Owatin Creek

Teachers in the Parks (TIPs) Named National Finalist in Summer Learning

Today, Teachers in the Parks (TIPs) was named a finalist for the National Summer Learning Association’s Award for Summer Excellence--an honor bestowed upon only seven other summer learning programs in the nation! TIPs founder, Matt Hathaway was joined by the US Department of Education's Adam Schott, the National Summer Learning Association's Christi Kobus Rokicki, the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Eli Downie, Pennsylvania State Senator Judy Schwank and Exeter's Superintendent Christy Haller, as well as dozens of Exeter and Antietam students and teachers who are participating in TIPs this summer at the Antietam Pool.
 
TIPs, which is a learning program that provides learning opportunities for elementary-aged students to retain math and literacy skills over the summer, was founded by Hathaway, an Exeter Township School District teacher and administrator. As a new elementary teacher, Hathaway founded TIPs in 2004 as he sought a fun and community-based solution to help students prevent the “summer slide,” which is the tendency for students to lose academic skills over the summer when school is not in session. Since 2004, TIPs has grown from a handful of students meeting in Hathaway’s backyard to hundreds of enrolled students meeting during the summer at community pools and playgrounds around Berks County. Throughout its growth during the past 18 years, TIPs’ mission has remained the same: Provide high-quality instruction by certified teachers in low-pressure environments where kids would normally play and hang out during the summer.
 
Our students and community are so very fortunate and proud to have Mr. Hathaway and his team as a dedicated and visionary teacher, leader and partner in education! Our warmest and deepest congratulations to Mr. Hathaway and his TIPs team for this incredible honor and deserving recognition at the national level!

New Teachers, Administrators and Food Service Employees’ Collective Bargaining Agreements Approved

Together, the Exeter Township School District and the Exeter Township Education Association (ETEA) announced they have agreed to a new four-year teachers’ contract to begin on July 1, 2022 and end on June 30, 2026. The board and teachers’ union met numerous times to work together to raise a first-year teacher’s salary by $1,660 to $50,156, allowing Exeter to be more competitive with Berks County school districts. During the 2021-22 school year, on average, the 17 other Berks County districts offered their first-year teachers a starting salary of $49,722, while Exeter offered $48,496 (Source PSEA). Exeter Township Education Association President Lowell Keebler said that he believes the new contract will help provide teacher stability and retention over the next four years. “We value the relationship we have established with the Exeter Township School District Board and community, and we look forward to continuing to provide a high quality educational experience to the students of Exeter Township,” he said.

All teachers will receive a $1,660 yearly salary increase in addition to their annual years of service raise. The district will see an increase in the portion of the budget that is dedicated to teachers' salaries of 3.5% in the first year, 3.4% in the second year, 3.3% in the third year and 3.1% in the final year of the four-year contract if the current faculty all remained at status quo.  Exeter Township Board of School Directors’ President Ann Hearing said, “The board worked diligently on this new contract with taxpayers and teachers in mind and students at the heart of our negotiations. With the current teacher shortage, attracting and retaining high-quality teachers to work in Exeter and educate our students was just as important to us as minimizing the impact that salary increases have on the Exeter taxpayer.” 

The current teachers’ contract will expire on June 30, 2022. The new contract was passed by a 8-0 vote with one abstention during the June 28, 2022 Board of School Directors’ voting meeting. 

During the meeting, the board also approved a new three-year contract for Act 93 employees, providing a 3.25% annual raise for Exeter administrators. They also approved a new three-year contract for food service employees, increasing the starting rate for a general cafeteria worker from $12 to $15 per hour. Confidential secretaries will also see an increase of $1.25 per hour as their starting salary is raised to $21.50 per hour following the approval of their new three-year contract. 

All new contracts will go into effect on July 1, 2022 and will be posted on the district’s website at https://exetersd.org/hr/collective-bargaining-agreements.

Dr. Christy Haller Officially Appointed as Superintendent

dr. christy haller

During the June 28, 2022 voting meeting, the Exeter Township Board of School Directors voted unanimously to approve a four-year superintendent’s contract for Dr. Christy Haller. She will receive an annual salary of $167,500 in her first year, which will begin on July 1, 2022. 

Haller, who has worked in the district for nearly 15 years, 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 eight 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, Haller served as an elementary and middle school teacher and a reading coach and administrator in the Reading School District for 11 years. 

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. 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, 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 will be in second grade at Owatin Creek in the fall. She is married to Dr. Christian Haller, an Exeter graduate and principal at Octorara Intermediate School.

In other administrative moves, the board approved:

Matt Hathaway’s appointment as Jacksonwald Elementary’s principal. Hathaway started his teaching career at Jacksonwald in 2004 as a third grade and fourth grade teacher, moving to Owatin Creek when it opened in 2011. He is a 2000 graduate of Exeter and is the founder of the nationally-recognized Teachers in the Parks (TIPs) program, which he developed in 2004 as he sought a fun and laid-back solution to help students retain math and literacy skills over the summer. Hathaway will replace Dr. Renee Mosser. He begins on August 15, 2022. 

Diane Scornavacchi’s appointment as the district’s new Director of Human Resources. Since 2016, Scornavacchi has worked as the Human Resources Supervisor, and is a 17-year employee of the district in other support and instructional roles. She earned her HR Generalist Certification from the University of Florida and her master’s in Psychology with a concentration in Industrial/Organization Leadership from Capella University. She will replace Dr. Christy Haller as she moves into the superintendency on July 1, 2022. 

Jessica Kaiser as the district’s secondary Special Education Supervisor. Kaiser comes to Exeter from the Wilson School District, where she served in the same role for nearly five years. Prior to that, she served as Twin Valley’s Student Services Supervisor for nearly 2 years. She holds certifications as a principal, reading specialist and in special education. She will replace Jillian Brodhead.

2022-23 Fiscal Year Budget Passed

pie chart of revenue
pie chart of expenditures
pie chart of expenditures

The Exeter Township Board of School Directors approved the 2022-23 fiscal year budget by a 7-2 vote during their monthly voting meeting on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at the Exeter Township Administration Building. The $81.8 million budget establishes a millage rate of 34.7098, which is a 1.5% increase in property taxes, or a yearly increase of $55.53 for a home assessed at $108,247. It also includes nearly $1.7 million of tax relief for qualifying property owners through the Homestead Tax Exemption. Those exempt property owners will have $253.69 of tax relief applied to their bill, or an additional credit of $54.81 as compared to last year.

Exeter Township School District Business Administrator Brian Feick initially proposed a 2.5% increase to the board earlier this spring, but was able to lower the increase by financing three bus purchases, trimming expenses through new operational contracts and by moving a little more than $800,000 of the district’s reserves into the budget–a move he said he wanted to avoid, but felt was necessary given the economic climate. “With inflation at an all-time high, we knew it was important to our community to do everything we could to avoid another big jump in their expenses. I wish it would have been possible to avoid an increase all together, but expenses are up at the district, too.”

Although no single proposed or projected line item is responsible for the increased budget, more than half of the district’s expenses are salaries and benefits for its 600 employees. During the voting meeting, the board approved three renegotiated collective bargaining agreements with teachers, administrators and food service employees, all of which included small increases in salaries to improve employee retention. The contracts also include increased starting salaries for teachers and food service workers to allow the district to become more competitive with the current market.

Barring any unforeseen expenses or surprises in the coming years, Feick said the current budget is aligned with his goal of continuing to reduce reserves spending and eliminating district debt by 2029, which accounts for more than 10% of the budget.

Both the budget and the debt report can be found on Exeter’s website at https://exetersd.org/business.

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

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.