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Small Town, Big Dreams: Homer-Center Reaches for $250,000

By Maggie Voyda

In the past few weeks, Homer-Center School District has won a total of $30,000 through T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights competition, and the Wildcats aren’t done yet. After winning $5,000 in the earliest round, and then $25,000 in the latest round, Homer-Center is one of 40 finalists in the country competing for a chance to win $250,000. That money can improve its athletic facilities and resources. With voting happening currently, the district is asking students, families, and the community to help bring home the win.

The Friday Night 5G Lights is a nationwide competition sponsored by T-Mobile and gives rural high schools the opportunity to win money for their athletic programs. Schools participate by submitting an application and sharing photos on social media that tell the stories and spirits of the community. Homer-Center is the only school in Western Pennsylvania to reach the final 40. This is an outstanding opportunity and accomplishment for the district and its supportive community. The 40 finalists have been divided into four different divisions, with Homer-Center competing against nine other schools within its East division. The current round, which determines who will win the $250,000, is decided by voting from the public. This means the Homer City community and other surrounding communities' votes are so crucial.

“We need votes because this round is strictly about incoming votes. More votes increase our chances of winning,” Scott Bauer, teacher and spearhead of Homer-Center’s involvement in the competition, says.

If Homer-Center wins the $250,000 prize, the money could be used for major renovations to the school's athletic facilities, including the weight room. If we win the grand prize of $1 million, the football stadium would get major improvements including the stadium bleachers, fencing, and gates. These upgrades would ensure safety for athletes, with equipment such as tackling dummies and sleds. Bauer explained that the school is “looking towards weight room improvements” and upgrading equipment to keep athletes safe. These changes would not only impact the football team, but would also have a positive impact on other sports within the district.

Greg Page, a Homer-Center math teacher and the head coach of the football team, described the competition as a “tremendous opportunity to upgrade things and benefit other sports as well.” The excitement surrounding the competition goes beyond just athletic programs, it has brought the school and community together to reach a common goal. Homer-Center’s school principal, Jody Rainey expressed his hopes by saying, ”hopefully we get everyone to rally up and help us get over the top and win a couple more cash prizes.”

Although Homer-Center has already earned $30,000, the school is encouraging the community to continue its support towards the Wildcats. People can help by voting once per day through the competitions voting link or QR code. Voting ends October 25th, and supporters should share the link with friends and family to increase Homer-Center’s chances of winning. The link for voting can be found at https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/friday-night-5g-lights. You would select ‘Vote Daily’, ‘East’, and then select Homer-Center Jr/Sr High School. Community members can also show their pride by posting on Instagram or X, tagging T-Mobile and using the hashtags #FN5GL and #Entry. Posts showing school spirit, creativity, athletics, and the community itself will help show Homer-Center's uniqueness. “We are not done yet. Now we are going to push and we are going to try to win,” Bauer said, highlighting Homer-Center’s determination to win the prize.

As the deadline of voting is coming to an end, every vote matters. What started as an opportunity to win money for athletics has turned into something larger: the community coming together to show its pride and support. Even if Homer-Center doesn’t come out the winner, the togetherness shown throughout the town will be one of the district's greatest accomplishments. As Scott Bauer, better known as Mr. Bauer, to the students and staff, says, “Alright Wildcat Nation, let’s get to work and let’s make our community proud.”

With $30,000 already gained and another $250,000 on the line, the Wildcats are counting on the community to help take them to the next level. Come out to the football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, October 16th, to help celebrate Homer-Center’s achievements. Wear pink and paint the town magenta.

25 Years of Dedication: Ms. Bruno’s Retirement

By Maggie Voyda and Brooklyn Visnesky

With 25 years of teaching at Homer-Center, Ms. Bruno has decided to retire at the end of this school year. Over the past decades, she has influenced many generations of students and teachers who will deeply miss her in their daily lives in the next school years to come.

Ms. Bruno is considered a great teacher who never stops trying her best in everything that she does. From delivering the lesson to organizing various field trips or inviting special guests for her law classes, she makes sure that every moment is productive and exciting. Her classroom is not only a place of structure and discipline, but also one filled with encouragement and opportunity.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while and I wanted to make sure I was healthy enough to be able to travel and do all the things I wanted to do,” Ms. Bruno said. “I also wanted to leave when I was feeling very good about teaching and loving my job. I didn’t want to wait until I was too tired to do it or getting jaded, so this year just felt like this was it.”

