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BLUEPRINTS WINTER 2025

CONTENTS Your Issue at a Glance 2 4 6 9 10 12 14 16 18 19 20 21 22 24 28 30 35

Red Carpet Staff AP Scholars Welcome to West Who’s Who? School Leadership Animating the Future Cooking Magic Cota Cats Hobbies Band Student Council No Vape Teacher Spotlight Health & PE Student Artist Scholar Athletes Behind the Scenes

Our Publication's Font Choice For the main text of our articles, we have selected the Atkinson Hyperlegible font. This font was developed by the Braille Institute to enhance readability for everyone. To learn more, visit their website: [Braille Institute Free Font] (https://www.brailleinstitute.org/freefont/).

Front Cover: The Cota Cats!

Back Cover & Contents Page: The No Hate High School Tour

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Article and Photos By: Leo Aragona-Young

AP CAPSTONE DIPLOMAS Award Criteria: The AP Capstone Diploma is granted to students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and 4 additional AP Exams of their choosing.

Logan Smith

2025 Graduate

Franklin Ramos

2025 Graduate

Iyanna Samad

2025 Graduate

AP SCHOLARs WITH DISTINCTION

AP SCHOLARS

Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

Dominick G. Gortych ‘25 Emily Gutierrez ‘26 John G. Hunnicutt ‘25 Adam kostek ‘25 Aaliyah S. Muriel ‘25 Mikhail J. Ragoobeer ‘25 Franklin R. Ramos ‘25 Logan Smith ‘25 Fredis a. Valladares ‘26

Granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.

Arianna L. Alvarado ‘26 Dominick Maslowski ‘26 Cole J. Amerman ‘26 Paulina Milewska ‘26 Brady M. BEHR ‘26 John murtha ‘25 Hannah L. BOSSUYT ‘26 John Patrick t. Mutia ‘26 JOHN A. CRUZ ‘25 Anais a. Nisha ‘26 KYLIE E. ELSON ‘25 Yashna A. Rana ‘25 Brandon Y. Escalante ‘26 Aaliyah N. richards ‘27 Kayla L. Frary ‘25 Ariana N. Rocha ‘26 Kailyn A. Sage ‘25 Angelique D. Girard ‘25 Shariyah D. GREGGS ‘26 isabella r. Scarretta ‘27 Suhani sharma ‘25 Aaliyah O. HAMLET ‘26 Aurey-Lee P. Thomas ‘27 Jaydon A. Jagnandan ‘27 Gabriel D. Trindade ‘25 Alice L. Jia ‘26 Jayden j. Walls ‘25 Cayleigh Keller ‘27 Alexander J. Welton ‘26 Haley lopez ‘25

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AP SCHOLARs WITH HONORS Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.

Maya D. Dos santos ‘25 Parviz Eshonov ‘26 Ayden W. Harmon ‘26 Lindsey N. Hill ‘25 Abigail R. killoran ‘26 Anjelia S. Lecorps ‘25 Addison J. Nat ‘26 Tiffany M. Pfirman-Slocum ‘25 Jason R. platt ‘26 Tristan M. Polen ‘26 Maya I. Ross ‘25 Iyanna I. samad ‘25

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Students are eligible in the 10th and 11th grades for their exceptional academic performance. Students are eligible for awards based on the following criteria: Score in the top 10% of PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 test takers in their high school First-generation test takers Rural and small-town test takers.

Earn a 3+ on 2 or more distinct AP exams in the 8th, 9th and/or 10th grade.

All award winners must also earn a cumulative GPA of B+ (at least 3.3 or 87%-89%) by the time of submission.

KAYLA MOORE ‘27

Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award & School Recognition Award

Fredis Valladares ‘26 Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award & School Recognition Award

Alice Jia ‘26

Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award & School Recognition Award

Aaliyah Richards ‘27

Jaydon Jagnandan ‘27

School Recognition Award

Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award & School Recognition Award

Katryn Feurstein ‘27

Emily Gutierrez ‘26

First-Generation Recognition Award & Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award & School Recognition Award

Parviz Eshonov ‘26 Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award & School Recognition Award

First-Generation Recognition Award & School Recognition Award & Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award

Tristan Polen ‘26

Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award & School Recognition Award

Brady BEHR ‘26 School Recognition Award

Alyssa Leschack ‘26 First-Generation Recognition Award

Arianna Alvarado Maradiaga ‘26 Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award & School Recognition Award & First-Generation Recognition Award

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By Hannah Bossuyt and Madison Clark

Ms.Susko Ms. Susko teaches Astronomy, Earth Science, and Physics. She earned her Bachelor of Science at East Stroudsburg University and her Master of Science at Wilkes University. Ms. Susko chose teaching as a career, because she wants to make a positive difference in the lives of young people. Education shapes the future, and she believes that every student deserves someone who believes in their potential. “Teaching allows me to share knowledge, inspire curiosity, and help students grow into confident individuals.”

