Students Participate in Science Olympiad
Thirteen members of the science club participated in the recent Science Olympiad held at California University of Pennsylvania on Wednesday, March 30, 2011. These students include: Luiza Arieta, Dan Delellis, Thomas Fish, Jacob Heese, Cameron Lipko, Kelly Pohland, Mike Sackandy, Nathan Schomer, Robert Vasinko, Anthony Wano, Joe Wojeiciechowski, Justin Szilard, and Melissa Sinemus. The Science Olympiad functions much like a football or soccer team, requiring preparation, commitment, coaching and practice throughout the year. The hard work and dedication of the club was shown when the following students placed top three in their events. Anthony Wano and Dan Dellelis, with first place in “Windpower,” Rob Vasinko and Joe Wojciechowski with third place in “Sumo Bots,” Luiza Arieta and Nathan Schomer with first place in “Microbe Mission,” and finally, Mike Sackandy and Cameron Lipko with second place in “Experimental Design.” Congratulations to the entire team on their accomplishments.
Key Club Officers Elections
Key Club officers for the 2011 – 2012 school year were chosen through an election on Thursday, March 17, 2011 with the following results: President: Alex Brant; Vice President: Kati Jo Bozelli; Secretary: Zach Daigle; Treasurer: Ethan Greek; Editor: Melissa Sinemus; Web Master: Andrew Boyer. President Alex Brant commented, “I have high hopes for next year with the great group that we have. Everyone is very motivated, dedicated and hard working and I know we will have great success in bettering our community in the 2011-2012 school year.”
Annual Tri-M Fundraiser
The Tri-M National Honor Society held their annual change collection fundraiser to benefit the leukemia and lymphoma society. $630.50 was raised to benefit the cause. Homerooms in each grade with the highest amount of donations won an Olive Garden lunch, which will take place in the coming weeks. Mrs. Harvey’s sophomore homeroom donated $45.50, Mrs. Snyder’s junior homeroom with $121.83 and Mrs. Pompelia’s senior homeroom with $29.28. The annual fundraiser was again a huge success.
Kiwanis One Day Volunteerism Event
Members of GLHS Key Club volunteered at the Kiwanis One Day event on Saturday, April 2, 2011. During this event, everyone in the “K-Family” worked on a big service project together. The Key Club (high school), Circle K (college), and Kiwanis (adults) all worked together during a road side clean-up on the highway adopted by the Kiwanis. Members took a break from their hard work during a picnic lunch before continuing their work at Seton Hill on a landscaping project.
AFS Club Exchange Student Weekend
The AFS club hosted seven exchange students from various countries including Germany, Italy, Hong Kong, Spain and Poland for the exchange student weekend starting Thursday evening, March 31 thru Saturday, April 2, 2011. Students met their exchange student during a gathering at an AFS member’s house. The exchange students stayed with their members overnight and then experienced a day at Greater Latrobe on Friday during school. The members and their exchange students also participated in social activities like going out to dinner and bowling on Friday night and going to Seven Springs on Saturday, ultimately experiencing some of our own culture. The exchange students have been in Westmoreland County since the beginning of the school year and attend local schools, such as Hempfield, Greensburg Salem, Penn Trafford and Norwin. Junior member Kelly Dick commented on her experiences, “It was really cool to learn about people from other countries and learn how different they are.”
Students Experience Real Life Through Mock Interviews Sessions
Every year, students in the Business Communication course taught by Mrs. Wydareny take part in mock interviews. This year they will take place on Tuesday, April 12 during periods 1 – 3. Local professionals, many who are members of the Chamber of Commerce, volunteer their time to interview students one-on-one for a professional job interview. The students prepare resumes and practice their interviewing skills prior to the mock interviews. After the interview, the professionals will critique their resumes and interviewing skills and provide the students with constructive feedback. It is a unique opportunity for an individual to receive this kind of information. Just as in past years, interviews will provide the Business Communication students the chance to improve their skills and resumes to land that dream job.
Trout in the Classroom Open House to Take Place
Throughout the school year, seventh grade students enrolled in the Life Science course have raised live brook trout in their classrooms. They are responsible for monitoring the trout tank, tracking water quality data, and maintaining equipment. In addition, students have the opportunity to experience specially designed workshops carried out by local conservation organizations and environmentalists. In May, these trout will be released into Linn Run.
On Wednesday, April 13, 2011, in GLSHS room S-103, an open house will take place where visitors can learn more about the program, meet students who have participated and hear their firsthand accounts while also viewing brook trout up close. Mrs. Wright is the leader of the program, AmeriCorps member Natalie Reese is the coordinator and Mr. Roberts, Mrs. Hoopes, and Mrs. LeVan are the participating teachers.
Dance Team Accomplishments
The senior high dance team has had a very accomplished recent season. The dancing season runs begins with tryouts in late April and runs thru late-February, basically all year. The recent season turned out incredibly well for the girls on the team, each reaching personal accomplishments as well as achievements for the team in whole. The team performed in the Latrobe 4th of July parade, the Greensburg Christmas Parade, numerous boys and girls’ basketball games as well as varsity football games. Additionally the team performed during a Pitt-Rutgers football game and many other community events, including a charity called “Angela’s Angels.” This charitable cause provides less fortunate girls with prom dresses. The dance team wore dresses from the organization around a benefit to advertise the organization. The list of accomplishments continues with participating in competitions at the Ameri-Dance competition at Cannon McMillian High School, where the team placed first in their division against the Moon Dance team and a competition at Cornell High School, where the team also placed first. Dance Team Members include Luray Hixson, Caitlyn Lucas, Alisha Garris, Tamera Alford, Maria Yokopenic, Nikayla Payne, Shannon Stopa, Morgan Smith, Makayla Thompson, and Kaylee Gesslar. Team members encourage any student interested to try out for the 2011-2012 team when tryouts begin April 25 and run through the April 29, 2011.
