Students at Berkshire High School combined charity with fun, donating approximately 350 food items to the Burton Food Bank in an effort that culminated in an unforgettable moment – taping assistant Principal Stan Koterba to the wall...
Successful Food Drive
Students at Berkshire High School combined charity with fun, donating approximately 350 food items to the Burton Food Bank in an effort that culminated in an unforgettable moment – taping assistant Principal Stan Koterba to the wall.
The initiative, led by student Chris Buyea-McDonald, encouraged donations through a creative incentive: for each food item donated, students earned a piece of tape to help secure Mr. Koterba to the wall. The event brought the school community together, promoting generosity while adding excitement to the school day. By the end of the drive, Mr. Koterba was fully secured to the wall, much to the delight of students and staff.
The 350 food items collected will go to the Burton Food Bank, which serves local families in need. School officials praised the students’ efforts, emphasizing the importance of community service and creative ways to encourage engagement.
“This is what makes Berkshire such a special place,” said Mr. Koterba, who embraced his taped-up fate with good humor. “The students showed incredible generosity and had fun while doing it.”
Community Engagement
Berkshire Middle School students are demonstrating the power of intergenerational learning and community engagement. Eighth-graders in Mr. Montanero’s class, in partnership with Geauga YMCA, are participating in meaningful activities with senior citizens.
The collaboration has included book studies, social gatherings such as music and theater programs and a senior spring dance. Future plans include a technology fair, offering the students the opportunity to assist seniors in developing digital literacy skills.
Under the leadership of Diane Gorom, YMCA senior program coordinator, and Dr. Vanessa Karwan, director of professional learning and community outreach, these efforts are fostering meaningful interactions that promote mutual learning and support.
The Berkshire Local Schools are elevating the importance of this initiative as part of a broader commitment to bridging generations by bringing the community into the school and the school into the community. Students gain valuable life lessons, while seniors benefit from social interaction and shared experiences, strengthening community ties.
NHS Induction
Berkshire High School hosted the 88th induction ceremony of the Berkshire chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) on Feb. 27. Held in the school auditorium, the ceremony welcomed family and friends in celebration of the inductees’ achievements.
Fifteen new members were inducted, each required to maintain a 3.70 overall GPA and demonstrate the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, character, leadership, and service.
The new inductees are sophomores Madison Bower, Law Holland, Ivy Martin, Stella Morgan, Sam Snow, Hayden Tomsic, Charlotte Townsend, Kit Wadsworth, Jaxon Zarzour and Makenna Welling; juniors Nolan Morris, Kross Peairs, Holly Phillips and Ava Sutter; and senior Paul Brent.
Originally established in 1938 at Burton School, the Berkshire Chapter of the National Honor Society has inducted 1,252 students over the last 88 years.
Students Visit Local Businesses
Berkshire High School students recently participated in a variety of activities designed to help them plan for their respective futures, including visiting area businesses to explore potential career and job opportunities. Facilitated by the Geauga Growth Partnership (GGP), the field trips were attended by all ninth-grade students and select 10th-grade students not taking the pre-ACT exam.
Participating businesses represented a variety of industries, including D.A. Surgical (Newbury Township), Geauga Mechanical Co. (Chardon), Great Lakes Cheese (Hiram), In Step With Horses (Chester Township), ISSSQUARED Technology Center (Chardon), Mercury Plastics LLC (Middlefield), Rescue Village (Russell Township), Schoolyard Studio (Burton), Sheoga Hardwood Flooring (Middlefield) and Urban Growers (Burton).
Approximately 150 students traveled in six buses, each assigned to a set of three participating businesses. During each visit, students were accompanied by Berkshire staff and GGP representatives to tour the facility, meet and interact with staff members and learn more about educational and certification requirements, as well as the overall work environment.
During the trip, members of the junior class took the important step of preparing for college and career readiness by taking the ACT test at Berkshire High School. The ACT covers the academic areas of English, mathematics, reading and science.
Seniors were excused from morning classes to complete community service hours, participate in career shadowing, or work on senior service project proposals due March 14.
