Terry Hart flew in the NASA Space Shuttle for 168 hours in the mid 1980s. These days, he teaches at his alma mater, Lehigh University, and lives nearby in Saucon Valley. On June 10, 2010, he was firmly rooted in the Rain Forest Café at Haycock Elementary School, where students asked questions about his experience and knowledgably answered the questions he posed to them.

Haycock students spent the 2009-2010 school year learning Technology through the Ages in their science and social studies classes. The astronaut’s visit culminated the theme unit, which included a June 5 Saturday family festival. TPO member Sue Barnes tracked down Hart and invited him to speak.

When Hart asked questions about airplanes, planets and asteroids, students surprised him with fairly technical responses. Second grader Matthew Granato supplied several answers about fighter planes. “My grandfather designed an airplane, the F18,” Matthew explained. “A lot of my family members were in the military and I watch a lot of military channels on TV.”

Before his visit, students watched the movie The Dream is Alive, which Hart filmed while in space with an IMAX camera. He showed photographs of the history of aviation and talked about what it was like to fly in space. The first day he woke up in space, he saw his hands in front of his face and wondered whose they were! He answered questions, admitting that he wanted to be an astronaut “for the excitement.” He said training for the mission was spent mostly on learning how to fix the shuttle’s parts. He asked students if they would want to fly to Mars. Some boys said they thought it would be too dry there. Students asked Hart if he thought there were Martians and he replied, “It could be possible! Never say never.” 

Retired Milford Middle School teacher Wayne McConahy will receive an Honorary Life Award June 29 at the TSA National Conference in Baltimore. Wayne said he was pretty surprised about the award, but admitted he has dedicated many years working with Technology Student Association, at the local, state and national levels.

After a year teaching at Pennridge, Wayne moved on to QCSD, where he spent 34 years teaching Industrial Arts/Technology Education at Milford. When the district moved from a junior high to middle school system in 1987-88, he and colleagues needed to switch the curriculum to more exploratory courses to cover 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grades.

“I was looking for something to fill the gaps in technology exposure,” he said. “We looked at Odyssey of the Mind but settled on TSA because it offered many different [categories], something for everyone.”

Over the years he coached QCSD students, served as the local chapter director, PA State Conference Director (8 years) and the regional coordinator. He worked with national office personnel for many years. In 1998, Pennsylvania hosted the National Conference in Pittsburgh. Wayne was the host director. The project took 3 years of “intensive planning,” around his teaching job. “We had to find 350 judges and notify Pittsburgh area restaurants that 5,000 kids would want to eat from 6 a.m. to midnight! Overall, it was a very successful conference. A lot of people got involved. I was fortunate to have a really great group of Quakertown people to help me, including Chris Roth and Cindy Lapinski.” 

QCommuniqué recognized by national organization

The QCommuniqué, the QCSD weekly e-newsletter, recently received an Award of Honorable Mention from the National School Public Relations Association, based in Rockville, MD.

Entries in the NSPRA publications contest included print and website communications from across the country.

Read all about legendary Joseph Blewett

Many QCSD stakeholders will remember Joseph Blewett, the long-time high school band director. He is wrapping up a long career of playing music, at 87 years old! The Morning Call  highlighted him in a story in the June 11 edition. To read it, click here!

Senior Jill Bachurski received an award from the Lehigh Valley Chapter of Phi Delta Kappan at Lehigh University.  Dr. Robert Leight, a former member of the QCSD Board of School Directors and retired professor at Lehigh University, presented the certificate to Jill.  

The award recognizes a senior who is pursuing a college degree in the field of education, and who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in one of the areas pertaining to leadership, service, research, and academic achievement.  Jill  completed two internships during the 2009 – 2010 school year, working with students with Speech/Language challenges.

QCHS junior Mike Kraus made a black-and-white ink drawing of an elementary school that will be the cover design of the 2011 QNB calendar. His work was selected among 120 student entries from schools in the Upper Bucks County area.

Works by three other QCHS students in art teacher Laurie Stoudt’s class were selected to represent months of the year. Junior Emma Foster created a Cinco de Mayo drawing that will be displayed in May. Senior Sharon Park drew a graduation scene for June and sophomore Suzanna Huffer drew a Veterans’ Day scene for November.

Media stories abound of numerous school districts embedding cyber learning into their menu of course work for next year. Thanks to Todd Silvius and Sharon Snyder, who recently received the Dr. Loretta Woodson Award, QCSD’s Infinity Cyber Academy is truly on the cutting edge of the incoming wave.

The Dr. Woodson Committee selected Silvius and Snyder from nominations provided by 14 school districts in Bucks County.  Silvius received the award as the Innovative Teacher of the Year while Snyder received it for unyielding support to a new, innovative program. Dr. Woodson will present the awards at the June 24 QCSD School Board meeting.

Alicia Evans runs to state title!

QCHS junior Alicia Evans set a new school record en route to a PIAA State Championship in the 400-meter run over Memorial Day Weekend at Shippensburg University.

She ran 55.15 seconds for the gold medal. Coach Jack Sabol, who retires this year, said she is his first state champion in outdoor track, and as far as he knows, the first outdoor medalist in QCHS history.  Alicia also anchored the 4x100 (5^th place) and the 4x400 relays (7^th place) to state medals.

Alicia and sister Jody were written up in yet another publication. You can access it by clicking here. 

 PCN TV has been televising the state meet for several days. You may still be able to catch her performance on television.

                 QCHS Alumni will honor alums at June 5 meeting

     Five graduates of Quakertown High School will be recognized for their outstanding accomplishments at the annual general meeting of the Quakertown High School Alumni Association on June 5 in the Cafeteria of Quakertown Community High School.   In addition, outstanding graduates of the high school class of 2010 will receive cash scholarships.  The program will begin at 1:30 p. m. 

     The honored alumni will be awarded the “Gold Key” award, which is reserved for graduates who have displayed “significant accomplishments in a career and/or contributed significantly to the health, welfare, or human rights of the state, national or international community.” The honored alumni include a community leader, war hero, musician, scientist, and athlete.  The following alumni were elected unanimously by the alumni association’s board of directors: 

     RALPH A. GERHART (deceased) was a graduate of the QHS class of 1911.  Mr. Gerhart was an athlete in high school and Cornell University.  He served in the infantry in the First World War and was injured in the line of duty.  When he returned to Quakertown he was an involved community leader.  He was a successful businessman and a member of the Quakertown School Board from 1927 to 1939.  As a school board member he was instrumental in the construction of Quakertown High School (now Quakertown Elementary School) in 1929 and Alumni athletic field.

     JOHNNY RIVERS (deceased) was a graduate of the class of 1937.  Rivers was a track and football star while a student at the high school.  After a short career as a Golden Gloves and professional boxer he joined the United States Marines shortly after Pearl Harbor.  He was killed while on active duty in the Battle of Guadalcanal.  He was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously.  The Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Quakertown is named for him.

     RICHARD VAN AUKEN graduated from QHS in 1950.  He demonstrated an early aptitude for organ and piano performance, serving as a church organist at the age of 13.  He continued his musical career as an organist/chaplain’s assistant in the Marines during the Korean conflict.  Mr. Van Auken studied at the Philadelphia Conservancy of Music with Robert Elmore   During his career he has served as a recitalist and conductor of worship in music throughout the United States, including the National Cathedral.  He has been an Artist/Teacher in the music department of Moravian College and Lafayette College. 

