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October Internship Spotlight: Breckyn Donate with MG Architects

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Breckyn Donate is a senior completing a for-credit internship in interior design at Muhlenberg Greene (MG) Architects, an architectural design, planning and construction company located in Wyomissing. Under the guidance of MG Architects' Jacob Sockel, Breckyn is currently working to design the set up of a major fundraising event, the Souper Bowl for the Opportunity House, which will be held at Penn State Berks in February. MG Architects is proud to offer internships for both college and high school students, and finds value in the experience: "The internship program has been a huge success for everyone at the firm," said Mr. Sockel. "Breckyn has done an incredible job becoming a part of the design team and providing different perspectives on a variety of different projects. She's been able to gain real-world experience in the field of architecture by assisting on technical drawings, developing industry software skills, and attending project meetings and understanding how crucial a great relationship is with our clients and the firm." He continued, "Having an intern in our design firm provides us with the opportunity to have early-stage career professionals mentor the up-and-coming designers of the future. The exchange of fresh ideas keeps our firm relevant and in touch with the changes in society. Additionally, in this particular experience, our interns are able to assist our nonprofit clients with real-world projects, providing professional services that would otherwise be financially out of reach with the added benefit of giving our interns an actual client experience. In the case of Souper Bowl, everyone wins. The firm gets to support an important cause in our region, and provide learning experiences for our young designers and interns at the same time."

Breckyn, can you tell us a bit about what your plans are for after graduation? Have you selected a college and a major?
After graduation, I plan on attending a four-year university while majoring in Interior Design to complete a BFA. I haven’t decided what school I'll attend yet.

Can you tell us a bit about your internship? What does a typical day look like for you?
On a typical day, I check my email and schedule, then begin working on one of our active projects. I’m currently designing a layout space in ArchiCAD for the Souper Bowl. This is an event held by the Opportunity House, one of MGA’s non-profit connections.

How did you select your internship? Did someone help you select it? Did you seek out the opportunity on your own? Were you asked to do the internship?
Two years ago, I was searching for a design opportunity in our internship program and, sadly, we didn’t have any. Last year, I reached out again to the school's internship coordinator, Mr. Ricketts, and learned about Muhlenberg Greene Architects' intern program.

Do you think your internship is helping you feel more confident about your decision to go to college and pursue your major?
It is! My internship is definitely highlighting all aspects of this career field and ensuring my decision. I’m grateful to be getting this experience for my future in the design world.

What do you like most about your internship?
The environment in the workplace is something I really enjoy. The team is so nice and always willing to help. There is always something to do and something going on.

And finally, what would be your advice to a high school student who's thinking about Exeter's internship program?
I’d advise any student to take advantage of all opportunities they may have. This program is really beneficial for future careers, networking, and can really help determine what you like and don’t. There is such a wide range of businesses and schools that want interns; you never know until you reach out and try.

To see an interview of Breckyn on BCTV, please click HERE.

Twenty students receive recognition for being at the top of their class in math and science

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Last week, 10 juniors and 10 sophomores were recognized by Principal Tom Campbell and Exeter Community Education Foundation (ECEF)'s Executive Director, Angela Cooke, for their outstanding math or science achievements. The awards are given thanks to Dr. Harlan & Mrs. Carole Kutscher, longtime Exeter residents and supporters who created a $25,000 endowment for students through the ECEF, which recognizes students with a certificate and monetary award to celebrate the achievements of those who earned the highest weighted final grade in their 9th and 10th grade science and math classes.

Our sincerest thanks to the Kutscher family for establishing this incredible endowment to recognize the academic achievements of our students, the ECEF for their hard work in coordinating the third year of these awards, and our warmest congratulations to the following students who were recognized for their outstanding academic work in math and science. They are:

  • Adam Cooke
  • Molly Giering
  • Audrey Gierlich
  • Ryland Hollinger
  • Payton Kline
  • Ella Lynch
  • Marissa Millar
  • Juliana Nerney
  • Shaun Rathman
  • Jocelyn Wert
  • Samantha Baer
  • Richter Bogust
  • Katherine Hoover
  • Kara Miller
  • Jack Mulhare
  • Esteban Ruiz-Velasquez
  • Lydia Smith
  • Jack Wanshop
  • Jordan Wolfe
  • Chase Youse

Junior’s Work Juried into Scholastic 144 Competition

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Congratulations to junior Rachelle Toaldo for having three pieces of her artwork juried into the Scholastic 144 competition at Shippensburg University. Her work, which could not exceed a combined 144 inches (hence the name of the competition), will be on display at the Kaufmann Gallery from November 4th through the 11th, and will be featured afterward on their web gallery until March 1st. The Scholastic 144 competition is a regional art competition and is only open to juniors and seniors.

Rachelle is the first Exeter student to have three pieces of her work accepted into the competition, which is quite an accomplishment according to Rachelle's teacher, Ms. Christina Pinkerton. "This is a difficult exhibit to get juried into," she said. "Students are competing with other student artists outside of our county, so there's a larger range of talent for the judges to consider. I have many students who have had artwork rejected from this show, which is a learning experience," she said. "Getting accepted is such a great feeling for both students and myself. Whether she wins an award or not, I am very proud of her--as well as all of my students who enter these competitions--because it's difficult to put yourself out there in the public eye with something as personal as your art."  Rachelle's works were created using colored pencils to depict a canoe near a serene lake, and acrylic paint to create a portrait of a cat and a closeup of a vintage Ford.

