Feature

History of our school

Story by Julie Capers ▪ January 10, 2025

East Pennsboro Area High School has been the home of the Panthers for many years. But how exactly did we even get here?

Our earliest confirmed example of a school in the Enola area was called the Lantz Schoolhouse. It was built in 1776 and used as a schoolhouse for the Enola area. It is unknown exactly how long it operated as a schoolhouse; however, it was operational until at least 1915. The building still stands today and can be found on Wertzville and Center Street. The building will become 250 years old in 2026.

Since education in America was not prioritized until the late 1800s, it is no surprise that an actual school was not built until the early 1900s. The very first Enola High School had its first class graduate in 1911. The class was a mere 13 people and the school was in the Enola Realty building. Though the building no longer exists, it used to be found at Altoona Avenue and York Street.

The Enola High School was moved into a new building in 1923. Nowadays, it is a rather important building to East Pennsboro, the Township Building, found at 98 South Enola Drive. It was in use until 1959.

The high school made another move into a new building, the building we now know as our high school today. Now known as East Pennsboro Area High School, our school was originally known as East Pennsboro Area Jr. and Sr. High School. The building opened in 1958 and has been renovated twice since then, once in 1962, and another time in 1999.

Since then, many classes have graduated from our beautiful school. Through all the years, however, students still seem to remain the same in some ways.

Jeffey Barlup, Gifted teacher who has worked in the school for 19 years reflects, “For the most part, they are really driven, want to succeed, and do well in school,”

Susan Fleagle, who has worked in the business department for 28 years, remarks, “There is a lot of school spirit around events like graduation and prom. The high school also has a huge difference in maturity, especially when kids start to realize that they are entering the real world.”

However, students have also changed, for the better or worse. Fleagle commented that,” Everyone has cell phones now, which can be both a positive and negative. There is a lot more negativity and pressure from others on social media.”

The school itself has also seen many changes including the safety in our school. Barlup remarks, “Safety and security is now a number one priority. When I went to school here, they didn’t even lock the doors.”

However some things have also stayed just the way they were. Barlup states, “A lot of the teachers have stayed the same. They have the kids' best interest in mind and want to help prepare them for the future.”

Mrs. Fleagle says, “It has always felt like a community. The school has always come together for different things as a community like Hoco or Prom.”

Whether it is a fun dance like Prom, Friday Night Lights, or spirit week, East Pennsboro will always remain an amazing community that we will all cherish for many years to come.

Click through the images above to take a look at EPAHS through the years. Images were collected from old yearbooks.

Photos by Kaitlyn Manderbach

Alumni Profile

What was the best part of high school when you attended?

“Hanging out with my friends. We would hang out at the park, someone’s house, and football games where we would get Pizza Hut after.”

What is your favorite memory from EP?

“Playing basketball and starting varsity basketball all 4 years.”

Did you play any sports?

“Basketball and softball.”

What clubs and other activities did you participate in?

“GAA club (Girl’s Athletic Association), French club, Chorus, and NHS.”

What college did you attend after high school, if any?

“West Chester University.”

What do you miss about EPHS?

“My biology 1 and 2 teacher, Mrs.Peckham.”

How do you think our school and community has changed since you attended?

“I think school today is really different because of many issues including gun violence, drugs, and social media, which is a whole other set of problems. The biggest thing we used to worry about was the occasional fight between some of the troublemaker kids.”

How did going to East Pennsboro help shape you into the person you are today?

“It helped me become a hardworking and responsible person. I also was able to create lifelong friendships that I maintain to this day.”

Senior Class Officers

Foster Lemley

Senior Class President

Why did you want to become a class officer?

"When I first wanted to be a historian, I thought I could provide my passion for note-keeping and history to improve the student experience. Similarly, I ran for president with the intention to apply my perspective and my enthusiasm toward giving my peers great experiences and helping to make senior year a pleasant time in all respects."

What are your plans as a class officer?

"I want to make sure that all of our traditional senior activities are the best they could be, and to innovate and improve the experiences of seniors."