Ms. Bruno’s teaching style has left a strong impression on her students. The idea that “repetition is the mother of study” has been key in her teaching style. Students were always invited to repeat certain facts and ideas aloud, and the famous presidents’ songs helped countless students remember the order of presidents. Her parting words at the end of each class, “Have a good day. Be wise, make good decisions, and use good judgment,” has become a meaningful routine many students will carry with them beyond the classroom.

Though Ms. Bruno always ensures that there is a disciplined classroom environment, she always finds time for fun. She never hesitates to stop a particular lesson to play an educative game or answer the questions of her students. She also believes in encouraging her students to venture out of their comfort zone and become more confident and responsible individuals in the process.

Looking back, Ms. Bruno said the most rewarding part of her career has been seeing the long-term impact she has had on her students. “Whenever I go out and see people who I’ve taught in the past, and they approach me and say that I’ve made an impact on them, or say that they remember something about my class… I think it’s just seeing that development of kids from the time you start teaching them until maybe 20 years later,” she said.

Beyond academic achievements, Ms. Bruno has taught her students valuable things about life. Students have learned proper etiquette, respect, and responsibility from her. The majority of Ms. Bruno’s students consider her classroom as a warm place where one feels at home. Her caring attitude towards people and her readiness to help others make her not only an excellent teacher but also a wonderful role model.

Ms. Bruno is excited to start a new chapter in her life as she moves towards retirement. "Travel…I can't wait to get on a plane, get on a bus, get on a boat, get in a car. I am heading out," she said.

When asked what she wants students to remember most, her answer reflects the heart of her teaching. “My passion. I hope they realize I love learning… I hope they remember me as being consistent and fair… and a good role model.”

Despite retiring from teaching, Ms. Bruno will remain a part of her students' lives forever. Her legacy at Homer-Center will never be forgotten.

FBLA Is Continuing to Grow as Students Prepare for Their Competitive Season

By: Maggie Voyda, HC Observer

Homer Center High School’s FBLA, otherwise known as Future Business Leaders of America, is heading into a strong year thanks to the rising participation, solid preparation, and renewed student commitment.

With competitive events, like states and nationals, community and school involvement, and bright new opportunities for students, FBLA is continuing to expand throughout our high school. This club, which meets up once or twice a month, is helping students develop leadership and career skills, which they may need throughout their future lives. To be able to be successful in these goals, FBLA advisor Mrs. Hannah Gnagey focused on recruiting and motivating students to be committed to the club so that they show higher success at competitions.

“I think a lot of the success of the club really does depend on the commitment of students. So if they pick an academic event that they're really interested in or they kind of do that extra prep or studying or effort, that tends to set their projects and test scores apart and lead to the qualification for states or beyond that” (Hannah Gnagey, Homer- Center FBLA Advisor).

Although there haven’t been major organizational changes involved in the club so far this year, the club started meetings earlier this year, rather than starting in late October. This small change can help FBLA avoid last-minute time crunches so that they are fully prepared for their competitions. Still, advisor Hannah Gnagey believes attendance and dedication is the ultimate reason that students will have individual success.

The growth in the club proves that FBLA has had multiple successes throughout the years. Even though this aspect of the club wasn’t measured by a trophy or medal, it’s important, especially when focusing on bigger competitions like states and nationals. Not only does growing the club help with competitions, it also helps the students involved gain the opportunities that FBLA gives to them such as the networking side of things and traveling to different areas.

An example of the club's growth was when Gnagey mentioned, “ When I got hired here at Homer Center, there were only seven registered members and in the past two years, we’ve increased that over double so now this year we have 21 members” (Hannah Gnagey, Homer- Center FBLA advisor).

As for what’s next for the FBLA club at Homer-Center, expect to see a growth in membership, more successes throughout competition, and involvement in the school and community environment. If you consider joining FBLA in the future, advisor Hannah Gnagey will ensure you understand the amazing benefits and opportunities that FBLA provides each student.

