An Award-Winning Publication by York Suburban School District
March 2021
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 Issue Hidden History Exploring York Suburban’s Past
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Student Spotlight
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In Case You Missed It Social Media Highlights
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Blast From The Past 1997 Yearbook Pictures
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Indian Rock Elementary School 1973 Dedication Program
It’s hard to believe that Indian Rock Elementary School (IRES) has been in use for almost 50 years. One of the original programs from the building’s dedication on November 4, 1973, is kept in the school’s main office. It provides a unique glimpse into what school was like at the time IRES opened. Click to view the full program.
3 IRES students, 197
IRES students, 197
3
4
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Valley View Elementary School Cupola
Valley View Elementary School (VVES) has had an on-again, offagain relationship with the cupola that adorns the top of the building. The school was built in 1949 without a cupola, but one was added a few years later in 1952. Fast forward to 1995, and it was removed and almost thrown in a dumpster by the contractor. Thanks to the quick thinking of the director of facilities, Barry Girling, it was saved and sat in the school’s courtyard for 16 years. During a renovation in 2011, the cupola was reinstalled on top of the building where it currently resides.
VVES cupola, 2019
VVES cupola, 2021
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Valley View Elementary School Cupola, Cont.
VVES cupola remova
l, 1995
l, 1995
VVES cupola remova
Click to view the original proposal for the cupola’s removal dated July 26, 1995.
A rainbow begins to appear over the VVES cupola in this photograph from the 1970s.
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Mt. Rose Elementary School Master Clock
Mt. Rose Elementary School served York Suburban students through the 1977-1978 school year. Initially, none of the school’s fixtures were going to be salvaged before its demolition, but one administrator reconsidered and saved the master clock before the building was torn down. The clock had been used in the building since 1927 and was covered in layers of paint. Students in one of the District’s tech ed classes stripped off the paint and restored the time piece to its original glory. The clock now hangs in the entryway of the District’s maintenance building.
Mt. Rose Elementary
’s clock
k’s face
A close-up of the cloc
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Mt. Rose Elementary School Master Clock, Cont. Because it was a master clock, it controlled all of the other clocks in the building. A strand of white ribbon with holes punched into it determined the times at which the school bell rang. The clock had to be wound manually in order to operate. Timing ribbon
ker
Manufacturer’s stic
Bell mechanism 8
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Indian Rock Elementary School Time Capsule and Letter
When IRES was built, a bicentennial time capsule was buried underneath the stage. A plaque on the stage indicates that the capsule should be opened in 2026. Furthermore, there is a letter mounted in the main office that is to be opened in 2025. IRES time capsule
IRES time capsule
plaque
letter
The IRES stage 9
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York Suburban School District 1963 Annual Report
This annual report was found in a storage area at the current Yorkshire Elementary School. It illustrates how things have changed rather dramatically over the years. For instance, the district’s expenditures in the 1963-1964 school year were $2.36 million compared to $57.9 million during the 2018-2019 school year. Click to view the full report.
963-1964
Expenditures from 1
Front cover
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York Suburban School District Technology
Sometimes, our IT Department gets attached to old technology. As a result, there are some outdated (but still pretty cool) gizmos being stored throughout the District. Take these old hard drives and an obsolete floppy disk cleaning kit, for example. They may not be of much use, but it’s still fun to reminisce about the technological advancements that have occurred in such a short period of time. Going even farther back, many of the District’s records are saved on microfilm that is kept in the administrative building.
Floppy disk cleaning
kit
nd now-ish
Hard drives, then a
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Yorkshire Elementary School Columns
The original Yorkshire Elementary School (YES) welcomed York Suburban students until 1983. It sat on the same plot of land where the current school is located. Before its demolition to make room for the new building, which was built in 2010, the original columns from the front entrance were saved. Many people associated with the old building wanted to see a piece of it incorporated into the new building, and the columns were a perfect representation of the first YES. Therefore, the columns were sanded down and installed on either side of the stage in the new building’s gymnasium.
The original YES, c.