     DR. DAVID STOUDT graduated from the high school in 1977.  He enlisted in the Navy and spent six years on submarine duty.  He then enrolled in Old Dominion University in Virginia to study electrical engineering, where he took his doctoral degree.  Dr. Stoudt is presently a Distinguished Scientist/Engineer at the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Dahlgreen, Virginia.  His published research has included more than eighty journal articles and technical publications.  He has been awarded three patents.

   REBECCA QUINN (1989) is one of the best cyclists in the world.  She was a three sport athlete while a high school student, excelling in soccer, basketball and field hockey.  After completing her teacher certification and bachelor’s degree at Penn State, Becky displayed the determination and ability to become a world class bicyclist.  She has been a member of the United States National team since 1997, and a five time World Cup medalist.  She has been among the top finishers in her events internationally in China, Australia, England, Russia, and Mexico.  She is in training for the World Championships in 2011 and hopes to be a member of the United States team in the 2012 Olympics.

 quality pre-engineering program

Penn State University’s Tom Weiss brought his fine-tooth comb to Quakertown Community High School recently to inspect Project Lead The Way (PLTW) courses, teachers and students. He declared the program “excellent” and awarded the school 5 years of certification. That means students who demonstrate exemplary work in the courses and pass the exams may now apply for college credit or other forms of recognition at a variety of national affiliate colleges and universities.

“The colleges will know that kids are getting the pre-engineering courses they need,” explained Chris Polk, lead teacher for Project Lead the Way.

Now in its second year, the PLTW program is the first in Bucks County. North Penn, Radnor and Norristown are the closest districts that also offer the program. At QCSH, three teachers – Polk, Nick Foley and Brad Mushrush – teach 13 sections among them, from 9^th to 12^th grade, with the latest computer software. The six courses are Principles of Engineering, Introduction to Engineering, Digital Electronics, Civic Engineering and Architecture, Computer Integrated Manufacturing and Engineering Design and Development. In two years QCHS will add a seventh course, Bio Technology.

Weiss noted that Polk’s documentation and organization and the administrative support of the program were excellent. “We’d like to take to the DNA to other places!”

The certification process included a self-assessment of the PLTW program and a one-day site visit by Weiss and Terry Speicher, PLTW affiliate professor at Penn State-Berks . The Site Visit Committee met with teachers, administrators, counselors, students, and community members, and reviewed students’ course portfolios.

Weiss praised the enthusiasm and diversity of the Partnership Team, which Polk cobbled together with community members and parents who are also engineers and business leaders. In his next step recommendations, Weiss suggested the district recruit more girls, starting in the middle school grades, to participate in the program. Polk, administrators and the Partnership Team are already brainstorming ideas. They are considering summer camps, job shadowing, partnerships and bringing back former students and current engineers as role models. Sam Cowan, for instance, graduated in 2009. She was one of the first PLTW students. She goes to Drexel University and her mother, Peggy, is an engineer and member of the Partnership Team.

 “A crucial element to the success of the program is regularly updating teacher skills and promoting counselor awareness of the latest PLTW initiatives for students,” Weiss said. “The district also provides an invaluable opportunity to its students through the certification process,” said Weiss. 

Project Lead The Way, a not-for-profit organization, is a national program offered to more than 500,000 students in more than 3,500 schools in all 50 states. The program was developed to address the national shortage of engineers and engineering technologists.

The QCHS and Rotary International Student of the Month for April is Louis “Louie” Fantini.  Quakertown teacher Mrs. Audrey Waddell nominated Louis for the award.  Louie is a member of the senior class and currently has a 4.0 GPA.

Louie is a gifted and well liked student.  He especially excels in his academics and music.  In his senior year, Louie has a 4.0 GPA while taking 5 Advanced Placement courses and also is performing at a distinguished level with the Varsity Singers and Men’s Ensemble.  Louie was also one of the leads in last year’s musical, South Pacific.  Louie’s classmates think very highly of him and voted him Homecoming King last fall as part of Homecoming ceremonies.

Louie is a great young man with a great attitude!  He is extremely close to earning an Eagle Scout badge.  He would like to study business and economics at either University of Pennsylvania or Boston College next year. 

  {md}

Strayer a cappella choir wows the judges

Messa Di Voce, Strayer Middle School’s a cappella choir, achieved the Middle /Junior High School Overall Award for the 10^th consecutive year at the May 8 Music in the Parks Festival. The Strayer group, led by Choral Director Cynthia Teprovich, earned the highest score of the day, 98.25, which included super ratings in the high 90^th percentile for Treble Choir and for Madrigal Choir.  The group also demonstrated advanced performance of pitch and intonation, choral blend with appropriate vowel sounds, rhythmic proficiency, proper vocal technique and steady pulse with a variety of repertoire.

Choirs performed for the judges, two college choral professors, at Kutztown University in the morning. They received their trophies at the Awards Ceremony late in the day at Dorney Park.

Messa Di Voce means “to place the voice” in Italian. The is an appropriate name for a middle school chorus, because middle school choral directors help young adolescents find their voice placement as their voices begin to change. The auditioned chorus rehearses before the school day, at 6:15 a.m. to allow students to belong to other activities after school.  The audition process is necessary because all members in an a cappella chorus must be advanced in pitch and intonation.  Team work and dedication are also important factors, because all 22 members are needed at every rehearsal to vocally harmonize.

Miss Teprovich said she did not consider the Music in the Parks Festival as a competition. “I see it more as an assessment that validates the instruction the students are receiving. Middle school students love the experience of the tangible trophy, but the students always want to know what the judges said about their diction, intonation, balance, blend, steady pulse, rhythm and choice of repertoire. This experience validates the learning targets students are working toward in the production and performance of music.”

Members of the choir who participated were: Ronald Cubbage, Jennifer Heitz, Hannah Galvin, Marissa Cubbage, Madison Bender, John Mair, Joseph Iffrig,  Jesse Dager, Simone Rumph, Kristina Diefenderfer, Samantha Bouton, Sarah Edmonds, Emily De Matteo, Lydia Stepanoff, Anna Kahn, Rachel Haywood, Kate Robison-Grubb and Lydia Brozenski. Absent from the competition and photo were Caroline Heft, Ashley Bryant and Julie Mermon.

QCHS track athletes honored, qualify;

baseball player hits home run in contest  

The following members of the boys' track team received Suburban One Conference all league honors:

 Frank Roman, 1st Team Long Jump, 3rd Team Triple Jump, 3rd Team 4x100 Relay; Tyler Burke, 2nd Team 200 Meters; 2nd Team 300 Hurdles, 3rd Team 4x100 Relay; Jesus Meraz, 3rd Team Discus; Joe Meehan, 3rd Team Javelin; Joe Able, Nick Perrine and John Keller, 3rd Team 4x100 Relay.

The following girls medaled at last weekend’s District 1 Track and Field Championship and qualified for the PIAA State championship meet this coming weekend at Shippensburg University:

Alicia Evans, Jody-Ann Evans, Megan Rhyner, Sara Linke, Ali Pursel, Sarah Renn and Lauren Suelke.                             

Senior Jayson Rathjens, headed to East Stroudsburg University to play baseball, finished 2^nd recently in a home run hitting contest at Coca Cola Park, home of the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. His performance will move him into a 2^nd round of competition in June.  