Understanding the Purpose and Impact of PSSAs and Keystone Exams

By Wedu Neelo Chilume, HC Observer

Students across Pennsylvania are once again facing one of the most important, and often stressful, parts of the school year: the PSSA and Keystone Exams. These high-stakes tests don’t just measure what students know, they also impact teaching, school performance, and future opportunities. To better understand their true purpose and impact, I spoke with Mr. Buffone, along with educators Mrs. Janik, Mrs. Goodnack, and Mrs. Cook, to hear their perspectives on what these exams really mean for students.

The PSSA and Keystone Exams play an important role in the education system by holding schools and teachers accountable for what students are learning. These tests were created to ensure that all students are being taught the same essential material and to evaluate how effective instruction is across schools. They also provide data that helps teachers adjust lessons and improve student learning, making them an important part of the school community.

“The main purpose of the PSSA and Keystone Exams is to test students on the given state standards and objectives,” said Mrs. Janik.

Mr. Buffone explained that these exams not only assess students but also evaluate teachers and the overall education system. He noted that standardized testing can be a “double-edged sword,” especially for students with test anxiety, but also emphasized that newer systems focus on student growth, allowing improvement to be recognized even if students do not reach proficiency.

Other educators shared similar insights. Mrs. Goodnack explained that these exams act as accountability tools and provide important data, but should be viewed as only one part of a student’s overall learning. Mrs. Cook added that the tests are especially useful for teachers, helping them identify which standards students understand and which need more attention. “They help teachers see what standards their students are mastering and which ones they are struggling with,” Mrs. Cook said.

Teachers also agreed that preparation is key to success. Students are encouraged to stay engaged throughout the school year by paying attention in class, completing assignments, and asking questions. Practicing with test materials and maintaining healthy habits like getting enough sleep can also improve performance.

As testing season approaches, students should remember that these exams are just one measure of their abilities. While they are important, growth, effort, and learning throughout the year matter just as much. Moving forward, Homer-Center will continue using these results to improve instruction and support student success, making these exams an important part of the educational experience.

United Lions Basketball Season

By Phoebe Compton, HC Observer

How did a small-town high school team rise above the rest?

The United Lions had an exceptional 2025-2026 season and established themselves as one of the top high school basketball teams in Pennsylvania.

Success is something that has been synonymous with United Lions basketball for the past six seasons, but the team really stepped up their game and dominated the regular season this year. They were unstoppable winning game after game, most of which were not close. They showed strengths in offense and defense and easily built momentum throughout the season, finishing with an undefeated 2025-2026 regular season.

Chemistry played a huge role in helping the Lions in victory. Consistency with players was a huge help as well. According to Coach Rodkey, “the most rewarding part of coaching this team was being able to see the kids grow from seventh grade.” Senior Carter Payne stepped up his game this year with 17.7 points per game. Ryan Felix, who is only a junior, dominated all fields with about 9.8 rebounds per game and 55% field goal shooting. The entire team was able to step up to the challenge and stay composed throughout the season.

When the regular season concluded, the Lions weren’t finished; in fact, they were just getting started. They had exceptional district and state playoff success. They won the district VI class 2A championship, 61-53, over Bishop McCort. Then they continued their winning streak in the PIAA state playoffs with a 54-36 win vs. Neshannock; a 53-39 win over Clarion Area; and 71-61 win vs. Paul Robeson. They proved that not only can they compete locally, but they are great players across the state as well.

Despite their incredible run, the Lions fell just short of the state finals, losing in the PIAA Class 2A Eastern Final to Old Forge, 64-48. This marked their first loss of the season and ended one of the most impressive runs in Indiana County history. They finished ranked #3 in Pennsylvania Class 2A and dominated their season with a long winning streak of 30 straight wins; the only loss of their season being to Old Forge. “The best thing about this season was seeing the boys in the locker room after winning a game filled with joy and just seeing the excited look in their eyes. We also loved seeing the support of not only the United school district [community], but all of Indiana County’s support”, according to Rodkey.

Rokey’s biggest hope for his team at the end of day, “I hope the kids will take away from this seasons success is that staying disciplined and working hard can lead you to anywhere you want to go.”

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