Belton native commissioned

May 15, 2025

Special to the Journal

Belton Journal

Twelve cadets from Slippery Rock University’s U.S. Army ROTC program were recognized for their commissioning as officers with the rank of second lieutenant during a ceremony on May 9 at the Performing Arts Center’s Miller Theater on campus.

The ceremony included a reading of an oath, pinning of bars with their new insignia of rank, and a first salute, a tradition between a non-commissioned officer who has influenced the newly commissioned officer.

Among them was Sydney Montana, a homeland security major from Belton, Texas (Copperas Cove HS), who will serve as an Air Defense officer on active duty. Other cadets include:

Cayde Davidson, a health and physical education major from Greenville (Greenville HS), who will serve as an Aviation officer in the Pennsylvania National Guard.

Gordon Hardy, an interdisciplinary programs major from McMurray (Peters Township HS), who will serve as an Aviation officer in the Pennsylvania National Guard.

Seth Hickman, an interdisciplinary programs major from Irwin (Peters Township HS), who will serve as an Infantry officer in the Pennsylvania National Guard.

David Lucidore, a park and resources management major from Bethel Park (Bethel Park HS), who will serve as an Infantry officer on active duty.

Pamela Manning, a criminology and criminal justice major from Mansfield, Ohio (Lexington HS), who will serve as a Signal Corps officer, detailed to Field Artillery, on active duty.

Jillian Panizza, a safety management major from Midway (Fort Cherry HS), who will serve as a Chemical Corps officer on active duty.

Ethan Plesakov, a cybersecurity major from Slippery Rock (Slippery Rock HS), who will serve as a Signal Corps officer in the Pennsylvania National Guard.

Sydney Ryan, a homeland security major from Pittsburgh (North Hills HS), who will serve as a Medical Services officer in the Pennsylvania National Guard.

Yuliya Sager, a homeland security major from Edinburg, who will serve as a Military Intelligence officer in the Pennsylvania National Guard.

Bank Thomas, an accounting major from Cheswick (Fox Chapel HS), who will serve as an Air Defense officer on active duty.

Nicholas Wile, a criminology and criminal justice major from Greensburg (Hempfield HS), who will serve as an Engineer Officer, detailed to Infantry, on active duty.