What made you want to be a class officer?

"When I first aimed to be a historian, I thought I could provide my passion for note-keeping and history to improve the student experience. Similarly, I ran for president with the intention to apply my perspective and my enthusiasm toward giving my peers great experiences and helping to make senior year a pleasant time in all respects."

Karem Megahead

Senior Class Vice President

Why did you want to become a class officer?

"I wanted to become an officer to be able to assist my class and take charge in their events and activites."

What are your plans as a class officer?

"I plan to make senior year as enjoyable as possible, as we go off into new parts of our life."

What's your favorite part about attending EPHS?

"My favorite part is the community and understanding and helpfulness of it's students and peers."

Soriyah Jackson

Senior Class Treasurer

Why did you want to become a class officer?

"I wanted to ensure our class would be in a safe position and make sure everyone has a great year!"

What are your plans as a class officer?

"I plan to help manage events/ fundraisers so we can make the best out of this year"

What's your favorite part about attending EPHS?

"All the facility is kind and listen to students' opinions and feedback."

Sydney Levering

Senior Class Historian

Why did you want to become a class officer?

" To take up a leadership position for high school and contribute to the student body's success."

What are your plans as a class officer?

"I plan to help organize events and encourage school spirit."

What's your favorite part about attending EPHS?

"The positive staff and the community we have built up as a class."

Caroline Barboza

Senior Class Secretary

Why did you want to become a class officer?

"To take leadership role and help the community "

What are your plans as a class officer?

" Plans events raise money for a nice graduation"

What's your favorite part about attending EPHS?

"The relationships with my friends my peers and teachers."

Junior Class Officers

Phuong Ong

Junior Class President

What's your favorite part about attending East Pennsboro High School?

"My favorite part of attending this school is the community and the students. Because of the many clubs and activities, East Penn has a strong community that makes it easy to build new friendships."

What are your plans as class officer?

"I plan to fundraise as much money as possible to fund prom!"

Why did you want to become a class officer?

"I had many ideas I wanted to implement for my class and our school and wanted to be more involved."

Kylie Roland

Junior Class Vice-President

What's your favorite part about attending East Pennsboro High School?

"My favorite part of attending this school is the community and the students. Because of the many clubs and activities, East Penn has a strong community that makes it easy to build new friendships."

What are your plans as class officer?

"I plan to fundraise as much money as possible to fund prom!"

Why did you want to become a class officer?

"I had many ideas I wanted to implement for my class and our school and wanted to be more involved."

Hanna Gurchik

Junior Class Secretary

What's your favorite part about attending East Pennsboro High School?

"My favorite part of attending this school is the community and the students. Because of the many clubs and activities, East Penn has a strong community that makes it easy to build new friendships."

What are your plans as class officer?

"I plan to fundraise as much money as possible to fund prom!"

Why did you want to become a class officer?

"I had many ideas I wanted to implement for my class and our school and wanted to be more involved."

Veer Chaudhary

Junior Class Historian

What's your favorite part about attending East Pennsboro High School?

"My favorite part of attending this school is the community and the students. Because of the many clubs and activities, East Penn has a strong community that makes it easy to build new friendships."

What are your plans as class officer?

"I plan to fund raise as much money as possible to fund prom!"

Why did you want to become a class officer?

"I had many ideas I wanted to implement for my class and our school and wanted to be more involved."

Tyler Comery

Junior Class Treasure

What's your favorite part about attending East Pennsboro High School?

"My favorite part of attending this school is the community and the students. Because of the many clubs and activities, East Penn has a strong community that makes it easy to build new friendships."

What are your plans as class officer?

"I plan to fundraise as much money as possible to fund prom!"

Why did you want to become a class officer?

"I had many ideas I wanted to implement for my class and our school and wanted to be more involved."

Sophomore Class Officers

Palveer Singh

Sophomore Class President

Why did you want to become a class officer?

"I wanted my classmates to have as much fun as possible.”

