Honorable Alumni

Photo Courtesy of John J. Armato

From left, Paul Salem son of Phyllis Sell Salem, Mark Pennypacker, David Garner, James E. Rodgers

A lawyer, a police chief, a middle east expert and a teacher are the most recent inductees to the Pottstown High School Alumni Honor Roll.

During the Oct. 17 ceremony, the school district honored David Garner, James Rodgers, the late Phyllis Sell Salem and Mark Pennypacker Sr.

Mark Pennypacker Sr.

Pennypacker, a 1978 graduate, has a dizzying array of degrees and progressional experiences.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and sociology fropm West Chester University; a masters in divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary; a masters in educational administration from Shenandoah University and in geosciences from Mississippi Sate University and course work at University of Colorado, James Madison University and the University of Virginia.

He has been named to who’s who of American High School Teachers, soccer and girls soccer coach of the year and a distinguished citizen leader award where he lives in Winchester, Va.

An earth sciences and biology teacher at James Wood High School there, he is also an adjunct professor of Geography and Meterology at Lord Fairfax Community College and, as a People to People Student Ambassador, he has accompanied students to the Netherlands, Austria, Greece, Australia, China, France and the British isles.

Pennypacker has also been named a Boy Scout leader of the year, and is a member of the local Lions Club and the Treadwell Lodge No. 213 of the Masons, as well as serving on the boards of the local American Red Cross, Blue Ridge Youth Soccer, Shenandoah University Alumni Board, United Way of the Northern Shenandoah Valley and the Vestry of St. mark’s Episcopal Church in Virginia.

James Rodgers

Rodgers, a 1953 Pottstown High School graduate, served as Pottstown’s police chief from 1974 to 1991, after serving for five years as a sergeant and one year as the captain of the force.

Born in North Carolina, he and his family moved to Pottstown in 1946.

While in high school, Rodgers was on the track team and captain of the cross country team, as well as a member of the choir and playing the tuba in the band.

A four-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Rodgers was recognized for many innovations during his years with the police force.

They include a crisis intervention service, a crime prevention unit, a cooperative instruction program which put police officers into the schools to teach criminal justice classes and the creation of an awards and honor guard program within the force itself.

Himself a recipient of the department’s medal of valor award, Rodgers also received recognition from the International Police Chiefs Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, Jewish War Veterans and a Navy recruiting award.

After retiring from the police force in 1991, Rodgers served for six years as the executive director of the Interfaith Community Development Corp.

Phyllis Sell Salem

Salem graduated from Pottstown high School in 1948 and continued her education for many years.

From 1948 to 1950, she attended the Pierce School of Business, and in 1966 graduated with a bachelors degree from Beruit College for Women.

Two years later, she received her masters in English from the American University of Beruit and one year after that, received a second masters from the same school, this one in philosophy.

From 1975 to 1982, Salem was an organizer with Cultural Books of Distinction, a program forging connections between Europe and Lebanon.

She was a consultant with the Ministry of Information in Lebanon from 1980 to 1989 and from 1975 to 1990, Salem was chairperson of the Save Lebanon Committee, during the civil war there.

David Garner

A 1976 graduate of Pottstown High School, Garner then attended the Hill School for a year where he lettered in cross country and winter and spring track and set the home course record.

In 1981, a degree in political science and European history was earned from Ursinus College, where he again set the home course record and won a league championship as co-captain of the cross country team, as well as worked for four years as a reporter at the school newspaper.

Garner’s law degree was earned from Dickinson School of law in 1984, the same year he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, where he worked as an attorney and leaving in 1991 with the rank of captain.

Now in his own practice, which he established 14 years ago, Garner has served as the solicitor for the Pottstown Borough Authority as well as the East Vincent Municipal Authority.

He has served as president as the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities, co-chairman of the Tri-County Area Chamber of Commerce, the board of directors of Creative Health Services and the Rejoincing Spirits Board, a worship service for the developmentally disabled, the board of the Moasic Community Land Trust and in many positions at St. James Lutheran Church in Pottstown.

