SCHOOL news
Emmitsburg High School Alumni Banquet
The Emmitsburg High School’s 91st Annual Alumni Banquet will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2015. All graduates of Emmitsburg High School, and all who attended the school at some time, are invited. They are asked to seek out classmates and encourage them to attend. Graduation is not a requirement. Teachers of the Emmitsburg School are also invited.
The event will be held at the Emmitsburg Ambulance Company, located at 17701 Creamery Road in Emmitsburg. Social hour will begin at 5:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:00 p.m. The cost for the dinner is $25.00. Honored class photos will be taken after the meeting.
Anyone who has not received an invitation and would like to attend may call Sam Valentine at 301-447-2507 or e-mail [email protected].
Civitan Club Donates Chromebooks
The Catoctin Area Civitan Club donated three Chromebooks for the students in the Catoctin High School Special Education Department.
Pamela Adams-Campbell, a special education teacher at Catoctin High School, is shown accepting the donated Chromebooks from Catoctin Area Civitan Club President Ginger Malone.
Photo Courtesy of Mary E. Dal-Favero
Catoctin High School Class of 2016 Safe and Sane Upcoming Fundraisers
The Catoctin High School (CHS) 2016 Safe and Sane Committee is selling tickets ($10.00 each) for a chance to win a 2016 Coachmen Clipper Ultra Light Conventional Travel Trailer 16RDB (retails for approximately $15,000). Sponsored by the Class of 2016 Safe and Sane and Beckley’s Camping Center. Drawing will be held on June 1, 2016 (you need not be present to win). Winner is responsible for taxes, tags, and title fees.
Dine at TGI Friday’s in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (1861 Gettysburg Village Drive), on October 6, 2015, from 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., for Dining for Dollars, and twenty percent of sales will be donated to CHS Safe and Sane. Please visit their website at www.catoctinsafeandsane.com to print out the flyer to bring with you when ordering (for Safe and Sane to get the credit, the flyer must be presented to your hostess, bartender, or server).
On October 24, 2015, a Sportsman Dinner and Raffle will be held at the Vigilant Hose Company in Emmitsburg. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. Dinner will be at 6:00 p.m. A $30.00 donation admits one person. Event features cash prizes every thirty minutes, from 5:30-9:15 p.m., and gun prizes every thirty minutes, from 5:45-9:30 p.m.
Mark your calendar now for these future events: November 21—Sportsman Bingo at the Lewistown Fire Hall; December 12—Silent Auction and Dance held at the Thurmont American Legion, from 8:00 p.m.-midnight. Dance will feature music and karaoke by JAK Entertainment. Tickets cost $15.00 a person or $25.00 a couple. Donated items welcomed. Please contact Tracy Vito Barbour at [email protected] or Barb Sellers at [email protected].
Contact Laura Imes at 301-788-6458 or Kim Moser at 240-285-1799 for tickets for these events. For more information or for all upcoming and future events, visit their website at www.catoctinsafeandsane.com.
Class of 2016 senior parents: Please plan to attend meetings scheduled on the second Wednesday of each month at Catoctin High School in the media room (located upstairs).
Portner in Running for Maryland Teacher of the Year
As an exciting addition to the first weeks of school, Frederick County Public Schools’ (FCPS) Superintendent Dr. Terry Alban learned that Thurmont Middle School literacy specialist and Frederick County Teacher of the Year Amanda Portner is one of seven finalists for the Maryland State Teacher of the Year award. Principal Jennnifer Powell surprised Amanda with the news at the FCPS Staff Development Center in early September, where Amanda was attending training.
According to Principal Powell, “Amanda’s enthusiasm is contagious, and she is a master at inspiring others. Teachers flock to her professional development offerings, finding Amanda to be an expert in what she shares and full of ‘no nonsense’ examples and strategies that they can use in the classroom the next day. Teachers also appreciate her wonderfully warm sense of humor and presentation style….While I realize a literacy specialist is not typical of the vision for Teacher of the Year, Amanda meets the criteria by far, and then some,” Powell said. “Countless numbers of students are so much better off due to her direct work with them, with teachers, and the larger community.”