QCHS junior Alicia Evans currently holds THE best time in the state of Pennsylvania in the 400-meters. She ran a record-setting 55.46 last week to win the event at the Suburban One League Continental Conference championships. Her sister, Jody-Ann, a freshman, won the 100 in 12.23 seconds, with Alicia second in 12.38. Alicia also won the 200 in 24.78. The team placed third.

Last year, Alicia finished sixth in the PIAA State Championships in the 200. Coach Jack Sabol convinced her to move up to the 400 this year. The first time she ran it, she posted a 62.5, followed by a 58.7. The 3rd time she ran it was last week, lopping 3 seconds off her time.

The Intelligencer ran a feature about the Evans sisters in the May 20 edition. You can read it by clicking here.

In addition to Alicia and Jody-Ann, the following girls earned medals at the league championship: Sara Linke, Ali Pursel, Lauren Suelke, Megan Rhyner, Sarah Renn, Dakota Coulton, Stacey Nagele and Liz Cooley.

“I would like to win the 400 at states but I don’t want to get too excited because I need to maintain focus,” Alicia said.

Strayer and Milford Middle School students participated in the fourth annual Upper Bucks Youth Summit recently at the Upper Bucks YMCA. They shared their anti-drinking campaign messages with peers from Pennridge and Palisades.

Super Bowl champion Clifton Crosby spoke to the assembled students, who make up the Street Teams at their schools for the Upper Bucks Healthy Communities Healthy Youth Coalition, supported by justCommunity.

To read a story that ran in the Intelligencer, click here.

QCHS volleyball and baseball players named to all-league teams

The following members of the boys’ volleyball team were named all-league selections: Donnie Thomas (1^st team); Mike Stover (2^nd team); Chris Long and Ian Jones (Honorable Mention).

 The following baseball players earned All-League Honors: Kurtis Roberts (1^st team outfielder and honorable mention pitcher); Jayson Rathjens (2^nd team shortstop and honorable mention pitcher); Phil Bain (2^nd team outfielder); and Tyler Coleman (3^rd team third baseman).  

The Intelligencer featured QCHS math teacher and running coach Jack Sabol in Monday’s edition. He is retiring after 30 years of teaching, 29 coaching cross-country and 28 coaching spring track. Students and colleagues will miss his talent as a serious teacher and coach who shares a great sense of humor.

To read the full story, click here.

Philadelphia Inquirer features QCSD course offering

Chinese is, perhaps, one of the most important languages to learn in the 21^st century. Those who learn it stand to make great strides in the business world. QCSD is the only district in Pennsylvania currently offering the language as a course, through myChinese 360, through Infinity Cyber School.

The Philadelphia Inquirer ran a story about the course, featuring Quakertown freshman Nathan Flath, in Sunday’s paper. You can click here to read the entire story.

You can also read about the course by scrolling down under Get Your News Here at www.qcsd.org.

  Drum line wins gold medal at regional competition

 The Quakertown Percussion Unit and Color Guard Performance Ensemble won a gold and bronze medal, respectively, at the Tournament Indoor Association (TIA) All Chapter Championship in Wildwood, N.J.

Competition included more than 200 units, made up of school and independent groups, from Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, New Jersey and Ohio. The Quakertown units, coached by Dave Rutherford, Franco Robinson and other staff members, are made up of QCHS students. The group practices in the school but must raise funds to cover training, uniforms, props and bussing. ,

Nineteen percussionists won the gold medal Friday night. NBC 10 Philadelphia cameramen caught the Quakertown drum line in action and you can watch the 40-second video by clicking here.   

Thirteen color guard members placed third against 17 other color guards in their division. 

Members of the Drum Line included senior Josh Roehner; juniors  Adam Lynn, JR Roach, Kenny Fowler, Alex Santa, Rebecca Nace, Brenda Nichols, Abby Hiltebeitel , Lauren Long, Madi Chadwick, Nicole Fritz and Seth Yoder; and sophomores Tyler Hetrick, Jessica Faulkner, Brian Burke, Matt Toft and Chris Roehner; freshmen  Alex Hetrick , Stephen Vanyo and James Keller.

Members of the Performance Ensemble were senior Bhavik Patel; juniors Alisha Keller , Rachel Slifer and Ryan Stevenson; sophomores Tory Chalmers , Khusabu Patel , Susie Huffer ,  Megan Gallagher; and freshmen  Mel Kling, Rachel Sloss, Jess Dolan, Alexis Eustace and Julissa Garcia.

Congratulations to new NHS members

Sixty two new members were inducted in the National Honor Society April 29 at QCHS. Graduating officers Theresa DeAngelis, Jackie Miller, Vicki Fluck, Robert Basile and Brandt Hale and Ashley Traczuk handed the reins to current officers Sean Basile, Jordan Besch, Rachael Owens, Lauren Long, Ashley Caroff and Jake Swearingen.

The new inductees are:

Seniors: Ashley Diefenderfer, Austin Keeler and Elizabeth Midkiff

Juniors: Joe Bauman, Kirk Benack, Claire, Bimes, Christopher Burnside, Tyler Coleman, Keri Cunnane, Brandon CeCicco, Jessie Gomez, Katie Hooven, Andrew Irick, Ian Jones, Madison Martin, Maura Mathewson, Frank Orrego, Jennifer Petovic, Benjamin Rutt, Mariela Villanueva, Shelby Weil, William Witkoski

Sophomores: Akhil Adla, Sarah Alderfer, Emma Arner, Halle Bagshaw, Jake Barlow, Samantha Baskin, Monica Bickford, Callie Bishop, William Bohner, George Claghorn, Elizabeth Cooley, Ryan Cosgrove, Cara Detweiler, Jessika Faulkner, Matthew Ferrara, Emily Gianoni, Kayla Gustafson, Marisa Hadley, Jessa Karcher, Anya Kelly, Cheyenne Kressley, Nick Miller, Kelsey Mininger, Ryan Munson, Stacey Nagele, Jenna Parke, Kirsten Ponak, Peter Rittenhouse, Adriana Rodriguez, Melissa Routson, Megan Ruch, Sarah Schlicher, Jessica Schury, Selena Spry, Emily Susavage, Lindsay Terra, Bradley Vassallo, Maddie Wackerman, Danielle Wilson, Anya Zdanowicz.

Basketball record-holder Daniella Ciccarone signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio. The Cavaliers regularly play in the NAIA Division II Championships. Most years, several team members are selected as NAIA Scholar Athletes.

The senior finished her career with 1,473 points to become the QCHS career scoring leader for boys and girls.

“I thought overall Walsh was the best fit for me, academically, socially and athletically,” Daniella said. “I love the coaching staff. I stayed overnight with the players and had so much fun. I already felt a part of the team. Plus, they desperately needed a point guard for next year.”

Walsh is a half hour’s drive from Ohio State and several other colleges. Daniella said she will major in education and she felt Walsh offered the best program of all the schools she considered. Coaches from approximately 20 schools recruited her.

In the photo, Daniella is flanked by her father, Frank, and mother, Claire. Walsh University head coach Laurel Wartluft is standing.

 Infinity senior and QCHS junior headed to nationals

Infinity Academy senior Wayne Whiteside won a first place , at the April 14-16 state championship in Hershey for SkillsUSA in the Graphic Communications Competition. The competition consisted of layout design, digital file preparation, finishing and bindery operations and a graphic communications assessment. He will compete at the nationals in June in Kansas City, Missouri.