Garner has also spent 10 years with the Pottstown Chapter of the American Business Club and on the advisory committee at Manatawny Manor.

In 2008 and 2009, Garner was the president of Pottstown Borough Council.

Bring It On Home

Photo Courtesy of John Armato

Tom Medvetz and Ryan Regensberg

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by John Armato, the tireless.

The Pottstown School District school year comes to a close with the graduates of the Class of 2014 joining the ranks of over 19,000 PHS grads who have gone on to distinguish themselves as leaders in many fields of endeavor including science, math, business, military, industrial, entertainment, writing, education, and research to name a few.

Trojan pride is strong and evident at class reunions and can be seen in the graduates who have returned to the district to serve the community. 

We salute those Trojans who have returned to the Pottstown School District and are helping to form the foundation for the success of future generations.

The district is celebrating its 175th anniversary and takes pride in being one of the oldest school districts in the country. Home Grown Trojans include:

Ø Gerauldine Alderfer – Class of 2008 – Intervention Assistant

Ø Robin Huss Anderson – Class of 1994 – Kindergarten Teacher Lincoln Elementary

Ø John J. Armato – Honorary Graduate Class of 2014 – Volunteer Director of Community Relations

Ø Dennis Arms – Class of 2005 – High School Business Education Teacher and Key Club Advisor

Ø Bridget Baldwin – Class of 2008 – Fourth Grade Learning Support Teacher – Franklin Elementary

Ø Jacob Bean – Class of 2004 – Intervention Specialist and Assistant Football and Baseball Coach

Ø Brad Bechtel – Class of 1988 – Head Wrestling Coach

Ø Calista Germany Boyer – Class of 1995 – Lincoln Elementary Principal

Ø Susan Searfoss Davis – Class of 1977 – Benefits Coordinator

Photo Courtesy of John Armato

Vicki Price Mutter, Kerry Landis Kline, Robin Germany Debnam, 

and Stephanie AR White 

Ø Karen Weary Dilliplane – Class of 1978 – School Nurse Barth Elementary

Ø Rhonda Lawler Dinnocenti – Class of 1988 – Administrative Assistant for Student Services

Ø Kathy Eagle – Class of 1993 – First grade Teacher at Barth Elementary

Ø Jan Paolucci Endy – Class of 1985 – Word Processing Specialist

Ø Todd Endy – Class of 1981 – Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach

Ø Aliceclair Iaeger Faust – Class of 1974 – Middle School Librarian

Ø Theodore Freese – Class of 1985 – Elementary Librarian

Ø William Grim – Class of 2000 – Head Custodian Barth Elementary

Ø Amanda High – Class of 2005 – 8TH Grade Reading Teacher

Ø Diana Magliocchetti Hofmanner – Class of 1988 – First Grade Teacher Franklin Elementary

Ø Andrea Hunsberger – Class of 1980 – Intervention Specialist

Ø Michaela Johnson – Class of 1999 – Health Occupations Instructor

Ø Kerry Landis Kline – Class of 1975 – Intervention Assistant

Ø Heather Downie Kurtz – Class of 1983 – 2nd Grade Teacher Lincoln Elementary

Ø Kristin Hoffmaster Lafferty – Class of 2000 – First Grade Teacher

Ø Ian Lawrence – Class of 2006 – 7th Grade Language Arts Teacher

Ø Danielle McCoy – Class of 1982 – Director of Career and Technical Education

Ø LeeAnn McCullough – Class of 1989 – High School Special Education Teacher

Ø Tom Medvetz – Class of 1989 – Elementary Health and Physical Education Teacher

Ø Matthew Moyer – Class of 1992 – Principal Rupert Elementary

Ø Timothy I. Mutter – Class of 1968 – High School Student Proctor

Ø Vicki Price Mutter – Class of 1975 – Pottstown Middle School Paraeducator

Ø Diane Nash – Class of 1973 – Superintendent’s Secretary

Ø Jaime Parris – Class of 2008 – Long-Term Substitute

Ø Andrea Plavcan – Class of 1972 – Retired Secretary to the Superintendent

Ø Hayley Mutter Quigley – Class of 2001 – Speech and Language Pathologist

Ø Ryan Regensburg – Class of 2001 – Department Head and Middle School Health and Physical Education Teacher