“This year, FCPS had sixty-four outstanding Teacher of the Year nominees. Ms. Portner stood out in an exceptional group of candidates,” said Superintendent Dr. Theresa Alban. “As a literacy specialist, she is a superb representative of the outstanding teachers in Frederick County.”
Ms. Portner earned her master’s degree in English Curriculum and Instruction in 2009 at Hood College in Frederick. She has served in school-based leadership positions too numerous to list; some are Frederick County Reading Council treasurer, English Department Chair, and Maryland Writing Project Satellite Committee Chair. She is also a member of the International Reading Association, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the National Writing Project, and many other professional organizations. She also serves as a reader and member of the selection committee for Maryland’s Black-Eyed Susan books.
A panel of judges from key Maryland education organizations selected the seven finalists from among the state’s twenty-four district Teacher of Year recipients. They evaluated finalists according to a rigorous set of national criteria that included teaching philosophy, community involvement, knowledge of general education issues, and suggestions for instructional improvement. Oral interviews with the seven finalists took place in September.
The Maryland State Department of Education will announce the 2015-2016 Maryland Teacher of the Year during a gala reception and dinner at Martin’s West on October 9, 2015. The winner will receive monetary and other awards, national travel opportunities, and a new car valued at over $25,000, donated by the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association. The Maryland Teacher of the Year will go on to participate in the national Teacher of the Year program, speaking to education, business, and civic groups about the teaching profession.
Four Catoctin FFA Teams Heading to Kentucky
Maddie Krantz, Catoctin FFA Reporter
The Catoctin FFA Food Science & Technology CDE, Dairy Cattle Evaluation CDE, Agricultural Sales CDE, and Agricultural Marketing CDE teams have earned the opportunity to compete at the 88th National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. In order for these teams to be competing at the national level, each had to compete at the state level and place first this past spring.
The Food Science & Technology team consists of Hannah Barth, Kayleigh Best, May Cruz, and Maddie Krantz, and is coached by Jim Barth. In the Food Science & Technology contest, members individually have to complete a multiple choice test, consisting of approximately fifty questions in an hour. Along with this, they have to complete a sensory evaluation and identify hazards in a workplace. As a team, the members have to develop a food product with limited ingredients to fit certain criteria given and then present it to the judges. At the state contest, the team had to create a granola breakfast for active people.
The Dairy Cattle Evaluation team consists of Jacob Arnold, Taylor Eiker, Dusty Hahn, and Tiffany Lenhart, and is coached by Patti Hubbard. In the Dairy Cattle Evaluation contest, the members take a written test asking about the dairy industry, as well as answer questions relating to cattle registration and DHI papers. Members also judge eight classes of cows and give two sets of reasons.
The Agricultural Sales team consists of Mackenzie Henderson, Jimmy Kempisty, Nicki Milbourne, and Stephanie Moreland, and is coached by Michael Poffenberger and Matt Dillinger. In the Agricultural Sales contest, members must use the sales process to determine the wants and needs of the customer/judge to be able to sell an agricultural product. Members also complete a written test on the sales process, along with a team activity showing how they would sell to certain customers. At the state convention, the members had to sell fourteen different types of Purina dog food.
The Agricultural Marketing team consists of Stephanie Kennedy, Megan Millison, and Kayla Umbel, and is coached by Michael Poffenberger and Carrie Wivel. In the Agricultural Marketing contest, the members pick a local business and develop a marketing plan on how they would advertise the business to bring in more customers, and beat out other businesses in the same industry. At the state convention, the team chose to complete a marketing plan for Shriver’s Meats.
Along with these four teams, Noah Barth, Carley Flora, and Ashley Grimes will be attending as chapter delegates. While at convention, these three will be participating in convention sessions, educational workshops, agricultural tours, and a career show.
Due to the increase in registration and travel costs, we are looking for sponsors and donations to help all of these members have an experience of a lifetime. Any help you could provide could mean the difference to these members.
For more information or if you have any questions, feel free to contact Catoctin FFA at 240-236-8117.
