Seeing Double at Poff Elementary
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Fall 2020 District Dispatch School News and Hampton Community Center Programs Seeing Double at Poff Elementary Hello Hampton Readers, Yes, we are still publishing the magazine and providing you with uplifting, heart warming and sometimes emotional stories even during these unprecedented days. We are looking for photos of you, a friend or family members wearing your mask for the winter issue. Please email the photo to [email protected]. Stay positive and keep your ideas coming our way! Hampton Magazine is published and mailed quarterly to resi- dents and businesses in Hampton Township. Extra copies of the magazine are available at the Hampton Municipal Building and the Hampton Community Library. If you did not receive a complimentary copy in the mail, please call 412-818-6491. Advertising opportunities are available! Fall issue contributors: Writers: Deb Brady, Mary-Theresa Watson, Jonathan Klemens, and Garrett Gess HHS student writer Photos: Madia Photography Printing: Molnar Printing, LLC. Respectfully, Laurie & John Rizzo Like a Bank, But Better Stop by and become a member today! Member-Owned & Not-for-Profit Accepts deposits and a wide array of Services Safe place to save and Provides Loans Reasonable Rates 724.444.8181 866.486.8181 www.ndcupa.org 5321 William Flinn Highway * Gibsonia, PA 15044 Fall 2020 Volume 25, Number 4 Hampton Magazine is the official voice of the Township of Hampton and the Hampton Township School District What’s Inside: More Twins .................................................................................................................... 5 Awards ........................................................................................................................ 5-9 Back Where It All Began .............................................................................................. 12 Depreciation Lands Museum ....................................................................................... 13 EMS .............................................................................................................................. 14 Library .......................................................................................................................... 15 Hampton Police ........................................................................................................... 16 Rotary ........................................................................................................................... 17 Sports ...................................................................................................................... 18-20 Homecoming .......................................................................................................... 21-23 Fall Festivities ............................................................................................................... 25 Municipal Update ........................................................................................................ 26 Hampton Highlights ................................................................................................ 27-35 Current Events ............................................................................................................. 36 District Dispatch ...................................................................................................... 39-45 On the cover: Poff Elementary School showcase their four sets of first grade twins. Photo by Madia Photography, story on page 5. The Township of Hampton Hampton Magazine Hampton Township School District Township Council: School Board: Contributors: Michael L. Peters, President Magazine Editors: Laurie and John Rizzo Bryant Wesley II, Esq., President Carolynn R. Johnson, V.P. Hampton Highlights Editor: Kevin Flannery Jill Hamlin, V.P. & Educational Programs Bob Shages, Treasurer/Policy/Legislative Affairs Bethany H. Blackburn District Dispatch Editor: Kellie Gates Denise Balason, Secretary/Facilities Joe Dougherty Richard Dunlap Joy Midgley, Personnel PO Box 243 Matt Jarrell, Transportation Controller: Jerry E. Speakman Wildwood, PA 15091 Larry Vasko, Finance Manager: W. Christopher Lochner Phone: 412.818.6491 Greg Stein, Technology Website: www.hampton-pa.org Trisha Webb, Student Affairs https://www.hampton-pa.org/306/Hampton-Magazine Superintendent: Dr. Michael R. Loughead Website: www.ht-sd.org Hampton Magazine is a joint publication of the Township of Hampton and the Hampton Township School District. The magazine provides residents with information about programs, events and people throughout the community. Hampton Magazine publishes four issues annually: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. Hampton Magazine reserves the right to refuse publication of any information or materials deemed unsuitable for its readership and accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or content of advertising. ©Copyright 2020. All Rights Reserved. Her sister, Emily, said it would be fun to have all An Anomaly of Twins Enrolled at Poff the twins in one room someday, “so half the by Deb Brady and cover photo by Madia Photography class would be twins!” he three first-grade teachers at Poff Elementary – Courtenay Garrett, None of the twins are separated from their Deniene Gillis, and Claire Leventis – have something more in common siblings (the district allows families to make that T this school year besides their shared dedication to their students. Each decision) and all said they like being in the same of them has at least one set of twins in their class, and for Mrs. Leventis it’s class. In fact, when asked what they like most double the fun since she has two, sister sets Abigail and Hannah Braden and about school, Haley and Callie both answered Eden and Emily Sullivan. One more pair of sisters, Callie and Haley Carlin, can “sitting next to my sister.” The girls’ mother, be found in Mrs. Garrett’s room. The Perry twins in Mrs. Gillis’s class, Kamden Christina Carlin, said, “Having so many twins in and Harper, are brother and sister. The eight youngsters gathered in Poff’s one grade is amazing! The bond they all share library recently for a lively discussion on twin life, where they acknowledged with each other is special. It’s fun to watch their that having so many pairs in one grade is, as Eden Sullivan said, “pretty cool.” unique personalities coming through. Plus, it’s nice to have other twin parents to relate to – it’s comforting!” Hampton Grad Leaves Mark on Hearts & Poff’s Principal, Dr. Colleen Hannagan, noted Lives of Future Generations of Talbots that Wyland Elementary once had 7 sets of twins by Mary-Theresa Watson in one class, with 6 of the pairs graduating from Hampton this past spring. “I hope our young “A smile can open a heart faster than a key can open a door.” twins get to finish their academic careers togeth- “Senior Salute” quote: Kate Pohl Dopirak, HHS ’94 er at Hampton as well,” she said. “It will be fun In recognizing children’s author Kate Pohl Dopirak with the Hampton Class to watch them grow and change together.” of 2020’s Distinguished Alumni award, the selection committee chose some- one who would inspire rising graduates and illustrate the success borne of a Hampton education. What committee members could not have known when they met last March, however, was just how fitting this year’s honoree, known for her radiant smile and positive attitude, would turn out to be in the months to come. Comprised of teachers who are Hamp- ton graduates along with the Principal and seniors on Student Council, the group annually reviews nominees sub- mitted by community members. Every year since 1999, one Hampton alumnus has been honored during the high school commencement ceremony, shining a spotlight on someone who once walked the hallways of Hampton before going on to great success. After graduating from Hampton in topDentists ™ 1994, Kate went on to earn degrees in This is to certify that English and Education, eventually return- Leonard M. Cyterski, DMD ing to the district as an elementary Has been chosen by his peers school teacher who instructed with to be included in the field of warmth, enthusiasm, and unabashed joy. Orthodontics Kate never gave up on her dreams of As featured in writing, particularly after becoming a Kate Pohl Dopirak mom to sons Joey and Bobby whose HHS 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award youthful “antics,” she said in 2012, pro- topDentists 2020 vided an endless supply of story ideas. Her Hampton-grown grit and positivity strengthened her resolve to succeed, and Kate eventually realized her dream, publishing four children’s books and numerous essays. Though Kate tragically passed away two years ago, her siblings, Joe Pohl (HHS ’91) and Molly Krober (HHS ’97), were honored to speak on her behalf during the Class of 2020’s virtual ceremony in June. A few months later, Kate’s family was invited to the high school where they were presented with an engraved plaque during a small, informal gathering. (Continued on page 6 ) Hampton Magazine * Fall 2020 5 Dopirak from page 5 gating what has arguably become one of the most challenging times of the young graduates’ lives. To today’s young people “Katie would be humbled and excited by this honor,” Joe re- who have found their world, their expectations, and their norms marked. “She loved the Hampton School District and communi- shifting in unimaginable ways, Kate’s legacy—one of positivity, ty, and she chose to become a teacher and writer in part due to kindness, determination, and a call to enjoy life’s simple pleas- the influence of