WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2017
CHESTER COUNTY PRESS
9B
Eagle Scout builds classroom at Stroud Water Research Center A nature-inspired outdoor classroom, with an education kiosk designed by Eagle Scout Payton Shonk, is fostering streamside learning at Stroud Water Research Center. More than 5,000 students and adults have learned about freshwater stewardship at the outdoor classroom since its debut last fall, and last week, Shonk, 18, was honored for his project. Executive
Director Dave Arscott and Tara Muenz, assistant director of education, honored Shonk in front of about 20 guests at the outdoor classroom dedication, including leadership from Downingtown Troop 23. Muenz said, “Payton showed great initiative and a can-do spirit during this project.” “I really appreciate being able to work with
an organization as great as Stroud on my project, and I’m glad it is going to help people learn about water and the environment,” said Shonk, who started in the Cub Scouts at the age of 6. The design of the education kiosk, which uses environmentally friendly materials, includes a rotating two-sided display with a magnetic dry-erase board on one side and space
for a permanent outdoor educational sign on the other side. Shonk also designed and constructed a box for markers and natural wood benches. Funding was provided by the E. Kneale Dockstader Foundation and the National Science Foundation Long-Term Research in Environmental Biology grant. The completed project helped earn Shonk his Eagle Scout
rank in February, when he presented it during his Eagle Scout Board Review. Located just a short walk upstream of White Clay Creek, the outdoor classroom includes benches, lab tables, and the education kiosk. Arscott crafted the benches and lab tables from cedar, which Muenz designed to be arranged in two semicircles for largegroup discussion and water
chemistry activities. School and community groups interested in touring the new outdoor classroom, trails, and indoor research and education spaces, including the Stroud Center’s LEED Platinum Moorhead Environmental Complex, should contact Jessica Provinski at jprovinski@ stroudcenter.org or 610-2682153, ext. 288, to schedule a tour.
Hopewell Elementary School Penn’s Grove School honors names Students of the Month Students of the Month
Hopewell Elementary School teachers nominate
Students of the Month based on their academic achievements
and participation in class and school activities.
Penn’s Grove School teachers nominate Students of
the Month for each grade level team based on their academic
achievements and participation in class and school activities.
Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo
Pictured with Principal Dr. Nicole Addis and Assistant Principal Jason Soule, fifth grade February Students of the Month are, front row from left, Jose Cerrato-Cano, Madelyn Reber, Shanya Wise Tovar, Owen Kupsey and Javier Chavez Garcia; second row from left, Mackenzie Achuff, Madeline Soule, Joseph Madonna, Emilie Harrison and Hannah Martin. Jolie Weir is not pictured. Sixth grade February Students of the Month are, third row from left, David Carr, Avery Ernst, Dirk Carr, Mackenzie DiNunzio, Robbie Logan and Brady Bennett; top row from left, Sherlyn Medina Martinez, Hector Santillan, Anna Coe, Ryan Topmiller, Yaritzel Torres and Natalie Meixell.
Pictured with Assistant Principal Kristen Chastain, Penn’s Grove School seventh grade Students of the Month for February are, front from left, Barry Brower, Tatiana Ruiz, Breyonna Dorsey, Emily Guzman Leyva, Lilianna Rentas and Julianne Guerin; top from left, Jordan Kane, Lesly Garcia Bedolla, Abril Lara, Carlos Tapia-Espinosa, Nicholas Ortega and Amy Honaker.
Oxford Area High School honors Students of the Month Oxford Area High School recently held a breakfast to recognize the school’s Students of the Month for March. Each month teachers in selected departments nominate underclassmen for this honor, with the final selections made by the school administration. Students of the Month are chosen based on criteria including demonstrating an effort and desire to learn; involvement in school and classroom activities; respect for all school policies and personnel; concern for the school community and friendliness and support for other students. The following Students of the Month for March were named after being nominated by members of the English and special education departments Nadia Bakalez, freshman: Nominating teacher Jill Dunfee said, “Nadia has been consistently outstanding this year. She strives to do her best on all assignments and participates in class during discussions. Nadia is polite and respectful to her teacher and peers.” Damian Garcia, freshman: Nominating teacher Jean Coldiron said, “Damian models leadership in our Foundations of English class. He arrives to class on time, he completes his work, and he assists other classmates when necessary. “In addition, Damian is a respectful, cooperative and conscientious student. He is a good role model for other students.” Heather Mullins, freshman: Nominating teacher Niki Kelley said, “In addition to academic excellence, Heather shows maturity, responsibility and self-motivation that is extraordinary for a ninth grade student. She is one of the most polite and respectful students I’ve ever taught. Having her in class is truly
Courtesy photo
Pictured with Assistant Principal Kristen Chastain, Penn’s Grove Middle School eighth grade Students of the Month for February are, front from left, Jose Garcia, Taj Lanier, Abigail Higgins, Hannah Wilmont, Liam Riess and Brayden Todd; top from left are Mrs. Chastain, Madison Frank, Joseph Morton, Rosa Rodriguez, Grace Renninger and Katia Ayala-Morales.
