2020 Education in Excellence Banquet Program

26th Annual Excellence in Education May 2020 Honored Students Greater Latrobe School District Ella Hill Sophia Hoch Julia Huczko Jonah Lotz Emily Mondock Zachary Buerger Anna Doelling Kayla Fretz Rachel Harter Cameron Hayes Rachel Newill Benjamin Takitch Katelin Templeton Keeley Thomas Matthew Voloshin Anna Witte Derry Area School District Allison Baum Lissette Foster Kelsey Geary Anthony Gray Jenna Kuba Keely McKlveen Danielle Mullen Amber Sterrett Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center Derry Matthew Gruska Djay Williams Latrobe Isabelle Kaecher Eddie Thompson Greensburg Central Catholic High School Ethan Boyle Patrick Brewer Kennedy Szekely Dr Robert Ketterer Charter School Nevaeh Lopez Hakeem Williams Distinguished Teachers Mr Gene Brisbane Mr Brian Clawson Ms Heather Doyle Mr Ian Dunlap Mr Robert Fetter Ms Ruth Ann Grant Mrs Charla Huber Mrs Ashley Kemmerer Mrs Lynn Keyser Mrs Colleen Kinkead Mr Tyler Kolar Mrs Linda Kubus Ms Jennifer LeVan Mr Casey Long Mr Jeff Mori Mr Ken Pedder Mr Tom Perry Mrs Brooke Pierce Mrs Liz Prady Mr Tom Pratt Mr Scott Reaugh Mrs Nikki Shannon Mrs Leanne Shaw Dr Rebecca Snyder Mrs Linda Templeton Mr Mike Weinell Mrs Jennifer Welty Welcome Please join us in congratulating the top 5% of graduating seniors from Derry Area, Greater Latrobe, and Greensburg Central Catholic High Schools; Dr Robert Ketterer Charter School; and Eastern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center for their diligence and hard work This time has presented unusual challenges for our schools as they work to continue the important job of education and for the seniors They finished their time in high school without experiencing the rites of passage that commemorate their graduation and journey towards life afterwards We hope that recognizing the tremendous effort put forth by these seniors will make a difference in some small way Get to know the students: Greater Latrobe Senior High School Zachary Buerger Zachary involved himself in his passions joining several clubs and groups such as the SADD club, chamber choir, drama club, chain reaction contraption, quiz league, and boys tennis teams He also took leadership, becoming vice president of the choir council and science club as well as becoming president mathletes and chess club Zachary would like to extend a special thanks to his teacher, Ms Doyle Anna Doelling Anna has been a member of the Colorguard for years, while holding captain her senior year She also was a member of the Chamber Choir for years and chosen to be the Jazz Band vocalist She’s participated in fall plays and spring musicals She volunteers at Excela Health Latrobe Hospital and as a cantor and altar server at Saint Vincent Basilica Parish She will attend Saint Vincent College to major in biology and hopefully minor in music Anna would like to extend a special thanks to her teacher, Ms LeVan Kayla Fretz Kayla was a football manager for the past years, and it gave her some of the best friends and memories she’s made all throughout high school Outside of school she had been riding horses for 14 years and she plans to continue riding on Pitt’s equestrian team Her future plans are to attend the University of Pittsburgh, main campus, on a Chemistry degree on a pre med track with the hope of becoming an anesthesiologist Kayla would like to extend a special thanks to her teacher, Mr Reaugh Rachel Harter Rachel participated in XC, Track & Field, and NHS throughout her high school career She will attend PSU Schreyer’s Honors for Microbiology and Spanish in the fall She hopes to someday attend medical school and become a Medical Scientist Rachel would like to extend a special thanks to her kindergarten teacher Cameron Hayes Cameron is president of French Club, co-president of choir, and secretary of National Honors Society He also does musicals, marching band, recycling, and Science Olympiad Out of school, his hobbies include reading, gardening, and going on walks Cameron is attending The George Washington University in the fall to major in Environmental Sciences and to minor in French Cameron would like to extend a special thanks to his teacher, Mrs Kubus Ella Hill Ella is the 2020 class historian and is a part of many clubs and organizations Along with National Honor Society, she is also a member, and the treasurer, of National German Honor Society She has been volunteering for Big Brothers Big Sisters for three years She is looking forward to attending Penn State University for