NORWIN HIGH SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT ESSAY WINNERS
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 981 Provides Awards in Voice of Democracy & Patriot’ s Pen Contest
Norwin High School and Middle School students have earned accolades in a patriotic essay contest sponsored by the Irwin / North Huntingdon Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 781 and coordinated by their teachers.
At Norwin High School, students participated in the annual VFW Voice of Democracy essay contest. This year’ s theme was,“ My Responsibility to America.” Students were asked to compose a three-to-five-minute audio essay that was judged on originality, content, and delivery.
The Norwin High School students honored by the VFW included Hunter Stecko( first place), Rachel Zabelsky( second place), and Hanna Ellis( third place). As first-place winner, Hunter Stecko earned the privilege of representing Norwin and VFW Post 981 before more than 350 VFW leaders and members at the Pennsylvania VFW Mid-Winter Conference, held January 21, 2017, in Pittsburgh.
At Norwin Middle School, students participated in the Patriot ' s Pen essay contest. This year’ s challenge was a 300- to 400-word essay on the theme,“ The America I Believe In.”
The Norwin Middle School students honored by the VFW for the Patriot’ s Pen essay contest included students Courtney Rahuba, Donovan Davila, and Rachel Sullivan.
Essays are judged locally by teachers and are sent to the District( Westmoreland County) level to select first-place winners. Monetary awards are given at the County level and also by the J. Howard Snyder Post No. 781 VFW.
Congratulations to all!
ABOVE: Voice of Democracy winners from Norwin High School. From Left to Right: Mr. Donald Kattic, Commander of the Irwin / North Huntingdon VFW Post 781; sophomore student Hanna Ellis; Social Studies Teacher Mrs. Larissa Sturm; sophomore student Rachel Zabelsky; and senior student Hunter Stecko.
BELOW: Patriot’ s Pen Winners from Norwin Middle School. From Left to Right: Mr. Donald Kattic, Commander of the Irwin / North Huntingdon VFW Post 781; students Courtney Rahuba, Donovan Davila, and Rachel Sullivan; and teacher Wendy Johnson.
orwin
NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
44 Norwin
FOR SECOND YEAR, NORWIN NAMED TO COLLEGE BOARD’ S AP DISTRICT HONOR ROLL High School Has Improved Access to Advanced Placement Courses While Maintaining High Achievement
For the second straight year, The College Board has named Norwin School District to its national Honor Roll for Advanced
Placement( AP) programs.
Nationwide, 433 school districts earned this honor. Norwin School District was one of 44 districts in Pennsylvania, and one of only three school districts in Westmoreland County, so honored.
The AP District Honor Roll recognizes districts that show a commitment to increasing both access to AP courses and maintaining or increasing the percentage of students earning
From L-R: Norwin High School students Mark Downey, Danielle Chorba, and Tyler Dimitroff work on an equilibrium experiment in Mr. Dave Brozeski’ s AP Chemistry Class. AP Chemistry classes have seen enrollment growth at Norwin High School in recent years. scores of 3 or higher on AP Exams. Inclusion on the Honor Roll was based on three years of AP data, from 2014 to 2016, for the following criteria:
• Increased participation / access to AP by at least 4 percent in large districts, at least 6 percent in medium districts, and at least 11 percent in small districts;
• Increased or maintained the percentage of African American, Hispanic / Latino, and American Indian / Alaska Native students taking exams and increased or maintained the percentage of African American, Hispanic / Latino, and American Indian / Alaska Native students scoring 3 + on at least one AP Exam; and
• Improved performance levels when comparing the percentage of students in 2016 scoring a 3 or higher to those in 2014, unless the district has already attained a performance level at which more than 70 percent of its AP students are scoring a 3 or higher.
Mr. Michael D. Choby, Principal of Norwin High School, said the school community can be proud of this recognition.“ We are proud that the College Board has recognized Norwin School District as a member of the 7th Annual AP District Honor Roll,” Mr. Choby said.“ While there is still much work to be done in the area of increasing access to Advanced Placement course work, our faculty should be commended for identifying, motivating, and academically preparing students to earn high scores on these rigorous exams.”