Courtesy photo
Oxford Area High School recently named its Students of the Month for March. Seated from left are freshmen Maria Zermeno-Sahagun, Nadia Bakalez and Heather Mullins, sophomore Emily Stewart and junior Addy Rogers; standing from left are junior Dominic Sassi, sophomore Justin Dawson, junior Alina Snopkowski and freshman Damian Garcia.
my pleasure.” Maria Zermeno-Sahagun, freshman: Nominating teacher Carynne Burnett said, “Maria is one of my most hardworking students. She is extremely focused and extremely committed to excellence in her work. Maria also always improves from one assignment to the next.” Justin Dawson, sophomore: Nominating teacher Suzanne Lauer said, “Justin demonstrates an eagerness to learn every day when he comes to English class. He regularly participates in class discussions, asks questions and volunteers to read aloud. “Justin is a diligent scholar who is focused in class on completing assignments, working well with his peers, and will seek help after school if necessary. He is polite, friendly and has an energizing, optimistic attitude.” Emily Stewart, sophomore: Nominating teacher Vanessa Kephart said, “Emily had one of the highest grades in 10th grade Honors English. She participates in class and is always on task and productive. “Emily incorporates constructive criticism and teacher feedback, and always strives to improve. She is also
a gifted writer.” Addy Rogers, junior: Nominating teacher Geri Hurley said, “Addy continues to strive to be her best every day. She cares about her grades and shows it across the board. “Addy takes pride in her work. It is refreshing to have a student like Addy in class!” Dominic Sassi, junior: Nominating teacher AnneMarie DeAngelis said, “Dominic is conscientious about his work because he not only cares about his grades, but he cares about my perception of him, which is rare in high school students today. He is always pleasant to me and his classmates. “There isn’t a day Dominic walks into my room without saying hello to me and others in the room. He has a great sense of humor and provides some much needed levity to the end of my day.” Alina Snopkowski, junior: Nominating teacher Kevin Lentz said, “Alina is an ideal English student. She has great reading comprehension and can handle even the most difficult texts. “Alina is also a very strong writer. In classroom discussions, she is always willing to bring great insight.”
Kennett High School welcomes National Honor Society 2017-18
The Kennett High School Blue and White Chapter of the National Honor Society welcomed the 2017-18 inductees at a ceremony and reception on March 22. Chapter adviser Dr. Alicia Tamargo opened the program. Four National Honor Society members from the Class of 2017 highlighted the Cardinal Objectives, the qualities expected of members: Madison Bowe (character), Danial Quraishi (scholarship), Austin Maxwell (leadership), and Luke Beeson (service). Senior speeches were delivered by Meredith Mitchell and Isabelle Morrison. Next, Jeffery Thomas, assistant principal, called the roll of the existing members of the chapter. Dr. Jeremy Hritz, principal, called the roll of new inductees who were welcomed into the chapter: Seniors – Julia Beldyk, Claire Brady, Susanna Casini, Chloe Clark, Ryan Ganly, Lauren He, Catherine Hodges, Katelin Judge, Rebecca Lustig, Danielle Phillips, Madissyn Stanton, Jamie Wessels, and Hannah Wissner; Juniors – Ashton Albert, Leo Battalora, Jose Becerra, Tyler Bowdoin, Megan Bunke, Francesca Caccamo,
Daniela Carmona, Clare Catanzaro, Hannah Church, Giulianna Claricurzio, Katherine Clarke, Anna Colamarino, Madelyn Conlin-Day, Michael Crognale, Jillian Curran, Abby Davidson, Claire Dawyot, Abigail Devestine, Kaitlyn Devonshire, Daniel Drennan, Abigail Duckworth, Erin Duffy, Nicholas Erni, Eliane Esparza Villarruel, Kevin Fiss, Melissa Fitzgibbon, Eric Gaver, David Geller, Victoria Gonzalez, Ryley Harris, Caroline Hertz, Sydney Holder, Nicole Huff, Quinn Huffaker, Alexa Hussey, Kelsey Jernegan, Cedric Jones, Benjamin Jordan, Delaney Joyce, Maxwell Judd, Jake Kalscheur, Brinda Kapur, Meghann LaCosta, Keiri Lemus Ramirez, Benjamin Lesher, Caroline Maroko, Matthew Patterson, Cameron Petrillo, Gianna Pippin, Elizabeth Rauscher, Lily Reilly, James Rosser, Katherine Rowe, Alena Rybarczyk, Jennifer Schaen, Morgan Schaen, Kathleen Schuetz, Linus Silbernagel, Elijah Smith, Lukas Staudenmayer, Samantha Sullivan, Allison Taylor, Emily Thompson, Madison Thureen, James Tuley, Citlaly Weed, Trinette Wheeler, Kaitlyn Willey, Chase
Williams, Anna Wilson, Karma Yang, and Cynthia Zern. Following the induction ceremony and roll call, assistant principal Raymond Fernandez administered the pledge of honor, and Dr. Tamargo announced the newly elected officers for 2017-18: President James Tuley, vice president Madison Thureen, secretary Kaitlyn Willey, treasurer Claire Dawyot, and historian Jillian Curran. Throughout the year, members of the National Honor Society members participate in service activities, including tutoring and fundraising. This year they have organized two blood drives for the American Red Cross, worked on volunteer crews for the Mushroom Festival, and ushered patrons at this year’s musical, “The Drowsy Chaperone.” The group is also looking forward to sponsoring social activities at the high school, including May’s Glow Dance, as well as volunteering this spring at the Kennett Run. Members of the Blue and White Chapter became eligible by posting a 3.75 grade point average (GPA) by the second semester of their junior year.