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New Sustainable Agriculture Program Will Support The Region

Beginning this August, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is excited for the start of its new certificate in Sustainable Hydroponic Agriculture and Rural Entrepreneurship (SHARE). This quick certificate program can be completed in less than a year and is designed to bolster our region and its residents.

The SHARE program covers both traditional agribusiness and the emerging field of controlled environment agriculture. In partnership with Sandyvale Memorial Gardens and Conservancy, students will have gained experience through both theory and practical hands-on application in a greenhouse using actual hydroponic equipment. The College will use Sandyvale’s facility for both hydroponic and traditional greenhouse plant growth training.

“This partnership will provide Sandyvale with a more hands-on presence in the greenhouse to facilitate operations and make necessary improvements as needed, helping fulfill our mission of offering yet another educational programming initiative to the community,” stated Ron Kabo, Sandyvale Director of Greenhouse Operations.

Diana Kabo added, “The Sandyvale partnership with Penn Highlands will provide a diverse and unique hands-on training opportunity in a real working greenhouse that will complement the classroom studies of the students and help them learn through real-life scenarios how to deal with issues related to alternative agriculture production.”

The SHARE certificate consists of 10 classes (22 credits). Upon completion, graduates are ready for employment in various aspects of agribusiness industries.

“Students who train in this program will be experienced, confident, problem-solving individuals positioned for forward-thinking careers in alternative agricultural programs that will fulfill a predicted future need in feeding populations all over the world without having to deal with the impact of weather, insects, and soil conditions,” stated Bill Horner, Sandyvale President. “They will be trained to produce food in a controlled environment, at a much faster pace, year-round and be able to predict harvest yields more precisely. Also, hopefully, this exposure at Sandyvale will stimulate student interest in supporting their communities, establishing a life-long habit of engagement wherever they reside.”

Carissa Itle-Westrick of Vale Wood Farms added, “Students that complete the SHARE program will have skills and knowledge that make them attractive candidates for employment within rural and agricultural businesses. Applicants that come to us having completed this training will have earned a spot at the top of our hiring list.”

Applicants are still being accepted for the College’s SHARE certificate program. Classes are set to start on the first day of the fall semester, Monday, August 26th.

Pennsylvania Highlands has six locations throughout the Southern Alleghenies region that serve residents of western Pennsylvania.

Dean’s List For Spring 2019 Announced

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce that the following students have made the Dean’s List for the Spring 2019 semester.

Acosta – Megan Kelly Coddington

Alexandria – Kendra Jo Norris

Altoona – Brittany Elaine Brenneman, Crystal Lynn Campbell, Pamela Nicole Carter, Blaise Johnathan Colabove, Justin Paul Cruthers, Shanna Nadine Curfman, Christina Marie Evans, Diane Louise Gallagher, Mara Elizabeth Guinard, Hayden W. Hann, Rylee G. Hatch, Joyce R. Hughes, Casey Aaron Kreiger, James P. Leamer, Jesse Scott Mangiacarne, Jamie Mankos, Shannon Leigh McConnell, Alexandria Margaret Ratay, Marlissa Jane Reilly, Todd Raymond Rice, Mary E. Smith, Justin Ross Straesser, Dominique Yvette Thompkins, Aubrey Gene Umholtz, Angela E. Weber, Joan M. Yohn

Alum Bank – Madison Laura Yarnell

Armagh – Felicity Noelle Regan, Noah Michael Slippy

Beaverdale – RaeLynn Danielle Hammond, Devon Christopher Michaels

Bedford – Eric Gabriel Hooper, Chad Allen Weakland

Bellwood – Lindsey Cecelia LaBella

Belsano – Hannah M. Melius, Ariel K. Noel, Dora J. Sickles

Berlin – Lisa Ann Ferko, Megan Lynn Miller, Sydney Lynn Shaulis, Matthew Charles Shipley

Bigler – Jessica Sarah Mulhollan

Blandburg – Bethany Kay Smeal

Boswell – Emily June Kennell, Madison Marie Lucas, Laikyn D. Will, Von Michael Yoder