Architectural Engineering this coming year Ella would like to extend a special thanks to her teacher, Mr Reaugh Sophia Hoch Sophia has been a member of Student Council at Greater Latrobe since elementary school and is now the senior Class Secretary, a School Board Student Representative, Link Crew Leader, and German National Honor Society Secretary She has been a competitive dancer at Seton Hill University Dance Academy for as long as she can remember Sophia would like to extend a special thanks to her teacher, Mr Reaugh Julia Huczko Julia played varsity tennis for three years, she has been in every senior high spring musical, is a member of the school’s prestigious chamber choir, and is a big sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greensburg She plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh- Pittsburgh Campus for Biology in the fall After college, she hopes to receive her PhD in biology and go into field research Julia would like to extend a special thanks to her teacher, Mrs Shannon Jonah Lotz Jonah is involved in Science Olympiad, Quiz League, National Honor Society, Chess Club (Treasurer), Mu Alpha Theta (Treasurer), and Physics Olympiad (President) Outside of school, he enjoys reading comic books and science fiction novels, playing board, card, and video games, listening to music, and hanging out with friends After high school, he will be attending the University of Arizona honors college as an astronomy major Jonah would like to extend a special thanks to his teacher, Ms Doyle Emily Mondock Emily has been involved in years of varsity tennis, the music department, and multiple clubs She was on the Science Bowl team, a student council representative, a member of the Chamber Choir, and participant in four GLHS musicals She is Secretary of Drama Club and Treasurer of the National Honor Society Next year, she will be attending the University of Pittsburgh as a Neuroscience major Her uture aspirations are to pursue research Emily would like to extend a special thanks to her teacher, Mr Pratt Rachel Newill Rachel has been involved in Link Crew for two years at Greater Latrobe as well as a year round dancer at Laurel Valley Academy of Dance She has been inducted into Spanish National Honor Society and National Honor Society and is very grateful for the past almost four years at GLSD She will be attending Seton Hill University for their five year accelerated Physician Assistant Program Rachel would like to extend a special thanks to her teacher, Mr Reaugh Benjamin Takitch Benjamin is the vice president of NHS, treasurer of the drama club, and a member of GLSD’s Chamber Choir He had had roles in a multitude of Greater Latrobe’s musicals and plays; music and acting have had a profound impact on his life His favorite hobby is playing the piano, alongside making any form of music This fall, he plans on going to the University of Pittsburgh to work towards a Doctor of Pharmacy degree Katelin Templeton Katelin is a member of the National Honor Society, National German Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Link Crew, Chick-Fil-A Leader Academy, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America She is also the president of the German Club and treasurer of Interact Club She is currently working as a barista at Starbucks, and next year she plans to attend a six-year program for a degree in Pharmacy at the University of Pittsburgh Katelin would like to extend a special thanks to her mother, Mrs Templeton Keeley Thomas Keely participates in clubs such as Student Council and Interact Club She is Co-President of the Greater Latrobe Choir Association and has participated in the Drama Club for four years She is a member of National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, and International Thespian Society She loves to read, write, and sing with her friends Keeley would like to extend a special thanks to her teacher, Mrs Prady Matthew Voloshin Matthew has been a Link Crew Leader for the past two years, a member of both German National Honor Society and National Honor Society, and a Mathlete This past year, he worked with Ms Doyle to set up a Latrobe Chapter of Mu Alpha Theta, the Math National Honor Society He plans to attend Villanova University in the Fall to study Computer Engineering Matthew would like to extend a special thanks to his teacher, Mrs Keyser Anna Witte Anna’s key qualities are that she always tries to challenge herself and tries new things Her favorite subjects are chemistry and math, and she is in the Mathletes