Strathaven students launch sports‑media club, win national High Q title; principal details wellness, PBIS and service partnerships

Strathaven High School students and staff presented the board on April 28 a slate of student achievements and new programs, including the launch of a student sports‑media club (SMASH), a national championship for the High Q academic team, an ongoing German exchange, an Arbor Day program and a range of wellness and community‑service partnerships.

Principal Andy Benzing introduced the hour‑long presentation and described priorities at the high school including PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), wellness Wednesdays and efforts to beautify and reconfigure student spaces. “We work really closely with a lot of our PBIS coaches and directors to help us really get a shot in the arm towards building community,” Benzing said.

Bill Rothenbach, coach of the High Q team, said the Strathaven team won a national championship this year; he introduced team members who were present to be recognized by the board. "We are this year's national champions," Rothenbach said, praising the students’ academic work and character.

Students outlined the new sports‑media initiative—SMASH—intended to give students hands‑on broadcasting and production experience. Mr. Kimani (presenting as sports‑media lead) said the club started in February and has 30 active students; its goals include broadcasting athletic events and providing student opportunities in front of and behind the camera. Student leaders Manny Pickup (junior co‑executive director), Josiah Robinson Leary (senior director of SMASH) and Davis Fairbanks (senior director) reported on a field trip to Temple University where they toured studios and the student radio station WHIP and gained practical advice on running student media. Josiah Robinson Leary said the trip helped students see “what a future in this field could look like,” and Davis Fairbanks described how the visit illustrated roles beyond on‑air anchors, such as control‑room and production positions.

Presenters also detailed service learning and partnerships. Students who participated in MLK Day of Service worked with the Access Community Center in Chester doing clothing drives and neighborhood cleanups. Benzing described partnerships with local organizations—including Rotary and Temple—that have led to expanded co‑curricular programming and community service opportunities.

Other highlights included a German program exchange with Dante Gymnasium in Munich, Arbor Day programming with the Scott Arboretum and the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, efforts to expand the district’s PBIS outreach and plans to order new campus branding and flexible classroom furniture.

The board and audience responded with applause and questions about aligning physical space investments with learning goals. Several board members said they welcomed the presentations and commended the students and staff for their initiative.

What’s next: SMASH staff said they aim to broadcast events this spring and expand in August; administration and the board will review space and furniture proposals in upcoming committee meetings.