Summer Newsletter 2018

Forest Hills
Ranger Review

Vol. XXXVIII
No 3

Summer 2017-2018

FOREST HILLS HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATES RECOGNITION OF
52ND GRADUATING CLASS

On Thursday evening, May 31, 2018, one hundred thirty nine Seniors of the Forest Hills High School partici-

pated in the school’s 52nd annual commencement exercises held at the Mount Aloysius College Wellness
and Convocation Center. Approximately 1,500 family, relatives, and friends were on hand to help celebrate

the momentous occasion. Included in the participants for the evening were Mr. Edwin Bowser, Superinten-
dent of Schools, Mr. Lucas Jacobs, Director of Education, Mr. Curt Vasas, Senior High School Principal,
Mr. Brian Kostan, Junior-Senior High School Assistant Principal, Mr. Ed Alexander, Junior High School

Principal, Mr. Michael Branas, Dean of Students, Mrs. Rebecca Roberts, Elementary School Principal, and
Dr. Robert Dill, Elementary School Assistant Principal. Also present were Directors of the School Board,

Mr. Galen George, Mrs. Tracy Helsel, Mr. John Bopp, Mrs. Corina Long, Mr. Keith Rager, Dr. Richard
Knavel, and Dr. Timothy Ondrejek. Representing the faculty and staff of the District were Mr. Brian Madi-

son, Mrs. Chris Valko, and Mrs. Noelle Miller.

Valedictorian Gage Singer, President of the Class of 2018, was the first student to speak and gave
Alyssa Murphy the welcoming address. Gage summed up his address by focusing on three points –
congratulations, thank you, and good luck. The other student speakers were Valedic-
Salutatorian torian, Alyssa Murphy, and the Salutatorian of the class, Sidney Kakabar. Others
Sidney Kakabar offering remarks and words of advice and appreciation to the Class of 2018 were Mr.
Edwin Bowser and Mr. Curt Vasas. Mr. Bowser encouraged the class to “know who
you are, what you believe in, and where you want to go.” Alyssa focused on the
change her generation had the potential to bring to the world stating, “Go out into this
world, try new things, make mistakes, be fearless.” Sidney opened her speech with a
famous quote from Robert Frost. She encouraged her class to take the road less
traveled stating that they should “take the road that was put there just for you, be-

cause that will make all the difference.” Mr. Vasas conferred
the diplomas with Mr. Kostan, reading the names of each grad-
uate as they received their diplomas from Board of Education
President, Mr. Galen George.

Special thanks and acknowledgement to a number of district
personnel who were responsible for the evening’s celebration:
Mrs. Laurie Fessler, High School Guidance Secretary, for com-
pleting the major portion of the graduation responsibilities, Mr.
Pat Kovolsky, Senior Class Advisor, Mr. Jim Bowser and Mrs.
Chris Valko, high school guidance counselors, as well as Mr.
Custer and Mr. Parlock for the band and choral selections.
Several other faculty and staff members assisted with the cere-
mony and all were instrumental in the success of this year’s
graduation activities.

Senior class president is Gage Singer the son of Cheri and James of St. Michael. Gage was an active mem-
ber of Student Council, Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, and Spanish Honor

Society. (Continued on Page 4)

~ SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE ~

As I conclude my seventh year as Superintendent of the Forest Hills School District, I
am pleased to present the final edition of the Forest Hills Ranger Review for the 2017-
2018 school year. As I reflect back on this school year, I believe the students and staff
continued the philosophy that it is the people within the system that make up the heart
and soul of a school district.

Some members of society base their evaluations of a school district on PSSA scores or
the number of students admitted to colleges or universities, while others look at athletic
superiority. Many others evaluate educational excellence by parental involvement, advanced curricu-
lar offerings, and extra-curricular activities. In reality, educational excellence is an elusive quality, and
therefore, varies from district to district. It is a shared vision between a school district and the commu-
nity it serves.

Since becoming an administrator, people have approached me to ask, “What in particular will you re-
member about this graduating class - just one or two words that encapsulates or accurately describe
this class?” Most administrators usually use descriptors such as most athletic, most studious, most
talented.

Actually, every individual that graduates from our school possesses tremendous attributes and has the
potential to achieve greatness. Through my many years of experiences in dealing with people, I have
learned that every graduating class is different and special in its own way. Just like our families, no two
siblings are alike, and so is each graduating class I have been associated with at Forest Hills. Each
class has its own quirks, reputations, and idiosyncrasies that make it different.

Lately, at least for the last few months, people have begun to ask me what I feel has been my greatest
accomplishment or our greatest achievement in this District. I guess it’s because of my youthful ap-
pearance and my receding hairline that I now have encountered this particular question. I really have-
n’t thought about it until recently. I guess most people think my greatest educational accomplishment
would be the construction of the new Junior-Senior High School. And truly, it was a rewarding and
sometimes challenging experience that many of us worked together to accomplish.

Some individuals in our community would contend that our biggest accomplishment was, through our
continued work with our staff and school board, that we were able to not raise taxes in our District for
over 24 consecutive years and to build a state-of-the-art $50 million educational facility. I believe that
was quite an accomplishment to ensure that we were financially responsible while not jeopardizing ac-
ademic achievement. Each year for the past seven years, we have met or exceeded state expectations
at almost all levels and in all buildings on state PSSA and Keystone exams. For the past 4 out of 6 years,
we have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top performing high schools in the
entire country. Year in and year out, our elementary school and junior high school have been top per-
forming schools in the entire IU8 consortium. These accomplishments and accolades are all wonderful,
and I am proud that I can say we achieved them together. In fact, we should all be very proud of these
accomplishments. But, as I reflect back on my 37 years in public education as a classroom teacher,
guidance counselor, assistant principal, principal, director of education, and finally superintendent, I
can honestly say that my proudest achievement is the students! Watching the thousands of students
grow, mature, and change into unique people who, in their own special ways, make a positive differ-
ence in the world in which we live. Every single student has been a major part of my life and I hope I
have been able to play a small part in their educational experience here at Forest Hills. All of us—family,
friends, their fellow students, teachers, coaches, and our Forest Hills community—have worked togeth-
er to shape and mold each child into who he or she is today. My hope is that someday all of them will
look back and say that I have positively influenced each and every one of their lives. (Continued on Page 26)

2

Ten Staff Members Retire from the District

The Forest Hills School District proudly recognizes eleven staff members who retired during the 2017-2018
school year. May 31, 2018 marked the end of a journey for these staff members who together accumulated
over 214 years of service in the Forest Hills School District. The Board of School Directors, administrators,
staff, and students thank each for taking the time to make a difference in the lives of our young people.

John Boneshefski Marian Boyer Sandra Brunberg Deborah Dupnock Rhonda Holdsworth
Secretary Food Service Head Cook Teacher Custodian
8 Years of Service Director 27 Years of Service 21 Years of Service 20.5 Years of Service
30 Years of Service

Donna Kelly Eileen Kuhn Patricia Schmidt Bobbe Jean Stohon Rosemary Valko
Paraprofessional Paraprofessional Paraprofessional Paraprofessional Paraprofessional
20 Years of Service 23 Years of Service 24 Years of Service 18 Years of Service 23 Years of Service

New Immunization Regulations mitted to attend school. Now a child must have the

The Pennsylvania Department of Health adopted required vaccines, or a medical plan (specific red

new immunization regulations effective August and white card signed by a health care provider) to

2017. The new law is to ensure students are safe- complete the vaccine schedule or risk exclusion
guarded from outbreaks of vaccine preventable dis- from school; some risk exclusion if the vaccines are
not given by the first day of the school year.
eases. Many of the immunization regulations are

pertinent to those students registering for entry into A student may still obtain medical, religious, or phil-
school, 7th grade, and 12th grade. The new vaccina- osophical exemption from meeting the immunization
tion requirements included:
requirements. Even if a child is exempt from immun-

9 combination form for diphtheria and tetanus; izations, he/she may be excluded from school dur-
9 pertussis vaccination; ing an outbreak of vaccine preventable disease.

9 combination form for measles, mumps and ru- Specific information has been mailed to parents
bella;
whose child needs required vaccines by the begin-
9 meningococcal conjugate vaccine for entry into ning of the 2018-2019 school year. Information is
12th grade, or in an ungraded school, in the
available on the district website. For additional in-
school year the child turns 18;
formation contact your child’s health care provider,
9 change in number of polio doses required for
your child’s school nurse, or 1-877-PA-Health.
school attendance.
Please provide your child’s updated vaccine docu-

Prior to the new regulations student had 8 months mentation to the school nurses.

to get the required shots before they were not per-

3

Forest Hills High School Graduation—(Continued from Page 1)

He received the School Director’s Award, the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, and the IUP
Sutton Scholarship.

Gage will be attending the Indiana University of Pennsylvania majoring in political science and minoring in
pre-law.

