Lots of news about Somerset County school students
FFA citrus sale
Held each fall, the Meyersdale FFA Chapter’s annual citrus and fruit sale is one of the chapter’s largest and most important fundraisers. Members accepted orders for items from Pee Jay’s Fresh Fruit through the month of November. Items available included apples, oranges, grapefruit, clementines, as well as sampler boxes featuring a variety of fruits, as well as a variety of cheesecakes. Orders were delivered to the school and sorted by staff members, including FFA adviser Doreen Jamison, on Nov. 30. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the chapter and its members and the many activities the group participates in each year.
“The chapter members sold nearly 300 boxes of fruit. Our community was very supportive in this fundraiser,” Jamison said.
Veterans Rock Garden
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Mathias, Floyd at Exchange Club
Grant Mathias and Abygail Floyd were selected to represent Rockwood Area High School at the Somerset Exchange Club.
Grant Mathias is a 17-year-old senior who is involved with NHS, SHS, SADD, FBLA, student council and journalism. He also participates in wrestling and football, where he was selected for all county honors in both sports. Mathias plans to attend one of the United States service academies upon graduation to study computer science or engineering.
Abygail Floyd is the daughter of Jason and Angel Floyd of Rockwood. She is a senior at Rockwood where she is president of the student council and a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions, chorus and FBLA. She is also the president for the Region 17 Chapter of FBLA. As a member of FBLA, Floyd has qualified for both state and national competitions. She has also been selected for county and district chorus each year.
In addition to these groups, Floyd is vice president of the National Honor Society and treasurer of the French Honor Society. She received the Somerset County Soroptimist Award for Rockwood school and she has been named student of the month every year since she was in seventh grade. Floyd participates in the school musical, is a member of the varsity track team, and keeps stats for the boys' soccer team.
Outside of school, she has been a competitive gymnast for the past 10 years. She also volunteers as a counselor each summer for Camp PARC. After graduation, Floyd plans to attend IUP to study nursing. She hopes to become a travel nurse and eventually become a certified nurse anesthetist.
North Star selects Teacher's Choice students
North Star High School selected its Teacher's Choice Award students for December. They are Brandon Fish, Shilo Petrilla, Maryn Rhoads and Bow Schwarm.
Brandon Fish is the son of Margaret Fish, Boswell. He is a 12th grade college prep student who plays football. Shilo Petrilla is the daughter of Jamie Petrilla, Boswell. She is an 11th grade Honors English and History student who is a member of the prom committee, Pep Club and Key Club.
Maryn Rhoads is the daughter of Amanda Rhoads and Daniel Rhoads, Boswell. She is a 10th grade student who is student council treasurer, a member of Service/Key Club, and treasurer for the Class of 2025. Bow Schwarm is the son of Sharon Schwarm, Stoystown. He is a ninth grade honors student who plays baseball and is a member of the Spanish Club.
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1st Summit Bank makes donation
Topper, Miller at Exchange Club
Gavin Topper and Jaden Miller represented Meyersdale Area High School at the Somerset Exchange Club in December.Gavin Topper, the son of Jennifer Valentine, is a senior at Meyersdale, and participates in student council, National Honor Society and varsity wrestling. He has won the American Legion Award, was aVFW Voice of Democracy finalist, and was selected Boy of the Year for his senior class. Topper mentored for Outdoor Odyssey after participating in the Junior Leadership Program. With aGPA of just more than 4.0, Topper is taking Honors/AP English, Honors Physics II, HonorsContemporary Affairs, and AP Calculus during his senior year. He plans to attend college for mechanical engineering. After college, he hopes to become an engineer for a Formula 1 team.Jaden Miller is a senior at Meyersdale. She is president of the student council and Science Club, as well as a member of Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, No Place For Hate Club, 1000+ SAT and PSAT Club, “A” Average Club, and a writer for her school’s high school newspaper, the Raider Review. She has earned several awards for being the top student in chemistry, geometry, physics, trigonometry and environmental science.Miller spends most of her time outside of school volunteering or working part-time. She enjoys helping others and benefiting the community. After graduation, Miller plans to attend a private, four-year university to major in psychology. She then aspires to earn her Ph.D. to become a clinical psychologist.
Petrilla is Boswell Lions Senior
Isabella Petrilla, daughter of Jeffrey and Jamie Petrilla, Boswell, was selected to represent North Star High School as the Boswell Lions senior of the month for December. Petrilla is a 12th grade honors and dual enrollment student. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, vice president of the senior class, musical, Key and Chemistry Club. She is participating in the Maple Queen Scholarship Pageant, community arts and NSYO.
After high school Petrilla plans to attend IUP to obtain a bachelor's degree in English with a certificate in journalism.
North Star Achievement Award
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Rockwood school honors local veterans
Rockwood Area Jr./Sr. High School held an assembly Nov. 11, to honor those who have served, and who are currently serving in the Armed Forces. Community members and local veterans were invited to breakfast and to listen to patriotic songs sung by both the elementary and high school chorus. The assembly included videos and a speech provided by high school seniors. Senior Jonathan Felesky read aloud a letter from the men and women of the USS Somerset, as well as presented a video provided by the USS Somerset’s crew. Isaiah Brumbaugh took a moment to read the names of veterans and current service members sitting in the audience. Finnleigh Gould, with the contribution of local Boy Scouts and trumpet-player Devin McCauley, ended the ceremony with a playing of “Taps” and a moment of silence.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Somerset County School News for mid-December