Ms. Susko’s first teaching job was at Old Forge High School, where she taught Physics, Trigonometry, and Geometry as a long-term substitute for the 3rd and 4th marking period. The following school year, she began working at Pocono Mountain West High School! Ms. Susko taught at Pocono Mountain West High School from 2006 to 2014, when she took time off to be a stay-athome mom.

This year, she’s returned to teaching and says, “It feels great to be back doing what I love!” In her free time, Ms. Susko dances! She has taught dance for almost 25 years and performed with a modern dance company. She currently teaches tap & modern dance. Ms. Susko loves West's school spirit from West’s Best to Homecoming Week, Prom, and the yearly musical production. However, her big question remains, “Will the juniors take home the Spirit Stick this year?” Everybody, let's welcome back Ms.Susko!

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Ms.Cooley

Ms. Cooley teaches Civics and Psychology. She attended Juniata College to get a degree in Social Studies Secondary Education.

Ms. Cooley chose teaching as a career, because she has always loved school and enjoyed helping friends with their work growing up. “I wanted to make other people’s experience as memorable as mine was.”

Before coming to West, Ms. Cooley taught 7th-grade Ancient World History and Geography at Huntington Area Middle School. Ms. Cooley's teaching style is interactive, immersive, and dynamic. Ms. Cooley wants every student to know that she is always available to talk or work with anyone (her student or not).

Ms. Cooley’s favorite part of Pocono Mountain West High School is the overwhelming support for women’s sports. In her free time, Ms. Cooley enjoys hiking, playing board games, reading, and coaching the girls' tennis and basketball teams!

Ms.Lohrey

When Ms. Cooley was little, before she wanted to be a teacher, she wanted to be a tomato farmer and the owner of a tomato restaurant. If Ms. Cooley could teach any subject for a day, she would teach biology or anatomy, because she’s always been fascinated by how everything works. Everybody, welcome Ms. Cooley!

Ms. Lohrey teaches Math; this is her first year teaching! She attended Bryn Mawr College and, before that, Pennsbury High School. Ms. Lohrey has wanted to be a teacher since fifth grade.

“I always liked helping my friends with their math homework and seeing that 'light bulb moment' when they grasped a concept I was helping them with.”

Ms. Lohrey’s teaching style is to create a classroom where students feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes. She tells her students that math is a conversation – both the teachers and students are teaching and learning together – and we’re all going to make mistakes, but that is how we grow.

Ms. Lohrey’s favorite thing about the West is the sense of community. Everyone – staff and students – has been so welcoming. The math department, in particular, has been extremely supportive and helped make my transition to West very smooth. In her free time, Ms. Lohrey loves reading, doing puzzles, and playing/coaching soccer. She is one of the coaches of our girls' soccer team!

Ms. Lohrey wants every student to know that everyone can be a “math person.” Struggling with a concept doesn’t mean you’re bad at math – it just means you’re learning. Everyone, give a warm welcome to Ms.Lohrey!

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Mr. Koelsch

Mr. Koelsch teaches Special Education, Earth Science, and World History. He attended Lackawanna Trail High School, a small school that included grades 7 through 12. After graduation, Mr. Koelsch earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Penn State University and later obtained his teaching certification from Point Park University.

This is Mr. Koelsch's first year teaching, but before that, while completing his teaching certification, he was a substitute teacher for North Pocono and Pocono Mountain. Mr. Koelsch's teaching style is firm yet flexible; he sets clear boundaries and expectations while remaining adaptable, meeting students where they are. Mr. Koelsch’s favorite part about working with high school students is seeing their personalities shine and their confidence grow. “They bring so much energy, humor, and honesty to the classroom, and it’s inspiring to watch them start connecting what they learn to the real world.”

In his free time, Mr. Koelsch enjoys coaching volleyball, spending time with his family, hiking, and traveling. He is also a big Penn State football fan. Everyone, welcome Mr. Koelsch!

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A

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Who’s Who? 1

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Look for Answers Behind the Scenes BluePrints Winter 2025

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Meet the Team That Keeps Our School Running By: Allison Stackewicz and Natalia Juchnicki

Ms. Fladger Mrs. Fladger serves as the Assistant Principal at Pocono Mountain West High School. She began her educational journey in New York City before joining the Pocono Mountain School District in 2005. With an impressive 42 years of experience in the field, her primary focus is on guiding high school seniors through their final year. She is passionate about helping students harness their talents and skills to reach their full potential.

Outside of her professional life, she has a fondness for the color green, lighthouses, and Italian cuisine. A true movie enthusiast, she enjoys films such as Lethal Weapon, Harry Potter, and Rudy.

Mr. Jones Mr. Jones is currently in his tenth year as an administrator, with eight years serving as a head principal—six of which he has dedicated to Pocono Mountain West High School. With 20 years of experience in education, he oversees all students, staff, and administrators at WHS. Mr. Jones enjoys running, eating, and then sleeping. When he runs outside, he listens to audiobooks or podcasts; when he runs indoors, he likes watching movies.