The Salutatorian of the Class of 2018 is Miss Sidney Kakabar. Sidney Kakabar is the daughter of Timothy
and Carole Kakabar, and resides in Salix. While at Forest Hills High School, Sidney was involved in many
activities: Forensics where she earned two district championships and one regional championship, was a
state semi-finalist, and was a two-time national competitor in the prose category. Sidney also participated
in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) as this year’s chapter vice president, regional champion this
year in the category Help Desk, two-time state competitor, this year’s state runner up in the Help Desk cat-
egory, and will participate in the national FBLA competition in Baltimore, Maryland. Additionally, Sidney
was active in the arts as this year’s chorus president and tenor section leader. She is a three-time district
and regional chorus participant, and a two-time state chorus participant. Sidney’s other activities include
the Varsity Golf Team, SADD, Media Club, Mock Trial, Concert Band, and Scholastic Quiz where the team
participated in their first ever state tournament.

Sidney will attend Seton Hill University this fall and major in Biology and Pre-Medicine in the Honors Pro-
gram. Due to her scholastic achievements, she already has provisional acceptance into Lake Erie College
of Osteopathic Medicine Medical School (LECOM). Sidney has received the highest academic scholarship
at Seton Hill University, the Elizabeth Ann Seton Scholarship Award totaling $94,000 over four years. Other
scholarships received include the Rotary Club Academic Scholarship and the Strandquest-Simmons Entre-
preneurial Scholarship. Sidney’s ultimate goal is to specialize in Neurology and one day become a Neuro-
surgeon.

The Valedictorian of the Class of 2018 is Miss Alyssa Murphy. Alyssa is the daughter of Matthew and Lori
Murphy of Summerhill. She was a member the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Student
Council, Environthon, Reading Competition, Jaycee/Jayceettes, Mock Trial, Drama, Forensics, and Future
Business Leaders of America. Miss Murphy was a member of the varsity soccer team and the track team
earning letters in both sports, and played for the Forest Hills Rampage indoor soccer team as well. This
year Alyssa served as treasurer of the senior class.

Alyssa received the School Director’s Award, the President’s Education Award, the Rotary Club Academic
Excellence Award, the Tribune-Democrat Academic All-Star award, the senior biology/life science award,
and the Erin Hostettler scholarship.

Alyssa will attend Lehigh University majoring in bioengineering on the pre-med track.

~ SENIOR AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS ~

Seniors were honored at the annual Awards Night Ceremony on May 29, 2018 for their academic achieve-
ment, athletic prowess, citizenship and extra-curricular activities. A total of over $1,000,000 was presented
to individual students who excelled in the classroom, on the athletic fields, and in the community. Students
receiving awards/scholarships were:

ADAM BAMBINO – School Directors Award, President’s Education Award, Senior Accounting Award, Senior
Spanish Award, UPJ Real World Scholarship, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society; KARA
BAUMGARDNER – School Directors Award, President’s Education Award, Thiel Merit Award, Jaycees/
Jayceettes Service Award, Dietrich Honors Scholarship, National Honor Society; LANDON BAUMGARDNER –
School Directors Award, President’s Education Award, Rotary Club Academic Excellence Award, Challenge
Program Attendance Award, Cape & Garanich Sapphire Scholarship, Carlow Trustee Scholarship, National
Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society; BRIAN BERNARD – School Directors Award, President’s Education
Award, Rotary Club Academic Excellence Award, Rotary Club Service Above Self Award, Jaycees/
Jayceettes Service Award, Brandon Baxter Scholarship, Saint Francis Founders, Legacy and Science Out-
reach Exercise Physiology Scholarships, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society; ZANE BOPP –
School Directors Award, President’s Education Award, Spanish Honor Society; JENSEN BOWEN – School
Directors Award, President’s Education Award; KYLIE BRIDGE – School Directors Award, President’s Educa-
tion Award, Saint Francis Presidential Scholarship, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society;
BENJAMIN CRICHTON – Senior Hockey Award, Brad Wess Memorial Scholarship; (Continued on Page 5)

4

~ SENIOR AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS (continued) ~

SARAH DEIBERT – School Directors Award, President’s Education Award, Senior Mathematics Award,
Rotary Club Academic Excellence Award, Forest Hills Alumni Scholarship, Forest Hills Education Endow-
ment Scholarship, David A. Rizzo Soccer Sportsperson of the Year Scholarship, UPJ Presidential Scholar-
ship, Sara Jane Torquato Scholarship, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society; SHANE DEITLE –
Artists of the 21st Century Certificate of Recognition; CASSIDY DELUSA – Senior Softball Award, Barbara
Ann Peters Memorial Award; JACOB EGGIE – Skills USA Silver Scholarship, Skills USA Gold Scholarship,
Imagine America Scholarship; ERIC ELGIN – President’s Education Award, Walter Wood Scholarship, UPJ
Achievement, Mountain Cat and Real World Scholarships; CODY ERB – School Directors Award, Presi-
dent’s Education Award, Rotary Club Academic Excellence Award, Forest Hills Education Endowment
Scholarship, UPJ Achievement Scholarship, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society; RENO
FACCIANI – Senior Boys Band Award; NIKITA FEENEY – Senior Scholarship Award, Mount Aloysius Merit
Scholarship; ALEXIS FERCHALK – Senior Scholarship Award, Senior Golf Award, Heather Alt Reininger
Scholarship, Carl & Anna Sherbine Scholarship; RILEY FETSKO-SMAY – Senior Scholarship Award, Presi-
dent’s Education Award, AmeriServ Financial Scholarship, UPJ Real World Achievement and Engineering
Scholarships, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society; SARA FLICK – Mary Baldwin University Fu-
ture First Award; MARIA GIBSON – Mount Aloysius Academic Scholarship; CAITLIN GLASS – School Direc-
tors Award, President’s Education Award, Rotary Club Academic Excellence Award, Challenge Program
Academic Excellence Award, Superintendent’s Award, Knights of Columbus Scholarship, Duquesne Uni-
versity Academic Scholarship, 3rd Place American Legion Essay Contest, National Honor Society, Spanish
Honor Society; KEVIN GROVE – Senior Scholarship Award, Spanish Honor Society; SHELBY HOSTETLER –
School Directors Award, President’s Education Award, Forest Hills Education Endowment Scholarship,
Clarion University Golden Eagles Scholars Award and Honors Scholarships, 2018 Distinguished Young
Woman of Pennsylvania – Physical Fitness Scholarship, 1st place American Legion Essay Contest and Cam-
bria County 2nd place winner, National Honor Society; BRANDON HOUGHTON – School Directors Award,
President’s Education Award, Rotary Club Academic Excellence Award, Donald & Ronald Bailey Memorial
Award, UPJ Presidential Scholarship, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society; TAYLOR JOHNS –
Lock Haven Athletic Scholarship; ABIGAIL JORDAN – Senior Color Guard Award, Senior Computerized
Reading Award, Senior Rifle Award, IUP Sutton Scholarship; GREGORY JOSEPHSON – Senior CADD
Award, Senior Engineering Technology Award; SIDNEY KAKABAR – School Directors Award, President’s
Education Award, Senior English Award, Senior Forensics Award, Senior Girls Chorus Award, Senior
Chemistry Award, Rotary Club Academic Excellence Award, Rotary Club Service Above Self Award,
Strandquest-Simmons Enterpreneurship Scholarship, Elizabeth Ann Seton Scholarship, Seton Hill Honors
Program Housing Award, National Honor Society; DARYA KIRBY – Senior Scholarship Award, Senior Mock
Trial Award, St. Francis Assisi and Legacy Scholarships; ASHLEY KNEPPER – Challenge Program Aca-
demic Improvement Award; MADISON KOONTZ – Pittsburgh Technical College You Soon Essay; EVAN
KUNDROD – School Directors Award, President’s Education Award, National Honor Society; CONNOR
LAW – Senior Wrestling Award; TAYLOR LAW – Senior Cheerleader Award; JAKOB LEVENTRY – Senior
Scholarship Award, UPJ Mountain Cat and Achievement Scholarships; MADISON LEVENTRY – School Di-
rectors Award, President’s Education Award, UPJ Real World Achievement and Mountain Cat Scholar-
ships, National Honor Society; JONATHAN LONG – Senior Football Award, Senior Boys Physical Education
Award , Senior Boys Track Award, Superintendent’s Award, Edinboro University Athletic Scholarship;
ALYSSA MADISON – School Directors Award, Senior Girls Band Award, 2nd place American Legion Essay
Contest IUP Sutton Scholarship, National Honor Society; KAELYN McCLINTOCK – School Directors
Award, Shenandoah University Academic Scholarship, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society;
JOSIE McKENDREE - Senior Scholarship Award, Senior Girls Physical Education Award, Lock Haven Uni-
versity Athletic Scholarship; ALEXIS MILLER – School Directors Award, Senior Art Award, Senior Media
Award, Forest Hills Distinguished Alumni Class of 2014 Scholarship, Walter Wood Scholarship, UPJ Moun-
tain Cat Scholarship, National Honor Society; ANNASTASIA MILLER – Senior Scholarship Award, Senior
Family & Consumer Science Award Jaycees/Jayceettes Service Award; (Continued on Page 8)

5

~ SENIOR AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS (continued) ~

Adam Kara Landon Brian Zane Jensen
Bambino Baumgardner Baumgardner Bernard Bopp Bowen

