SUMMER 2016
To enable all students to succeed in a changing world.
Celebrating
Our District
Living in Pennsylvania for the past
five years has helped
me to appreciate the
beauty and change
that accompany
each passing season. As summer
begins, I can’t help
but reflect on our
next set of changes.
Our students earn
promotions to the
next grade, staff
members complete
Richard Faidley, Ed.D.
June assignments and
prepare for August,
Superintendent
and families adjust
to summer schedules
and activities. I thank our students, staff, parents
and community members for all their contributions
to make the 2015–16 school year very successful.
Our students continue to achieve, excel, and grow.
This newsletter provides details on some impressive
examples of this work.
The end of the school year also marks a retirement
decision for many staff members. It is with great
pride that we honor our retiring staff members each
June. Our students’ success is a direct result of the
dedicated service our talented employees provide.
We wish our departing staff members the best with
their future endeavors.
No group experiences greater changes this summer than the BASH Class of 2016. Our graduated
seniors have learned lessons at home, in school, and
in our community to help them become successful
adults. In this edition we feature several Class of
2016 members, what they did during their education at Boyertown, and how this work has prepared
them for their chosen career fields.
At the Class of 2016’s commencement ceremony,
I was honored to share a few words of advice. I
centered my message around four themes:
• Prioritize your time to ensure a balance
between doing your best work and having fun.
• Persevere through the challenges and roadblocks.
• Promote your best qualities at work, in school,
and within your friendships.
• Choose a career path that you enjoy and are
truly passionate about.
While these words were intended for our students,
I plan to reflect upon them when working each day
as your Superintendent of Schools. I hope that each
of you enjoy some time with friends and family this
summer. I look forward to working with you as we
prepare for our next “season”: the opening of the
2016–17 school year. A new group of students—
the Class of 2029—will be entering kindergarten,
and the Boyertown Area School District will be
ready to serve them.
Postal Patron
Boyertown Area School District
Celebrating the Class of 2016
During the 124th
commencement ceremony,
508 graduates walked into
Bear Stadium to receive
their diplomas on Tuesday,
June 7. Student speakers
included valedictorian
Olivia Crocker,
Salutatorian Jordan
Shustack, and senior Class
president, Jordan Wood.
Olivia compared high
school to being in a
fishbowl where her and
her classmates enjoyed
“an air of familiarity and
safety; where the water
was controlled for acidity
and the landmarks rarely
changed.” She continued
by explaining that this
environment encouraged
Jacob R. Irvin received his diploma from Superintendent Dr. Richard
Faidley during the June 7 graduation ceremony.
each member of the senior class to take risks and
explore new things without the threat of serious
failure hinging on their performance.
“In our time in the fishbowl, we have each grown
into our own person, and although there are
many of us, we are each a “big fish” in our own
way,” Olivia explained.
In her analogy, walking off stage with their
diplomas in hand was their way of officially
exiting the fishbowl and “being flung into the
ocean that is the real world, a world of immense
freedom and an immeasurable amount of
uncertainty.”
She closed by reminding her peers that “although
the world may feel like a big ocean and you a
Valedictorian Olivia J. Crocker addressed her peers
during the June 7 graduation ceremony.
State Champions!
Congratulations to the BASH baseball team for defeating Plum High
School 4-1 to become the 2016
PIAA AAAA State Champions!
The Bears have set a great example
of sportsmanship, dedication, and
perseverance throughout their journey to the 2016 State Championship
title. On behalf of the Boyertown
Area School District we would like
to extend our congratulations to the
dedicated student-athletes, coaches,
and fans who all played major roles
in bringing home the 2016 PIAA
AAAA State Championship title!
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Continued on page 2
District Directory
Boyertown Area School District
911 Montgomery Avenue, Boyertown, PA 19512
610-367-6031 | 610-369-7620 (fax)
www.boyertownasd.org
Board of School Directors
Jill A. Dennin, President
Stephen Elsier, Vice-President
Clay D. Breece
Robert J. Caso
John C. Landino
David P. Lewis
Christine M. Neiman
Paul D. Stengle
Donna L. Usavage
District Office Administration
Dr. Richard H. Faidley, Superintendent
Robert L. Scoboria, Assistant Superintendent
David A. Szablowski, Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Melissa L. Woodard, Chief Academic Officer
Dr. Greg M. Miller, Chief Student Achievement Officer
Stephen Katch, Chief Human Resources Officer
Boyertown Area Senior High School
120 North Monroe Street, Boyertown, PA 19512
610-369-7435
Dr. Brett A. Cooper, Principal
Dr. E. Wayne Foley, Assistant Principal
Andrew T. Maoury, Assistant Principal
Kelly B. Mason, Assistant Principal
Junior High School, East Center
2020 Big Road, Gilbertsville, PA 19525
610-754-9550 ​
Andrew C. Ruppert, Principal
Stephanie A. Petri, Assistant Principal
Junior High School, West Center
380 South Madison Street, Boyertown, PA 19512
610-369-7471
Gregory S. Galtere, Principal
TBD, Assistant Principal
Boyertown Elementary School
641 East Second Street, Boyertown, PA 19512
610-369-7462 ​
Craig R. Kehl, Principal
Colebrookdale Elementary School
1001 Montgomery Avenue, Boyertown, PA 19512
610-369-7427 ​
Michael R. Stoudt, Principal
Earl Elementary School
22 Schoolhouse Road, Boyertown, PA 19512
610-369-7504 ​
TBD, Principal
Gilbertsville Elementary School
36 Congo Road, Gilbertsville, PA 19525
610-369-7485​
Stephanie L. Landis, Principal
New Hanover-Upper Frederick Elementary School
2547 Big Road, Frederick, PA 19435
610-754-9580 ​
Brian J. Rohn, Principal
Pine Forge Elementary School
8 Glendale Road, Boyertown, PA 19512
610-323-7609​
TBD, Principal
Washington Elementary School
1406 Route 100, Barto, PA 19504
610-754-9589
Christopher J. Iacobelli, Principal
Alumni Spotlight:
CEO Proud of BASD Roots
Three-sport athlete Mr. Peter Madeja, class of
1976, looks back fondly on his years as a Boyertown Bear.
