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Exeter Again Named Best Community For Music Education

During a school year that saw a return to plays, concerts, festivals, in-person learning and more, the Exeter Township School District was grateful and humbled to have been chosen once again as a Best Community for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation--an honor bestowed upon fewer than 800 schools throughout the nation who demonstrate outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. Throughout recent trips to Hershey; Norfolk, VA; and local, regional and state events, Exeter musicians won numerous accolades and ratings--proving yet again they were worthy of NAMM's award. Our music department is thrilled to present highlights of this year's accomplishments by our Exeter musicians:

Senior High Marching Band

  • The 2021-2022 marching band returned to full time performance and rehearsal mode this past fall, participating in several parades, local marching band competitions, and cheering on the varsity football team all the way to the state semi-final playoff game. This year’s field show theme was titled, “Shipwrecked” and featured music of sea shanties and hope. In addition to the local parades in Reading, Exeter Township, and Elverson, the marching band performed in the 69th N.A.T.O Parade of Nations in downtown Norfolk, VA and received a silver metal rating.

Senior High Concert Band

  • The concert band performed several pieces of varying difficulty this year and featured senior saxophonist and All-State musician, Xadiel Benejan-Rodriguez in a piece called Diversions scored for alto saxophone soloist and concert band. Nine band members participated in various honors festivals at the county level and this past April, the concert band received a superior rating at the Virginia International Arts Festival in Norfolk. 

Senior High Jazz Band

  • The jazz band was excited to have more performance opportunities this year and performed at the Twin Valley and Kutztown jazz festivals. The band also performed at the Reading Royals in February and concluded with its final performance during the spring concert in May. The band looks forward to growing its membership and is eager to add on more performances during the 22-23 school year. Special congratulations to Xadiel Benejan-Rodriguez for his participation in the MEBC All-Star Jazz Band and their performance at the 2022 Berks Jazz Fest. 

Senior High Orchestra:

  • The 2021-2022 School year has been a successful one for the Senior High Orchestras. The groups returned back to full in-person performances (Winter and Spring) and also including String Jam (Grades 3-12). 18 students in the SHS Orchestra participated in Junior and Senior County Orchestras, 2 students participated in PMEA District 10 Orchestra, and 1 student (Emily Holliday - Viola) participated in PMEA Northeast Region Orchestra. The Senior High Orchestra also traveled to Norfolk, VA, where they received “Superior” ratings for their performance.

Senior High Chamber Strings:

  • The 2021-2022 SHS Chamber Strings was back in full force this year with performances at the Reading Royals, Senior Awards Ceremony, Academic Awards Ceremony, and the Baccalaureate Service at the end of the year on June 8, 2022. 

Senior High Chorus & Concert Choirs

  • The SHS choirs were beyond excited to begin singing in-person again this year! In addition to our Winter and Spring Concerts, Concert Choir began a new tradition of performing a Christmas concert at Schwarzwald Lutheran Church. This was a beautiful and festive evening where community members could participate by singing carols and hearing holiday readings. The highlight of our Spring Concert was a difficult and haunting piece called, “I’ve Been in the Storm So Long,” which featured senior soloist Julia Weaver and program artwork by senior Olivia Biancone. Several of our choristers made it all the way to Region Chorus (Tyler Casiano, Becky Cherry, Ryan Menet, Robert Tufariello, and Jeremy Weaver) and Jeremy Weaver represented Exeter at the PMEA All-State Chorus Festival in the Poconos. The choirs also participated in an adjudication in Norfolk, VA where they ranked first and earned a superior rating. Tanner Moore, 10th grade, was also awarded a trophy for best soloist. The choirs also enjoyed performing the anthem at the SHS 9/11 Ceremony, a Reading Royals Hockey game, and at the NATO Parade of Nations. 

Senior High Eagleaires

  • Eagleaires is a select group of about 20 members. This ensemble has enjoyed the opportunity to perform the National Anthem at the PIAA football state semi-finals. The Eagleaires men wooed audiences by singing a Valentine’s serenade at EMA’s Spaghetti and Song fundraiser. The senior men (Deacon Hearing, Nate Morgan, Ashton Lewars, Ryan Menet, and Jeremy Weaver) brought many tears to the eyes of our audience members when they sang their surprise piece at the Spring Concert, “Graduation Day” by the Four Freshmen. They also performed this for the senior class at the Graduation Ceremony. One of the highlights of the Eagleaires season was accepting an invitation to the Berks County Barr Association’s Law Day Luncheon. Here the Eagleaires performed a concert for various Berks County politicians, including State Senator, Judy Schwank. To quote the Senator, “The Eagleaires were the best part of the whole event!” 

