Boys Basketball Camp a success
November 14, 2019
Seventy-five students participated in the General McLane Boys Basketball Skills Camp, which occurred Nov. 12 – 14.
Students in grades 5-12 worked with Coach Schulz, Coach Stauffer, Coach Banks, Coach McCormick, Coach Jahn, Andy Schulz, Roy Stauffer and various GM basketball alumni to improve overall fundamentals, while also emphasizing the importance of teamwork, positive attitude, effort, and work ethic.
This camp was free of charge.
A good time was had by all!
Holiday Arts Fair – Vendor Feature
November 12, 2019
The General McLane Foundation’s 13th Annual Holiday Arts Fair is quickly approaching.
This year’s event will be held Saturday, November 16, at General McLane High School and runs from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Nearly 80 vendors will be in attendance, including a variety of new vendors. This year’s crafts include: glass sculptures, wood working signs and décor, purses, jewelry, puzzles, soup, birdhouses, ceramics, paintings, pottery, and quilted, croched, stitched and sewn items.
In addition to vendors, there will be musical performances by the middle school band and chorus, the high school band and the ensemble of Cats, which takes place November 21-24 at General McLane High School.
Here are some highlighted vendors of the event:
Sticky Foot Acres
Brenda Stafford’s Sticky Foot Acres offers goat milk soaps and lotions, as well as antique and refurbished farmhouse and country crafts. Her crafts include many decorated antiques and are one-of-a-kid, with no two items the same.
The goat milk soaps and lotions come from her own baby goats.
“After the babies are weaned, we use the milk in our soaps and lotions to put extra goodness in them,” said
Stafford, who has been doing this for 10 years now.
The Niles Before Christmas
Crafter Tom Niles specializes in hand-carved and painted original designs for Halloween and Christmas, featuring Santas, Snowmen, witches, ghosts and Scrooges. Niles has been carving for more than 30 years and has a studio in Oil City. He uses basswood and acrylics to complete his designs.
During shows, he’s often demonstrating wood carving and interacting with the public.
Kim Kloecker Art Studio
A General McLane substitute teacher, Kim Kloecker takes inspiration from students and offers a variety of originals and fine art prints of her artwork, framed and unframed.
She is most noted for her work in watercolor, but also works in acrylics, colored pencils/pencil, Pen & Ink, Digital & Photography.
She also offers Prayer Cloths–Hand-Painted on Vintage Hankies, small wire key sculptures, Hand-Cut Glitter Houses and Holiday Floral Arrangements featuring vintage Christmas ornaments along with Christmas prints inspired by the unknown greeting card artist of the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s!
“As a substitute teacher at GM, I am known as ‘Mama K the Art Lady’ who tags whiteboards with murals and cartoon characters,” she said. “Over the past several years I have listened to their advice and what you will see at the show is the fruit of my labor inspired by them.”
Check out her website: kimkloeckerart.imagekind.com and an Etsy Store: KimKloeckerArtStudio
Tina’s Stitches
Owner Christina Bucci has a craft show customer for her entire life.
“I truly believe that you can find different and amazing items and gifts made by local artisans,” she said.
A retired teacher, Bucci started participating in craft shows three years ago and sells yoyo quilted crafts, a throwback craft that is unique. She will be bringing wallhangings, table runners, decorated gift bags, girl’s headbands, garlands, and Christmas ornaments.
Custom items can also be ordered, with most items able to be ready by Christmas
Schoolcraft Studios
Schoolcraft Studios offers alcohol ink paintings, ornaments, cards, prints, jewelry, tiles and “art-on-the-go” kits.
Owner Sarah Schoolcraft found the technique online and said she loved it after giving it a shot.
What makes these unique is that the medium is very versatile and can be applied to so many surfaces, Schoolcraft said.
“Each piece is unique by the nature of ink making each piece an original,” she added.
You can find her on social media or visit her website: SarahSchoolcraft.com
OMG Specialties
OMGSpecialties offer high quality personalized gifts, including picture slates, cutting boards, mugs, coasters, ornaments, mouse pads, tumblers, and magnets with the customers selected personal pictures.
Owners Bill and Sue Fisher started providing this service in June of 2018 and provide customers with the ability to sublimation print personalized pictures from their cell phones or original pictures on the above substrates while at the craft show.
Additional pictures can be found on their Webpage: OMGSpecialties.com
JWPMS hosts Veteran’s Day Celebration
November 8, 2019
James W. Parker Middle School hosted its annual Veteran’s Day Celebration on Friday.
