National Poetry Month Sparks Competition at OHS

          

The Octorara Area High School Library recently held several events in honor of National Poetry Month. A Poetry Reading and Competition, open to any student in grades 9 – 12, was held each Wednesday during the month of April. 

To participate students were required to either read an already published work, or read an original poem they had created.

Each week students read their poetry selections and were judged by a group of their peers.  The students with the highest scores moved on to the finals, to be judged by a panel of faculty judges.  A grand prize winner was chosen, as well as two runners-up.

The winners of this year’s competition were:

•  Grand Prize: Ms. Kendra Sweitzer, Grade 9
• 1^st Runner Up: Ms. Mayra Juarez, Grade 12
• 2^nd Runner Up: Mr. Brian Bonanno, Grade 11

 The following students received an Honorable Mention:

• Ms. Sarah LaBarge, Grade 12
• Ms. Rachel Irato, Grade 12 
• Ms. Jolene Sweitzer, Grade 11
• Mr. Justin Finch, Grade 12

In addition to the Poetry Competition, a “Featured Poet” was chosen each week.  The works of Naomi Shihab Nye, Gary Soto, Shel Silverstein, Sylvia Plath, and Edgar Allen Poe were on display for the students to peruse.

The competition was organized by Mrs. Lisa Budzik and Ms. Victoria Whitney.  Mrs. Budzik is the library assistant at Octorara High School and is currently completing graduate coursework in Library Science.  Ms. Whitney, a junior at Octorara High School organized the competition as her high school graduation project.

Parkesburg's Uncle Sam 'Starr' of Kennett Parade

When vintage children's television personality Sally Starr fell ill yesterday preventing her from riding in Kennett's Memorial Day Parade, the first parade she's missed in 62 years, our very own Uncle Sam (a.k.a. Gerry Treadway) was there to fill in.

Read about the experience and how Gerry first took on the Uncle Sam character here.

Local Libraries to Become Science Labs for Elementary School Students

Chester County students entering second through sixth grade are invited to register and attend GlaxoSmithKline’s Science in the Summer program, a free and fun experiment-oriented course taught by certified teachers to groups of 15 students in two age groups: children entering second and third grades (Level I) and children entering fourth through sixth grades (Level II). 

GlaxoSmithKline’s Science in the Summer program will teach students about the world of Bioscience. Using microscopes and magnifying glasses, students will examine plant and animal cells and discover how they are similar and different.  Our young biologists will make their own slides to observe microscopic animals, onion cells, and aquatic herbs; dissect a flower and examine each part; and also will learn about bacteria (germs!) to find out why some bacteria are helpful and others are harmful.

Science in the Summer program is comprised of four 60-minute classes given over the course of a week.   Science in the Summer opens young minds to the world of science and fosters a life-long appreciation of learning.

The program is sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and administered by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in partnership with local libraries. 

Parents must register their children in person at the library they wish to attend.  Registration will be conducted on a first come, first serve basis.  

Local libraries participating in the Science in the Summer program include:

Parkesburg Free Library

105 West Street, Parkesburg

Registration Begins: June 14

Course Dates: July 11 -14 (a.m. only)

Library Phone Number:  610-857-5165

Atglen Public Library

413 Valley Avenue, Atglen

Registration Begins: May 25

Course Dates: June 20 – 23 (a.m. only)

Library Phone Number:  610-593-6848  

For more information visit www.scienceinthesummer.com, or call the Parkesburg or Atglen library at the listed phone number or Jeanne Clancy, GlaxoSmithKline’s Science in the Summer Chester County Library Coordinator, at 610-280-2631.         

Parkesburg's WWII Memorial

By Gerry Treadway

Parkesburg's World War II memorial in front of the fire house on First Avenue has been the site of the town's Memorial Day remembrances since its dedication on November 13th, 1949.

The monument's large bronze plaque honors the 350 Parkesburg area men and women who served in the military during the 2nd World War.

A smaller plaque pays, to quote Marris Mullen, "particular honor . . . to the five youth who made the supreme sacrifice, namely Robort G. Montgomery, William C. Hoyer, John Clark, Wilbert W. Conover and Anthony Banach."

 

The dedication in 1949 was the culmination of three years of community effort, support and hard work. The festivities began with a parade led by the Parkesburg High School Band followed by many veterans groups, civic organizations, fire companies and local bands. An impressive service attended by local dignitaries and a large crowd followed.  

Today the site World War II Memorial site also contains monuments to all who served in the Korean and Vietnam conflict as well as a memorial honoring all veterans who have served our country, donated by the Haubert - Paul American Legion Post 431.

Flags Over Parkesburg

As the sun came up this morning, Parkesburg's colors were on display.

Some flags appeared brand new, others faded from too many bright, sunny holidays.

Some were large, others so small only a camera's zoom function allowed them to be captured.

Some drooped, others hung proudly.

Some blew in the gentle breeze, others were wrapped losely around their poles.

Some stood atop tall poles, others hung from porches and mail boxes.

Some were framed by lovingly manicured flower beds, other added color to store fronts and churches.

Some had 50 stars, others just 13, 1 or none.

No matter the flag's color, age, configuration or surroundings, nobody can argue with Parkesburg's patriotism and love of the red, white and blue.

Here's an album of flags displayed along Parkesburg's main and not so main streets.  Can you identify the location of each picture?

Check back on the 4th of July for more.