Mr. Jones’ favorite breakfast foods are pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Before becoming a principal, he was a social studies/history teacher. What Mr. Jones likes most about WHS is seeing student growth and achievement from first-year orientation to graduation day. It makes him proud of both students and staff. Some of his hidden interests include 80s and early 90s cartoons, horror and post-apocalyptic movies, and DC graphic novels. He is a fan of The Simpsons, The Twilight Zone, Stephen King, and classic video game systems such as Nintendo, SNES, and Sega Genesis. Lastly, Mr. Jones’s vision for WHS is to be the best at everything we do. West will continue to build on our many current successes. Our students will continue to show strong academic growth across all areas and excel in AP enrollment and success rates.

Mr. Bomar Mr. Bomar is an assistant principal here at the West HS for his second year and currently oversees the juniors and sophomores (Last names P-Z).

Before becoming an assistant principal, he was an ISS teacher and felt he could make a greater difference working with students as an assistant principal.

Mr. Bomar loves sports, especially basketball, and pizza is his favorite food (NY style, of course). Mr. Bomar is also pursuing his doctoral degree at Delaware Valley University. Lastly, his vision for Pocono Mountain West High School is to continue finding ways/opportunities to help our school community improve our academics, sports, and clubs, attendance, and character education.

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Dr. Morell Dr. Morell is in his 12th year as Dean of Students at Pocono Mountain West High School, working with every student from 9th through 12th grade. After school, he enjoys staying active by working out and spending quality time with family and friends. Dr. Morell is a devoted fan of Penn State football and the Philadelphia Eagles, and his favorite meal is chicken and rice. As a student, he especially enjoyed social studies, which helped shape his passion for education.

Dr. Morell's vision for Pocono Mountain West High School is for every student to reach their full potential and seize every opportunity for a bright and successful future.

Mr. Wilson Mr. Wilson has served as an assistant principal at Pocono Mountain West High School for three years, currently overseeing freshmen and sophomores (last names H–O). His favorite part of each day is visiting classrooms and witnessing students and teachers engaged in learning. Mr. Wilson enjoys connecting with students about careers, postsecondary education, and sharing insights from his military background.

Outside of school, his interests span the seasons: on weekends, he can often be found saltwater fishing, skiing, or coaching ski racers. To unwind after work, he heads to the gym. An avid outdoor enthusiast, he also enjoys cycling, mountain biking, playing tennis, and golfing.

Mr. Wilson finds great happiness working at West High School, thanks to the supportive team of fellow administrators and the students who include him in activities throughout the day.

With a focus on improving consistency in student achievement, Mr. Wilson is committed to providing students with clear, consistent leadership and direction so they always know what is expected of them.

Officer Wile Officer Wile has served as the resource officer at West High School since 2015. He is passionate about helping people in the community and values his role as a School Resource Officer (SRO), working closely with our youth. Officer Wile believes West High School is the ideal place to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community. In his free time, he enjoys working out, golfing, and relaxing at home with his dogs. He's also a fan of college football and loves eating Thai food and pizza.

During his school years, Officer Wile enjoyed going to the gym and developed solid skills in both skiing and juggling. Looking ahead, he hopes to become an even better listener for students and plans to remain part of the West Family until he retires.

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ANIMATING the future

Story and photos by Asher James

The 2D animation class is an exciting way to kick off your animation and art adventure! Led

by Mrs. Miles, the class is both enjoyable and highly interactive, allowing students to delve into animation.

Students share positive feedback about her class, noting that it’s engaging and manageable. Mrs. Miles encourages you to learn at your own pace while also motivating you to push your boundaries for greater success.

In this class, you'll engage in animation, explore the various stages of the process, and receive all the tools you need, plus much more!

Below is a snippet of a short interview with Ms. Miles: Q: What are some things your class animates?

A: Last semester, last spring, we did Claymation. One of my students was very good at Claymation and actually has a YouTube channel; it was great.

I've had them do it with Legos; it was hit-ormiss. They've done paper, you know, like cutting out paper and just taking a picture and moving it. It took a lot of time, though. We use Adobe products like Adobe Animate, Character Animator, and Premiere Pro, as well as Vectry. Vectry is a cloud-based 3D maker.

We also use Blender for 3D, and they sometimes play with that too.

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Student Animator

Showcase

Four of our talented student animators presented their creations: Alex Rambally brought to life a version of Winnie the Pooh.

Yandel Navedo crafted an impressive depiction of Goku.

Enely Ball designed a dynamic Spider-Man scene.

Asher James introduced our very own Prince the Panther!

“Pooh” by Alex Rambally

“Goku” by Yandel Navedo

Interested in learning more about the class? Be sure to check out these interviews with Mrs. Miles and Anneka Johnson!

“The Amazing Spider-Man” by Enley Ball

Mrs. Miles interview

“Prince the Panther” by Asher James

Anneka Johnson’s interview

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k k i i n n o o g g o o C Magic C Ms. Kutra, a seasoned culinary instructor with over 30 years of hospitality experience, is in her third year of teaching cooking at Pocono Mountain West High School. Coming from a family of caterers and party planners, she has a passion for sharing her knowledge with students and emphasizes the importance of everyday cooking skills. In her class, students engage in hands-on cooking labs where they create diverse dishes like granola, parfaits, mac and cheese, and vegetable pasta primavera. Not only do they learn how to prepare meals, but they also explore nutrition and the cultural significance of food.