Brackenridge – Regis Daniel Uhric

Carrolltown – Grace Elizabeth Bertram, Kelly A. Harrison, Evan Joseph Johnson, Courtney R. Loughran, Jared Paul Shank

Central City – Dylan P. Smith

Charleroi – Richard Lee Rifenburg

Cherry Tree – Angie Dawn Moyer

Claysburg – Kayla Breanne Fluke

Clearfield – Sarah E. Snyder

Clymer – George Robert Brown

Conemaugh – Madeline Joyce Burrows, Dezera LaShae Lee, Angela Rose Santacroce

Cresson – Mary Lee Courtot, Kayla Joy Cully, Taylor Alexis Doughty, Julia M. Taylor

Croyle – Danielle Cheryl Mickus

Davidsville – Ryan Thomas Oldham, Jennifer C. Yoder

DuBois – Evan Patrick Adamson

Duncansville – Lily Evelyn Bradford, Aaron Logan Cook, Karissa Nichole Garlena, Dylan Matthew Zeiders

Dysart – Taylor A. Hoover

East Freedom – Merrisa Kay Dibert

Ebensburg – Kayla Marie Anna, Carina Rebecca Bearer, Alexis Renee Bertolino, Nicholas Ryan Brawley, Alexis Nicole Brown, Jenelle Marie Hanlon, Brandon C. Hritz, Thomas Matthew Lauer, Amber Nicole McBreen, Kierra J. McBreen, Lewis William Prather III., Dona Lynn Rager, Noelle Justina Scanlan, Faith Marie Sodmont, Richard Emil Tavalsky, Thomas William Tavalsky

Fairhope – Autumn Nicole Chonko

Fallentimber – Jeremy M. Rinker

Flinton – Jennifer Marie Cavalet, Maiya Jasmine Shaffer, Mikasa Jade Shaffer

Ford City – Tyler Aaron Smeltzer

Freedom – Christopher Chance Parish

Friedens – Katelynn Elizabeth Swank, Derek Michael James Zolla

Garrett – Kortni Rose Schurg

Gillett – Kayla Rae Kendall

Hastings – Jennifer McCombie

Heilwood – Thomas J. Letso

Hollidaysburg – David B. Bailey, Parker Aaron Grigg

Hollsopple – Renee I. Eash, Bradley Eli Gearhart, Rebecca Lynn Yoder

Homer City – Anthony Joseph Corso, Caitlin Elizabeth Henry, Hailey Marie Hood, Evan Patrick Orr