This annual salute to veterans event brought together close to 100 veterans. All veterans were invited to breakfast and a celebration that included the Posting of Colors, vocal performances and a series of student speakers.
Edinboro University student and retired Army veteran Aaron Douglas served as this year’s keynote speaker. Douglas is a former staff sergeant who served in the Iraq & Afghanistan Wars.
Student vocalists included Cassidy Swain, McKayla Hargest, Lydia Zehr and Peter Alberti. Justin Burgos recited an essay, and Alanna Puller, Lydia Zehr and Owen McMullen read essays. Ryan Dedrick and Dylan Bolder performed the folding of the flag and the Erie/Crawford Veterans Burial Detail performed the Posting of the Colors. James W. Parker Middle School nurse and veteran Nathan Everhart opened and closed the event.
The event has taken placed since 2006 and corresponds to the 8th grades’ social studies curriculum on American History. As part of this curriculum, 8th graders also take a three-day trip to Washington D.C. every spring.
McKean Elementary hosts Veteran’s Day Assembly
November 7, 2019
McKean Elementary School hosted an assembly Tuesday, honoring veterans in the community and educating students about the military.
In addition, the assembly culminated a fundraising event for the Semper Fi Fund. Throughout the week, students could place money in the jar for the staff they wanted to see take a pie in the face. The winner was Fourth Grade teacher Mr. Pete. Students and staff raised more than $400 for the Semper Fi Fund.
Speakers for the assembly included Marine Recruiter Sgt. Joshua Morrot, the Color Guard from Edinboro’s ROTC program, Edinboro ROTC student and General McLane graduate Noah Hunter (’16), Navy Sea Cadet student Abbey Wingerter and Kenneth Fisher, LCpl. USMC (Ret.).
There were also various vocal performances by McKean students.
Students were encouraged to invite veterans they knew to the assembly. During his speech, Fisher also introduced students who did not know a veteran to one of the many veterans in attendance.
Hoodie takes place this weekend at JWPMS
November 1, 2019
James W. Parker Middle School’s fall play takes place this weekend.
Students will be performing Lindsay Price’s Hoodie, a middle school vignette play that examines self-image and appearance.
The cast list includes Ellah Beachly, Delia Brasington, Ciara Cieloszyk, Emma Czarnecki, Samantha Fellows, Wesley Haskins, Jordan Henderson, Cullen Howard, Noah Kowalczyk, Shawn Litz, William McConnell, Mackenzie Miller, Sarah-Terese Petkac, Cassidy Swain, Jonathan Anthony, Olivia Bertig, Kaitlyn Brozich, Chase Gerlach, McKayla Hargest, James Kehl, Chloe Marsh, Ethan McCarthy, Comarali Miles, Konnor Repine, Malina Santucci, Cloey Senyo, Allisyn Stuck, Melody Waldinger and Adaline Yeager.
This play developed through James W. Parker Middle School’s brand new class, “Intro to Theater”. This course cultivates students’ acting and public speaking skills through theater. The class and play are directed by James W. Parker Middle School music teacher Julia McCollum.
The play is expected to be approximately 45 minutes to an hour and takes place in James W. Parker Middle School’s Large Group Instruction (LGI). There is no fee for this show, however, there will be a donation box, with proceeds going toward the school’s student theater fund.
Hoodie will take place Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 2 at 12 p.m. in the Large Group Instruction Room (LGI) at James W. Parker Middle School.
McKean GLOW Run a success
October 31, 2019
McKean Elementary to hosted its first-ever Glow Run earlier this month, and it was a huge success!
The event, which took place on General McLane High School grounds, was sponsored by McKean Elementary Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) as a fundraising event for McKean Elementary School.
There were just over 200 runners/walkers who earned 2,600 glow bracelets. Participants earned a glow bracelet for each lap they complete.
Students also raced against McKean Elementary principal Michael Getz, who ended up running / walking 19 laps. Some students and adults now hold bragging rights that they beat Mr. Getz, an avid runner.
Each May, McKean PTA teams up with Edinboro Elementary PTO to host a Community Fun Run. This past summer, theLittle Lancers Cross Country team was created and, between the two elementary schools, there are 70 runners K-4.
McKean Elementary School has both a Winter Run Club and the Spring Recess Laps program that started as part of McKean Elementary’s 2013 grant from the ING Run for Something Better School Awards Program. Health and Physical Education teacher Lisa Roberts started the program to help students increase their physical activity.
