Alumni

Exeter Inducts Four Into Academic Hall of Fame and 60 Into NHS

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NHS Officers: Gavin Marr, Hayden Adams, Brody Oswald, and Rebecca Cherry

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Mr. Matthew Goldstan inducted Dr. Timothy Wright into the Academic Hall of Fame

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Lt. Col. Brian Roberts' mother speaks on his behalf following his induction into the 2023 Academic Hall of Fame

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2023 Academic Hall of Fame honoree, Lucy Lutz

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2023 Academic Hall of Fame honoree, Julia Huckleberry

The Exeter Township School District celebrated the achievements of students as 60 juniors and seniors were inducted into the Claude W. Dundore chapter of the National Honor Society and four notable alumni, educators or community members were inducted into the Exeter Alumni Association’s Academic Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 11, 2023. Those inducted into the Academic Hall of Fame were Timothy Wright, Ph.D., an internationally-recognized biomechanical scientist; Brian Roberts, an infantry lieutenant colonel in the Army; Lucy Lutz, a retired science teacher from the Exeter Township School District; and Julia Huckleberry, one of the founders of the district’s Alumni Association. Inductees are chosen for their contributions to society and their impact and credit they've brought to the Exeter Township School District through their achievements, volunteerism and/or work.

During his career, Dr. Wright has developed biomechanical implant systems for knee, hip and elbow replacement that have gone on to commercial distribution to patients worldwide. He’s written more than 300 peer-reviewed articles and has lectured around the world at hospitals and medical schools. He has appointments in New York at Cornell University, and the Hospital for Special Surgery, where he currently serves in the Department of Biomechanics working with surgeons and other engineers to research and develop systems to improve care for patients with orthopedic conditions. He’s developed numerous patents and awards for outstanding research and significant lifetime contributions in orthopedics. He is a 1967 graduate of Exeter; a graduate of Lehigh University, where he received his undergraduate degree; and Stanford University, where he received his graduate degrees. Dr. Wright was unable to attend the awards ceremony; however, he thanked the committee for his recognition and selection through prepared remarks. “This is a wonderful honor. I”ve been fortunate to have an ongoing career of 47 years working at the intersection of engineering and medicine. Looking back at my time at Exeter High, the highlight was teachers like the late Harry Shank, who instilled in me a thirst for knowledge and the leadership and teamwork skills that I learned playing sports and serving on the Key Club.”

Lt. Col. Brian Roberts was commissioned as an infantry officer in 2006 from the United States Military Academy at West Point. As a system evaluator in the Army, he leads military and civilian teams to develop and modernize future combat systems. He holds a Masters of Arts in Defense and Strategy from the U.S. Naval War College and is a 2002 graduate of Exeter Township Senior High School.

Lucy Lutz worked as an Exeter science teacher in the Junior High and Senior High for more than 36 years, retiring in 2007 and continuing to substitute regularly until 2014. She began her teaching career at Albright College in the biology department as an undergraduate. Following her graduation from Albright in 1968, she studied at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she earned a master’s degree in Zoology, focusing on research of the physiology, life history and paleontology of bats. Despite her academic achievements and years of experience, Mrs. Lutz joked during her acceptance that “I will be remembered as the one who you called to fix the copy machine.”

Julia Huckleberry graduated from Exeter in 1966 and has spent most of her time since then serving the district either professionally as an administrative assistant or as a volunteer. In 2009, she was an instrumental figure in the creation of the Exeter Eagles Alumni Association, which is primarily responsible for the development, selection and distribution of scholarships to graduates. Since its inception, the scholarship committee of the association distributes approximately $30,000 through 30 different scholarships from alumni or friends of alumni. During his induction of her, Mr. John Fidler, an Exeter Academic Hall of Fame committee member, recalled the story of how a family called the association in the hopes of creating a scholarship in the name of Exeter’s football coach, Leonard Meckalavage. After a few moments of confusion, Mrs. Huckleberry realized that the family had meant to call the alumni association of Exeter High School in New Hampshire. Still, she proceeded to tell the family about the virtues of Exeter Township’s football program and coaches. The family was so impressed that they decided to award the scholarship to Exeter Township, where it is still given to a deserving student every year.

The Academic Hall of Fame began in 2005 as a project of the Exeter Community Education Foundation and typically selects four to six inductees each year. This year's class brings the number of honorees to 78, who are presented with a plaque, as well as their names added to a display in the Senior High's main office.

