News

A Message to the ETSD Community Regarding Escaped Inmate Danelo Cavalcante

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Dear Exeter Families,

In our partnership with the Exeter Township Police Department, we have been actively monitoring the situation in northern Chester County and the search for the escaped inmate, Danelo Cavalcante. As many of you may be aware, in consultation with law enforcement, the Owen J. Roberts school district closed today following a reported sighting of a man believed to be Cavalcante in an area near their schools last night. Law enforcement also believes that he now has a firearm.

At this time, we have been assured there is no direct threat to the Exeter community and the search area for Cavalcante has not moved into Berks County. In our steadfast commitment to the safety and security of our school community, we want to assure you that our district’s Safety & Security Coordinator, Eric Seidel, as well as central office administrators, are in constant contact with the Exeter Township Police Department to receive the latest information and developments in the search for Cavalcante.

In consultation with the Exeter Police, we have been informed that there is no reason to change or disrupt the normal operations of our schools at this time. Unless otherwise advised, we will continue to hold outdoor athletics and activities (recess, physical education classes) for our students while we remain vigilant and watchful.

The PA State Police would like to reinforce the following security measures for community members to increase your awareness and caution:
Residents in the area are asked to continue to lock all external doors and windows, secure vehicles, and remain indoors. Please review your surveillance cameras and contact police if you observe anything suspicious. If you see him, do not approach. Call 911 immediately. Please call (717) 562-2987 with general tips and information.

Cavalcante is described as a male of Hispanic descent, approximately 5’0” in height and clean shaven. We’ve attached police-released photos of him. If you believe you have seen Cavalcante, please call 911 immediately.

The Exeter Township Police Department will continue to be a presence around our schools and our schools will continue to implement our universal safety procedures and protocols that are designed to keep our students and our staff in one of the safest and securest locations in the area.

Thank you.

Exeter to Host Help Center for those Affected by Berks Flooding

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The Berks County Department of Emergency Services (Berks DES), the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), and other state and county agencies and departments will open a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) tomorrow at noon at the Exeter Township Lausch Administration Building to serve county residents with needs related to the catastrophic rainstorm and flooding that occurred on Sunday, July 9. The Exeter Township Administration Building is located in Exeter at 200 Elm Street, Reading, PA 19606 (to avoid arriving at the wrong address, please ensure you use the 19606 zip code in your GPS as there are several Elm Streets in the Reading area). The MARC is open to all Berks County residents and will be open Thursday from noon to 7PM, Friday from 10AM to 7PM and on Saturday from 10AM to 4PM.

A MARC is a temporary, quick-response center where a variety of state and county agencies collect in a central location to provide direct support to community members affected by a disaster event.

The following information was provided by the County of Berks regarding the local and state agencies who will be present at the MARC (as well as the services they can provide):

  • Berks Department of Emergency Services - referrals to proper resources for individuals who have not yet reported their damage to local government
  • Berks County Area Agency on Aging – assist older affected population;
  • Office of the Attorney General – information on contractor fraud, scams, etc.
  • Department of Environmental Protection – safety advice and questions with respect to waterway management and private wells
  • Department of Human Services – document replacement assistance (i.e. birth/death certificates, etc.), disability assistance services, new benefit applicants, etc.
  • Berks County MH/DD office – crisis counseling services
  • Department of Insurance – address questions and information on conflict issues with insurance carriers
  • Department of Military and Veterans Affairs – assist with replacement of documents, info on veteran -specific programs available
  • PEMA – general MARC support, disaster recovery information, National Flood Insurance Program information
  • Penn DOT – info on their online driver services, driver’s license replacement, etc.
  • Department of Health – safety information

Berks DES would like to remind all Berks County property owners, renters, and businesses who suffered property damage in relation to the rain and flooding in the past several days to report their damage to their local municipality as quickly as possible. Your local municipality is the city, borough or township to which you pay your local taxes. Complete and accurate collection of this information could help Berks County residents and businesses qualify for additional disaster recovery programs.

