Area students are writing a weekly column for the Times News. The column is being coordinated by Sue Ann Gerhard from Carbon Career & Technical Institute.

Carbon Career & Technical Institute

Gracie Heintzelman

Hi everyone, here is what is happening at CCTI this month.

CCTI will have no school on Feb. 19, for Presidents Day. Also, there will be a snow make-up day on March 28 pending JOC approval.

CCTI Weatherly students interested in playing baseball at Weatherly can sign up at the CCTI main office.

CCTI yearbooks for 2023/2024 are now available for pre-order for $35, delivery will be at the end of May.

Twenty-one CCTI DECA students will be attending states on Feb. 21-23 in Hershey. Good luck to all the students attending.

Congratulations to all of the CCTI Students of the Marking Period.

Everyone at CCTI would also like to wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day.

Lehighton High School

Koy Wentz and Abby Bauder

Welcome back.

Over the past week, high school students have had the opportunity to hear from many different speakers representing different schools and professions.

First, Marywood School of Architecture visited students enrolled in the wood shop and metal shop classes. Representatives from the school spoke with students and offered a presentation in the drafting room of the high school, where many architectural concepts are taught. The representatives from the school spoke to the students about careers, programs, and opportunities that Marywood has to offer. This opportunity allowed students to get specific information they may not typically be aware of.

The second presenter, nurse anesthetist Jerome Scarpati, gave a presentation to Ms. Blocker’s anatomy class. Scarpati spoke to students about the background of a nurse anesthetist and careers that are available in nursing. This presentation is a part of a much larger program in which a healthcare worker comes in each week to the anatomy class, and discusses their particular career. This program allows students to learn all about different careers in the medical field, and even how anatomy is used in their respective positions.

These are just two examples of the different presentations that occur throughout high school. Colleges and career representatives are always in high school answering the questions that many students have. Our high school does a fantastic job of preparing students to select a career choice, as well as preparing them for the future.

A new club has been formed. The homesteading and agriculture club recently held a startup/organization meeting. The homesteading and agriculture club is a hands-on club. Topics that are covered include vegetable growing, native plant conservation, composting, canning vegetables, apiculture, firewood processing, small engine maintenance, and even evergreen seed propagation and harvesting.

To wrap up, the prom theme has been announced. The theme for prom this year will be “Gatsby’s Gala,” The prom will be held in May. The anticipation is rising as the theme has been revealed. The theme was very well received and students are extremely excited.

We hope you liked learning about everything that has been happening at Lehighton High School. Till next time.

Panther Valley High School

Mikayla Yuricheck

Hello everyone, and welcome back to latest issue of keeping up with PV.

Spring sports season is quickly approaching, and all students are asked to get their physical or their recertification form done. They must have this done by March 4 which is the first official day of spring sports.

Some fundraisers in the school are still going around, the NHS Sticky Buns will be sold until Feb. 14 and the JROTC Krispy Kreme Donuts will be sold until Feb. 12.

In the high school, a new electronic sign out app has been rolled out.

The students are now expected to use Smart Pass when they sign out of a class. It is a new program, so of course there is some positive and negative feedback regarding it, however, it seems to be working pretty effectively.

That’s it for this week, and as always good luck to our winter sports athletes as they finish their season.

Jim Thorpe High School

Gabriella Cerra

To begin the upcoming week, Monday is the date on which the Krispy Kreme doughnuts, whether ordered to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Senior Events, or FBLA, will be arriving. The students for which it is necessary, whether due to selling or purchasing, are to ensure they have a method of transporting boxes. Thank you to everyone who purchased to support Jim Thorpe. You can expect to receive your doughnuts soon after arrival on Monday.