During the second part of the ceremony, the current members of the National Honor Society presented and inducted 60 new members from the Class of 2024 and 2025 into its chapter through its candle-lighting ceremony that represents the Society's four pillars: character, leadership, scholarship and service. To be considered for membership, students must be sophomores or juniors with a weighted cumulative GPA of at least 92.000, involvement in at least one school activity or club and completion of at least five community service hours. This year’s inductees are:

  1. Harper Adams
  2. Ryanne Ahmad
  3. Perla Alvarado-Rueda
  4. Griffin Beidler
  5. Hannah Benderoth
  6. Richter Bogust
  7. Sasha Bolonski
  8. Cheyenne Boyles
  9. Joshua Brown
  10. Ian Carr
  11. Gabrielle Casalenuovo
  12. Tyler Casiano-Rodriguez
  13. Kate Dewald
  14. Natalia Figueroa
  15. Gillian Foster
  16. Jysadee Giddens
  17. Madison Grider
  18. Taylor Hill
  19. Katharine Hoover
  20. Amy Ipsen
  21. Gianna Johnson
  22. Caitlin Jones
  23. Tyler Jones
  24. Cayden Juck
  25. Alison Keim
  26. Thaddeus Kidwell
  27. Lyndsey Kline
  28. Margaret Kopanski
  29. Abby Kravetz
  30. Rebecca Lee
  31. Dorothy Liu
  32. Molly Lubenow
  33. Addison Matthews
  34. Mary McGowan
  35. Addison McKittrick
  36. Kara Miller
  37. Morgan Miller
  38. Jack Mulhare
  39. Lucas Newell
  40. Trang Nguyen
  41. Stephania Nicoloudakis
  42. Alexis Nonnemacher
  43. Ethan Papich
  44. Margaret Prock
  45. Abigail Rathman
  46. Haley Readinger
  47. Ansel Reinbold
  48. Aaron Scardecchio
  49. Kayla Schafer
  50. Lydia Smith
  51. Alexa Speary
  52. Kira Spencer
  53. Alivia Spitz
  54. Connor Stoltzfus
  55. Finn Strauss
  56. Rachelle Toaldo
  57. Annabella Venezia
  58. Logan Wegman
  59. Ashton Wilson
  60. Jordan Wolfe

Exeter Alumnus to Star in Documentary

On Saturday, catch Exeter alumnus, Phil Pinti '01, as he makes his debut in the extreme sports documentary, "A Long Way from Nowhere," which will be shown at the GoggleWorks theater on Saturday at noon. In the documentary, Pinti, who went on to graduate from West Chester University and serve in the U.S. Marines, is featured as one of several ultra runners who participate in the grueling 150-mile Desert Rats race, which takes place during the summer in the southern Utah desert. Following the screening of the documentary, Pinti plans to be on hand to discuss the documentary and the race with those in the audience.

Pinti currently lives in Maryland with his two children, Penelope and Nolan, where he works for the Department of Defense when he's not participating in races and other adventures. To learn more and buy tickets for the show, please click HERE.

1971-72 Mens’ Basketball Team Inducted into Athletic Hall of Fame

members of the 1971-72 basketball team stand and hold plaque

The Exeter Township School District inducted athletes from its 1971-72 Men’s Basketball Team into their 2023 Athletic Hall of Fame tonight in a ceremony held in the Exeter Township Senior High’s cafeteria, followed by a presentation of the athletes between the junior varsity and varsity basketball games against Governor Mifflin in the Exeter Township Senior High’s gymnasium. The surviving athletes who were inducted are: Jim Barrer, Charlie Booker, Joe Fidler, Dave Giles, Andy Kahn, Randy Kleinsmith and Mark Wessner and Pete Yousaitis. Duane Bowser, Dave Winterhalter and Jeff Woodward were inducted posthumously. The team was coached by Rod Hand, with assistant coaches Terry McElhattan and Don Hadley. The staff also included coaches Randy Van Fleet and Don Bickel from Exeter Township Junior High school. 

That season, the Eagles won their first 24 games, including a 68-39 Berks Conference championship victory over Cedar Crest. It was the first boys’ basketball title for Exeter, which reached the District 3 Class B semifinals and the PIAA Class B quarterfinals to finish the season 25-2. The team survived a scare early in the season in a non-league game at Owen J. Roberts, but Barrer’s basket from just beyond half court as the buzzer sounded gave the Eagles a 68-67 victory.

The team averaged 68.4 points a game and allowed 48.9 over the 24-game win streak.

The team started four seniors -- Barrer, Winterhalter, Woodward, and Yousaitis, an all-Berks and all-state selection – along with sophomore Booker, who would lead the Eagles to their only other championship appearance and Berks title as a senior in 1973-74. 