Kylie Benjamin Sarah Shane Cassidy Jacob
Bridge Chrichton Deibert Deitle Delusa Eggie

Eric Nikita Alexis Riley Sara Maria
Elgin Feeney Ferchalk Fetsko-Smay Flick Gibson

Caitlin Kevin Shelby Brandon Taylor Abigail
Glass Grove Hostetler Houghton Johns Jordan

Gregory Sidney Darya Ashley Evan Connor
Josephson Kakabar Kirby Knepper Kundrod Law

6

~ SENIOR AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS (continued) ~

Taylor Jakob Madison Jonathan Alyssa Kaelyn
Law Leventry Leventry Long Madison McClintock

Josie Alexis Annastasia John Alyssa Ethan
McKendree Miller Miller Montag Murphy Penrod

Nicholas Ryan Madison Audrey Angela Zoe
Peretin Richardson Ringler Ritko Rok Roush

Emily Victoria Gage Hannah Nicholas Cassandra
Rozum Russic Singer Sivi Skelly Smith

Devin Sara Not Pictured:
Smith Zatek Cody Erb
Reno Facciani
Madison Koontz
Sarah Russell
Michael Teno
Travis Varner
Carter Vitez
Gabrielle Zaragoza

Kelsey Kourtney Alyssa
Valko Walls Wicks

7

~ SENIOR AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS (continued) ~

JOHN MONTAG – Senior Scholarship Award, President’s Education Award, UPJ Academic, Mountain
Cat and Engineering Scholarships; ALYSSA MURPHY – School Directors Award, President’s Education
Award, Senior Biology/Life Sciences Award, Rotary Club Academic Excellence Award, Tribune-
Democrat Academic All-Star, Erin Hostetler Memorial Scholarship, National Honor Society, Spanish
Honor Society; ETHAN PENROD – Senior Boys Soccer Award, IUP Punxsutawney Scholarship;
NICHOLAS PERETIN – School Directors Award, President’s Education Award, Senior Physics Award,
Rotary Club Academic Excellence Award, UPJ Presidential, Engineering and Housing Scholarships, Ad-
ams Township Lions/Merlin Woodring Scholarship, Mitsubishi 5 Star Scholar Athlete, National Football
Foundation – Robert Mitinger Memorial Scholarship, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society;
RYAN RICHARDSON – Senior Baseball Award, Senior Boys Basketball Award, Arthur Burkett Memorial
Scholarship, Alicia Lynn Richardson Memorial Scholarship; MADISON RINGLER – Delaware Valley
Board of Trustees Scholarship; AUDREY RITKO – IUP Sutton Scholarship, Grassland Evaluation Contest;
ANGELA ROK – School Directors Award, Senior Computer Applications Award, Rotary Club Academic
Excellence Award, Challenge Program STEM Award, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society;
ZOE ROUSH – Senior Scholarship Award, Senior Girls Track Award, Robert Morris Independence, Cross
County & Track Scholarships; EMILY ROZUM – President’s Education Award, Carol Jo Sicheneder
Scholarship, Saints Gregory & Barnabas Parish Stewardship Award; SARAH RUSSELL – Carol Jo
Sicheneder Scholarship; VICTORIA RUSSIC – School Directors Award, President’s Education Award,
Artistic Achievement Award, Point Park University Scholarship, National Honor Society; GAGE SINGER
– School Directors Award, President’s Education Award, IUP Sutton and Academic Scholarships, Na-
tional Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society; HANNAH SIVI – School Directors Award, Senior Girls Vol-
leyball Award, Penny Matlin Memorial Scholarship, Forest Hills Education Endowment Scholarship, Na-
tional Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society; NICHOLAS SKELLY - Senior Manufacturing Award;
CASSANDRA SMITH – School Directors Award, President’s Education Award, Senior Girls Basketball
Award, Rotary Club Academic Excellence Award, Jaycees/Jayceettes Service Award, Helene & Robert
Krantzler Scholarship, UPJ Leadership, Engineering and Housing Scholarships, National Honor Society,
Spanish Honor Society; DEVIN SMITH – UPJ Real World Achievement and Engineering Scholarships;
MICHAEL TENO – School Directors Award, President’s Education Award, Senior Boys Chorus Award,
Forest Hills Alumni Scholarship, UPJ Real World Leadership Scholarship; KELSY VALKO – School Direc-
tors Award, President’s Education Award, Senior Girls Cross Country Award, Rotary Club Academic
Excellence Award, Wendy’s High School Heisman Award, Challenge Program Community Service
Award, Rangers Becoming Rangers Scholarship, Paul Keeney Scholarship, Forest Hills Education En-
dowment Scholarship, UPJ Real World, Engineering, Athletic and Housing Scholarships, National Honor
Society, Spanish Honor Society; TRAVIS VARNER – Senior Scholarship Award; CARTER VITEZ – School
Directors Award, President’s Education Award, UPJ Real World Achievement and Engineering Scholar-
ships, National Honor Society; KOURTNEY WALLS – Senior Scholarship Award, Senior Girls Soccer
Award, Mount Aloysius Merit Scholarship, National Honor Society; ALYSSA WICKS – School Directors
Award, President’s Education Award, Air Force ROTC Scholarship, National Honor Society, Spanish
Honor Society; GABRIELLE ZARAGOZA – Mount Aloysius Academic and Dual Enrollment Scholarships;
SARA ZATEK – School Directors Award, President’s Education Award, Senior Social Studies Award, Art-
ists of the 21st Century Certificate of Recognition, UPJ Real World Scholarship, National Honor Society,
Spanish Honor Society.

8

Principal’s Corner ~ Mr. Curt Vasas

Hello! I hope everyone is enjoying their summer vacation. The summer months bring a well-deserved
break for our students and staff. However, it’s important to always be preparing for what lies ahead. The
summer can be a great time for recharging batteries to gear up for the next school year. I encourage all
students to take advantage of our summer library hours. All student should invest the time to read at least
one book over the summer months.

Some time devoted to college and career planning can also be beneficial. Students should consider sum-
mer employment, job shadowing, or college visits. All of these options can help students decide where
their interests lie and assist them in scheduling classes throughout their high school careers.

As always, we encourage you to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. Please also visit our
website for valuable information including the link for the “High School Years” newsletter under the Admin-
istration link within the Our School tab of the High School homepage. We continue to strive to provide a
quality education so our students develop into life-long learners and understand their importance in a dem-
ocratic society. Thank you for continued support and assistance towards this end.

Senior High Drama

The Senior High Drama
Department presented a
modern take on Thornton
Wilder’s Our Town on May
9-12. Wilder’s classic exam-
ines life in small town New
Hampshire in the early
1900s, but his message is
that of universal themes. To
emphasize that Wilder’s
work could take place any-
where at any time, the pro-
duction used modern cos-
tumes and props while
keeping the language in the
original script. Junior
Simeon Rosage portrayed the Stage Manager, acting as a guide for the audience and showing them that
though technology changes and science advances, people of 2018 are
no different from people in other eras.

Clay McVicker and Rebecca
Williamson played modern versions of
teenagers George and Emily who flirt
and text their way into an eventual
marriage and life together. They are
guided by their parents, portrayed by
four seniors Sam LaRocca and Shelby
Hostetler as Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs, and
Riley Fetsko and Sara Zatek as Editor
and Mrs. Webb. Abby Jordan and Maria Gibson were the behind the
scenes stage managers.

All of the students involved, as well as audiences, were profoundly affected by the enormity of what the play
reveals: that human beings do not appreciate life while they can and are largely blind to the joys it offers.

9

FBLA State Competition

Forest Hills FBLA is proud to announce that eight students placed at the state level at the State FBLA Com-
petition in April. They were—Michael Torvato, Tanner Lehman, Nathan Long, Jason Wissinger, Benjamin
Wechtenhiser, Josh Jones, Josh Schrock, and Sidney Kakabar.

Sidney Kakabar will be moving on to National Competition in Baltimore competing in Help Desk and
Benjamin Wechtenhiser will be competing in
Business Calculations.

The Chapter would like to thank the commu-
nity and district for their continued support
in helping our students compete. Good luck
to both National Competitors!

Joshua Jones, Jason Wissinger, Nathan Long, Sidney Kakabar, Ben 
Wechtenhiser, Tanner Lehman, Michael Torvato, and Joshua 
Schrock.

FBLA Chapter Hosts Purple-Out Game

Forest Hills FBLA sponsored a Purple-Out Game to benefit the Alzhei-

mer’s Association of Pennsylvania and Cross Roads at Arbutus Manor

in Richland. A total of $1,000 was donated to the charities. The funds

collected were donated locally, through the efforts of the FBLA officers

and members. Row 1—Mr. Bowser, Tanner Lehman, Josh Jones, Emily Montag, 

Amanda Wilson, Bethany Fetsko,  Row 2—Sidney Kakabar, 

Connor Freidhoff, Nathan Long, Jason Wissinger, & Michael Torvato

2018 Jaycee/Jayceette Volleyball Marathon

The annual Jaycee/Jayceette Volleyball marathon was held on Friday, March 16. This event benefits the
Erin Hostetler Scholarship Fund and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The steering committee is proud to
announce they surpassed their goal of raising $4,000.00 and included the entire district to participate. This
year, students in grades 5-12 had the opportunity to participate in the marathon. Students in 5th and 6th
grade played the tournament during intramurals and the championship game was played on the marathon
day. Students in 7th through 12th grade played throughout the day in the field house and gymnasium. A total
of 230 students played in the marathon this year! As always, teachers from both buildings added to the ex-
citement and participation by playing against the steering committee. Thank you to all of the local busi-
nesses who sponsored the event and a special thank you to Barclay Electric for being our largest donor
and for Fox’s Pizza of Sidman for supplying all of the pizza to the participants!