Also at the state event, junior Emily Drosnock convinced SkillsUSA participants to elect her to a spot as an officer in the Pennsylvania House of Delegates. She will go to Kansas City for Leadership Training. When she returns to Bucks County, she plans to influence Career Technical School stakeholders to promote the school and more involvement in SkillsUSA.

“I absolutely love SkillsUSA and I want to be a part of it,” the cosmetology student said. “The opportunities teach us about professionalism in the workforce and everyday life. I had to give a speech at states. I told the participants that my goals are to get more kids involved in technical schools and in SkillsUSA. In middle and high school, not many kids knew what technical school is. I think they should send all kids on a tour. We could have more meetings, assemblies and posters and teachers could talk about it more.”

Emily competed in SkillsUSA in her sophomore and junior years, finishing 4^th. She sees herself as a leader. That’s why she enjoys her volunteer job with the Quakertown 1701 Fire Company. She’s not allowed to go into burning buildings until she’s 18, but she loves the adrenaline rush of training drills that involve carrying a 50-pound air pack into a smoke-filled house.

“SkillsUSA competition is a great way for kids to show their skills. Wayne and Caleb (Frey) can get a job anywhere,” Emily noted. They will compete in a multi-million dollar national event in a building 8 city blocks, or 16 football fields long. There will be more than 5,500 contestants in 91 separate events, with nearly 1,500 judges and contest organizers from labor and managemen, t.

 Caleb Frey, a senior, enrolled in the Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Heating program at UBCTS and Palisades High School placed first in the state SkillsUSA Plumbing competition. QCHS seniors Derrick Roberts and Brian Hall and their partners, Mark Bell (Palisades) and Joe Walch (Pennridge) placed third in the Teamworks  Construction Technology competition. 

 Girls burn up the track at prestigious Penn Relays

Congratulations to the QCHS girls track team for its outstanding performances at the Penn Relays. The 4x100 relay team, made up of Sara Linke, Jody-Ann Evans, Jasmine Korr, and Alicia Evans set a school record with a time of 48.99, which is one of the top times in the state.

The 4x400 relay team, made up of Megan Rhyner, Sarah Renn, Jody-Ann Evans, and Alicia Evans crushed the school record with a time of 3:56.25, and became the first girls’ team at Quakertown to win the coveted Penn Relay Plaque. Their time also qualified them for the tri-state championship race on Saturday, which is a first for any team at Quakertown.

Tohickon Valley Principal Scott Godshalk emailed parents Tuesday after a bus accident involving kindergarten students. He called all those involved “heroes.” You can read a detailed story about the event in From the Inside Out by clicking here.

In the Connect Ed e-mail message, Mr. Godshalk noted, “I would like to commend Mrs. [Beth] Davco, our kindergarten teacher, for her caring assistance following the accident. She traveled to the accident scene, and helped keep her K-Kids calm and safe. Her actions were exemplary, and we all thank her for her care and support today. I would also like to make it known that the St. Luke’s staff handled this situation perfectly. They willingly accepted 20 kindergarten students, organized a team of doctors and nurses for our students' care, and provided a thorough check of all our students. They handled this event perfectly. I am proud to have this high level of care and support right here in our community.”

UBACE concert set for April 24 at Strayer Middle School

Students from QCSD will perform, along with friends from other school districts in the Upper Bucks Alliance for Creative Expression (UBACE) concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 24 at Strayer Middle School.

Thanks to volunteer professionals working with the non-profit UBACE organization, teenage rockers and vocalists gain opportunities to showcase their talent outside of their parents’ garages! The Strayer event will be the 4-year-old organization’s 11^th concert.  Nearly 40 teens will perform with show director Mike Stanley of Royal Jam Music in Lehighton.,

Samantha Beattie, mother of musician Morgan, a ninth grader at Palisades, shares her marketing abilities with the group. She explained that members have rehearsed Thursday nights and Saturday afternoons in space donated by Devoes Music. Three of the bands performed recently at Country Creek Winery, in an alcohol-free event to raise money for Saturday’s show, which costs more than $13,000 to stage. Tickets for tomorrow’s event cost $12 (adults) and $8 for seniors and children. Just like a professional concert, there will be t-shirts and DVDs (of the concert) for sale. Proceeds go back to the organization so that more musicians can gain public experience.

Brian K. Schaffer, Vice President of Marketing at QNB, volunteers with UBACE. He said, “The UBACE concerts provide a positive outlet to express the incredible talents of local kids. QNB is proud to sponsor these quality concert productions that are a valuable asset to our community.”

Mrs. Beattie noted that the organization gives teens a chance to meet student musicians from other districts. In October they will perform another big concert of their own and also play for National Night Out. Several bands will play during the May 15-16 Quakertown Arts Alive event. Some bands play in clubs after they “graduate” from the UBACE events.  

UBACE draws members mostly by word of mouth. Students attend auditions. QCSD students playing in tomorrow’s show include Leah Fisher, Dan Compton, Adam Blaisse, Kaitlyn Kingsland, Patrick Maxwell, Shelby Vandenberg, Wade Van Valkenburgh and Dan West, who will attend Berkley School of Music next year.

For additional information, click here.  

Josh Lapinski led the parade to the awards stand as several QCHS students won trophies over the weekend at the TSA State Conference at Seven Springs. Josh won a second place in Safely Illustration Computer Graphics.

Two groups won third place trophies: The Chapter Team of Akhil Adla, Claire Bimes, Adam Blaisse, Sarah Schlicher, Eli Wolfinger andCat Zylstra; and the Technology Dare team of Nick Johnson and Cat Zylstra. The students are eligible to compete at the Nationals in June.

Kelsey Johnson and Akhil Adla continued Quakertown's tradition of leadership by running for state office.  Kelsey was elected Reporter while Akhil was knocked out of the Treasurer's race after 5 runoff elections!

 The following students received finalist pins in their events:

4^th place - Brianna Chicarelli, Brooke Whitmire, Janine Berkezchuk and Kelsey Farrell (Fashion Design).

6^th place - Eric Ott (Dragst, er); George Claghorn (Desktop Publishing); Sarah Schlicher (Chapter Team Written Test).

7^th place - Akhil Adla (Essays on Technology); Shelby van den Burg, Hannah Swearingen, Leah Kaighn, Tori Feldmeier, Becca Waddell and Shelly Cowan (Chapter Team).

8^th place - Akhil Adla and Jake Swearingen (Debating Technological Issues); George Claghorn, Kelsey Johnson, Sarah Schlicher and Melissa Zebekow (On Demand Video); Hannah Swearingen (Dragster); Eric Ott (PA Materials Process).

9^th place -  Catherine Zylstra (Imaging Technology); Jordan Besch, Brandon DeCiccio, Monica Fairfield (SciViz ); Shelby van den Burg (Future Technology Teacher).

10^th place -  Kelsey Johnson and Sarah Schlicher (Medical Technology); Nick Johnson, Andrew Lewis and

Jake Swearingen (Technology Bowl).

11^th place – Andre Lewis and Keith Crozier (Video Game Design).

Juanita was praised by all her teachers, activity supervisors and coaches!  First and foremost, she is a straight A student who challenges herself by taking AP (Advanced Placement) classes.  Juanita demands the best of herself and will not settle for anything less.  She has a fantastic work ethic, priding herself on learning and improving daily. Juanita is a positive upbeat leader who treats everyone with great respect.

