YS Pride October 2020

An Award-Winning Publication by York Suburban School District

October 2020

A Note About YS Pride YS Pride is focused on providing in-depth information about noteworthy students, employees, community members, and events. We’re excited to highlight the people and occurrences that make York Suburban so special!

In This Edition Backstage Pass Meet Steven File

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Staff Spotlight

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In Case You Missed It Social Media Highlights

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Blast From The Past 1975 Yearbook Pictures

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Backstage Pass On stage, Steven File has played a plethora of roles in a seemingly countless number of plays and musicals. Off stage, his life is equally dramatic because of interests that extend well beyond the theater.

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YS Pride, October 2020

Backstage Pass It’s easy for people associated with York Suburban to think of the theater when they hear Steven File’s name. After all, the senior at York Suburban High School has performed in over 35 local plays and musicals, including 13 on school stages located in the district.

While his acting remains an essential part of his persona, it tends to overshadow his equally important pursuits in other areas. Perhaps the best way to quantify his involvement is to list the many titles—both formal and informal—that he’s recently held.

Activist Community Organizer Contest-Winning Poet Co-President (x2) Honors Student Mr. YS Non-Profit Founder President Student Council Senator Thespian The impressiveness of this Steven File, a senior at York Suburban H igh School list may be superceded by the pride Steven takes in each role. These aren’t just resume-filling positions. Rather, the 4

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time he invests in an activity or organization is devoted to meaningful change and progress.

For instance, Steven is heavily involved in the LGBTQ+ community’s fight for equality, but he hasn’t been content to simply attend conventions and participate in protests. He saw a need for local leadership, so he helped to create the Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition as one of its youth founders.

Today, the organization has raised over $40,000. With that money, it continues to build supportive and enriching opportunities for every individual who identifies with the LGBTQ+ community.

Steven’s quest for excellence also extends to the classroom.

His ambition drove him to r on join four different honors sociide flag in Lancaste Steven raises the Pr . ion it ter LGBTQ+ Coal eties: National Honors Society, behalf of the Lancas International Thespian Honors Society, Tri-M Honors Society, and French Honors Society. As a result, he is one of the top students in his class, has earned distinguished honors, and boasts a 3.97 grade point average. Needless to say, it’s hard to question his intellectual acumen.

One of his crowning academics-related achievements came re5

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cently during the 2020 Poetry Out Loud competition. The event, in which participants are judged based on their ability to dramatically recite poetry, is a grueling and nerve-wracking endeavor. To the surprise of few, Steven’s meticulous preparation and flawless delivery won the competition and yet another title: state champion.

tician all Mann’s “The Mor nd Ra es cit re en ev St ring competition. in San Francisco” du

Karl Blischke, execut ive director of PA Co uncil on the Arts, presents the Poetry Out Loud trophy.

With so much positive momentum in his corner, Steven is clearly a budding, young star. Between his acting, poetry, activism, and academic success, he’s making the most of his time at York Suburban.

YS Pride recently interviewed Steven and his mom, Gretchen File, to learn more about his various talents, goals, and future plans. The following pages contain their recorded responses.

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Starting in Theater Steven File describes his evolution from a distracted kid on the soccer field to one discovering himself on the stage.

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Discovering a Gift Gretchen File explains Steven’s penchant for entertaining at a young age and his early theater experiences.

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st of Noises Off. en poses with the ca

Stev

Steven performs as Reverend Parris in T rojan Theatre’s production of The Crucible.

Favorite Role Steven’s role in the play Noises Off has been his favorite thus far. In this clip, hear why he relished the challenge.

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Poetry Inspiration His life experiences play a big part in how Steven creates poetry.

Listen as he describes how he is inspired to write.

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Favorite Poets More than one poet has caught Steven’s attention over the years. In this clip, he explains who they are and how they influenced him.

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Competition Strategy Steven explains the strategy that he used to win the 2020 Poetry Out Loud competition.

