Ligonier Valley High School (LVHS) recently announced its Learners of the Month for October.

Greater Latrobe Senior High School recently honored nine students at the November Breakfast of Champions, including: Riley Belash (who was honored by social studies teacher Todd Simpson), McKenna Skatell (science teacher Jamie Morrison), Bailey Noel (language arts teacher Acacia Houck), Autumn Pavilk (math teacher Mark Schrecengost), (back row) Grace Patterson (art teacher Lindsey Page), Merle Musick (language arts teacher Renee Stallings), Caleb Spillar (social studies teacher Jerry Ferraro), McKenna Yutzy (science teacher Michelle Stas) and Jacob Noel (German teacher Oliver Kiefer).

Twenty students from grades 2, 3, 5 and 8 participated in the Derry Area School District Atlantic No. 40 One Room School Experience on Wednesday, Nov. 6. Taking part were Elly Mikeska, Aviana DeCario, Dessie Horwat, (second row) Jeremy Jones, Addison Muchnok, (third row) Alexandra Haase, Makaylin Armstrong, Ava Beeman, Hunter Myers, Peyton Schmidtetter, (fourth row) Sarah Mikeska, Nathaniel Cox, Stephanie Luther, Miss Skerbetz (student teacher), Allyson Bartley, Kayleigh Rivera, Luke Gagich, Chase Mauck, Haylee Sanderson, Mallory McMahen and Emily McMahen. Emily McMahen and Mikeska taught the students. Activities included the Pledge of Allegiance, a One Room School scavenger hunt, writing with ink and quill pens, making a Thanksgiving blessings snack mix, participating in stations in the One Room School (Ball and Cup, Cross Stitching, Chalkboard, Turkey), signing the guest book and participating in a Thanksgiving readers theater. They also had the opportunity to hear Bob Reintgen speak on the relocation and renovation of the school.

Latrobe Kinder-Schull’s PKC3 class, including students Luke Neighly, Liam Stewart, Anthony Smith, Adalyn Blotzer, Maddie Hill and Anna Lauer, recently read “The Little Red Hen” and used their math skills to measure and make dough. They baked bread the next day and voted to share it with another classroom.

Christ the Divine Teacher School kindergarteners Max Yazvec, Mia Varchetti and Francesca Piper, along with fifth-grade students Morgan Skoloda, Julianna Kozar and Sophia Detwiler, were winners in the recent Black Sheep Fire House coloring contest for kindergarten students and poster contest for fifth-graders. The winners were honored at a celebration on Nov. 8.

Latrobe Elementary School kindergarteners CeeCee Wnek, Chloe Robb and Will Jones, along with fifth-grade students Ava Fry, Kate Larson and Madden Gresh, were winners in the recent Black Sheep Fire House coloring contest for kindergarten students and poster contest for fifth-graders. The winners were honored at a celebration on Nov. 8.

Ligonier Valley High School (LVHS) recently announced its Learners of the Month for September.

Ligonier Valley Middle School (LVMS) staff recently announced its November Learners of the Month. Dennis Henderson (second from left), middle school guidance counselor, recognized the learners’ accomplishments, including Evan Clark, eighth grade; Maggie Peters, sixth grade, and Devan Grando, seventh grade. The recognition was achieved by academics, community service and other accomplishments. The learners also received awards from First National Bank, Abigail’s Coffeehouse, Hair Parade, Sheetz, Subway, and Diamond Theatre of Ligonier.

Sendell Subaru recently donated 150 books to Mountain View Elementary School for the 2019-2020 school year. Mountain View students and principal Becki Pellis accepted the books that were personally delivered by Sendell Subaru staff. The books are a part of the Subaru Loves Learning Book Donation Program, through which award-winning books are given to schools to engage young learners in the world of science and inspire them to want to learn more. Mountain View Elementary School also thanked Sendell Subaru for providing lunch for all teachers and support staff.

Adams Memorial Library Assistant Director Kathleen Toblewski (back row, right) recently presented a set of books to Latrobe Elementary School librarian Diana Lammert (back row, left) featuring the subject of Down Syndrome. On hand for the presentation of the books were students Emily Dingman, Hayleigh Redman, Sebastian Storms, Randy Wilson, Lincoln Orzehowski, Marty Cramer and Hannah Holzer. Toblewski attended the National Down Syndrome Congress in June and received three sets of books. Another set of books was donated to Cindy Planinsek’s Life Skills classroom at LES and one set will be housed at Adams Memorial Library.

Greater Latrobe Junior High School general music students, including Mac Long, Chloe Hill and Gabby Cavallo, recently worked on creating a musical instrument while exploring the concepts of pitch and dynamics. After only a few classes, students were playing along with Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling” and “Lava” from the Pixar short film. They also enjoyed playing “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” For Halloween, they even tried “Monster Mash” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

Michael Dempsey, Brylee Bodnar, Aiden Kammerer and Dannika Mucino practice with their instruments.

Seventh- and eighth-grade students learned to play the ukulele, including Brylee Bodnar and Ashley Deniker.

Knights of Columbus Council 940 of Latrobe recently donated winter coats to elementary school students in the Greater Latrobe School District as part of its Coats for Kids Project. Shown with the coats are Knights of Columbus members Dominic W. Camarote, Bob Maher and Tom McKay. The coats will be distributed to students in need throughout the district.

Emily Dingman, Lincoln Orzehowski and Sebastian Storms learn about insects at one of the stations that are part of Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s Science Adventure Class. Amy Showalter’s students at Latrobe Elementary School (LES) are participating in the classes. This enriching experience was made possible by a Celebrate Innovation Teacher Grant from the Greater Latrobe Partners in Education Foundation (GLPIEF). During this class, students were given the opportunity to touch, and in some cases hold, a Madagascar hissing cockroach at one of the stations.

Greater Latrobe Senior High School students in grades 10-12 recently took part in an assembly organized by the Challenge Program Inc. to award students for their performance from the previous school year. Award categories included academic excellence, academic improvement, community service, STEM and attendance. Each winner received a $200 award from Robindale Energy, which sponsored the financial incentives for GL’s student award-winners.