GJHS Band Achievements

Congratulations to GJHS freshman, Jonathan Skufca. Skufca successfully auditioned for the IUP honors band this year. Also, congratulations to the those students who will be attending the PMEA District 6 festivals. David Myers, Ryan Shaffer, Samuel Abraham, and Lontrell Roebuck will be attending the PMEA District 6 Jazz festival in January. Melanie Muha and Shanna Moore will be attending the PMEA District Band festival in February.

Congratulations GJHS Wrestlers

At the Conemaugh Township Holiday Wrestling Tournament this past weekend, the following wrestlers placed:

Malcolm Harris- 1st place
Evan Smith- 3rd place
Gervon Simon- 2nd place
William Leeth- 1st place
Javon Vuckovich- 2nd place
Malik Walker- 5th place

Richard White, a freshmen wrestler, avenged his first loss as a high school wrestler. He wrestled the same guy later in the day and pinned his opponent in the second period.

Holiday Concert at GJHS

The Greater Johnstown High School band, jazz band, orchestra, and chorus will be performing their annual Christmas concert in the Cochran auditorium on Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 7:00 pm. Please come out and support the music programs at GJHS. It will be an evening full of holiday music to highlight the festive season. Hope to see you there!

Two Students Place in the SkillsUSA Competition

On November 11, two GJHS students competed in the SkillsUSA competition at Steel Center AVTS, with over 230 students competing in the various events taking nearly 3 hours each. Lindsey Shepler placed 2nd in the Nurse Assisting competition and Destiny Defazio placed 1st in the Basic Health Care competition. Destiny now qualifies for the regional competition. This was a great experience for our students and a tribute to the hard work our students put forth.

Students Represent JHS at District Orchesta

Along with our district chorus students, Renee Samay, Jackie Highland, and Anna Johnson (all Seniors) have been chosen to represent JHS at district orchestra this January. If you see them, please congratulate them!

JHS Marching Band qualifies for Atlantic Coast All-Chapter Championships

‘Congratulations to the Johnstown High School Trojan Marching Band for qualifying for the 2010 Atlantic Coast All-Chapter Championships in Hershey, PA scheduled for Sunday, November 7th. The band will be representing Chapter XI in Group 1 Open Class and entering the competition in 11th place out of 25 bands. 40 Group 1 bands started the season and only 25 qualified for the Championships. Great job Johnstown! Congratulations on a wonderful season.’

Poster Contest Results

PA Career Link of Cambria County recently sponsored a poster contest on “Careers in Demand.” Students created posters based on different career clusters. Mrs. Nanassy’s Health Occupations classes participated and came up winners! Two students were recognized for their posters. Tori Been, a sophomore, won first place for her “Counting Pills to Pay the Bills” Pharmacist poster. Junior Allison Bosier’s poster describing a Pediatrician received third place.

Congratulations to Tori and Allison.

JHS Educator Night Scheduled for October 29th. JHS vs. Central Cambria

On Friday, October 29th, the JHS varsity football team will take on Central Cambria in a matchup of Laurel Highland competitors. This game will also be Educator Night at JHS, This night is designed to recognize some of the great teachers in the district and the impact they have made on our students. On this night, every fall senior athlete will be recognized at midfield with the teacher that has made a difference in their life. Each senior athlete wrote individual letters to the teacher they selected. In this letter, they thanked them for everything they have done for them and invited them to stand with them to be recognized at the game on Friday night. This special event is scheduled to take place on Friday, October 29th, 2010. Ceremonies will start at 6:45.

John Siciliano will also be recognized prior to the game for earning the Jack Buchan Award. The Jack Buchan, Sr. Trojan Stadium Award Fund-is designed to provide a scholarship to a Johnstown High School graduating football player who has demonstrated academic excellence, good character, sportsmanship, leadership, and financial need. John is the 2010 recipient.

GJSD Celebrate Success Night! October 29th. Varsity Football: JHS vs. Central Cambria

Prior to kick off between the JHS Trojans and Central Cambria Red Devils, GJSD will take a brief moment to celebrate some district success and student achievement by recognizing some of the many successful graduates who are currently enrolled in a college or trade school from last year’s graduating class. Last year’s graduates received over $140,000 in scholarship money from the Greater Johnstown School District and Trojan College Access Program. Furthermore, the Trojan College Access program has awarded over $100,000 in scholarship money over the past three years and will award $50,000 in scholarships to deserving students this year! It is truly making a difference and making college a possibility for our students.