“As I reflect upon my time as a student in the
Boyertown Area School District, I am often
reminded of how profound an impact educators
have had on my life,” Mr. Madeja explains. “I have
the highest respect for the quality teachers in the
District.”
One of the teachers who had the greatest influence
on his life was his father, Mr. Stanley Madeja, who
dedicated 35 years to educating students in the
Boyertown Area School District. Even though Mr.
Madeja never had his father as a teacher, he credits
his father for teaching him important lessons that
still hold true today.
As a high school student, Mr. Madeja was not only
a dedicated academic but also a celebrated athlete.
To start off the school year, Mr. Madeja was the
quarterback on the football team; in the winter he
was the point guard on the basketball team; and
in the spring he played shortstop on the baseball
team, earning a total of nine varsity letters.
Earning the respect of his coaches and teammates,
Mr. Madeja served as captain (co-captain/game
captain) of all three teams his senior year. Mr.
Madeja credits his high school athletic career for
his competitive nature and treasures the memories
he shares with coaches, friends and teammates.
Over his four years as a Boyertown Bear, Mr.
Madeja competed for the league Ches-Mont
Championship three times. During his sophomore
year, the baseball team defeated Coatesville High
School making them Ches-Mont Champions.
During his senior year, Mr. Madeja made it to the
Ches-Mont Championships twice. Unfortunately,
losing both times: to Coatesville High School in
basketball and to Downingtown High School in
baseball.
After high school, Mr. Madeja attended the University of Pennsylvania, earning his undergraduate
degree in history and his Master’s degree in education across four years while competing in varsity
football (two years) and baseball (four years).
Upon graduation, Mr. Madeja pursued a career
in business. His first job as a college graduate was
with the PMA Insurance Group, where he worked
with property and casualty commercial insurance.
After two years, Mr. Madeja was invited to join and
become a partner in a small start-up, a position that
eventually led to his current role at Genex Services.
Now, three decades later, Mr. Madeja is the Chief
Executive Officer of Genex Services, a nationally
recognized industry leader in providing medical
Class of 2016
cost containment and disability management
services. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, who owned and operated his own business,
Mr. Madeja has shown dedication and drive that
have been crucial to the success of Genex Services.
Genex has annual revenues of more than $425 million and employs approximately 3,000 staff. (The
Philadelphia Inquirer recently profiled Genex for
their work in addressing the national opioid crisis).
Genex today is a private company owned by the
management team and a private equity partner.
“Over the years at Genex I have been very fortunate to again be surrounded by great teammates,”
Mr. Madeja states. “There have been many accomplishments throughout my career involving successful merger and acquisition activities. Whether
we were on the buying or selling end, there was an
intense amount of work that has led to our growth
and position as an industry leader. However, none
of this could have been accomplished without the
support of senior team colleagues and employees
across the organization”
Mr. Madeja and his wife, Wynn Madeja, have one
daughter, Davis, who will be attending college in
the fall. In his free time, Mr. Madeja enjoys running and exercising, and an occasional round of
golf or game of tennis.
If you know of a Boyertown Area Senior High
alumnus or alumna who would be a good
candidate for a spotlight article, please email
[email protected].
Continued from page 1
small fish, you can become a big fish by being passionate, driven, and resilient” and that “if you aren’t
terrified by some of your choices, you aren’t living up to your full potential.”
Salutatorian Jordan Shustack commented that for some graduation night was “the occasion some of us
have been wishing for since we first donned our bus tag and backpack and headed off to kindergarten.”
While “for others, it is a bittersweet but exciting conclusion that seemed light-years away when, as 10th
graders, we first tried to find our way in the halls at BASH.”
Recognizing that the road to graduation may not have been an easy or happy road for each of his fellow
graduates, he reminded them to “take in the moment and allow the magnitude of their accomplishment
to sink in and to savor the sweet feeling of success.”
The Boyertown Area School District Newsletter is
published by the Boyertown Area School District.
For questions or comments regarding this publication,
please contact Kristine Parkes at Communications@
Boyertownasd.org.
2
Class President Jordan Wood took his classmates on a walk down memory lane. He began with
memories of sitting on carpet squares in elementary school, singing Christmas carols, competing in field
days, and attending YMCA dances. He continued with recollections of junior high school, including
dance marathons and decorating friends’ lockers on their birthdays. He finished with thoughts of their
high school days, from the first weeks of trying to find their way around a new school to discovering new
interests and talents.
