Pottsgrove Christens New Home for Homecoming

Photo by Evan Brandt

Pottsgrove School officials, joined representatives of the architects and construction contractor for the three-year renovation and expansion of Pottsgrove High School, in cutting the ribbon for the grand opening of the $30 million project.

OK, so it was a little late.

Well, a lot late really. but what's 12 months between friends.

A year after students returned to the renovated and expanded Pottsgrove High School -- a project which took three years and more than $30 million -- the school district got around to cutting the ribbon.

Visitors tour the newly renovated library.

"When we first started talking about this project, it an was $11 million building envelope project," said former Pottsgrove School Board President Justin Valentine. "I'm glad the administration had the wisdom to get us to look at a broader project. Every time I drive past this building now, I think 'it looks just like the architect's pictures.'"

"I love this project, the energy, how involved the staff and even the students were in making the decisions," said Mike Kelly, project's chief architect from KCBA Architects.

"We spent a lot of very long nights here," said School Board President Matt Alexander. "But we really are now in the 21st Century for education and this project takes a big step toward our goal of making Pottsgrove a school district of choice."

"This is a state of the art facility, modeled on what the world, work place and universities look like," said Principal William Ziegler.

The full Pottsgrove High School Homecoming Court.

After the ribbon was cut, visitors were offered a tour of the building, which includes new spaces for art, music, science and athletics.

The district will also buy a time capsule that is not to be opened until 2041.

Afterward, the annual Homecoming Crowning Ceremony was held in the auditorium and new queens named for each class.

An hour later, Pottsgrove celebrated its Homecoming Game with a resounding victory of crosstown rival, Pottstown.

As Ziegler, an alum of the school he now leads, said: "it's a good day to bleed maroon and white."

Look to coming editions of The Mercury for more coverage. Here are some Tweets from the day:

A Courtly Pottstown Homecoming

Photo Courtesy of John Armato

FULL COURT PRESS: From left, Brendan Collings, Katie Kolbmann, Nate Fuerman, Leanne Strauss, Bishop Corney, Julianne Nacarelli, Niko Teller, Jasmine Maldonado, Jeffrey Vontor, Megan Remick. Seated, from left, Sierra Lee, Miles Elliott.

Blogger's Note: Our sincere thanks to the tireless John Armato for providing news of Pottstown's Homecoming Court, seeing as the Digital Notebook staff was a galley slave, chained to the high school snack bar during this game, busy raising money for Pottstown's music education program.

Recently, Pottstown High School celebrated its annual homecoming event by naming Megan Remick as the Homecoming Queen and Niko Teller as the Homecoming King for 2013.

The event, which took place at halftime of the Pottstown vs. Pottsgrove football game, was

Photo courtesy of John Armato

Megan Remick and Anthony Gazillo

sponsored by the high school KEY Club under the direction of Mr. Dennis Arms. Members of the homecoming court represented various school clubs. Members of the court were:

· Katie Kolbmann – Peer Mediation – She is actively involved in Peer Mediation, KEY Club, Clarinet Ensemble, Art Club, DECA, and Marching Band. Katie serves as the Secretary for the Marching Band. Upon graduation Katie plans to study Speech Pathology at Bloomsburg University.

· Jasmine Maldonado – HOSA – She is actively involved in Peer Mediation, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), and KEY Club. Jasmine serves as the President of the Class of 2014. Upon graduation Jasmine plans to study Nursing at Alvernia University.

· Julianne Nacarelli – KEY Club – She is actively involved in KEY Club, Peer Mediation, Art Club, Advanced Placement Academy, Softball, and Volleyball. Upon graduation Julianne plans to study Fashion Merchandising at a four year university.

Photo Courtesy of John Armato

THE PICTURE OF ELEGANCE: The ladies of Pottstown's Homecoming were, from left, Julianne Nacarelli, Jasmine,  Maldonado, Megan Remick, Leanne Strauss and Katie Kolbmann.

· Megan Remick – Student Government/Interact – She is actively involved in KEY Club, DECA, Student Government, Interact, and Basketball. Megan serves as the Treasurer for the Class of 2014 and for Student Government. Upon graduation she plans to study Pre-Medicine at Elizabethtown College.

· Leanne Strauss – National Honor Society – She is a member of KEY Club, Relay for Life, and National Honor Society. Leanne also participates in Basketball and Softball. She serves as President of National Honor Society. Upon graduation Leanne plans to study Science or Nutrition at the University of Arizona.

· Brendan Collings – Peer Mediation – He is actively involved in Peer Mediation, National Honor Society, and DEK Hockey. Upon graduation Brendan plans to study Accounting at Gettysburg College.

· Bishop Corney – Interact Club – He is actively involved in Interact Club, Anime Club, and Telecommunications. Upon graduation Bishop plans to study Film.

Photo Courtesy of John Armato

As far as we know, none of this kneeling resulted in any proposals....

· Niko Teller – Health Occupations Students of America – He is actively involved in HOSA and Football. Upon graduation Niko plans to study Radiology at a four year university. Representing Niko for the evening was Mr. Anthony Gazzillo, Class of 2015.

· Jeffrey Vontor – Student Government – He is actively involved in Peer Mediation, National
Honor Society, Student Government, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Concert Band, Advanced Placement Academy, Track & Field, and Cross Country. Upon graduation Jeff plans to study Engineering at Penn State University.

· Nathan Fuerman – National Honor Society – He is actively involved in Student Government, National Honor Society, Air Force JROTC, Cross Country, Track, Peer Mediation, Marching Band, Concert Band, Student Ambassadors, Sons of the American Legion, and Eagle Scouts. Upon graduation Nate plans to study Optometry at the Air Force Academy.

A little fuzzy, but too sweet to exclude.

Sierra Lee, 2012 Homecoming Queen, was on hand to crown this year’s queen. Sierra is currently studying Business and working as a Customer Service Representative for Taylor Gifts. The 2012 Homecoming King, Miles Elliott assisted in crowning the new king. Miles is studying Business at Kutztown University where he is a member of the Basketball team.

A special thank you to Agnes Edmunds Formal Wear for supplying us with the tuxedos for the evening as well as Golf Car Specialties for providing us with golf cart transportation for our Homecoming Court.