La Salle Academy
NEWSLETTER St. Anthony Parish St. Benedict Parish St. John Baptist de La Salle Parish
June 2014
Upcoming Dates To Remember
Thursday June 5 Field Day (PK—Grade 3) Noon Dismissal
Friday June 6 Field Day (Grades 4-7)
Monday June 9 8th Grade Graduation, Noon Dismissal
Tuesday June 10 School Closing with Noon Dismissal
School Office will be closed June 16-27 and reopen June 30.
62nd Reading-Berks Science & Engineering Fair:
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The following students represented La Salle Academy
at the 62nd Reading—Berks Science & Engineering Fair held at
Albright College the week of March 13th:
6th Grade: Julia Ferreira, Jase Fowler, Liam Galvin,
Lauren Hagan, Rahul Mannepuli,
Benjamin Mulholland, Evan Shaffer,
Daniel Stahovich, Andrew Stout, Kaylie Vu,
Hailie Yoder
7th Grade: Madalyn Barbon, Adam Brezina, Hilary Good,
Laura Horn, Jason Metz, Matthew Silver,
Jasmine Slusser, Mark Stone
8th Grade: Isabella Avadanian, Mark Equi,
Shae Himmelberger, Elizabeth Orlando,
Justin Schuetz, Brianna Spencer, Owen Winters
The following students received awards:
6th Grade: 3rd Place—Natural Kaylie Vu
Honorable Mention Liam Galvin
7th Grade: 3rd Place—Physical Jason Metz
4th Place—Natural Jasmine Slusser
5th Place—Physical Matthew Silver
Honorable Mention Laura Horn
8th Grade: 4th Place Owen Winters
Honorable Mention Brianna Spencer
Mark Equi
Justin Schuetz
Special Judges Awards:
7th Grade: Matthew Silver Naval Research
Mark Stone Naval Research
Isabella Avadanian U.S. Public Service
La Salle Annual Science Fair: La Salle Academy held their annual Science Fair in the school gym January
23rd through January 26th. Following our Parish Masses, the Fair was open to
visitors on Sunday as part of Catholic Schools Week. Congratulations to all the
students on their wonderful projects! The following students were awarded ribbons:
First Place: Kaylie Vu (Gr. 6), Jasmine Slusser (7), Isabella Avadanian (Gr. 8)
Second Place: Jase Fowler (Gr. 6), Jason Metz (7), Justin Schuetz (Gr. 8)
Third Place: Evan Shaffer (Gr. 6), Madalyn Barbon (7), Owen Winters (Gr. 8)
Honorable Mention: Julia Ferreira, Liam Galvin, Lauren Hagan (Gr. 6),
Adam Brezina, Matthew Silver, Laura Horn (Gr. 7), Mark Equi,
Elizabeth Orlando (Gr. 8)
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the judges who gave of their time and talent to judge the Fair on
Friday evening, January 24th: Mrs. Maryann Buchanan, Mrs. Susan Calvin, Dr. Joseph Cannon, Mrs. Christine Pellegrini,
Dr. Duane Siberski, Mrs. Colleen Terefenko, Mr. George Terefenko, and Mr. Mike Traczuk. A very special thank you to Mr. Robert
Woodland, La Salle Academy Science Coordinator, who organized La Salle’s Science Fair.
1st Place Award Winners
From April 4th through April 6th, students in Grades 3, 4, and 5 participated in La Salle Academy’s Annual History Fair.