This event will take place at 6:50pm.

Furthermore, through additional funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), GJSD demonstrated increased achievement in mathematics and reading without increasing taxpayer dollars. JHS was named the most improved school in the Commonwealth and has successfully received the US News and World Report Best High School award for two consecutive years. The GJSD has made Adequate Yearly Progress over the last three years, even while the expected benchmarks have risen. The Greater Johnstown School District and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is committed to student excellence!

Since 2003-2010:

The percentage of students scoring on grade level has gone up:
* 39% in math (44.7% to 62.1%)
* 1% in reading (53.7% to 54.4%)
The percentage of students scoring below basic has gone down:
* 39% in math (31.4% to 19.1%)
* 28% in reading (27.4% to 21.3%)

Increased student achievement has been made possible in part because of increased state education funding focused on targeted, proven programs that enhance the student’s classroom experience. The GJSD is committed to implementing research proven strategies that are designed to increase student achievement and provide our students with meaningful learning opportunities.

Since 2003‐04, Greater Johnstown SD has received a 42% increase in state funds for education. This includes increases in the Basic Education Fund, Accountability Block Grant, and the Education Assistance Program, Classrooms for the Future and Pre‐K Counts funds.
Without this increase in state funds, local property taxes would have increased in order to provide the same services to students. In 2010‐11

Grow, Support, and Succeed!

A Look at the Nook

by: Brionna Brandon

Greater Johnstown High School principal, Mr.Vuckovich, ordered forty Nooks from Barnes & Noble, and will be ordering more soon, due to the overwhelming request and eagerness to use them from both students and teachers alike. A Nook is an electronic book reader that is based on the Android platform. Nooks include wi-fi and AT&T wireless connectivity, plus a 6-inch E-Ink display and a separate smaller touch screen that is the primary input device. The main purpose for ordering the Nooks is to help increase the reading fluency and vocabulary of the students. They are available to all teachers upon request. The teachers can download numerous books for the students to read. Mr. Vuckovich wants students to enjoy reading and to want to read more, so he is trying to make reading more enjoyable for our generation, which is surrounded by technology on a daily basis.

Painting Pride

Under the direction of Miss Maloy (the arts and crafts teacher), and Mrs. Patula, (the commercial arts teacher) students at the Greater Johnstown High School painted an amazing mural in the hallway by the gym. The mural depicts the Trojan logo with the words, "Johnstown Trojan Pride and Tradition,” set inside blue & black stripes that mimic those found on the sleeves of the school’s football jersey. Many students put a lot of effort into painting this impressive mural, including Alex Alberter, Lucas Tomak, William Seth, Haley Helsel, Justin Palmer, Deanna Boerstler, and Renee Smay. The mural is meant to instill school pride and to provide inspiration to the athletic teams as they exit the locker rooms en route to the gymnasium or fields for their competitions.

District 6 Chorus

This past Sunday, JHS hosted the auditions for District 6 Chorus. Through the tough competition of over 350 students from 4 counties, Annie Tomak (Sophomore) and Emily Jones (Senior) were chosen to perform in this honors choir in January. If you see them, please congratulate them on their accomplishment.

Classroom Connection

All teachers at Greater Johnstown High School have created their own professional classroom websites that can be accessed by the public via the district website. The websites contain course syllabi, teacher contact information, blogs, news and announcements, and many other useful features. The goal of having the websites is to open the lines of communication with parents and students and to make them feel more proactive in their education through another avenue. There are many benefits that come from having these classroom websites. Parents can be made aware of the various activities that are occurring in their child's classrooms. Students can access the websites when they are absent from school to know what they missed. This will help them to be on track with the rest of the class upon their return to school. Overall, these classroom websites are a valuable addition to our school web page.