Senior High Norfolk Trip

  • In April, 120 students from the SHS music department, representing 4 performing ensembles, traveled to the Norfolk/Virginia beach area to perform in the Virginia International Arts festival. The concert band, orchestra, and choir performed select repertoire from their respective spring concerts in the beautiful Chrysler Hall, home of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. All 3 performing ensembles received superior ratings and an on-stage clinic from collegiate directors representing several different colleges in the region. The students experienced national and international performances from military groups featuring dancers, vocalists, a mass bagpipe band, a drum & fife corps, and fleet bands during the 25th anniversary of the Virginia International Tattoo. The choir was honored to sing the National Anthem to international dignitaries and high ranking military officials prior to the 69th N.A.T.O Parade of Nations and the marching band was thrilled to perform for an amazing crowd that lined the streets of downtown Norfolk. The trip was certainly a memorable experience and students and staff alike were glad to be able to travel and perform once again!

Junior High Chorus

  • Besides our Winter and Spring Concerts, the Choirs have performed at the Reading Royals and the Fightin’ Phils.  Recently the 8th grade chorus had a phenomenal performance at Hershey’s Music in the Parks where they received 1st Place in their category, a Superior rating, and were selected as the Top Overall JHS/Middle School Choir.  
  • We also had 19 choral students selected for the 2022 MEBC Junior County Chorus Festival!

Junior High Orchestra

  • The Junior High School Orchestras have had an outstanding year for the 2021-2022 school year. We had very successful performances at our Winter and Spring Concerts and also enjoyed the experience of returning to an in-person String Jam concert. Students enjoyed hearing the younger students perform and encouraging them, but also looking up to and admiring the SHS Orchestra. We were thrilled to put on this performance. Additionally, the 8th grade Orchestra had a very successful trip to Hershey Park where they received 1st Place in their category, a Superior rating, and were selected as the Top Overall JHS Orchestra.
  • Finally, we had 12 string students be selected for the 2022 MEBC Junior County Orchestra Festival. A huge feat! We are looking forward to next year!

Junior High Band

  •  We combined the 7th and 8th grade bands this year for a larger group for our first live performances in some time.  Band students joined our SHS band members several times this year most recently in Side by Side rehearsals leading up to the Spring Concert.  At Hershey’s Music in the Parks performance, the band was ecstatic to receive an Excellent rating and 1st place in their category.  In addition, five of our students were selected for the 2022 MEBC Junior County Band Festival.

Reiffton Music

  • This year we saw the return to live performances. We also increased the number of students in the band and string programs by recruiting a record number of beginners. In December, the students worked hard to pull together a Winter Showcase that featured their talents and different skill levels of our musicians. For the spring concert, students put on a fabulous performance that showed their growth and highlighted their excitement for music. Throughout the year select students performed at board meetings, the Reading Royals and Reiffton’s Talent Show.  Reiffton Students also had the opportunity to play ukulele for the author visit.

Elementary Strings and Band

  • Elementary Strings and band have been practicing diligently all year with full group rehearsals and weekly small group lessons. Students also had video practice challenges over winter break and spring break, where they went above and beyond to watch the practice videos made for them and record their own practice. Students had the opportunity to perform in a video recorded concert in the winter, a live 4th grade strings performance at a Reading Royals game, and live concerts at each school in the spring. Each building played a concert for the school and a concert for their parents, where both the band and strings each performed three songs. Some Owatin Creek students even volunteered to perform solos at the Art Show in May!
  • We would also like to congratulate our students who participated in music activities outside of school! Madalyn Mell and Maya Touri performed with Genesius for their production of Once Upon a Mattress Jr., and Madalyn was also on stage for Dear Edwina Jr. with First St. Players. Benjamin Campling performed with Reading Symphony Junior Strings Orchestra for their 2021-22 season, including concerts at Hershey Park and the Reading Phillies! We are so proud of our young musicians and can’t wait to see all they will do next year!

Elementary Chorus

  • The 4th graders at Lorane pulled off an amazing Spring Concert. The students practiced for weeks during general music class and their hard work really paid off. Each child played the ukulele in the concert during the refrain of “Lava” and three soloists sang the verses. We also performed a flashlight routine in the dark for “Fireflies”, which was a crowd favorite. For the first time, the 3rd graders played recorder in the concert. They stole the show with their amazing sound, rhythm and accuracy.

District String Jam

  • After a virtual 2021 String Jam Concert, the Exeter Township Music Department was thrilled to have String Jam back in-person this year. Hosted in the Senior High School Main Gym, this event brings together all string students in Grades 3-12. Each grade level performed their own selections: Elementary under the direction of Ms. Emily Remp, Reiffton under the direction of Mrs. Dawn Keebler, and the JHS and SHS under the direction of Mr. Micah Albrycht. The concert closed out with a performance of “Orpheus in the Underworld” by all ensembles combined.