The theme for this year’s Fair was “History of Space/Flight.” The Fair was open to the
public on Sunday morning. The following students won awards:
First Place: Paige Hagan (Gr. 3), Jillian Avadanian (Gr. 4), Lucas Hyneman (Gr. 5)
Second Place: Drew Rosselli (Gr. 3)), Grace Pressimone (Gr. 4), Mariella Frisina
(Gr. 5)
Third Place: Baylor Kobularcik (Gr. 3), Robert Silver (Gr. 4), Shelby Edwardson
(Gr. 5)
Honorable Mention: Gabriel Anton, Owen Balthaser, Amalia Bellini, Luke
Bennethum, Sydney Brown, Sydney Boyd, Mary Henefer, Dalton
Maiers, Isabella Reali, Bailey Ziolkowski (Gr. 3), Paul Avadanian,
Kate Barbon, Jude Galvin, Matthew Mulholland, Julian Torcivia
(Gr. 4), Paul Battista, Gina Coccia, Joseph Giesen, Ashley Griffith, Mandy Maiers, Dominic Riccione, Darren Sell,
Megan Vance (Gr. 5)
Thank you to Mrs. Kathleen Mihalik, Mrs. Susan Teskey, and Mrs. Kathy Snyder for their guidance. A special thank you to
Mrs. Kathy Snyder, La Salle Academy’s Social Studies Coordinator, who organized the History Fair.
Annual History Fair:
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Reminder: McGinn School Apparel has moved to 12 South 5th Avenue in West Reading. The store is located behind
Georgio’s Pizza (on Penn Avenue). Regular hours are Tuesday 10-6, Wednesday through Friday 10-5, and
Saturday 10-2. Phone No. 610-939-1503
Third Quarter Certificates: Religion: Faith DeVeaux, Dalton Maiers, Maya Metz, Lauren Good, Ryan Keiper, Lauren Wails, Nino Sedoti
Mathematics: Mary Henefer, Michaela Burkey, Matthew Lebron, Molly Shiery, Jase Fowler, Julaya Bridgette, Clemente Pane
Algebra: Owen Winters
Language Arts: Gianna Olinger, Elise Kirwan, Grace Pressimone, Mariella Frisina, Isabella DePaul, Kayla Davis, Natalie
Wawrzonek
Spelling: Kylie Rozum, Isabella Reali, Archil Patel, Megan Vance, Oleg Brann
Vocabulary: Caraline Young, Isabella Avadanian
Literature: Hilary Good, Kennedi Kutz
Science: Isabella Belville, Daniel Bleile, Julian Torcivia, Brooke Burrows, Lauren Hagan, Jason Metz, Ryenne Carroll
Social Studies: Kush Patel, Madison Cannon, Luke Brezina, Joseph Giesen, Rahul Mannepuli, Laura Horn, Braden Hecker
Most Improved: Drew Rosselli, Bailey Ziolkowski, Paul Avadanian, Ashley Griffith, Benjamin Mulholland, Natalie Wawrzonek
First Honors—8th Grade
Ryenne Carroll
Braden Hecker
Shae Himmelberger
Owen Winters
Second Honors—8th Grade
Isabella Avadanian
Kennedi Kutz
Elizabeth Orlando
Justin Schuetz
Honor Roll for Third Quarter 2014:
First Honors—7th Grade
Madalyn Barbon
Kayla Davis
Ide Doran-Jones
Hilary Good
Jason Metz
Lukas Nittinger
Matthew Silver
Jasmine Slusser
Mark Stone
Giavanna Vicari
First Honors—6th Grade
Isabella DePaul
Lauren Hagan
Ryan Keiper
Rahul Mannepuli
Evan Shaffer
Daniel Stahovich
Kylie Vu
Second Honors—7th Grade
Tres Bonner
Lauren Wails
Caraline Young
Second Honors—6th Grade
Elijah Briggs
Jase Fowler
Liam Galvin
Emily Heck
Brigham Kobularcik
Benjamin Mulholland
Hailie Yoder
Honable Mention—8th Gr.
Clemente Pane
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CYO News—Congratulations on Your Accomplishments to:
Mia Betancourt, Braden Hecker (Gr. 8), Jasmine Slusser, and
Mark Stone (Gr. 7) who won the La Salle Declamation Contest.
These students went on to compete in the CYO County Declama-
tion Contest. Thank you to all our declamation judges for their
time and expertise: Mrs. Teresa Krick, Sr. Charlene, Mrs. Cindy
Castner, Mrs. Jeannette Snyder, Sr. Joanne Kotwicki, Mrs. Cathy
Pressimone, Mrs. Emily Richardson, Mr. Bill Richardson,
Mrs. Marie Wong, Dr. Michael Pressimone, Mrs. Curtis Barnes,
Sr. Lynn. Thank you to Mrs. Denice Cannon who worked with
the students and to Mrs. Johanna Wong-Slusser for coordinating
the contest.