To close, Jordan thanked the class. “It has been a true honor and pleasure being everyone’s president,
classmate, and friend over the past few years. Boyertown will always be a major, and the first, stepping
stone in our life, and I am lucky to say that everyone on this field has played a role in my life.”
For an in-depth look at the graduates, see pages 4 and 5.
Student Council Wins Prestigious
National Gold Council of Excellence Award
The Boyertown Area Senior High School Student
Council was awarded the 2015–2016 National
Gold Council of Excellence Award for their
exemplary history of leadership, service, and
activities that improve their school and community. This prestigious recognition was awarded by
the National Association of Student Councils
(NASC), an organization that promotes and
provides leadership development opportunities
to prepare and empower student leaders to serve
their schools and communities. Boyertown Area
Senior High School is one of only five highschool student councils from Pennsylvania to
receive this highly esteemed honor.
To meet the requirements for the award, a student
council must demonstrate that it meets a variety of
criteria. In addition to basic requirements such as
a written constitution, regular meetings, a demo-
cratic election process, and membership in NASC,
councils that qualify for the award demonstrate such
things as leadership training for council members,
teacher/staff appreciation activities, student recognition programs, school and community service projects, spirit activities, goal setting, financial planning,
and active participation in their state and national
student council associations.
The student council president, senior Mikaela
Axman, reflected on her time spent on the student
council: “Being a part of Boyertown Area Senior
High School’s student council has been the best part
of my high school experience. As a member of the
student council, I have watched myself and others
grow as leaders and individuals, preparing us for
college and what’s next.” Mikaela added, “From raising money for charity or getting the student body
involved, the entire student council worked hard.
I am proud to have been part of this wonderful
group of people. The memories I have made will
last a lifetime!”
The Boyertown Area School District wishes to
congratulate the student council on this prestigious recognition.
Washington Elementary School
Hosts First Annual Cubs on the Run 2K Race
This spring, Washington Elementary School
held its first annual Cubs on the Run 2K, a race
featuring the after-school program Cubs on the
Run. The run was a culminating event that celebrated the students’ dedication to living a healthier
lifestyle.
The morning of the race was one to remember.
Almost 80 students in the Cubs on the Run Club
invited the entire school outside and led a stretching exercise and a fun dance routine. Then, Washington Elementary School students and the Cubs
did a serene yoga exercise before splitting into two
groups. The Cubs went to the starting line and
the rest of the school lined up around the designated race track to cheer on the runners. Fueled
by school spirit and the support of their peers, the
80 Bear Cubs ran fiercely and passionately around
Washington Elementary School grounds completing the Cubs on the Run 2k Race.
“Washington Elementary School strives to
develop the whole child. We believe that high
academic achievement is just as important as
high health and fitness achievement. This year, our
Healthy Foods and Exercise Committee set a goal
to provide students with an opportunity to increase
their knowledge of healthy foods and physical
fitness by offering a program called “Cubs on the
Run”,” said Washington Elementary School principal Mr. Christopher Iacobelli. “Throughout the year,
teachers gave up their own personal time to volunteer to stay after school to coach students. The Cubs
on the Run 2K Race was a great way for the 80 or
so athletes to showcase their knowledge and fitness
level to the entire school and community. Our hope
is that the race was fun for all and motivated others
to join the Cubs on the Run program for 20162017 school year.”
Cubs on the Run teaches students about the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle. Developed
by the Healthy Food and Exercise Committee, the
program has become an instant success in the eyes
of students and parents alike.
Over the course of the school year, students in
third through sixth grades, known as the Cubs,
stayed after school twice a week and participated
in healthy lifestyle activities. Each activity had
an emphasis of teamwork, encouragement, and
endurance/resilience. While the activities varied
from week to week, generally the Cubs started
off with a healthy snack, followed by a warm-up
dance routine, then headed outside to run laps.
Each lap was measured at one-fourth of a mile,
which allowed the Cubs to set goals for themselves and keep track of their personal bests each
week.
According to the President’s Council on Fitness,
Sports and Nutrition, children now spend more
than seven and a half hours a day in front of a
screen. Participating in Cubs on the Run is the
perfect way to encourage children to live healthier
lifestyles by providing them with an opportunity
to be active and have fun at the same time.
This program is for all students, and with a noncompetitive environment, all students are encouraged to participate in Cubs on the Run next year.
Athletic Highlights
Senior Elijah Shalaway will continue his
education at Wake Forest University where he
will major in exercise science and compete on
the track team. Elijah has had a very successful
athletic career with the Boyertown Bears, earning
multiple athletic honors. He was the 2016 District
I Javelin Champion, two-time State and National
Champion thrower, and was named a PAC 10
Champion in three different events - shot put,
discus, and javelin. Elijah chose to attend Wake
Forest University for its athletic and academic
opportunities, and is excited to become a Wake
Forest University Demon Deacon this fall!