Music Educators of Berks County Selections:

Senior High Orchestra:

  1. Emily Holliday - MEBC County Orchestra, PMEA District Orchestra & Region Orchestra
  2. Frank Conte - MEBC County Orchestra, PMEA District Orchestra
  3. Eric Dunbar - MEBC County Orchestra
  4. Dylann Backenstoss - MEBC County Orchestra
  5. Leah Wentzel - MEBC County Orchestra
  6. Serenity Zawilla - MEBC County Orchestra
  7. Valerie Thompson - MEBC County Orchestra
  8. Macy Feathers - MEBC County Orchestra
  9. Charlotte Rismiller - MEBC County Orchestra
  10. Patricia Tran - MEBC County Orchestra
  11. Zachary Kauffman - MEBC County Orchestra
  12. Hansika Kunduru - MEBC County Orchestra
  13. Leah Nester - MEBC County Orchestra
  14. Ian Carr - MEBC JHS County Orchestra
  15. Katharine Hoover - MEBC JHS County Orchestra
  16. George Hajj - MEBC JHS County Orchestra
  17. Esteban Ruiz - MEBC JHS County Orchestra
  18. Dylan Holland - MEBC JHS County Orchestra

Senior High Band: 

  1. Nathan Bayer - MEBC Senior County Band
  2. Xadiel Benejan-Rodriguez - District Band, Region Band, All-State Concert Band, MEBC Senior County Band, MEBC All-Star Jazz Band, PMEA District 10 Band Scholarship recipient, Ringgold Band Scholarship recipient
  3. Ryan Cherry - MEBC Senior County Band
  4. Alyssa Gillner - MEBC Senior County Band
  5. Devon Ravert  - MEBC JHS County Band & orchestra
  6. Jordan Wolfe - MEBC JHS County Band
  7. Sophie Sowers - MEBC JHS County Band
  8. Carson Frederick - MEBC JHS County Band
  9. Riley Mazur - MEBC JHS County Band & orchestra

Senior High Choir:

  1. Hope Hoffman - MEBC Senior County Chorus,
  2. Becky Cherry - MEBC Senior County Chorus, PMEA District Chorus, PMEA Region Chorus
  3. Julia Weaver - MEBC Senior County Chorus, PMEA District Chorus, RCT Scholarship Finalist
  4. Jeremy Weaver - MEBC Senior County Chorus, PMEA District Chorus, PMEA Region Chorus, PMEA ALL-STATE Chorus
  5. Ashton Lewars - MEBC Senior County Chorus
  6. Robbie Tufariello - MEBC Senior County Chorus, PMEA District Chorus, PMEA Region Chorus
  7. Ryan Menet - MEBC Senior County Chorus, PMEA District Chorus, PMEA Region Chorus
  8. Tyler Casiano - MEBC Senior County Chorus, PMEA District Chorus, PMEA Region Chorus
  9. Alexa Hyman - RCT Scholarship Finalist
  10. Alison Applegate - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  11. Raelyn Tufariello - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  12. Molly Lubenow - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  13. Ryan Claudfelter - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  14. Devon Ravert - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  15. Nate Govan - MEBC JHS County Chorus

Junior High Orchestra:

  1. Danny Nguyen - MEBC JHS County Orchestra
  2. Kendal Druzba - MEBC JHS County Orchestra
  3. Logan Davis - MEBC JHS County Orchestra
  4. Evan Harvey - MEBC JHS County Orchestra
  5. Simon Bolich - MEBC JHS County Orchestra
  6. Morgan Kauffman - MEBC JHS County Orchestra
  7. Samantha Shipley - MEBC JHS County Orchestra
  8. Harrison Brumbaugh - MEBC JHS County Orchestra
  9. Alyssa Tursack - MEBC JHS County Orchestra
  10. Andrew Schwenck - MEBC JHS County Orchestra
  11. Grace Campling - MEBC JHS County Orchestra, MEBC JHS County Band, RMF 1st place String Bass Scholarship 
  12. Payton Klein - MEBC JHS County Orchestra

Junior High Band:

  1. Adam Crotty - MEBC JHS County Band
  2. Nicholas Pasquale - MEBC JHS County Band
  3. Jillian Crotty - MEBC JHS County Band, MEBC JHS County Orchestra
  4. Ava Diaz - MEBC JHS County Band

Junior High Chorus:

  1. Eviana Jones   - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  2. Ella Mackey - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  3. Sophie Seamans - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  4. Cece Brower - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  5. Julianna McCarthy - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  6. Kayla Shade - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  7. Jillian Crotty - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  8. Alyssa Tursack - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  9. Callista Schlappich - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  10. Kaelyn Reynolds - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  11. Ava Diaz - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  12. Leoni Choy - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  13. Grace Campling - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  14. Harrison Brumbaugh - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  15. Gavin Isselmann - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  16. Jesus Devalle - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  17. Andrew McBride - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  18. Peter George - MEBC JHS County Chorus
  19. Adam Crotty - MEBC JHS County Chorus

6th Grade String Fest:

