In The Q
September 20, 2018
Top of the class! Quakertown's National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists
Two Quakertown Community High School seniors -- Mikayla Fuentes and Adria Retter -- have qualified as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists.
The students are among only 16,000 semifinalists nationwide, selected from more than 1.6 million entrants in the scholarship contest. According to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, Semifinalists represent the top 0.5 percent of the state’s senior students.
“I’m thrilled for the students and for their families,” Superintendent Dr. Bill Harner said. “This speaks volumes for the quality education our teachers are providing here in Quakertown.”
David Finnerty, the high school principal, said “Both of these students are amazing young ladies. Beyond their achievement in the academic realm, they are highly involved in their school community. I’m proud to have them here.”
The Quakertown students produced outstanding scores on the Preliminary SAT, which serves as the qualifying test for the program entrants. Mikayla scored 1490 and Adria 1480 out of a maximum 1520.
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Academy celebrates its first graduate
Mia Nevells remembers what attending last June’s Quakertown Community High School graduation felt like as a senior who wasn’t allowed to walk on the big stage.
“It was gut-wrenching,” said Mia, who attended the celebration at the PPL Center in Allentown to be there for her friends. Though Mia completed her law enforcement training at the Upper Bucks County Technical School, she was just shy of attaining her high school degree.
When she learned of The Academy at Quakertown, the Quakertown Community School District’s new educational facility for at-risk 8th to 12th graders, she enrolled.
“I feel like such a weight has been lifted,” she said, after receiving her diploma on September 7th from Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lisa Hoffman. “I just needed a little more time.”
Indeed, less than one week into the new school year, she is The Academy’s first graduate. “Mia is proof that perseverance and hard work pays off,” Hoffman said. “Everyone is very proud of her for sticking with it.”
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We're behind you Cam: Wrestling team's motivational message to 7-year-old
Most high school sophomores will typically look up to a junior or senior as someone they’d choose to emulate. Domenic DeFalco, however, has found a younger hero.
The Quakertown Community High School wrestler, coming off a freshman season in which he quickly established himself as one of the top 132-pounders in District 1, looks up to his 7-year-old neighbor. Cameron Wakeley has been diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, and recently had a large tumor removed from his leg. He is undergoing chemotherapy.
To lift the youngster’s spirits, Domenic decided to make a video and asked his fellow high school wrestlers if they’d like to be part of it. “My teammates really jumped all over it,” Domenic said. “They thought it was a great idea. They might not know Cam personally, but they wanted to do this together. It’s really nice to know we’ve got each other’s back. It’s a culture that been developed from youth wrestling up through high school.”
In the video, which Domenic posted to Twitter, the team stands behind him as he says, “Hey Cameron. On behalf of the Quakertown wrestling team, we just want you to know that we’re 100 percent behind you through everything you do, and we wish you the best.”
Assistant Coach Dan Ziegler then says “Go get ‘em Cam, you got it,” and gives a thumbs-up.
The motivational message can be quite emotional. “It’s really hard to talk about. Think about how strong Cam has to be,” Domenic said. “For a 7-year-old to have to go through this is crazy.”
In a Facebook post on “Cam’s Corner,” a site Cameron's parents created for their son, his parents wrote “Thank you to the Quakertown high school wrestling team for the words of encouragement! Cam can’t wait to watch you this season and hopefully be back on the mats in the spring if all goes well. He wears his Quakertown wrestling gear down at CHOP all the time!”
Asked about his wrestlers taking part in the motivational video, Coach Kurt Handel said ”I have a great group of kids on and off the mat! They are a special group of guys this year.”
Also on Cam's Corner is a photo of the girls volleyball team holding up signs in support of the youngster, including "Cam Can," and Cam, You Got This!"
Jason DeFalco, Domenic’s father, explained that Cam wrestled for QYC for two years and “looks up to Dom. I’m proud that he took it upon himself to do this. One minute he does something to annoy me, then he does something like this.”
Domenic has had his own health concerns, but they’re of an athletic nature, certainly nothing as serious as what Cameron has faced. Domenic suffered a torn meniscus and Grade 1 medial collateral ligament sprain during a wrestling tournament at Penn State. “That’s given me a lot of time to think about many things, including bettering myself as a person,” he said. “That’s something our coaches always talk about. They’re not only here to help make us better wrestlers, but show us how much better a man you can become.”
At 96, an honorary diploma
'It means the world to me, really. I just can't believe this is happening at my age.'
Florence DiPasquale Bruno has had many amazing experiences in her 96 years, and the Quakertown Community School Board added another to her extraordinary life by awarding the former Quakertown student an honorary diploma.
The reward came on September 13th, 78 years later than it should have after family circumstances forced Mrs. DiPasquale Bruno to drop out of Quakertown High School. During the 10th grade, she was needed to stay home and care for an ill mother, her father and six brothers as they worked the family farm in Milford Township.
"It means the world to me, really,” Mrs. DiPasquale Bruno said Thursday night as she was presented a diploma by Board President Steaven Klein, just after her family helped her into a blue cap and gown and handed her roses. “I just can't believe this is happening at my age."
Michele Roman, who alerted the Administration to her grandmother’s story, said “It's the moment she's waited for nearly a lifetime.”
Board members were more than willing to oblige. Klein called the event “Heartwarming,” as Mrs. DiPasquale Bruno was surrounded by a dozen family members. “The fact that we can make her smile and give this experience to her, we’re just so happy to do it,” Klein said. “She seems like a lovely person.”
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Teachers place focus on U.S. Constitution
'We the People of the United States ...'
Tom Brader stood in front of his AP U.S. History class and held a rubber band. He said the United States Constitution contains an elasticity that makes the document invaluable.