Juanita is involved in many school activities:&a, mp;, nbsp; Pride Congress, Junior Class Council, chairperson for Junior Class Prom, Senior Citizen’s Prom, field hockey team, track team, captain of the dance team, National Honor Society, Principal’s Advisory Council and Key Club.

She and her parents, Tammy and Bernard Quattlebaum, will attend a Rotary Club dinner, where she will be presented a certificate and $50 award.

Kiwanis International officials were in town to present the new QCHS Key Club with its charter. Teachers Christina Bennett and Michael Murphy started the group this year and 35 students joined the service based club.

Kiwanis’s Pennsylvania District Governor Ethan McBeth swore in the officers and members. He gave the club and advisers a bell and banner, which will be displayed in the building. Club members will ring the bell at each meeting.

Club President is Juli King; Vice President is Cassandra Haff; Secretary is Lauren Starzecky; Treasurer is Andrew Irick; and Editor is Katie Hooven. So far, the group helped Kiwanis with a Cat in the Hat Day at the James Michener Library. Next week it will start a recycled cell phone drive in all QCSD schools to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day.

Other projects in the planning stages include a badminton tournament to fund the QCHS Relay for Life Team and helping at the May 22 golf tournament, which will fund student technology through the Quakertown Community Education Foundation. Next year the group will gather supplies to make children’s goodies bags for children in hospitals through the Caitlin Smiles organization and members will offer a tutoring program to students in the elementary schools.

   Soccer team spreads joy

The QCHS girls’ soccer team organized its annual project to spread joy to local children and families. The effort was featured in an online publication of Suburban One sports. Click here to read the story and look at the pictures.

Three QCHS students have been selected to perform with the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association All-State Concert Band at the PMEA annual In-service Conference in Pittsburgh next week.  Selena Spry, Kirk Benack, and Ashley Diefenderfer completed a rigorous audition process that began in December. The final step was completed at the PMEA Region Six Band Festival at Philadelphia’s Northeast High School a few weeks ago.

Selena, a sophomore, and Kirk, a junior, will have the opportunity to audition for MENC All-Eastern Band for next year.  Ashley, a senior, will attend West Chester University next fall as a Music Education/French Horn Major.

Nine Freshman Center students entered their recycled fashion creations in a competition recently at Neshaminy Mall. Tori Feldmeier won a 3rd place prize for her outfit in the category of "What a Wonderful World" and Alyssa Bonomo received an honorable mention in the newspaper category.

The entrants and their teacher, Amy Miglore are pictured. The students are Jessica Hudoka, Rachel Keyser, Alyssa Bonomo, Manny Santos, Marie Koder, Kyndall Wagonblott, Brooke Whitmire, Tori Feldmeier and Jasmine Korr.

A total of seven QCHS students, advised by teacher Prakash Patel, competed in the event. The other five were Jessica Mayer, William Livingston, Avery deGruchy, Derek Schmell, Adam Blaisse and Kyle Snyder.

A year ago, the Bucks County edition of the event attracted 15 projects. This year 50 students submitted 35 projects. Last year, Claghorn wo, n at the Bucks IU and went on to win a gold medal in Computer Programming at the state event at Dickinson College.

QCHS Infinity Cyber Academy senior Wayne Whiteside III was named Student of the Month at Upper Bucks County Technical School for his work in Graphic Communications.

When people think of Nike, they think of the swoosh. That’s called branding. When people see UBCT brochures, flyers and newsletters, they see swooping maroon and black stripes on white background. Wayne created that look, starting two years ago with a promotional postcard for an open house.

“I wanted something new and different,” Wayne said.

His 4-inch portfolio is stuffed with new and different designs created for a variety of school and independent projects. He started creating graphic designs on an old computer his father gave him when he was 13 years old. Wayne III built a company of action games for 300 to 400 customers and a staff of 3 other designers.  A few years ago Wayne designed T-shirts with cool flames for the Milford Township Fire Department, with whom he volunteered. He since moved on to Trumbauersville Fire Company and brought his design flames with him.

At UBCT, Wayne’s designs showcase the photos of other students and their achievements. In the Graphic Communications classroom, he created 42-inch by 120-inch banners covered with tutorials, so students can simply look up to read them on the walls as they accomplish tasks on computers and presses. All the banners feature the maroon, black and white of the UBCT branding. He has competed twice in the Skills USA competition and is headed to the upcoming state championships, where he will operate a single color press. He will compete to redesign a flyer in 20 minutes.

“Wayne has a lot of talent,” said Graphics Communication teacher Charles Kollar. “He picks things up quickly, whether it’s press operations, binding operations or design. The state considers press areas a high priority occupation. It’s the fourth largest industry in the United States. There are jobs out there. I’d like to see Wayne go to college but he has to decide the best fit for him.”

Wayne worked through two co-ops since his junior year, at Presidential Printing in Quakertown and Memory Makers in Pennsburg, where he operated large format printers. He’s trying to decide what he wants to do about college, the military or a job. In the meantime, he’s finishing work on posters, programs and tickets for the upcoming performance of the Upper Bucks Alliance for Creative Expression.

 QCHS Assistant Principal Kyle Longacre and wife Maggie welcomed William "Kai" Longacre to the world March 3. He was 8 pounds, 12 ounces. Kai joins big sister Ella in the household.

 PMEA All-State Cho, rus includes five QCHS students

 QCSH will be represented by five of its top vocalists at the PMEA State Conference in Pittsburgh this year.  Congratulations to the following QCSH students who have been selected for 2010 PMEA All-State Chorus: Maggie Montoney, Jay Stiles, Joel Bauman, Mike Smolinsky and Jon Bauman.

The Quakertown Senior High School and Rotary International Student of the Month for February is Hannah Kaighn.  Q, uakertown teacher Megan Baum nominated Hannah for the award.  Hannah is a member of the senior class at the high school and an outstanding student.

  Hannah is an extraordinary young lady.  She is a conscientious student with excellent grades as well as a personable, respectful teenager to both peers and teachers.

Hannah has made her mark at QCHS as a mentor and friend to special needs students.  Hannah has volunteered her time to help them in the classroom, at monthly dances, family night at Chick-fil-A and extra activities over the summer.  She has become a favorite helper at CDP (pre- school site for child development) and worked tirelessly in the Best Buddies Program.  Hannah’s energy and dedication to assisting the Life Skills students has inspired other high school students to get involved with volunteering their free time.

Hannah plans to attend Bloomsburg University, in the fall to study both elementary and special education. 

Wolfinger headed to state wrestling tournament

3^rd Team: Tyler Seislove; John Collins.

 Athletes place at state indoor track meet

 The QCHS girls track team competed at the Indoor State Championship, which included 300 high schools and 980 athletes at Penn State.  Jody Evans placed 7^th in the 60 meter dash. Megan Rhyner placed 8^th in the 800 meter run, . Alicia Evans placed 11^th in the 200 meter run. The 4 X 200 relay of Jody Evans, Sara Linke, Jasmine Korr, and Alicia Evans placed 10^th .

James Weiss and Tyle, r Burke also competed at the state track meet. James placed 8th in the pole vault.  Tyler placed 12th in the 200 meters. 

QCHS swimmers qualify for District 1 Championships

Several Quakertown Community High School swimmers qualified for the District 1 Championships March 5 and 6 at LaSalle University. Cheyenne Kressley (sophomore, backstroke), Victoria Travor (senior, breaststroke), Sarah Renn (junior, butterfly) and Megan Renn (sophomore, freestyle) will swim in the 200-yard medley relay with alternates Leah Kaighn and Hannah Susavage ready in case they are needed.