1963
s
YES columns, c. 1990
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Yorkshire Elementary School Columns, Cont. Over the years, many people carved their initials into the columns while they were still standing in front of the original YES. Some of the carvings can still be seen despite the columns being sanded prior to their installation in the new building. Original carvings
1
The YES stage, 202
Old column, new digs 13
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York Suburban High School Rifle Range
972
Rifle instruction, c. 1
Rifle practice, c. 196
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A long, narrow area in the basement of the high school was once a rifle range. It was used to teach hunter and firearm safety to members of the Rifle Club. Each member had to pass a hunter safety course before using the range. Today, it is used as a batting cage.
Old range, current batting cage 14
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Yorkshire Elementary School Miscellaneous Items Before the new building was built, YES did not use a teddy bear as its mascot. Instead, students were represented by the Yorkshire Terrier. The terrier can be seen on this t-shirt, which was owned by Mr. Richard King, the school’s principal from 1967-1983.
Yorkshire Terrier t-shirt
The school bell from the original YES building was saved; it is on display near the front entrance of the current building. Original YES school bell 15
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Yorkshire Elementary School Miscellaneous Items, Cont.
A gavel once used by the YES PTO resides in a small storage area inside the new building. A label on the handle says it’s from 1983. YES PTO g
avel
Slate chalkboards were saved from the first YES building and repurposed in the courtyard of the new building. Students still use them during recess. rds
Original YES slate chalkboa
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York Suburban School District 1975 Newsletter
There have been many styles of District-wide and school-specific newsletters over the years. Before the digital age, newsletters were distributed by mailing a copy to every residence in the District. This District-wide issue from May 1975 details a state title in girls volleyball, among other events. Click to view the full newsletter.
An old YSSD logo
1975 state champs
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Mt. Rose Junior High School 1937 Newspaper
Located in the high school’s library is an original copy of a school newspaper called The Mt. Rose Junior High School News. This issue was distributed on September 29, 1937. At the time of its publication, YSSD did not exist. Spring Garden Township and the Independent School District of Springettsbury Township joined on April 5, 1955, to form a K-12 school system that would later be named York Suburban School District. The Mt. Rose Junior High School remained in use after the merger, but its name and the grade levels it served changed.
ront page
f The newspaper’s
Front page close-up
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Mt. Rose Junior High School 1937 Newspaper, Cont. Much like today’s news outlets, subscriptions could be purchased. The costs were $0.10 for a single copy, $0.50 for one year, and $0.60 for one year by mail. The newspaper was managed by a full staff that included 22 students and two faculty advisers. Advertisements
ate
Sports upd
School calendar 19
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York Suburban High School Emergency Shelters
At one time, there were two designated emergency shelters in the high school: the rifle range (pg. 14) and a little-known area under the swimming pool. Both places still exist, but they are no longer used as shelters. Some of the unique supplies originally kept in these areas were saved and are featured on the following pages. Click to take a video tour of the pool shelter.
ool Shelter below the p
Shelter below the p
ool
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York Suburban High School Emergency Shelters, Cont.
A Geiger counter was a key piece of equipment kept in the shelter under the pool. It measured radiation in case of a nuclear attack or a meltdown at a nearby nuclear facility, such as Three Mile Island. Today, the unit is kept in the maintenance building. l, 1962
ua Geiger counter man
Geiger counter from
above
Full Geiger counter set
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York Suburban High School Emergency Shelters, Cont.
A medical kit was kept in the pool’s emergency shelter, and it contained this bottle of penicillin tablets. Luckily, it never needed to be used, but it would have helped to treat an infection. This bottle expired in March 1968. Penicillin tablets
These civil defense rations and survival items date back to 1962 and 1963. They were first stored in the old shelter beneath the pool. Eventually, they were moved to a different area in the high school where they’ve stayed ever since.
Survival rations and equipment 22
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York Suburban High School Emergency Shelters, Cont.
. 1963
Survival crackers, m
fg. 1962
Other items that remain in YSHS include plastic gloves, toiletries, cups, survival food, can openers, and cleaning chemicals. They all date back to the 1962-1963 time period. Once, a contractor tried the decades-old crackers with less than favorable results.
, mfg Commode deodorant
Medical kit, c. 1960s 23
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York Suburban High School First Commencement Program
The first commencement ceremony for York Suburban High School occurred at 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 9, 1960. 172 students were presented with diplomas by the supervising principal, Howard A. Michener. A copy of the program resides in the high school’s library. Click to view the full program.