Alumni Band Information

JHS
Music Department
222 Central Avenue – Johnstown, PA 15902
Phone (814) 533-5601 X1116 – Fax (814) 533-5698

Dear Alumni,

I am pleased to announce that once again the JHS Trojan Marching Band will be hosting an Alumni Band on Friday, October 8th 2010 at our football game versus Bedford. This evening is open to ALL past members of the Trojan Marching Band.
The evening will begin at 4:00PM in the High School band room. Music will be provided for you. We will use this time to rehearse music for that evening’s pregame performance as well as practice how to get on and off of the field. Instruments will be provided to those of you who need them on a first come, first serve basis.
I ask that anyone interested in this evening to please call or e-mail me by Friday, October 1st at the contact information above or below. Please include your full name, year of graduation and whether or not you will need an instrument. Music can also be sent early if you wish. I would like to make an Alumni Band program for the evening listing all of you involved, your date of graduation and your instrument. We ask that all involved please wear black and blue to support the Johnstown Trojans!
In closing, I am very excited as a third year band director to host this event for past members. I hope all of you will consider being a part of this evening and if you know an Alumni of the band please pass this information onto them. I thank you in advance for your participation and I look forward to seeing you on Friday, October 8th at 4:00PM!


Sincerely,


Eric R. Pfeil epfeil@gjsd.net
Director of Bands (814) 243-9352 - cell
Greater Johnstown School District

Attention Seniors:

Senior pictures are due to Mr. Capraun in E108 no later then November 22. They may be submitted in 3X5 or larger print or a JPEG on a cd. Any senior who does not submit a photo, will have their Lifetouch photo placed in the yearbook.

Backstage with Kiersten Szczur

by:
Bre Rock

From participating in Key Club to throwing a no hitter, Kiersten Szczur is one girl you should keep your eye out for at Greater Johnstown High School. Kiersten is a fifteen year old sophomore who is talented musically, athletically, and academically.

Kiersten recently discovered her love for theatre. She started dancing at the age of four and always was a good actress, but it wasn't until her ninth grade year when she decided to try out for the school's musical, Footloose. Kiersten was nervous and unsure of how her audition would turn out, but she was cast as one of the lead roles--"Rusty."

Over the summer of 2010, Kiersten was a participant in the Richland Performing Arts Program, which put on the musical, Guys and Dolls. Kiersten said she had never been more nervous for the results of an audition in her life. After a long, endless day of waiting, she heard the good news. She was cast as "Sarah," the female lead. She also performed at the Arcadia Theatre as the "Witch" from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs of the Black Forest. Kiersten is currently working on a musical for Redwood Productions, called A Rented Christmas, which will be performed at the Arcadia Theatre in November.

Kiersten says that she loves to play both serious and fun roles. She loves the serious roles because they really bring the audience into the emotions that the character is feeling. Yet, she loves the fun roles because of the laughter and joy they bring the audience. She loves the fact that she is able to be someone else and to make that character her own.

As Kiersten takes on many roles, she also takes on many challenges. Some of these challenges include maintaining all A's in every class, playing soccer, pitching during softball season, participating in track, attending Key Club and Writer's club meetings, and squeezing in time for her friends and family. In the future, Kiersten wants to be Valedictorian of her class, along with being accepted to NYU to major in Theatre. Her life-long goal is to make it to Broadway.

When asked who her inspiration was she said, "Myself; I push myself in everything I do because my greatest fear in life is being a failure." Some of her role models are Sarah Brightman, who was the original "Christine Daae?" in The Phantom of the Opera and Lady Gaga.

With the love and support of her family and friends, Kiersten should be able to fulfill each and every thing she strives to achieve. Valedictorian, NYU, and Broadway can one day be in reach for this amazingly talented girl.

Benjamin Herdman, a 5th grade student at West Side has been accepted into People to People World Leadership Forum. Ben will join a select group of students in Washington, D.C., June 21-26, 2010, to study leadership and explore some of the United States' most prominent monuments and institutions.
Herdman was accepted for the honor based on outstanding scholastic merit, civic involvement, and leadership potential. Congratulations Ben! We are so proud of you!