The Jaycee/Jayceettes are looking forward to the 2019 marathon and are hoping to have even more suc-
cess and participation.

Steering Committee Members: Left to Right first row: Kara Baumgardner, Brian Bernard, Clay McVicker,
Nick Peretin, Evan Kundrod, Brandon
Houghton, Devin Smith, Ryan Richardson,
Reno Facciani, Kaelyn McClintock, Second
row: Josie McKendree, Hannah Sivi, Kylie
Bridge, Sydney Kakabar, Madison Le-
ventry, Cassie Smith, Sarah Deibert, Advi-
sor: Jennifer Raptosh, Angela Rok, Kelsey
Valko, Cassie Delusa, Kathryn Brendel,
Annastasia Miller, and Marlee Sewalk.

10

Media Class Wins Video Award

Students from the Media I class at the high
school competed in the “What’s So Cool
About Manufacturing” video contest. The
class won the bonus video award which
focused on the importance of the business
to our community. Forest Hills partnered
with JWF industries. Students were re-
sponsible for all aspects of the video from
preproduction to finalizing the video. The
group of students attended the award cere-
mony on March 22 at UPJ.

Pictures left to right: Jennifer Raptosh, Media I Teach-
er, Carlie McGough, Taryn Varner, Brooke Martinage,
Mr. Bowser, Superintendent Absent from photo: Erin
Wright, Lucas Myers, chief editor

Pinella Takes 3rd In State

Valerie Pinella won 3rd place in the Financial Literacy contest sponsored by Harrisburg University of
Science and Technology. The contest was open to all students in grades 7 through 12 in Pennsylvania.
Valerie was awarded a $125 scholarship for her essay about “What Financial Literacy Means To Me.” In
addition to the scholarship, Valerie was invited to HU
for an awards banquet. The banquet was headlined
by Barbie Keiser who spoke about using the internet
effectively, especially in relation to financial issues.
The contest is promoted in Mr. Gramling’s business
math class which centers on financial subjects. Va-
lerie placing 3rd this year, follows Dyamond Wagner
who placed 1st last year. Mr. Gramling is very proud
that Forest Hills has had a place winner in both years
participating in this statewide competition.

The 2018 Junior-Senior Prom was held at the Pasquerilla Conference
Center in Johnstown on Saturday, May 5, 2018. The theme, “Secret
Garden” presented many photo opportunities for the ladies in elegant
gowns and gentlemen wearing striking tuxedos. Students and their guests enjoyed having their pic-
tures taken in the very popular photo booth. All photos taken in the booth may be viewed and download-
ed by visiting this website: labarkodjs.smugmug.com/ForestHills18 Password: Rangers The dance floor

was crowded all night as DJ Labarko
kept the music lively and all in attend-
ance enjoyed the ice cream sundae
bar. Members of the Prom Court are
(left to right): Ben Crichton, Marlee
Sewalk, Sara Zatek, Jon Long, Cody
Erb, Taylor Law, Stephen Wingard,
Angel Theys, Clayton McVicker, Kylie
Bridge, Evan Kundrod, Kourtney
Walls, Kevin Grove, Shelby Hostetler,
Jon Montag, Zoe Roush, and seated
are the King Sam LaRocca, and
Queen Cassi Smith. For those plan-
ning ahead, next year’s prom is
scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2019.

11

High School Artist Work Exhibited

Annually during the second semester, student artwork is displayed in some of our local galleries.

In January, the annual Artists of the 21st Century student show is exhibited at the Southern Alleghenies
Museum of Art on the campus of St. Francis University. Each school dis-
trict send 20 pieces of artwork for display at this prestigious event. The
artwork sent this year included:

x Pastel drawings by Shane Deitle and Joey Schrader created in Art II

x Clay projects by Carly McGough and Brad Madigan both in Art I

x Charcoal drawings by Megan Rusnak and Sara Zatek, both done in
Drawing I

x Acrylic paintings painted by Jade Nastase and Olivia Guilarmod,
both in Art I

x The artwork of Madison Waters created in Art II was entered into the Congressional Art Competition
held by Congressman Keith Rothfus. She created a charcoal drawing in Art II class.

The final art show was held in May at the Cambria County Community Arts Center in Westmont.

Abbey Swanson had her acrylic painting submitted as did Madeline Cecere and Emily Belinda. Abbey and
Emily’s paintings were from Painting class while Madeline’s was from Art I. Joey Schrader had his pen and
ink submitted from Art II class, and Ian Brown, also from Art II had his stained glass project submitted for
exhibition.

Kainen Walsh’s colored pencil drawing was submitted from Drawing II class. Ceramics class had clay
buildings submitted from Carly Davis and Alexis Miller.

Shaila Stormer created an interesting painting on a cymbal from her band class that was sent for display.

Mrs. Cecere’s art classes were proudly represented in our area museums with a wide variety of projects
and mediums.

Reading Competition

The senior high school Reading Competition team placed 2nd in the annual IU08 Spring Reading Competi-
tion held at the Forest Hills Junior-Senior High School. The team competed against 25 other teams from
the IU08 area. Members are required to read a list of 30 books and answer 90 questions from those books
as a team.

Members from left to right, front row: Rebecca Williamson, Kelsey Josephson, 2nd row: Alexis Noon, Ash-

Junior-Senior High Music

Chorus
The Choruses of grades 7-12 presented their annual Spring Concert on May 14th. Performers in the con-
cert included the 7th Grade Chorus, 8/9th Grade Chorus, the Boys Ensemble, Senior High Chorus, 2 Girls
Quartets, and A Cappella Ensemble. A Cappella Ensemble is a new auditioned singing group that per-
forms challenging music without instrumental accompaniment. Another new element to the chorus con-
cert was a combined piece in which all 115 singers in grades 7-12 performed together. Junior High Cho-
ruses were accompanied on piano by Mr. David Hammond, and the Senior High Chorus was accompa-
nied by Senior Hailey Pasquerilla. Students in 8/9 ensembles also performed for the Elementary stu-

-

Several students represented Forest Hills at Pennsylvania Music Educators
Association festivals this year. Pictured are the students who made District
Chorus: Kaitlyn Rusnak, Megan Rusnak, Dara Edwards, Abigail Seese,
Michael Teno, Hailey Pasquerilla, Sidney Kakabar, and Rebecca Williamson.
Kaitlyn, Megan, and Sidney advanced to Regional Chorus. The following stu-
dents represented Forest Hills at District Jazz: Sara Zatek, Alexus Bobak,
Baylee Frampton, Mandi Bearjar, Hadan Romanow. This year for the
first time in school history, 2 students made All-State Chorus at the same time:
Sidney Kakabar and Kaitlyn Rusnak.

13

Junior-Senior High Music
Band

This year all 3 bands performed their spring concert on the same evening. May 16th was a wonderful night
of instrumental music as the 7th grade band, 8/9th grade band, and Senior High band performed songs
about Little Red Riding Hood, a steamboat race, variations on childhood songs, aliens landing, and Pi-
rates of the Caribbean.
This year, the Senior High band attended their first ever adjudication. The band earned a ranking of ex-
cellent, which is 2nd of 4 possible rankings.
Band was well represented at festivals again this year. Five students attended Districts, held at Northern
Bedford. They were Mackenzie Sarka, Baylee Frampton, Mandi Bearjar, Alexus Bobak, and Rebecca
Williamson. Three students moved onto to Region Band, held at Bellefonte High School. They were
Mandi Bearjar, Baylee Frampton, and Alexus Bobak. Mandi Bearjar advanced on to All-State Band held in
Lancaster. Next year, in January, Forest Hills will be hosting District Band.
On May 18, the music program presented their annual Small Ensembles concert. Jazz Band, Acapella

14

~ JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL ~

Principal’s Corner ~ Mr. Ed Alexander

The 2017-2018 school year has come and gone! Our first full year in the new Junior-Senior High
School was met with great anticipation, and we enjoyed many successful firsts throughout the year!
I am very proud and honored to be the Junior High Principal and am committed to making our future
“first days” successful each and every August. We are working very hard this summer to put to-
gether another solid schedule, which will maximize learning opportunities for all students. Our fu-
ture 7th graders were able to have our first “move-up day” this Spring. They were able to tour the
building, meet with administration and staff, and eat lunch in their future cafeteria. It was a huge
success! This summer, we plan to host a Parent Orientation for all incoming grade 7 students and
any new student to the building on August 16 at 6:00 pm in the LGI. We hope to see you there! In-
formation will be posted this summer. Thank you all for another great school year! Enjoy the sum-
mer break and be safe!

