American High School Students, took first place at the state level at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, was a Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week scholarship recipient, received the Rotary Youth Leadership Award and was given the Republic Rotary Scholarship to attend the World Affairs Institute.

Fraley also was named to the National Society of High School Scholars, was the Brownsville Rotary Student of the Month for February and received the Herald-Standard Scholar Athlete Award and the Chris Dominski Award.

In addition, she received the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Eberly Family Scholarship, the Mountaintop Scholarship, the Republic Rotary Scholarship, the Sam Walton Community Scholarship, the Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission Scholarship and the Women’s Democrat Club of Brownsville Scholarship.

Fraley also participated in several extracurricular activities and was captain of the track and cross-country teams. She was treasurer of the Interact Club, chairperson of the prom fashion show committee and a member of senior cabinet.

She served on student council and was inducted into both the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society.

Fraley also was involved with the TV Drama Club, Youth Education Association, Tri-Hi-Y and Ski Club.

Fraley was named to the all county track team and was a WPIAL track qualifier for two years and was a three-year cross-country letter winner. In addition, the cross-country team Fraley ran with was the 3-AA champions for two years.

Outside of school, Fraley participated in several community service activities as a member of the Holy Rosary Church Youth Group. She also volunteered at St. Vincent DePaul Store in Uniontown and participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.