Presidential Scholar candidate finalist

Two dozen students have been named as semifinalist in the United States Presidential Scholars program and senior Kalos Chu is proudly representing PHHS.

This program was established in 1964 by executive order of the president and recognizes some of the nation’s top graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize distinguished students in the arts, and in 2015, to recognize outstanding students in career and technical education.

Each year, 161 students will make the final cut and receive and all-expenses-paid trip to Washington D.C. in June where they will meet educators and government officials.

College and Career Fair

Last month, PHHS counseling staff sponsored a College and Career Fair for students to walk through and talk to various representatives about secondary options available in the Henry Cafetorium. Students received information regarding different universities, community colleges and vocational programs available for them to consider and apply. Counselors were available to help them match their college and career goals to their current schedules as well.

Student of the Month

Stephanie Smith is a senior at Henry and was selected as the PHHS Student of the Month for March. She was honored during the Grantville/Allied Garden Kiwanis Club meeting last month by Vice Principal Bill Miller.

Smith was nominated because of her commitment to school, athletics, and clubs on campus. She is noted for always having a smile on her face and always being willing to help any staff or student.

One teacher stated in her recommendation, “Stephanie is one of those students who walks in to class excited to learn, even with what others would think could be a ‘boring’ subject. She always has a smile on her face and is very genuine. She will stick around after class to learn more and ask for help. She advocates for herself which is really important and she works hard. In class discussions, she isn’t afraid to ask questions, even if she already gets it, because she is aware that her classmates around her are still confused and wants them to feel successful. And it’s really cool when I get to hear from her English teacher that Stephanie was tying in her psychology class information into their class discussions. Exactly what every teacher wants to hear.”

Another teacher reported, “Stephanie is such an awesome student because she always has a smile and encouraging words for everyone, teachers, students, anyone. Stephanie always puts a positive spin on everything. She is also a student athlete who completes her work on time, [is] field hockey captain and president of the art history club. She is currently working with her community center to create a tutoring program for elementary students to college level students.”

Smith is an amazing student, and can teach us all about how to go above and beyond in preparation because of her commitment to school!

Patriot Day at Henry

On March 22, PHHS celebrated Patriot Day by inviting local eighth graders to a pep rally and school orientation. Eighth graders and their teachers arrived from Lewis and Pershing middle schools to briefly tour the Patrick Henry campus and experience the school’s extracurricular programs in action through a student-sponsored really. Students from other schools were also invited to attend.

The students began the day with a welcome from our Link Crew and the PHHS Cheer Squad. ASB President Vina Duprat and ASB President-elect Chris Stagner welcomed the students and helped introduce the Bel Canto choir who sang the national anthem. Principal Listy Gillingham was onboard to welcome the new students and introduce them to the Patriot team of vice principals Bill Miller and Jennifer Pacofsky.

The Dance team, Cheerleaders, Drum Line, and NJROTC drill team all gave a brief performance to invite the new students to consider trying out for their teams next year. ASB members and student athletes Summer Merrill and Ally Arkin talked about sports at Henry and shared their experiences about joining clubs for their freshmen year. The Improv team did a fun skit and the Link Crew members did a few activities to demonstrate school spirit.

The class of 2022 had a chance to demonstrate their spirit and come together for the first time at Patrick Henry High School to feel the welcoming spirit of the campus!

President’s Volunteer Service Award

Congratulations to Patrick Henry High School (PHHS) senior, Sophia Pruden, for qualifying to receive President Trump’s Volunteer Service Award for her outstanding work with the Leukemia Association. This award recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered a significant amount of their time to serve their communities and country and is granted through the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. PHHS nominated Pruden for national honors this fall in recognition of her volunteer service.

“The recipients of these awards demonstrate that young people across America are making remarkable contribution of the health and vitality of their communities,” said John Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial. “By recognizing these students and placing a spotlight on their volunteer activities, we hope to motivate others to consider how they can also contribute to their community.”

March for Our Lives rally

PHHS students have been seen speaking out in regards to recent events that have been happening across the country regarding school shootings and safety. Hear Our Voice is a PHHS club that encourages students to share their opinions by standing up to others to help make changes on campus, in the community, and across the country.

On March 24, club president Maya Dixon, and club members Brian Huynh and Darartu Mulugeta performed a spoken-word poem at the March for Our Lives rally to a crowd of close to 10,000 protestors in Downtown San Diego.

“I am proud to have stood with such passionate and determined young people,” Dixon said. “The march gave me hope in the future of this country because we young people refuse to allow it to be destroyed by violence and hate.”

The club advisor, Mr. Patrick Schoettler, was proud to see them take their message on the road and make an impact in a city-wide rally.

“Regardless of how you feel about the debate over gun control, it has been inspiring to see these brave young people from around the country get engaged in politics and stand up for something they believe in,” Schoettler stated. “The spoken-word poem performed by PHHS students Maya, Brian, and Darartu at the march was so eloquent, and passionate that as their teacher, I was humbled and proud to simply be in the audience watching these future leaders find their voice.”

— Elizabeth Gillingham is principal of Patrick Henry High School.

Henry Cluster STEMM Foundation news

By Jay Wilson

Opportunities to establish partnerships between SDSU and the schools in the Henry Cluster continue to evolve.

On March 17, I attended the (STEM) 2 Exploration Day. Virtually SDSU each department held an open house and every campus organization staffed a booth to promote their organization and I made several good contacts, including:

Women In Science Club and their faculty advisor, Dr. Veronica Casas, who is a member of the biology department faculty.

The teaching STEMM student organization.

SDSU Math Club which is interested to include the HC STEMM schools as part of their community outreach effort.

The Engineering Department’s Racing program conducted by Dan Jennings. The students build a student-driven racing car and annually participate in a race against other cars built by college students from throughout the United States. We look forward to arranging for engineering students from Lewis and Pershing middle schools to take a tour of the racing development workshop.

On April 6, board members Karen Miller and Dr. Andrea Miyamoto were invited to observe the (STEM)2 Exploration Day at SDSU. The day was hosted by Dr. Cynthia Park of the San Diego State University Pre-College Institute. Three-hundred ninth- and 10th-grade students from 12 high schools were given the opportunity to hear guest speakers, visit campus research labs, and interact with SDSU students in hands-on learning activities and panel discussions.

“It was interesting and inspiring to see so many students and professors committed to STEM education and STEM careers,” Miller said.

Part of the follow-up will include meeting with Dr. Park to discuss the opportunities of developing and implementing more partnerships with SDSU.

“I look forward to meeting with you after [(STEM)2 Exploration Day] to explore ways that the SDSU Pre-College Institute, which I direct, can engage more fully with the Patrick Henry cluster,” Park said. “I am also a faculty member of SDSU’s Center for Research in Math & Science Education.”

We will also be meeting with Mrs. Nadia Rohlinger, the coordinator of the Pathways Office for Careers in Math & Science Education.

Visit the HC STEMM Foundation website at hcstemm.org for more information about our nonprofit foundation, our activities and to donate.

— Jay Wilson is a board member of Henry Cluster STEMM Foundation.