The classes foster teamwork and creativity, allowing students to enjoy the fruits of their labor—often taking home what they prepare. Ms. Kutra believes that cooking is not just about following recipes but about discovering the joy of collaboration and learning healthy eating habits. For those considering joining the class next year, she encourages them to take the plunge and experience the fun for themselves.

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THE RECIPES FOR SUCCESS

by Asher James

Ms. Kutra’s Interview

Xavier Fierras Interview

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COTA What is COTA?

CATS

Articles by: Leo Aragona-Young

COTA, or Celebration of the Arts, is a jazz festival founded by Phil Woods, Rick Chamberland, and Ed Joubert in 1978. At this festival, jazz musicians perform and showcase their art to the world. This festival aims to unite communities through the appreciation of jazz and music. The festival is held every year in September near the Delaware Water Gap. The festival is extremely popular, with thousands of people attending every year to support it.

Who are the COTA Cats?

Photos by: Leo Aragona-Young

In 1981, the COTA Cats were introduced on the COTA stage. The COTA Cats consisted of many schools across Monroe County.

Some of these schools include Pocono Mountain West, Pocono Mountain East, East Stroudsburg North, East Stroudsburg South, Kutztown, and many more. The best of the best are selected for this event, and those selected practice weeks before the event under the conductor, Tim Reiche. The COTA Cat program is well known for its alumni, who often attend prestigious schools such as the Berklee College of Music in Boston, the Juilliard School in New York, the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, and the University of North Texas.

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MYA

CAIO

KAYLA

BEATRICE

JUSTIN

Kayla Perez is a senior with 2 years of COTA experience under her belt. She is a baritone sax player for the COTA Cats and is known for her skills and talent on stage.

Beatrice Lewis is a senior in her first year as a COTA Cat. She plays percussion for the COTA Cats, and you will regularly see and hear her rhythmic groove on the drum set in September.

Justin Carter is a junior and a secondyear COTA Cat. He plays the trombone in the band, and is revered for his stellar solos and improvisations on the COTA stage.

Mya Aragona-Young is an avid trumpet player for the COTA Cats. She has been a member for 2 years and has made lots of memories as a COTA Cat. Her favorite memory was watching the sunset from the stained glass church where she rehearsed.

Mya’s favorite part about being a COTA Cat is meeting other students in schools all over Monroe county and becoming one big family.

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Caio Dos Santos is a freshman and a first-year COTA Cat who plays the electric guitar. To him, COTA means celebrating music together. He has had a blast within the COTA program. Caio has made many friends from other schools, and he enjoys learning complex music in such a short time.

His favorite memory from COTA was hanging out and talking in between breaks.

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Staff/Teacher Hobbies

by Dayana Sorto

Dr.Thackara

Dr. Thackara is currently a biology teacher at Pocono Mountain West High School. What started as a hobby in baking has blossomed into a small business. Her journey began with her grandmother, and she loves crafting oneof-a-kind treats for all. Her venture is named “The Front Porch Bake Shop.” Through baking, she has developed better time management skills and learned to utilize social media more effectively. Additionally, her artistic abilities have flourished. She now applies these skills in the classroom by enhancing illustrations for her students and creating teaching materials using Canva.

Mr. Mitchell Mr. Mitchell is a business teacher. His Hobby is golfing. Check out what he had to say in this video.

Ms.Pringle

Ms. Pringle is in her fifth year of teaching 10th-grade English Language Arts, both academic and honors, at Pocono Mountain West High School. She dedicates much of her time to her students. Outside her teaching responsibilities and graduate studies, she enjoys reading mysteries and thrillers, listening to true-crime podcasts like CrimeJunkie and Morbid, and doing diamond art painting— a relaxing craft in which tiny resin 'diamonds' are applied to an adhesive canvas to create vibrant images.

Her love for reading began in childhood, encouraged by her mother. Inspired by her mom’s influence, she became captivated by true-crime podcasts. For her, reading is a wonderful escape from reality and a stimulus to her mind.

Her favorite reading spot is on her parents’ deck. Through diamond art, she has learned to practice patience and to appreciate the creative process that leads to beautiful, cherished decorations.

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2025 MARCHING BAND 250 United States Anniversary Edition by: Leo Aragona-Young and Dayana Sorto Every spring, the marching band staff reunites to discuss and brainstorm ideas for the marching band's halftime show for the following school year. The topic they came up with during this year's meeting is America's 250th birthday. The main theme of this topic is to highlight something great about our country. This school year's show will take the audience through the life of a soldier, training, deployment, war, and the hardships of enlisted life.

-Mr. Mark

The school marching band plays during halftime for games. Students have practice and stay after school.

