School Notebook, 5/24/2024
NORTHERN SCHUYLKILL – The following is a collection of news and notes from our local school districts.
If you have something to submit, email us at [email protected].
Shenandoah Valley National Art Honor Society
The Shenandoah Valley Chapter of the National Art Honor Society NAHS held its inaugural ceremony to recognize prior and newly inducted members.
The chapter was organized by SV Art Teacher Jennifer Zemek to inspire and recognize students who have shown outstanding ability and interest in art.
The program supports members in their efforts to attain the highest standards in art scholarship, character, and service to bring art education to the attention of the school and the community.
Since its inception, the chapter refurbished a coal car located at the Shenandoah Miners’ Memorial, murals located on the wall of the Villa Daycare Center, the WW II Veterans Memorial, and murals adorning classroom walls depicting subject matter.
The group also refurbished statues depicting the Nativity and a Breaker Boy that was on display in Catizone’s Barber Shop. Plans are currently underway to have projects performed over the summer. Seniors were presented with tassels and chords while all other students received certificates of membership.
Shown in the photo are four seniors standing L-R: Jesus Paniagua Perez, Gavin Gudinas, Jennifer Zemek Chapter Advisor, Jacob Coolbaugh Chapter President, and Fernando Ramirez Chiglinsky. Seniors missing from photo Jubylie Cruze, Gabriela Carcasses, and Kenneth Appenzeller.
Shenandoah Valley Senior Band Awards
At the recent Shenandoah Valley Spring Band Concert held on May 16th three seniors were recognized for their involvement with the Shenandoah Valley Band.
Shown in the photo with their awards are L-R: Jacob Coolbaugh with the Edward J. McDermott Award, Gavin Gudinas- SV Marching Band Award, and the Woody Herman Jazz Band Award. Director of Bands Mr. John P. Shoener, and Jesus Paniagua Perez with the John Phillip Sousa Award, the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award and the Dorsey Brothers Award.
North Schuylkill band members perform with PA Lions Band
Four North Schuylkill High School Band members participated in the PA State Lions Band at the PA Lions State Convention in Harrisburg, PA on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18.
Pictured left to right – London White (clarinet), Erika Trexler (flute), Mr. Vince LoRusso (Director, PA Lions Band), Meaghan Connors (bass clarinet), and Ravena Singh (flute).
Mahanoy City Elks Students of the Year
The 2023-24 Mahanoy City Elks Lodge 695 Students of the Year were announced Thursday, May 16.
Pictured are: First Row: Teresa S. McCord, Exalted Ruler; Cameron Chilinskas, 8th Grade Winner; Alexandra Bet, 8th Grade Winner; Cael Quick, Senior Recipient; Bree Dobeck, Senior Recipient; Ruth Jane Balliett, PER, Committee Chairperson. Second Row: Ms. Tabitha Walsh, Assistant Principal; Dr. Joie Green, Superintendent; Mr. Matthew Giannelli, Principal.
The banquet was the 50th annual dinner held honoring students. Throughout the year, two students are selected as “Student of the Month” with two from the entire group being selected at the end of the year as “Student of the Year”. Last night’s recipients each received a certificate and monetary gift from the lodge.
North Schuylkill Students of the Month
Aurora Bennett and Claire Kowalonek were name North Schuylkill Junior/Senior High School’s Students of the Month recently.
On the Elementary side, the following were named student of the month and are pictured above:
S (Self Starter) Dylan Heyer
P (Positive) Kian Cullen
A (Ambitious) Lydia Copenhaver
R (Resourceful) McKenna Peters
T (Team Player) Kinsley Gross
A (Authentic) Lillian Reitz
N (Natural Leader) Jordan McCabe
Shenandoah Valley students participate in PMEA District 10 Elementary Band
Six Shenandoah Valley Elementary Band members participated in PMEA District 10 Elementary Band Fest West held at Mahanoy Area High School on May 10, 2024.
The students included (Row 1 L to R- Kaylee DeHart, Macy Lukashunas, Row 2 L to R- Miss Britney Bidding- Elementary Music Teacher, Kairi Medina, Harper Munley, Gia Lukashunas, Luis Morales, and Director of Bands Mr. John P. Shoener).
Shenandoah Valley Band Director lauded
A Certificate of Congratulations was presented to Shenandoah Valley’s Director of Bands Mr. John Shoener for being named the recipient of the Music Education Award for the fifth consecutive year.
The Music Education Award is presented to communities who have displayed an outstanding commitment to music education. Presenting the Certificates to each member of the band were State Representatives Tim Twardzik and Dane Watro.
Besides John Shoener the other Band instructors are Robert Nowak percussion and Britney Bidding Elementary Band Director.
Shown in photo L-R: SV School Board President Dan Salvadore, State Representative Dane Watro, Percussion Instructor Robert Nowak, Elementary Band Director Brittney Bidding, Director of Bands John Shoener, and State Representative Tim Twardzik.
Saint Clair students pedal toward healthy meals
With funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Education School Breakfast Expansion Grant, the Saint Clair School District is adding nutritious smoothies to their cafeteria menu.
To mark the occasion and educate students about nutrition and physical activity, the American Dairy Association North East and Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program on Friday helped create the smoothies by pedaling away on a blender bike.
The blender bike is an imaginative contraption that harnesses the energy of pedaling to power the blender’s blades, transforming fresh fruits, creamy yogurt, and other wholesome ingredients into a symphony of flavors. Students had a chance to pedal the bike, make their own smoothies and participate in other fun physical activities.
School Nutrition Director Kim Wilson was integral in the school’s new grant funding, knowing how important breakfast is in fueling students’ academic success.
School menus that include dairy foods like milk, cheese and yogurt support children’s growth, bone health, and overall development. Nutrients in dairy foods, such as protein and certain vitamins and minerals, are linked to improved cognitive function and brain health. A balanced breakfast that includes dairy contributes to better concentration, memory, and overall cognitive performance in students.
Shenandoah Valley Prom Royalty
Shown after their coronation are the students selected as the 2024 Shenandoah Valley High School Prom Royalty.
L-R: Prom Prince Dante Garcia, Prom Princess Katrina McNulty , Prom King Mikey Diehl, and Prom Queen Sitlali Medina.
Shenandoah Valley Senior Athletic Award Recipients
Seated L-R: Nick Ryan, Jonathan Ocotoxtle, KelvynCordero, Kenny Maldonado, Jacob Coolbaugh, Michael Diehl, and Ben Dempster. Standing: Brady Najda, Jake Matta, Ben Mentusky, Gunner Taylor, Alex Kozlosky, and Brad Monjaraz. Absent from photo: Jesus Paniagua- Perez, Fernando Ramirez-Chiglinsky & Estuardo Salguero.
Seated L-R: Pamela Lugo, Ava Menjivar, Stephanie Coyle, and Ava Peters. Standing: Emma Aftuk, Emily Petritsch, and Hannah DeAngelo. Absent from photo: Sitlali Medina-Chagolla, Cassidy Tobias, Irma Triminio-Sanabria, Madison Wasser and Olivia Wierzalis.
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