BETHLEHEM PRESS: June 2019

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

June 19, 2019

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

BASD’s Clymer is Kopf Award recipient

Barbara Clymer, the Bethlehem Area School District’s executive assistant to the superintendent of schools, was recently honored with the Gertrude E. Kopf Award of Recognition by the Pennsylvania Association of Education Office Professionals. Over the past 30 years she has been a clerk in the Human Resources office, was an administrative assistant to the associate superintendent and, for the past decade, has worked in the superintendent’s office. Photo: Executive Assistant to Superintendent Dr. Joseph Roy, Barbara Clymer has worked at the Bethlehem Area School District for 30 years.

Photo by Dana Grubb

Boyle earns Family Award of Excellence

Bethlehem resident Nathan Boyle is the 2019 Sheetz Family Award of Excellence winner. Awarded June 7 during the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games, Boyle was honored for his distinguished sportsmanship and perseverance throughout the games.

Photo: Nathan Boyle of Bethlehem, (left) the 2019 recipient of the Sheetz Family Award of Excellence, with Sheetz public relations manager Nick Ruffner, who presented the award.

Courtesy A. Special Olympics

GRADUATION-SAUCON VALLEY-JUNE 7

‘This is where we started’

While the night air grew chilly the evening of June 8, the celebration of memories, relationships and accomplishments warmed the auditorium at Saucon Valley HS, where the class of 2019 took the stage to say goodbye. Photo: Kara Smith, Bryce VanNorman and Jina Morel enjoy the moment prior to the processional. Kara and Bryce both plan to study nursing, while Jina will attend Northampton Community College and major in education.

By Elizabeth Kemmerer and Douglas Graves

GRADUATION-LV CHRISTIAN HS-JUNE 8

‘Everyone here becomes like family’

“We’re too small, if only we were bigger.” The sentence, spoken during the 2019 Lehigh Valley Christian HS commencement address, could summarize the plight of any school which features a graduating class of six. Thoughts turn, the speaker noted, to what we don’t have instead of what we do have. “But remember, while we are small, we are small with God,” added commencement speaker Henry Crush. Photo: LVCHS graduate Tiara Hernandez after receiving her diploma from Lehigh Valley Christian HS during the 2019 commencement June 8.

By Stephen Althouse

GRADUATION-LV CHARTER HS FOR THE ARTS-JUNE 11

‘I’ll always be thankful’

They demand attention, pull at the heartstrings and are guided by imagination. Wherever they appear, the students of the Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts excel at personal expression, and their own graduation is never an exception. Welcoming their families with Edith Piaf’s “La Vie en Rose” and a haunting rendition of the Star Spangled Banner under the spotlights at Miller Symphony Hall in Allentown June 11, the school’s students – and now graduates – earned their accolades and degrees. Photo: Charter Arts graduating seniors gather by their principal prior to commencement. From left, Daniel Kim from Center Valley, Julia Shively from Bethlehem, Alethea Lamb from Easton, Dr. Carise Comstock, and Grace Crouthamel from Jim Thorpe.

By Nate Jastrzemski and Ed Courrier

CLASSROOM

LV students shine in Freddy’s spotlight

Student cast members, selected from all participating school productions, join for a medley of showtunes during the Freddy Awards opening number rehearsal May 22. In front, at center is Lindsey Sommons as Mrs. Potts from the Liberty HS production of “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.” Liberty received 10 Freddy nominations, including one for Sommons for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role. Although she didn’t bring home a Freddy, the young actress scored a $1,000 Sing for America Scholarship.

By Ed Courrier

SPORTS

Red tops Gold in McDonald Classic

Northampton’s Hunter Werkheiser and Nate Bendekovits truly cherished the moments and the overall experience with the recent 49th annual McDonald’s Lehigh Valley All-Star Football Classic at Nazareth’s Andrew S. Leh Stadium.

By Jeff Moeller

FOCUS

Part of the story

The world-famous Cirque du Soleil brings a thrilling and “cool” new show, “Crystal,” to PPL Center, Allentown, June 26-30. The production blends stunning acrobatics and figure skating. With aerial feats and impressive artistry on ice, “Crystal” is predicted to surpass expectations in a breakthrough show. “Crystal” has an international cast of 43 performers, including figure, extreme and freestyle ice skaters, plus acrobats, musicians and comics.