Avery Covino, a student currently in the marching band, expressed her love for marching band: “It is very fun, I love it.” The marching band requires a lot of effort, coordination, and skills. The marching band is essential for school spirit and pride. At every game and pep rally, the marching students are the ones who fill the school spirit. Many times these students aren’t really noticed, but they have an essential role for our school pride. This year’s theme portrayed a soldier's life, which resonates well with students. The journey of a soldier parallels that of a student: they train at school, transition to a university or career, and then face the challenges of life.

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Student Council Inside Look

by Allison Stackewicz

A Quick Guide to Your Student Council The PM West Student Council is a group of dedicated students working to make our school and community a better place. We focus on creating fun events, giving back to the community, and making sure your voice is heard!

What We Do for Our School We improve your experience at West by focusing on three main areas:

How You Can Get Involved Do you want to help make PM West a better place?

Find the committee that's right for you!

Fun Events & School Spirit We plan the events that make the school year memorable, including: Homecoming Week & Dances (like the Fall Ball) The Senior Prom Pep Rallies & Class Competitions Tailgate Parties Coffeehouse Concerts & Gaming Tournaments Community Service We connect our school with the wider community by organizing: Blood Drives Fundraisers for Make-A-Wish® The Holiday Wish List Program Support for the Special Olympics Your Voice We make sure your views and needs are represented.

Class Representatives meet with the principal to discuss student concerns and work together to find solutions.

Class Representatives Who it's for: Natural leaders and great communicators.

What you'll do: Serve as the "voice" of your class, plan class-specific events, and work directly with the principal to solve problems and improve the school.

Community Service Committee Who it's for: Anyone who loves to help others and make a difference.

What you'll do: Plan and run all our community outreach programs, like blood drives, the Pancake Breakfast, and Make-A-Wish® fundraisers.

Prom Committee Who it's for: Creative planners who want to build an unforgettable night.

What you'll do: Work all year to plan every detail of the Senior Prom, from the theme and decorations to the tickets and pre-prom reception.

School Events Committee Who it's for: Active, fun, and creative students.

What you'll do: Brainstorm and run the school's most exciting events, like Homecoming, the Fall Ball, Gaming Night, and Coffee House.

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Mr.Dickerson’s AP Chemistry Success

By Madison Clark and Hannah Bossyut

Mr. Dickerson has been teaching AP chemistry for 10 years. He has developed a very rigorous pace for the class that allows the students to cover the entire course and have significant time to review before the AP exam. Additionally, around year 4 or 5 of teaching, he was able to make very solid predictions about the types of questions and the ways questions might be asked to better support students with the content. He makes sure he pushes the class through the curriculum at an aggressive pace, so he has about 6-7 weeks to prepare for the exam in the spring. He has his students work on FRQ and MCQ questions from past exams throughout the year in preparation.

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In addition to teaching the curriculum, one of his top priorities is to build a connection with each student. He believes that building a strong connection and trust with his students helps them buy into the work they need to put forth to overcome the challenges ahead in a class like AP chemistry. He keeps a sign up in his classroom that says, “A person who feels appreciated will always do more than what is expected.” He also has an AP Chemistry Wall of Fame in his room, as well as a picture frame outside his classroom with the names of each student who passes the exam.

He finds that the most rewarding part about his students' success is getting them to return at the start of the following year to take pictures with their names and celebrate their accomplishments. Additionally, he often hears from students who take chemistry in college and how they are doing so much better in the class than their classmates.

ng o r t s a g Buildin th i w t s u r t d n a n o i connect ts n e d u t s his He makes sure his students know at the beginning of the year how proud he is of them for signing up to take AP chemistry. He says this class is one of the most challenging they can take in high school, and it is definitely one of the most grueling, because the difficult content comes at them fast. But he lets them know that they are all in this together, and he knows they will be ready for the AP exam in May. It’s been awesome for him to watch his students walk into their exam room with real swagger in their step, knowing they are about to crush it on their exams!

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MEET THE HEALTH & P.E. TEACHERS

by Hunter Snyder & Brady Behr

From teaching us how to perfect our jump shots to explaining the importance of mental well-being, the gym and health teachers at our school do far more than just run classes—they help us build lifelong habits.

They’re the ones reminding us that fitness isn’t just about how fast we can run or how many push-ups we can do, but about taking care of our bodies and minds every day. Whether it’s in the gym, the classroom, or even the hallways, these teachers motivate us to stay active, eat well, and make healthy choices. This article highlights the impact our gym and health teachers have on our school community and how they inspire students to live balanced, healthy lives.

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Dr. Vavra I have a cat named Rafiki, whose nickname is Raf. My favorite hobbies include exercising, going to the beach, skiing, and spending quality time with family and friends—GO BIRDS! I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education, a Master’s in Sports Management, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration. This is my 10th year of teaching and my 8th year at Pocono Mountain West High School. One of my favorite aspects of Pocono Mountain West is the beautiful aquatics facility, which allows me to teach a variety of swimming-based classes—a perfect fit since I’ve been a swimmer most of my life.

