Elk Lake 9th grade science students were given a challenge to design and build a device that would launch a ping pong ball down a course, into designated scoring holes. The challenge was made more difficult in that the ball must be launched using a mousetrap for the power source. Mr. Tim Woolcock’s physical science classes took on the challenge, knowing the reward would be a trip to Widener University to complete with other aspiring inventors and engineers.

Elk Lake students Chase Orlandini and Seth Tewksbury receiving the championship trophy from Dr. Ron Mersky, associate professor of Civil Engineering at Widener University

Contests were conducted on an exact replica of the course designed by Widener School of Engineering, the host of the competition. The replica course was built in Mr. Craig Good’s woodworking shop by students Cody Franssen and Antuan Robinson. The four best devices were chosen based on ability to consistently score points.

This project encourages critical thinking and problem solving skills as well as applications of many major physical science concepts including energy, forces and motion. Attention to detail, accuracy and precision were found to be critical to success. Staying calm under pressure certainly helped as well.

The top four teams that qualified to go to Widener on October 24, 2012 included Shayla Griffiths and Phil Cussins, Randi Teed, Jourdan Aten and Kayla Mosier, Cole Tyler and Ty Moon, and Seth Tewksbury, Hunter Bedell and Chase Orlandini . One hundred and ten teams competed in the contest. The team of Orlandini and Tewksberry not only made the finals but won the whole challenge. This is the second year Elk Lake has competed in Widener’s engineering competition and the second year they brought home a trophy. This year the young science students represented their school well, bringing home a beautiful gold champion trophy cup!

The Mountain View Drama Club is working hard at rehearsals for their upcoming show “A Collection of One Acts!”  The show is set for November 16th and 17th, 7:00 pm at the Mountain View Jr/Sr High School Auditorium and tickets are available.  There will be a different show each night.

The Mountain View Drama Club

Students in grades 7-12 make up this cast and crew as they deal with many issues that plague lives today. Please come out and enjoy a night of laughter and emotion as the students of Mountain View proudly present “A Collection of One Acts!”

Pictured are (l-r): Owen Flannery, John McNulty, Colby Thomas, Dylan Thomas, Duane Ely, Tara Sterling, Dr. Kerri Pratt, Paige Belcher and Roger Hayden.

The 9th Annual Mountain View Distinguished Alumni Dinner was held at the View in Clifford Saturday, October 20. Honored were Kerri Pratt, PhD (2000); John McNulty (1971); Roger Hayden (1964); and Duane Ely (1961). All those honored humbly thanked those who had made a difference in their lives, agreeing that it takes a village of family, school, church, and community to insure success. Roger Thomas spoke of Kerri Pratt’s devotion to her passion for science when his student, and he urged parents to find their children’s passions and let them run with them. John McNulty thanked Coach Bill McLaughlin, in particular, who had presented him with a new pair of Converse sneakers his senior year to replace his six-year-old hand me downs, which were making his feet bleed. McNulty presented his former coach with high top leather Converse leather sneakers autographed by Butler basketball coach Brad Stevens, considered by many to be America’s finest basketball coach. Roger Hayden treated us with his skill at the keyboard, and credited his faith with his success. Duane Ely spoke of his delight in the athletes he coached. He stated that no one enters high school coaching for the money—it has to be for the thrill when students achieve success as well as the joy of working with them. Introducing this year’s recipients were Victoria Sterling, Owen Flannery, Paige Belcher, and Colby Thomas. State Rep. Sandra Major presented citations from the House and Senate to all recipients.

The evening’s closing event was a hula demonstration by several attendees, complete with leis and grass skirts, led by Patti Jenkins, hula teacher extraordinaire.

All those honored thanked the Mt. View Alumni Association for sponsoring this event and for the good that they do. Officers of the Association are President Donna Williams, Vice-president Mary Ketterer, Secretary Dava Rinehart-Cowan, Treasurer Diane Witko, Executive Board members Paul Gere, John Beeman, and William Zick.