National Honor Society Does the 'Walk of Life'

Photos courtesy of the Pottstown School District

Members of the Pottstown High School chapter of the National Honor Society volunteered this weekend at the Relay for Life, held at Pottsgrove High School.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Pottstown School District

If you are a teenager, what do you do on a beautiful weekend in June to kick off the start of summer? 

Well, if you're are a member of Pottstown High School National Honor Society, you join your friends and spend 12 hours walking in the Relay For Life fundraiser to support cancer research. 

Trojan Proud of students and NHS sponsor chemistry teacher Jennifer Mohr for their leadership and commitment to wanting to make a difference.

Many of these same students last weekend gave up their time to support the PHS Mini Thon Four Diamonds Childhood Cancer Research Foundation. 

Pottstown High School Principal Danielle McCoy said it best in describing the school's students: " they demonstrates a spark of change in present culture. They care about the environment and their community. They volunteer in large numbers to make a difference in their town and in our society." 

Student Artist, Tax Loss, Relay for Life Questions

Photo by Evan Brandt

Lower Pottsgrove Elementary Fifth Grader Avery Huber received this certificate as a result of her artwork being selected for a state-wide anti-drug poster published by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office. she was recognized Tuesday by the Pottsgrove School Board.

As is so often the case, the item most likely to generate headlines from last night's Pottsgrove School Board meeting was no where on the agenda.

It was essentially a re-hash of a discussion the school board had last year when asked by the Relay for Life of Pottstown for permission to once again use the stadium at Pottsgrove High School.

That permission was granted, and that has not changed, but questions were raised about using a public facility to raise money for an organization, the American Cancer Society, which some feel is less about research and more about paying salaries to its executives.

This is no small question given that the Pottstown Relay is among the five largest in the world and regularly raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for the charity.

Perhaps the only new rhetorical point raised was offered by Patricia Grimm, a long-time and enthusiastic supporter of the Relay for Life. She argued that if the board is going to start questioning the effectiveness and finances of organizations which rent its facilities, it will have to do so evenly.

That means asking the wrestling tournament how much money it raises and how its spent. "If we do it for one, we have to do it for all of them," she said.

A loop-hole however, was identified by solicitor Marc Davis who pointed out that the district policy is not to rent its football stadium, so the Relay's use of it puts it in a different category.

The whole emotional subject was raised by Business Manager Dave Nester, also a supporter, who said that the Relay organizers "are nervous" and, looking ahead to future years, wanted to know if they should start looking elsewhere to hold the Relay.

Ultimately, the board decided to invite a representative from the American Cancer Society to address the board at a future meeting, although a date was not set.

In other news that affects your pocket book, the board approved settlements on three assessment appeals for three year's worth of taxes that will require refunds of more than $200,000.

Two of the properties making appeals include the former Thriftway in Sanatoga, now home to Landis Market, as well as the strip center perpendicular to that building which runs along High Street.

The third property is on Laura Lane in Upper Pottsgrove.

The board also heard, and endorsed, a presentation on reaching out earlier to families of incoming kindergarten students to help reduce the achievement gap often experienced by those raised in low-income households.

That's the wrap for now, here are the Tweets:

Hill School to host 7th annual Skate Against Cancer

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by The Hill School

The Hill School will host its 7th annual Skate Against Cancer event this Saturday, Jan. 17 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. 

The public is invited to this event; admission is $3; skates will be available to rent for $2. 

In past years, Skate Against Cancer has benefitted the American Cancer Society and Pottstown Area Relay for Life.

In six years, more than $10,000 has been donated from this event. 

All funds raised at this year’s event will be contributed to Stretch the Ride, a Pottstown-based foundation that supports the basic needs of cancer patients and their family members right here in the community. 

Stretch the Ride helps families relieve the financially devastating impact cancer can have on the stability of their daily life.

Hill School sixth formers Jake Myers (Belmont, Mass.), Trent Thomas (Nazareth, Pa.), and Colton McMenamin (Collegeville, Pa.) are spearheading this year’s Skate Against Cancer.

Instructor of English Courtney Neese continues to serve as their adviser. 

The group has organized an evening that melds both fun and charity. 

In addition to ice skating to music, attendees may support Stretch the Ride by purchasing t-shirts and

refreshments. 

New to this year’s menu is chili – a specialty prepared by James Reifsnyder, Hill instructor of history. 

There also will be a silent auction and raffle for prizes including a limited edition Skate Against Cancer hockey jersey (pictured above right).

"I enjoy watching our students on the ice," said Neese. 

"Seeing them join hands with friends and help each other up after a fall isn't something we get to witness every day," she said. "But equally as important, I love to see our students learning about the importance of community service and philanthropy.”

It is important to note that all participants must wear a knit hat (no baseball hats allowed) or a helmet when on the ice. The Hill School thanks all community members in advance for adhering to this rule.

Pottstown's Got Talent

Skating Against Cancer

The Hill School will host its Sixth Annual "Skate Against Cancer" event on Saturday from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Thomas Eccleston, Jr. Rink and Edward Tuck Hall Arena

Hill School students Mackenzie LeClair ’14 (Havorford), Scott McKean (Chester Springs), and Sydney Munro ’14 (Phoenixville) organized the annual fundraiser. 