club She is going to Duquesne University next year to major in chemistry Some of her interests include photography, traveling, being outdoors, and listening to music Anna would like to extend a special thanks to her teacher, Dr Snyder Get to know the students: Derry Area High School Allison Baum Allison Baum is vice president of the French club, monogram club, National French honor society, mu alpha theta, and interact She is also a member of the girls varsity softball team, and was on the varsity girls swim team She plans on attending Westmoreland County Community College for nursing to earn an associated degree in nursing, and then transferring to a university to eventually become a nurse anesthetist Allison would like to extend a special thanks to her teachers, Mrs Shaw and Mrs Huber Lissette Foster Lissette Foster is an officer of the Interact club, and is involved in many other activities including mock trial, Mu Alpha Theta, volleyball, and Spanish Honors Society Over the past four years, she has accumulated over 500 community service hours through her efforts in the community In the fall, she will be attending the University of Virginia with an intended major in Commerce with a focus on Marketing Lissette would like to extend a special thanks to her teacher, Mrs Kemmerer Kelsey Geary Kelsey Geary is actively involved in Derry Area’s musicals and all-class plays as both cast and director, and has been honored at the Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Competition three times She was recently nominated for the WCT Achievement in the Arts award for Theatre Kelsey is the captain of Derry’s WIRC team as well as the president of Derry’s French Club Kelsey would like to extend a special thanks to her teacher, Mrs Welty Anthony Gray Anthony Gray is deeply interested in Technology and Chemistry He has assisted in the production of Derry’s High School Musicals for three years Anthony will be participating in a part-time job with Derry Area School District as part of the IT Department He has participated in WIRC, the Catapult Competition, and the Academic Quiz Team Anthony would like to extend a special thanks to his teacher, Mr Clawson Jenna Kuba Jenna Kuba is treasurer of Mu Alpha Theta In addition, she participated in World Language Honor Society as well as Chick-Fil-A Leader Academy and various other clubs She was on the grant writing team for Chick-Fil-A, where they placed first nationally for their Impact Project She will be attending the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg this fall to pursue a career in Elementary Education Jenna would like to extend a special thanks to her teacher, Mr Clawson Keely McKlveen Keely McKlveen is secretary of the Class of 2020, Vice President of the National Business Honors Society, and leader of the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy She plans on attending Grove City College where she’ll earn a Bachelors of Science degree in Physics and minor in Medical Physics After earning her degree she wants to attend medical school to become a Radiologist Keely would like to extend a special thanks to the school principal, Mr Long Danielle Mullen Danielle was a member of the varsity basketball team, Interact, Bachelor Auction Committee, Mu Alpha Theta, World Language Honor Society, and Monogram club She will be attending University of Miami in the fall, majoring in Biology on a pre-med track Danielle would like to extend a special thanks to her basketball coach, Mr Brisbane Amber Sterrett Amber Sterrett was captain of the tennis and cheerleading team and belongs to many clubs, such as Interact, Mu Alpha Theta, and National Spanish Language Honor Society In the fall she plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg with a major in applied mathematics Amber would like to extend a special thanks to her tennis coach, Mr Perry Get to know the students: Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center Derry Djay Williams Djay is a three-year student in the Computer Science program He attended SkillsUSA and was amazed that, as a freshman, he was able to share the experience with the seniors He plans to continue his education in the field of Computer Science at Edinboro University Djay would like to extend a special thanks to his teacher, Mr Dunlap Matthew Gruska Matthew started the Automotive Cluster in 9th grade, and as part of the Automotive Cluster, he learned various skills such as welding, basic fluid maintenance, painting process, detailing and fabricating patch panels He has