JMS Visitors Inspire

On March 25th, students at Greater Johnstown Middle School were both inspired and entertained during visits from two nationally-known figures. Randy Hogue, a motivational speaker who survived an abusive childhood and substance addiction as a young adult, inspired students and offered four keys to becoming a positive and purposeful student: 1. Proclaim Your Rarity: Everyone is unique and can offer something special to our world. 2. Go the Extra Mile: Don’t settle for mediocrity—strive for excellence. 3. Use Wisely Your Power to Choose: The uniquely human power of choice can be used to help others and oneself in positive ways. 4. Do It All With Love: Toward others and yourself.
JMS 8th grader Samantha Miller was moved by Hogue’s message. “His family history is sad, but it was a great lesson. People start using drugs to deal with stress and to escape reality, but the drugs always make the problems worse and then become problems themselves,” Stated Miller.
On the same day, three time X-Games medalist Matt Wilhelm spoke to JMS students about the benefits of academics before thrilling the audience with a demonstration of his skills. Wilhelm, known as one of the best BMX flatland riders in the world attained a high percentage of his athletic success—including a Silver Medal in the World Championships—while attending college on an academic and music scholarship, eventually earning a Bachelors degree with High Honors.
As one of the many audience members involved in Wilhelm’s demonstration, JMS 7th grader Adrian Fisher enthusiastically volunteered for a lesson using Wilhelm’s bicycle. “It was cool to learn a trick and to perform it in front of all the students,” Stated Fisher. Wilhelm’s grand finale involved jumping his bicycle over Principal Darren Buchko, Assistant Principal Frank Frontino, and science teacher Phyllis Meyers.
Wilhelm’s visit was made possible by JMS students’ reaching a magazine sales goal during a Great American Opportunities fundraiser arranged by sales representative Jeff Page. Profits from the fundraiser were used to subsidize the cost of the JMS yearbook for students. “Our goal is to have a high quality yearbook in full-color that all of our students can afford. We want all of our students to have the opportunity twenty of thirty years from now to sit with their children and reminisce about the great times they had here at JMS, including this assembly,” Stated JMS Principal Darren Buchko.

The Challenge Program - Spring Announcement

“Spread the news as quick as a flash, The Challenge Program is handing out cash!” Spring is here and the school year is flying by fast. Don’t miss your chance to receive $250.00 at the end of the school year! The Challenge Program is giving out $250.00 checks to sophomores, juniors, and seniors for academic excellence, attendance, academic improvement, and community service. It is not too late to hop on over to your guidance counselor’s office with your completed community service forms for your chance to be presented a $250.00 check at the end of the school year for community service. Happy Spring from The Challenge Program!

JHS STUDENTS PROVE TO BE BUSINESS SAVVY

By: Alyson Kelly

The FedEx Ground Junior Achievement Titan Business Challenge Regional Competition: just another competition for three drummers of the JHS Marching Band, Nelson Gosnell, Jordan Ruiz, and Andrew Wilcox. After all, music is their game and being the best in percussion is their name; albeit different than the accustomed band competitions, the Junior Achievement Challenge proved to be no different to these teens that are used to giving their best efforts at all times. The boys brought to this competition the determination that they typically exhibit during the band season and it paid off, as Gosnell, Ruiz, and Wilcox not only entered this JA Business Challenge, but brought home the win for Johnstown High School in the form of brand new laptop computers and a place in the Grand Championship event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

On March 11, 2010, twenty-eight teams of three students each from the Somerset, Cambria, and Indiana counties traveled to the IUP main campus to compete in the Junior Achievement Titan Business Challenge. The challenge itself entailed engaging in a simulation of the running of a futuristic business; participants had to make decisions such as which stocks to invest in, when to buy and sell those shares, and how high the prices for their product should be in order for consumers to purchase the item so that the industry could make a profit. Students, who were forced to use their math and logic skills to be a success in this world of business, were permitted to practice the simulation online individually in order to prepare for the competition. The JHS team was formed by Ruiz, who had heard about the event and received permission to compete, and Mr. Richard Capraun, the web design teacher at JHS, agreed to be the chaperone. Says Capraun of the competition, "This was a great challenge for our students in a real world simulation. They learned a lot about being a CEO of a business." Adds Wilcox, "It was a pleasant surprise to find out that we had won, but, more importantly, we gained a lot of knowledge about investing and budgeting, a skill that's really going to be useful after we graduate high school."

Sophomore Jordan Ruiz and seniors Andrew Wilcox and Nelson Gosnell are all members of the JHS Marching Band and the indoor percussion team. Ruiz plans to continue his education at a university yet to be selected. Gosnell, who is a member of the tennis team in addition to the band, plans on attending Slippery Rock University in the fall, and Wilcox, also involved in the JHS Key Club and Eagle Scouts, will be continuing his education at the University of Pittsburgh. Although none of the three plans on majoring in business at college, the skills needed to survive in the corporate world which they acquired during this competition will undoubtedly prove necessary in their daily lives.

The Grand Championship Event that the JHS has earned the right to participate in is being held at La Roche College in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, May 12, 2010. When asked about the upcoming challenge, Gosnell said, "We're all extremely excited to go to Pittsburgh and show what we can do. We plan on doing Johnstown proud in this competition." Ruiz confirms this hope, exclaiming, "We're going to dominate!" Spoken like a true Trojan.

THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS AT PLANET ICE

By: Alyson Kelly

It has always been an aim of the Johnstown High School Key Club, being a community service organization, to lend a hand to people in our community by either participating in fundraisers or helping to deliver encouraging messages to people that could use a little pick-me-up. It then should come as no surprise that the Key Club offered to aid in the execution of the final round of short track speed skating for the Special Olympics in Cambria County being held at Planet Ice in Johnstown on February 23. The mission of the Special Olympics is to empower individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities by providing them with an opportunity to become fit and to engage in competition with their peers. In addition to the events that took place at Planet Ice on February 23, other competitions such as skiing took place at Blue Knob Ski Resort and Hidden Valley Ski Resort, while the figure skating contests were held at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena.

The Key Club volunteers helped in the efforts at Planet Ice by assisting the skaters in prepping for their races, aiding in the bleacher seating, escorting those competing from the locker room to the ice, and interacting with skaters who were waiting for their race to begin. According to the volunteers, most of the skaters that participated seemed to be affected by Down Syndrome, a chromosomal disorder that involves a variety of birth defects ranging from characteristic facial features, intellectual disability, heart problems, and other overall health issues. Those afflicted with the disease are more likely to develop heart and intestinal defects, hearing and memory loss, infections, thyroid problems, and leukemia; it is one of the most common genetic birth defects, affecting 1 in 800 babies a year in the United States. In addition to skaters with Down Syndrome, others had disabilities such as blindness.

The first thirty or forty Key Club members that signed up to assist with the Special Olympics were permitted to attend, and one such member was Deanna Sanders, a sophomore at Johnstown High School who is her class representative for the service organization. When asked to give her opinion on helping with the Special Olympics, she indicated that she felt very inspired by the determination of those with disabilities, saying, "For me, helping out people afflicted with mental and physical disabilities was a great learning experience. The competitors were outgoing and fun to be around; they proved to be extremely talented and caring as well. By helping with this event, I felt that I was doing a service for those less fortunate than me." Sanders expressed an opinion that is likely held by all those who were involved, and the Key Club is thankful for the opportunity to be able to assist with the Special Olympics.

"PINK THE DOC" AT JHS

By: Alyson Kelly

Breast cancer awareness has become a lofty goal of more and more institutions across the nation as the epidemic heightens throughout the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 186,467 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States in the year 2005 alone. Far from merely being a national statistic to be recorded for posterity, this tragically high number of cases indicates that breast cancer can and does affect everyone. Increasing the awareness of breast cancer has proven to be the key to raising money for a cure for the disease, helping women around the world to recognize their symptoms, and to treat the cancer in its earliest stages. In addition to business corporations, medical research foundations, and the typical charity organizations, establishments of education have proven not to be immune to the giving spirit that entails helping those afflicted with the disease, and Johnstown High School has not been excluded from this admirable movement.

Taking the cue from the charitable attitude displayed by the volleyball team earlier in the school year, the JHS girl's basketball team, along with the opposing rival team Bishop McCort, decided to raise money to increase breast cancer awareness during a game earlier in the month. The Lady Trojans gathered donations for the breast cancer awareness fund from teachers, parents, and neighbors in the weeks leading up to the big game against McCort; around $600 was collected between the two schools. The JHS gym was decked out in pink paraphernalia, the color of breast cancer awareness, for the game, and the JHS girls sported pink warm-up shirts as well. Although the Lady Trojans gave a valiant effort during the game, their efforts came up short against McCort, losing 53-41.

Freshman member of the JHS girl's basketball team, Hannah Chilcot, raised about $50 of the total $600 for the breast cancer awareness fund by collecting donations from various teachers. Involved in the school's Key Club and also a member of the volleyball team, Hannah thoroughly feels that the money is going to a good cause, saying, "I felt really good about the whole thing, raising money for this disease that affects so many families in, but not limited to, Johnstown High School. It was a pleasure to be able to help in this way."

A Win for The Challenge Program

By: Alyson Kelly

Community service, academic achievement, academic improvement, attendance. Four important criteria in the game of life that nevertheless get downplayed, especially in the day to day lives of today's adolescents. Luckily for current and future generations, a program dedicated to the promotion of these values has been created to improve the future of individual students as well the nation in which they live.