In individual events, Megan Renn will swim the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyles and sophomore Ethan Fritch will swim the 500 free.

Jazz Ensemble wins awards and hosts festival

The Quakertown High School Jazz Ensemble 1 on its Outstanding performance at the North Penn High School Jazz Festival this week. The band was one of five local high school jazz bands to perform for a panel of professional jazz musicians/adjudicators.

Quakertown won the Outstanding Saxophone Section Award. Special Congratulations to Frankie Orrego and Derek Maseloff, who were recognized as Outstanding Soloists.

The Quakertown High School Jazz Bands will host their annual jazz festival March 4 from 7–10 p.m. in the QCHS Auditorium. Come out and enjoy an evening of great jazz music!

Ice hockey team selected for tournament

The Quakertown Ice Hockey Varsity Team was selected to play in the 2010 Flyers Cup Scholastic Championship Tournament.  This is the first Quakertown team ever to achieve this honor.  The team will play its first game on March 11 at Hatfield Ice. 

Wrestlers place 4^th

The QCHS wrestling team finished 4^th  out of 28 teams at the District 1 North Wrestling Tournament. Scott Wolfinger and Tyler Wolfe finished second, Briar Malischewski finished third and Eric Koch is wrestling Hatboro Horsham for 3^rd and 4^th place. All 4 will wrestle next week at Regionals.

Football players will play in all star game

Eight QCHS football players were selected to play in the Bucks County All Star game: Tony Latronica,  Kurt Roberts,  Rob Basile, Ryan Tincknell, Seth Gray, Mike Olimpo, Randy Jorgensen and Steve Rhyner.

 TSA Regional event produces numerous QCSD winners

QCSD students won more than a dozen gold medals at the 2010 Technology Student Association (TSA) Regionals at Strayer Middle School Feb. 20. Many other district competitors placed among the top 10 in their divisions. Qualifiers can compete at the state event in April.

Senior high gold medalists were Alyssa Nguyen (Biomedical Essay), George Claghorn (Desktop Publishing), Jake Swearingen (Dragster Design), Lekh Patel (Flight Endurance); Cat Zylstra (Imaging Technology); Ryan Cosgrove, Derek Croissette, Vicki Fluck, Nick Miller, Christine Marshall and Kelsey Sevenski (Manufacturing Prototype); Brandon DeCicco and Melissa Zebekow (Structural Engineering); Cat Zylstra and Nick Johnson (Technology Dare).

Freshman Center gold medal winners were Shelby van den Burg, Shelly Cowan and Leah Kaighn (Medical Technology).

Milford Middle School gold medal winners were Mikayla Black, Kenny Orrego, Charlie Miller, Robbie Burns, Abbie Miller and Blake Miller (Marine Design); Matt Basile, Evan Cosgrove, Brad Davco (Web Site Design); Matthew Basile (Electrical Applications); Jeffrey Prusch (Delta Dart Glider); Morgan Contoleon (Digital Photography).

Strayer Middle School’s gold medal winners were Madeline Ocamb (Dragster); Amanda Hunsberger and Melissa DeCicco (Engineering Structure).

Here, by school, are the other place finishers.

Hi, gh School: Dragster Design: Lekh Patel (5^th); Electronic Game Design: Adam Blaisse, Keith Crozier, Andrew Lewis, Brianna Parsons, Christine Marshall, Ryan Bimes (3^rd place team); Flight Endurance: Nick Johnson (2^nd); Prepared Presentation:  Melissa Zebekow (4^th); Promotional Graphics: Christine Marshall, (3^rd) and Vicki Fluck (4^th); PA Safety Illustration Computer Graphics:  Josh Lapinski (3^rd); Technology Bowl:  Andrew Lewis (8^th); Jake Swearingen (9^th).

Freshman Center: Technology Problem Solving: Kush Patel, Brent Leatherman (6^th place team); Dragster Design: Hannah Swearingen (2^nd); Eric Ott (3^rd); Kush Patel (4^th); Flight Endurance: Kush Patel (3^rd); PA Materials Process: Brent Leatherman (2^nd).

Milford: Career Pre, p: Colin McLaughlin (3^rd); Digital Photography Challenge: Megan Johnson (3^rd);  Miranda Rullman (7th); Emma McLaughlin (8th); Dragster: Jeffrey Prusch (2^nd); Tom Stalletti (3^rd);             David Acker (5^th); Brad Davco (6^th); Zack Metz (7^th); Gavin Newcomer (8^th); Electronic Gaming: Jason Prusch, Brent Rice, Seth Rice (4^th); Engineering Structure: Jason Prusch, Stephen Shelly (2^nd); Flight: Chris Cowan (3^rd); Medical Technology Issues: Alison Schicher, Emma McLaughlin, Megan Johnson (3^rd);

Problem Solving: Colin McLaughlin, Matt Basile (3^rd); Techno Talk: Stephen Shelly, Matt Basile (2^nd); Marine Design: MATT Cornelius, CHRIS Cowan, ALI Schlicher, TOM Stalletti, ZACK Metz (3^rd); Delta Dart Glider: Chris Cowan (3^rd); Digital Photography: Miranda Rullman (3^rd); Megan Johnson (4^th); Safety Illustration: Stephen Shelly (2^nd); Emma McLaughlin (3^rd); Bio Medical Essay: Morgan Contoleon (3^rd).

Strayer: Dragster: Jessica Berkezchuk (4^th); Kyle Appel (10^th); Michael Hilliard (11^th).

 Wrestling team wins sectionals

The QCHS wrestling team recently captured the 2010 Section 2 tournament. The four champions were  Scotty Wolfinger, Briar Malischewski, Eric Koch and Edwin Gonzalez. Second place finishers were Tyler Seislove, Tyler Wolfe and Greg Walker. Third place finishers were Alex Brulliea, Seth Gray and Matt Jorgensen. 

The team is scheduled to host the District One North Wrestling tournament Friday night and Saturday.

 James Weiss ranked first in state for pole vault

Senior James Weiss won a gold medal in pole vault and posted the best jump in the state for indoor track at last weekend’s Meet of Champions Indoor Track Championships at Lehigh University.

The Honor Band of America will perform a concert March 6 at Clowes Memorial Hall on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Members hail from all over the country and were selected by recorded audition, evaluated by leading music educators. The conductor is H. Robert Reynolds from UCLA and the University of Michigan. The Music for All National Festival will include several Master Classes taught by some of the leading music instructors in the country, as well as a motivational session and social events.

“To be selected for membership in this elite national ensemble is a great achievement and honor,” said Scott McCormick, Music for All President and CEO. “The 2010 Honor Band of America members are ambassadors of America’s music programs, as well as their states, schools and communities.”

Kirk is a Distinguished Honor Roll student and a member of the QCHS Panther Marching Band, Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble. He participated in the 2009 PMEA Dis, trict 11 Band and the 1009 Region IV Band as a sophomore. He also won a jazz solo award from the Cavalcade of Bands circuit with the QCHS Jazz lab. He participated in the 2006 and 2007 Bux-Mont Intermediate Honors Band.

Wrestling team wins third straight league title

The QCHS wrestling team defeated CB South and captured its third consecutive league title. The Panthers became the first team in Quakertown wrestling history to win three consecutive league titles!  This weekend starts the 4 week post season tournament march to qualify for the PIAA state tournament. The Sectional Tournament will be held February 20 at Upper Perk, iomen. 