earned several certifications over the past years at EWCTC as well as upholding his honor roll status Matthew would like to extend a special thanks to his teacher, Mr Weinell Latrobe Isabelle Kaecher Isabelle is a three-year student in the Machine Tool Technology program In the fall, she will be attending Penn State Behrend and majoring in Mechanical Engineering She is a member of the National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Secretary of SkillsUSA, district competitor/winner for SkillsUSA in Machine Tool and Senior Class President at EWCTC Isabelle would like to extend a special thanks to her teacher, Mr Pedder Eddie Thompson Eddie was the NTHS president and Battle Bots captain for the 2019-20 school year He also enjoyed playing the trumpet in the Latrobe marching band Moving forward, he intends on studying Electrical Engineering at Penn State Main Eddie would like to extend a special thanks to his teacher, Mr Mori Get to know the students: Greensburg Central Catholic High School Ethan Boyle Ethan is a graduating senior at Greensburg Central Catholic He played soccer, basketball, and baseball for his school and was a member of student council He plans on attending the Notre Dame Holy Cross Gateway Program and major in Neuroscience and Behavior Ethan would like to extend a special thanks to his teacher, Mrs Kinkead Patrick Brewer Patrick is a National Merit Commended Scholar, Trib Total Media Outstanding Young Citizen, AP Scholar, WPIAL Scholar-Athlete, Commonwealth of PA Merit Award, 3-Sport WPIAL medalist (Soccer-1st, Pole Vault 2nd, Wrestling 6th) He plans to run track for Cornell University as a decathlete and study Biology & Psychology Patrick would like to extend a special thanks to his pole vault coach, Mr Kolar Kennedy Szekely Kennedy has been on the Highest Honor Roll all four years She also received Seton Hill’s Women in Science award for biology She plans to attend the University of South Carolina where she will be majoring in biology Kennedy will be a member of the Capstone scholars program and will receive and Excellence Award Scholarship Kennedy would like to extend a special thanks to her lacrosse coach, Ms Grant Get to know the students: Dr Robert Ketterer Charter School Hakeem Williams Hakeem is a graduating student from Dr Robert Ketterer Charter School Some of his accomplishments include Distinguished honors, Certificate of Technical grinding/ electrical, CPR Certificate,EMR/Career Readiness Certificate, and Stop the bleeding Certificate He plans on working after graduation and then going on to College Hakeem would like to extend a special thanks to the school principal, Mrs Pierce Nevaeh Lopez Nevaeh is a graduating student from Dr Robert Ketterer Charter School Her family moved to Pennsylvania where she enrolled in the Charter School for about three and a half years Here she began enjoying school and wanting to better herself She was provided one-on-one assistance and eventually her grades started to improve tremendously Nevaeh would like to extend a special thanks to her teacher, Mr Fetter Thank You to our Sponsors Commercial Bank & Trust of PA Gibson Thomas Engineering Co, Inc Reparex Fabricated Systems, Inc Around Latrobe Magazine Carclo Technical Plastics Cathi L Gerhard, Professor of English & Professional Writing, Penn State University Donna Tidwell-Vernon Realty Services Elizabeth Carbide Components Greater Latrobe Partners in Education Foundation Greater Latrobe School District Kattan Ferretti Insurance Kelly, Sparber, White & Associates, LLC Latrobe Printing and Publishing Co., Inc Mains Chiropractic Randy Redinger & Sons Auto Service TSI Titanium, Tech Spec Inc Tim Bates “You have brains in your head You have feet in your shoes You can steer yourself any direction you choose You’re on your own And you know what you know And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go ” - Dr Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! ... Bots captain for the 2019-20 school year He also enjoyed playing the trumpet in the Latrobe marching band Moving forward, he intends on studying Electrical Engineering at Penn State Main Eddie... Weinell Latrobe Isabelle Kaecher Isabelle is a three-year student in the Machine Tool Technology program In the fall, she will be attending Penn State Behrend and majoring in Mechanical Engineering... musicals, marching band, recycling, and Science Olympiad Out of school, his hobbies include reading, gardening, and going on walks Cameron is attending The George Washington University in the fall