Mia Betancourt (1st Place—8th Grade Girls & Grand Champion),
Braden Hecker (2nd Place—8th Grade Boys), Jasmine Slusser
(1st Place—7th Grade Girls), and Mark Stone (1st Place—7th
Grade Boys) in the Berks County CYO Declamation Contest held
at Berks Catholic on Sunday, April 27th. Students shown at right with Fr. Phil Rogers, Mrs. Cannon, and Mrs. Ambrose.
Mia Betancourt, who placed 2nd in the Diocesan Declamation Contest held Saturday, May 4th.
La Salle Boys’ Basketball Team consisting of
Mark Equi, Braden Hecker, Clemente Pane,
Justin Schuetz, Owen Winters (Gr. 8), Kevin
Baver, Owen Anton, Tres Bonner, Jason
Metz, Lukas Nittinger, Joshua Rollins,
Matthew Silver, Adam Pauley (Gr. 7).
Thank you to head coach Mr. Jim Schuetz
and assistant coaches, Mr. Bryan Hecker,
Mr. Greg Metz, and Mr. Vincent Rollins.
La Salle/St. Margaret Girls’ Basketball Team
consisting of Isabella Avadanian, Kennedi
Kutz, Brianna Spencer (Gr. 8), Julaya
Bridgette, Ide Doran-Jones, Sonia
Mannepuli, Miracle Thomas (Gr. 7). Thank
you to head coach Mr. Tim Joyce and assis-
tant coaches Dr. Paul Avadanian, and
Mrs. Denice Cannon.
La Salle cheerleaders: Arianna Monserrate,
Elizabeth Orlando, Natalie Wawrzonek (Gr.
8), Miracle Thomas (Gr. 7), Quinn Himmelberger, Isabella Promutico
(Gr. 6), Isabella Razzano, Molly Shiery, Sophia Vrabic (Gr. 5).
Thank you to co—head coaches, Mrs. Karen Heaney, and Ms.
BrieAnn Carola, and to assistant coach Mrs. Lisa Jackson.
La Salle Baseball Team consisting of Nikolas Freese, Braden Hecker,
Justin Schuetz, Nino Sedoti (Gr. 8), Owen Anton, Kevin Baver,
Tres Bonner, Juliano Clemente, Lukas Nittinger, Joshua Rollins
(Gr. 7), Evan Shaffer, Brigham Kobularcik (Gr. 6). Thank you to
head coach, Mr. Jim Schuetz, and assistant coaches Mr. Russ Baver,
Mr. Bryan Hecker, and Mr. Frank Shaffer.
La Salle’s Softball Team members: Kennedi Kutz, and
Elizabeth Orlando (La Salle/St. Ignatius Softball Team).
La Salle’s Track Team members: Julaya Bridgette,
Ide Doran-Jones, Jason Metz, Leah Riccione,
Matthew Silver, Miracle Thomas, Giavanna Vicari,
Caraline Young, and Isabella Promutico. Thank you to
co—head coaches, Mrs. Tess Doran, and Mrs. Ann Marie
Metz. The team competed at Notre Dame on May 17th
and will be competing in the CYO Track Meet on
May 31st. Congratulations to Julaya Bridgette (1st
Place).
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Congratulations on Your Accomplishments to:
Mrs. Ambrose and her 8th grade team of students who compet-
ed in the Mathlete Competition at Berks Catholic High School
on Wednesday, March 12th: Mark Equi, Shae Himmelberger,
Justin Schuetz, Brianna Spencer, and Owen Winters. Thank
you to their coach, Mrs. Gail Ambrose for all of her hard work
and dedication.