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ut

O even and the Poetry Friends pose with St s big win.

Loud trophy after hi

Steven shares a ph oto with other stat e finalists at the 2020 Poetry Out Loud competiti on.

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Winning Performance Click the YouTube icon to watch Steven’s performance during the final round of the 2020 Poetry Out Loud competition. He recited “Undivided Attention” by Taylor Mali to secure the win and the title of state champion.

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Young Determination Gretchen File describes how Steven had an appetite for learning right from the start.

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Unique Academic Journey Steven explains his educational path, which has involved two stints at York Suburban separated by a brief cyber school enrollment.

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even

St en’s mom, waves as ev St le, Fi n he tc re G er. splashes in the wat

Grant Kelly (Class of 2014) is shown here posing with Steven, his brot her.

Maturation Gretchen File explains how Steven has blossomed during his time at York Suburban.

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Plans After High School In this clip, Stevens explains his goals and aspirations after his high school graduation.

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Senior Year Before he can graduate, Steven must first complete his senior year.

He discusses his expectations in this clip.

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Life in Ten Years Whether it’s becoming a lawyer, campaigning for equality, or playwriting, Steven has big plans for the next decade.

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en ss of 2019) and Stev la (C m ha ra G na en McK York. during a protest in advocate for justice

Steven snapped this photo in Washington, DC while protesting ag ainst police brutalit y.

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Hobbies and Gratitude Steven discusses his hobbies and also expresses gratitude for those who have supported him through the ups and downs.

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Missing York Suburban In this clip. Steven explains what he will miss the most from his time at York Suburban School District.

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s

it the middle school met at y da t iri sp ow inb Ra 2017. match from 2014 to

Steven considers Am y Kendrick, a York Su burban librarian, to be one of his closest mentors.

Positive Influences The support system surrounding Steven is filled with caring individuals. He thanks them for their unconditional love in this clip.

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Advice for Parents Gretchen File shares advice for parents with children who may have interests similar to Steven’s.

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Advice for Younger Students In this clip, Steven shares suggestions for how students can more easily navigate the many social and academic aspects of school.

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More Information All photographs shown in this article are courtesy of Steven File or Commonwealth Media Services. To learn more about Steven and some of the organizations mentioned, visit these websites: Steven’s personal website: https://www.stevenrfile.com/ Poetry Out Loud: https://www.poetryoutloud.org/ Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition: https://www.lgbtlancaster.org/

an Genie in York Suburb Steven performs as .

Jr uction of Aladdin Middle School’s prod

Steven poses with m entor Kelly Paraskev akos, an English teacher at York Suburban High School.

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Staff Spotlight

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Staff Spotlight Born York, PA Favorite Food Pepperoni Pizza Favorite Musical Artist Dave Matthews Band

Interesting Fact I have visited Disney World over 40 times, and I have two Disney-themed tattoos.

Favorite Phrase “Be yourself ‘cause everyone else is taken.”

Karla Coffman, Scho

ol Nurse

Born Columbia, PA Favorite Food Pizza Favorite Musical Artist Chris Tomlin Susan Enrico, Health

Interesting Fact I enjoy swimming in creeks and looking for crayfish, salamanders, and hellgrammites.

Favorite Phrase “Whatever it takes.”

Room Asst.

Born York, PA Favorite Food Rocky Road Ice Cream Favorite Musical Artist The Eagles

Interesting Fact My family has a summer home in Bethany Beach, DE, and I love using my camera to capture memories.

Favorite Phrase “You got this.”