Monday also marks the first trial date for the JT Mock Trial teams. The defense will be competing first. The active members for the defense are senior Harley Young, junior Evan Rosenbrook, junior Isaac Oliver, sophomore Maura Malaska, sophomore Gretchen Cox, and sophomore Alex Plesniarski. Per the fictional case provided by the PA Bar Association, the defense team is trying to prove that “Onomotopizza” restaurant owner Addison Booker did not collude with confessed murderer and local Randy Sudo, to kill her feuding restaurant, “Hole in the Wall” owner, Geoffrey Esper. Tasked to overcome an overwhelming amount of evidence suggesting that Addison is the murderer, after school hours on Monday, the defense witnesses and attorneys will be put to the test in the courtroom, in front of a judge and jury of attorneys. The following day, the prosecution team, composed of senior Olivia Rosenberger, senior Kaila O’Connor, senior Amaya Heffelfinger, junior Kaylee Tate, junior Matthew Pinto, sophomore Luke Bosi, sophomore Ian Walck, and sophomore Gabriella Cerra, will be performing for the court. On the Tuesday, Jim Thorpe’s prosecution team will be tasked with countering whatever is thrown in its path by the competing defense team, to prove Addison Booker guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

On Tuesday, Mr. Holub and Mr. Ellison, will host a History Club meeting from 2:45-4 p.m. in Mr. Ellison’s classroom, room 226.

This St. Valentine’s Day, Mrs. Maccorkle will be hosting in her classroom, a PODS meeting for members of the Flame, Jim Thorpe’s literary and Arts Magazine. As per usual, she will also be hosting a 2:30-3:30 p.m. practice for members of the Scholastic Scrimmage team and anyone else interested in showcasing and expanding his or her trivia knowledge.

Dues to attend the PA FBLA State Leadership Conference at Hershey are also required to be paid to Mrs. Thompson by Wednesday. Also on Wednesday, the Carbon County commissioners and Wilkes University collegiate members will be coming to Jim Thorpe for a morning meeting to sign a proclamation for FBLA week. The meeting will stretch from 9-11 a.m., though members in attendance will be called to the auditorium at 8:45 a.m. For Future Business Leaders of America looking to earn more community service hours, Winterfest in Jim Thorpe, Feb. 17-18 at Mauch Chunk Ballroom 41 West Broadway, is an available opportunity. Members will be acting as greeters and running carnival games. Contact Mrs. Thompson if you are an interested member. Lastly for FBLA is that once again members are selling lottery tickets. Numbers will be selected as winners every day for the month of March, based off of the PA Pick Three drawings. If you are a member hoping to raise money, get a pack of tickets from Mrs. Thompson. If you are an individual interested in purchasing, contact a student you know who is either a member of the Future Business Leaders of America or can put you in contact with one. Thank you to those who purchase to support the members of Jim Thorpe’s FBLA chapter.

Saturday, Feb. 17, a Valentine’s formal to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will be held at the high school. This is run by Olivia Rosenberger who would highly appreciate help from willing volunteers. Students who want to bring an out of school guest are to get a guest form from the office. On the topic of events that benefit LLS, the winner of the PODS vs. PODS Penny War was Mr. Morgans’s 10th grade PODS.

Lastly, Presidents Day, Feb. 19, will not be an off day. School will be in session for the snow day on Jan. 16.

Weatherly High School

Mellanie Marshman

The Weatherly Wreckers’ winter sports have all come to an end. All winter athletes did very well this year.

Milana Grier has been announced the senior of the month for January.

Sign ups are getting ready for spring sports season and practices will start soon.

Kindness Club’s fundraiser to help veterans in need ends Feb. 15, and they’ve done a great job at raising money.

Drama Club has been practicing hard every week and they are getting ready for our play in April.

Our 1999-2000 girls cross country team was initiated into the Hall of Fame and congratulated by our Wreckers.

Seniors:

The Weatherly Area High School Alumni Association is awarding a $15,000, four-year scholarship to a worthy Weatherly senior this May. Criteria for this scholarship include, but are not limited to: grades, extracurricular activities, financial need and character. The six runners-up for this scholarship will receive one-time financial awards, including the $4,000 Tim Frable Scholarship and the $1,000 Hugo Paul Family Memorial award.

For seniors planning to attend a two year degree program or technical school, the $2,500 Harry and Loretta Allison Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to the best candidate.

Those choosing to study medical sciences, especially nursing are encouraged to apply for the $1,000 Anna Raynock Memorial Scholarship.

All eligible seniors are encouraged to apply. All forms have been sent directly to all seniors and must be submitted to Mrs. Minnick by April 5. If you have any questions, see Mrs. Minnick or contact Sue Ann Gerhard at 570-582-0021.

That’s all for the Weatherly Wreckers.

Note: Wishing you everything that makes you happiest, today and always. Happy Valentine’s Day to all of our readers.