Yousaitis became the school’s first 1,000 scorer (1,287) and Booker the second (1,476). Booker ranks third on the all-time scoring list, Yousaitis fourth.

The Exeter Township School District has inducted athletes into its Athletic Hall of Fame since 1990, honoring athletes and teams who achieve significant and memorable athletic accomplishments during their time at Exeter Township Senior High school, collegiately, and/or professionally. The 1971-72 Men’s Basketball Team is the second Hall of Fame induction of the 2022-23 year, with Michal Menet, a 2016 graduate; Michael Troutman, a 2002 graduate; and Kyle Yocum, a 2013 graduate, receiving the honor earlier in the school year.

Exeter Inducts Four Into Academic Hall of Fame and 56 Into National Honor Society

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The 2022 Academic Hall of Fame Inductees are: Mr. Kevin DeAcosta '84; Mr. Robert Jordan, Dr. Andrea Smith '97, and Mrs. Peggy Fleck.

The Exeter Township School District celebrated the achievements of students this past Saturday as 56 juniors and seniors were inducted into the Claude W. Dundore chapter of the National Honor Society and four notable alumni, educators or community members were inducted into the Exeter Alumni Association’s Academic Hall of Fame. Those inducted into the Academic Hall of Fame were Kevin DeAcosta ‘84, president and CEO of the Highlands of Wyomissing; Robert Jordan, retired Exeter Township Fire Chief; Dr. Andrea Smith ‘97, a maxillofacial prosthodontist; and Peggy Fleck, a retired school counselor. Inductees are chosen for their contributions to society and their impact and credit they've brought to the Exeter Township School District through their achievements, volunteerism and/or work. 

Mr. DeAcosta remarked during his speech that he was surprised to have been selected into the Academic Hall of Fame as he did not consider himself an exemplary student while at Exeter. In fact, he said, he read his first book in high school. “It wasn’t that I couldn’t read,” he said. “I couldn’t comprehend what I was reading. Said differently, I could recognize words but I didn’t understand their meaning… I was just instructed to go to the ‘special’ reading room. Think of the stigma associated with this,” he said to the hushed audience. Continuing, he recounted how an Exeter Reading Specialist, Mrs. Peggy Hart, patiently taught him how to comprehend the words he was reading, which, he said, changed the course of his life, allowing him to graduate cum laude from Alvernia University with a degree in accounting following his service in the Navy. Today, he serves as the Highlands of Wyomissing president and CEO and is a community leader and volunteer for many area non-profits. “I believe as I get older and think back, she will be the teacher that I think of the most because reading and communicating are so important in business, life and relationships.”

Mr. Jordan lived and raised his family in Exeter after he married, joining the Reiffton Fire Company in 1978, eventually becoming Chief of the company in 1996. In 2009, he became the first Fire Chief of the newly merged Exeter Township Fire Department when the Reiffton and Stonersville Fire Companies joined together. During his professional career, Mr. Jordan led numerous educational efforts of fire safety for students in Exeter schools. 

Dr. Smith is one of only 350 maxillofacial prosthodontists worldwide. She was valedictorian from both Penn State University’s Eberly College of Science and Columbia University’s College of Dental of Medicine. She completed her residency in advanced prosthodontics and her fellowship in maxillofacial prosthetics at UCLA. Upon her return to Pennsylvania, Dr. Smith became the first female clinical director of the Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic until she joined Berks Prosthodontics.

Mrs. Fleck was selected as Pennsylvania’s Elementary School Counselor of the Year in 1991. At Exeter, she was responsible for introducing elementary developmental guidance programs to the district, where she also coached students and supported students outside of the classroom. 

The Academic Hall of Fame began in 2005 as a project of the Exeter Community Education Foundation and typically selects four to six inductees each year. This year's class brings the number of honorees to 74, who are presented with a plaque, as well as their names added to a display in the Senior High's main office.