Math-a-Thon at Forest Hills Junior High

The Math-a-Thon is a charity that was started by St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital to fund their research and
fund the pediatric hospital. Students participate in the fund-
raiser for St. Jude’s by completing a booklet of math prob-
lems and getting sponsors. Each year, the Junior High Math
Department uses this fundraiser for St. Jude’s as an option-
al part of their fourth marking period bonus.
The booklet, called the Funbook, is filled with math curricu-
lum according to the student participant’s grade. The cur-
riculum in the Funbook is for a great cause, and it helps stu-
dents prepare for standardized tests at the end of the year,

~~~~~~~~~~DAV Visit~~~~~~~~~~

The local chapter of Disabled American Veterans visited with students at the Junior-Senior High School on
May 7, 2018. The DAV accepted a monetary donation of
$400 from the t-shirt sale held in the fall. Junior class
member Hannah Croyle designed the t-shirt as part of
the Forest Hills School District’s yearly program to hon-
or all Veterans. “May No Soldier Walk Alone” was this
year’s theme and appears on the front of the t-shirt.
The fund raiser was held in conjunction with our Kick
Up The Kindness Initiative.
Members from the Junior and Senior class and repre-
sentatives from the DAV are as follows: Row 1: Seth
Kulback, Ryan Barkley, Hannah Croyle, Kenneth
Costlow- Commander, and David Wagner- Sr. Vice Commander. Row 2: Brock Rhodes, Joe Knox, Greg
Josephson, Robert Gaydosh- Jr. Vice Commander, and Lisa Bokinsky- Adjutant.

15

Research Scholars Award for 9th Grade Students

The Research Scholar Award in Language and Letters is awarded to exemplary student research pro-
jects in the English Composition 9 courses. There is an individual award and a group award for the top
scoring projects in the grade. This year, for the individual award, students self-selected a poem of their
choosing, researched it for critical theories and literary merit, and formulated a research paper. The stu-
dents then presented a 10-15 minute, conference-style presentation of their papers with a questioning
forum by classmates. The quality of the research paper composition, use of research skills, critical think-
ing, and professionalism of the research presentation are taken into consideration as criteria to win the
award. For the group award, students selected a significant literary period and formulated research
groups in a project-based learning experience culminating in top group presentations across the grade
competing in a symposium for the award. The award is then awarded to the group for the top-scoring
presentation and research paper in the entire grade. Students were required to integrate interactive
technology into their presentations and utilized platforms such as Google Slides, Sway, and Prezi to cre-
ate their presentations.

This year, Nicole Rorar received the individual award for her paper entitled “The Power of Words,” in
which she formulated a thesis on a biographical approach of the feminist aspects in poetess Margarita
Engle’s poem Tula [“Books are door-shaped”]. On her inspiration for this project, Nicole says, “The fact
that the speaker in the poem was limited to what she was allowed to read and think drew me to the poem
because I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to be educated despite their gender.”

The group award was awarded to Mitchell Costlow, Leah Deitle, Shane Kantrancha, Justin (Zach) Myers,
Jade Nastase, and Lucas Smay for their presentation and paper on “The Modern Period (1914-1945)
which adeptly covered both fiction (Rudyard Kipling) and non-fiction (letters from soldiers) writings and
the cultural time period surrounding the events of World War I and World War II. On soldiers letters
providing inspiration for this project, Leah Deitle explains: “Some of these writings [soldier’s letters]
would turn into beautiful, inspiring poems and even novels.” Congratulations to these students on a job
well done!

Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art and
Johnstown Symphony Orchestra Collaboration

During spring 2018, Forest Hills Junior-Senior High
School seventh grade art students participated in a
new exciting collaboration with the Johnstown
Symphony Orchestra (JSO) and the Southern
Alleghenies Museum of Art (SAMA). This collaboration
involved students creating artwork inspired by music
provided by the JSO. In addition to listening to a JSO
YouTube video, on Monday, April 16th, a musician
from the JSO visited Dr. Motter’s seventh grade art
class with his trumpet and played a song in person
that inspired the students' art making. Seventh grade
art students had the unique opportunity to experience
their own private concert in art class.

Prior to the JSO musician’s visit, students learned
about the famous American painter and abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock. They then visited
http://jacksonpollock.org/ to create their own digital artworks inspired by the music provided by the
JSO and the art style of artist Jackson Pollock. The student artwork was on display at Southern
Alleghenies Museum of Art, Johnstown and projected during the May 12th Johnstown Symphony
Orchestra concert. Dr. Motter hopes to participate in this worthwhile collaboration again next year.

16

SuperConference

Students from the Forest Hills School District attended the 25th annual
“SuperConference” for student leaders on Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at
Mount Aloysius College.
This conference provided student leaders from middle and high schools
in the county an opportunity to enhance leadership traits, develop lead-
ership skills, and foster pride and spirit in their schools. At the confer-
ence, students had the opportunity to attend multiple workshops on vari-
ous topics including finance, diversity, chasing dreams, and many more.
Each workshop and speaker reinforced the importance of leadership
within our schools and how leadership ideas and traits can translate into
their academic and personal futures.
Only two students from each grade, 7th through 11th grades, were eligi-
ble to attend the conference. Based upon teacher recommendations, these students were picked to
attend the “SuperConference.” These student leaders are the pride of our school and we would once
again like to congratulate them on this honor. (Students delegates: Claire Bawiec, Connor Wysocki,
Colby Rearick, Katelyn Beyer, Anna Arrington)

Math Counts

The 2017-2018 Math Counts competition team had a successful run at both the chapter competition at
UPJ and the State Competition at Hershey. The team met at least once per week to discuss mathemat-
ics, learn problem solving strategies, and to prepare for the competition.

Of the seven individuals from Forest Hills Junior High that quali-
fied for the chapter competition, two placed in the top 10. Dylan
Wechtenhiser placed 7th overall and Connor Wysocki was the top
Mathlete at the regional competition and represented Forest
Hills and the Johnstown Math Counts Chapter at the state com-
petition in Hershey on March 24th. The Math Counts team will
return a promising group of seventh graders to compete in next
year’s competition. Pictured from left to right: Connor Wysocki,
Matthew Rickley, Dylan Wechtenhiser, Bailey Sheppard, Kelley
Miller, Quinn Smay, Makenna Konchan.

St. Francis Professors Share World War II Artifacts with Freshman Students

Dr. Myers gave students the opportunity to handle and learn the
importance of numerous World War II artifacts donated by Penn-
sylvanian veterans. Small group instruction was led by fellow St.
Francis history professors, Dr. Aniruddha Bose and Dr. Denise
Damico. Special thanks to Mrs. Nicole McClosky, Mr. Kenneth
Damico, and Ms. Paige Mazeika for their help in making the
presentation a memorable experience for our students.

Dr. Sarah Myers, Professor of History at St.
Francis University and Director of the Keirn
Family World War II Museum

17

~ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ~

Principal’s Corner ~ Mrs. Rebecca Roberts

Wow! The 2017-2018 school year has gone by so quickly! I have to say it has been a great school year
and I cannot thank the teachers, staff, administration, PTO, parents, and students enough for their sup-
port during this transitional year. What an amazing group of people to work with!
As the year comes to a close, your child will be ending their year with a wealth of new knowledge – aca-
demically, socially, physically, and emotionally. Take time to continue this learning throughout the sum-
mer. Have your child attend a camp or bible school this summer, visit the local library for story hour or
just to read, join an athletic group, schedule a playdate with a friend, or visit a local museum or state park
to learn about the many experiences they have to offer. There are many events and activities that occur
within the community, which can have a great impact on children’s learning, at little or no cost. Remem-
ber, learning happens in many ways!
New this summer at Forest Hills Elementary is the opening of the school library for all incoming 5th and 6th
graders. Library hours for the summer are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM – 2 PM beginning June 12.
Please call the school if you have any questions or to confirm the library is open.
I wish you all a happy and relaxing summer spent with friends and family. Enjoy your time making memo-
ries and I look forward to seeing you in August!

American Legion Essay Contest

This spring, students in grade 6 had the opportunity to participate in the American Legion Essay Con-
test. The title of the essay was “What can I personally do to promote Americanism in my school or
community?” Winners of the contest included:

Trenton Miller Laura Montag Maria Felix
1st place, Dunlo Unit 1st place, St. Michael Unit 2nd place, St. Micheal Unit

Laura Montag also won at the County and State Levels. Her essay has been forwarded to the National
Level. Congratulations to all and best of luck to Laura Montag at the National Level.

6th

spelling before the final three places were decided.

