QCHS Fundraisers Fuel Scholarship Programs

BY RAY FOX '66

In my January article, I wrote about the history and activities of the QCHS Alumni Association. I want to thank the people who have been reading the Alumni Spotlight Articles and who have contacted me with positive feedback and innovative ideas. As a result of the January Article, several people have contacted me asking for more information about the Alumni Association Scholarship program and the Designer Bag Bingo event that helps to fund this program. Hence, this month’s Article is about the fundraiser and the use of the money.

From 2009 through 2015 we had several types of small fundraising events with a variety of results. Many of these took considerable work but did not provide the results we were seeking. In 2016 we held our first Designer Bag Bingo event, which was very well received by participants as well as members of the Board of Directors. The first event in 2016 was organized by Barbara Schwenk Hafler ’80. This was a highly successful start to fund the Scholarship Program. The event has been held every year from 2016-2020. In 2021 the event took a one-year hiatus due to Covid. It was restarted last year in 2022. Denise Loux Fox (Class of ’80) took over the chairperson role in 2017 and has continued in that role. Several Board Members have also been instrumental in planning and organizing the event.

This year’s event is a Designer Bag Bingo and will take place on Sunday March 26 at 1:00 PM at Benner Hall in Richlandtown. Tickets are nearly sold out already, but availability can be checked by contacting Lori Horne Kertesz ’79 at QCHSalumniboard@gmail.com. All proceeds go toward the Scholarship Fund for the class of 2023.

Raising money for the Scholarships is the main goal of the Alumni Association. The High School Guidance Office is helpful in advertising the scholarship process to the Senior Class. Applications must include background information, essay questions answered by the applicant, and a recommendation written by a peer. All applications are reviewed by a committee of the Alumni Association and are interviewed by the committee to determine recipients. Each recipient is awarded a $1,000 scholarship with the number of scholarships determined by the amount of available funds. Since 2010 there have been forty-four scholarships awarded in the amount of $44,000. The Bingo Fundraiser has been instrumental in raising funds to support and increase the number of scholarships awarded. Opportunities to support the fundraiser include making a monetary donation to the Alumni Association, providing a gift certificate, or a basket for the basket raffle.

The Quakertown Community Alumni Association encourages alumni to participate in the Association activities. Its mission includes fundraising to provide scholarship opportunities each year for graduating seniors. Please check out our Facebook Pages “Quakertown High School Alumni Association” and the Alumni pages of the QCSD.org website for more information.

We are a 501C3 organization and always welcome any contributions toward our scholarship endeavors. If you are interested in donating, please email Qchsalumniboard@ gmail.com and you will receive instructions on how to do so. Comments and ideas for future articles can be sent to Ray Fox at rdefox@msn.com.

Sabella Named December UBCTS Student of the Month

Emily Sabella is a student in the Health Care Careers program at Upper Bucks County Technical School and a senior at Pennridge High School.

Emily is a First Honors student and has received the Outstanding Level I award in her program. She served as the UBCTS SkillsUSA Vice President and the SkillsUSA District Reporter. Emily is OSHA and CPR/First Aid certified and has earned many certifications to prepare her for the Health Care Industry.

After graduation, Emily plans to pursue a career as a Registered Nurse.

Mrs. Freeh added the following: Emily is consistently an "A" student at UBCTS. She has handled staff changes and the disappointment of clinical being canceled due to Covid by taking advantage of other opportunities to learn and work towards a future in the healthcare field. Emily sets high expectations for herself and accomplishes these. She is taking Honors Biology at the high school and is involved with the STEM program. She plans to attend Bucks County Community College in the fall. She participates in the Bucks CC In

School Youth program and will earn additional certifications during her senior year. Emily always has a smile on her face and exemplifies professional workplace behavior. She is a National Technical Honor Society member and has many First Honors.

Justin Guarini’s Positive Message Reaches Quakertown Students

BY GARY WECKSELBLATT

The American Idol and Broadway star, the school district’s Artist-In-Residence, preached confidence and a willingness to fail to ultimately achieve success.