Front cover
Partial list of 1960
graduates
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York Suburban School District Athletics
There are many interesting pieces of the District’s athletics history already on display in the high school’s front lobby. However, a few unique items are in storage. For instance, a swim meet summary from 1968 (and saved newspaper clippings) confirm what we already know — the swim teams have been good for a long time. Click to view the full documents.
, 1968
Swim meet summary
Newspaper article
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York Suburban School District Athletics, Cont.
Remember the state champs from pg. 17? Their commemorative volleyball is on display in the high school, although the newsletter and ball disagree on the date. What we do know for sure is that York Suburban beat Norwin 2-1 by scores of 15-12, 7-15, Commemor and 15-9. ative v
olleyball, 19
This traveling trophy, named after the legendary Herb Schmidt, is estimated to be about 55-60 years old. It is currently in the athletic director’s office. The shoes were worn by Fred Kerr — one of Coach Schmidt’s original runners — and later bronzed. The name plate was updated in 2010.
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Herb Schmidt Relays trophy 26
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Mt. Rose Junior High School Book of Meeting Notes
Based on names and information in this book, it appears to contain notes from meetings conducted by the student-body president and the student-body cabinet. These meetings were held before the formation of YSSD. The book, which is kept in the high school’s library, was used between October 17, 1946, and May 15, 1958. Click to view one of the book’s entries.
6-1958
Meeting notes, 194
Entry from 1946
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Grantley Elementary School PTA/PTO Plaque and Documents
e
Grantley PTA Plaqu
Grantley Elementary
, c. 1963
Grantley Elementary School was in use through the 1972-1973 school year. It was closed after Indian Rock Elementary School opened in 1973. The Grantley PTA (later called the Grantley PTO) would honor past presidents on a plaque, which now hangs in the maintenance building. Also in the District’s possession is a binder of the PTO’s documents from 1968 to 1973; it includes meeting notes, programs, and financial statements.
Click to view some of the PTA/PTO documents.
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Valley View Elementary School Boiler
Valley View Elementary School’s original boiler from 1949 still resides in the building’s basement. At first, the school was heated with coal. It was later transitioned to oil heat in the 1960s before switching to natural gas, which is still used today. Over the years, talks to repurpose the boiler room and coal room have stalled. Click to watch a video of the boiler.
Boiler specs
VVES boiler
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Valley View Elementary School Boiler, Cont.
During the years it was burning coal, the coal was delivered to the school by truck. It would pull up next to the school and drop the coal down an exterior chute that led to the coal room in the basement. Custodians would then shovel the coal into the boiler as needed. A look inside the boiler
Or
ccess a y e n im h c iginal
point
Oil heating controls 30
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York Suburban Middle School 1963 Dedication Program
It took nearly four years of planning, construction, and other tasks for the York Suburban Junior High School (now called the York Suburban Middle School) to be built. A dedication ceremony occurred at 2 p.m. on October 20, 1963. An original program from that event is kept in the District’s maintenance building. Click to view the full program.
Health suite, c. 196
3
Construction, 1962
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Spring Garden Township
1849-1873 School Board Book This book is believed to be the oldest in the District’s possession. It contains meeting records and financial information for the Spring Garden Township School Board dating back to May 26, 1849. Nearly 106 years later, the Spring Garden Township School Board helped to form the York Suburban School District. Click to view some of the book’s pages.
School Board book from 1849
First entry, May 18
49
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York Suburban High School Recipe Book
When the current high school was opened in the late 1950s, the cafeteria workers started a notebook to house their frequently used recipes. The book was eventually gifted to Barry Girling, the director of facilities, who previously attended the school as a student. He fondly remembers several of the recipes. Click to view some of the recipes.
Recipe book, front co
ver
s recipe
Peanut butter cookie
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Spring Garden Township
1913-1915 Minutes and Documents This book of meeting minutes and documents from the Spring Garden Township School Board is kept in the Ronald Provard Education Center. It provides a unique look at the finances during this period. For instance, one teacher made $65 per month, which would be about $1,693.08 today according to www.saving.org. Click to view some of the book’s pages.
forms Book of minutes and
Entry from July 191
3
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York Suburban High School Tunnel System
When it was built, York Suburban High School relied on steam for heat. An elaborate underground tunnel system was created to house the pipes and distribute the steam. The tunnel system, which is too small for the average person to stand, is still accessed regularly by the District’s maintenance crew. The building is now heated through hot water, although the pool still uses the old steam system. Perhaps the most interesting part about the tunnel system is that it extends beneath the high school’s parking lot to connect YSHS and the boiler room located in the maintenance building.
