On April 7th, 2016, Susquehanna Community High School hosted their annual National Junior Honor Society ceremony in the high school auditorium. This is specifically for students in grades 8 and 9 who have earned a cumulative grade point average of 93 or higher since 7th grade. There were a total of 16 students who were inducted. Students who had active speaking roles during the presentation were: Devon Dubanowitz, Lia Heath, Rhiannon Potter, Kaylee Landry, Angel Bieloski, Chloe Tinklepaugh, and Emily Fremberg.

Pictured (L-R) are: front row - Angel Bieloski, Rhiannon Potter, Meaghan Towner, Jonathan Jenkins, Emily Fremberg, Airyll Rockwell, Kaylee Landry, Kailye Towner, Shania Megivern; back row - Mackenzie Steele, Taylor Huyck, Chloe Tinklepaugh, Devon Dubanowitz, Lia Heath, Jaycie Conklin, Geena Miller.

The guest speaker for the evening was Dori Spencer, a current computer and business teacher at the high school. Mrs. Spencer spoke to the students about taking pride in their accomplishments and not emphasizing about the number grade. She challenged them to get involved, be inquisitive and be active learners in the classroom. Garrison Kiernan was the pianist for the evening. Afterwards, students and their families had a light reception in the cafeteria.

An evening of choral music and Irish folksong with the Montrose Area Jr.- Sr. High School Concert Chorus and special guests Four Shillings Short will take place Tuesday, May 10, starting at 7:00pm in the High School Auditorium.

The Chorus is a curricular ensemble at Montrose Area Jr.-Sr. High School and performs two concerts each year.  Student membership is drawn from grades 9-12 and averages 55-70 voices.  The chorus draws on a wide range of repertoire selected from various genres and time periods for their concert programs.  Student members have perennially been well represented at PMEA District, Region, and All-State Festivals.  The evening’s program will feature selections from The Phantom of the Opera, a spiritual composed by Pennsylvania composer Keith Hampton, and various spot solos performed by student members. 

Four Shillings Short

The centerpiece of the evening will be a block of traditional Irish music including Danny Boy, The Rocky Road to Dublin, Molly Malone (Cockles and Mussels), The Wearing of the Green, and Dúláman with the chorus joined by the duo Four Shillings Short.  The appearance of Four Shillings Short is made possible through a generous grant provided by the Wert Family Fund administered by the Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains.

Four Shillings Short, the husband/wife duo of Aodh Og O’Tuama from Cork, Ireland and Christy Martin from California, perform Traditional and Original music from the Celtic lands, Medieval and Renaissance Europe, India and the Americas on a fantastic array of instruments (over 30) including Hammered and Mountain Dulcimer, Mandolin, Mandola, Bouzouki, Tinwhistles, Recorders, Medieval and Renaissance Woodwinds, North Indian Sitar, Charango, Bowed Psaltery, Banjo, Bodhran, Guitar, Percussion, vocals and even a Krumhorn.

Touring in the US and Ireland since 1997, Four Shillings Short are independent folk-artists who perform 150 concerts a year, have released 12 recordings and live as full time Troubadours traveling from town to town performing at music festivals, theatres and performing arts centers, folk societies, libraries, house concerts and schools.

For more information contact the school at 570-278-3731.

Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Mike Stack was in our area on Wednesday, April 20 visiting Susquehanna, Bradford and Tioga County businesses and industries. While in Susquehanna County, Bill desRosiers, External Affairs Coordinator from Cabot Oil & Gas took the Lt. Governor to a natural gas drilling pad and production site. After the tour, they visited the Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center for a luncheon and tour of the facility.

Pictured (L –R) are: Elk Lake/SCCTC Superintendent Dr. Ken Cuomo, SCCTC Executive Director Dr. Alice M. Davis, Allison Hampton, Alyssa Sickler, Lt. Gov. Mike Stack, Chris Meaders, Keaton Smith, James McIntyre, SCCTC Instructor Bruce Castelli.

At the luncheon, several SCCTC students were recognized. Carpentry and Cabinetmaking students Chris Meaders, Keaton Smith and James McIntyre brought home a gold medal from the SkillsUSA State Competition held recently in Harrisburg. They will take their winning community service project to the National Competition to be held in Louisville, Kentucky. Alyssa Sickler was honored for her community service by The Challenge Program. This program connects business and education to achieve a skilled and motivated future workforce. Cabot Oil & Gas has supported this program at the SCCTC since 2012. Allison Hampton, who received a Community Foundation scholarship for her culinary tool kit, represented the hundreds of SCCTC students who have received scholarships for their tool kits, boots, cosmetology kits, uniforms and more. Cabot Oil & Gas generously donates more than $50,000 to this Community Foundation fund annually.

Dr. Alice M. Davis noted, “The ongoing generosity of the gas industry, particularly Cabot Oil and Gas Corporation, has had such a positive impact on this school and, in turn, the future workforce. The far-reaching effects are immeasurable, and we are so grateful for their willingness to join the SCCTC mission. We are also honored to have the Lt. Governor see first-hand the magnitude of career and technical education.”