Senior Issue 2017 Contents
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Hopewell Hi-Lites Senior Issue 2017 Contents Page 3: Community Service Staff Page 4: Mr. McConnell Retires Editors Page 5: Principals Perspective Garret Roberts Page 6: 2016-2017 in Hopewell Sports Turner Wilson Erin Kunzmann Page 8: Senior Plans Tanner McMakin Page 12: Advice for College from Familiar Faces Haley Gault Page 13: Band Seniors and Military Bound Madelynn Farkas Alexa Burak Page 14: Robot Revolution Sponsor Page 15: Class Presidents Mr. Mohrbacher Page 16: Dr Miller Page 17: Student Achievements Page 18: Year in Recap Principals Perspective BY HALEY GAULT s the 2016-2017 school year winds down, the position as head principal. Rowe says, “I loved being students aren’t the only ones getting ready principal, it’s always the job I’ve felt that was my call- Afor graduation and summertime. Our very ing. Of course I love my own principals are gearing up to send off the se- “We’d rather be job here and working niors of 2017. Mr. Rowe says, “Graduation is bitter- with Mr. Allison, but sweet, of course the end of the school year is what cheerleaders for I will eventually leave most people think of, but it’s really the beginning students than Hopewell High School of life for the seniors and the end of an old life.” to find the position of Of course the principals are ready to see sum- disiciplinarians“ principal.” Both prin- mer just as we are but they do say they will miss the cipals agree that they seniors. Mr. Allison says, “This group is very diverse and -Mr. Allison love working together interesting to say the least, and yes I will miss them.” after eight total cal- Mr. Rowe agrees, saying, “This group is overall good endar years together. and they will be missed.” Even though the school year Mr. Rowe and Mr. Allison both say that even is rather long with 180 days of learning and activities, though they love being here and supporting the there are a few favorite moments the principals shared. students, they sacrifice a lot of time they would be They both agreed seeing Alana Mendoza getting onto spending at home, here. Mr. Allison says, “It’s hard the homecoming court and the students’ support for her to spend equal time here and at home. I love sup- were one of the moments along with the musical. “Each porting our sports and attending as many events as year we love seeing the musical, it may seem like sports possible but it is difficult because sometimes you just would be the most interesting thing about Hopewell, want to go home and spend time with the family.” but it’s definitely the musical for me.” Mr. Allison. Mr. Allison says, “We would much rather be During last school year, Mr. Allison had left cheerleaders for students and supporters than dis- the school to go travel for the NASSP. “Even though I ciplinarians, but it is part of our job to take care of loved traveling and seeing new places along with meet- the problems. We sometimes have to take the role ing people, I missed this school and the community.” of a parent, a counselor and an authority figure.” Although he did enjoy his travels he does say that he Both of Hopewell High School’s principals are very greatly missed the faculty and the students of the high involved in their school and love to support their stu- school. While Mr. Allison was away, Mr. Rowe took his dents, even when some days are harder than others. HiLites 2017 3 Mr. McConnellBY: GARRET ROBERTS Retires arvard graduate and veteran Mr. McConnell has taught government teacher Ed McCo- many classes in in his 20 years of Hnnell has officially announced teaching AP Government, but none his retirement. “I love the experi- could measure up to his first period ence of teaching a government this year. “I feel this class has re- class,” Mr McConnell said, “I’m at ally left me with good memories of the point where I’m sick of it.” teaching. I’m not kidding, I genuinely Mr. McConnell has been enjoy them.” teaching in Pennsylvania for 27 years. Balancing farm work with Starting off as a substitute teacher, teaching may sound easy to those he worked in schools around the who don’t do the work, but Mr. Hopewell Area and Montour. “Mon- McConnell knows first hand what tour was a bad experience,” McCo- kind of work it takes. In addition to nnell explained, “I would sit next to teaching, he is the CEO of McCon- the other teachers at lunch, and they nell’s farm here in Hopewell. “Most McConnell’s would just get up and walk away. It’s people think I just walk around an or- much different than the atmosphere chard and pick peaches all day, but here at Hopewell.” it takes a lot of work and money. I Farm Market “Teaching government is spend at least $1,400 on fungicides The Best Peaches in All of Pennsylvania interesting as you get to engage in alone, so it’s not cheap to farm. We the current political world and elec- don’t have any roadside entry either, hile it’s a rare sight in tions with your students,” Mr Mc- so we have to make every customer the Hopewell area, some Connell said in regards to his class, want to come back and talk about people haven’t had the W “The problem is phones and other our farm.” amazing peaches found at McCon- devices. It’s a lot more attractive and Mr. McConnell hopes to nell’s farm. Offering some of the glitzy to pull out a smartphone than achieve a lot in his retirement by do- largest peaches ever seen, amazing listen to some ‘old fart’ talk about ing less farm work to pursue other apple pies, and great produce, Mc- the judicial system.” activities. “I plan to cut back on my Connell’s Farm Market is a true hid- Smartphones, according to current hours,” said McConnell, “I’m den treasure in our own back yards. McConnell, create the apathy that going to go from 12 hours to around McConnell’s Farm is locat- we see in students today. However, 6 or 7.” He hopes to write a book ed on 294 New Bethlehem Church he also assures us that it’s nothing in his spare time, as he has the plot Rd., just off of Gringo Clinton Road. new. “You used to be able to go and characters ready, but has always While it may take some effort to down to the steel mills and get a job procrastinated about writing. His find the farm, it is definitely worth that payed more than a teacher’s sal- one wish is to “have a dog that actu- your time. ary, so people didn’t have a reason ally listens to me before I die.” Photos courtesy of McConnell’s Farm. to care about school.” 4 Hi-Lites 2017 Hopewell High School Helps the Community BY HALEY GAULT few caring students spent their free time to helping the of participation, but everyone pulled together in the end!” As people around them. During this school year, three juniors for the results of the drive, the goal of the school was met and A and a senior spent time coordinating and conducting hopes are high to do even better next year. events. Health Careers Club and service learning came together Alexis Ozimok set up a donation for a foundation called to start a drive that involves socks. Becca Lloyd, senior, heading A21. A21 is an organization that is trying to abolish slavery and the donation program and believes that helping the community human sex trafficking. Recently the numbers of girls being taken is part of being a Hopewell student. They are asking for dona- into this industry has spiked and the founders are trying to make tions of new, unworn, socks for people less fortunate. “When it end. Alexis connected with the organization’s mission, “I felt people donate clothes, they never really think about the fact that that serving this organization went above and beyond in rep- people needs socks, not just shirts.” Brand new socks bought resenting the pillars in Distinguieshed Young Women.” Alexis from the store, whether it be one pack or a couple, anything set up donation boxes in homerooms at school. Students and helps the people out there who need clothes and are less fortu- teachers were encouraged to bring toiletry items for the Living nate than the rest of us. in Liberty, which is a home for rescued trafficking victims. “I felt This year the high school held a blood drive headed by that the program went incredibly well! We got the donations we Tanner McMakin. He says that he was inspired to do this drive needed, and I felt the school did well with participation.” because he likes to help out. “I know people who need blood. Each year the high school holds a food drive during the You know it’s just nice to give back once in a while to people who holiday season for families that can’t afford the classic holiday need it most.” The drive was held in the gym and ran most of the dinners. Carly Belich, a student in NHS, decided to chair in this school day, nurses were present to take the blood and students event and take it by the reigns. “I decided to chair in the food helped out.