  1. Zander Bogust
  2. Jordan Coakley
  3. Maddalena Crichton
  4. Aralyn Esquivel
  5. Camryn Follweiler
  6. Juleen Fortney
  7. Levi Fox
  8. Lea Goodhart
  9. Sophie Gove
  10. Lily Jordan
  11. Michael Jordan
  12. Chloe LaRiviere
  13. Keegan McCarthy
  14. Danielle McLaughlin
  15. Joshua Ross
  16. Elizabeth Schwenk
  17. Taylor Shadel
  18. Michael Waters

6th Grade Band Fest:

  1. Lena Bluestone
  2. Ryan Jones
  3. Lily Jordan
  4. Michael Jordan
  5. Aidrick Vize

345 to Graduate in the Class of 2022

The Exeter Township School District will award diplomas to 345 graduates at 7PM on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at the Santander Arena in Reading, PA. During the evening’s ceremony, speakers will include Exeter Township Senior High Principal, Thomas Campbell, Senior Class President Haley Himmelreich, and class speaker Samuel Orzolek.

For the first class to graduate from Exeter where COVID has been a part of their high school experience more than it hasn’t, graduates’ remarks will acknowledge their unusual high school experience. In his prepared speech, Orzolek, who is suspected to be the first Berks County athlete to come down with COVID-19 in the summer of 2020 and shut down Exeter’s football program for two weeks, plans to remark on how COVID has shaped his class and how students can use the experience going through the pandemic’s challenges as they head out into adulthood: “COVID has taught us how to adapt and gave us the opportunity to grow in ways we might not have otherwise. I believe this will benefit all of us in whatever we choose to do; whether that be college, a trade, the military or something else. Carry the lessons we learned from COVID and our time spent here at Exeter–to persevere, not take life for granted, to lean on others, and to find joy in the little things to help guide you wherever life takes you.”

The ceremony will be broadcast on the District’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/2vuv-vXermY

The 345 graduates will include:

  1. Ashton B Althouse
  2. Christian Antonio Alvarez
  3. Justin Robert Ambrose
  4. Dominic Gregorio Angelucci
  5. Edell Arman-Rivera, Jr.
  6. Zavion Laiteef Armstrong-Paschall
  7. Zachary S Badinger*
  8. Albert Banoy
  9. Jayden Bartley
  10. Juniper Josephine Bauroth-Sherman*
  11. Maxwell J Bayer
  12. Ryan W Beam*
  13. Reese L Beck
  14. Paige E Behney*
  15. Xadiel Ivan Benejan Rodriguez
  16. Victoria M Benetz*
  17. Kathryn Reta Berger
  18. Olivia T Biancone
  19. Vincent T Biancone
  20. Angelina Marie Bieber
  21. Madison N Blair
  22. Evan D Bohn
  23. Sydney D Bolonski
  24. Jason Boone
  25. Jarrett S Borzillo
  26. Lauren G Bowers
  27. Kellen M Boyer
  28. Tyler R A Brickey
  29. Sam Brown*
  30. Anthony Michael Bryant
  31. Tavian Ahmir Bryant
  32. Avery R Burke
  33. Braeden A Camelleri
  34. Emma Grace Carr
  35. Camryn Lynn Cataldi*
  36. Todd Michael Chapman
  37. Doris Stephanie Chevez
  38. Keven J Chimelis
  39. Mark F Corado*
  40. Christian Isaias Cortes-Nunez
  41. James H Creamer*
  42. Zammual Crespo
  43. Lena Ava Croson
  44. Evan Michael Curtin
  45. Jacqueline R DaDamio
  46. Elias Amier Dalton
  47. Garret J Davidson
  48. Harrison E Davis
  49. Brett M DeLong
  50. Aadin Derr
  51. Amaris Diaz
  52. Hayley Elizabeth Dietrich*
  53. Sofia Victoria Di Paolo
  54. Joshua Allan Dixon
  55. Ian M Dobraniecki
  56. Jeffrey William Dofflemyer, Jr.
  57. Taj O Doney
  58. Ethan Adam Colon Dong
  59. Kassandra Lynn Dotterer
  60. Nancy Rose Dotterrer
  61. Patrick Stanley Dougherty
  62. Jacob D Dunning
  63. Victoria N Elia
  64. Logan C Endy
  65. Matthew D Engle
  66. Cody Matthew Esslinger
  67. Denis W Fantilli
  68. Nicholas A Feldman
  69. Mary Elizabeth Fick
  70. Enmanuel Santiago Figueroa-Zorrilla
  71. Alexandria E Filippello
  72. Katlyn P Floyd
  73. Luca Anthony Formando
  74. Anderson Darnell Forrest, IV
  75. Madeleine Rease Forry
  76. Emanuel Alberto Franceschi
  77. Evan T Franek
  78. Connor J Freiwald
  79. Kadin E Frey
  80. John C Galeotti
  81. James I Ganster
  82. Phillip Thomas Garretson*
  83. Elizabeth Ryan Garrett
  84. Anna Leigh Gatto
  85. Nola F Gautieri
  86. Jenna L Gehris*
  87. Johnathan Jeffery Gensemer
  88. Ella Faith Gerhart
  89. Lily Ella Giering*
  90. Blake M Gill
  91. Alyssa C Gillner
  92. Reagan C Ginsberg
  93. Jacob R Glidewell
  94. Javier Paulino Gomez
  95. Emilin Gonzalez
  96. Jared T Green
  97. Michael James Greenawalt
  98. Kiley Lynn Grey
  99. Sophia K Grim
  100. Melissa G Gwitira
  101. Willow W Haag
  102. Noah J Hahn
  103. Robert Hahn
  104. Christopher J Hancock
  105. Brady Hannahoe*
  106. Kathryn Lynn Harp
  107. Sonya O Harrington
  108. Gabrielle C Hassler
  109. Nathan W Hassler
  110. Andrew M Haynes
  111. Deacon Hearing*
  112. Sherry E Heckman*
  113. Alyssa P Heebner
  114. Kyle E Helm
  115. Rachel E Henry*
  116. Faith M Herb
  117. Amber S Herber*
  118. Sarita M Herrat Beltre
  119. Narciso Noel Herrera
  120. Gwen R Hettinger
  121. Jordan P Hill
  122. Alyssa M Himmelreich*
  123. Haley A Himmelreich*
  124. Emelie H Hoffman
  125. Alexander N Holbrook
  126. Emily M Holleran
  127. Shane Douglas Hughes
  128. Olivia G Humphrey*
  129. Alexa N Hyman*
  130. Kenedit Avimael Interiano-Chinchilla
  131. Makailah Jarvis
  132. Brandon Tyler Jasinski
  133. Caleb M Jones*
  134. Maura E Jones
  135. Kashawn Dimitry Jordan
  136. Reigan G Juhasz*
  137. Fadima Jum
  138. Tanner Ray Karas
  139. Austin T Kazmierczak
  140. Ethan Hendrix Kent
  141. Hailey Therese Keperling*
  142. Justin D Kinney
  143. Jason Pfleger Kinsey
  144. Coen N Kissinger
  145. Isabella Dawn Klee*
  146. Gabrielle J Kline*
  147. Steven T Kline
  148. Taylor B Knaub
  149. Joanna E Knepper*
  150. Aiden R Koenig
  151. Zoe Marie Kohl
  152. Bryce J Kovach
  153. Andrew S Kowalski
  154. Charlie J Kuhn
  155. Kayla S Kukielski*
  156. Prateek Kunduru*
  157. Tyler Matthew Lamon
  158. Hannah LaPlante
  159. Emmet Robert Larson*
  160. Brittney L Lawrence
  161. Ethan Do Le
  162. Ireland Ashley Leas
  163. Geoffrey A Ledwidge, Jr.
  164. Mydelis C Leon
  165. Ashton L Lewars
  166. Jillian Jordan Lindauer-Hommas
  167. Nicole M Lorah
  168. Nicholas S Lountzis*
  169. Megan Amanda Lundstrom
  170. Seth Michael Malady
  171. Kira E Marr*
  172. MaKayla Elizabeth Marrero-Mogel
  173. Gamalier Omil Mateo Alicea
  174. Kevin Antonio Matos Cruz
