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Creating a campus

PHOTO PROVIDED The WAHS senior class joins Maya Caringi (not shown) in singing “We’re All in This Together” during a recent pep rally.

By LYSIA GEHRIS

For many students, high school is viewed as a stepping stone to college. As students near graduation, they become increasingly excited about attending college and becoming a member of their new community.

Even if they aren’t attending college, many students, and adults alike, follow their favorite college sports team and wear their favorite team’s gear. It seems easy for people to identify with the sense of community created on college campuses.

Interestingly, in recent years, we have seen shifts toward this community mindedness on the hill, and students have been reaping the benefits.

One way the connectedness has increased is through access to Williamsport clothing and accessories. It is common to see the student body coordinating their colors at events.

For example, the past two years, the Top Hat Committee, in conjunction with student leaders, have organized white- and red-outs during each sport season. The 2017 Class Executive Board organized a black out for the district championship football game last fall.

Each year, the junior and senior class create and sell shirts for the powderpuff game. And throughout the year, many student organizations sell Millionaire garb as fundraisers. So it is not surprising to see students dressed in red, white and black on a daily basis in the hallways. It seems that everyone has at least one piece of Williamsport gear.

It used to be common for the athletes to wear team colors, but now virtually every program, organization or student group proudly wears clothing to support their program and the school.

Even the teachers are given new shirts each year. In fact, last year, a school store opened online and in January, for the first time in nearly two decades, the school store opened again in the Commons.

The school store resembles that of a campus store; it is full of Williamsport gear and accessories.

The store is managed by Future Business Leaders of America members under the direction of Mrs. Wimer. Every Tuesday and Thursday during Bank/lunch, FBLA members volunteer to work in the store.

“We are just getting started with the program,” explained sophomore Derek Lewis. “In exchange for managing the store, FBLA receives some of the proceeds from sales.”

In addition to shopping at the school store during Bank, students also can buy coffee in the Commons. Karl Fisher, owner of Alabaster Coffee Roaster & Tea Co., has worked with the school to create this remarkable opportunity to give students the coffee they crave.

First, they had to create a completely mobile station that could be easily set up and torn down each day. The station can be operated anywhere, as long as there is a power source within reach.

Junior Tymir James has been training with Fisher since this summer to operate the station. They offer coffee, espresso and hot chocolate choices.

“We sell a lot of hot chocolate and lattes,” James said. “I have never seen anything like it in other schools I’ve been in,” said Randy Zangara, Career and Technical Education principal.

“It is really pretty cool,” said senior Lucas Radulski. “You would expect something like this on a college campus, but it’s pretty unique for a high school.”

The most recent group gathering was the winter pep rally hosted by the Student Government Association. They put a new twist on this traditional event with a “High School Musical” theme.

As usual, the event honored the winter sports teams, but there were a few new elements to this pep rally. “The theme allowed us to get more students involved besides the cheering and the games,” explained host Katie Cassidy.

“The lip-synching contest was really fun,” said freshman Katie Schefsky. “It was great to have fun after a stressful day at school.”

“It was one of the most fun pep rallies to plan and host,” said senior Lindsey Taylor. “The whole gym was singing along to ‘We’re All in This Together.’ It was a blast.”

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