❄️The Southern Columbia High School Student Council will be hosting the “12 Days of Holidays” beginning Monday, December 8th! 🎄All students and staff across the district are encouraged to join in the fun by participating in the daily themed dress-up days. 🎁
Southern Columbia Area students swept the competition at the PA VFW District 14 contest for both the Voice of Democracy Essay/Speech and Patriots' Pen Essay, sponsored locally by VFW Post 8306 in Catawissa. Declan McGinley, 11th grade, won the Voice of Democracy, and Levi Race, 8th grade, won the Patriots' Pen. This year’s theme was: “How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?” Both Declan and Levi will now compete at the state level, with winners announced at the Department of PA VFW Mid-Winter Conference held in Gettysburg in January.
Picture #1: Commander Mark Schlieder, Reagan Kusnerick, Shilow Welkom, Levi Race, and Gary Roberts, Sr. Vice
Picture #2: Commander Mark Schlieder, Declan McGinley, Emily Valencik, Leah Fenstermacher, and Gary Roberts, Sr. Vice
Picture #1: Commander Mark Schlieder, Reagan Kusnerick, Shilow Welkom, Levi Race, and Gary Roberts, Sr. Vice
Picture #2: Commander Mark Schlieder, Declan McGinley, Emily Valencik, Leah Fenstermacher, and Gary Roberts, Sr. Vice
Students in Middle School Computer Classes combined gratitude with technology by creating projects that showcased what they are thankful for this holiday season. These projects included digital art and coding activities, allowing students to express their appreciation in creative, tech-savvy ways. 💻
7th Grade students had the opportunity to hear from two excellent guest speakers last week. Ann Dzwonchyk, a nurse at Evangelical Hospital, spoke to geography students about the dangers of nicotine products, and Jon Bobeck, an SCA parent, taught science students about honeybees. Thank you to both presenters for providing informative, engaging, and meaningful learning experiences for our students!
Our 6th Grade Ancient Civilizations classes traveled back in time to Ancient Mesopotamia! 🌍 Students used a stylus and Model Magic to write their initials in cuneiform, the world’s first form of writing. ✍️ This activity brought history to life and gave students a glimpse into how early civilizations communicated.
In the 8th Grade Advanced STEM class, students took on an exciting engineering challenge: designing and building bridges out of popsicle sticks modeled after major real-world bridge designs. Working under resource and design constraints, they applied key concepts such as structure and stability, forces like tension and compression, load distribution, and materials science. After construction, each bridge was tested by hanging weights underneath to see if it could withstand the required load. This hands-on project fostered problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking.
The Southern Columbia High School Student Council will be hosting its 12th Annual Blanket and Squishmallow Drive during the holiday season to benefit patients at the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital and other local charities. All blankets and Squishmallows, whether purchased or handmade, must be brand new. To help protect the recipients, please place your donation in a plastic bag and keep it free from dust and debris.
Donations can be dropped off in Miss Jen Stine’s classroom or in the High School Office beginning Tuesday, November 25th. The drive will conclude on Tuesday, December 16th, and donations will be delivered on the 17th. This timeline allows the Student Council to sort, organize, and prepare all items for delivery.
This marks the 12th year of our drive, and thanks to the generosity of our school community, we have donated over 1,500 blankets to date. Our Student Council hopes you will support this year’s effort and help brighten the holidays for those in need. If you would like to participate but are not local or cannot drop off a donation, please consider contributing through our Amazon Wishlist:
https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2DX8OVO1CMTO5?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_ggr-subnav-share_EFX3B76YKFEDQ5DACRQQ_1
Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity!
Donations can be dropped off in Miss Jen Stine’s classroom or in the High School Office beginning Tuesday, November 25th. The drive will conclude on Tuesday, December 16th, and donations will be delivered on the 17th. This timeline allows the Student Council to sort, organize, and prepare all items for delivery.
This marks the 12th year of our drive, and thanks to the generosity of our school community, we have donated over 1,500 blankets to date. Our Student Council hopes you will support this year’s effort and help brighten the holidays for those in need. If you would like to participate but are not local or cannot drop off a donation, please consider contributing through our Amazon Wishlist:
https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/2DX8OVO1CMTO5?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_ggr-subnav-share_EFX3B76YKFEDQ5DACRQQ_1
Thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity!
FBLA and other business-minded students had the opportunity to attend Penn State University Park for a tour of the Smeal College of Business today. After enjoying lunch and Creamery ice cream, students received an admissions presentation and a tour of the College of Business. They had the opportunity to ask questions to current students pursuing majors in business.