  175. Veronica Rose McAdams
  176. Maura J McCloy
  177. James Steven McCracken
  178. Thomas McDonnell
  179. Noah A McHenry
  180. Kathryn V McKinney
  181. Lanee M McMillan
  182. Kyla P McMonagle*
  183. David Miguel-Angel Medina
  184. Ryan M Menet*
  185. Taylor R Mentzer*
  186. Marina A Messner
  187. Maya Metz*
  188. Kirstin A Michael
  189. Kamryn G Michalak*
  190. Jake D Mierzwinski
  191. Alexa Mihaita
  192. Andrew R Miller
  193. Evan R Miller*
  194. John G Miller
  195. Ryan James Miller
  196. Dominic M Misciagna
  197. Mason Sebastian Mitchell
  198. Trever I Moise
  199. Dustin Wesley Moore
  200. Grace H Moore
  201. Nathan T Morgan*
  202. Michael David Moser, Jr.
  203. Savannah Grace Mosteller
  204. Saishree Mupparaju*
  205. Austyn John Myers
  206. Eric Nangle
  207. Nicholas James Nettleton
  208. Julian Matthew Nguyen
  209. Jayda Leigh Nieto
  210. Jessica L Nugent*
  211. Ethan R Nuss
  212. Caleb A O'Brien
  213. Morgan S O'Donnell
  214. Ahnya M O'Riordan
  215. Saniya Ann Odom
  216. Kiara Yanilka Olmeda
  217. Alize Renee Olock
  218. Amelia R Ordway*
  219. Angel Luis Ortiz, Jr.
  220. Sarah Anelis Ortiz
  221. Samuel D Orzolek*
  222. Aimee L Oswald*
  223. Hailee E Oswald*
  224. Tyler J Ott
  225. Alice Ozga-Wojno
  226. MaKayla Lynn Painter*
  227. Logan Philip Paparella
  228. Georgia Rayne Parsons
  229. Brynn Noel Patchell*
  230. Krushi Hemaben Patel
  231. Heidi Bryn Patten
  232. Jordan London Patterson
  233. Ryan Andrew Patterson
  234. Jarret Royce Patton, II*
  235. Bailey Ivette Paulino-Rivera
  236. Colin J Payne
  237. Trinity Marie Perez
  238. Lauryn Olivia Pergola
  239. Chase D Petaccio
  240. Ryan J Peterson
  241. Samantha Justus Pineiro
  242. Alexandru I Podaru
  243. Andrew R Posey*
  244. Emma J Protheroe*
  245. Grace J Protheroe*
  246. Logan Reber
  247. Fajar A Rehman
  248. Ethan A Reimert
  249. Jack B Renski
  250. Ryan Steven Rhoads
  251. Kalob Jerome Ridgley
  252. Aiyana Jewel Rivera
  253. Elijah Rivera
  254. Alexandra E Roach
  255. Alyssa M Robinson
  256. Vaughn F Robinson
  257. Abbigail Rodriguez
  258. Ashley Ziena Rodriguez
  259. Talisha Marie Rodriguez
  260. Yismel Dinayi Rodriguez
  261. Sydney N Romulus
  262. Sophia Elizabeth Runkle
  263. Abimelet Rupiza Serrano
  264. Fiona Saif
  265. Kayla Sawicki
  266. Maleehah Noni Scarvers
  267. Cody Schabener
  268. McKenna L Schaeffer*
  269. Joshua Ryan Schell
  270. Corinne R Scherer*
  271. Carson J Schmidt
  272. Claire A Scholl*
  273. Brooke O Schwenk
  274. Naima Zainab Seabrooks
  275. William J Sebald
  276. Kyle D Seiz
  277. Emma J Serrian*
  278. Alexandra Riley Shaner*
  279. William Thomas Sheridan, III
  280. Helene Shevick*
  281. Izabella Marie Sigmund
  282. Ryan Alexander Silaghi
  283. Cody J Sims
  284. Logan Jeffrey Sloan
  285. Christian J Slonaker
  286. Landon G Small
  287. Blake W Smith*
  288. Gabrielle Nicole Smith*
  289. Jada Ashton Smith
  290. Rachael M Smith*
  291. Zachary C Snyder
  292. Lucas M Sockel
  293. Genesis Kiara Sosa
  294. Asianna Marie Soto
  295. Haley A Speicher*
  296. Peter A Spencer
  297. Owen M Steiger
  298. Molly Catherine Stratton
  299. Joseph R Strauss*
  300. Christopher M Strobel
  301. Colin M Swafford
  302. Tristen J Swenson
  303. Nicholas F Sydor
  304. Rohan Talagadadeevi*
  305. Jaysa K Talford
  306. Valerie J Thompson*
  307. Madison N Trimble
  308. Brittany Thanh Truong*
  309. Riley S Tryanski
  310. Colson Tsakonas
  311. Giovanni Vincenzo Tumminello
  312. Kayla L Uhrig
  313. Kaelyn Nicole Vandenbree
  314. John Spencer Vartabedian
  315. Austin S Vice
  316. Jack A Wadsworth
  317. Kiara Nevaeh Walker
  318. George Nomoe Walters, Jr.
  319. Jacob Alexander Weaver
  320. Jeremy D Weaver
  321. Julia Weaver*
  322. Kaylee A Webb
  323. Isabella Weersing
  324. Carolina Elisa Wegman*
  325. Luke A Weller
  326. Julia Joy Wentling*
  327. Leah H Wentzel*
  328. Anya M Whitman*
  329. Seth D Wiggins
  330. Austin Andrew Wilinsky
  331. Ian L Wilson
  332. Owen M Wisner
  333. Alex B Wittig*
  334. Jacob Ryan Wolfe
  335. Kylie M Wolfe
  336. Matthew D Wolfe
  337. Cabraun Woody
  338. Ethan Tyler Dutch Woytowich
  339. Mia Elizabeth Wright*
  340. Michael Avory Wright
  341. Katorah M Wyllie
  342. Tyler A Yocum
  343. Brenden Michael Yost
  344. Serenity E Zawilla
  345. Grady Donald Zigner*

