IN Norwin Spring 2017 | Page 46

NORWIN HIGH SCHOOL , MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT ESSAY WINNERS
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No . 981 Provides Awards in Voice of Democracy & Patriot ’ s Pen Contest

Norwin High School and Middle School students have earned accolades in a patriotic essay contest sponsored by the Irwin / North Huntingdon Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 781 and coordinated by their teachers .

At Norwin High School , students participated in the annual VFW Voice of Democracy essay contest . This year ’ s theme was , “ My Responsibility to America .” Students were asked to compose a three-to-five-minute audio essay that was judged on originality , content , and delivery .
The Norwin High School students honored by the VFW included Hunter Stecko ( first place ), Rachel Zabelsky ( second place ), and Hanna Ellis ( third place ). As first-place winner , Hunter Stecko earned the privilege of representing Norwin and VFW Post 981 before more than 350 VFW leaders and members at the Pennsylvania VFW Mid-Winter Conference , held January 21 , 2017 , in Pittsburgh .
At Norwin Middle School , students participated in the Patriot ' s Pen essay contest . This year ’ s challenge was a 300- to 400-word essay on the theme , “ The America I Believe In .”
The Norwin Middle School students honored by the VFW for the Patriot ’ s Pen essay contest included students Courtney Rahuba , Donovan Davila , and Rachel Sullivan .
Essays are judged locally by teachers and are sent to the District ( Westmoreland County ) level to select first-place winners . Monetary awards are given at the County level and also by the J . Howard Snyder Post No . 781 VFW .
Congratulations to all !
ABOVE : Voice of Democracy winners from Norwin High School . From Left to Right : Mr . Donald Kattic , Commander of the Irwin / North Huntingdon VFW Post 781 ; sophomore student Hanna Ellis ; Social Studies Teacher Mrs . Larissa Sturm ; sophomore student Rachel Zabelsky ; and senior student Hunter Stecko .
BELOW : Patriot ’ s Pen Winners from Norwin Middle School . From Left to Right : Mr . Donald Kattic , Commander of the Irwin / North Huntingdon VFW Post 781 ; students Courtney Rahuba , Donovan Davila , and Rachel Sullivan ; and teacher Wendy Johnson .

orwin

NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
44 Norwin
FOR SECOND YEAR , NORWIN NAMED TO COLLEGE BOARD ’ S AP DISTRICT HONOR ROLL High School Has Improved Access to Advanced Placement Courses While Maintaining High Achievement

For the second straight year , The College Board has named Norwin School District to its national Honor Roll for Advanced

Placement ( AP ) programs .
Nationwide , 433 school districts earned this honor . Norwin School District was one of 44 districts in Pennsylvania , and one of only three school districts in Westmoreland County , so honored .
The AP District Honor Roll recognizes districts that show a commitment to increasing both access to AP courses and maintaining or increasing the percentage of students earning
From L-R : Norwin High School students Mark Downey , Danielle Chorba , and Tyler Dimitroff work on an equilibrium experiment in Mr . Dave Brozeski ’ s AP Chemistry Class . AP Chemistry classes have seen enrollment growth at Norwin High School in recent years . scores of 3 or higher on AP Exams . Inclusion on the Honor Roll was based on three years of AP data , from 2014 to 2016 , for the following criteria :
• Increased participation / access to AP by at least 4 percent in large districts , at least 6 percent in medium districts , and at least 11 percent in small districts ;
• Increased or maintained the percentage of African American , Hispanic / Latino , and American Indian / Alaska Native students taking exams and increased or maintained the percentage of African American , Hispanic / Latino , and American Indian / Alaska Native students scoring 3 + on at least one AP Exam ; and
• Improved performance levels when comparing the percentage of students in 2016 scoring a 3 or higher to those in 2014 , unless the district has already attained a performance level at which more than 70 percent of its AP students are scoring a 3 or higher .
Mr . Michael D . Choby , Principal of Norwin High School , said the school community can be proud of this recognition . “ We are proud that the College Board has recognized Norwin School District as a member of the 7th Annual AP District Honor Roll ,” Mr . Choby said . “ While there is still much work to be done in the area of increasing access to Advanced Placement course work , our faculty should be commended for identifying , motivating , and academically preparing students to earn high scores on these rigorous exams .”