Krista Wolfenberger

, School Nurse 21

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In Case You Missed It

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In Case You Missed It

York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Oct 1 The following @YorkSuburbanHS seniors were recently named National Hispanic Scholars: Nicholas Aparicio Sarah Rivera They earned this recognition by scoring in the top 2.5% among regional Hispanic and Latino PSAT/NMSQT participants. Congratulations! #YSBOLD

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In Case You Missed It

York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Sep 28 Congratulations to Nicholas Aparicio, Ethan Lee, and John Ports. They were recently named Semifinalists in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program! #YSBOLD

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In Case You Missed It

York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Sep 28 Congratulations to Alex Gleba, Devlin Ravegum, Kristian Sprankle, and Jenny Tao. They were recently named Commended Students in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program! #YSBOLD

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In Case You Missed It

York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Sep 27 We’re proud to unveil a new concept that will remind our students and staff to always be BOLD! Learn more at https://yssd.org/bold/. #YSBOLD

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YS Pride, October 2020

In Case You Missed It

York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Sep 24 Congratulations to George Rumsey who has been safely transporting resident students of York Suburban for 50 years! He was celebrated today during a ceremony at Reliance Student Transportation’s bus lot. Thank you for your amazing dedication over the last five decades! #YSProud

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In Case You Missed It

York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Sep 4 Due to the resilience of our students, staff, parents, and community members, the 2020-2021 school year is off to a safe and successful start!

Thank you to all involved for your amazing strength and dedication. Please continue to practice healthy habits during the holiday break!

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In Case You Missed It

York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Aug 12 Congratulations to Steve Whiteley, a @YorkSuburbanHS teacher, who recently won the 2020 Mini-THON® Leadership Development Award. His amazing efforts as @YSHSMiniTHON‘s advisor have empowered students to raise over $480,000 toward the fight against childhood cancer! #YSProud #FTK

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In Case You Missed It

York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Aug 11 We’re excited to introduce the newest class of York Suburban teachers!

This group is undoubtedly ready to accomplish big things in the near future. #YSProud Carol Brillhart-Freimuth Heather Peterson John Gaeta

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In Case You Missed It

York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Aug 3 Thank you to everyone who attended @ValViewElem‘s One Walk, One Talk event! The welcoming environment was perfect for meaningful conversations about Black Lives Matter and COVID-19. Please continue these constructive discussions with your friends, family, and neighbors! #YSProud

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In Case You Missed It

York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Jul 29 Four @YorkSuburbanHS students were chosen for this year’s @distinguishedyw national scholarship program, which recognizes and rewards participants for talent, leadership, and scholastic achievement.

Congrats to Alexandra, Ruby, Elisabeth, and Rory for the awesome accomplishment!

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In Case You Missed It

York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Jun 25 Congratulations to the following student-athletes who recently received scholarships from @GwsScholarship totaling $56,000!

Andrew Schultz Anthony Brown Chris Spellman Jr. Devante Embrey-Banks Lauren Wallace Madelynn Barley Maxwell Reinecker Roger Marquis III

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In Case You Missed It

York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Jun 24 Congratulations to the @YorkSubEF‘s Impact Foundation for being featured in a recent @KeyEdRadio podcast. It’s awesome to hear about the great work this organization is doing in the community! #YSProud

The Impact Foundation: Students Serving Their Community l Keystone E...

On this episode of Keystone Education Radio, Podcast Host Annette Stevenson is joined by a panel of adults and students who run York ... keyedradio.org

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In Case You Missed It

York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Apr 21 The 2020 high school rankings by @usnews have been released. @YorkSuburbanHS is #1 in York, #53 in Pennsylvania, and #1,370 in the nation! Nearly 18,000 schools were ranked. Thank you to everyone who makes this type of recognition possible! #YSProud usnews.com/education/best...

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Blast From The Past

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YS Pride, October 2020

Blast From The Past

These pictures appeared in York Suburban High School’s 1975 yearbook.

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YS Pride Staff Nick Staab

Coordinator of Transportation & Communications

Article Idea Submission Do you have an idea for a future YS Pride feature story? Topics can be submitted to pr@yssd.org. Please supply as much detail as possible so the idea can be fully considered.

Due to email volume, a reply will not be sent and not all ideas will be used.