YSHS underground t
unnels
ystem
Pipes in the tunnel s
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Acknowledgements Thank you to the many people who contributed to this Hidden History section. It would be impossible to name them all, but the following individuals deserve special recognition. Kathy Ciaciulli Scott Cobb Wendy Erwine Gordon Freireich Barry Girling Greg Gulley Mike Hilty
Amy Kendrick Adam Koons Matt Marshall Sandy McIndoe Kathy Pavoncello Karen Powers Linda Shiflett
YES students, 1974
-1975
Chris Staub Kim Stoltz Dan VanHouwe David Wickenheiser Stephanie Wilt
Mt. Rose Elementary
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Student Spotlight
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Student Spotlight
Grade and School 4th, IRES Favorite Subject Social Studies Career Interest Pediatrician
Interesting Fact Brynn’s basketball team won the league championship while she was in third grade. Favorite Hobbies Travel, basketball, and time with family and friends
Brynn Barley
Grade and School 8th, YSMS Favorite Subject Science Career Interest Radiologist
Interesting Fact Grace is a distinguished honor roll student, and she is part of the middle school’s CHIPS program. Favorite Hobby Playing field hockey Grace Bramble
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Student Spotlight
Grade and School 1st, YES Favorite Subject Reading Career Interest Interpreter
Interesting Fact Joseph enjoys sharing his knowledge of sign language, which is his first language. Favorite Hobbies Playing with his brother and his toys
Joseph Cordero
Grade and School 2nd, VVES Favorite Subjects Math, reading Career Interests Doctor or veterinarian
Interesting Fact Teaghan is a model who has been featured in advertising campaigns by major retailers. Favorite Hobbies Crafting, playing school, and riding bikes with friends Teaghan Crone
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In Case You Missed It
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In Case You Missed It York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Oct 30, 2020 The #YSBOLD learning in @ValViewElem turned wild yesterday! Two classrooms were transformed into dinosaur parks, and the students completed prehistoric-themed activities. This one involved a pterodactyl, faux dino droppings, and lots of fun! Prehistoric Adventures at VVES Two classrooms in Valley View Elementary School were turned into a dinosaur park on October 29, 2020. Th... youtube.com
York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Nov 30, 2020 The @YorkSuburbanHS Tri-M National Music Honor Society recently inducted eight new members and 17 continuing members. Following the ceremony, the new inductees put on a recital. Both the ceremony and recital can be watched using this link. YSHS Tri-M Induction Ceremony & Recital (2020) York Suburban High School - Chapter 1805 of the Tri-M National Music Honor Society Induction & Recital. Mrs. A... youtube.com
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In Case You Missed It
York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Dec 16, 2020 Congrats to the @YorkSuburbanHS students who were selected for the @PMEA_District7 Band Festival! These musicians finished in or during the very competitive audition process that involved students from four counties. They will now audition for the @PMEAstate All-State Band.
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In Case You Missed It
York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Dec 17, 2020 Jennifer Hall is an art teacher for @YorkshireElem and @EastYorkElem students, but she also practices what she teaches. In fact, she can now claim the title of published illustrator! Check out these illustrations from her new book called ABC...That Sounds Like Me! #YSBOLD
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In Case You Missed It
York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Dec 18, 2020 Visit ysef.org/ys-celegram to learn more about @YorkSubEF‘s unique program called #YSCeleGram. It’s a great way to share your appreciation for York Suburban employees while simultaneously helping to fund an awesome, nonprofit organization!
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In Case You Missed It
York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Dec 18, 2020 What’s better than one @YorkSuburbanMS holiday concert? How about four! Visit bit.ly/YSMS_Music to access and enjoy each performance.