For more information, please contact the County of Berks.

Near Dropout Graduates in the Class of 2023

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At this time last year, Victoria “Tori” Wade was trying to drop out of high school following a tumultuous junior year that ended with her hating school, hating people and hating life in general. Weighing only 82 pounds from a combination of severe depression and having too little to eat, Tori was struggling to both work and go to school–and had no parents to help since her father had passed away and her mother had decided to move out of state at the end of her sophomore year. Believing staying in Exeter was in her best interest, Tori convinced her mother to leave her behind to live independently with her boyfriend, despite being unsure of her future and whether she would ever graduate from high school.

But last week, Tori defied the odds and did exactly that.

In truth, Tori’s school career and childhood were never easy. When she came home from elementary school, her parents abused substances and constantly argued and screamed at each other. Almost every week, her home was visited by Child Protective Services, ambulances or cops. Her home was infested with fleas, lice and bedbugs, embarrassing her from ever inviting friends over. Shortly after she moved to Exeter in 7th grade, her father died, and later the pandemic hit, deepening her family’s financial and emotional struggles. It was during this time that Tori lost many of her remaining friends as she navigated online schooling–an environment in which she struggled academically and mentally. When she returned to school following the pandemic, her disinterest in school worsened–leading her to cut classes regularly by the end of her junior year. “By then, we thought we lost her,” said her school counselor, Mrs. Andrea Freese.

But believing she could do better and holding tight to the belief that “sometimes you have to get over the obstacles that you have,” Tori renewed her determination to graduate high school and showed up on the first day of her senior year. Exeter’s social worker, Mrs. Ashley Rinehart, helped connect her with the Exeter Community Education Foundation (ECEF) and other local resources, who helped provide her with basic necessities, such as food, clothing, insurance and phone cards. Mrs. Freese and Mrs. Alycia Lenart, the district’s Student Support Coordinator, figured out an academic plan to help her catch up from what she missed in her junior year and how she could earn credit from working–a necessity for her to continue to live independently. “Once she approached us for help, it was truly a team effort,” said Mrs. Rinehart, who describes Tori as one of the most mature students she’s ever supported. “Tori learned this past year how to advocate for herself, which is something that some adults much older than her haven’t figured out.” 

Mrs. Lenart, who helps students navigate difficult personal situations in or out of the classroom, said, “I believe that there are very few people in this world that can be dealt the hand that Tori was and succeed with grace and tenacity.” Further explaining what she’s seen during her 23-year career here in Exeter, Mrs. Lenart continued, “Without having a family’s support, students like Tori usually become dropouts, wind up abusing drugs or alcohol, have severe mental health obstacles–or all of the above.” Agreeing, Mrs. Freese said, “In her circumstances, some would give up and not realize that they can overcome such adversity,” she says. “It’s very rare to see a student overcome the obstacles that were in front of her.”

Those who know and worked closely with Tori praise her for her determination and maturity, but more than anything, they describe her as grateful. Mrs. Freese also says that she believes that Tori’s story offers hope and inspiration to others. “When you see someone overcome all that she’s been through,” she says with an emotional pause, “She’s just an inspiration. Her story could inspire others who are struggling with other problems in their life that are not nearly as life changing or challenging.” 

With her diploma in hand, Tori now plans to continue her education to become a licensed hairstylist. But she can’t help but take a moment to reflect back on this past year when graduating seemed out of reach: “I did it,” she says emotionally and proudly. “And I couldn’t be happier.”

