STATE COLLEGE AREA HIGH SCHOOL NEWSPAPER LIONS’ DIGEST VOL. XXX NO. 4 GRADUATION ISSUE JUNE 5, 2021 CLASS OF 2021 HAS ONE LAST DANCE By Hannah Hart & it all come together and Adrita Talukder see people actually sitting State College Area in the seats that we set,” High School held its Furmanek said. “It means senior prom on Saturday, a lot. I’m really honored May 22, at Memorial to represent my class in Field. Nearly 300 students this way and be able to were in attendance and put together things and spent the night playing events that people will games, eating food, and hopefully enjoy.” enjoying one last dance. Before the night The 2020 senior prom got started, Furmanek was cancelled due to the addressed her fellow Students pose for a picture at prom on Saturday, May 22, 2021, at Memorial Field. From left to right: COVID-19 pandemic, and senior class to share an junior Caroline Simon and seniors Chidere Oputa, Sydney Dynan, Megan Yerka, Natalie Yip, and ensuring a prom for this important message. Tyrin-Ian Todd. Photo/Adrita Talukder year’s graduating class was “Even though it’s unforgettable night. the year and actually people in my grade who not an easy task. been a tough year, just Seniors were excited make it feel like you’re I haven’t seen all year is “It was a real struggle. appreciating the things not just to round out their graduating.” really kind of fun and it’s It was an uphill battle, it we do get is [important],” year with the celebration, Between new just a nice way to wrap up was a fight, but in the end, Furmanek said. “We’ve but to reconnect with the coronavirus safety everything,” senior Jessica admin was really good had a lot of challenges experiences they had lost precautions and a Zajac said. about it. They agreed, if this year and we’ve missed as upperclassmen. Senior readjusted school The prom couldn’t we provided certain safety out on a lot of traditions, Priya Mitra acknowledged schedule, the year was have been held without measures, to have it, and but this is one thing we the duality of the dance. bound to be different, and help, and many parent I’m just—I couldn’t be tried to make as special “Well, it gives back for a lot of people, much chaperones like Lebo Tiro happier for the seniors,” as we could, and we hope some of the realism to more difficult. For seniors were happy to volunteer, Senior Senate advisor that everyone enjoys it.” having a senior year. especially, the inability to although their children Jeffrey Kissell said. On the itinerary for Obviously, everything spend time with friends made it clear that they Kissell worked the night were games, this year has been a little and classmates hit hard, wanted to celebrate the alongside the Senior dinner, trivia, and wacky—we didn’t have a and while time missed night on their own. Senate to bring the prom dancing. The goal was prom last year either, so cannot be made up, for “My son is here, and to life this year. Senate that each student would this is, unless you went as some students, the prom back in my country we president Bayla Furmanek be sent home with a gift, an underclassmen, your was a worthy substitute. don’t have anything like expressed what it meant but those attending each only proper prom,” Mitra “I really wasn’t this, so I was interested in to her to be able to bring left with more than just said. “I feel like prom, expecting to have a prom coming, you know, just to prom from an idea to a treasure from the prize graduation—this weekend, at all, and I think it’s be a part of it, and just see reality. table; they left with the next, next weekend—it’s really fun that we were SEE SENIORS SHARE ONE “It’s really cool to see lasting memory of an a good way to seal off able to get this. To see LAST DANCE PAGE 2 SCASD CONGRATULATES FIRST IB GRADUATION Q&A DIPLOMA GRADUATES WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS? “In a research lab, hopefully out of State College, with a PhD or medicine degree.” Matias Mostafa “Ideally, I want to work at an animation studio or in film. Realistically, probably poor.” Matthew Ascencio IB Diploma Students from State High at a canoe field trip for their IB Environmental Systems and Societies class led by Susan Braun. Pictured from left to right: Isabella Boone, Paige Alexander, “I’ll probably be in grad school Madison Weed, Adedayo Olorunnisola, Sydney Dynan, Megan Yerka, Casey Wible, Neil Haas. Graduating IB seniors not pictured include Andres Aradillas Fernandez, Omar Rady, Madeleine studying violin performance.” (Maddy) Willson, Sage Castro, Claire Tyburski , Rebecca Bonness, and Madison (Maddie) Tambroni. Cordelia Marie SThe students who will be