School News

AP Chemistry and Biology classes take the plunge into water treatment at Big Run plant

by Emmet Jamieson

Water is the foundation of life. It covers roughly 71% of the Earth’s surface, and every organism needs it to live. However, water from natural sources like lakes and streams is usually rife with bacteria, detritus, and other pollutants, and is thus hazardous to drink.

That’s where water filtering plants - such as the Pennsylvania American Water plant in Big Run that a group of PAHS students recently toured - come in.

A view of the plant. The fountain of water gushing up is coming from the sectioned pool, where water is being treated with ferric chloride to remove pollutants. The small roofed building to the pool's right is the building where lime is added to the water to increase its pH, the white silo is where this lime is stored, and the tall building to the silo's left is where the ferric chloride is stored. (Photo by Emmet Jamieson)

The annual RYLA event is coming up soon for Punxsy students

by Madison Lorelli

Every year, the Punxsutawney Area High School gives rising seniors the opportunity to spend a week in Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA to attend the annual district 7280 RYLA event. This year, the event is going to be held from June 9th to June 14th. During the week you spend at the college, you learn leadership, social and professional skills. You also get the opportunity to meet new people and form lifelong friendships with the students you meet from other schools.

Social studies classes prepare to take trip to Washington, D.C.

by Madison Lorelli

As June has begun and the end of the school year is approaching, many clubs and classes are taking a day out of the school week to go on a field trip. This year, the social studies classes invited select students to attend a trip to Washington, D.C on June 17th.