reensburg Salem GREENSBURG SALEM SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Career Awareness Program Culminates with Senior Project Exhibition
Greensburg Salem School District’ s standards-aligned Career Awareness Program( CAP) is in its 12th year of implementation at Greensburg Salem High School( GSHS). The program includes several components designed to help students develop the 21st century skills needed for success in the workplace. Freshman Seminar is a nine-week course that ties academics to career preparation. Students develop strategies for academic success, a path for high school success, and a plan for personal success and post-high school opportunities. The Sophomore Career component focuses on career exploration as students identify careers related to their abilities and interests, research educational background required for those careers, talk with individuals in several careers and create a plan for course scheduling. Job Shadowing during the junior year gives GSHS students the opportunity to observe the daily routine of adult workers to discover their own personal strengths and weaknesses, develop employee and citizenship skills, and understand the connection between school, work and goals for the future.
The Senior Project and Exhibition component is an independent part of the CAP program during senior year and is a requirement for graduation. Each student prepares, practices and presents their exhibition in a career area of interest to faculty, administrators and community members in May. Projects presented last May included the restoration of an antique cement mixer, attendance at a Drum Corps workshop, internships with Hanna’ s Town and the PA Fish and Wildlife Commission, and developing lessons to teach elementary students about healthy habits.
Graduate Austin Douglas wrote and designed a digital story for his Senior Project, and shared his experiences:
The focus for my Senior Project was to create a digital story to display my knowledge of the autism disability. I chose this topic because I really enjoy working with others and to demonstrate that with my autism, I can find success. My wonderful, helpful advisor- Miss Jorgensen- helped me come up with the idea, but the best part of this experience was coming up with the actual story! During my Intro to Animation and Game Programming class, a lightbulb sparked and shined on me, and that’ s when I knew what my story would be about.
My story was about Kevin, a 12-year old boy who has the autism disability. It teaches a lesson about autism and how someone with a disability can handle being picked on or made fun of. My story was a huge success for me during my senior year! It helped be to develop my storymaking and programming skills.
The biggest challenge of completing my Senior Project was managing my time. I am involved in Physics Club, Executive Club, Robotics Club, Musical Theater, Student Council Association, and the Junior Achievement Titan Challenge- all activities that show my leadership qualities! This project definitely helped me out tremendously in shaping who I’ ve become today.
A word of advice to seniors working on their project … Get your Senior Project approved early and check in often!!
I plan on attending Westmoreland County Community College to study business and accounting for two years and then possibly transfer to another college. I also hope to continue to do theater.
One thing that I will always remember about Greensburg Salem are the great relationships I had with my peers. I will maintain my friendships with my friends who are underclassmen and always be here if they need me!
Local Veteran Receives Honorary Diploma
Mr. Ray Patrick, 90, of Crabtree was presented with an honorary diploma during the Greensburg Salem High School academic awards presentation held on May 25, 2018. Mr. Patrick attended Shieldsburg School in New Alexandria until 8th grade, but was unable to attend high school because he had to stay home and help his family farm and take care of his six other siblings and foster siblings while his three older brothers served in World War II.
Despite not receiving a traditional high school education, Mr. Patrick had no shortage of learning experiences after he joined the 82nd Airborne United States Army in 1950.“ The special forces is constant learning. I got an education from them, really,” said Mr. Patrick.
Family, friends, and GS students and faculty were honored to be a part of Mr. Patrick’ s“ graduation” day, presenting him with cards from elementary students
Austin( left) with friend J. D. Gillis after graduation
and school spirit gifts. After receiving his diploma, Mr. Patrick stated,““ When I look back at these young people, the future of the United States of America, I say to myself, we’ re going to be OK!”
Mr. Patrick shares his experiences with GSHS students after receiving his diploma
38 GREENSBURG SALEM