Welcome to the newest member of the Quakertown Community School District. Paisley Addison Murray was born on a sunny day, Feb. 11, at 10:30 a.m., after a huge snowstorm that allowed her parents to stay home from school!

Mother Tammy is a guidance counselor at the high school and her father, Tom, is the Neidig Elementary School principal.  Paisley was 8 pounds, 1 ounce, 19.5 inches long. Congratulations to the healthy family.

Vo-Tech students win awards at Skills USA competition

Several Quakertown High School-Upper Bucks County Vocational Technical School students won first, second and third place awards at the recent District 11 Skills USA Competition in Allentown.

Thirty-four QCHS students competed.  Derek Roberts and Brian Hall (TeamWorks Construction Technology), Josh Gottshall (Automotive Refinishing Technology), Steve Yerkes (Diesel Equipment Technology), Wayne Whiteside (Visual Communications/Advertising Design) and Alexa Michael (Health Care Careers) won first place prizes. 

Second place awards went to Dillon Klinkert (Machining Technology), Chris Neubert (Construction Technology), Michael Jansons (Law Enforcement) and Venessa Souen (Health Care Careers).

The QCHS and Rotary International Student of the Month for January was Darci Wolf.  MaryAnn Byatt, teacher, and guidance counselor Andy Scappaticci nominated Darci for the award.  Darci is a member of the senior class at the high school and, carries a 4.0 GPA for the year.

Darci is a dedicated and motivated student.  She takes mostly Advanced Placement and honors classes that challenge her academically. She maintains an A average in all of them.  Darci is not afraid of hard work and constantly goes above and beyond the standards set in class.  Darci is extremely active with senior class projects as well as co-president of the Spanish Club.  The students at Quakertown Elementary look forward to Darci’s help as an Ed. Intern.  She has spent many hours tutoring them in reading and math.  Darci plans to attend Kutztown University in the fall to study both elementary and special education.

The QCHS boys and girls swim team faced Central Bucks South in their last regular meet of the season.  The following swimmers earned first place in at least one of their events:  Victoria Travor, Ethan Fritch, and Sarah Renn.  Ethan Fritch also qualified for the District 1 Meet in the 500 Freestyle. 

The following football players were named to the All Intell Team: 1^st team: Tony Latronica, Kurt Roberts, Rob Basile; 2^nd team: Jake Swearingen; Honorable Mention: Ryan Tincknell, Seth Gray.

Nine students represented QCHS at the PMEA District 11 Chorus Festival this week. They were selected among  the top 20 singers in their section out of all the singers in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. They re-auditioned for a chance to perform in the PMEA Region VI State Chorus and 8 of the 9 were selected by being in the top 10 of 20.

The Region VI representatives are Maggie Montoney, Joshua Slabinski, Joel Bauman, Jay Stiles, Adam Lynn, Jon Bauman, Dan Laubach and Mike Smolinsky. Brenna Sullivan made the District 11 Chorus.

Maggie and Josh earned top honors, each by placing #1 out of 20 in their respective sections.

District Business Manager announces retirement

The QCSD Board of School Directors reluctantly accepted the retirement of Business Manager Sylvia Lenz at the January 28 meeting. She will prepare the 2010-2011 budget before her last day on July 31.

"It's time," said Ms. Lenz, who lives in Richland Township. "This has not been an easy decision to make. I'm very proud of the school district and proud to be part of it."

Ms. Lenz came to QCSD from Pottsgrove School District in August, 2001. Before that she worked in Business Administration for Cheltenham School District. She has worked in public education for more than 25 years.

Ms. Lenz is in charge of all business office operations, including facilities, food service, tax office, payroll, accounting and accounts payable. Her days are filled with construction project meetings, preparing the annual budget and many other business related duties.

School Board President Linda Martin praised Ms. Lenz as a “classy lady,” noting her dedication has included plenty of overtime on many evenings and weekends in the district offices.

Board member Kathy Mosley thanked Ms. Lenz, noting she explained the budget many times to district employees and the public because it can be difficult to understand.

The QCSD School Board and Administration honored seven teachers at the Jan. 28 Board Meeting. Two of the teachers, pictured above attended, Steve Wysocki and John Makoul.

The full list is in the chart below.

Daniella Ciccarone: Basking in the Quakertown record books

Photo by Shannon Smith, QCHS Senior

One thousand points is no easy feat for a high school basketball player, but Quakertown star senior Daniella Ciccarone surpassed that mark in her 2^nd game of the season. The numbers? Well, she is still racking them up. After breaking an 80-year-old Quakertown High School women’s basketball points record, Daniella now has her eyes set on the men’s points record, at 1,303.

Miriam Afflerbach scored 1,144 points between 1927 and 1930, when women still played the old 6-on-6 game in which the offense and defense did not cross half court. Daniella broke the record Jan. 12 in a game at North Penn. The overall school record of 1,303 points was set by Rob Gluck back in the 1980s.

For the rest of the story, click here.

Five runners qualify for state championships

Five Quakertown Community High School girls qualified for the indoor state track championships at a recent meet at Lehigh University. Jody Evans (the 60), Alicia Evans (200) and Megan Rhyner (800) qualified in individual events. Evans, Sara Linke, Jasmine Korr and Evans qualified for the 4 X 200 relay. The state meet will be held in early March at Penn State.

Robert Basile wrestled with his options: Go to Princeton on an ROTC scholarship or go to West Point.

Lights, Camera, Antlers?

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Nicole Soskin: Motivated, ambitious, dedicated student

For the rest of the story, click here.

Keystone Soldiers assembles care packages to send to all branches of the military and sends them to locations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Korea and any other troops who request help from home.

Families donated healthy snacks, candy, sunscreen, insect repellant, lip balm and toiletries.

The girls track team competed Dec. 18 at Lehigh University. Jody Evans won the 60 meter dash. She qualified for the Meet of Champions meet at Lehigh and also the indoor state meet at Penn State in March.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) awarded QCSD a $14,600 grant so that 9^th grade English department teachers can create standards based lessons utilizing the Verizon digital learning platform called Thinkfinity and upload these lesson plans to PDE’s new Standards Aligned System (SAS), which will make them available to teachers throughout the state.

PDE received $100,000 from Verizon to embed lessons utilizing their Thinkfinity database into SAS. PDE made up to $20,000 available to individual school districts, which then applied for the grant. QCSD was one of the 11 school districts that received the grant, written by Freshman Center librarian Bekci Kelly.

Teachers involved are Karen Sciarillo, Jen Stover, Nancy Nielsen, Sue Goodwin, Julie Pennabaker and Julie Saab. They will receive professional development in how to use Thinkfinity and SAS. Once their exemplary lessons are uploaded, they will hold an open house to showcase their work.

A committee of educational professionals from the Bucks County Intermediate # 22 (BCIU) in Doylestown will publish artwork by QCHS senior Robert Kienzle, a Graphics Communications student at the Upper Bucks County Technical School (UBCTS).

The BCIU offered an art contest that sought a design for a CD cover entitled “Moving On.” The CD is a directory for high school students and their parents to find contact information for community resources and governing agencies. The directory that will be printed in November will be distributed to local agencies and Bucks County District Transition Coordinators. They will then distribute it to families, teachers and professionals to use as a guide.