The Challenge Program, Inc. was founded by Johnstown native and CEO of MTS Technologies, Inc. Dan Perkins in 2003 as a way to give back to his community. The Program focuses on awarding cash amounts to students who excel in community service, academic achievement, academic improvement, or attendance; because of this incentive, high school pupils across seven counties of southwestern Pennsylvania are now even more motivated to perform well in school. Success in school by today's generation, maintains Perkins, promotes a better future for the entire country.

The Challenge Program, a nonprofit organization, was recently awarded with $51,000 by the Wal-Mart Foundation to Assist with Programs that Encourage Student Achievement to aid in providing these cash incentives to sixteen area high schools. The check was presented in a ceremony to Mr. Perkins on December 16, 2009, at Conemaugh Valley Senior High School before students, past award winners, school representatives that included students from Johnstown High School, and local officials. Conemaugh Valley High School, which graciously hosted the press release of these new funds, gave a superb band performance that preluded the formal presentation of the grant and provided those in attendance with refreshments afterwards. Noted speakers included one of the Founding Executive Directors of The Challenge Program Barbara Grandinetti, the marketing director of the area Wal-Mart's, representative of the Education Department of Pennsylvania Mitch Agurs, and the founder of the organization Dan Perkins. In addition, two Conemaugh Valley High School students who have been awarded with cash incentives by The Challenge Program in the past briefly spoke of how the money helped them to pursue service and academic goals around the world.

In addition to these Conemaugh Valley students, two students from Johnstown High School who had been awarded with cash from The Challenge Program in the previous years were present that day as well. Richard Agurs and Katie Kovalchik won money from the program for academic improvement and community service, respectively. Kovalchik, now a senior planning to attend Penn State, was given the money during her sophomore year in high school and stored it in a savings account. Says Katie, "I greatly appreciated the money that The Challenge Program gave me as an award for my hours of community service. I'm glad that Mr. Perkins is closer to his goal of making the program national by this new partnership with Wal-Mart because I feel that it really does encourage students."

Dan Perkins has plans to make The Challenge Program a national organization in the future, and the new partnership with one of the largest retailers in the world is, he feels, a huge step towards making that dream a reality. After accepting the over-sized check made out to The Challenge Program for the amount of $51,000, Mr. Perkins made an acceptance speech that described his dedication to the development of today's youth. Speaking directly to the high school students in attendance that day, Perkins said, "I will be watching you."

JMS Teacher Honored

A Middle School teacher, Carrie Andraychak, is Pennsylvania’s Middle School Advisor of the Year. The award is one of the highest honors a student council advisor can receive. “Ms. A,” as she is known by her students, is an art teacher as well as a student council advisor. She first was honored as District 6 Middle School advisor of the year and then was named as the state advisor of the year at the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils conference in Philadelphia.

“Ms. A” has been an advisor at Johnstown Middle School for more than 10 years. ‘She has volunteered countless hours to the JMS student council and her work has benefited many charities and other organizations in the entire community as well as in the school,” Darren Buchko, Middle School principal, said. Student Council member and JMS 8th Grader Ethan Hasselbauer is grateful for the dedication that Mrs. A shows to the organization and to the student members. “Mrs. Andraychak is a great role model, and she teaches us the importance of giving back to the community,” Stated Hasselbauer.

GJSD Board Recognized

The Pennsylvania School Board Association is recognizing Greater Johnstown School Board directors for “donating time and talents for the betterment of public education” in the community.

The awards were a highlight of School Director Recognition Month in January. Those honored and their years of volunteer service as of the date of the end of their current term are: Raymond Arcurio, 19 years; Vincent Arcurio, 8 years; John Berzinsky, 12 years; Thomas Dadey, 4 years; Edward J. Mikesic, 12 years; Kimberly Murray, 8 years; Eugene Pentz, 8 years; Daniel Tomak, 4 years, and Richard Unger, 12 years.

Board President Richard Unger stated that he and his fellow directors were honored when Superintendent Dr. Barbara Parkins presented each of the members with a plaque at the January Board Meeting. “I am truly proud of the work that we have accomplished together. Our schools continue to make strides toward academic excellence, and we have been able to accomplish many great things without burdening property owners with a tax increase,” stated Unger.

GJSD Teachers Make A Difference!