Hooversville – Sara N. Wilson

Hopewell – Gregory Thomas Lynn

Huntingdon – Alexis Nicole Crotsley, Keston Mark Noreiga

Hyndman – Nicole Bumbarger

Imler – Sarah Nicole Allison

Irwin – Adam Edward Polakovsky

Jeannette – Matthew Joseph Grupp

Johnstown – Bryan Henseny Acosta, Riley G. Allen, Megan Louise Alwine, Ashley Joel Arrington, Brady Jordan Bachota, Taylor Alan Beneke, Justin Dylan Bezek, Haley N. Bicko, Nevaeh S. Blackman, Brandon J. Blasko, Haley Alexis Blough-Cycyk, Brittney Latah Boyer, Ashley Nichol Boyle, Joshua Lynn Brant, Malik Micheal Brantley, Gabrielle Elizabeth Buck, Grant Phillip Buynack, Mya Frances Makana Ceballos-Palmer, Murray Chris Charney, Mary Irina Constantino, Nicholas Rostom Constantino, John M. Costa, Natalie Marie Costanzo, Sabrina L. Custer, Hannah M. Davis, Anthony Michael De Jesus, Drew L. Deffenbaugh, Katie Lynne Duttry, Angel S. Eisenhuth, Keeley Isabella Elliott, Chandler John Enos, David Henry Felix, Caitlin Nichole Flowers, Brandon James Fox, Timothy M. George, Austin J. Gibson, McAllister Clay Giebelstein, Nikki Shirlene Gilpatrick, Brandon Lee Gindlesperger, Hailey Elise Giuffre, Zane D. Goldstrohm, Lea Brianne Green, Caroline E. Gress, Cassandra Marie Griffith, Riley E. Grosik, Joy M. Hanuska, Taylor N. Harrity, Ashley Haynal, Luis F. Hernandez, Jaydrik Darian Hinton, Erin Marie Hoover, Bethany Brooke Jacobs, Brett Daniel Jewett, Carson J. Kanuch, Jed Alan Karalfa, Chandler M. Keefer, Tatiyana Lee Kern, Mary Hope Kime, Rachel S. King, Miranda B. Kiser, Emily A. Knapp, Kate M. Knapp, Nakyah N. Knight, Ryan Alan Kniss, Tanner S. Kobal, Christian Samuel Konicky, Sarah Elizabeth Konicky, Megan N. Krisay, Melissa Ann Krouse, Kenya S. Kurcin, Greg A. Kutsick, Jonathan Ray Leckey, Nicole Erin Lepley, Oliver Mark Lindrose, Denisia M. Luszik, Ariel Marie Mainhart, Shane A. Malinish, Emily Jane Mantini, Teresa A. Marion, Kelly Ann Marks, Caitlyn J. Marlowe, Ryan C. Mastovich, Angelica G. McAfee, Ashlyn N. McConnell, Jeffrey Wayne McKissick, Danielle Suzanne Mclaughlin, Charity L. Millard, Beth Ann Millare, Rorrie E. Miller, Denzel A. Mobley, Nolan P. Mock, Brock T. Moore, Daniel Scott Moore, Kaley Lauren Murray, Kelly Lynne Null, Rebecca Jo Ogline, Samantha Renee Orris, Brock Peyton Owens, Sheena Marie Pastuch, Jessica N. Pelkey, Desirae Michelle Penrose, Cassidy Rose Polacek, Wyatt Lakota Price, Andrew Colin Rand, Chelcie Ream, Logan James Reese, Liana Nicole Roland, Margaret M. Sanfilippo, Madalyn N. Scaletta, Christina Michelle Shaffer, Alexis H. Sharp, MaeLynn A. Simms, Maximilian S. Smith, Kaleya I. Smothers, Sophie Rose Sprankle, Taylor M. Stenger, Jenna E. Stevens, Amy HyeWon Stewart, Jonathan William Stratton, Annalese Michelle Tinari, Richard Edward Toler, Alisha Nicole Trantham-Tittle, Brendan M. Veney, Elonyá J. Veney, Kylee S. Walker, Sha’lee Meriem Watters, Christopher John Weld, Taylor N. Yuhas

Karns City – Angelo S. Rondinelli

Kittanning – Matthew James Brumbaugh

Ligonier – David Lee Wasil

Lilly – Victoria Anne Costlow, Victoria Elise Phillips, Terrence Michael Trusik, Hannah Leigh Vena

Listie – Michelle Leigh Chipps

Loretto – Brooke A. Driskel, Kateri Autumn Krise

Mapleton Depot – Trey William Bennett, Hannah Marie Gladfelter

Markleton – Dakota Wilson Judy

Martinsburg – Zachary Steven Rumberger

Mayport – Zane Smith Rapp

Meyersdale – Hannah Elizabeth Bodes, Allison Jennifer Charbonneau, Jennifer Charbonneau, Eliza Adeleine Darnell, Alexis Jade Day, Tammy Lee Hetrick, Megan Taylor Lavin

Mineral Point – Nathan S. Kaschalk, Danika Marie Polka, Nicholas A. Powell

Mount Union – Christopher J. Dodd, Candy Nan Jordan, Jazzmyn Pearl Kelly, Kevin G. Sherwood

Nanty Glo – Anthony Edward Cornetti, Taylor Nichol Frederick, Garrett M. Grimaldi, Kimberli Ann Weirauch