Teachers Mary Ryder and Carolyn Woodford Retire

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As we celebrate the close of the 2023 school year, we also celebrate, albeit with some tears, the retirement of two of our long-time teachers: Mrs. Mary Ryder (right) and Mrs. Carolyn Woodford (left). During a both funny and tearful sendoff at the Senior High, Mr. Louis Blair and Mrs. Rebecca Lapic, respectively, paid homage to their colleagues this week. “Mary, the impact you’ve had here–the void–won’t be able to be filled. We’re going to miss you, and we appreciate everything you’ve done for us, for students and for the community,” said Mr. Blair. “Carolyn, we all know the impact that you’ve made on lives because of the work that you did,” said Mrs. Lapic. “It wasn’t just here (in Exeter)--your work reached so far out of this school to other countries,” she said in reference to Mrs. Woodford’s long-time coordination and support of the German-American exchange program, known as GAPP.  

In 2005, Mrs. Ryder was hired to teach Social Studies at the Junior High, eventually moving to the Senior High. Mr. Louis Blair, her colleague at both schools, describes her as a passionate teacher who was deeply valued in his department. “People always listened when she spoke,” he said.   

In 1990, Mrs. Woodford was hired to teach German at the Senior High, eventually also teaching German at the Junior High. “You have given so much energy and compassion to your work,” Mrs. Lapic said in a video send-off that the World Languages department created for her. “Thirty-three years (of teaching) is really a testament to the type of person that you are.”

“Both Mary and Carolyn were truly dedicated to bringing real-world experiences to students,” said Principal Tom Campbell. “Mary deeply loves government and the creation of government, and she worked to create learning experiences for students to see first-hand how government works by meeting with legislators and seeing them in person at work. These experiences both in and outside of her classroom allowed them to see their potential to become an engaged citizen,” he said. “With Carolyn, she was so enthusiastic about German language and culture, and felt the best way to make that relevant to kids living in the United States was to form opportunities for travel through the GAPP program, which was something that she truly left her mark on here at Exeter.” he said, continuing, “Both will definitely be missed.”

Congratulations and many thanks for all of your years of service, Mrs. Ryder and Mrs. Woodford; Exeter wishes you all of the best in your well-earned retirement!

322 To Graduate in the Class of 2023

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The Exeter Township School District will award diplomas to 322 graduates at 7PM on Thursday, June 8, 2023 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 Patricia Tran, and class speakers Sean Creamer and Donovan Frymoyer. In graduates’ prepared remarks, students will discuss their gratitude of having family, friends and a community to support them throughout their school career, which was disrupted by a global pandemic that continues to affect many of their classmates’ mental health. In his prepared speech, Creamer plans to remark on his own personal experience: “From my experience, having quality people around you and a good support system is crucial for mental health. Put yourself out there so you do not have to travel this journey alone. Be there for your friends, respect your friends, and grow off of each other and make yourself into the best possible version of you.” Tran, whose mother died suddenly a year ago when she suffered a stroke, plans to say, “This community that I have grown so close to has helped me every day… Secondly, thank you to all my teachers. I remember one teacher who shared with me his own experience of loss, which helped me feel less alone… We have experienced hardships that we believed we could not move on from, but we persevered with the help of others.”

The ceremony will be broadcast on the District’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTxbw7RsV-M

The 322 graduates will include:

  1. Jeremiah Isaiah Acevedo
  2. Kimberly Jay-Dalyzz Acevedo
  3. Isabella Evelyn Adamczyk
  4. Abigail Alston
  5. Steve Antigua
  6. Dylann Jane Backenstoss*
  7. Dylan Erik Jesse Baer
  8. Mckenna Violet Barker*
  9. Zeven Robert Barna
  10. Aissatou Barry
  11. Connor Shay Bartley
  12. Kevin Andrew Bartman
  13. Andrew Gavin Bauer
  14. Tyler William Beam
  15. Michael Antonio Benitez
  16. Colin Bercek
  17. Ashlynn Margret Bestwick
  18. Courtney Ann Bolter
  19. Isabella Joy Boston*
  20. Samantha Lynne Bowman
  21. Nyla Boyd
  22. Alexys Ella Bremer
  23. Christian Christopher Brice
  24. Evan Joseph Brill
  25. Brandon A Brodie
  26. Lena Victoria Brown*
  27. Nathanael Xavier Brundage
  28. Christina Lynn Buck
  29. Fredrick Bernard Butler, III
  30. Briana L Cabrera
  31. Anthony K Caccese
  32. Ariana Lee Cambria
  33. Morgan Reigh Cambria
  34. Alana Rayana Campbell
  35. Phillip Edward Cano
  36. Alexandru Cristian Carstea
  37. Angela Marie Catania
  38. Luke Guy Cerra
  39. Dylan Andrew Charles
  40. Isaiah Sean Choy
  41. Elizabeth Grace Clavell*
  42. Jack Samuel Cloak
  43. Eduardo Arias Coates
  44. Teriq Zamir Conlin
  45. Vivian Marie Conroy
  46. Ajah Danae Cooper
  47. Cadence James Cooper
  48. Jade Alexis Cooper
  49. Carter Allan Cordora
  50. Daisy Migdalina Cortes
  51. Sean Matthew Creamer*
  52. Kaiden Michael Paul Crome
  53. Edward Efrain Cruz, Jr
  54. Chase Michael Cupitt*
  55. Elizabeth Marie Curry
  56. Broderick Ulysses Dahms
  57. Danielle Rita Datoo
  58. Nicholas Gar Davidson
  59. Brandon William Davis
  60. Brian De Castro
  61. Ian Z Deitrich
  62. Anna Grace deOrnellas
  63. Orlando Junior Diaz Figueroa
  64. Jenna Nicole Dillio
  65. Ashley Priscilla Doll*
  66. Matthew Ryan Dorn*
  67. Cameron Francis Douglas
  68. Jack William Dramby
  69. Eric Martin Dunbar
  70. Nicolas E Duncan
  71. Alana Grace Durham
  72. Joshua Riley Eckman
  73. John James Endy
  74. Matthew D Engle
  75. Emma Jolene Ettele
  76. Henry Evans III
  77. Matthew Thomas Evans
  78. Ashton Michael Fasig*
  79. Faith Marie Feldman*
  80. Damir Marcelo Figueroa
  81. Santiago David Figueroa Zorrilla Jr
  82. Johnathan Marco Fisher
  83. Jaredis T Flores Quiñones
  84. Jose Fernando Flores
  85. Evan Thomas Fluke
  86. Luke C Foxx
  87. Daniel Alberto Franceschi
  88. Donovan David Frymoyer
  89. Enner Alexander Fuentes Jr
  90. Sylmarie Galarza
  91. Maia K Galeotti
  92. Jillian Marie Gappa
  93. Elijah Luis Garcia
  94. Eloy Misael Garcia Coello
  95. Isabel Jazmin Garcia
  96. Sebastian Etni Garcia
  97. Ava A Gates*
  98. Nicolette Gavrilovici
  99. Gwynne Dorothea Geedey
  100. Verana Candace Devina George-Scott
  101. Luis Joel Gerena Jr
  102. Salvador Vladimir Germosen Sanchez
  103. Christopher Sebastian Ginalski
  104. Jacob R Glidewell
  105. Gavin A Godfrey
  106. Emilin Gonzalez
  107. Kyle R Goodman*
  108. Alannah Marie Greene
  109. Wade Wayne Grimm
  110. Alexis Marie Grogesky*
  111. Connor David Grose