“It’s living and breathing, it stretches and contorts,” he said. “That’s what makes the Constitution so strong.”
Classes throughout the Quakertown Community School District revised lesson plans on Monday, the 231st anniversary of the day the U.S. Constitution was signed in Philadelphia, back in 1787. Teachers engaged students in a variety of ways related to the document, which gives this country's citizens their freedoms.
“This document is the contract that lays the framework for the relationship between people and their government,” said Andrew Boquist, who teaches AP Government. “We give the government the power they have, but they must use it to help the people.”
At its August 9th meeting, the Quakertown Community School Board unanimously passed a Representation Week resolution that stated: “BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that Quakertown Community School District in Bucks County of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania proclaims the period of Sunday through Saturday, which includes September 17th each year, to be Representation Week and that our district administration and teachers should plan activities honoring the principles of representative democracy and both the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions.”
Please click here for more information.
See students, teachers teach, and teachers learn, too
Library program will focus on bullying
On Wednesday, Oct. 10 from 7 to 8 p.m., the Quakertown Library is holding a program for parents about bullying. Lois Dodson from Penn Foundation is the presenter. She will discuss the role parents play in preventing, identifying, and dealing with bullying behavior.
She will cover:
- What is bullying
- What isn’t bullying
- How bullying has changed over the years (social media aspect)
- Strategies for helping kids cope
- Resources such as the school and police
The program includes a question-and-answer session. The library is located at 401 W Mill St., Quakertown. If you have questions, call 215-536-3306.
Upper Bucks Tech School partners with Yamaha Marine for new program
The Upper Bucks County Technical School will begin offering Yamaha Marine’s Introduction to Outboard Systems curriculum in its Small Engine Technology program. The curriculum will educate students on the latest in outboard technology, while helping them to also learn key skills they will need as future marine technicians.
“We are pleased to partner with Yamaha Marine to offer Introduction to Outboard Systems as well as hands-on learning experiences to our students who are interested in the marine industry,” said Michael Herrera, CTE Supervisor at UBCTS. “Now is a great time for promising technicians to enter the market as there is an incredible demand for their skills. We appreciate Yamaha’s diligence in preparing our students for the workforce, and we know the program will give students from Upper Bucks County Technical School a competitive edge as they set out to build careers.”
“The marine industry is witnessing a rebirth as consumer fascination with the boating lifestyle continues to grow,” said Gregg Snyder, Department Manager, Service Training, Yamaha Marine Group. “At Yamaha, we know that in order to support that growth, we need to provide students with the educational tools they need to succeed in the marine industry. We are proud to support Upper Bucks County Technical School as it incorporates curriculum that we believe will ultimately develop outstanding marine technicians.”
Students interested in registering for the Small Engines Technology program should contact the school at 215-795-2911 for more information.
First Day of school photos
Tech School's adult evening courses schedule
Another successful graduate from Quakertown!!!
Statewide video competition for Middle and High School students
Parents of Middle and High School students, here's information about a video contest from state Sen. Bob Mensch. The Second Annual “Talk to Your State Senator” Statewide Video Competition is now accepting applications from Middle and High School students.
According to state Sen. Bob Mensch, several laws related to improving school safety have recently been enacted and several more are being proposed but we want to hear the voice of your students! "As legislators, we often turn to experts to advise us and provide background on various policy issues when we are creating new laws," Mensch said. "Students in Pennsylvania schools are in a unique situation and face the pressures of being a teen in the 21st Century. You are an expert. Therefore, we want students to share their thoughts and advise us and share their ideas with us to help keep them safe!"
The contest is open to Pennsylvania students in grades 6-12 and will be judged in two categories:
Middle school, grades 6 – 8, and High School, grades 9 – 12. The prizes are: 1st place - $2500, 2nd Place $1500, 3rd place $1000, for each level.
The Pennsylvania School Boards Association is providing $10,000 in prize money. Money will be awarded through the TAP 529 Account program in the PA Department of Treasury and will be deposited into an account in the winner(s) name.
For more information on the contest, visit http://www.legis.state.pa.us/talk-to-your-state-senator/.
Activities for young people
High school reunions
School Bus drivers needed
The Levy School Bus Company is seeking drivers.
The position has flexible hours, a positive environment and is conveniently located in the Quakertown area.
Levy offers a competitive wage package, 401(k) benefits with company matched funds, bonus incentives, training and development, career opportunities, extra hours available evenings and weekends (optional), and community involvement.
This is a perfect job for people who love children, stay-at-home parents, college students looking for education experience, former teachers and anyone in need of extra income.
If you’re interested in becoming a school bus driver or want to hear more, please call Len at 215-536-4567 x121 or email len@levybus.com.
VFW seeks students for audio/essay contests
Last year, two Quakertown Community High School students scored highly on the Veterans of Foreign Wars audio/essay contest.
Leo Bernabei finished fourth in the state and earned a $2,500 college scholarship. And Samantha Norton initially tied Leo for the best essay at the Post level, according to Paul Gerhart, commander of the John Rivers Memorial VFW Post 11322.
The VFW essays promote patriotism, and award $30,000 in college scholarships to high school students and $5,000 to middle school students. For high schoolers, the 2018-19 theme is: Why My Vote Matters. For middle schoolers, the title is: Why I Honor the American Flag.
For more information on the project, please click here or contact Post Commander Paul Gerhart Jr., 267-992-4973.
Quakertown Community School District
Email: gweckselblatt@qcsd.org
Website: www.qcsd.org
Location: 100 Commerce Drive, Quakertown, PA, USA
Phone: 215-529-2028
Facebook: facebook.com/QCSDNews
Twitter: @QCSDnews