“Robert has done a tremendous job supporting this project. He has exceeded the level of persistence of most professionals through the hurdles,” said Elizabeth Swatsky, Program and Training S, pecialist of the BCIU.

The Graphic Communications program at UBCTS provides students instruction in the graphic arts industry as they produce various forms and displays. The PrintED National certified program prepares students for the changing technology in the industry and assists the students in preparing for additional study at a college or university. Students operate sheetfed offset printing presses, digital imaging equipment and various types of bindery machines.

QCHS junior Sarah “Boo” Hower was selected by opponent volleyball coaches to the Second Team All-League for the Suburban , One League Continental Conference.

Sarah has been playing volleyball for three years and is the starting Libero (defensive specialist) for the 2009 Girls Varsity Volleyball Team. Despite a rough season for the team, Sarah earned the recognition for her steady play on defense and dependable serves. The selection means that Sarah is considered to be one of the top 12 players in the 7 team league. That’s quite an honor!

Dieter Klinkert, a QCHS senior, has been named the Student of the Month for October. Dieter has been enrolled in the Baking, Pastry and Gourmet Food program for three years. His reason for enrolling in this program is very clear cut and precise: He enjoys making food for other people to enjoy.

The UBCTS will hold an Open House Nov. 17 for 5th to 8th graders.

Megan Rhyner qualifies for state cross country meet

Congratulations to Megan Rhyner for qualifying for the PIAA State Cross Country Championship Meet by placing 17^th out of more than 400 runners at the District 1 Championship Meet. Megan will compete agai, nst the top girls in the state at Hershey.

QCHS sports teams enjoy recent successes <, o:p>

The Quakertown Ice Hockey team won 11-0 against Central/ Bethlehem Catholic. Zach Gower had four goals and two assists. Alex Coblentz had 2 goals and 3 assists. Matt Iskra had a goal and an assist. Matt Grant had 2 goals. Jake Ferrar and Joey Hooven each had a goal and Brandt Hale had an assist.

Every Thursday night, eight to 10 students, plus friends who come , along to help, show up at the First UCC Church to play with babies and school aged children (25-30 of them) and to help them with their homework or simply keep them entertained while their parents take English lessons from Diane Blodgett.

“Mrs. Wert helps a lot of people in the Spanish community,” Rosa said. “They come from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. I’ve been working with her since 9th grade. She’s always been there for me.”

“All of this work has become very natural for me to do during my recreational time,” Alaina said. “It’s what I do. We need to help the people who are trying.”

PBA, is working with schools throughout the state to evaluate their various homebuilding programs. The instructors must integrate the Residential Construction Academy curriculum into their programs. The RCA curriculum follows specific national residential skill standards created by the National Association of Home Builders and their educational arm, the Home Builders Institute. The skill standards encompass core competencies as carpentry; plumbing; heating, ventilation and air conditioning; and others.

“Our endorsed trade program benefits schools by ensuring their homebuilding trades courses meet stringent criteria evaluating their educational value for students wanting to enter the homebuilding industry,” said Gene Kreitzer, PBA president. “It also is of great value to our members by creating a more skilled work force for our next generation of homebuilders.”

UBCTS is a public school serving the students in three Upper Bucks County School Districts, Palisades, Pennridge and Quakertown. Students benefit from specialized career programs that give them a competitive edge in college and career. Approximately 700 students in grades 9-12 are enrolled in 19 Pennsylvani, a Department of Education approved technical programs. Students participate one half day at the career and technical school and one half day at their sending district where they receive the balance of their academic courses.

Coaches thanked administrators for their support, as well as Upper Perk Sportswear (t-shirts), Athletic Director Sylvia Kalazs, Valerie Lopes (lollipops), Marilyn Hower and parents of team members.

“Some of the women walking have had cancer, many have not, but somehow everyone has a connection to cancer,” Sue said. “My cousin in Seattle has walked this event out the, re for five straight years and my other cousin joined her this year. There is a huge group of volunteers that organizes the events all over the country.”

Sue said she is praying for dry weather. No matter how many miles she winds up walking, she already feels like a winn, er. “When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I didn’t know if I would be here in five years. I’m so happy about this big milestone.”

Added Dr. Lisa Andrejko, Superintendent, “Improving communications is and has been a strategic plan goal given top priority by the school district. This award is affirmation of the hard work of Ms. Stein, Mr. Silvius, and Ms. Bishop.”

Photogenic QCHS junior Ashlynn Rice is featured as the cover story on the Healthy You magazine, published by Lehigh Valley Health Network. Now on her way to recovery, Ashlynn suffered a pulmonary embolism, or blocked artery to the lung. At Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, she underwent open-heart surgery to remove a 4-inch clot from her lung. She’s back in school and anxious to resume horseback riding and cheerleading lifts. Texting her friends on her cell phone helped Ashlynn during her hospital stay.

If you did not get the full color, glossy magazine in your home mailbox, you can go to http://www.lvh.org/healthyyou to read her full story and check out all the pictures.

Meghan Ackley, Life Skills teacher for grades 3-5 at Pfaff, earned a Master’s in Educational Development and Strategies at Wilkes University. Suzanne Altner, second grade teacher at Quakertown Elementary, earned a Master’s Degree for TESOL (Teaching Engli, sh as a Second Language), at DeSales University.

Jeff Palen, ESL Teacher, /Coordinator at QE and Tohickon Valley, comp, leted a Master’s of Elementary Education from Kutztown University. Bill Wess, 7^th grade science teacher at Strayer, earned a master’s degree in Classroom Technology at Wilkes.

“Efforts to keep our youth drug-free are critical in the Palisades, Pennridge and Quakertown communities in Upper Bucks County”, said Lee Rush, UBHCHY Community Organizer and Executive Director of justCommunity, Inc. “This award from the DFC program also recognizes and supports our work to increase the level of the 40 Developmental Assets in all youth. These assets are the essential building blocks for healthy youth to thrive throughout their lives and make smart decisions.”

The Drug Free Communities program provides funding for community organizations that facilitate citizen participation in local drug prevention efforts. Coalitions are comprised of community leaders, parents, youth, teachers, religious and fraternal organizations, health care and business professionals, law enforcement, and the media.

To watch a video of the competition and see plenty of pictures of the 2009 championships, go to http://www.crossfitapex.com/.

You can send them messages! Kudos to Dan and his buddies. This site is worth the time!

The organization recently est, ablished the Connie Mack Jim Bowen Scholar Athlete Award, . Jim was a player for Quakertown’s Connie Mack, Junior Legion and Quakertown High School’s bas, eball team. He is remembered by those who knew him best for his true love of the game of baseball and his never give up spirit.

Jake is a 5-season veteran of Connie Mack baseball. During his 2008 summer season, Jake played seven positions, mostly at catcher. He had a 2008 season batting average of .455 with 3 homeruns and 27 RBIs. During the year, Jake played for Connie Mack, his AAU team - the Upper Salford Diamond Dogs - and Quakertown Legion as well as for Quakertown High School. Jake volunteers at his church and will soon begin working at Habitat for Humanity.

Nate played 6 seasons with Connie Mack over the last 3 years. He is a member of the QHS Jazz and Marching Band, the National Honor Society and the Healthy Youth for Healthy Communities. He also volunteers for area nursing homes.

Both young men have demonstrated their scholastic abilities in the classroom as well, each with 4.0 GPAs, taking all Honors and AP classes.