Avadar Brownlee leads QCHS FBLA team with state championship
Avadar Brownlee of Quakertown Community High School won the state’s Future Business Leaders America state competition and qualified for nationals. Her triumph came in the Human Resources Management competition.
“Avadar did a phenomenal job and I couldn’t be more proud of her accomplishment,” said Sandi Frisch, the faculty advisor to the FBLA club. “This is her first year with FBLA and she’s a dedicated student and great team member.”
Earlier in the school year Avadar was named a Commended Student in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program. She scored 1500 on the SAT and has a GPA of 4.3.
The top four finishers at states advance to the national competition. While Avadar, a senior, is the lone QCHS student to do so, several others placed in the highly competitive tournament, which is judged by professionals in their various fields.
Juniors Katie Muller and Kiersten Williams finished seventh in Graphic Design. Senior Khushi Vandra was ninth in Supply Chain Management, and senior Eliza Menser was 10th in Agribusiness. Eliza has qualified for states three years in a row.
“I am so proud of our team,” Mrs. Frisch said. “Everyone really did excellent work and represented Quakertown and themselves very well.”
Students capture state medals in SkillsUSA
Several Quakertown Community High School students attending Upper Bucks County Technical School scored medals at the recent SkillsUSA state competition.
Seniors Thane Goetz and Kathryn Pakula (inset photo) each captured a silver medal, Shane in the CNC Technician category and Kathryn in the Health Occupations Professional Portfolio.
Bronze medals went to senior Jacob Bawden and sophomore Brayden Ristine in Automated Manufacturing Team; junior Marley Guise in Crime Scene Investigation; and sophomores Isabel McCarty and Madison Nelson in Health Knowledge Bowl.
Pfaff edged defending champ Richland for title
Molly Felten of Pfaff was the individual champion, followed by teammates Genevieve Skinner (second) and Debbie Adebayo (third). Declan Mooney of Richland rounded out the top four in the competition among fourth and fifth graders at Quakertown Community High School, where district families filled the upper gymnasium.
“The students performed at a very high level,” said Peach Draper, who coordinated the event. “It was incredible to see them working out their math skills while under pressure. It was also a pleasure to see all of the schools come together with huge support from the community."
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Simon Fletcher performs in all-state choir
About 100 English Language Development students in grades 3 to 8 recently visited the Banana Factory Arts & Education Center in Bethlehem.
Students enjoyed a sneak peek of the mixed media art collection "Heroes: My Heroes Actually Have Real Superpowers," by L.A.-based artist Bart Cooper. Mr. Cooper spoke to the students about the collection, which combines images of African American female leaders with superhero symbols. He also answered their many questions about art and creativity.
“It was a powerful and fun experience for all of us,” said Liz Coyle, ELD teacher at Richland Elementary School.
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Best Buddies breaks down barriers to friendships
The club is called Best Buddies, and it’s dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With the help of advisors Jennifer Honrado and Brittny Buonanno, Best Buddies provides club members opportunities for one-to-one friendships; leadership development for students with IDD; makes all students feel valued, and helps improve life skills.
“Our goal is to bring everyone together and have them all become friends,” said Julie Pizzi, president of Best Buddies. “Everyone is smiling, and talking about their positive experiences all the time. I love how everyone is so happy when we’re together. No one is left out. It’s not about hanging out with your friends. It’s about meeting new people and making new friends.”
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Students participate in Good Citizen Day
Each student had a great time as they debated topics with fellow students from Eastern Pennsylvania.
Here are stories about Julia and Jacob winning their awards.
Sadie Fowler, 2018
Sadie Fowler, a 2018 Quakertown Community High School graduate, will be completing a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant award in Italy from October 2022 to June 2023.
“The Fulbright award is the perfect way for me to combine my interests in International Studies, Educational Studies, and Italian,” Sadie posted on social media. “I am so excited to return to Italy after a semester in Bologna during fall 2021.
“I’m so excited for the opportunity to use my TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) experience from International TEFL Academy. I would never have believed that completing their course in 2020 would help me two years later with this Fulbright opportunity.”
Sadie is a senior at Dickinson College majoring in International Studies (Europe) and Educational Studies (Curriculum and Educational Policies) with a minor in Italian. She is a certified TEFL Level 5 instructor.
QCSD has a new food services manager
The Quakertown Community School District has a new Food Services Manager as Nii Tagoe of Chartwells Food Services has replaced Pete Kelley, who retired.
“I’m really excited about being in Quakertown, and serving our school community,” Mr. Tagoe said. His primary focus is to make sure the district is fully compliant with United States Department of Agriculture standards and that students are fed nutritionally sound meals that also taste good.
Mr. Tagoe, who is from Easton, has a degree in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University. He also has a Bachelor of Arts in hotel and restaurant management from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.
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Free gowns in the counselors' office
QCHS families, these have not been the easiest of times financially for many people. With that in mind, if you have a daughter who needs a gown for a prom or formal dance, the school counselors have been collecting them from thoughtful community residents. They're FREE!
Please have your daughter speak to her school counselor. They want to help! No questions asked!
If you have a gown to donate, please drop it off at the high school's main office.
School bus cancelations
QCSD families, by now you are well aware there is a nationwide shortage of school bus drivers. Brooke Ott, QCSD's Transportation Coordinator, has been in regular contact with you regarding bus cancelations.
A page on the website is dedicated to these alerts. They can be found here.
If you or anyone you know enjoys working with children and is looking for a part-time job, please contact Levy Bus Company, (215) 536-4567 or office@levybus.com.
Quakertown Community School District