*Designates membership in Exeter Township Senior High School’s Claude W. Dundore Chapter of the National Honor Society

 

Exeter Schools & Community Benefit From Students’ Eagle Scout Projects

richter bogust delivers coping kits

Richter Bogust delivers "Coping Kits" to the Exeter Township Junior High School. He's joined by Amy Lutz (left), Executive Director of the Exeter Community Education Foundation; Alex Brown, Principal of ETJH; and Kim Shaw, Counselor. 

exeter eagle scouts

Exeter Eagle Scouts pose with Exeter Township Senior High Principal Tom Campbell earlier this year. They are (from left): Deacon Hearing, Alex Podaru, Nathan Morgan, Nate Brundage, Emmet Larson, Johnathan Newnham, Sam Orzolek and Jason Boone.

exeter eagle scout

Logan Endy (left) and Richter Bogust both completed their Eagle Scout projects this spring. 

Today, 9th grader Richter Bogust began his delivery of student “Coping Kits” to Exeter schools, which will be distributed by school counselors to students in need who are dealing with anxiety or stress. Each kit contains a unique mix of items that are age-specific to help students who are struggling with anxiety, such as journals, pens, colored pencils, coloring books, coloring pages, crayons, Play-Doh, stress balls, fidgets, chocolate, mints, cards of encouragement, motivational stickers, etc. Richter collected and assembled more than 500 kits thanks to community donations and support from the Exeter Community Education Foundation as part of his Eagle Scout project, which is a distinctive and honorable rank earned by fewer than 5% of Boy Scouts, and represents the highest achievement that Scouts can earn. 

Exeter schools and our community are often the lucky beneficiaries of Eagle Scout projects, which can take Scouts up to a year to organize. For his Eagle Scout project, Sam Orzolek, now a senior, created benches for Exeter wrestling last year, and Deacon Hearing, also a senior, helped build an outdoor classroom at Owatin Creek in 2020. Other Eagle Scout projects by current Exeter students include: a food drive by Jason Boone; outdoor decking and wall construction at First Unitarian Universalist Church by Johnathan Newnham; a pet food drive by Emmet Larson; construction of benches at Joanna Furnace by Nate Brundage; restoration of the youth room at Schwarzwald Church by Nathan Morgan; construction of a half-mile trail at Joanna Furnace by Alex Podaru; and most recently, organization of a blood drive by Logan Endy, which he just completed at the end of April. 

With the majority of Exeter’s Eagle Scouts on the verge of graduation and the program suffering a more than 40% decline in enrollment from 2019 to 2020 partially due to the pandemic, and partially due to social trends, Exeter’s Eagle Scouts said they hoped that a new generation of students would consider joining the centuries-old organization, which now accepts girls as well as boys. “It taught me skills that I would have never learned otherwise,” said Nathan Morgan. “I loved that Scouts gave me something unique to do,” said Emmet Larson. “I was out learning how to create shelter with no tent and only available materials while my friends were back home playing video games.” Exeter’s Scouts also say that earning the Eagle Scout rank allows them a competitive edge to put on their resume and college applications that makes them stand out to employers and admission officers. It also gave them a built-in network of friends as they grew up together with common interests. 

In addition to learning survival and leadership skills, the group said that they appreciated the opportunity to give back and do something meaningful for other students and their communities through their Eagle Scout projects. “I liked that I had a chance to help my community through a project that has a lasting impact,” said Logan, referencing his blood drive and how he hoped it would help save someone’s life. Richter agreed and said, “People have been going through rough times because of the pandemic and mental health among students is not very good right now,” he said. “I hope that these coping kits may be able to help students feel better while being in school.” 

To learn more about joining the Boy Scouts, please visit https://beascout.scouting.org.

ETSD Board Announces Dr. Christy Haller as the Next Superintendent

dr. christy haller

The Exeter Township Board of School Directors is pleased to announce they selected Dr. Christy Haller to be the District’s next Superintendent. Dr. Haller will begin serving as the Superintendent of Exeter schools on July 1, 2022. 

No stranger to Exeter Township, Dr. Haller has worked in the District for nearly 15 years, and currently serves as the District’s Director of Human Resources. Prior to her role in central administration, she led Owatin Creek Elementary as its principal for a year and Lorane Elementary as its principal for 8 years, leading Lorane to a Title I Distinguished Schools Award. She first came to Exeter schools in 2008 as the assistant principal at Reiffton School. Before becoming an administrator in Exeter, Dr. Haller served as an elementary and middle school teacher and a reading coach and administrator in the Reading School District for 11 years. Dr. Haller earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership and her Letter of Eligibility from Immaculata University, and her master’s and principal certification from Alvernia University, where she received the Founding Dean’s Award. She completed her undergraduate work in education at Kutztown University. Dr. Haller also serves on the board of the Exeter Community Education Foundation and is a former Exeter Community Library Board Trustee.

In addition to working in Exeter Township, Dr. Haller has lived in the township for 22 years and has three children: Riley and Jacob, who both recently graduated from Exeter, and Maggie, who is a current 1st grader at Owatin Creek. She is married to Dr. Christian Haller, an Exeter graduate and principal at Octorara Intermediate School.