From the outset of a more than two-hour coaching session with Quakertown Community School District students and parents, Justin Guarini put everyone at ease. Headlined as an Audition Secrets Masterclass, the star of Broadway shows and American Idol let everyone know that he sat where they’re sitting and their dreams can be fulfilled.

“I’ve done what you’ve done and lived what you lived,” he said. “I’ve been where it is you want to be. It takes a lot of hard work but if I can do it you can do it.”

His message hit home with Quakertown’s young people. Karinna Richardson, a senior who performs with the Varsity Singers and in school plays, said “It’s very relieving to know that I can be more confident in my own abilities. He made it in acting and you can see he’s a real person. Where else would I ever hear these things from someone of his background or have the opportunity to meet him?”

Mr. Guarini was brought to the district by the Quakertown Community Education Foundation’s biennial Artist-In-Residence program. Dr. Erin Oleksa-Carter, a QCEF board member and QCSD’s Supervisor of Middle Level Teaching and Learning, huddled with several teachers to discuss the program. Erin Camburn, the high school’s choral director, suggested Mr. Guarini.

On January 30, his interactive Audition Secrets was a huge success as he shared the highlights and lowlights of a career that took off in the first season of American Idol in 2002 when he reached the finals with Kelly Clarkson. Mr. Guarini, 44, has been the lovable “Lil’ Sweet” in Dr. Pepper commercials since 2015 and performed in seven Broadway productions. On February 1 he will be giving pointers to 10 students selected by teachers.

As he spoke and gracefully maneuvered the stage in the Quakertown Performing Arts Center, Mr. Guarini used photos, videos and his magical singing voice to teach, encourage and motivate his attentive audience.

“(Being here tonight) is one more step in a long road of steps to your success,” he said. “I’m taking you by your hand … watch that pothole. Everything you want is waiting for you on the other side of willingness to fail.”

“It felt real, and I was very excited to hear what he had to say,” said Zach Polek, a junior who finished first in auditions as both a singer and instrumentalist or the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 11 chorus, band, and orchestra. “I have to be confident. It’s okay to be me where I’m at.”

Mr. Guarini enjoyed the back-and-forth with audience members and they savored his feedback. He opened up about his failures, including getting words wrong Idol’s Big Band Night when singing Route 66. “I just kept going,” he said.

A low point came one night alone in a hotel room in Los Angeles, watching Saturday Night Live when Tina Fey on Weekend Update announced Mr. Guarini had been dropped from his recording contract. It’s how he learned about it.

Mrs. Camburn referenced that type of “authenticity. To hear him describe the incredible highs and crushing lows was so inspiring and a great message for our students.”

Stephanie Zajkowski, QCEF’s board president, said he “spoke to them in a way they can relate. ‘You need to go for it.’ ”

In addition to the audition tips he shared, Mr. Guarini’s advice is something that will inspire students with just about any challenge they face or career they seek.

“There’s something you have to give,” he said. “You’re not just an instrument in a line of people. You all have value.”

Dr. Oleksa said “His messages are important no matter what you do. The goal of the ArtistIn-Residence program is to touch on a variety of career pathways. We think hearing what our students did from a star performer will go a long way.”

Mrs. Zajkowski of the QCEF said “the things he said are going to stick with our kids forever. It’s not just about auditioning. His words work for whatever path they choose.”

For his part Mr. Guarini is hoping “the underlying lessons and principles I teach will be part of my legacy. My hope is that I teach people how to avoid the mistakes I made so they can get down the road to success faster than I did.”

Indoor Craft Fair

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GEORGE’S HOME DECOR & COLLECTABLES

BY PALMA MOYER, RN

I wish to correct a slight mistake in last month’s article as I am not totally retired. After working for 65 years as a Registered Nurse, I continue to work on a Behavioral Health Unit, caring for people with mental health and substance abuse issues. I must say that in my entire nursing career I have never worked with a more dedicated and caring group of people. From the doctors, nurses, mental health techs, case managers, and cleaning staff, it is an honor and a privilege to be a part of this unit. Staff is encouraged to continue our education and be involved in the community. This past Christmas all of the patients were given gifts