went to Hailey Gibala, and the first place winner was
Doran Faith. The winners each received a Books-A-
Congratulations to all three winners!!!

18

Elementary Music Department

The elementary music department has a lot to be proud of from this spring! Some of our select sixth
grade band students auditioned to be able to perform in Band Fest at Hollidaysburg Middle School on

April 6. Nadia Daubert, Doran Faith, Si McGough, James McKendree, Luke
McLeary, and Sydney Myers played beautifully and made us very proud
with their performance.

Our annual spring concert was held on Thursday, May 3 with students in
fifth and sixth grade bands and choruses.
Over 150 students filtered on and off the
stage to perform various music from many
different composers and music artists. We
packed the auditorium, and family members and friends listened to the
wonderful music our students produced. Great job! Forest Hills, with the
help of Richland’s Fine Arts Department, also hosted Pennsylvania Music
Educators Association (PMEA) Song Fest for fifth grade choral students on
Friday, May 4. 24 schools from Bedford, Blair, Cambria, and Somerset Counties came together to sing a
fantastic program under the direction of Dr. Matthew Erpelding. Noah Corbett, Lee Hill, Mya Kehn,
Haleigh Plows, Liam Ritko, and Alyssa Walker were phenomenal, and their performance culminated with
a concert that same evening.

As our current school year comes to a close, we will miss our outgoing sixth grade students who are mov-
ing on to the junior high school. We look forward to the many fantastic performances they will continue to
do with their many talents. Good luck, and we will be listening and watching for you! To our new “big
kids,” keep bringing your musical knowledge and abilities! We are excited about next school year’s per-
formances and what you will bring to the program.

Art Museum Visit

Sixth grade students had a rare opportunity for a field trip this year. Follow-
ing a communication from a Forest Hills Alumni, elementary art teachers,
Mrs. Krestar and Mr. Burda, arranged for a field trip to The Westmoreland
Museum of American Art in Greensburg. The trips occurred May 15th and
16th.

In April, Ms. Mona Wiley, Programs Coordinator for
the museum, contacted Mrs. Krestar offering our stu-
Tableau created by 6th grade dents a chance to visit the museum at no cost to the
school district. Admission fees and the cost of trans-
portation was covered by a grant that the museum acquired for public schools.

While at the museum, docents guided the students through

four areas where they were able to view the art work and

learn about various genre such as abstract painting and

sculpture, realism, still-life, and landscape. The students Ryan Popish, TJ Carroll,
were then engaged in various interactive activities where Thomas Koran, Michael Kresic

they created a tableau, wrote a story, critiqued the artwork, and arranged a still life.

Our students enjoyed the interaction with the docents and their classmates. They
learned how to view and experience the art work and considerately shared their
thoughts and feelings about the various pieces.

Melanie Troy, Madison Emerick, The docents were pleased with our students and invited us back. We plan to visit
Madison Parks, Leira Bertosasio the museum with next year’s 6th grade students.

19

~ JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ~

Junior High Boys Track & Field

With only six returning athletes from the previous campaign and
tumultuous weather conditions, the Junior High Boys Track &
Field team demonstrated tremendous perseverance as it over-
came the many obstacles it encountered throughout the 2018
season. The team relied on an unyielding work ethic and desire
for consistent improvement as it rebounded from a slow start.
The young Rangers ended the regular season by beating their
final three opponents and finished with an overall record of 4-2.
Several athletes qualified for the Laurel Mountain Meet in
Loretto, and the following secured a place on the podium:
4x400m relay team (8th place) and 4x800m relay team (5th place).
Six athletes qualified for the Altoona Middle School Champion-
ships and had a respectable showing against a very talented field
of competitors. Overall, the team saw many successes, achieved numerous personal goals, and did its part
to continue the tradition of excellence.

Junior High Girls Track & Field

Although 2018 may have had the worst spring sports weather in history, the Junior High Girls Track & Field
team still managed to pull off a successful season! The young team finished with a winning record of 3-2.
They were the top AA Girls team at the Clearfield Junior High Invitational, earning 1st place honors in seven
events! As runner-up of the Laurel Mountain Middle School
Championships, Payton McGough was the 800M Champion,
and Bethany Conant was named Jumper of the Meet, placing
in all three jumps. The team also placed 2nd in AA at the
Altoona Middle School Championships, finishing seventh over-
all out of 30 schools in attendance! At Altoona, the 4x800M
relay team set an impressive new school record of 10:13.13!
Team members include Katelyn Beyer, Payton McGough,
Danielle Dumm, and Delaney Dumm. Payton McGough led the
team as the Altoona 800M Champion. Despite a trying season,
we are proud of the hardware this young and motivated team has earned and we are excited to see what
accomplishments are ahead in the future!

Forest Hills Junior High Girls’ Volleyball

The Forest Hills junior high girls’ volleyball team
finished the season with a record of 7-11 and the
JV finished with a record of 13-5.

This year’s squad was comprised of six freshmen:
Claire Bawiec, Savannah Miller, Jade Nastase, Lyd-
ia Roman, Maddiesyn Simmons, and Anna Wingard;
ten 8th grade athletes: Bre Clifford, Hope Edsall,
Rylie Ferchalk, Madison Gdula, McKenzie Hogue,
Mackenzie Hoover, Lexi Koeck, Karlie Ondrejik,
Sofie Poborski, and Paje Yochimowitz; and seven 7th grade athletes: Ciera Deffenbaugh, Aislinn Myers, Ri-
Lynn Swinger, McKenzie Webb, Kayla Weinzierl, Anna Wirfel, and Leah Wirfel. These girls have been great
examples of student athletes and role models for one another. Throughout the season they have demon-
strated discipline, hard work, and dedication.

Next spring we look to have another successful season. There are a lot of talented athletes returning who
will help to keep the successful tradition alive at the junior high level. All of the underclassmen contributed
greatly to the success that the team had this season and will certainly be able to carry that success on into
the future.

20

~ VARSITY SPORTS ~

2018 Varsity Softball

The start of the 2018 Softball season was delayed 7 games due to the weather. When the wintry and rainy
weather broke, the Lady Rangers were ready to
play. The Lady Rangers started strong winning
their first 4 games against Bishop McCort,
Bishop Carroll, Johnstown, and Richland. The
middle stretch of the season proved challenging
due to weather and multiple postponed games.
We had to play multiple doubleheaders in a week,
but the Lady Ranger dug deep and won 7 of their
16 games of the season. This season, we had
some great performances from our players. Jun-
ior Erica Lybarger came back from a knee injury
that kept her from winter open-gym workouts.

One week into season practice she was cleared and she stepped in and worked hard to get herself back out
on the field. Lybarger was our team DP and led the team with 30 hits, 1 home run, and 21 RBI’s with a bat-
ting average of .508. She was a force with the bat gaining hits in 14 of 16 games. In the last game of the sea-
son at Westmont, she had her first career home run and the team’s only home run of the season. Top hitters
behind Lybarger were Sophomore 1st baseman Sydney McCormick with a .380 batting average, Junior right
fielder Lexi Bobak with a .326 batting average, and Freshman center fielder Paige Debias with a .323 batting
average. On the mound was junior Courtney Golden, leading the team with 5 wins and 48 strike outs. Fresh-
man pitcher Taylor Burda had 2 wins, 1 save, and 20 strikeouts. Taylor also threw a one hitter in a win over
Bishop Guilfoyle. The Lady Rangers had a young team with 3 Freshman starters, 3 Sophomores, 3 Juniors,
and 1 Senior starter. The Lady Rangers graduated 3 seniors: Kara Baumgartner, Cassie Delusa, and Sarah
Flick. The Senior Award went to left fielder Cassie Delusa, a stand out person and outfielder. Cassie led by
example on and off the field. She always had a positive attitude, and always gave it her all. The Lady
Rangers ended their season with a 7-9 record.

Forest Hills Rifle Team

The Forest Hills Rifle Team finished the season ahead of last year’s ranking with a 6-7 varsity record.
Contributing to the team’s improvement were 19 varsity and junior varsity members. Of the 19 members,

13 shooters reached the high standards in order to
participate at the varsity level. Leading this year’s
line-up was our only Senior and captain Abby Jordan.
Varsity Shooter’s scoring within the top 5 were Jun-
iors Kristi Burkett, Hannah Croyle, Joshua Wright,
Megan Jennings, Alyssa Penrod, Sophomore Do-
novan Faith, and Freshman Mitchell Costlow. Six var-
sity members qualified for states and included Abby
Jordan, Kristi Burkett, Hannah Croyle, Mitchell Cost-
low, Joshua Wright, and Donovan Faith. With a line-up
of mostly new shooters, the Junior Varsity team had
an impressive end of season record of 6-7. Shooter’s
leading the JV line-up and scoring in the top 3 includ-
ed Junior Mackenzie Sarka, Sophomores Luke Dougherty, Thomas Hockensmith, Kyle Miller, Rick Gold-
en, Ashley Pauley and Freshman Mitchell Costlow, Bryce Jordan, Kodey Mickolick, and Lucas Boring.
The team continues to work at improving the previous year’s accomplishments as they have begun an off-
season shooting program. The members’ hard work and dedication to this disciplined sport continues to
set this team up for another successful season next year.

21

~ VARSITY SPORTS ~

Four-peat As Champions

The Lady Rangers attempt to “raise their
game” every year. Four years as District
champions, is a tribute to the program and
