Embedded Files
Salutatorian Charlie Ross and Valedictorian Maria Kuhns are members of the Class of 2024. There were 26 graduates in total.
Photo credit: Kathy Kemp
Graduates take flight into the future
Graduates take flight into the future
By Chloe Damico '27
On May 31 the 108th class of Saint Joseph High School received their diplomas in the Walter Dlubak Athletic Center. On this special evening, the Class of 2024 gathered for Mass together one last time.
Mass was celebrated by Father John Lendvai and Father Andrew Fischer, and assisted by Deacon Pat Wood. The homilist, Father Philip Farrell, reflected on Mary's role because it was the Feast of Visitation.
Farrell said, “While you learned great lessons in science and math, you are invited, just as the Blessed Mother did, to take the Lord into your life and make him known in the world.”
Graduates also participated in the Mass. Ashley Vrscak proclaimed the first reading, and petitions were read by Nick Sarno-Brown and Maggie Bernat. The gifts were presented by Dan Staniszewski and Montana Geibel. The class valedictorian and salutatorian spoke to the congregation about their lessons learned in high school.
Valedictorian, Maria Kuhns, said, “This experience has prepared us for more than just academic success. It has taught us the value of perseverance, the importance of community, and the strength we gain when we support one another.”
Kuhns gave credit to the many individuals who got her to this stage in her life. Charlie Ross, salutatorian, spoke about the need to cherish time.
Ross said, “We are often eager to move onto the next stage, rather than appreciating where we are right now.” He recommended, “Instead of saying ‘I can’t wait’ let’s say ‘I will embrace’. Let’s be fully present in our lives, appreciating the journey rather than the destination.”
Disney's Tarzan earned 6 Gene Kelly nominations, winning for Best Musical and Best Costumes. Each gorilla costume took 30 hours to create and more than 1,200 t-shirts were donated. Barb Kalina has coordinated costumes for 27 years.
Photo credit: Natalie Brock '11
despite roadblocks, Tarzan recieves gene kelly awards for best Musical, best costumes
despite roadblocks, Tarzan recieves gene kelly awards for best Musical, best costumes
By Kalyda O'Connor '24
The drama department overcame many obstacles to perform Tarzan in front of a packed house from April 25 to April 28 at Freeport High School. The Disney musical surpassed pre-covid ticket sales, and won two Gene Kelly awards: Best Musical and Best Costumes.
The entire production team learned first hand the meaning of the popular phrase “the show must go on”. In January, the production team lost the venue and had to scramble to find a different theater for the show. Freeport High School became their new home.
Then, on opening night, a social media threat nearly shut down the show, just an hour before the curtain. Actors gathered backstage to circle up and pray. Once security arrived, the cast took the stage and performed under lockdown conditions out of an abundance of caution.
"I was shocked that a school as small as ours could be a target," said Vanessa Forster '24.
The following day, senior Kylie Krzewinski, one of the musical’s lead roles, was in a car accident. While the car was totaled, thankfully her injuries were not as serious. It didn’t prevent her from continuing with the performance.
Krzewinski never thought about skipping the performance. "I couldn't just stop my life," she said. "I had to keep going."
Despite all the trials, the cast entertained audiences at four shows, earning 6 Gene Kelly nominations including Best Musical, Best Dance Ensemble, Best Costumes, Best Lighting, Best Crew, and Outstanding Student Artist.
For the production, Senior Bailey Linza served as the cast’s choreographer. She was nominated for the Outstanding Student Artist Award.
"I was in awe. I felt very appreciated and grateful that others were impacted by my work," said Linza.
Senior Amelia Wygonik, played the role of Jane. Amelia started to dive into theater her sophomore year at St. Joe’s.
“I enjoyed my role this year and I thought it was really fun to have such a big part in the show, “ Wygonik said. “We had a much larger cast than last year, so I had to get to know everyone, and by the time we were done we were just one big family. That part was really cool.”
Alongside Wygonik, freshman Sean Wolfe was cast for the male lead, Tarzan. He admitted to learning much at the high school level of theatre.
"What I learned this year is that it is more important that you put your heart into what you do than hitting all the right notes," Wolfe said.
The ensemble included students from every class. This was a noticeable difference from the year prior.
“We had a lot more people in the musical so it was much harder to get things done in a timely manner because it was always chaotic, which can also be good,” Krzewinski ‘24 said.
Senior Vanessa Forster joined the drama department for the first time and took on various crucial animals in the musical. Forster played the role of the leopard, a spider, and also an ape.
“It was a fun experience and I loved the community we built this year,” Forster said. “I thought having a big cast was really fun, but it was hard work sometimes, and a little frustrating. Once we hit our stride, it was great.”
A Disney musical will always have a different type of energy, it seems to bring a better vibe overall.
Montana Geibel '24, Bella Graff '26, Louisa Palumbo '27 and Allie Meier '25 impress the judges at the annual PJAS state competition at the Pennsylvania State University. Graff and Palumbo earned a first place award, and Meier earned 2nd place, while Geibel served as a technician for the competition.
Photo credit: Natalie Brock '11
students earn top awards at Penn state in science competition
students earn top awards at Penn state in science competition
By Emma Blackburn `25
On May 20, students from different grade levels competed in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science state competition at Penn State Main Campus. After developing a project for most of the year, they presented to a panel of judges.
Sophomore Bella Graff`s project was "Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems".
Graff said, “I was trying to prove if microplastics had any effect on freshwater ecosystems, specifically on the water quality or on duckweed”.
Students who take Science Research as their elective are required to participate in 2 out of 3 competitions. However, they are not required to participate in PJAS. The regional competition took place in February at Baldwin High School.
Freshman Emma Rodriguez, who competed at the regional level, said, "I chose to participate because I thought it would be fun and I wanted to try something new.”
outreach club joins memorial day parade in lawrenceville
outreach club joins memorial day parade in lawrenceville
Members of the junior and senior class waved flags, greeted neighbors, and tossed candy to children as they honored fallen service men and women on Memorial Day at a local parade.
Page updated
Report abuse