graduating from the IB Career Programme include Natalie Yip, Stevie Guthoff, and Bailey Weaverling. By Elisa Edgar acquisition, mathematics, which Senior Sydney Thirteen Diploma the arts, and sciences. Dynan, a 2021 graduate HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE Programme students The focus on of the IB Diploma and three Career an international, Programme, especially FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL? Programme students multicultural curriculum appreciated. of the International aims to give students “Your curriculums “It feels good, it’s a long time Baccalaureate Programme a more well rounded correlate together. I found coming, so it feels good to finally will graduate from State education where they are myself throughout the be done.” High this June. After exposed to more than year using a lot of what Demanie Redhead attending specialized just American figures and I learned in one class in courses for the past works. As part of english another class, and we’re two years, teachers and courses, students study actually encouraged to “It hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m honestly students agree that IB literary and non-literary use what we know from very relieved to be able to, after prepares seniors for their works and connect them our other classes,” Dynan four years, just call it a day.” Fiona life post-graduation and to global issues. They said. “I feel like that’s Mulley are excited to see what the are also required to read really hard when you’re future holds. works that have been just doing regular classes “It’s really crazy, I—it’s not really The IB Diploma translated, and so have because your teachers surreal yet, I don’t think it’ll hit Programme is an been reading authors from don’t know what classes me until I’m graduating.” international program all over the world. you’re taking and we’re Jessica with a particular focus There are a number not all taking the same Zajac on studies in language of unique components classes. But in IB, you all and literature, individuals that make IB stand out, have this set curriculum See pages 6 and 7 for the class of 2021 and societies, language including its congruence, SEE IB DIPLOMA GRADUATES college list. PAGE 2 PAGE 2 NEWS & FEATURES A STANDING O FOR OUTSTANDING SENIORS By Quinn Colburn “[The aforementioned State High seniors qualities] are something Kapri Urie and Madigan that I truly believe are King have recently been important to have.” recognized for the service Service is a significant work they have done for component of this their community. award, and Urie has Kapri Urie was named accumulated over 80 a regional representative hours of community for the DAR Good service throughout her Senior Madigan King is a recipient of the P.E.O. Star Scholarship, a scholarship rooted in excellent Citizen Award and is high school career. leadership, academics, service, and more. King plans on attending Brown University for their undergraduate education. Photo/Michael Davis being considered as a state “I mainly earned finalist. Urie was one of my community service and demanding array of P.E.O. is an international overwhelmingly, I three State High seniors hours through Interact extracurricular activities women-led organization work on campaigns for who were selected to Community Service Club and engagements, Urie that aims to celebrate and hyperlocal office and submit an application for which I have been in explained what has support women in their do DIY policy work to the award, and was then since freshman year and kept her motivated educational and career help us all be able to live nominated as the State I have been the president academically. aspirations and success, healthy and beautiful High representative. since the end of my “I tend to be and our local chapter is lives—I’m a local/county DAR is a non-profit sophomore year,” Urie motivated by my goals of no exception,” King said. government powerplayer, organization dedicated to explained. Urie added that becoming a teacher and “The members are great and if you talk to me, I’ll promoting education and she also participates in also potentially owning leaders in State College.” help you get involved and patriotism. competitive dance, Roots my own business one Among other make an impact too!” “I admire the of Life Performing Arts day,” Urie said. “I know things, the P.E.O. Star With a schedule as busy as dedication that this Ensemble, Peer Advocates, that in order to achieve Scholarship looks for King’s, staying motivated award has to acknowledge Little Lion Ambassadors, those goals I have to put excellence in community is key.