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In Case You Missed It
York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Jan 4 January is School Director Recognition Month. We’d like to recognize the current and former school directors who have selflessly devoted themselves to the district. Your hard work continues to prepare YSSD for excellence. Thank you! #SchoolDirectorRecognition #SchoolDirectorMonth
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In Case You Missed It
York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Jan 6 Children living in the district who will turn five (5) prior to September 1, 2021, may now be registered into kindergarten for the 2021-2022 school year. Please visit our website at bit.ly/YSSDRegistrati... for more details.
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In Case You Missed It
York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Jan 12 Teagan (Class of 2025) was previously featured for her #YSBOLD musical efforts. Since then, she’s taken it to a new level! Her band was covered by @fox43, and it performed during @yorkcountypa‘s tree-lighting ceremony. Congratulations, Teagan!
Playing through a pandemic: A group of York County kids uses music as... Six students from different schools in York County all came together forming their band “Before The End” about a month before the ... fox43.com
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In Case You Missed It
York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Jan 22 After several delays, @YorkSuburbanHS music students were finally able to perform a holiday concert. View the video at bit.ly/3pbOPVd. Due to COVID-19, it was their first time gathered as one ensemble, but the quality certainly didn’t suffer. Congrats to all involved!
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In Case You Missed It
York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Jan 29 Congratulations to the following high school students who received regional awards from @artandwriting for their artistic talents!
Evelyn Emswiler Olivia Gibson Daisy Pflaum Sophia Swengel Steven Yao (x2)
Three of the winning pieces are included with this post.
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In Case You Missed It
York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Feb 2 Students of @EastYorkElem enjoyed a program called Oh The Places You Can Go. They heard messages from @FettermanLt, university/college leaders, @YorkSuburbanHS students, and others. Afterward, it was time for virtual tours of postsecondary institutions and special gifts! #YSBOLD
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In Case You Missed It
York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Feb 19 Congratulations to the ten @YorkSuburbanHS students who are participating in this year’s York Community Art Scholars Exhibition (YCASE)! Visit bit.ly/YCASE21 and click on the YSSD logo to view their #YSBOLD work. The finalists will be announced on March 4, 2021.
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In Case You Missed It
York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Feb 26 Replying to @YorkSuburban Today, our celebration of Black History Month comes full circle. We began by featuring Loretta Claiborne, and we end with an interview between her and our assistant superintendent. @YorkSuburbanMS and @YorkSuburbanHS students submitted the questions! Loretta Claiborne Interview on February 24, 2021 Loretta Claiborne — a York County native who is a nationally renowned athlete, speaker, and advocate... youtube.com
York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Feb 26 While Black History Month will be ending on Sunday, that doesn’t mean the positive momentum has to stop. We encourage you to promote awareness and equality all year, not just in February!
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In Case You Missed It
York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Mar 5 Link Crew members have been selected for the upcoming school year! The new leaders were surprised at home in a #YSBOLD way with balloons and gift bags. These @YorkSuburbanHS upperclassmen ease the transition for incoming freshmen and support their academic and social well-being.
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In Case You Missed It
York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Mar 10 15 @YorkSuburbanMS students recently participated in the @MATHCOUNTS Lincoln Chapter competition. Entrants represented four counties: Adams, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York. Three of the @YorkSuburban students scored high enough to qualify for the @MATHCOUNTS Chapter Invitational!
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In Case You Missed It
YS Athletics @YSAthletics • Mar 12 Huge congratulations to YS Alum Ralph Casper. Ralph is the Division II Shot Put, National Champion! Amazing accomplishment, great to see the years of hard work and dedication pay off in such a big way! NCAA Division II @NCAADII • Mar 12 Tiffin’s Ralph Casper is your #D2MITF men’s shot put champion!
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In Case You Missed It
York Suburban School District @YorkSuburban • Mar 16 Congratulations to Jordyn Myers, a @YorkSuburbanHS trumpet player, who earned a spot in the 2021 @PMEAstate All-State Concert Band! This accomplishment comes with an opportunity to audition for the 2022 AllEastern Band. Way to go, Jordyn! #YSBOLD
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Blast From The Past
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YS Pride, March 2021
Blast From The Past
These pictures appeared in York Suburban High School’s 1997 yearbook.
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YS Pride, March 2021
Blast From The Past
These pictures appeared in York Suburban High School’s 1997 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.