Catoctin FFA Chapter is shown at the 87th Maryland State FFA Convention: (front row) Mackenzie Henderson, Stephanie Moreland, Tiffany Lenhart, Taylor Eiker, Megan Millison, Stephanie Kennedy, May Cruz, Hannah Barth; (back row) Amy Jo Poffenberger (Advisor), Johnny Kempisty, Jacob Arnold, Nicki Milbourne, Carley Flora, Kayleigh Best, Destiny Snedegar, Kaitlynn Neff, Kayla Umbel, Jimmy Kempisty, and Brian Hendrickson (Advisor).
Pamela Adams-Campbell, a special education teacher at Catoctin High School, is shown accepting the donated Chromebooks from Catoctin Area Civitan Club President Ginger Malone.
Photo Courtesy of Mary E. Dal-Favero
Catoctin High School Class of 2016 Safe and Sane Upcoming Fundraisers
The Catoctin High School (CHS) 2016 Safe and Sane Committee is selling tickets ($10.00 each) for a chance to win a 2016 Coachmen Clipper Ultra Light Conventional Travel Trailer 16RDB (retails for approximately $15,000). Sponsored by the Class of 2016 Safe and Sane and Beckley’s Camping Center. Drawing will be held on June 1, 2016 (you need not be present to win). Winner is responsible for taxes, tags, and title fees.
Dine at TGI Friday’s in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (1861 Gettysburg Village Drive), on October 6, 2015, from 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., for Dining for Dollars, and twenty percent of sales will be donated to CHS Safe and Sane. Please visit their website at www.catoctinsafeandsane.com to print out the flyer to bring with you when ordering (for Safe and Sane to get the credit, the flyer must be presented to your hostess, bartender, or server).
On October 24, 2015, a Sportsman Dinner and Raffle will be held at the Vigilant Hose Company in Emmitsburg. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. Dinner will be at 6:00 p.m. A $30.00 donation admits one person. Event features cash prizes every thirty minutes, from 5:30-9:15 p.m., and gun prizes every thirty minutes, from 5:45-9:30 p.m.
Mark your calendar now for these future events: November 21—Sportsman Bingo at the Lewistown Fire Hall; December 12—Silent Auction and Dance held at the Thurmont American Legion, from 8:00 p.m.-midnight. Dance will feature music and karaoke by JAK Entertainment. Tickets cost $15.00 a person or $25.00 a couple. Donated items welcomed. Please contact Tracy Vito Barbour at [email protected] or Barb Sellers at [email protected].
Contact Laura Imes at 301-788-6458 or Kim Moser at 240-285-1799 for tickets for these events. For more information or for all upcoming and future events, visit their website at www.catoctinsafeandsane.com.
Class of 2016 senior parents: Please plan to attend meetings scheduled on the second Wednesday of each month at Catoctin High School in the media room (located upstairs).
Portner in Running for Maryland Teacher of the Year
As an exciting addition to the first weeks of school, Frederick County Public Schools’ (FCPS) Superintendent Dr. Terry Alban learned that Thurmont Middle School literacy specialist and Frederick County Teacher of the Year Amanda Portner is one of seven finalists for the Maryland State Teacher of the Year award. Principal Jennnifer Powell surprised Amanda with the news at the FCPS Staff Development Center in early September, where Amanda was attending training.
According to Principal Powell, “Amanda’s enthusiasm is contagious, and she is a master at inspiring others. Teachers flock to her professional development offerings, finding Amanda to be an expert in what she shares and full of ‘no nonsense’ examples and strategies that they can use in the classroom the next day. Teachers also appreciate her wonderfully warm sense of humor and presentation style….While I realize a literacy specialist is not typical of the vision for Teacher of the Year, Amanda meets the criteria by far, and then some,” Powell said. “Countless numbers of students are so much better off due to her direct work with them, with teachers, and the larger community.”
“This year, FCPS had sixty-four outstanding Teacher of the Year nominees. Ms. Portner stood out in an exceptional group of candidates,” said Superintendent Dr. Theresa Alban. “As a literacy specialist, she is a superb representative of the outstanding teachers in Frederick County.”