By Camille Capriglione

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

June 12, 2019

COVER STORY

Honoring Mayor Pfeife

For a number of years, Richard Stiles has been on a mission to have one-time Bethlehem Mayor Robert Pfeifle honored with a memorial. Pfeifle served as mayor of Bethlehem from 1930 to 1950, longer than any other mayor in the city’s history, and Stiles was married to Pfeifle’s granddaughter, June, who passed away in 2012. On May 31 a 450- pound granite and bronze memorial was dedicated by Mayor Bob Donchez on the Bethlehem Greenway at Webster Street, little more than a block away from where the Pfeifle residence stood at one time on Webster Street. Photo:Family and descendants of Mayor Robert Pfeifle gather around the memorial for a group photo to commemorate the dedication.

By Dana Grubb

GRADUATION-BETHLEHEM CATHOLIC

‘Appreciate our differences’

“Stay close,” the 182 graduates in the class of 2019 were told at Bethlehem Catholic HS’s graduation, June 5 at the high school auditorium. During his Invocation, school chaplain Rev. Kevin Bobbin urged graduates to stay close to the school, to each other and to God. A prayer in the graduation program told the graduates of how much the school community celebrates their achievements. Photo: All eyes are toward the front as graduates go up to receive their diplomas. There were a total of 177 students receiving diplomas from the class of 2019.

By Michelle Meeh and Mark Kirlin

GRADUATION-LIBERTY HS

‘Understanding our part’

Liberty HS had its 97th commencement exercise at a nearly packed Stabler Arena June 5, as a festive, sometimes raucous crowd cheered and blared an occasion noise horn. According to officials, 631 students earned their high school diplomas. “The students did a good job,” said Dr. Jack Silva, assistant superintendent for education and chief academic officer. “They are a strong group of kids.” Photo: Class of 2019 graduates Rachel Byrne, Dianna Depalma, Megan Bittle and Avalon Kratzer gather for a photo prior to commencement. They will attend Moravian College, the University of Scranton, the University of Delaware and Lycoming College, respectively.

By Douglas Graves and Dana Grubb

GRADUATION-FREEDOM HS

‘We’re the solution’

It was difficult to reconcile the ebullient atmosphere with the event’s theme. Freedom HS’s commencement at Stabler Arena June 6 was by and large electric and rarely affected by the gravity of “Pursuing Discomfort and Embracing Change.” Each speaker stressed challenges the new graduates would soon be facing in the adult world, while celebrating the many accomplishments they’d already achieved. Perhaps the most obvious and most often mentioned was the new American Sign Languages course, the fruits of which were on display as the chorus collectively signed along while singing the national anthem and alma mater. Photo: Seven seniors of Freedom HS’s 501 member graduating class are in a very relaxed mood heading into commencement held at Stabler Arena on June 6.

By Nate Jastrzemski and Dana Grubb

GRADUATION-NOTRE DAME

‘Follow your conscience’

Notre Dame Green Pond’s class of 2019 graduated June 6 in an outdoor ceremony at the school’s football stadium. They were graced by sunny skies, a hovering drone and the occasional firecracker. There were 121 graduates, accompanied by at least 500 friends and family, celebrating the end of one journey and the beginning of another. The Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown always attends every Catholic high school graduation in this area, and this was no exception. But Bishop Alfred A. Schlert had a very good reason for making sure he was at Notre Dame. That’s because he’s a Notre Dame Crusader himself. He graduated in 1979 and groaned that his commencement took place inside a sweltering gym.Photo: As is tradition, the students toss their morter boards in the air at the conclusion of the ceremony. Of the 125 graduating students, 51 received an award and or scholarship.

By Bernie O’Hare and Mark Kirlin

SPORTS

LV boys ready for Cup play

The Lehigh Valley Carpenter Cup is set to take the field this week when they open up play on Wednesday, June 12, at 12:30 p.m. against Suburban One American/ Continental. The game comes after Press deadlines. This year’s roster 25 players, 16 of which are underclassmen. Liberty’s Ben Piripavel and Freedom’s Nick Stannard and Conor Howland are the local Bethlehem representatives on the squad. A win by the LV squad in the opener would push them to the quarterfinal round on June 14.