to the players. The girls commit and really
work at making the Lady Rangers a special
organization to be a part of and to play for.
These seniors are unprecedented. They will
always be the first team to have four District
6 medals. Others may follow, but they have
made history, which can be repeated but
never bested.

Cassi Smith finished the season with a 6.6
ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.9 apg and 2.1 steals per
game statistics. But more importantly than
statistics, Cassi accepted the challenge to
defend everyone’s best player. She plays
great defense, and excelled in this position.
Cassi will forever be remember as hitting the game-winning runner in the double-overtime District 6 cham-
pionship game versus Bedford in 2017. Cassi will attend UPJ in the fall and study Chemical Engineering.

Abbey Swanson loves to be a Lady Ranger. She loved playing for the team on the front of the jersey every
night and worked hard to help the team. Abbey averaged 7.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.9 apg and 2.1 steals per
game. Abbey will attend Clarion University in the fall and major in Secondary English Education.

Kelsy Valko’s basketball career has been riddled with injuries; she sustained a concussion in her sopho-
more year and in her junior and senior years she suffered back injuries. All of these kept her from compet-
ing on the floor with her teammates. Some players in this situation show up for the games and important
events. This was not the case with Kelsy. She came to every practice and completed whatever drill she
could to be a part of the team. She is an example of a loyal team player. She came to support the team dai-
ly, which is unheard of in our society today. Kelsy’s leadership may not have been a title, position, or sta-
tistical leader but it was an action and an example. Kelsy will attend UPJ and study Chemical Engineering.

Kourtney Walls averaged 10.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.1 apg, and 3.5 steals per game. Kourtney is a natural point
guard; she likes to have the ball in her hand. Kourtney is an outstanding student-athlete with a great game
face and personality. She wants to win and works
hard to help her team. She is a three-year starter
and a 4 year letterwinner and contributed to all
four D6 championship games. Her position will be
tough to replace for all that she does on the floor.
Kourtney will attend Mt. Aloysius College in the
fall and will study Radiation Therapy.

These four seniors have stayed the course
through tough competition, injuries, and the
choices teenagers make. The team and these
players once again have raised the bar for the
next season.

Congratulations to these seniors and best of luck
to them in their futures that sure look bright.

22

~ VARSITY SPORTS ~

Girls Varsity Track Team Has Successful Season

The Varsity Girls Track & Field team completed another successful season. The team finished with a dual
meet record of 10 wins and 1 loss. The lone setback was a 2/3 of a point loss to Central Cambria – FH’s
first dual meet loss since 2009.

The team finished 2nd in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference and 3rd at the District 6 Meet. They won
the Bedford Invitational (8th consecutive year), Northern Bedford Invitational (9th consecutive year), and
the Laurel Highlands Conference Meet (4th consecutive year). They had 3 district champions, qualified 8
individuals in 5 events for the state meet, had 1 state medalist, and broke 3 school records.

Eight girls qualified for the PIAA State Meet in 5 events. The 4X800 meter relay team of Kelsy Valko, Cassi
Smith, Emily Montag, and Lacey Greathouse (3rd at the district meet and 13th at the state meet), the 4X100
relay team of Megan Rusnak, Josie McKendree, Alyssa Caddy, and Zoe Roush (District Champion and 9th
at the state meet), Zoe Roush in the 100 meter dash (District Champion and 17th at the state meet), Zoe
Roush in the long jump (District Champion and 3rd at the state meet), and Zoe Roush in the triple jump (3rd
at the district meet and 14th at the state meet).

Senior Zoe Roush set new school records in the 100-meter dash and the triple jump. Her time of :12.39 in
the 100 meter dash at the district meet bettered her old mark of :12.54 from last year. Her triple jump of

38’ 5” at the West Central Coaches meet bet-
tered the old mark set by Brooke Smay in
2013 and Zoe in 2017.

The 4X100 meter relay team set a new school
record at the PIAA State Meet. Their time
of :49.99 bettered the old mark of :50.50 held
by the team of Brooke Smay, Megan Gould,
Marlee Schrift, and Becky Bard from 2011.

The Varsity Girls Track & Field team is
coached by Tom Hunter and Scott Krise.

Varsity Boys Track & Field 2018

The Varsity Boys Track & Field team completed another winning season. The boys compiled a 10-1
overall record which included wins against Bedford, Bishop Carroll, Bishop Guilfoyle, Bishop McCort,
Cambria Heights, Central Cambria, Johnstown, Richland, and Westmont to finish as the LHAC Runner-up.
The team added a 2nd place finish at the United Invitational, a 6th place finish at the West Central Coaches’
meet, a 4thd place finish at the Laurel Highlands Conference meet, and a 3rd place finish at the District VI
Championships. Overall, 16 boys qualified for the district meet with 13 placing in their events, including
Jon Long as the District VI 100m dash champion. Additionally, the 4x100m relay team, the 4x400m relay
team, Jon Long (100m dash and Long Jump), Ryan Latshaw (110m Hurdles), and Cody Erb (pole vault)
qualified for the PIAA Championship meet.
The 4x100 team was composed of Jon Long,
Eric Elgin, Jared Mangus, and Blane Smay.
The 4x400 team was composed of John Mon-
tag, Josh Rhinier, Mitchell Chunta, and Jon
Long. Individually, Bob Krug broke the
school’s pole vault record with a 13’ vault.
Overall, the team had a tremendous season
and competed hard in every meet. The team
was coached by Robert Petrunak and Laura
Yevchak.

23

~ VARSITY SPORTS ~

Varsity Baseball 2018

The 2018 edition of Forest Hills Baseball gave fans a lot to cheer about throughout the season. The team
ended with a 16 wins and only 3 losses, securing a Laurel Highlands Championship. The team did not lose
a game in the conference, finishing 13-0. The team had the #1 seed in the district playoffs and beat Bed-
ford in the first round before losing a heartbreaker to Bellefonte. The group of 7 seniors had a 4-year rec-
ord of 59 wins and 26 losses. The group was led by Senior Award winner Ryan Richardson. He bat-
ted .383 this year and had a total of 60 hits in his 4-year letter winning campaigns. Fellow senior Brian
Bernard was also impressive hitting .433 and leading the team in hits (26) and runs scored (31) and also
going 6 and 0 on the mound. He was named to the Laurel Highlands All-Conference team. Nick Peretin
was exceptional while catching for the past two years and also had a .321 batting average. Evan Kundrod
had two victories pitching and batted .353, along with playing a steady second base. Kyler Swires, who
was a transfer from Portage, enjoyed a nice Senior season with the Rangers. He contributed a .357 bat-
ting average and also won a game pitching. Logan Milkovich and Brennen Keating were senior members
of the team that contributed in many ways and will have great memories of the season. Juniors also
played significant parts to this year’s team. Adam Cecere led the team in average, (.449) hits, (26), and
RBI (26). He was not able to pitch much of the season until his awesome performance in the district
championship game. Another Junior, Jake Shope had a super season hitting .377 and winning a game on
the mound and playing a strong shortstop. Forrest Wolfhope contributed to the success of the team and
had a great game in our first win of the year in the Curve Tournament. Fellow Juniors Chase Hudson,
Quinn Spangler, Sam Cobaugh, Nathan Long, and Dominic Spinos were on the varsity roster and will be
asked to contribute more in the 2019 season. Sophomore Brycen Rearick was one of the key cogs in our
batting order hitting .379 this year. Brycen also had some arm issues and could not pitch as much this
year. Seth Richardson was the other contributing Sophomore this year. His pitching at the end of the
season (winning 2 games) established him as one of our main pitchers in the next few years. Freshman
Zach Myers was also on the varsity roster and will be counted on in the future. The team also had some
enjoyable experiences off the field this year, visiting Washington D.C. and taking in a major league game.
The team had their annual Youth League camp which brought around 30 future Rangers to work with the
current Rangers. The Junior varsity team had an incomplete season only playing 8 games due to the
weather.

24

~ VARSITY SPORTS ~

Varsity Boys Basketball

This year’s Varsity Boys Basketball team brought intensity, skill, and a competitive drive that was fun to
watch. The Rangers were anchored by seven returning letter winners who knew how to win. The team
finished with a 15-8 record that was good enough for fourth place in a very difficult Laurel Highlands.

This year’s success on the court can be attributed to the comradery that the players shared and the co-
hesion they display as a unit. The 2017-2018 Forest Hill’s team led the Laurel Highlands in assists per
game, a hallmark of team basketball.

This year’s team featured four seniors: Brian Ber-
nard, Ryan Richardson, Devin Smith, and Carter Vi-
tez. These players have been to the playoffs for the
last three years and leave with winning records as
Ranger Basketball Players. Their skill and
knowledge will be missed, but they leave a solid
foundation for the underclassmen to build upon.
Looking to the future, the Rangers will return a many
experienced players who are hungry to push the
program forward.

Wrestling 2018

The varsity wrestling team finished the season with an
impressive 17-4 record, with 3 of the 4 losses coming
to AAA schools. The team finished 3rd in the District 6
team duals, losing a close, hard fought battle 38-28 to
the eventual District Champions Westmont. The team
was led by Seniors: Ryan Barkly, Trey Templeton, Con-
