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Kutztown students honored for state swim finish, debate success and mock-trial program
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Summary
The Kutztown Area School District board recognized student achievements tonight: senior swimmer Haven Begley for PIAA state finishes, multiple debate-team awards and a seventh-grade mock-trial trip funded by the Rendell Center and community partners.
The Kutztown Area School District board opened its meeting by recognizing student achievements, honoring swimmer Haven Begley and several student groups for recent competitions and civic engagement programs.
A presenter congratulated Haven Begley of Kutztown High School for qualifying in both the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke at the PIAA state championships. The presenter said Begley trains with the Emmaus Aquatic Club and noted she earned personal-best times at the state meet. "She wanted it. She got it," the presenter said while describing a one-on-one swim-off that secured a finals berth. The district will present Begley with a plaque and hang a banner in the high school gym; the presenter said the student will be recognized at the first home football game.
Board members also heard from the high-school debate team. Elijah Sicker, a junior and vice president of the debate club, thanked the board for funding travel and activities that he said help club members achieve in higher education. "Debate…improves the perception of our school and helps all of our students," Sicker said. Annabelle Fox, a B-team rebuttalist, described how debate builds public-speaking, research and teamwork skills and highlighted teammates who advanced to higher education.
Teachers and students reported on a seventh-grade mock-trial trip to the Rendell Center and a visit to the federal courthouse. Seventh graders described month-long preparation, courtroom procedures, and meetings with judges and volunteer attorneys. Presenters thanked partners including the Rendell Center for Civics and Civic Engagement, the Berks County Bar Association and named local judges and attorneys who supported the trip. Staff stated the experience was funded through donors at no cost to the district.
The recognitions and student reports were presented as communications and did not require board action. The board praised the students and acknowledged the role of volunteer and community partners in providing experiential learning opportunities.