My proudest moments as a physical education teacher come from watching students grow from being unsure in the water to swimming confidently on their own—it’s incredibly rewarding and reminds me why I love teaching.

Mr. Culkin My favorite hobbies are hunting and fishing, which allow me to enjoy the outdoors and unwind. I have a German Shorthaired Pointer named Patches O’Houllihan, who often joins me on my outdoor adventures. Something you may not know about me is that I served for 4 years in the United States Navy before returning to school to become a teacher. I have been teaching for 23 years, starting at Pocono Mountain East Junior High, then at East High School, and for the past 6 years at West High School.

One interesting thing about being a physical education teacher is that, because of the required courses and electives, we have the unique opportunity to teach and get to know the majority of students in each graduating class.

Ms. Palazzi I'm in my 20th year of teaching at West, inspired by my high school teachers and my passion for sports and health science to help others find the success and enjoyment I found in athletics. My life outside of work is filled with activities like working at the golf course, relaxing with family and friends, watching Netflix, and spending time with my pets—my dog Jax and my cats, Daisy and Violet. I love to bake Italian cookies and am a big sports fan. My hidden talents include music trivia, knowing all 50 states alphabetically, being able to eat a whole pizza by myself, and having the ability to jump really far.

My favorite part of my job is my colleagues in the HPE department and the rest of the school staff, and I especially enjoy being part of the coffee corner and sharing my love for baking.

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Mr. Lafave I have a hidden talent for ping pong, and among my hobbies, I really enjoy playing golf and cornhole. I don’t have any pets, and something you might not know about me is that I was born in Michigan. On weekends, I love spending time with my family. My favorite aspect of Pocono Mountain West is definitely the students. I was inspired to become a gym teacher, because I’ve always loved sports and enjoyed working with kids. I’ve been teaching for 29 years, all of them at Pocono Mountain. In class, I try to balance fun and discipline by creating an environment of mutual respect, where everyone can enjoy themselves while still following the rules.

One of my proudest moments as a gym teacher was when a former student told me I had inspired them to become a PE teacher. More than anything, I hope my students remember me as being kind and fair, and that they know I truly cared about them as individuals.

Ms. Simpson This is my 28th year in the PMSD! After relocating from the suburbs of Philadelphia (Go Birds!), I began teaching in the PMSD in 1998 after teaching in two other PA school districts. Fun fact: I taught at CREC first and then at CRIS for a total of 18 years before joining the WHS team. I love teaching and being a mom! My own mother inspired me to be an elementary education teacher, following in her footsteps, but I switched my major to Health and Physical Education in college as I reflected on my own philosophy and my desire to encourage students of all ages about the importance of making healthy decisions and maintaining a healthy lifestyle throughout one’s life. So far, I have had my own share of epic experiences while participating in a variety of lifetime fitness activities! Feel free to ask me about them!

One of my proudest moments as a teacher was witnessing a student with a physical disability complete a 30-minute run for the first time without stopping, as several classes enthusiastically cheered and applauded her. Some of my other hobbies are traveling, photography, & gardening.

Mr. Pietrafesa My hidden talent is juggling. My favorite hobby is fishing—I especially enjoy going to the lake with my family and bass fishing. I have a two-year-old German Shepherd named Ada, and something many people may not know about me is that I am color blind. On weekends, I like spending time with my family and friends. My favorite aspect of Pocono Mountain West is working alongside my wife. I was inspired to become a gym teacher by the amazing PE teachers and coaches I had growing up.

They made every class and athletic experience worthwhile, and I wanted to have that same positive impact on students. Balancing fun and discipline in PE is deeply important to me. I strive to hold students accountable while being fair but firm with expectations and rules.

One of my proudest moments as a gym teacher was teaching Brady Behr and Hunter Snyder how to play Smash Net—some even say they have a chance to go professional! Ultimately, I hope my students remember me and my classes, whether in PE, Health, or Strength and Conditioning, as positive experiences that helped them develop skills, find confidence, or use fitness as an outlet during challenging times in their lives.

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Ms. Pietrafesa I began my career with a few long-term substitute positions at Nazareth High School, Pleasant Valley Middle School, and Pocono Mountain Academy. I never imagined I’d end up teaching at the same high school I once attended, but I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity. My hidden talent is pottery—I love working with clay and dream of having my own studio at home to create masterpieces. My hobbies include spending time with my family, chatting with my sisters and mom, watching sports, and being outdoors—especially relaxing at the beach. On weekends, you can usually find me at my son’s sporting events, and in the summer, I’m poolside or at the lake; in the winter, we enjoy watching sports and cooking amazing meals together. I have one pet, a nearly three-year-old German Shepherd named Ada. She’s sassy, loud, and protective—definitely the boss of me.

What I love most about Pocono Mountain West is the diverse culture, the many opportunities we provide students, and the supportive staff that make this such a special place to work.

