Penncrest Class of 63

(2011) The 2011 scholarship was awarded to Shea Gaffney.

(2010) Michael "Tres" Moore received our scholarship this year. The award this year was in memory of Peter J. Usen by Kathy and Sandy Sorkin.

(2009) Marianna Gazzara was given our scholarship award this year. The award was in memory of our classmate Mary Jane Rathey through the generosity of Arlene Ponte Clanton.

(2008) The 2008 scholarship is in memory of our classmate Bonnie Shisler Olsen. Additional contributions for this scholarship came from Rick Hevner and David Knudsen.

(2007) The 2007 Scholarship was make possible by the contributions from the children of Dorothy Nevison. Additional funds were contributed by a few other friends that remember her for kind support and caring as we grew up.

(2006) We’re out of the starting gate and on our way. The Penncrest High School Scholarship Foundation awarded its first scholarships at the Penncrest Award Ceremonies on June 2, 2006. The Class of 1963 Scholarships went to Jeffrey Walker and Katherine Magliochetti in the 2006 graduating class.

Our original plan was to completely fund the foundation enabling us to present annual scholarships indefinitely starting in 2013, our 50^th reunion year. Th2 2006 scholarships were made possible through additional contributions from the children, grandchildren, and friends of Pearl Sorkin and Marian Hevner.

The spring weather is finally here! I have good news to share with you. The Penncrest Local Scholarship Committee recently convened and selected Natasha Canavarro to receive the Class of 1963 Award.

Natasha is an exceptional art student who will begin her studies in the fall at the Moore College of Art studying Textile Design & Business.

Over the past few summers Natasha has taken ceramics courses at local art centers. In addition, her interest in fashion and textiles was spurred by her experiences modeling for not only local Philadelphia designers but also as a model for runway shows in New York. Last summer she enrolled in a landscape painting course in Tuscany, Italy. She also enrolled in a live model figure drawing/painting course in Philadelphia Studio Incamminati with artist Leona Shanks.

In addition to her artistic gifts Natasha is also a talented athlete. She competes in both indoor and outdoor track as well as volleyball and basketball.

Tyler is a tremendous student who carries a 3.46 gpa. Tyler will major in Business at Temple University this fall. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America where he was the regional President and has earned medalist recognition at the region and state level, Model U.N., Spanish Exchange Program, Penncrest Swim Team, Penncrest Physics Olympics Team, American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

Shea Gaffney is an outstanding student who has been involved in a variety of activities at Penncrest. She is active in our theater productions including the all school musical for 10,11, 12. She performs with Penncrest's select Ambassador Choir as well as the community choir in grades 10, 11. In addition to theater Shea has participated in Physics Olympics and the JV Show. This year she was the Homecoming Queen.

Outside of school she is active in her church youth group. Throughout high school Shea has maintained a part time job. Shea volunteers for Relay for Life and the American Red Cross Blood Drive. In the summer Shea is a counselor at a summer church camp. She is also active with Girl Scouts.

This fall Shea will attend Towson University to major in Education / Secondary English.

Tres (Tray) has been an active member of both theater and music activities at Penncrest. He is a four year member of the Penncrest Roaring Lions Marching Band as well as the Concert Choir. In addition, Tres has been a member of the elite Penncrest Ambassador Choir for 10,11,12.

Tres' acting talents have been showcased in our Readers' Theater Productions in grades 9,10,11,12 in addition he performed in many of our musical productions. He is the embodiment of musical/theatrical performance for Penncrest.

A talented athlete as well, Tres received the All-County Track Award in 2008 for the 800 meter dash. Furthermore Tres is a member of the PA State Champion 4 x 800 and the 4 X 400 meter relays.

This fall Tres will attend Coastal Carolina University.

(2009) Marianna Gazzara

Marianna Gazzara is an outstanding student. Per this year's Class of 1963 criteria recognizing the life and interests of Mary Jane Rathey, Marianna was selected as a student who is a true student of World Languages. She has been a member of the World Language Honor Society since 10th grade. She has earned first place recognition in the District Spanish Contest, first place in the District French Contest, 2nd Place in the District Spanish Contest in Grade 11. In the 2007-2008 school year Marianna traveled to Spain as part of Penncrest's Spanish Exchange Program.

In addition to her considerable work with World Language, Marianna is also a member of the Penncrest swim team, National Honor Society and member of the Students Against Destructive Decisions Club. She is also a member of Penncrest's Lion's Paw Society (Student ambassadors to the community).

Marianna is a great selection for this year's award. In the fall she will attend Temple University to study Secondary Education/World Language.

(2008) Shawn Antonelli

The Class of 1963 Scholarship is awarded this year to Shawn Antonelli. In the fall Shawn will attend the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Shawn has served in student government throughout high school. In his senior year he served as the Inter Class Council President. He was selected by Penncrest administrators to serve as a Peer Mentor for members of the freshmen class. Shawn also serves in the Lion's Paw Society which is a Penncrest goodwill ambassador appointment. A member of the Physics Olympics team, Shawn is one of the team captains this year.

In the community Shawn is an active member in a local fire company and an altar server for his church. He is a long time Boy Scout and has earned the Eagle Scout Award. He has also been recognized by the Media Rotary Club as a Student of the Month. Shawn is a member of Mu Alpha Theta (Penncrest Math Honor Society) and the National Honor Society.

Shawn is a tremendous young man and stands at the very heart of Penncrest. He is very worthy of this honor.

Kortne, will attend Elizabethtown College in the fall and major in education. She has a particular interest in working with Special Education students. Throughout her high school career Kortne has been an active member of the student body. She was a four year member of the field hockey team, a peer mentor for new students, a member of the choir and a member of the Lion's Paw Society. (Lion's Paw students are specifically nominated by the staff and selected by the administration to represent Penncrest High School at various events) Kortne is a Special Olympics volunteer and also volunteers her time at the Elwyn Institute.

(2006) Jeffrey Bail Walker

Jeffrey is among the top ranked in his class and will attend Duke University in the fall. He leaves Penncrest with a long list of accomplishments. Jeffrey is the President of the National Honor Society, Co-President of the World Language Honor Club, member of the math honor society - Mu Alpha Theta, an event leader on the Physics Olympics Team, student representative to the Rose Tree Media School Board, has played several lead roles in both dramatic and musical theater. He is well respected by not only the faculty but also his peers for his many contributions. It is safe to say that Jeffrey is a leader among leaders at Penncrest. In addition, Jeffrey is taking a full course load that includes six Advanced Placement courses. He is a true gentleman and scholar and a worthy recipient of this recognition.

(2006) Katherine "Katie" Magliochetti

Katie is another outstanding member of the senior class. In September, Katie will attend Millersville University to major in Communications and Broadcasting. Katie is the president of the senior class, leader of the field hockey and lacrosse teams. Member of Future Business Leaders of America, Member of the 4-H club (Katie is the owner of a Grand Champion Hog). Throughout four years at Penncrest Katie has distinguished herself with her selfless dedication to her teammates, classmates and community at large. Penncrest is a better school because of Katie. She has made a very positive contribution to Penncrest.

Rick and Sandy leaving through the
backdoor after presenting the checks.
Rick says sneaking out the back way makes
it feel like 1963 all over again.