By Peter Car

FOCUS

Their time to shine

City Arts Camp, a collaboration of the Allentown Art Museum, The Baum School of Art, Civic Theatre of Allentown, Community Music School, Miller Symphony Hall and Repertory Dance Theatre, provides students a fun and exciting experience in art, dance, music and theater. The six established arts and cultural organizations came together 21 years ago to create a week of artistic exploration for children, providing an interdisciplinary, comprehensive introduction to the arts, while inspiring them to discover their creativity.

By Erin Ferguson

Friday, June 7, 2019

June 5, 2019

COVER STORY

Keeping their memory alive

Bethlehem’s war dead were remembered Saturday morning in a solemn and emotional ceremony in front of Bethlehem City Hall. A new Vietnam War memorial now stands on East Church Street as a mute testimonial to the 35 men of Bethlehem who were killed in action during that war. Some of the families of the fallen attended, several holding portraits of sons or brothers who gave their lives for their country. Photo: Salutes by members of the Nam Knights Motorcycle Club welcome the unveiling of the Bethlehem Vietnam KIA Memorial.

By Douglas Graves

GRADUATION-LV ACADEMY

‘Many more mountains’

“It‘s been an honor to be here on behalf of the board of trustees,” said Board President Martin Smith as he praised the Lehigh Valley Academy graduating seniors at the Zoellner Arts Center May 28. For him, Smith announced, it was personal; his daughter, Madalyn, was one of the 61 receiving high school diplomas from the regional charter school that day. Photo: At left, LVA Board of Trustees President Martin Smith beams as his daughter, Madalyn, receives her diploma from LVA CEO Susan Mauser, with Principal Jennifer Nonnemacher assisting.

By Ed Courrier

GRADUATION-MORAVIAN ACADEMY

‘Leave a lasting legacy’

“Never forget to leave a lasting legacy,” class of 2019 President Michael Schellenberg concluded his remarks to his graduating classmates at Moravian Academy’s commencement June 1.The ceremony had been moved indoors to the gymnasium due to the threat of evening showers. The showers never materialized, but the move didn’t seem to dampen the high spirits of the 82 graduates and the packed house of their friends and families. Photo: All smiles after graduation: Grace Nixdorf will attend Furman University; Rebecca Donahue, Haverford College; Sophia Carosella, High Point University; Isha Mohapatra, Carnegie Mellon University; Elizabeth Stifel, University of Notre Dame; Jamie Karras, Wake Forest University.

By Julie Swan and Cindy O’Brien

MEMORIAL DAY 2019

Remembering the fallen

Hundreds of area residents turned out along the parade route and in Memorial Park Cemetery as those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation were honored on Memorial Day. The annual parade and service was sponsored by United Veterans of Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council and the City of Bethlehem. United Veterans president Ken Nichols conducted the service. Photo: Buglers who participated in “Taps over Bethlehem” perform several selections en masse at Memorial Park Cemetery, including the Navy Hymn, “Eternal Father Strong to Save.”

By Dana Grubb

SPORTS

Liberty takes District 11 baseball title

Many times, the district final comes down to the top two seeds. As the number two-seed, Liberty had better than average odds of being in the final and could have figured to play top-seed Northampton. With top-seeded Northampton eliminated early, the Hurricanes took on an Emmaus team that not only took out the Konkrete Kids, but had been beating a number of top teams throughout the playoffs. In the end though, the Hurricanes came away with a 3-1 win to take gold in District 11.

By Chuck Hixson

FOCUS

Curtain rises on Muhlenberg’s 39^th summer season

The 2019 season is the 39th step for Charles Richter on his way to the 40th anniversay of Muhlenberg Summer Music Theatre (MSMT), which he cofounded. “They’re already planning the 40th celebration,” says Richter, Professor of Theatre Arts, Muhlenberg College, where he has been teaching for 41 years, with 25 years as chair of the college’s Department of Theatre and Dance. When asked about retirement, Richter, who will be 68 on June 16, quips, “I’m not thinking that far ahead.”

By PaulWillistein

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