The event that raises money for The American Cancer Society through the Pottstown area Relay for Life. 

This is event is open to the community. Admission is $3; skate rentals are $2.

In addition to ice skating, attendees will enjoy raffles, t-shirt sales (original designs by Hill students), and refreshments. 

Raffle prizes include an iPod and autographed Philadelphia Flyers paraphernalia.

"Working with their faculty adviser, Instructor of English Courtney Neese ’00, Mackenzie, Scott, and Sydney have organized an evening that melds both fun and charity," Jennifer L. Bechtel, The Hill's Associate Director for Communications and Website Editor, wrote in an e-mail to The Mercury.

Please note: All skaters must wear knit hats or helmets at all times when on the ice.

How Much is a Purple Mohawk Worth?

Can't you just see Mr. Moyer with a nice purple Mohawk?

This is directed specifically toward the students of Rupert Elementary School and their families:

Hey kids, (and parents), wouldn't it be great to see your principal, Mr. Moyer, get his head shaved into a Mohawk and get it colored purple?

In front of the whole school?

Well I was about to tell you you could make it happen, and urge you on, until I just learned you already did it.

By bringing your spare change to school and donating it to the Pottstown Relay for Life, the world's fourth largest event of its type, you have obligated Mr. Moyer to make good on a pledge he made to you and make ever-so-slight a change in his appearance.

He said if you raised $500 by Friday with a coin collection, he would get his head shaved into a Mohawk and dyed purple, which is the national color for the Relay for Life.

(You may have noticed a lot of purple banners and things around town this month. That's why.)


Apparently, you did not need me to encourage you. I found out Monday that you have already raised $555.



And yes, there's something in it for you too. The classroom that collects the most money will receive a class party. So keep bringing in those coins.

Here are the classes to beat:

In the lead as of Monday was Mrs. Fazekas' third grade class with $100.98 raised.

In second place is Mrs. Wagner's first grade class, with $89.11 and, rounding out the field, is Miss Nosaka's first grade class with $78.64.

Provided as a public service to
help you envision Mr. Moyer's
new look come Friday.

But really, is there any reward more satisfying than seeing Mr. Moyer get his purple Mohawk kids?

Why not print out this blog entry? You can cut out the handy purple Mohawk I've provided and you can paste it on this picture of Mr. Moyer and hang it up around school to remind him what a good sport he is and how dashing he will look with his new hairdo.

Sure, that's its own reward, but there is a larger reward; you raised money for an organization that is trying to find a cure for cancer.

That cure could save your life some day, or the life of someone you love.

Even if you have already lost someone you love (and given what a tough disease cancer is, chances are you have) help make sure it doesn't take anyone else.

Besides, Mr. Moyer with a purple Mohawk?

What could be better than that?

Maybe he'll make the new look permanent...

Roller Derby Rockstars Kick Off Their Season April 14

Photo from the Pottstown Roller Derby Rockstars photo blog.

The Pottstown Roller Derby Rock Stars in Action.

Blogger's Note: It is with indescribable satisfaction that The Digital Notebook presents the contents of a notice we received recently from our friends at the Pottstown Roller Derby Rockstars.

The Pottstown Roller Derby Rockstars present their season opening double header, including a men’s roller derby bout followed by the PRDR main event on April 14 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The event takes place at The 422 Sports Plex, 1400 Industrial Highway, Pottstown.  

No rest for the weary in Roller Derby

The men’s bout will be between The New York Shock Exchange’s Dow Jones Average vs. The Rollin Regulators from Cecil County MD.

They will be followed by The Pottstown Roller Derby Rockstars Damage Incorporated vs. The Flogging Mollies. 

In addition to hard hitting, action packed roller derby, this event will include entertainment by The Punkabillys, DJ React, and a mechanical bull.   

YES, a mechanical bull! 

Official PRDR merchandise will also be available.  

The cost is $10 adult pre-sale at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/234962, $15 adult at the door, and $5 for children under 12 (ages 5 and under are free). 

A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.  For more information or to sponsor this event please visit www.pottstownrollerderbyrockstars.com

If you want to know more about the Pottstown Roller Derby Rockstars, check out this video about them:

Or check out their web site by clicking here, or check out their blog by clicking here.

Skate for a Cure at The Hill

The Edward Tuck Hall Arena and Thomas Eccleston Jr. Rink

 The Hill School will be host its fifth annual “Skate Against Cancer” event on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. 

This event, at the Thomas Eccleston, Jr. Rink and Edward Tuck Hall Arena, is open to the public.

(It is important to note that all ice skaters must wear a knit hat when on the ice). 

Admission is $3 and skate rentals are $2. 

All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society and the Pottstown Area Relay for Life.

Hill School students Mary Edwards '12, Sydney Colaizzi '12, Sarah Allen '12, and Henry Lawrence '12  headed up the organizing for the event. 

Working with their faculty adviser, instructor of English Courtney Neese ’00, Mary, Sydney, Sarah, and Henry have organized an evening that melds both fun and charity. 

In addition to ice skating, attendees will enjoy raffles, t-shirt sales, and refreshments. 

Last year's event was a great success with $7,856.94 raised to benefit the American Cancer Society.