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Pottsgrove highlights student awards, mental-health club growth and international trip
Summary
At its meeting the Pottsgrove board recognized retiring staff and student achievements: PA HOSA awards won by Western Center students, the AVIDUM mental-health club described as the high school's largest club, and a 35-student Costa Rica trip presented by faculty and students.
The Pottsgrove School District used part of its meeting to recognize retirees and spotlight student programs and achievements across grade levels.
Director of human resources Amy Thompson introduced nine retirees and listed five present at the meeting, thanking them for years of service. Thompson described the district's memento, the Pottsgrove Apple, and provided service histories for several honorees, including Kim Emery (school nurse), Sue McGuarty (administrative assistant), Corey Rhodes (31 years of service), Sue Rutter (26 years), and Terry Culler (35 years with 18 at Pottsgrove).
High school principal Dr. Felicia Gonzales presented student recognitions. Students who attend the Western Center in health-care programs competed at the PA HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) state leadership conference; seniors Marley Flannery, Zachary Strunk and Gabriel Fuentes received recognition and spoke about their experiences. Flannery said she won state titles and a $2,000 scholarship and that HOSA provided pathways for students pursuing healthcare careers.
Marco Desiderio and student leaders described AVIDUM (a student-run mental-health and peer-support club), which the high school implemented three years ago and has grown into the school's largest club. Student officers and the advisor said AVIDUM provides a safe space for students, raises awareness of mental-health issues and plans to present the program to Montgomery County superintendents via Zoom.
Teacher Christina Mortimer and students summarized a spring-break Costa Rica trip that took 35 students and five chaperones. Presenters described activities including zip-lining, sustainability and ecological workshops, thermal springs, snorkeling, national-park visits, a coffee-plantation tour and cultural exchanges. Students said the trip broadened perspectives, built confidence and forged cross-grade friendships. Mortimer said 45 students are already signed up for a trip to Italy next spring and the school maintains a waiting list.
Lower Pottsgrove Elementary's fifth-grade student leadership team was recognized as one of 47 nationwide to receive an American Student Council School of Excellence Award and was the only Pennsylvania school so honored; counselor Susan Shannon introduced the student leaders and read excerpts from student essays used in the application.
Ending: Board members applauded the retiree honorees and student presenters; no formal board action was required for the presentations.
