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AP Government students try their hand at the legislative process
Eleven Quakertown Community High School students were among more than 100 students from 10 districts to take part in Friday’s Senator For a Day seminar, sponsored by state Sen. Bob Mensch.
The QCHS representatives spent the day at Perkiomen School in Pennsburg role playing as State Senator in a mock legislative session. Students selected a committee based on their area of interest and debated and discussed the mock legislation that had been presented to them.
Lobbyists and legislative staff were on hand to guide the students through the committee process and assist them as needed. After the students discussed the legislation in their committees, they took part in a general session and voted on all of the legislation that was put forward by the committees.
To read the full story, please click here.
National Merit Scholarship Program commends Quakertown seniors
Two more Quakertown Community High School seniors are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise by the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Nam Le and Hailey Reiss each received a Letter of Commendation for their outstanding performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying test in 2017.
Last month, Mikayla Fuentes and Adria Retter were recognized for qualifying as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. That puts four QCHS seniors, the most ever in one class, in the top one percent of all high school students nationwide.
“I expect that number to grow incrementally over the next couple of years as more and more students are challenging themselves to our curriculum,” Superintendent Dr. Bill Harner said. “These accomplishments are a testament to the hard work of our students, and the outstanding job our teachers are doing in the classroom.”
Please click here for the full story.
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Pfaff students taught characteristics of success by ex-Harlem Globetrotter
Pfaff Elementary School students received a lesson in character development while watching a former Harlem Globetrotter show them some of his magic with a basketball.
Corey Rich, known as Corey The Dribbler, put on two assemblies students in the K-2 and 3-5 assemblies that taught students to respect their parents, teachers and classmates.
"I am able to use what I can do with basketball tricks, to project a positive image for young people," said Rich, who grew up in Phoenixville and Norristown. "Let them know if they work hard, and treat people well, good things will come back to them."
Becky Connelly, a Pfaff special education teacher, said "Many staff members felt the assembly was the best one in recent years. Hopefully students felt the same! Corey was energetic, engaging and motivating. Often, with that combination, the overall message can get lost in the presentation and this time it did not. Corey shared many characteristics that led to his success that align with Quakertown's College and Career Ready Skills. He shared the importance of working hard in school, being a kind, respectful person, but also finding and pursuing something you love to do."
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Volleyball team continues tradition: Goes pink to raise green to fight cancer
It took a good three hours for MacKenzie Mahler, Jenny Starzecky and Alex Whalen to organize and box the 600 pink t-shirts sitting in MacKenzie’s house. But for the girls, seniors on the Quakertown Community High School girls volleyball team, the effort was well worth it.
The team raised close to $4000 for the Side-Out Foundation, which raises awareness and funds through volleyball-related events for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. The work was highlighted by the large student section, dressed in pink t-shirts designed by Alex for the Dig Pink match against Pennridge.
“It’s exciting to see everyone all pinked-out,” Jenny said.
The girls continued a 10-year tradition with the fundraiser, raising approximately $35,000 over that time. Money also goes to the Momma Montoney Scholarship. It’s named for Maureen Montoney, a former district employee, who lost her life to cancer in the spring of 2012. The scholarship is awarded to a senior athlete who has been affected by cancer in some way.
“It’s important that the tradition and the scholarship keeps going,” said MacKenzie, a niece of Montoney’s.
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Eagle scout status for high school senior
Mitchell Hendricks, a senior at Quakertown Community High School, achieved the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank of Eagle Scout during the summer.
A scout in Troop 55 of Washington Crossing Council, Mitchell's Eagle Scout project was to add a garden of berry bushes and a tree at Christ’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Trumbauersville.
Mitchell has been in scouting since 2009 and earned 36 Merit Badges as a Boy Scout (15 more than required for the Eagle Scout Rank). He is also a member of the Ajapeu 2 Lodge in the Order of the Arrow, BSA’s National Honor Society.
A big thank you must go out to Trinity Lutheran Church, the sponsoring organization to Troop 55 and Pack 55. Mitchell would also like to thank the numerous scouts and friends who helped him along this journey.
Top PA principal honored by national organization
Adam Schmucker is among 62 elementary and middle school principals from across the nation and abroad who have been named as 2018 National Distinguished Principals (NDP) by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP).
Schmucker, Pennsylvania’s NDP for 2018, is shown above with assistant secretary of elementary and secondary education Frank Brogan.
Principal of Trumbauersville Elementary School, Schmucker and 61 other outstanding educators were honored recently at an awards banquet at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., as part of a two-day program.
“No principal can or should do anything in isolation,” said Schmucker, beginning his fourth year as Trumbauersville’s principal. “This is a recognition of our entire Trumbauersville school community. It speaks to the overarching support of the district, the foundation established by the teachers, and the work and support of our community members and families.”
QCSD Superintendent Dr. Bill Harner, who recommended Schmucker for recognition in the program, called him a “wonderful role model and mentor for other principals,” and described him as a “principal’s principal. … This is a tremendous accomplishment, and one that is well-deserved by Adam.”
Established in 1984, the National Distinguished Principals program recognizes public and private school principals who make superior contributions to their schools and communities. The principals will also have the opportunity to share best practices.
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Nicole Chambers, QCHS
Nicole Chambers was named Quakertown Community High School's Outstanding Student of the Month for September.
Nicole, a junior, was the student representative at the October 11 School Board meeting, where she was congratulated on her achievement by Board President Steaven Klein.
She is a player on the girls tennis team, helps out the Rotary Club, is a member of the Key Club and Future Business Leaders of America, where she learned about Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week and became hooked on business. Nicole told the Board she plans to become a Market Research Analyst.
Brianna DiGiacomo, UBCTS
Brianna, above receiving her award from executive director Jeff Sweda, combines her love of art with welding incredible creations. "We're so proud of you!," Superintendent Dr. Bill Harner said.
On Twitter, Brianna stated: "I couldn't be any prouder to be a student at UBCTS. These have been the best 4 years of high school thanks to tech."
Safety Committee working toward recommendations
The committee recently received an overview of the district's School Resource Officer program from SRO Bob Lee.
It also heard from QCHS Principal Dr. David Finnerty and Strayer Principal Dr. Jennifer Bubser about the district's discipline practices.
Interested in the new Diversity Committee? Please join us October 22
Please join us at our upcoming QCSD Diversity Committee meeting on Monday, October 22 from 6:30 to 8 PM.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lisa Hoffman explains that the committee will be analyzing our district’s mission and vision statements, discussing our community’s changing demographics, learning about how we can make our infrastructure even more equitable for every student, and starting work on our strategic plan.
This meeting is for all interested administrators, teachers, parents, students, and community members. All are welcome!
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