  112. Ryan Dale Gusley
  113. Ashley Marie Haines
  114. Alivia Lynn Hamaker
  115. Benjamin Lee Hasselbach
  116. Matthew John Heckler
  117. Cole C Heckman
  118. Paityn Mei-Lee Heliger
  119. Juliana Rae Henrie
  120. Morgan Olivia Herb*
  121. Aaron Jacob Hernandez
  122. Isabella Del Rocio Hernandez Ramos
  123. Justin Hernandez
  124. Raymond Elias Hernandez
  125. Valeria Hernandez Ramos
  126. Mia Kate Herner
  127. Gracie Rose Hoch
  128. Hope Meredith Hoffman
  129. Ethan Robert Hohl
  130. Cody Robert Holland
  131. Emily Anne Holliday*
  132. Colten Wayne Hummel
  133. Gabrielle Heather Istenes
  134. Jordyn Chase Jarrett
  135. Xavier Alejandro James Jeffries
  136. Sabria Danae Johnson
  137. Sophie Lynn Johnson*
  138. Sifa Githinji Kamau
  139. Richard David Karstien
  140. Zachary Adam Kauffman
  141. Madison Christina Kemp
  142. Trevor Lloyd Keperling
  143. Nora Abigail Kern
  144. Logan Byron Kerr
  145. Luke Warren Kirlin
  146. Zachary Russell Kleinfelter*
  147. Colin Eric Kline
  148. Paige Isabella Koller
  149. Christina Eve Kopecky*
  150. Logan Thomas Kramlich
  151. Kayla Renee Kulp
  152. Vanessa Nicole Kushner
  153. Breana Lyn Lacen
  154. Anthony Laporte-Colona
  155. Brooke Ann Laverty
  156. Rosa Minnick Laverty
  157. Justin Uriel Lee
  158. Keith Jacob Lerch
  159. Caitlyn Riley Levengood
  160. Lydia Rose Long
  161. Yanely Lopez Ramos
  162. Cohen William Loscig
  163. Johnny Junior Lozada
  164. Ian Richard Lubenow*
  165. Carter Scott Lutz
  166. Olivia Grace Maldonado
  167. Daniel Gerardo Maradiaga
  168. Alyani Angeline Martinez
  169. Jonathan Manuel Martin
  170. Leilani Martinez*
  171. Randall Maxwell III
  172. Aliye Stephen McDonough*
  173. Jason William McGowan
  174. Courtney Marie McGrew
  175. Meadow Gloria McGready
  176. Janessa McIntyre
  177. Adriel Melendez
  178. Ashley Grace Messner
  179. Ashley Lynn Miller
  180. Autumn Lee Miller
  181. Meghan Nicole Miller
  182. Velicity Nicole Miller
  183. Adriana Michelle Miranda Cruz
  184. Casimir Robert Miravich
  185. Delia Marie Misciagna
  186. Nasir Diamente Montalvo
  187. Grace Aimee Nona Moore
  188. Faith Lee Morris
  189. Taylor Lynn Moss
  190. Robert Mitchel Mowad
  191. Christopher Edward Mower IV
  192. Steffanie G Moyer
  193. Abigael Lynne Mulhare*
  194. Tessa Marie Natale
  195. Aliya Kuuipo Haliaka Bin-Abdul-
  196. Azeez-Navarro
  197. Cameron Thomas Neafcy
  198. Justin Clark Nester*
  199. Leah Jayden Nester
  200. Matthew Kyle Newcomb
  201. Johnathan Robert Newnham*
  202. Devyn Rae Nimmerichter
  203. Brooklynn Cassidy Noecker
  204. Kory Spencer Noll
  205. Alexandra Leann Ortiz
  206. Leahnessa Sadie Ortiz*
  207. Ethan Joseph Overton
  208. Lucas Michael Palange
  209. Nathaniel Kwesi-Sei Panford Jr
  210. Emma Madelynn Pankratz
  211. Katey M Parmelee
  212. Zyion Neil Paschall-Armstrong
  213. Katie Hannah Patchell
  214. Joshua Perez
  215. Joseph Michael Pichler
  216. Zachary Taylor Pollock
  217. Hamida Nazia Popal