During the second part of the ceremony, the current members of the National Honor Society presented and inducted 56 new members from the Class of 2023 and 2024 into its chapter through its candle-lighting ceremony that represents the Society's four pillars: character, leadership, scholarship and service. To be considered for membership, students must be sophomores or juniors with a weighted cumulative GPA of at least 92.000, involvement in at least one school activity or club and completion of at least five community service hours. This year’s inductees are:

  • Hayden Adams
  • Sofia Beggs
  • Miriam Bosler
  • Sydney Burke
  • Rebecca Cherry
  • Daisy Cortes
  • Chase Cupitt
  • Robert Dang
  • Owen Davis
  • Charlotte Dolena
  • Ashley Doll
  • Breckyn Donate
  • Matthew Dorn
  • Elizabeth Dougherty
  • Ashton Fasig
  • Macy Feathers
  • Faith Feldman
  • Noah Gates
  • Lukas Giering
  • Kyle Goodman
  • Landen Goughler
  • Alexis Grogesky
  • Grace Holleran
  • Selma Imkhaoun
  • Sophia Jones
  • Zachary Kauffman
  • Donghu Kim
  • Christina Kopecky
  • Hansika Kunduru
  • Ian Lubenow
  • Gavin Marr
  • Cassandra Miller
  • Logan Miller
  • Tanner Moore
  • Alex Nerney
  • Justin Nester
  • Jason Nester
  • Leahnessa Ortiz
  • Brody Oswald
  • Fallyne Oswalt
  • Anakin Reinbold
  • Charlotte Rismiller
  • Abigail Rothharpt
  • Jack Sahaida
  • Leah Schmid
  • Malena Schneider
  • Maya Sing
  • Abigail Smith
  • Alexis Speece
  • Ava Strauss
  • Patricia Tran
  • Rachel Tschudy
  • Robert Tufariello
  • Amber Urena
  • Ayannah Watson
  • Hanna Winslow

Exeter Alumnus “Racing” For Success

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Exeter and Pennsylvania College of Technology alumnus Dylan Godinez '18 is on the fast track for career success – literally.

Just a few months after his May graduation, Godinez, of Reading, designed front and rear suspension brackets for a Ford Roadster that topped 200 mph in a sanctioned land speed race.

“It was a surreal experience for sure,” Godinez said about watching the successful run on a 1.25-mile flat track in Blytheville, Arkansas. “It was an unmatched feeling. It was really cool.”

Godinez is a design engineer for The Garage Shop, which he describes as a “custom shop for cool toys.” Based in Denver, North Carolina, The Garage Shop is a motorsports performance fabrication company, specializing in the fabrication and restoration of vintage race cars. Many of its cars – built from scratch like the Ford Roadster – compete in land speed events throughout the country, including at the storied Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, site of numerous speed records.

The company recently recreated two legendary NASCAR cars for land speed racing: the No. 71 Bobby Isaac Dodge Daytona and the No. 27 Donnie Allison Ford Talladega. MAVTV, the motorsports network, chronicled that effort in a documentary series, “Legacy of Speed.”

“I definitely like coming to work every day. I’m always learning,” said Godinez, who designs car parts for both short- and long-term projects. “Drawings that I make are right out the door the next day. And a part will arrive after that. There’s no sense of wasted time here. I always wanted to be around race cars, so this job is great for me.”

An early introduction to NASCAR by his father hooked Godinez on motorsports. “It burned gas and went fast. I thought it was cool,” he laughed.

Interest evolved into action. Godinez learned about automotive detailing and servicing from his father, who works in collision repair. By high school, he was modifying cars for friends and family. He continued that practice in college, adding work as an automotive technician, sales associate at an auto parts store and a porter at a car dealership. His varied experiences complemented the engineering acumen he displayed at a young age with Legos and the video game Minecraft.

“My parents saw what I was able to do with my mind to create structures,” he said. “I was really good with geometry and mathematics. My parents were like, ‘Engineering, you got to go for it!’ “I knew about race cars and road cars, so I wanted to do some kind of engineering with them.”

That dream led Godinez to Penn College and its engineering design program, which requires in-depth experience with a range of parametric CAD and digital prototyping applications.

“I wanted to go to a hands-on school, so simple research put Penn College right at the top. It was an easy decision for me,” he said. “What I learned at Penn College got me my job.”

Specifically, Godinez points to his senior project, a requirement for the bachelor’s degree in engineering design technology. Employing SolidWorks, he designed the full chassis of a NASCAR stock car. The impressive result still resonates with the project’s adviser, Katherine A. Walker, assistant professor of engineering design technology.

“The senior project experience can go way beyond fulfilling an academic requirement,” she said. “As a motorsports enthusiast, Dylan was able to target a market niche with his design for the NASCAR Gen 5 chassis. When you pair a senior project like that with a prospective employer such as The Garage Shop, you have a winning combination!”

An Instagram post by The Garage Shop highlighting designs completed in SolidWorks prompted Godinez – a follower of countless automotive-related social media accounts – to contact the company.

“I was like, ‘I got SolidWorks certification at Penn College. Maybe they need help?’ I was on a plane headed for an interview later that week,” he recalled.

