Manheim Township /townlively
MAY 27, 2020
IN THIS ISSUE: SIERRA CLUB AWARDS GRANTS page 4
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXXVI • NO 7
Honoring Each Student MTHS Plans Commencement Activities By Ann Mead Ash
On May 11, information was sent to seniors attending Manheim Township High School (MTHS) and their parents. The communication began with the words “Our MTHS administrative team has been working to plan alternative arrangements for many milestones that typically occur at the end of a student’s senior year.” The communication, which can be found at www.mtwp .net/2020/05/mths-honors-the-class -of-2020, referenced state guidelines with regard to large gatherings under COVID-19 restrictions. To move forward in a way that honored each of the more than 400 students scheduled to graduate this year, the Manheim Township School District
(MTSD) developed a survey to gather input from members of the Class of 2020. Based on the students’ responses, the district developed a plan that includes a virtual commencement ceremony and virtual awarding of diplomas. The virtual commencement will be livestreamed on YouTube and available via the school website on Thursday, June 4, beginning at 7 p.m. During commencement, MTSD superintendent Dr. Robin Felty will certify the Class of 2020. In addition to remarks by Felty, prerecorded aspects of the ceremony will include student speeches and remarks by senior class president Trinity Tull. Student speakers were given the theme “There’s No Place Like Home” on which to write speeches. Continuing
Mariam Ahmed
Trinity Tull
Benton Waters
with the “Wizard of Oz” theme, speaker Benton Waters will speak on “Brains.” Mariam Ahmed will speak on the topic
of “Heart,” and Tull will focus on the topic of “Courage.” Benton is the son of Tricia Waters
and William Waters, both of Lancaster. In his speech, he will share with classmates his perspective on attending See MTHS pg 2
Sweet Pea Plants Virtual Garden More than 10 years ago, Stephanie Paige Cole, founder of Sweet Pea Project, an organization that offers comfort and support to families that have experienced the death of a baby, and her board members began holding a Sisters and Brothers Picnic for children who had a sibling who was lost during pregnancy or infancy. This year’s event was to be held on Saturday, June 6, at Dutch
Wonderland. When the picnic was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, Cole wanted to re-create a part of the picnic in time for Mother’s Day, which was held on May 10. A special part of the picnic is a chance to visit an area inside Dutch Wonderland that has been designated as a permanent Sweet Pea Project Remembrance Garden. “It has a big tree and hundreds of flowers, and our logo and sign is there,” said Cole, who noted that she is continually See Sweet Pea pg 3
By Ann Mead Ash
Under normal circumstances, Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a 10-week in-person program that couples physical activity with specific lessons to help develop competency in areas related to social, psychological, and physical development for girls in third through eighth grades. The GOTR curriculum is designed to promote good choices for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living.
Sweet Pea Project, an organization that offers comfort and support to families that have experienced the death of a baby, has created a virtual flower garden that mothers and other family members may use to honor the child they lost. Although the virtual garden was created for Mother’s Day, it will be available into the future for those who would like to dedicate a flower to their child.
However, since mid-March, the 1,400 girls in Lancaster and Lebanon counties who were to take part in GOTR this spring have not been living in normal circumstances. Since they are not attending school due to COVID-19 restrictions, they are not able to meet with their coaches and teams regularly after school. GOTR has responded to this situation with two new virtual lessons released each Tuesday as part of the GOTR At Home curriculum. The first lesson, which was released the week of March 16, is called “ We Are Unique; We Are Similar.” The lessons can be completed by a girl alone, but they are designed for all household members. “This is a family, at-home, shared experience,” said GOTR Lancaster See GOTR pg 2
The Oles family of Manheim Township, including (from left) Luke, Mary Beth, Mary Kate, and Mark Oles, is taking part in the Girls on the Run At Home curriculum by completing weekly lessons that include discussions and exercises based on a specific theme. FREE DELIVERY LANC COUNTY with PURCHASE OF 10+ SCOOPS
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By Ann Mead Ash
Reaching 1,400 Girls At Home