Hannah Stoughten There is no argument when people say, the Class of 2021 has faced a multitude of challenges during senior year. After missing a large majority of the traditional senior activities, including homecoming dances, normal Friday night football games, and many other senior activities, the school knew it was time to give these seniors something to do. Then, Mrs. Lukehart came to the rescue – let them smash some plates!
Mr. Consuegra gave the seniors free range on what they could write – anything was allowed. When he said anything, he meant ANYTHING, to help the class get their frustrations out. The shop classes built a booth and in the days leading up, the seniors were allowed to paint the inside of the booth with their names and other memorable drawings and words. Donations of glassware were made, and a table was set up. Then, on a wonderful Friday, the seniors were given permission to smash some plates, bowls, and mugs! “I enjoyed it, it was something unique, and as fun as it was, I really appreciated the thought from the teachers and those who organized it,” Amber Earnest offered. This is, of course, a sentiment shared by many others. Despite the pandemic having a large effect on the seniors, the staff at Apollo-Ridge has made much effort to make the senior class have a spectacular senior year – and we couldn’t be more thankful for them!
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Hannah Stoughten After much speculation on how PMEA would approach the Covid-19 pandemic, virtual auditions were held for District and Region concert bands. From Apollo-Ridge, Hannah Stoughton, Daniel Dunmire, Cole Rearick, Anna Sadowsky, Colton Nagg, Maddie Smoyer, and Adam Sproat played their best to try and advance onto the region band. Three students advanced – Dunmire, Rearick, and Stoughton.
The excerpts for the auditions were significantly more difficult than in the past, particularly for clarinets, with excerpts from Lincolnshire Posy by Percy Grainger and Clarinet Concerto in A Major from Mozart for auditioning into state bands. Unfortunately, none of our region instrumentalists advanced onto state bands, but they submitted excellent auditions and played them quite well. Compared to the past, the “festivals” were quite different from the past, as there were no physical festivals this year. Multiple students had attended festivals in the past, and it is saddening for them, particularly the only senior, Hannah Stoughton. Band members did not get to experience them as students have in the past, but they look forward to the future of PMEA. Morgan Shupe Every year the entire student body comes together for a day-long competition called “Battle of the Classes.” Due to the consequences of the on-going pandemic, everyone in the high school knew this would not be able to happen. However, knowing how much the senior body has lost in these past two years, Mr. Consuegra knew he had to make something happen for these students. The following events started the senior competition called “Battle of the Class.” The competition consisted of four groups of five seniors as well as a team with five teachers. The teams battled against each other for points to keep their teams in the game. After multiple rounds of competition, there was to be one team that would then battle against another finalist. One of them would be crowned victorious. The team called “The Group” battled their way through the competition and became victorious. Out of the five members of the group, Olivia Stiffy, Taylor Kuntz, Morgan Shupe, Adeline Baustert, Ashely Dunmire, and Adeline Baustert won the final solo dodgeball battle and became the overall winner.
Due to the strict guidelines of this pandemic, all of the students were grateful that they were able to have a small piece of their normal lives back. We all appreciate the lengths to which the faculty and staff and our principal go for our high school experiences. Ashley Dunmire The infamous coronavirus has taken away many things from students all across the nation. From graduations and proms to sport seasons, many students are left feeling hopeless. However, students in our choral program are feeling hopeful. Every year our school district sends a select number of students to PMEA District Three Chorus. Here the students audition to attend PMEA Region Two Chorus. The next step after that is All-State Chorus. This year there are no festivals due to Covid-19. However, students still have the opportunity to audition and advance to the next level. Because the auditions were all virtual this year, our school was able to send a few more students than usual. The students that had the opportunity to attend District Three Chorus this year were Daniel Dunmire (11th grade), Kate Myers (11th grade), Emily Bonja (11th grade), Greg Klingensmith (11th grade), Tracy Weng (12th grade), and Ashley Dunmire (12th grade).
Even with a tougher competition and the abnormal scenario, all of our students moved onto Region Two Chorus. To move onto Regions, the student has to chair in the top ten. Daniel (Bass I) chaired 3rd, Tracy (Alto I) chaired 5th, Ashley (Tenor I) chaired 5th, Emily (Tenor I) chaired 6th, Greg (Tenor I) chaired 7th, and Kate Myers (Soprano II) chaired 1st! The students now have the opportunity to audition for All-State Chorus. Although things are not completely normal, there are still events that are keeping our spirits alive! Author: Amber Earnest This school year has been very different for the students of Apollo-Ridge High School. So many things have been cancelled or changed, and the same goes for the school’s academic competitions. Lead by Ms. White, students usually travel the area to compete in math, science, and trivia competitions. However, all of these events, such as Math League and Quiz Bowl, have been cancelled for the year. Still, one has been able to adapt with the times. The Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) competition is still being held, giving students a bit of hope life may eventually return to normal. PJAS is a statewide science competition for students from seventh to twelfth grade. Students are allowed to research any scientific topic they want and conduct an experiment. In late February they then attend the PJAS regional competition at Slippery Rock University where they present their completed projects to a group of judges and peers. Awards are given out based on the scores the projects received. Those who receive a first-place award travel to Penn State University in State College in May to compete in the state competition. However, much of this routine has changed this year, making it a whole new experience for all of the participants. COVID-19 safety protocols must be observed during the experimental procedure. There are also no in-person presentations. Participants instead upload audio recordings of their presentations and a PowerPoints. Judges use both to give scores to the final projects. There will also be no in-person state competitions for the second year in a row. It is another reminder of how long the world has been different. I have participated in PJAS since I was in eighth grade, and it has always been a rewarding experience for me. Not only do I get to research something I am interested in, but I can also feel proud when it is over, knowing I did the work myself and presented it in front of others. I am, of course, disappointed to hear how different the competition will be this year, especially my senior year. However, I believe that when I finally upload my project, I will feel that feeling of accomplishment that has always come with PJAS, even if the feeling is a little different. Still, as a senior, I have had my opportunity to enjoy opportunities such as PJAS. My hope now is that things may soon return to normal for the younger participants. Author: Morgan Shupe As we started the second month of 2021, the holiday of Valentine’s Day was quickly approaching. Everyone deserves to feel special and thought of on this day of love. That is the reason members of the Apollo-Ridge High School Leo Club made and decorated cards to give out to veterans. To continue, the cards were sent out to veterans and their spouses that currently reside in veteran affairs hospitals or nursing homes. The high schoolers spent their mornings for the past weeks decorating and putting together cards that will be sure to put a smile on the faces of the veterans receiving them. As their imaginations and creativity ran free, the students created some wonderful handmade cards. The cards were decorated in pink and red hearts to show appreciation for the bravery and courage of these veterans. The card decorating was organized by Leo Club leader, Ms.Wenckowski. She has provided all the material needed to create such lovely gifts. The cards were sent out starting on February 9th. |