What are your plans as a class officer?

“To make as much money as possible.”

What’s your favorite part about attending East Pennsboro Area High School?

“The people I have met here.”

Caleb Stone

Sophomore Class Vice President

Why did you want to become a class officer?

"I wanted to become a class officer as something to make me look good for colleges. But, I also wanted to be a class office because it gave me an important role in the grade, which gives me authority.”

What are your plans as a class officer?

“Plan fun events/fundraisers.”

What’s your favorite part about attending East Pennsboro Area High School?

“Seeing my friends and favorite teachers.”

Mihaela Hristozova

Sophomore Class Historian

Why did you want to become a class officer?

"I wanted to become a class officer because I wanted to be one of the representatives of our grade, and to help our grade raise money for fun events in the future.”

What are your plans as a class officer?

“As historian, I plan to record many memories of this class to look back on, as well as hoping to advertise our fundraisers using fun designs.”

What’s your favorite part about attending East Pennsboro Area High School?

“My favorite part about attending EPHS is being able to make many friends every year, and making new memories with people I’ve known for a long time.”

Jessie Luo

Sophomore Class Treasurer

Why did you want to become a class officer?

“I believe that being involved is essential to a good high school experience, so to help out my class provides benefit for both myself and my community.”

What are your plans as a class officer?

“I want to raise money for my class and set a good example for my peers to follow.”

What’s your favorite part about attending East Pennsboro Area High School?

“My favorite part about EPHS is how everybody loves this school, it brings up morale and atmosphere to have EP pride.”

Madison Gill

Sophomore Class Secretary

Why did you want to become a class officer?

“I wanted to become a class officer because I thought I could help our class accomplish our goals. I wanted to bring our class together in fun ways to raise money and support our class of 2027.”

What are your plans as a class officer?

“My plans as class officer are to bring our class together to raise money for our future events.”

What’s your favorite part about attending East Pennsboro Area High School?

“My favorite part of attending East Penn is the soccer team.The atmosphere that the soccer team has is so fun and supportive. Not only do I love my soccer team but I also love how supportive my teachers are.”

Freshman Class Officers

Khushi Patel

Freshmen Class President

What's your favorite part about attending East Pennsboro High School?

"My favorite part of attending EPHS is the community, with supporting teachers and amazing students making the experience truly enjoyable."

What are your plans as class officer?

"My plans as class president include organizing fundraisers to fund future events like prom. During the class of 2028’s first year of high school, I aim to make it an enjoyable time for everyone."

What’s your favorite part about attending East Pennsboro Area High School?

"I wanted to become class president because it was a chance to represent my classmates, organize fun events, and make a positive impact. I believe that every student's voice matters, and I wanted to serve as a connection between the students and the class office."

Derek Shaffer

Freshman Class Vice President

What's your favorite part about attending East Pennsboro High School?

"My favorite part of being at EPHS is the strong sense of pride and community."

What are your plans as class officer?

"My goals as a class officer include raising funds for our class treasury and organizing events in the coming years."

What’s your favorite part about attending East Pennsboro Area High School?

"I was inspired to join the class officers to help students reach their full potential and bring students together."

Jordan Li

Freshman Class Secretary

What's your favorite part about attending East Pennsboro High School?

"My favorite part of attending EPHS is the diversity, as he enjoys meeting new people and being involved in the community."

What are your plans as a class officer?

"My plans as a class officer include launching fundraisers to enhance activities like our future prom"

What’s your favorite part about attending East Pennsboro Area High School?

"I wanted to become a class officer to actively contribute to this community. I aim to make a difference and ensure the years before we graduate are enjoyable."

Wynnie Josie Amilcar

Freshman Class Treasurer

What's your favorite part about attending East Pennsboro High School?

"My favorite part of EPHS is the cheer team, which brings me and my friends together, and provides a great experience."

What are your plans as a class officer?

"My goal is to support fun and meaningful experiences for everyone in my class."

What’s your favorite part about attending East Pennsboro Area High School?