Congratulations to the following 7th Grade Students of the Month:
⭐Collin Maclay - Math
⭐Brynn Rosini - ELA
⭐Orion Mourey - Science
⭐Isabelle Leffler - Geography
These students have excelled in the classroom and spread positivity throughout our halls! Keep up the great work!
⭐Collin Maclay - Math
⭐Brynn Rosini - ELA
⭐Orion Mourey - Science
⭐Isabelle Leffler - Geography
These students have excelled in the classroom and spread positivity throughout our halls! Keep up the great work!
On Wednesday, six SCA students participated in the 2025 PMEA Middle School Band Fest. This event took place at Lewisburg High School. 162 Middle Schoolers participated in this event, which included students from 22 schools in 8 different counties. In order to participate in this event, students had to be chosen by their band director for their outstanding work as a musician. Congratulations to the following students who participated in this event: Kinsley Wiehe, Kason Klinger, Amelia DeWald, Liliana McGeary, Lincoln Barnette, and Levi Race.
Contributors: Karlene Wiehe, Kylee Henry, and Brooke Knorr, Journalism Staff Members
Contributors: Karlene Wiehe, Kylee Henry, and Brooke Knorr, Journalism Staff Members
Congratulations to the newly inducted National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society members. National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society members are recognized for upholding the four pillars of the National Honor Society- scholarship, leadership, service, and character.
7th Grade Science students recently dissected owl pellets as part of their unit on birds. They sorted through regurgitated fur, feathers, bones, and claws to identify the various prey species eaten by barn owls. 🦉
🦃 Thanksgiving Spirit Week Starts Wednesday! 🦃
Get ready to show your Tiger pride and celebrate the season of gratitude! Our district-wide Spirit Week kicks off this Wednesday with fun themes each day leading up to Thanksgiving break. Check out the graphic for all the details and start planning your outfits. Let’s make this week festive and full of school spirit!
Get ready to show your Tiger pride and celebrate the season of gratitude! Our district-wide Spirit Week kicks off this Wednesday with fun themes each day leading up to Thanksgiving break. Check out the graphic for all the details and start planning your outfits. Let’s make this week festive and full of school spirit!
Malania Harmon is nominated as the 8th Grade Student of the Month in Mathematics for October. Malania consistently strives for mastery in Math 8 and approaches each day with enthusiasm and determination. She brings a positive attitude to class and helps foster a strong academic culture within the school. Her respect for teachers and peers is truly admirable, and she serves as a wonderful role model for both her classmates and younger students. For these reasons, Malania is recognized as the 8th Grade SoCo STAR for October.
Will Visnosky is nominated as the SoCo Star for October because he is an outstanding student who leads with kindness and integrity. Will consistently completes his assignments on time and always puts forth his best effort, showing pride in his work. What stands out most about Will is the way he treats others with respect, patience, and genuine kindness. He speaks only kind words and helps create a positive, welcoming atmosphere in the classroom. Will is a wonderful example of what it means to be a SoCo Star, and his character shines through in everything he does.
Keyton Keefer is selected as the October SoCo Star in Science. Keyton impresses with the quality of his work and his consistent daily preparation. More importantly, he can always be counted upon to be positive and upbeat, and the good mood and lack of drama that he brings to class each day makes him a pleasure to teach. Keyton has the maturity to understand that his teachers are his partners in helping him prepare for life, and he treats them in a way that shows he values them. As a final positive trait, he is one of the few people who gets the jokes. Congratulations, Keyton, and keep being you!
Silas Victory is proudly recognized as the ELA SoCo Star for October. Silas has a natural curiosity for learning in general, and his commitment to excellence in his writing is just one example of the enthusiasm he brings to class each day. He is also an outstanding orator; whether presenting a project or simply reading aloud, Silas brings the text to life. His strong work ethic is evident in his preparation, thorough and timely completion of assignments, and regular participation in class discussions. Silas exemplifies all of the SoCo Star qualities, and it would not be surprising to see his name on a bestseller list someday. Congratulations, Silas! Never dim that bright light of yours, keep shining!
Will Visnosky is nominated as the SoCo Star for October because he is an outstanding student who leads with kindness and integrity. Will consistently completes his assignments on time and always puts forth his best effort, showing pride in his work. What stands out most about Will is the way he treats others with respect, patience, and genuine kindness. He speaks only kind words and helps create a positive, welcoming atmosphere in the classroom. Will is a wonderful example of what it means to be a SoCo Star, and his character shines through in everything he does.
Keyton Keefer is selected as the October SoCo Star in Science. Keyton impresses with the quality of his work and his consistent daily preparation. More importantly, he can always be counted upon to be positive and upbeat, and the good mood and lack of drama that he brings to class each day makes him a pleasure to teach. Keyton has the maturity to understand that his teachers are his partners in helping him prepare for life, and he treats them in a way that shows he values them. As a final positive trait, he is one of the few people who gets the jokes. Congratulations, Keyton, and keep being you!