Mr. Lawrence My own active family inspired me—my father was a PE teacher, and my mother was a health teacher—I began my career in education and coaching back in 1996 at a small private school in Massachusetts before moving to my current school in 2002. I have been teaching and have worked as a physical education and health teacher ever since. My favorite aspects of working at PMW are the family environment and the "West is Best" attitude. Outside of school, I have a hidden talent for riding a unicycle, and my preferred hobbies include fly fishing and watching EPL soccer games when I’m not attending my children's soccer and track commitments on the weekends.

Ultimately, I hope my students will remember me for creating a fun, challenging environment that fostered a love of exercise and motivated them, reminding them that the spirit, mind, and body are interconnected.

Ms. Lehmkuhl My hidden talents are juggling and riding motorcycles. My favorite hobby is snowboarding —it’s my absolute favorite activity—and I also work as a ski patroller through the National Ski Patrol at Shawnee Mountain during the winter. I have a dog named Buster Bailey Fitzpatrick, a petite lab and Boston terrier mix. Something you may not know about me is that I have a twin brother, and we were born on two different days. On weekends, I love doing anything outdoors, such as hiking, climbing, swimming, paddleboarding, wakeboarding, and fishing. My favorite aspect of Pocono Mountain West is definitely the environment—the supportive staff and students, along with the school’s diversity. It’s fascinating to learn about the different backgrounds and experiences our students bring. I was inspired to become a physical education teacher by a teacher I had in high school who guided me and helped put me on the right path. They became a major support system for me, and I want to provide that same kind of encouragement for my students.

This is my third year of teaching; I began my student teaching at Wallenpaupack High School, and West was my first official job after college. One thing people may not realize about being a PE teacher is how important the job truly is.

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Small Scale, Big Vision Inspiration can strike anywhere—even while just scrolling through images online. For high school honors student Addison Nat, a single photograph of a room covered in newspaper sparked a creative journey that blended physical craftsmanship with digital artistry.

"I found an image of a room that was covered in newspaper and had pages hanging down," Addison explains. "This image inspired me to create a similar room, but a miniature version."

Building the Tiny World

The project, which took a little over a month to complete, began with three pieces of cardboard hotglued together to form a floor and walls. From there, Addison meticulously layered on newspaper and paintbrushes to mimic her inspiration.

The details required patience. To create miniature books, Addison glued small printed covers onto rectangular wooden panels. To achieve a magical, "floating" effect, these books—along with paintbrushes—were suspended from the ceiling using fishing line.

While she handcrafted the structure and the floating elements, she incorporated pieces from a separate miniature set for the plants, cabinet, and other furniture to complete the scene. "It was fun to start with just three pieces of cardboard and then watch my vision begin to form," she says, noting that the construction phase was the most rewarding part of the process.

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Bringing a Miniature World to Life

By Livina Ejiofor

Merging Art and Technology Addison’s project wasn’t just about building a diorama; it was a way to fuse her love for physical art—like drawing and ceramics —with her passion for photography.

The final image features a live model standing inside the miniature room, a feat accomplished through clever photography and Photoshop. "I took both the set and the model and photographed them separately using the same lighting," Addison describes. She then digitally cut out the model and placed it in the room.

The process wasn't without its learning curves. The fishing line used to suspend the books proved difficult to hide during the editing phase, which took nearly a week and a half. "Even though I used a fishing line, it was still visible in the photo," she admits.

"If I could start over, I think I would take pictures of the miniature books separately and then drop them into the scene digitally."

The Balancing Act Creating such an intricate piece took about a week for each stage—construction, detailing, and editing. Finding the time to dedicate to art while managing an AP and Honors workload is no small feat.

"While sometimes it is difficult to achieve an equal balance... having good time management skills helps," Addison advises.

Her strategy? Trying to stay ahead in her coursework to ensure she has guilt-free time for her creative pursuits.

Through patience, glue, and a bit of digital magic, Addison turned a simple idea into a complex piece of art, proving that even the most miniature worlds require a big vision.

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Multi-Sport Scholar Athletes

By Hannah Bossuyt and Madison Clark

Felix Ross l Junior Felix Ross is a member of the Football and Track and Field teams. He is currently taking AP Language and Composition and AP German. On an average school day, Felix spends 20 hours playing his sport. When Felix starts to feel overwhelmed by the pressure of school and sports, he puts everything aside and takes an hour to regroup.

Felix finds support from his teachers and coaches when his busy schedule gets to be too much. His teachers help him catch up on the assignments he missed while out of class due to sports and make a plan to stay on top of his work. He finds support in his coaches because they tell him what he needs to do or work on to be a successful student-athlete.

If Felix had to choose one sport and one AP class, he would choose Football and German.

He would choose football because that is the main sport that he puts a lot of time and effort into. Felix would also choose AP German because he has been taking German classes since 7th grade!

Felix has learned so much throughout juggling sports and his academic career. “It’s important not to start drowning in work so that you can focus.”

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Driven On the Field and In the Classroom Cayleigh Keller l Junior Cayleigh Keller participates in softball and volleyball and takes AP Language and Composition and AP Statistics.