It’s safe to say that the run will be back next year, so keep your eyes open for a future date!
Edinboro student creates cultural exhibit
October 28, 2019
An Edinboro Elementary second grader created a cultural exhibit for a lesson on continents.
Students in Mrs. Waddell’s classroom were invited to share pictures of their travels around the world.
Emma Haugh’s uncle travels for work and shared with her amazing items from many different countries. As a result, Emma put together a cultural exhibit to share with all the students in the school. The exhibit were displayed in the library.
MS students create Pumpkin Biographies
October 28, 2019
There are pumpkin scientists everywhere at James W. Parker Middle School!
Students in Mrs. Brooks and Miss Shee’s classrooms have been reading aloud the novel, The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm. Then, the fifth graders turned their favorite scientists into pumpkin biography projects!
The Fourteenth Goldfish is a fictional text that involves many connections to science and famous scientists.
Students connected this unit with their current nonfiction unit by choosing and researching one scientist mentioned in the novel.
Students practiced chronological text structure and wrote a short biography about their scientist. At home, the students were asked to create the head of their scientist using a pumpkin. On Friday, students shared their pumpkins and the information they learned with one another.
The Wigmaster behind Cats
October 25, 2019
There are a handful of individuals behind the scenes adding their personal touches to General McLane High School musicals. This year’s upcoming musical, Cats, is no exception.
One of those individuals is General McLane alum and wig mistress Maggie Lasher (’13), who is in charge of creating, styling, fitting and maintaining the 30 custom wigs and hairpieces needed for the performance.
Lasher, who is a stylist at the SALON by InStyle inside JCPenney in Erie, started doing wigs four years ago for General McLane musicals and Broadway Dinners. She sits down with musical co-director Trisha Yates every year to research and develop their visions for the upcoming year’s wigs.
“As a General Mclane alum and someone who was involved in both the broadway dinner and musical while in high school, I wanted to get involved again and the Yates’s gave me the opportunity to do that!”
This year, we asked Lasher some questions about her work.
What is the biggest challenge with this specific musical?
The biggest challenge is going to be making sure the wigs are extremely secure because dancing is super intense in this show.
What is your favorite part of the process?
My favorite part of the process is watching the characters come to life. General McLane is full of talent, and we are all so lucky to have the Yates family to showcase those talents and to bring the highest quality of shows to life each year.
What’s been your favorite overall design to date?
My favorite wig to date was the Ursula wig I designed for Melina Walter (2017 performance). It took me about five hours total, and I still love it!
Tickets for Cats go on sale Monday, Oct. 28.
The cast includes Julia Esposito (Grizabella), Kellen Smith (Munkustrap), Ryan Hess (Rum Tum Tugger), Abby Johnson (Jennyanydots), Jayda Plonski, Allison Walsh and Maddie Wager (The Andrew Sisters), Isaac Smith (Gus), Clara Enterline (Jellylorum), Aidan Regan (Skimbleshanks), Jack Mennow (Macavity/Admetus), Alyvia Carmosino (Victoria), Cassidy Comer (Bombalurina), Olivia Minner (Demeter), Gabe Bayle (Mungojerrie), Katelyn Crum (Rumpleteazer), Michael Corsale (Mistoffelees), Anna Chernicky (Jemima),Caleb Minner (Bustopher Jones), Lexi Langer (Coricopat), Katelynn Langer (Tantomile), Makaela Persons (Cassandra), RJ Benedict (Alonzo), Myles Bruce (Pouncival), Chandler Villanueva (Bill Bailey), Grace Honeycutt (Etcetera), Sophia Lehman (Electra), Faith Morrow (Exotica), Meredith Moore (Sillabub) and Emma Cannata, Aiden Dougan, Jade Graves, Alison Jones, Paige Vannoy and JC Williams (CATS Chorus).
Tickets are $8 for students, $10 for general admissions and $15 for a limited number of “The Heavyside Layer”, which are the first 8 rows of the center section (about 120 seats per night).
The tickets will be available to purchase on October 28 online or by calling the General McLane High School office at 814-273-1033 ext. 1900. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Coates recognized in 2020 National Merit® Scholarship Program
October 25, 2019
General McLane High School senior Elizabeth Coates has been named a Commended Student in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program.
About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2020 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.6 million students who entered the 2020 competition by taking the 2018 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).
Congratulations to Elizabeth!
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