Silas Victory is proudly recognized as the ELA SoCo Star for October. Silas has a natural curiosity for learning in general, and his commitment to excellence in his writing is just one example of the enthusiasm he brings to class each day. He is also an outstanding orator; whether presenting a project or simply reading aloud, Silas brings the text to life. His strong work ethic is evident in his preparation, thorough and timely completion of assignments, and regular participation in class discussions. Silas exemplifies all of the SoCo Star qualities, and it would not be surprising to see his name on a bestseller list someday. Congratulations, Silas! Never dim that bright light of yours, keep shining!
Eighth graders in Mr. Kelchner's science classes recently participated in the Rubber Band Rover Engineering Challenge. Each team built a prototype of a rubber band-powered rover and then applied the engineering process to identify weaknesses in its design. Next, the teams developed and tested design changes, revising their rovers with the goal of improving their ability to traverse our simulated Mars terrain and travel the maximum distance on a single wind-up.
The project culminated in a competition, during which the team of Colton Beers, Carter Spotts, and Landon Yule set a new record distance of 118 inches, beating the previous record from 2023 by more than three feet! Great job, team!
The project culminated in a competition, during which the team of Colton Beers, Carter Spotts, and Landon Yule set a new record distance of 118 inches, beating the previous record from 2023 by more than three feet! Great job, team!
The 6th Grade students who earned the first marking period celebration competed in the “2025 Kickball Classic” inside Tiger Stadium today. The White Warthogs defeated the Blue Binturongs in the championship game with a final score of 10–5. In the third-place game, the Black Babirusas edged out the Pink Panthers 3–2. After their victory, the champions posed for a photo to celebrate their win.
Yesterday, 5th Grade students visited the elementary building to pair up with 2nd Grade students for a fun afternoon of Pumpkinology. Working in groups, students completed a variety of pumpkin-related predictions and experiments. These included testing whether pumpkins of different sizes would sink or float, using their senses to smell, touch, and taste pumpkin, and measuring the height and circumference of their pumpkins. All students, big and small, had a great time working together with their pumpkins. 🎃
🎉 Congratulations to our 6th Grade Students of the Month! 🎉
We’re proud to recognize these outstanding students for their hard work, positive attitude, and dedication in the classroom:
Ben Maschuck – English Language Arts (Mrs. Powell)
Beau Little – Math (Mr. Fegley)
Marisa Rarig – Social Studies (Mr. Visnosky)
Nathan Rosko – Science (Mr. Kaseman)
Keep up the great work, Tigers! 🐾
We’re proud to recognize these outstanding students for their hard work, positive attitude, and dedication in the classroom:
Ben Maschuck – English Language Arts (Mrs. Powell)
Beau Little – Math (Mr. Fegley)
Marisa Rarig – Social Studies (Mr. Visnosky)
Nathan Rosko – Science (Mr. Kaseman)
Keep up the great work, Tigers! 🐾
Five 5th Grade students were recently selected by Southern Columbia Middle School Staff as October SoCo Stars of the Month. These students were chosen because they have displayed self-control, tolerance, academic integrity, and resilience within the school setting. Congratulations to each student and their families!
October 2025: Emma Mowery, Austin Turner, Peyton Reppert, Paisley Major, Raylee Myers
October 2025: Emma Mowery, Austin Turner, Peyton Reppert, Paisley Major, Raylee Myers
The 5th Grade recently participated in a celebration they earned by consistently demonstrating the core values of our SoCo Stars: Self-Control, Tolerance, Academic Integrity, and Resilience.
Their hard work and positive behavior were rewarded with a fun-filled day that included:
-Shopping at our exciting TEAM Bucks Store
-Competing in a sweet and silly Candy Trivia Game
-Exploring science through a hands-on Spooky Science Activity
-Enjoying spine-tingling tales during our Spooky Storytime
-Enjoying a classic movie with a popcorn and juice treat
We’re so proud of our students for embodying the spirit of SoCo Stars and making our school a better place every day!
Their hard work and positive behavior were rewarded with a fun-filled day that included:
-Shopping at our exciting TEAM Bucks Store
-Competing in a sweet and silly Candy Trivia Game
-Exploring science through a hands-on Spooky Science Activity
-Enjoying spine-tingling tales during our Spooky Storytime
-Enjoying a classic movie with a popcorn and juice treat
We’re so proud of our students for embodying the spirit of SoCo Stars and making our school a better place every day!