Dr. Ann Hearing, president of the Board of School Directors said, “After a careful and thoughtful national search for the next leader of Exeter schools, we are so excited to welcome Christy as the next Superintendent. She has demonstrated her deep commitment to excellence in Exeter with her distinguished leadership both in and out of the classroom, as well as her dedication to building relationships with parents, teachers, staff, students, administrators and the community. We are confident she fulfills all the key qualities that our Board, our schools and our community wanted–and needed–in the next Superintendent; we look forward to working with her.”

The Exeter Township Board of School Directors selected Dr. Haller following a national search. Early in the process, the community, as well as students, staff, administrators and teachers were invited to participate in a community survey that asked for key qualities and attributes for the next leader of Exeter schools. After more than 500 responses were captured, the Board created a Superintendent Profile based upon the key traits that were identified as being the most important to those in the community. They were:

  • Trustworthy
  • Communicator
  • Committed to the Exeter Township School District
  • Visible
  • Team builder  

The Board then formed an interview panel to help them select eight candidates to interview from the 14 applications that were received. Afterwards, the Board invited three candidates back for second round interviews this week, announcing their selection on Thursday.

Dr. Haller will replace Dr. Cynthia Mierzejewski, who has served as interim superintendent since Dr. Kimberly Minor’s departure from the district in February.

Editor's note 5/20/22: Dr. Haller's appointment will follow successful contract negotiations and a board vote.

 

Owatin Students Raise and then Release Baby Fish

The mood outside on a bright and sunny May day last week was slightly bittersweet despite the finally-warm temperatures. Gathered around Antietam Creek at Happy Landings, students from Mrs. Groff's 3rd grade Owatin Creek classroom were delighted--and yet sad--to see their fellow "classmates" swim away. "Bye fishy! Have a good life!" said one, as she held a plastic cup to the creek to see a baby rainbow trout "fingerling" swim away. The release of the fingerlings that morning late last week was the culminating event in a months-long project that Mrs. Groff exclusively teaches at Owatin Creek called "Trout in the Classroom." The curriculum, which is taught in classrooms throughout the US and Great Britain, aims to teach students connections between trout, water resources, the environment and themselves by having students learn about aquarium setup, ecosystems, the life stages of fish, the environment of waterways, and then putting their knowledge to the test by raising fish from eggs to fingerlings, eventually releasing them into an approved waterway. 

Mrs. Groff started teaching the program in 2017 after going through additional training to learn the curriculum through Penn State. She said that her interest in teaching "Trout in the Classroom" was a natural fit since her husband is an avid fisherman and her children, Brooke and Trent, were both named from his passion for fishing in Exeter. "I knew that my husband would help me on this adventure," she said with a laugh.

Students start by learning and setting up a cold-water fish tank in January. Soon afterwards, they receive baby fish eggs, which live in an "egg basket" until they're developed enough to eat fish food on their own and be released into the full tank. In the tank, they grow and mature until they’re old enough to be released into a natural waterway. Throughout the process, students learn about the life cycle of the fish as they develop from an egg to a fingerling--or as one student described, "We saw them as little babies and now we see them as little grown ups." Students keep a journal of their learning experience by drawing pictures and writing about aquarium equipment, fish stages, ecosystems and the waterways. 

After months, the project culminates with students’ favorite activity: the release of their fingerlings at Antietam Creek. Carrying a cooler of baby trout, Mr. Groff accompanied his wife’s class to Antietam Creek last week, where they gave students clear cups filled with aquarium water and a baby fish. Carefully, each student then stood on the side of the creek to release their fingerling, happy–yet sad–to see them swim away.

Like her fish, Mrs. Groff also plans to “swim away” at the end of the school year after teaching for 32 years in the District. We share her students’ feelings of bittersweetness as we mourn the “release” of a great teacher, yet wish her a retirement filled with joy, relaxation… and lots of fishing!

Exeter Students Place in “Nature of Nolde Forest” Art Contest

exeter students pose with their nolde forest artwork
exeter's faith hartman poses by her artwork of an owl

Featuring artwork from across Berks County by student artists in 1st through 12th grade, several Exeter artists placed in the 2022 “Nature of Nolde Forest” student art contest. The annual contest awards three winners in several grade categories, and then displays the winning work throughout the rest of the year on West Reading's Art Plus online gallery: https://www.artplusgallerypa.com/nolde-2021-22.html 

Exeter Senior High winners were: (left to right): Kaelyn Vandenbree (3rd place in grades 11-12); Alizarin Capeland (1st place in grades 9-10); Tyler Casiano (2nd place in grades 9-10); and Morgan Herb (not pictured; 1st place in grades 11-12). At the Junior High, Faith Hartman won 3rd place in grades 7-8. Congratulations to all!