On Friday, December 2, 2016, students, administration, faculty, and staff of the Mountain View School District celebrated our tight-knit community through Family & Consumer Sciences Day—the national celebration that educates families about the importance of preparing healthy meals and “Dining In” together.

On that day, the Mountain View School District family shared breakfast together. The Mountain View School District provided home style breakfast to all students, administration, faculty, and staff in both the high school and the elementary school buildings.

In an effort to further cultivate a culture of connectedness and to encourage families to prepare and eat a healthy meal together at home, students in the Foods 101 and Baking classes along with Elaine M. Chichura, D.Ed., Family and Consumer Sciences teacher; Karen Voigt, Superintendent; Robert Presley, Christine Kelly, high school and elementary school principals respectively; Erin Oakley, Food Service Director; Diana Slick, Counselor for At-Risk Elementary Students; Pete Regeski, high school librarian planned this district wide breakfast. Students and adults shared a meal while having an opportunity to socialize outside of the traditional classroom setting.

The “Dining In” planning committee, pictured (l-r) include: Donna Porter, High School Counselor; Miles Rush, Senior; Bridgette Reed, Senior; Melody Haley, School Nurse; Karen Krizauskas, School Nurse; Elaine M. Chichura, D. Ed., Family and Consumer Sciences teacher; Karen Voigt, Superintendent; Daniel Frost, Health and Physical Education teacher.

In addition to sharing a meal in school, individuals are encouraged to join in a national campaign sponsored by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS).  Individuals can show their support for the “Dine In” campaign by committing to “Dine In” on the AAFCS web site. Their commitment to the project will appear on an interactive map on the web site.  In 2014, more than 100,000 people worldwide committed to preparing and eating a healthy meal with their families.  In 2015, one thousand forty three (1,043) people shared breakfast at the Mountain View School District.  In addition to breakfast, a total of six hundred fifty six (656) individuals living within the Mountain View School District joined the more than one hundred twenty seven thousand two hundred seventy (127, 270) people worldwide in committing to preparing and eating a healthy meal with their families.

With the numerous benefits to families preparing and sharing meals together, “Dine In” in school or at home calls attention to something simple that families can do to be healthier.  “We are proud to take part in this important initiative,” Chichura said.

December 3rd was chosen as Family & Consumer Sciences Day to honor AAFCS Founder Ellen Swallow Richards, first female graduate of MIT.

On November 16th, Susquehanna Community High School juniors and seniors who were interested in the medical field took a trip to SUNY Broome for the day. Admissions counselors spoke to the students about the application process, competitive programs in the health science fields, and scholarship opportunities available through Broome. Students then got a tour of the campus, including the dental hygiene labs. Lunch was provided on behalf of Broome admissions.

Pictured (l-r) are: front row- Morgan Rivenburg, Kendra Cole, Lacee Hodge, Haley Rhone, Briana Ferrante, Lyndsey Mroz, Evan Haley; back row- Alexandria Warring, Anjelica Birmingham, Dr. Warren DeWitt, Kassandra Hall, Gabrielle Glover, Kendra Colwell, Madisson Stanford, Kelsey Swartz, Emily Lawrenson, Bridget O’Neil.

This field trip was funded by the Claire Williams O’Neil Foundation (Roger and Joan O’Neil). It was organized through the help and support of Dr. Warren and Nancy DeWitt.  The DeWitt family is working on a scholarship for any senior pursuing a degree in the health sciences field (nursing, clinical lab technicians, pre-med, dental hygiene, etc). This scholarship would go to one or two Susquehanna Community students attending either SUNY Broome or Binghamton University. This scholarship would be in the amount of $40,000-$80,000 over a 2 or 4 year period. A future trip will be planned for Binghamton University.

As always, we are very grateful for the continued help and support from the Claire Williams O’Neil Foundation, the DeWitt family, and the community of Susquehanna. Because of everyone, we are able to provide such valuable opportunities and unique educational experiences for our students.

Following is a list of students who qualified for the First Marking Period Academic Excellence at Mountain View Elementary School.

FOURTH GRADE: Brooklyn Anderson, Lacey Ball, Timothy Barlow, Michael Beach, Zayandre Bradford, Jason DeManicor, Christina Denney, Conrad Depew, Chelsea Empet, Rachael Evans, Kayah Frasier, Jackson GesfordLuke Harvatine, Tanner Holtsmaster, Joshua Kamensky, Ryleigh Kilmer, Mishell Loja Pulla, Coralynn McHenry, Molly McLaud, Aiden Norton, Jacob Ofalt, Sienna Padgett, Adam Polovitch, Jarret Pratt, John Radford, Madelyn Resseguie, Miriam Sedlak, Paige Smith, Sierra Testa, Riley Turner, Robert Wallace, Alexis Weida, Jeremy Wells, Luke Zipprich.