On Tuesday, January 12th, the JHS Varsity Basketball team and Head Coach Neil Cobaugh took time out to recognize all the teachers who make a profound impact in the lives of our students by having an “Educator Night”. All seniors on the team wrote a personal letter to the teacher(s) who have made a difference in their lives and invited them to attend the game. Prior to the start of the game, these teachers and student athletes were recognized at mid –court. This night was hailed as a huge success by Coach Cobaugh. The teachers wore black to be part of the “Black Out” fan section that cheers on the blue and black of Johnstown High. In order to support the event, JHS Art teacher Mrs. Trish Patula and her students created a banner for the teacher section.

Coach Cobaugh was delighted at the turnout of school district employees. “I want to express my sincere appreciation for the turnout. When I walked into the locker room to talk to the team after our win, all I heard were players talking about what teacher, what administrator or what school employee or official they saw at the game. I wish I could show you how important it was and what it meant to the players.” “As a former player myself, I know what it meant to me to have some of the teachers show up and tell me how proud they were of our team effort. When a teacher makes that connection to a student, the student will see that teacher as a special person. GJSD teachers are excellent teachers and special people who care about our students!”

Educator Night will be carried over to all athletic teams. The next night will be held on February 3rd, 2010, as the Lady Trojans take on Bishop McCort.

GJHS Student Chosen as Winning Author

A student from Greater Johnstown High School has been selected as the winner of a writing contest for the Tribune Democrat. Junior Breanna Rock submitted the fourth chapter to the Tribune Democrat’s “Your Story” contest last week and it was chosen for publication. Breanna is a student in Brieana Day’s Journalism class and completed the chapter as a class assignment. She is involved in cheerleading, track and participates in the school’s musical.

“Your Story” is a bi-weekly contest that encourages readers to become writers by composing the next four chapters in installments. Each chapter continues from where the previous one ends. The first chapter was written by an editor from the Tribune Democrat, the second by an author, and the third by a local doctor. The story is about a former Johnstown woman who returns 10 years later to begin her new life. The chapters are to incorporate a holiday theme and have Johnstown as the setting. All of the chapters can be found on the Tribune Democrat’s website. Breanna was one of many who entered a chapter for the story, which was published on December 13th. She and the entire journalism class are currently writing the fifth chapter, individually, which will be submitted in hopes of having another winning entry.

To read Bre's story, click on the link below:

http://www.tribune-democrat.com/features/local_story_344125108.html

GJHS Among America’s Best High Schools

By: Alyson Kelly

The last few years at JHS have consisted of success after success. Greater Johnstown High School has been recognized as one of the top learning institutions in the state of Pennsylvania, and has won for the second consecutive year a bronze medal in America's Best High Schools Project.

America's Best High Schools Project, is sponsored by Standard and Poor's School Evaluation Services, a data research business. To fairly assess the schools across the nation, Standard and Poor's chose to bypass the traditional method for the ranking, the Challenge Index, in favor of the newly designed Top-Performing High Schools Method. The Challenge Index is valued for its simplicity, but these researchers felt that it focused too much on the number of Advanced Placement tests taken instead of the performance on them. The core principle of the Top-Performing High Schools Method, however, is that the school in question serves all of its students well. This is measured with three requirements: the school serves all its students well by exceeding expectations on state tests with the poverty level of the school figured in; it serves disadvantaged students by producing scores above the minimum required on state tests; and the College Readiness Index, which is measured by the participation and performance of students in AP classes.

Greater Johnstown High School earned a bronze medal in this ranking. JHS has been steadily raising its PSSA scores over the years, due to data driven instruction, good teaching, and the 4Sight tests that are taken five times a year by the students, developed for the sole purpose of preparing them for the PSSAs. If a student doesn't achieve proficient in the reading and math tests then he is taken out of an elective and put into a skills development class, serving the purpose of helping students who need assistance.

Schools that received a silver or gold medal in the America's Best High Schools Project had met the first two standards of the competition and were judged on the College Readiness Index from there. The top 100 schools were awarded a gold medal and the next 504 schools received a silver. In addition to this, a few schools that would have earned a gold based on the College Readiness Index but didn't fully meet the first two requirements were given Honorable Mentions. JHS has had a successful year in athletics, and the bronze medal earned shows that the school is successful in academic achievement, as well. Regarding this high honor, Principal Michael Vuckovich says, "It's an incredible accomplishment for the Greater Johnstown School District. We have a great teaching staff, great kids, and wonderful leadership from our school board and Superintendent, Barbara Parkins--all of which are reflected by this award. I speak for the entire school when I say that we are humbled and honored by this award."