She spends typically 3 hours a day or 15 hours a week playing her sport. A typical school day for her is going to school and then practicing until about 6 pm. She then goes home and does her schoolwork, which typically takes an hour or two. Then she eats, showers, goes to sleep, and repeats this routine every day of the week.

One of Cayleigh's biggest helpers in managing all of her activities and school is using the calendar and reminder apps on her phone. She also tries to break apart her studying so she does not get overwhelmed on the day of.

She studies the night before the test and practices hard before her games. She finds that games and big tests usually do not cause stress because she prepares herself beforehand.

If Cayleigh ever feels overwhelmed, she takes a deep breath and approaches things one step at a time. “It gets overwhelming to think about every little thing I have to do, but it is relieving to take things step by step.” A lesson Cayleigh has learned from years of balancing hard classes and rigorous sports is that keeping calm and organized is the most helpful thing. She plans her days and takes things step by step to stay calm while giving herself some grace.

“It’s okay to not be perfect all the time!”

Cayleigh’s best time management tip for her peers is to prioritize the important assignments, save the longer assignments for days when there is only practice, and make sure to focus in school because the more you get done at school, the less you have to worry about at home.

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Ana Yuter l Senior Ana Yuter is a member of the field hockey, wrestling, and softball teams. She is also taking AP biology this school year. She spends typically 18 hours a week participating in her sports. A typical school day for Ana is waking up at 6:00 am, School from 7:30am-2:30pm, practicing from 3:00pm-6:00pm, and then doing her homework when she gets home from school.

She manages her school and sports by sometimes studying on her way to school or listening to YouTube videos. After practice, when she is feeling drained, Ana pushes through to get her work done.

She also sets herself schedules to help with her load.

When Ana starts to feel overwhelmed, she takes a break from what she is doing to take time for herself and calm down. If Ana had to pick between one sport and one AP class, she would choose AP psychology and softball. Ana thought that AP Psychology was a class that was easy to manage with sports. She would pick softball because it is much calmer than her other sports, easier to manage since it is towards the end of the school year, and allows for more preparation.

The biggest lesson Ana has learned with juggling so much is that “in the end, it's possible to succeed in multitasking, but it takes real time and dedication to achieve what you truly want.” Ana’s advice for her fellow students who are multitasking is to make a plan, set calendars for tests, and find time after practice to study for as long as possible without overwhelming yourself. Do not wait until the last minute.

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Anthony DePasqua l Senior Anthony DePasqua is a member of the football, wrestling, and baseball teams. This year, he is taking AP Biology, and in his junior year, he took AP Psychology (passed with a 3) and AP Language and Composition (passed with a 4).

A typical school day for Anthony in season is very repetitive. He goes to school, does his work, goes to practice, and then goes home and works on his homework for 2-3 hours before going to bed.

Anthony says that it can sometimes be hard for him to manage, but he sets goals for himself in the classroom and on the mat/field that help with his thought process.

When he has a big game and a test on the same day, Anthony focuses on studying for the major test and worries about the game after school. If Anthony ever feels overwhelmed, he will take a mental break and just try to relax a little before doing schoolwork or going to practice.

When he is finally free, he takes a moment to turn his brain off and scroll on TikTok or Instagram. Anthony finds support in his teachers and coaches because they are very understanding of his workload and always do their best to benefit him.

Through his years of managing both sports and hard classes, Anthony has learned a lot about himself. “Sometimes coming home at 11:30 and doing homework on game nights taught me how resilient and dedicated I truly am to succeed.”

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Bella Pavuk l Senior Bella Pavuk is a member of the cheerleading team and track team. She has also been a lead in the musical since her first year. This school year, she is taking AP Literature and Composition and AP 3D Art. Bella manages all of her commitments by staying in touch with her teachers and advisor while also drinking lots of caffeine.

Bella would not be able to accomplish all that she does without the help of her coaches and teachers. “Mr. James, Mrs. Kowalski, Coach Behr, and Coach Palazzi are very flexible and accommodating to my commitments and circumstances.”

Since Bella is always doing so many activities and finishing her schoolwork, when she finally gets free time, she likes to spend it with her friends, go to the gym, and eat. With so much to balance in her life, Bella has learned that it is important to manage time and work as hard as possible, because the outcome of finding friends and yourself along the way is worth it.

Bella’s best time management tip to other students is to make sure you know your obligations for the week on Monday and get everything done ASAP. The challenges Bella has faced along the way have taught her that you can achieve absolutely anything if you put your mind to it.

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Behind the Scenes

SNEAKPEEK In our Spring Edition, dive into Pocono Mountain West High School's Anti-Vaping Campaign!

Discover the eye-opening revelations shared at the assembly and explore how our creative students crafted the impactful ads now capturing attention throughout our school. Get ready for an inspiring journey into activism and innovation that’s shaping our community!

Answers to Who’s Who?: C2 (Bomar), F4 (Officer Wile), A3 (Morell), D5 (Jones), E1 (Wilson), B6 (Fladger) BluePrints Winter 2025

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