FIFTH GRADE: Rylan Ainey, Braeden Alvord, Brandon Alvord, James Anderson, Noah Barnes, Daniel Belcher, Shaun Bills, Alexander Brodeur, Hannah Burgess, Ava Depew, Logan Dick, Isaac Drake, Joshua Fanelli, Carissa Flynn, Jason Gumble, Holly Harvatine, Vanessa Harvey, Joseph Heller, Camryn Hicks, Rachel Hunter, Riley Jagger, Kayla Kasa, Kaileigh Kelly, Bronson Kilmer, Alexis Kozlowski, Emma Long ,Regan Mellor, Ryan Micklo, Bailey Millard, Hailey Miller, Russell Milunic, Nathan Phelps, Logan Pliska, Ronald Raffensberger IV, Jocelyn Schwarztrauber, Lillian Sedlak, Sydney Seman, Mikaela Stout, Paige Strickland, Ryan Supancik, Aaron Tomanchek, Morgan Tweed, Penelope Ziegler, Lily Zrowka.

SIXTH GRADE: Wesley Anderson, Carter Bain, Nicole Baker, Charlize Barhite, Gavin Bewley, Briana Boswell, Ariel Brodeur, Owen Cameron, Lauren Clancy, Emily Cosklo, Alex Empet, Leah Evans, Alyson Frederici, Amber George, Kaylee Hamilton, Hailey Hojewski, Elijah Kamensky, Alexander Karp, Tyler Keating, David Kielar, Jack Kowalewski, Hunter Kozloski, Genevieve Larkin, Nicholas Lemoncelli, Pierce Lopez, Aiyana McElroy, Taylor Neri, Jacob Robinson, Sierra Rogenkamp, Deegan Ross, Raelyn Sanders, Tanner Stout, Joseph Swetter, Jonathon Symuleski, Adia Tompkins, Alexis Turner, Jordyn Walker, Alex Zech.

EDITORS NOTE: Here are some more biographies of seniors at Susquehanna Community High School.

Dylan Joseph Henry

Dylan Joseph Henry, a senior at Susquehanna Community High School, was born December 15,1997. He is the only child of Greg Henry and Loretta Henry. In elementary school he was involved with baseball, basketball and bowling.

Henry’s most influential person was his step-father. He is the reason Henry did a lot of traveling when he was younger. He are also the reason why Henry is interested in sports. Five things that Henry never leaves his house without is his watch, phone, wallet, glasses and hat. His most influential quote is from Robin Williams, “You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it.” When Henry isn't in school, he enjoys watching movies and spending time with his friends.

Henry hopes to serve his country as an army infantryman after he graduates from high school. Some advice he hopes to leave with the underclassmen is, “Don't let anyone think that they are better than you and make the most out of high school, you only have four years.” Henry enjoyed high school, but he is really looking forward to the future.

Haley Rhone

Haley Rhone is the daughter of Brian and Joann Rhone. She was born January 25, 1999. She has two siblings, Adam and Payton Rhone. Haley has attended Susquehanna her entire life, besides Pre-K. She cheered in elementary school and played softball. Haley has always loved animals, and was a fan of bringing them home to her parents.

Haley has spent her high school years involved in Basketball Cheer and Football Cheer. She volunteered for the Pow Wow, Parent Involvement Committee and field days. Haley participates in Community Service Club and Be a Hero. The most influential person in her life is her father, because he teaches her that if you work hard you can live a fulfilling life. Haley's favorite high school memory is participating in field days with the elementary school kids.

She plans to attend college for environmental science or conservation biology. Haley hopes that one day she will be able to live in Maine with a successful career. A quote she will always live by is “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards” -Soren Kierkegaard.

Kendra Lyn Cole

Kendra Lyn Cole is the daughter of April and Brian Delaney. She was born on September 16th, 1998 and is a senior at Susquehanna Community High School. She is also a football and basketball cheerleader. Kendra is the older sibling to her brother, Gavin Tanner. Kendra's favorite memory is when she was living in Vermont and she used to play in the snow with her favorite blue dress and yellow duck boots, with her best friend.

Kendra is involved in activities such as football cheerleading, basketball cheerleading, The Mentor Program and also took part in student council throughout the years. Her favorite quote is “Anyone can find the dirt in someone, so be the one who finds the gold.” Her tips for underclassmen are always be true to who you are, no matter who you may upset. Kendra’s five favorite things are her phone, her dog, Netflix, reading and sleeping in. Kendra has quite of few people that she looks up to, including; her mother, her dad, and her grandparents. These people have taught her that she never should let one mistake define your future.

After high school, Kendra plans to attend college for Forensic Pathology or the Forensic field.

Madison Canfield

Madison Mae Canfield is the daughter of Timothy and Lori Canfield. She was born July 26, 1999. She has attended Susquehanna Community School her whole life. Canfield’s special achievements have been National Honor Society, High Honor Roll Status, and the Character Award. During her high school career she has been a part of Student Council, Mentor Program, Envirothon, softball, volleyball, National Honor Society, Student Council Secretary, Community Service, Prom Committee and Big Brother Big Sister. Canfield also has a part time job at Schneider’s Market as a cashier.

Canfield’s favorite high school class is psychology and plans to pursue psychology in her college career. Her favorite quote is, “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra,” by Jimmy Johnson. Madison loves this quote because she believes if you work harder you will achieve. Madison’s advice to lower classmen is to,“Try your hardest your whole life and you’ll get where you want to be. Set goals for yourself to achieve.”

Madison plans to attend Lock Haven University to major in Elementary Education and Special Education. She plans to have two children and a yellow lab.