Senior Gregg Harvey Jr. will continue his
education at the University of Pittsburgh where
he will study civil engineering and compete on
the men’s Division I wrestling team. Gregg’s
high school wrestling career has been nothing
short of exceptional. With a record of 168
career wins, Gregg is the second all-time
most winningest wrestler in Boyertown Area
School District history. He also is a two-time
State Medalist, finishing fifth and sixth at the
State Championship. Gregg chose to attend
the University of Pittsburgh for its wonderful
academic and athletic setting. Ready to start
making waves in the NCAA, Gregg is determined
to earn All-American status as a collegiate
wrestler. Gregg would like to thank his
coaches, parents, and teammates for pushing
him to become the best student-athlete he
can be.
Senior Bryton Henry will continue his
education at Eastern University where he
will study to become an athletic trainer and
will compete on the men’s cross country team.
Bryton’s athletic highlights include competing in
the Pennsylvania State Championships in 2015.
An active community member, Bryton regularly
volunteers at local soup kitchens and participates
in mission trips with New Hanover United
Methodist Church. Bryton is excited to continue
his running career as an Eastern University Eagle.
Congratulations!
All three swimmers had a very successful season
under the direction of new head swim coach, Bill
Draves.
Cara Megill, Patrick Lance and Ivan Escott
qualified for the PIAA AAA Swimming State
Championship. All three are juniors on the BASH
swim team. The state championship was held on
March 16th and 17th at Bucknell University.
swam a 5:07.16 earning her 15th place in her
preliminary event and qualified for evening
consolation finals. She finished 14th overall. Cara
was elected to Second Team All PAC-10 for 500
yard Freestyle and the All-Berks County Third
Team for the 500 yard Freestyle.
Patrick Lance qualified for the 200 yard Freestyle
and the 100 yard Butterfly. He placed 23rd in
both events. He was elected to First Team All
PAC-10 for 200 yard Freestyle and 100 yard
Butterfly. Patrick was also elected to the AllBerks County Second Team in the 200 yard
Freestyle.
Ivan Escott attended as second alternate in the
200 yard Freestyle. He was elected to Second
Team All PAC-10 for 100 yard Butterfly.
Cara Megill qualified for the 500 yard Freestyle
and went into the meet seeded in 20th place. She
3
Celebrating the
A Spotlight on the Class of 2016
Our Boyertown Area Senior High graduates have
worked hard and persevered through hardships, and
will continue to make a difference in the world. To
give you a glimpse into the lives of our graduates,
we would like to introduce you to the following
students, who represent this year’s graduating class.
To say that
Haley Hnatuk
enjoys music and
performing is an
understatement.
In addition to
playing the flute
and piccolo in the
school’s band and
the violin in the
orchestra, Haley
has been singing
for as long as she
can remember. She
sings with chorus and has been taking private vocal
lessons with Kass Boles since she was in eighth
grade. As a junior she performed in Europe with the
music department.
However, as much as Haley enjoys singing, she is
passionate about filmmaking and will be attending
Muhlenberg College, where she will major in film
studies and media communication. Haley joined the
BASH TV crew as a sophomore, which is highly
unusual. During her junior year she attended the
KYW/CBS-3 News Study Program. As a senior,
she served as president and director and received the
BASH TV Excellence Award.
Haley will be attending Muhlenberg College on a
musical talent scholarship. Her dream is to direct
films; she enjoys all genres, with the exception of
horror. She is looking forward to the diverse film
studies classes there.
Katelyne Little is
motivated to begin
Berks Technical
Institute’s massage
therapy program
in the fall. She
became interested
in reflexology
five years ago and
was excited to
learn about the
Berks Technical
Institute’s
program during a
presentation by the school during her English class.
After completing the program, Katelyne’s ultimate
goal is to attend the Cortiva Institute to expand her
knowledge base.
Katelyne has been involved with the yearbook since
eighth grade, serving as treasurer during her junior
and senior years.
It is Katelyne’s mother who has made the biggest
impact on her during her school career. Katelyne
respects that her mother knew that she was
trying her best in all of her academic classes, and
appreciates her mother’s support regardless of the
grades she may have received.
Since she was
in sixth grade,
community
service has been
an integral part of
Ashley Barefoot’s
life. From monthly
trips to a soup
kitchen to weeklong mission trips
with her church to
help at orphanages
and schools, Ashley
feels good when
she is helping
others.
This desire to help others and make a difference led
her to decide to attend York College of Pennsylvania
to pursue a degree in nursing. She would like to
work with cancer or trauma patients.
Ashley credits her parents for having the largest
impact on her during her school career, explaining
that they pushed her to succeed and to be the best
person and student she could be.
In addition to community service, Ashley worked
at Wegman’s every day after school, a job she will
continue through the summer. She also started
running three years ago and has successfully
completed half-marathons and the Broad Street
Run.
Olivia Steinmetz
is an accomplished
bassist who has
been a member of
the Philadelphia
Youth Orchestra
organization since
she was 11 years
old. She began
playing with the
Philadelphia
Region Youth
String Music
(PRSYM),
moved on to Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra
(PYAO) and is now principal double bassist of the
organization’s flagship ensemble, the Philadelphia
Youth Orchestra (PYO). Rehearsals take her to
Rittenhouse Square every Saturday morning.
Scenes from Graduation
4
Olivia is a member of the National Honor Society,
vice president of the senior class, and captain of the
varsity golf team.
In 2015 she received the Good Citizenship
Award from the Youth Work Foundation of the
Union League of Philadelphia. She also won the
Biomedical Research Essay Contest from the
Pennsylvania Society for Biomedical Research.