Ø Valerie Pace Reifsneider – Class of 1979 – Assistant to Director of Technology

Ø Dina Rice – Class of 1989 –Speech and Language Therapist

Ø Lori Grubb Schirk – Class of 1981 – Middle School Secretary

Ø Kaylee Shumaker – Class of 2009 – Intervention Assistant at Lincoln Elementary

Ø Rhonda Levan Shumaker – Class of 1982 – Franklin Elementary Secretary

Photo Courtesy of John Armato

Tim Mutter, Vicki Price Mutter, Hayley Mutter Quigley 

Ø Andrea Poremba Skokowski – Class of 1978 – Lincoln Elementary Secretary

Ø Leslie Falicki Swartz – Class of 1989 – 2nd Grade Teacher Lincoln Elementary

Ø Bonnie Kerr Trainer – Class of 1972 – 5th Grade Teacher Pottstown Middle School

Ø Wendy Watters – Class of 1985 – One-on-One Classroom Assistant

Ø Dr. LaTanya White – Class of 1999 – Supervisor of Virtual and Alternative Learning

Ø Lisa Whitehurst – Class of 1984 – Spanish Teacher

There is a strong sense of loyalty and commitment to the mission of the Pottstown School District. Read what some of our “home grown” staff have to say about why they are proud to be a part of the Pottstown School District.

Ø Because I am now able to give back the same life principles that were given to me.

Ø As a student and as an employee, I have met many people who have inspired and encouraged me to pursue my dream. I could not think of a better place to be.

Ø I am part of a fantastic group of teachers who do more than is asked, suggested, or required; who provide hope, purpose, and direction for kids who would otherwise be lost.

Ø I am able to make a difference in the community that shaped me into the educator and adult I am today.

Ø We work together as a team to help our students learn.

Ø I am proud to work with a group of dedicated staff members in a district that looks for what is best for the students.

Ø I want to serve as a positive role model and assist our youth in achieving their goals.

Ø I had so many wonderful teachers who inspired me to pursue a career in education. I love being able to give back to my hometown.

Ø How everyone in the district works together to give our students the best education.

Ø My father graduated from Pottstown and always showed pride in his alma mater. That pride flows from generation to generation. All who work in the Pottstown School District strive to give our students an education that includes a balance of academics and the arts.

Ø Being with the children of Pottstown every day and working with their families to guide them in becoming successful adults is not just my job it is my calling and I am proud to be a part of something so important.

Ø It is an honor to give the students of Pottstown the same great education I received when I attended school. I hope to be an inspiration to students that they can grow up and do great things.

Ø I am proud of being a part of the ongoing work to provide an exceptional educational environment that will help our students succeed.

Ø I am proud to be back at Pottstown helping to make a difference by supporting our teachers and staff.

Ø It makes me proud to know that I played a small but important part in their lives by paying it forward.

Ø My whole family graduated from Pottstown and all of us have been involved in many school activities. We are Trojans and proud of it!

Ø I’m happy to give back to the community that I have grown up in and where my children are growing up. I’m very proud to be from Pottstown.

Ø I am proud because Pottstown goes above and beyond to make sure that our students stay on the cutting edge of education. We offer programming to make sure our students have an equal opportunity to compete with their peers in the work field and in post-secondary programming.

Ø I am proud to be able to help inspire students to set goals and achieve them like those educators that helped me when I was a student.

Ø I was born and raised in this district and I love seeing all of the kids in the community.

Ø I am lucky to have had dedicated teachers who helped prepare me for life. Pottstown instilled vital citizenship values that have proven to be my foundation.

Ø My academic, athletic, and social experiences within the Pottstown community influences me to become a servant leader where several positive influences once led the way for me.

Ø An awesome music program both then and now.