nor Law, Kody Clifford and Eric Elgin. The entire team
worked extremely hard all season long, and showed
huge improvement from the 10-7 record from last sea-
son. The expectations for next season will be as high
as ever for the wrestling program, with a very talented
Freshman class breaking into the lineup next year. This
mix of the upper classman and younger guys should
make this team fun to watch.

The individual season came with some success as well, with 4 wrestlers placing at the District 6 tourna-
ment and advancing to the PIAA SW Regional tournament. Those wrestlers were: Byron Daubert – 1st
place (named Outstanding Wrestler), Trey Templeton - 5th place, Conner Law 2nd place and Eric Elgin –
4th place. All of these wrestlers fought hard at the Southwest Regional Tournament which consists of dis-
tricts 5, 6, and 7 combined, adding up to a total of 59 teams. Trey Templeton was unable to reach the top
5 at his weight but had some very close matches that could have gone either way. Connor Law and Eric
Elgin both were just one match away from placing in the top 5 to advance. Byron Daubert placed 4th which
earned him a trip to Hershey to wrestle in the State Championships. Byron was also just one win away
from placing top 8 and medaling, with a tough 5-3 decision his last match. Overall, its was a very success-
ful year for the Forest Hills wrestling team which will look to continue to improve for next season. The fu-
ture is very bright for the program, and it will be exciting to see what success is to come. The varsity
wrestling team would also like the thank all of the wonderful local businesses who supported our program
this season!

25

~ SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE ~ (continued from Page 2)

This “Tradition of Excellence” at Forest Hills is culti- lived on. So what will matter? How will the value of

vated early and begins at the elementary level. The your days be measured as you reflect on them forty

121 kindergarten students who were promoted to years from now?

1st grade in ceremonies held at the Junior-Senior What will matter is not what you bought but what
High School will continue the legacy. you built, not what you got, but what you gave. What

On June 14, 2018 the Board of Education approved will matter is not your success but your signifi-

a $26,121,000,000 General Fund Budget for the cance. What will matter is not what you learned but

2018-2019 school year, the 24th consecutive year what you taught. What will matter is every act of in-

that property taxes have not increased for property tegrity, compassion, courage, or sacrifice that en-

owners. Property owners again qualified for a tax riched, empowered, or encouraged others to emu-

reduction through the Homestead/Farmstead Act. late your example. Living a life that matters doesn't

As I reflect on the 2017-2018 school year and look happen by accident. It's not as much a matter of
forward to the 2018-2019 school year, it is my hope circumstance as a matter of choice. Choose to live
that Forest Hills School District is a place where a life that matters.

students want to be. Finally, believe it or not, in my Remember – Know Who You Are, What You Believe

many years of interacting with young men and wom- in, and Where You Want to Go.

en, I have learned a few things. I feel honored and privileged to serve as your super-

I have learned: intendent.

The wins and losses in high school that once IT’S GREAT TO BE A RANGER!
seemed so important will fade away as time passes
and you begin your new journeys. It doesn't matter
where you came from or what side of the tracks you

High School Performing Arts Group The Junior High division featured 5 performers with

Sponsors the Annual Talent Showcase Makenna Konchan’s performance of “So Much More
Than This” taking top honors. And in the Senior High
The High School Performing Arts group sponsored division, Hailey Pasquerilla repeated as champion,
the annual Talent Showcase on May 22 in the senior playing piano and singing her arrangement of Pink’s
high auditorium; students from grades 1 - 12 were “What About Us.” Kaitlyn and Megan Rusnak’s duet
featured in 41 acts. The audience was entertained of “You Raise Me Up” was second, and Winter
by vocalists, musicians, dancers, impersonators, Ehrhart’s vocal selection of “Rise Up” tied for third
comedy acts, and a variety of other talents. In the 1st with Mandi Bearjar’s clarinet performance of
-3rd grade division, Duncan Thomas repeated as “Shadows.”
champion. Duncan sang “Old Time Rock n Roll” and
danced around like a young Tom Cruise. Natalie The Talent Show is a fundraiser for the high school’s
Stohon, a 2nd grader, placed 2nd and had the audi- musical, which at one time was produced every
ence roaring with laughter as she recited and acted three years. An exciting announcement was made at
out a comic poem, and Tyson Scott’s impersonation the beginning of the talent show that the high school
of Michael Jackson in “Smooth Criminal” took 3rd would begin producing musicals annually. At the end
place honors. of the night it was revealed that the 2019 musical will
be Mamma Mia! The rights to this musical were only
In the 4th-6th grade division these individuals took top released last month, so Forest Hills will be one of the
honors: Breanna Martin’s vocal rendition of “How first groups in the area to perform this show.
Far I’ll Go” won the division. Libby Gordon’s tap
dance to “Candyman” took second; and 5th graders Mark your calendar for opening night on Feb 14,
Laiken Miller and Haleigh Plows’ acapella version of 2019.

“Lost Boy” won 3rd. Ryan Pitman drummed his way to

4th place and 5th graders Nadia Daubert, Deanna

Plummer, and Melanie Troy sang and played ukulele

to win 5th place.

26

Forest Hills School District | 2018-2019 Calendar

21 Pre-K Orienta on AUGUST 2018 FEBRUARY 2019 18 Teacher In-Service (Act 80)
22 Kindergarten Orienta on
23 Teacher In-Service Day S M T W Th F S S M T W Th F S
24 Clerical Day 1234 12
27 First Student Day
31 Schools Closed (Offices open) 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3456789
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
26 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28

3  Labor Day (schools & offices  SEPTEMBER 2018 MARCH 2019 21 Early Dismissal Teacher In-Service 
closed) (end of 3rd quarter)
S M T W Th F S S M T W Th F S
10 ES Open House 6:00 – 7:30 pm 22 FIRST DAY OF QUARTER 4 and
12 Jr-Sr HS Open House 6:00 – 7:30  1 12
Teacher In-Service (Act 80)
pm 2345678 3456789
14 Early Dismissal Teacher In-
9 10 11 12 13 14 1 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Service (Act 80) 5
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
24
23
/3 25 26 27 28 29 30
/3 24 25 26 27 28 29
1
0

8 Parent-Teacher Conferences OCTOBER 2018 APRIL 2019 15-26 English/Language Arts 
12 – 8 pm (dinner break 4:00 – PSSA
5:00 pm) (Act 80) S M T W Th F S S M T W Th F S 17 Early Dismissal
123456 123456 18 Easter Break (snow make-up 
9 Parent-Teacher Conferences  
8:00 am – 4:00 pm (lunch break  7 8 9 10 11 12 13 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 day #1)
12:00 – 1:00 pm) (Act 80) 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 19 Easter  Break (schools & 
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
29 Early Dismissal Teacher In- 28 29 30 31 28 29 30 offices closed)
Service (End of 1st quarter) 22 Easter Break (schools & 

30 FIRST DAY OF QUARTER 2 offices closed)
29-May 2 Math/Science PSSA

12 Veterans Day (schools & offices  NOVEMBER 2018 MAY 2019 3 Teacher In-Service Day
closed) 13-24 Keystone Exam Tes ng
S M T W Th F S S M T W Th F S 27 Memorial Day (offices closed)
21 Early Dismissal 123 1234
22-26  Thanksgiving Break (schools & 
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
offices closed) 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
25 26 27 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 31

3-14 Keystone Exam Tes ng DECEMBER 2018 JUNE 2019
21 Early Dismissal
24-31  Christmas Break  (schools &  S M T W Th F S S M T W Th F S 3 Tenta ve Last Day 2018-2019 
2345678 School Year
offices closed) 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 4 Snow Make-up Day #2
1 Schools & Offices Closed 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 234 5 678 5 Snow Make-up Day #3
18 Early Dismissal End of Semester  30 31 6 Snow Make-up Day #4
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 7 Snow Make-up Day #5
1
21 FIRST DAY OF QUARTER 3 and 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

Teacher In-Service Day  (Act 80) 23/  24 25 26 27 28 29
30

January 2019 1st Quarter: August 27 – October 29 Student Days – 42
2nd Quarter: October 30 – January 18 Teacher Days – 46
S M T W Th F S 3rd Quarter: January 21 – March 21
12345 4th Quarter: March 22 – June 3 Student Days – 48
Teacher Days – 48
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 27
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Student Days – 42
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Teacher Days – 44
27 28 29 30 31
Student Days – 46
Teacher Days – 48

Non-Profit
Organiza on
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit #5
Johnstown,  PA

Board of School Directors District Administration

Galen George, President Edwin Bowser, Superintendent
Tracy Helsel, 1st Vice-President Lucas Jacobs, Director of Education
Deborah Petrunak, 2nd Vice-President Donna Murphy-Carosi, School Psychologist

John Bopp, Secretary Curt Vasas, High School Principal
Timothy Ondrejik, Treasurer Brian Kostan, HS Assistant Principal
Edward Alexander, Middle School Principal
Robert Beyer, Member
Richard Knavel, Member Michael Branas, Dean of Students
Rebecca Roberts, Elementary School Principal
Corina Long, Member
Keith Rager, Member Robert Dill, ES Assistant Principal
Ronald Repak, Solicitor Chris Reighard, Business Manager
Jesslyn Anslinger, Food Service Director

“The mission of the Forest Hills School District is to
provide the best student-centered education so all

students acquire and apply the knowledge and skills to
succeed in an ever-changing world.”

Published by the Office of the Superintendent of the Forest Hills School District