She has been a consistent medalist in various events
of the PA Technology Student Association each year
since 2013.
In music, she has been recognized with invitations
to participate in many regional and national
orchestras, including as principal bassist in the
National Association for Music Educators AllNational Honors Orchestra and All-Eastern
Honors Orchestra, as well as the PA Music
Educators Association All-State, Region, and
District 10 Orchestras.
Olivia will attend Vanderbilt University in Nashville
in September, where she will study music and
neuroscience on a pre-med track. She has always
had a passion for music and science and believes
that, by studying both music and neuroscience, she
will be fulfilled creatively and academically.
Before heading to Vanderbilt University, she
will spend a second summer participating in an
internship program at the Children’s Hospital of
Philadelphia in the Neurology Department.
During her high
school career,
Taylor Landis
has expertly
balanced athletics,
community service,
and academics.
She played junior
varsity and varsity
basketball and
soccer all four
years. She was
named to the
PAC-10 Girls
Soccer All-Academic Team in 2014 and 2015 and
the PAC-10 Girls Basketball All-Academic Team in
2016. She was named co-captain of the varsity girls’
soccer team in 2015. She also played with Berks
Ajax Soccer.
Taylor was an active volunteer during high school,
earning a Green Cord in her sophomore, junior,
and senior years. Green Cords are awarded to
students who contribute at least 100 hours of
community service during a school year. In addition
to volunteering at Morning Star Fellowship Church,
Taylor was a math and Spanish tutor at Gilbertsville
e Class of 2016
Elementary School and Boyertown Area Senior
High.
and teach lessons. Maia loved the relationships she
formed with the young students.
Taylor will be attending the University of Pittsburgh
in the fall. She will major in chemistry and is
considering dental school and pursuing a career as
an orthodontist.
An honor-roll student since her freshman year, Maia
also played violin in the orchestra, was a member of
the Key Club, ran with the cross-country team, and
was a member of the spring track team.
Music is Allyson
Bennett’s passion;
since she was a
young girl, she
has wanted to
perform. She has
found a sense of
belonging in opera
and will continue
her musical
education at the
New England
Conservatory of
Music as a vocal
performance major.
She will study at the studio of renowned soprano
and faculty member Jane Eaglen.
Maia is looking forward to the next chapter of
her academic career and is considering Greek life,
student government, and running cross-country.
During high school, Allyson was a member of the
concert and show choirs and participated in theater,
musical theater, and drama club. She also was a
member of the No Place for Hate Club and BASH
TV.
As a senior, Allyson played Mary Poppins in the
high school’s presentation of Mary Poppins. As a
sophomore, she played Emma Carew in Jekyll &
Hyde. However, her favorite high school memory
is performing a solo at Carnegie Hall through the
Metropolitan Opera Guild.
Allyson is grateful to all of her music teachers
for encouraging her and for reminding her to
make every performance special. She will always
remember Mr. Jeffrey Brunner for telling her that
“every performance has to be Carnegie Hall.”
This fall, Maia
Mash will follow
her dream of
being a teacher
by majoring
in elementary
education at
Kutztown
University.
As a junior and
senior, Maia
participated in
Boyertown Area
Senior High’s
preschool program. The program, which enrolls 16
preschool-aged children each semester, provides
high school students with the opportunity to plan
A three-week
family vacation
to Italy inspired
Madelyn Hair’s
desire to learn
the language and
explore Italian
culture. She
decided that the
best way to do
this was to spend
her senior year
studying abroad.
However, because
the credits that
she would earn at an Italian high school wouldn’t
transfer home to count towards graduation,
Madelyn needed to complete the required credits by
the end of her junior year. By graduating a year early,
Madelyn can now spend her senior year in Italy.
Through a study-abroad program, Madelyn has been
placed with a family whose son is spending a year
studying in the United States. To prepare for her
year abroad, she has been emailing the family and
working on her Italian.
Madelyn has played piano since she was 11 years
old and has achieved the level of Superior Plus
for her playing through the American College of
Musicians/National Guild of Piano Teachers.
In addition to playing piano, Madelyn has been a
member of the track team since seventh grade. Her
events are the high jump and the 400-meter run.
Upon returning to the United States in 2017,
Madelyn intends
to attend college
on the west coast,
where she will
major in marine
biology.
Service to
community and
country is in Travis
Hodes’s blood.
Four years ago, he
began following his
father’s footsteps
by becoming a volunteer firefighter with New
Hanover Volunteer Fire and Rescue, and he is
currently studying to become an EMT. Travis
appreciates the support he receives from his fellow
firefighters, acknowledging that they push him to
his limits to help him grow.
At Boyertown Area High School, Travis was a
proud member of the Naval Junior ROTC for four
years. He intends to continue this service with
either the Army or the Marines; he will decide
by September. If he decides to join the Army, he
would like to be a combat medic and eventually a
career firefighter/EMT.
Outside of school and his volunteer service, Travis
enjoys hiking, hunting, and fly fishing.
Sarah Weber is
fascinated by the
things we can’t
figure out, such as
black holes and
wormholes. It is
this fascination
that has fueled
her goal of
becoming an
astrophysicist.
She dreams of
working for
NASA or the
European Space
Agency.