Rachelle will have a chance to compete against other high school juniors and seniors in Pennsylvania and Maryland to win awards up to $1,000. The exhibition is sponsored by the Art & Design Department of Shippensburg University.

Thy Exeter Lords & Ladies Perform Merrily at PA Renaissance Faire

Dozens of young Lords and Ladies from thee village of Exeter doth taketh over the PA Renaissance Faire in Manheim today as they made music, created art and acted amongst the commoners in a trio of competitions. Mistresses and masters from the Junior High's honors chorus sang with a combined orchestra from the Junior and Senior High. Meanwhile, Senior High art students Ellie Dougherty and Alizarin Capeland took part in a poster competition depicting Exeter and the Faire, respectively. After students had soaked up more post medieval history and noshed on the Faire's famous turkey legs and exotic jerky as well as other royal delights, the day concluded with students in Mr. Wickstom's Creative Expressions class performing a dramatic sword fighting scene from William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."

At the end of the day, huzzah! Exeter's theatrical performance earned 2nd place with students in the poster competition taking home an honorable mention. Although the Junior High chorus and orchestra did not place, Mrs. Crotty said it was still a day that all of the students enjoyed as they immersed themselves in a unique era of history. "They love having the chance to walk around and see places you read about with your friends--it makes a huge impact," she said. "Add in jousting, turkey legs, a mud pit, a battle over the throne--history becomes so much more real and exciting." Huzzah Eagles!

Tickets Now on Sale for “Million Dollar Baby”

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Starring (left to right): Lizzie West as Nellie, Ryan Claudfelter as Creepstone, Alison Applegate as Lotta and Tyler Casiano as Nick

Showtimes: Thursday, October 26th and Saturday, October 28th at 7PM

If you need a good belly laugh, please join the Exeter Township Senior High cast and crew for "Million Dollar Baby," a comic melodrama by Craig Sodaro. Nope, it's not the Clint Eastwood movie with the same name; instead, our fall play takes place in Chicago and features Nellie Cavandish, played by senior Lizzie West, as a saintly sister to her greedy brother, Creepstone, played by junior Ryan Claudfelter. Their daddy willed $1,000 to each with the stipulation that the one who increases the amount most within 30 days will inherit his entire fortune. The struggle between good and evil becomes a tug of war, with Nellie and her gentle friends, including the Chicago Fire Department, pulling honestly and earnestly, and Creepstone and his hoods, gamblers and show girls using every underhanded, dishonest ploy they can conjure up. The production, directed by Kathy Galtere, also features can't-miss performances by junior Alison Applegate as Lotta and senior Tyler Casiano as Nick.

Tickets are $10 for adults or $5 for students/senior citizens for shows in the Exeter Township Senior High School's auditorium on October 26th or 28th at 7PM. Purchase your ticket at the door, or reserve your seat online at https://seatyourself.biz/exeterhs.

Former NFL Player Devin Wyman Bends Bars–and Minds–at Assemblies

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Former NFL player Devin Wyman opened his assembly at Exeter Township Junior High this morning by asking students a thought-provoking question: "What size dream did you wake up with today?" And for the next 45 minutes, he showed students how small choices they make each day--with their friends, their efforts at school and their attitude--ultimately make a huge impact on the achievement of their dreams.

Wyman is no stranger to having big dreams when he was a student and dreamt of becoming a professional football player. By high school, Division I colleges and universities came knocking on his door, offering him scholarships to play football or basketball. But he blew it all when he fell in with the wrong group of friends and decided to sell drugs, ultimately leading to his arrest before graduating high school. "One $20 piece of cocaine cost me a quarter-million dollar scholarship," he said to the suddenly hushed group of students. "I made one wrong choice listening to the wrong voice. My mom said your friends are not your friends. What you do in the dark, will come to the light."

Wyman then held up a steel bar he brought with him and held it vertically to illustrate what it was like to live behind it as a prisoner. But he then told students the bar could also represent what it's like to be lifted to achieve your dreams when you are with friends who care just as much about your aspirations. Asking for two volunteers, eighth graders Nyla Salaam (left) and Jacinda Motley, were instructed by Wyman to grab the now-horizontal bar and hold onto as if it were their dreams. "If you let go of it, she's going to fall," he said to Nyla in reference to Jacinda. "And if you let go of it, she's going to fall," he said in reverse, illustrating how friendships can make all the difference. And with that, he lifted the girls to the stunned audience.

Continuing to use the bar as a metaphor, Wyman then further shocked the group of students by placing a towel around the center of the bar, placing it in his mouth, and then bending it--impossibly--into half. "I love football because it has two halves," he said as he traced his finger around the now u-shaped bar. "This," he said as he pointed to the curve at the bottom of the bar, "was when I was arrested. I was at my lowest point. It was the end of my first half." But he then said that each and every person has the capacity to ask for forgiveness, the power to change and the ability to latch back onto their dreams and work hard to achieve them. "This," he said as he traced his finger up the bar, "was my second half when I didn't give up on myself and I prayed for forgiveness." He then paused and told the students emphatically, "Don't you ever--ever--give up on yourself," as he told students about his release from prison and re-entry back onto the football field at a community college, eventually earning a spot on the football field at Kentucky State University. From there, Wyman was drafted in the sixth round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, where he earned two Super Bowl rings.

Wyman will bring his message about effort, education and excellence to students throughout the district during assemblies on Monday and Tuesday, with a final free and open-to-the-public presentation on Tuesday, September 26th at 6PM in the auditorium at the Exeter Township Senior High school. Wyman's presentation was brought to Exeter schools thanks to a grant from the Exeter Community Education Foundation.