  218. Makenzi Grace Powell
  219. Zaykyle Luis Pozo
  220. Dominic Daniel Quirple
  221. Regina Ramirez-Sastre*
  222. Lauren Marie Ramsey*
  223. Aashveen Kaur Randhawa*
  224. Evan Readinger
  225. Joseph Patrick Reedy
  226. Makayla Marie Reidnauer
  227. Darin Ray Reimert
  228. Natasha Lynn Reimert
  229. Anakin Christopher Reinbold*
  230. Abby Renninger
  231. Adrian Alexander Rivera
  232. Alysabeth Sarai Rivera
  233. Ektor Jomar Rivera Barreto
  234. Kylee Marie Rivera
  235. Sophia Rose Robinson
  236. Javion Luis Rodriguez
  237. Brayden Anthony Rompella
  238. Mason John Rotelli
  239. Breanna Naomi Ruddell
  240. Keilian Emily Rudisill
  241. Katherine Ryan*
  242. Jack Thomas Sahaida*
  243. Faith Mariah Sanchez
  244. Dominic J Santillo
  245. Marques Leon Saunders Jr
  246. Luke John Schabener
  247. Kasey Elizabeth Schaeffer
  248. Joshua Ryan Schell
  249. Jaylinn Kiara Scheuring
  250. Collin Eric Schick
  251. Joseph Aiden Schlaffer
  252. Gavin James Schmehl
  253. Jaiden B Schmeer
  254. Jasmine Taylor Marie Schweitzer
  255. Serenity Liana Scott*
  256. Peyton Nicole Seamans*
  257. Paul Edmund Semo
  258. Najhay Sanaa Sessoms
  259. Zachary James Shaffer
  260. Kayleigh Caitlyn Sharpe
  261. Eric Joseph Shaw Jr
  262. Deven Charles Sheerin
  263. Miranda Elizabeth Shingle
  264. Ethan Isaac Shull
  265. Nayalise Sierra
  266. Maya Elizabeth Sing*
  267. Matthew Donahue Skipper
  268. Madison Slackway
  269. Michaela Marie Smith
  270. Erin Elizabeth Snyder
  271. Ted Snyder
  272. Matthias Constantine Sobalvarro
  273. Carson Erick Soja
  274. Jeanna Sophia Sottosanti*
  275. Malayna Amarie Spiller*
  276. Allyson Eileen Stanley
  277. Dillon Hunter Stavarski
  278. Kyle Adam Stech*
  279. Destiny Lynn Stoltz
  280. Devon Jack Strouse
  281. Morgan Victoria Struk
  282. Elizabeth Swoyer
  283. Nicholas Anthony Szweda
  284. Anthony Michael Tartaglia Jr*
  285. Kai Shay Sy Taylor
  286. Patricia Vo Tran*
  287. Laela Paige Trapani
  288. Jake Alan Tryanski
  289. Robert Patrick Tufariello*
  290. Summer Ann Turczynski*
  291. Joshua Eric Turman
  292. Olivia Elise Ubert
  293. Megan E Unruh
  294. Alondra Valdez
  295. Jackson T Vallonio
  296. Christian Ventura
  297. Nicolas Paul Vishio
  298. David Leo Vollmer III
  299. Victoria Pearl Wade
  300. Joshua Lin Walters
  301. Collin Matthew Warner
  302. Ayannah Watson*
  303. Chase Thomas Webb
  304. Carly Jolyn Weidman
  305. Brady Leyton Weller
  306. Nathan Gower Wentling
  307. Ava Elizabeth Werner
  308. Quinnten E Westley
  309. Alecia Nia Williams
  310. Hanna Reese Winslow*
  311. Preston Wismer
  312. Dominic John Wodicka
  313. Chazere J Woody
  314. Cecelia Amy Wright*
  315. Brayden James Wunsch
  316. Ty Matthew Yonas
  317. Owen Christopher Youse
  318. Parker Ryan Youse
  319. Lillian Marie Ziegler
  320. Emily Margaret Zigner
  321. Becca Kristine Zilinski
  322. Aaron Bruce Zimmerman

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