To reach her goal, Sarah has mapped out a path
that begins with attending Montgomery County
Community College for a year. She wants to take
a year to get settled into college and earn credits
at a lower cost. Upon completing her first year,
Sarah plans to transfer to a four-year school and
eventually pursue graduate degrees. She hopes to
attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill.
Sarah would like to thank her astronomy teacher,
Mr. Peter Detterline, for supporting her as she
explored astrophysics and for assisting her with an
application to NASA’s internship program (fingers
crossed!).
During her junior year, Sarah attended the
National Congress for Future Scientists and
Technologists, where she became a member of the
Torch and Laurel Society.
At Boyertown Area High School, Sarah served as
president of the Interact Club and was a member
of Pride Club, Discuss Club, and the stage crew.
5
Boyertown Bears are
Always up for a Challenge
This year Boyertown Area School District hosted
the 2016 Bear Challenge, a full-day event that
invited 75 students from across the District to
participate in exciting activities, promoting healthy
competition and socializing among friends.
The day began with a parade of athletes, with
representatives from each school proudly
displaying custom-made banners as they made
their grand entrance. After the parade, the athletes
were divided into smaller groups so that they
could move between the activity stations.
With everything from obstacle courses to soccer
kicks, the Bear Challenge athletes could choose
from a wide variety of activities that covered
each level of physical ability and included face
painting, a bean-bag toss, and bike riding on
adaptive tricycles. Each athlete was accompanied
by a student-volunteer known as a Bear Challenge
Buddy. The buddies provided support and
encouragement as the brave athletes completed
each activity.
“The Bear Challenge is a huge event for our District.
It is a culmination of months of training for our
athletes,” said Ms. Eydie Bennett, Boyertown
Area School District’s physical therapist. “All of
our athletes are winners and all left with a rubber
bracelet and custom T-shirt designed by our very
own Boyertown Area Senior High students.”
The enthusiasm of the athletes lit up the entire
room. Throughout the day, athletes, buddies, and
spectators enjoyed great music, snacks and beverages,
and exciting activities. The upbeat environment
inspired impromptu dance contests, funny photos,
and lifelong memories. It was a day that will surely
not be forgotten.
“The 2016 Bear Challenge was a truly inspired
event, providing opportunities for all students to
enjoy a little friendly competition,” Ms. Bennett said
with a smile.
Ben Feight, who attends Colebrookdale
Elementary School, had a great time
participating in the adaptive tricycle activity at
the Bear Challenge.
Science Comes Alive at Gilbertsville
Elementary School’s Sixth Grade Science Fair
“I am so excited!” said sixth grade student Josh
Leshinskie, as he eagerly waited to participate in
Gilbertsville Elementary School’s Sixth Grade
Science Fair.
In May, Josh and his peers experienced the fun and
excitement science has to offer. Designed to inspire
and challenge, the annual science fair teaches
students more than the steps of the scientific
process; it invites students to solve problems,
persist through difficulties, work with family
members, and see how science exists in the real
world.
Students learned these essentials skills during
three months of hard work and dedication to
their science-fair projects. Students could choose
to conduct a controlled experiment, explore
a scientific principle, or create an innovative
invention, which they would then present to a
panel of judges at the science fair. Students were
also required to complete a lab report, a research
paper, and a display board.
Each year, the science fair is judged by Boyertown
Area Senior High School students. This year,
students from Ms. Susan Cassidy’s AP
Physics class had the honor of judging the
sixth graders on their lab reports, research
papers, scientific method, and presentation
skills. These judges represent the best and
brightest of Boyertown Area Senior High
School students.
Gilbertsville Elementary School believes
that it is an invaluable experience for
high school students to judge the science
fair: It gives the older students a tangible
way to see how their science education
has progressed over the years. It is also a
wonderful way for the high school students
to serve as role models.
The winners included:
Josh Leshinskie had a great time showcasing his entry in this year’s
science fair.
Mrs. Joan Sartor and Mrs. Margaret
Diasio’s classes
• First place: Greta Freed, for her project “The
Rainbow Connection”
• Second place: Sarah Drakas
• Third place: Matt Selders
• Honorable Mention: Natalie Rodriguez
Mr. David Bergen and Mrs. Jessica Weber’s classes
• First place: Amelia Pheil for her project,
“Sweet Effects”
• Second place: Cole Kratz
• Third place: Mackenzie Kelly
• Honorable Mention: Morgan Anders
Taking Top Honors at Reading Olympics
This May, Gilbertsville Elementary School and
Earl Elementary School students competed in
the 2016 Berks County Reading Olympics. Both
schools were awarded top honors among the 54
competing teams.
Mrs. Melissa Gramp, Gilbertsville Elementary
School’s librarian and coordinator of the Reading Olympics teams, is proud of her students’
dedication and teamwork. This year, Gilbertsville
Elementary School had two teams of 17 students
each, under the team name “The Next Chapter.”
Both teams finished in the first tier, earning blue
ribbons for their accomplishments.
“The Reading Olympics is designed to help students develop better reading comprehension and
vocabulary skills,” said Mrs. Gramp. “Throughout
the course of the school year, students also learn
critical teamwork, organizational, and time-management skills that will continue to benefit them
for years to come.”