Mrs. Ambrose and the 7th and 8th grade team of students who
competed in the Berks County Mathcounts Competition at Penn State Berks Campus on Saturday, February 1st: Ryenne
Carroll, Hilary Good, Shae Himmelberger, and Rahul Mannepuli (Team), and Madalyn Barbon, Justin Schuetz, and
Lauren Wails. Thank you to their coach, Mrs. Gail Ambrose.
The following students who participated in the Pennsylvania Middle School Computer Fair held at BCIU on Thursday,
April 3rd: Elijah Briggs, Julia Ferreira, Liam Galvin, Emily Heck (Gr. 6), Adam Brezina, Kayla Davis, Ide Doran-Jones,
Miracle Thomas (Gr. 7), Mia Betancourt, Mark Equi, Nikolas Freese, Braden Hecker, Shae Himmelberger, Elizabeth
Orlando, and Nino Sedoti (Gr. 8).
Miracle Thomas & Kayla Davis, who were awarded 1st Place, and Adam Brezina & Ide Doran-Jones, who were awarded
2nd Place in Web Page Design, Julia Ferreira & Liam Galvin, who were awarded 1st Place and Emily Heck & Elijah
Briggs, who were awarded 2nd Place—Graphic Design, Elizabeth Orlando & Nino Sedoti, who were awarded 2nd Place,
and Mark Equi & Shae Himmelberger, who were awarded 3rd Place in Animation, and Shae Himmelberger & Nikolas
Freese, who were awarded 1st Place, and Mia Betancourt & Braden Hecker, who were awarded 3rd Place in Digital Movie,
at the Pennsylvania Middle School Computer Fair. First Place winners were invited to compete at the State Competition
on May 21st. Thank you to Mrs. Diana McNamara for coordinating La Salle’s participation in the fair.
Evan Shaffer, Kaylie Vu (Gr. 6), Madalyn Barbon, Hilary Good (Gr. 7), Ryenne Carroll, Owen Winters (Gr. 8), who repre-
sented La Salle Academy in the Berks County Reading Eagle Catholic Schools Spelling Bee held at La Salle Academy on
Thursday, February 20th.
Isabella Avadanian, Shae Himmelberger, Justin Schuetz, and Owen Winters, who received the
Bishop’s Scholarship to Berks Catholic High School. Bishop Barres presented the awards on
Saturday, April 5th.
Kaylie Vu, 1st Place winner of the Berks County Bar Association’s Annual Law Day Essay Contest
with her essay on “ Why Every Vote Matters.”
Winners of the “Guess The Number of Tamales” contest in the Book Fair: Benjamin Mulholland
(Grand Prize), Joseph Leininger (Second Place), Luke Brezina (Third Place), Gianna DiPasquale,
Lillian Heaney, Pierce Kasting, Elise Kirwan, Cole Peticca, Sara Witmer, and Molly Yohn (Honorable
Mention). The actual number of tamales was 1,280.
All of our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students, each of whom have at least one piece of their art-
work on exhibit at the GoggleWorks, May 11th through May 28th.
The following students who won awards at the CYO Art Show and Contest held at the Goggle-
Works: Shae Himmelberger (Watercolor Landscape), Elizabeth Orlando (Foil Relief of Two
Cats) (1st Place), Justin Schuetz, Kaylie Vu (2nd Place), Liam Galvin, Rahul Mannepuli, Mark
Stone, Isabella DePaul (3rd Place), Elijah Briggs, Laura Horn, Lauren Wails, Jasmine Slusser,
Mia Betancourt (Honorable Mention).
The Mulholland Family who won the Egg & Art Show Scholarship Drawing.
The Edwardson Family who won the La Salle Academy Referral Tuition Drawing for current
families on March 18th.
The Binasiewicz Family who won the La Salle Academy Referral Tuition Drawing for new families on March 18th.