“We were looking for an entry-level engineer, and after reviewing Dylan’s resume, it looked great,” explained Spencer Brown, lead engineer at The Garage Shop. “What impressed me was the capstone project he showcased on his website. It was very well done.”

During Godinez’s three-day interview, he detailed for Brown and others the process behind his senior project and designed test components, such as a reluctor wheel for a race car.

“I just put my skills that I learned at Penn College to work, and they were more than satisfied,” Godinez said.

A few weeks later, Godinez moved to North Carolina to begin his career.

“Dylan has been working out great, and his SolidWorks skills are unquestionable,” Brown said. “I hope to incorporate him into our 3D scanning program and other aspects of engineering.”

“I’m very proud of Dylan,” Walker added. “It takes a lot of confidence to approach an employer and basically say, ‘This is who I am. This is what I know. And I think you should hire me because I can be an asset to your team.’”

Godinez’s current main project is designing a trailer to haul a streamliner race car that The Garage Shop is building to eclipse 400 mph next summer in Utah. The trailer will transport the streamliner to and from the pits since its 30-foot length makes turns next to impossible.

In the near future, Godinez hopes to be in the driver’s seat of a race car, an aspiration crystalized in childhood watching his favorite NASCAR driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., take the checkered flag.

“I really admire with motorsports the will to win and ordinary people doing extraordinary things,” said Godinez, who has volunteered with pit crews throughout the race-crazed region. “I will probably start out competing at a local track series, like late models or even sprint cars, and see where it takes me.”

But that destination won’t be far from The Garage Shop.

“I’ll work here as long as they’ll have me, that’s for sure,” Godinez smiled.

Exeter Inducts Three Into Athletic Hall of Fame

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Left to right: Michael Troutman, Kyle Yocum and Michal Menet

The Exeter Township School District will induct three athletes into their 2022 Athletic Hall of Fame tonight in a ceremony to be held in the Exeter Township Senior High’s cafeteria, followed by a presentation of the athletes in Don Thomas Stadium during halftime of the Exeter vs. West York football game. The athletes who will be inducted are: Michal Menet, a 2016 graduate; Michael Troutman, a 2002 graduate; and Kyle Yocum, a 2013 graduate. 

Menet was a four-year starter and letterman and captain of the team in 2014 and 2015. He was named to the All-Academic Team all four years. He was named Berks County All-League in 2013, 2014, and 2015. He was the Berks County Offense and Defensive Lineman of the Year in both 2014 and 2015 and was named Berks County Most Valuable Player in 2015. In 2013, 2014 and 2015, he was All State First Team Defense, Second Team Offense. He was named an Under Armour All American in 2016. He also played basketball, and was a three-year letterman. In 2013 and 2014, he was All-Conference Basketball. He went on to Penn State University where he was a three-year starter, two-time Team Captain and received All Big Ten honors in 2019 and 2020. In 2019 and 2020 he was the Dick Maginnis award winner for PSU Outstanding Offensive Lineman and was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List for Outstanding Center. He was invited to the 2021 Senior Bowl. In 2021, he was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the 7th round with the 247th pick. He signed with the Green Bay Packers in December 2021 and is currently a free agent.

Troutman excelled in both football and wrestling. In his senior year, he had 1,026 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. At the time, he held a single game rushing record of 224 yards and five touchdowns against Twin Valley. He had over 2,000 career all purpose yards and 25 total touchdowns. He was named to the All Berks 1C 1st Team as a running back in 2001. On the mat, he had a career 50 pins, with a 94-30 record. He was the 2002 Sectional Champion. He was selected in both 2000 and 2001 to the All Berks Section 1 1st Team. He went on to wrestle at Ursinus, where he had a 136-19 record and 61 career pins. He was a four-time Centennial Conference Champion, being only one of six to do it and a four-time NCAA Qualifier. He was a two-time NCAA All American, finishing 8th place in the country in 2005 and 5th place in the country in 2006. In 2006, he was named an NCAA Academic All American.

Yocum played football, baseball, basketball, and competed in track and field. He was the first freshman to start at quarterback in school history and earned the title of Exeter’s all-time leading passer with 43 starts, 3,815 yards, and 38 touchdowns in his career. He ranks in the top 20 all-time in Berks County in passing. He also rushed for 1,955 yards and 27 touchdowns for his career. He earned the Outstanding Junior Award in 2011, All-League honors in 2012 and was a four-time academic selection. He led his team to two District playoff appearances. He went on to play at Delaware as a fullback where he was selected as a Captain for the 2017 season. He played in 40 career games, recording three catches for 22 yards, four kick-off returns for 60 yards and five tackles.