New Florence – Cheyanne M. Gregorich

Nicktown – Victoria Rose Smith

Northern Cambria – Caitlin Elizabeth Bassett, Seth Michael Charney, Jordan G. Hill, Tyriq D. Johnson, Tessa Marie Kratzer, Alexander Robert Matejczyk, Elizabeth M. Mattice, Michael Andrew Penksa, Stephanie Jane Rainey, Linda Evelyn Seibert, Autumn Angel Wise

Orbisonia – Garrett Victor McMath

Osterburg – Addison B. Weyant

Patton – Emma Marie Garrison, Morgan Olivia Maslonik, Matthew John Milanesi, Nicolas Joseph Milanesi, Jarred Andrew Reed, Aubrey Lynne Thiec, Angela Marie Wharton

Penn Run – Bailey L. Orr, Justice E. Ratay, Alexandera Noel Ringler, Abagail Marie Sleppy

Petersburg – Kadesha Dee Trish

Philipsburg – Cynthia Elizabeth Bundy, William Thomas Foreman

Portage – Alex M. Bisaha, Cynthia Lynn Cochran, Lauren Nicole Deetscreek, Adam E. Dixon, Emily Paige Krisko, Katrina Kathlee Mauersberg, Jenna Ann Moratti, Karla Marie Troxel, Stephanie Marie Wheeler, Alexis Kaitlynn Yon

Punxsutawney – Kelly Jo Day

Roaring Spring – Abby Lynn Carder

Robinson – Riley John-William Miller

Rockwood – Heather Cook, Augusta Margaret Hay, Jacqlyn A. Knox, Molly Beth Miller

Saint Benedict – Janet Mae Lute, Elizabeth Anne Shaffer, Cheyenne Marie Hayes

Saint Boniface – Jared Michael Angert

Saint Michael – Jennafer Anne Ofsanko

Salix – Brock Joel Miller

Saltillo – Hanna Christine Booher, Megan Dawn Kough

Seward – Isabel Katheryn Fernando, Lakota C. Jones

Shade Gap – Jennifer Lynn Kreider

Sidman – Mikala L. Hamara, Wendy Mae Munoz

Smithmill – Samantha Nicole Yarger

Somerset – Jordan Lee Beistel, Rose Elizabeth Jano, Alexis Elaine Murphy, Cheyenne Elaine Raley, Sean Nicholas Rose, Deanna Faith Schmidt, Travis Stankan, Elizabeth Ann Walker, Cory Lynn Weicht, Austin Widner

South Fork – Lakin Elaine Burkett, Cameron Daniel Neuts, Morgan Ashlee Vasbinder

State College – Rabia Biyik

Stoystown – Joseph James Nemchik, Chandler Eugene Saylor

Strongstown – MaKenna J. Tinsman

Summerhill – Alicia M. Gaunt, Joshua David Gould, Jude David Schrift, Nicole Marie Wright

Templeton – Brittney Renee Kepple

Three Springs – Mikara Gebele Anderson, Wyatt Preston Long

Twin Rocks – Evan Michael Bencosky, Sara Jane McDonald, Nevin John McIntosh-Higgins

Tyrone – Tiffany Marie Shearer

Vintondale – MaKayla D. Fertick, Jaclyn Lee Hoover, Tiffaney Jade Smith

Westover – Rachel Belle Moyer

Williamsburg – Noah Daniel Detwiler

Wilmore – Annastasia Angelica Miller

Windber – Julia Marie Borish, Rachel Criscione, Madison Brooke Crum, Caitlyn N. Guercio, Michael Jeffrey Hartman, Adriane S. Hautz, Lindsey N. Houghton, Madison R. Leitenberger, David Charles Mintmier, Jenna Nicole Rosa, Debra M. Slagle, Noah Arthur Wissinger, Jennifer M. Young

Graduate Plans To Continue Educational Journey

Original article appeared on the Pennsylvania Commission For Community Colleges website, written by Carolyn Simpson. Click here to see original sourced article. 