Ms. Portner earned her master’s degree in English Curriculum and Instruction in 2009 at Hood College in Frederick. She has served in school-based leadership positions too numerous to list; some are Frederick County Reading Council treasurer, English Department Chair, and Maryland Writing Project Satellite Committee Chair. She is also a member of the International Reading Association, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the National Writing Project, and many other professional organizations. She also serves as a reader and member of the selection committee for Maryland’s Black-Eyed Susan books.
A panel of judges from key Maryland education organizations selected the seven finalists from among the state’s twenty-four district Teacher of Year recipients. They evaluated finalists according to a rigorous set of national criteria that included teaching philosophy, community involvement, knowledge of general education issues, and suggestions for instructional improvement. Oral interviews with the seven finalists took place in September.
The Maryland State Department of Education will announce the 2015-2016 Maryland Teacher of the Year during a gala reception and dinner at Martin’s West on October 9, 2015. The winner will receive monetary and other awards, national travel opportunities, and a new car valued at over $25,000, donated by the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association. The Maryland Teacher of the Year will go on to participate in the national Teacher of the Year program, speaking to education, business, and civic groups about the teaching profession.
Four Catoctin FFA Teams Heading to Kentucky
Maddie Krantz, Catoctin FFA Reporter
The Catoctin FFA Food Science & Technology CDE, Dairy Cattle Evaluation CDE, Agricultural Sales CDE, and Agricultural Marketing CDE teams have earned the opportunity to compete at the 88th National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. In order for these teams to be competing at the national level, each had to compete at the state level and place first this past spring.
The Food Science & Technology team consists of Hannah Barth, Kayleigh Best, May Cruz, and Maddie Krantz, and is coached by Jim Barth. In the Food Science & Technology contest, members individually have to complete a multiple choice test, consisting of approximately fifty questions in an hour. Along with this, they have to complete a sensory evaluation and identify hazards in a workplace. As a team, the members have to develop a food product with limited ingredients to fit certain criteria given and then present it to the judges. At the state contest, the team had to create a granola breakfast for active people.
The Dairy Cattle Evaluation team consists of Jacob Arnold, Taylor Eiker, Dusty Hahn, and Tiffany Lenhart, and is coached by Patti Hubbard. In the Dairy Cattle Evaluation contest, the members take a written test asking about the dairy industry, as well as answer questions relating to cattle registration and DHI papers. Members also judge eight classes of cows and give two sets of reasons.
The Agricultural Sales team consists of Mackenzie Henderson, Jimmy Kempisty, Nicki Milbourne, and Stephanie Moreland, and is coached by Michael Poffenberger and Matt Dillinger. In the Agricultural Sales contest, members must use the sales process to determine the wants and needs of the customer/judge to be able to sell an agricultural product. Members also complete a written test on the sales process, along with a team activity showing how they would sell to certain customers. At the state convention, the members had to sell fourteen different types of Purina dog food.
The Agricultural Marketing team consists of Stephanie Kennedy, Megan Millison, and Kayla Umbel, and is coached by Michael Poffenberger and Carrie Wivel. In the Agricultural Marketing contest, the members pick a local business and develop a marketing plan on how they would advertise the business to bring in more customers, and beat out other businesses in the same industry. At the state convention, the team chose to complete a marketing plan for Shriver’s Meats.
Along with these four teams, Noah Barth, Carley Flora, and Ashley Grimes will be attending as chapter delegates. While at convention, these three will be participating in convention sessions, educational workshops, agricultural tours, and a career show.
Due to the increase in registration and travel costs, we are looking for sponsors and donations to help all of these members have an experience of a lifetime. Any help you could provide could mean the difference to these members.
For more information or if you have any questions, feel free to contact Catoctin FFA at 240-236-8117.
Catoctin FFA Chapter is shown at the 87th Maryland State FFA Convention: (front row) Mackenzie Henderson, Stephanie Moreland, Tiffany Lenhart, Taylor Eiker, Megan Millison, Stephanie Kennedy, May Cruz, Hannah Barth; (back row) Amy Jo Poffenberger (Advisor), Johnny Kempisty, Jacob Arnold, Nicki Milbourne, Carley Flora, Kayleigh Best, Destiny Snedegar, Kaitlynn Neff, Kayla Umbel, Jimmy Kempisty, and Brian Hendrickson (Advisor).