Dr. Tracey Gaul, Earl Elementary School’s reading
specialist and coordinator of her school’s Read-
6
ing Olympics teams, is also proud of her students’
efforts. This year, Earl Elementary School had two
teams of eight students, affectionately named “Wild
Things” and “Queen Readers.” Both teams finished
in the first and second tiers of the competition,
bringing home blue and red ribbons.
“There is no better way to become a good reader
than to read, read, read, and that is exactly what the
Reading Olympics competition encourages kids to
do,” explained Dr. Gaul. “The kids spend nearly a
year preparing for the competition, immersed in
fantastic literature.”
Reading Olympics is a trivia-based competition in
which teams of dedicated students read 45 books
throughout the school year. In addition to helping
students develop a habit of daily reading for pleasure,
the Reading Olympics provides students with the
opportunity to have interactive discussions with their
peers on the content of the books. The competition
is meant to celebrate reading and promote teamwork
and collaboration.
At the beginning of each year, all interested students
are placed into Reading Olympics teams. Then
students are presented with a list of 45 books that
each team must collectively read. Students read
the books at home or during designated reading
times during the school day. Book choices range
from classics, such as Stuart Little by E.B. White,
to new bestsellers, such as Shakespeare’s Secret by
Elise Broach. Multiple students from each team
can read the same books, or they can divide the list
up and become experts on specific books. Students
are encouraged to work together in order to read
all 45 books as a team. Teams are led by captains
who coordinate book assignments and are responsible for answering or delegating teammates to
answer questions during competition.
This year, the teams from Gilbertsville Elementary School and Earl Elementary School traveled
to Fleetwood Middle School to compete in the
Reading Olympics. During the competition,
students answered 20 reading-comprehension
questions based on the assigned reading list. The
competing teams accumulated points for every
correct answer during three rounds of questioning.
Volunteers from area schools served as moderators
and scorekeepers.
District Earns 11th
No Place for Hate Designation
The Boyertown Area School District is proud to
announce that all ten schools in the District have
been designated as No Place for Hate schools
for the 2015-2016 school year. This marks the
District’s 11th designation, naming Boyertown
Area School District the longest standing No
Place for Hate District in Pennsylvania.
This honorable designation is a culmination of
students and staff members collaborating to take
a stance against intolerance, appreciate diversity,
and create a community of respect. No Place for
Hate is an initiative of the Anti-Defamation
League that enables schools and organizations to
challenge anti-Semitism, racism and bigotry in all
forms.
To become a designated No Place for Hate school, each school in the
District formed a committee to direct anti-bias initiatives, signed an official
No Place for Hate promise, and held at least three activities during the
school year aimed at educating students about diversity.
Boyertown Area School District is proud to have earned the designation
of a No Place for Hate school bestowed by the Anti-Defamation League
every year since the program’s
inception in 2005.
High School Students Enjoy Job Shadow Day
This year, ten Boyertown Area Senior High School
students participated in KenCrest Employnet’s
2016 Job Shadow Day. The event was sponsored
by the Citizens Charitable Foundation, which has
supported it since 2004. The program provides
opportunities for high school students from special
education classes to explore the skills that are
needed in the workplace.
Through this program, Boyertown Area Senior
High School students were invited to spend a day
at Target assisting skilled mentors and learning
hands-on job skills. Throughout the day, Target
mentors introduced students to roles such as
customer-service representative, cashier, stock
person, and expiration-date specialist. After a few
hours of on-the-job training, students and their
mentors enjoyed a lunch provided by Target.
After lunch, the students were quick to start
working again, determined to learn all they
could in one day.
“The goal of the District’s special education
program is to equip students with skills that
will enable them to succeed in a changing
world,” explained work-study and internship coordinator Mrs. Natalie Warren. “I
am so thankful that we can provide these
programs, at no cost to the District, for our
students. They truly enjoyed themselves
while learning essential job skills.”
District Introduces
New Summer Lunch Program
Just as learning does not end when school lets
out, neither does the need for good nutrition. This
summer, Boyertown Area School District is excited
to provide an opportunity for all students to have
access to free nutritional lunches as part of the
District’s new Summer Lunch Program.
Recognizing that the needs of students are
increasing, the Boyertown Area School District’s
Summer Lunch Program will provide free
nutritional lunches to all school-aged students
Monday through Friday at St. John’s Evangelical
Lutheran Church located at 45 North Reading
Avenue in Boyertown. All lunches will be prepared
by the District’s food services staff.
Students enrolled in Boyertown and Colebrookdale
elementary schools’ Summer Intervention Programs
will have coordinated transportation to and from the
Summer Lunch Program, and will also take part in a
fun activity before heading home.
“We are excited to provide this needed service
for our students in collaboration with a great
community partner, St John’s,” said Boyertown
Area School District Assistant Superintendent
Mr. Robert Scoboria. “We know that good
nutrition is a key factor in our students’
educational development.”
The Summer Lunch Program is expected to
serve an average of 75 students per day. This
pilot program will run from July 11 to August 5.
For more information please visit the District’s
website at www.boyertownasd.org.
7
Music Education Program
Receives National Recognition
The Boyertown Area School District has once
again been honored with the Best Communities
for Music Education designation from the
NAMM (National Association of Music
Merchants )Foundation for its outstanding
commitment to music education. The District joins
476 districts across the country in receiving this
prestigious award in 2016.