During her senior year of high school in 2017, Jenna Stevens hadn’t planned to continue her education after graduation – until the sudden realization struck her that she might need a postsecondary degree to succeed. As an average student, Jenna wasn’t even sure she could get into a college or university; but when she discovered Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, Jenna found where she belonged.

“Knowing that Pennsylvania is one of the most expensive states for higher education and with concerns about the ballooning national student debt, affordability was very important to me,” recounted Jenna. “Penn Highlands offered so much more than a reasonably priced education – it offered me the opportunity to excel, to lead.”

Jenna Stevens graduated with honors from Penn Highlands as part of the college’s largest graduating class during the Commencement Ceremony on May 11th. As a nominee for distinguished graduate, Jenna is involved in more than 30 volunteer or campus-related activities that have allowed her to develop the leadership skills she believes will help her succeed in life.

Jenna Stevens receiving her degree from Dr. Walter Asonevich at the College’s Commencement on May 11, 2019.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities community college has afforded me,” she said. “I wish more people would consider starting their higher education journey at a community college. I was given so many opportunities and didn’t have to sacrifice quality for affordability.”

Research suggests that Pennsylvania college students could save up to $20,000 on the cost of a bachelor’s degree by enrolling at a community college for the first two years.

With aspirations of being a lawyer or an ‘outside-of-the-box’ teacher, Jenna plans to continue her education this fall at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. She is a first-generation college student on her mother’s side of the family and she says she wants to be a person on which her family can rely.

“I grew up watching my mom’s family struggle in customer service jobs. I didn’t want that to be me,” Jenna explained. “Part of the reason I’d like to be a teacher is to improve on the ‘book, lesson, test’ educational structure imposed on today’s students. I want to move away from standardization and memorization, and teach principles and ideas to a generation of students who can change the world.”

Twenty-Fourth Graduating Class To Be Honored At Commencement Ceremony

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be holding a Commencement Ceremony for the Twenty-Fourth Graduating Class on Saturday, May 11th, in their Richland Campus Auditorium. The Ceremony will begin at 10:00am.

Student Senate President Anthony Cornetti, of Nanty Glo, will be giving this year’s Commencement Address. Mr. Cornetti will obtain an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences – History during the ceremony.

He has been very active during his time at Pennsylvania Highlands. He was a member of the 2017-2018 WPCC Championship Men’s Basketball Team, member of the X-Files Club, and served as the Student Senate President. Anthony is also a member of both the National Society of Leadership and Success and Phi Theta Kappa. During his tenure, he made the WPCC Academic Team and the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team.

Anthony Cornetti will share his story to over 320 graduates who are planning to be in attendance. Also addressing the graduates will be Penn Highlands Community College President Dr. Walter Asonevich, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees Greg Winger, Cambria County President Commissioner Thomas Chernisky, and Faculty Senate Vice President Daniella Cope.

In addition to awarding associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates at the ceremony, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will also present the Distinguished Graduate Award, which honors a student who has contributed his or her time and effort to Pennsylvania Highlands and the community while maintaining a high level of academic performance.

For those unable to attend in person, Commencement will be live streamed to the College’s Facebook page. Please join us in congratulating our Twenty-Fourth Graduating Class!

Secret City: College Play Created By Theater & X-Files Clubs

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be having its first-ever stage production on Tuesday, April 30th, with additional performances to be shown on Thursday, May 2nd, in the Richland Campus Auditorium. The stage production, Secret City, is being presented by the college’s Theater & X-Files Clubs, and will take audiences on a riveting murder mystery experience.

By the end of the 40-minute production viewers will be dying to know: Who killed Lindsay Hampton? It was written by Bret Sarlouis, and will be co-directed by Hailey Giuffre and Ryan Stout.

Play Dates & Times:

• April 30 | 12:30pm | Richland Campus Auditorium
• May 2 | 12:30pm | Richland Campus Auditorium
• May 2 | 7:00pm | Richland Campus Auditorium

There is a suggested donation of $5 (suggested donation for students is $3).

Note: There will be a 15-minute intermission.