Elizabeth Orlando & Shae Himmelberger
Congratulations are extended to the following students who
made their First Holy Communion:
At St. John’s on Saturday, April 26:
Adam Balthaser, Dante Casantini, Michelle Karanja, Nathaniel
Karwejna, Joseph Krynock, Chloe Ritter, Matthew Schrenk,
Sara Witmer, Julian Zabala, Pamela Zablit
At Anthony’s on Saturday, May 3:
Aleah Corum, Jasilyn Moncada, Brianna Rosselli,
Gabriela Shick, Matthew Lebron
At St. Benedict on Sunday, May 4:
Enzo Bellini, Sydney Edwardson, Madeline Frisina, Brady
Mider, David Pressimone, Samantha Yoder
Sacrament Update
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Busy Times at La Salle:
Catholic Schools Week began on Sunday,
January 26th with an Open House and Breakfast
Social at La Salle where visitors, parishioners,
students, and parents were welcomed, could tour
the school, view the Science Fair in the gym, check
out the Book Fair in the Lobby, have a free chil-
dren’s vision screening done by the Lions Club
(KidSight), or get a child’s I.D. by the Berks County
Sherriff Department. The students also participat-
ed in the Jump Rope for Heart/Hoops For Heart
Campaign, which raised funds for the American
Heart Association. The school held the Soup Or
Bowl food collection for the Food Bank and the
“Penny Walk” which raises funds for religious
materials. In addition, the students collected
items for Lifeline of Berks County, and the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades made baby blankets for Lifeline (picture above).
The Book Fair was very successful, thanks to hard work on the part of Mrs.
Diana McNamara, our librarian, and her many wonderful volunteers. Thank
you to all who helped and those who supported it. Finally, thank you to the
Pastors and Parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua Church, Church of St.
Benedict, and St. John Baptist de La Salle Church whose support makes
La Salle Academy possible.
PI Day—On 3/14 each year, Mrs. Ambrose and her 8th Grade class
coordinate the celebration. The 8th Grade wore their newly created t-shirts
and the day included all kinds of delicious “pies,” pi carols, and math games.
Everyone had a great time and the entire school looks forward to the celebra-
tion, but no one more than Mrs. Ambrose!
Living Stations—8th Grade reenacted the Stations of the
Cross on Wednesday, April 16th before the entire student
body, family & friends.
Holy Childhood—The Mission Moderators distributed Mis-
sion boxes to the students at the beginning of Lent. The
students made monetary offerings and turned the filled boxes
in at the close of the Lenten Season with the offerings to be
sent to the missions.
Walk-a-thon Fundraising Reward—As promised, if the students raised
$40,000 in the Walk-a-thon, the teachers would cook and serve them a meal.
On Friday, May 2nd, the students were treated to breakfast and enjoyed a
dress-down day.
In accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), an inspec-
tion for asbestos containing building materials was performed at LaSalle Academy and was found to be in a safe condition. A copy of the
inspection reports are on file in our school office for your review any time during normal school hours. In the event you have questions or
concerns, please feel free to contact the school office.
Page 7 La Salle Academy
Kindergarten Activities—Early in May, the Kindergarten Dinosaurs were on parade throughout the school. Then on
Thursday, May 8th, Kindergarten celebrated Grandparents’ Day. Grandparents were invited to the school cafeteria for a pro-
gram put on by their favorite kindergartners followed by refreshments.
PTO Annual Egg & Art Show—The show was held April 12 & 13. Thank you to all the student, parent, and faculty volun-
teers who helped make it run smoothly. Everyone enjoyed the show, games, raffles, and delicious food! Special thanks to Mrs.
Diane Rollins, Mr. & Mrs. Steve Rosenhoover, Mr. William Van Etten, Mrs. Stacey DePaul and the members of the PTO for all
their hard work preparing for, organizing, coordinating, and running the event.
May Procession—In honor of the Blessed Mother, was celebrated on Thursday, May 15th with Father Phil Rodgers officiat-
ing. The procession and service was followed by a social in the school where parents, families, and friends were invited to
share refreshments and enjoy the art and technology fair exhibited.
Congo For Cancer was held on Friday, May 16th. Students collected donations for American Cancer Society and enjoyed
an afternoon filled with fun, dance, and activities. Prior to the dance, the students were informed through a video or a
speaker about cancer. Thank you to Mrs. Irene Schlack for sharing her experience and knowledge with the students.