The Best Communities Music Education
designation is awarded to districts that
demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to
provide music access and education to all students.
Districts that have been recognized by the
NAMM Foundation are often held up as models
for other educators looking to boost their own
music education programs.
To qualify for the Best Communities designation,
District staff answered detailed questions about
funding, graduation requirements, music-class
participation, instruction time, facilities, support
for the music program, and community musicmaking programs. Responses were verified with
school officials and reviewed by the Music Research
Institute at the University of Kansas.
This award recognizes that Boyertown Area
School District is leading the way with learning
opportunities, as outlined in the new federal
education legislation, the Every Student Succeeds
Act (ESSA). The legislation, signed into law in
December 2015, replaces the No Child Left
Behind Act (NCLB), which was often criticized
for overemphasizing testing while leaving behind
subjects such as music. ESSA recommends music
and the arts as important elements of a wellrounded education for all children.
“This award confirms what we know about our
excellent programs for students in music and related
arts,” said District Superintendent Dr. Richard
Faidley. “Music education is a key part of the wellrounded experience our students receive.”
As Boyertown Area School District finalizes its
2016–2017 budget, the NAMM Foundation’s Best
Communities for Music Education Award and the
implementation of the federal ESSA law bring
attention to the importance of keeping music
education part of the school’s core education for
all students. It also highlights music’s vital role in
students’ overall success.
Community music programs have been drawing
increased attention because of a landmark study
by Northwestern University brain scientists. These
researchers found new links between students
in community music programs and academic
success in subjects such as reading. Beyond the
Northwestern study, other reports indicate that
learning to play music can boost academic and
social skills, such as processing math and learning
to cooperate in group settings.
“The Best Community for Music distinction not
only recognizes the achievements of the students
and staff in the music program in Boyertown, it
honors the musical opportunities that are available
to the entire Boyertown community,” said Mr.
Michael Jordan, Boyertown Area School District’s
Lead Teacher for the Arts.
Running Program Focuses on Girl Power
This year, Boyertown Elementary School
introduced Girls on the Run, an after-school
program designed to help every girl recognize her
inner strength.
Girls on the Run inspires girls to be joyful, healthy,
and confident using a fun, experience-based
curriculum that creatively integrates running. Over
a period of 10 to 12 weeks, girls make new friends,
build confidence, and celebrate all that makes them
unique while learning about health, body image,
and confidence.
Led by Boyertown Elementary School teachers
Mrs. Kristi Medvetz, Mrs. Jenna Vogels, and Mrs.
Erin Nester, the new program invited girls in third
through fifth grades to stay after school twice a
week and participate in lessons that encouraged
positive emotional, social, mental, and physical
development. While the activities varied from
week to week, generally the girls started off with
an educational lesson, followed by a warm-up
exercise before heading outside to run. Careful
planning and hard work allowed for the girls to
start running 20 minutes per day and eventually
increase to running a total of 45 minutes per day.
At the end of each meeting, students presented
“Energy Awards” to recognize one another for acts
of kindness, determination,
and confidence.
Physical activity was
carefully woven into the
program to inspire an
appreciation of fitness and
to build habits that lead
to a lifetime of health. At
the end of the year, the
girls participated in the
Girls on the Run 5K. This
celebratory, noncompetitive
event is the culminating
experience of the curriculum.
Completing this race
provided the girls with a
tangible understanding of
the confidence that comes
through accomplishment as
well as a framework for setting and achieving life
goals.
Mrs. Medvetz, Boyertown Elementary School
reading specialist and coach of Girls on the Run, is
proud of the 12 students who participated this year.
“It was really fun and inspiring to see the girls
encourage one another throughout the program.
I could really see them mature and grow as
the season went on,” Mrs. Medvetz said. “The
curriculum enabled the coaches to discuss some
issues young girls face today. I believe it helped
the girls, as well as the coaches, find more positive
things about themselves and celebrate one another
for who they are.”
Josh the Baby Otter Teaches Pool Safety
As summer break approaches, Boyertown Area
School District recognizes the importance of
water safety education. This year, the District
invited volunteers from the Boyertown Rotary
Club to present a water safety program created by
the Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation
called Josh the Baby Otter.
Josh the Baby Otter is a children’s book as well as
an educational program created to help children
comprehend and remember the importance of
water safety. The story follows a young otter
named Josh whose mother teaches him how
to float on his back in the water. Josh quickly
learns the importance of water safety through his
adventures, and is never in or near water without
his mother or a buddy. Ultimately, the goal of the
Josh the Baby Otter program is to create water
safety behavior for all children that will be passed
on from generation to generation.
During their visit, the Rotary volunteers read Josh
the Baby Otter to multiple kindergarten classes.
At the end of the program, the volunteers and the
8
students
participated
in a singalong about
water safety
and took
the Water
Safety
Pledge.
Each
student
received a
copy of the
book and
a CD that
included
an audio
read of the
entire book,
a sing-along song, and an audio read of the Water
Safety Pledge. To further reinforce water safety,
students were also provided with a Josh the Baby
Otter coloring and sticker book.
Boyertown Area School District believes that
through early childhood education and with the
support of parents and guardians, we can teach
our students the importance of water safety.