"My plans as class treasurer include organizing fundraisers, and ensuring funds are effectively used for events such as prom."

Sophie Gilbert

Freshman Class Historian

What's your favorite part about attending East Pennsboro High School?

"My favorite part of EPHS is the strong relationship with my friends and the bonds I have formed through the class of 2028."

What are your plans as a class officer?

"As class historian, I plan on capturing moments for us to look back on later, and implement a positive outlook in the end. I want us to remember the best parts of our high school journey."

What’s your favorite part about attending East Pennsboro Area High School

"I chose to become a class officer to help my class mates and community grow."

Echo Snedden, English

Carson Glusco, Social Studies

1,000-book library highlights Snedden's passion for reading

Story by Vivian Bordner ▪ January 10, 2025

At East Pennsboro Area High School, new English teacher Echo Snedden has a passion for reading that shines through her impressive collection of over 1,000 books. From her childhood days to now, books have always been a central part of her life. As she and her husband build a library in their home, Snedden’s passion for reading and teaching inspires those around her.

Snedden's enthusiasm for reading deeply influences her teaching style, bringing a lively and engaging atmosphere to her classroom. “My goal for now is just to get to know my students better,” she says, reflecting her commitment to forming meaningful connections with her students.

Her passion for books infuses her lessons with energy and creativity, helping to make literature a captivating and interactive experience for everyone.

Her newest project—a social media page poster on the novel's characters—brings the book to life in a way that clicks with her students. By designing projects that reflect her students’ preferences and frequently incorporating group work, Snedden encourages collaboration and helps her students engage more deeply with the material.

Snedden’s military service in the Air Reserves has profoundly influenced her approach to teaching. Spending nearly the whole summer working with the Reserves and studying meteorology while deployed in Kuwait, she took advantage of the military’s support to fund her college credits. Lessons from her service extend into her teaching, where she values the same qualities and encourages her students to embrace challenges with resilience.

Snedden offers simple yet powerful advice for students who find it hard to connect with reading: "There is something you can take away in every book." She encourages students to look beyond initial impressions and find elements within each story that resonate with them personally.

Snedden offers practical advice for those entering the teaching profession: "Just show up to class every day and try your best." She emphasizes the importance of consistency and effort. Additionally, she advises future educators to "be adaptable and open to new methods," highlighting the need for flexibility and a willingness to explore different approaches to teaching.

Inspirational teachers helped pave Glusco's path toward teaching

Story by Julie Capers ▪ January 10, 2025

Meet history teacher, Carson Glusco, a new addition to the East Pennsboro family.

Glusco started his teaching career in 2013. He began teaching at East Pennsboro in fact! He was an assistant teacher here before he moved on to Newport Middle School to teach 6th and 7th grade history for 9 years.

Ever since he was young, he always knew he wanted to be a teacher. Many of his family were even teachers as well. However, he didn’t know what subject he would teach. He remarked that he had, “lots of inspirational history teachers.” He also said that his dad inspired him as he also happened to enjoy history.

History can be a tough subject for many students; however, he believes that his class is definitely worth paying attention to. He claims that history, “gives a greater understanding of the world around us.” He also says that history is all about problems and figuring out how to solve them, which he says is important for students to learn.

Glusco’s favorite units to teach are World War 1 and the 1920s. He has a personal connection to WWI as his grandfather fought in it. He enjoys the 1920s because he says that this is when “American culture really starts to develop.”

Outside of school, some of his favorite activities include hiking, watching baseball, and traveling. He says the coolest place he ever visited was Europe. He was there for 6 months studying abroad. He got to try many different foods and see many different places.

His grandfather influenced him in more ways than one, because of him he is a big baseball fan. He likes to watch his favorite team, The Baltimore Orioles, all because his grandfather was from there. He has a goal to visit all 30 baseball stadiums one day and has been to a handful already. This past summer he got to visit a new baseball stadium, Citi Field, (one of many to check off his list).

January 2025 ▪ Issue 2

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