Student recognized for speech, debate

CRANBERRY TWP — Maria Meyer, a senior at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School, was named a National Speech and Debate Association Academic All American in recognition of speech and debate excellence and academic success.

Maria is ranked 11th in the state and also received a citation for service.

She competes primarily in the area of Congressional Debate, but she has competed in Lincoln Douglas Debate, Prose Reading, Declamation and Impromptu Speaking.

At Cardinal Wuerl, Maria also is a member of National Honor Society, the LIFE program, student government, yearbook and drama club.

Seneca Valley musicians excel

JACKSON TWP — Fifteen instrumentalists from Seneca Valley High School participated in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District Band Festival at Greenville High School.

The students were Sarah Kochis, Arielle Meltzer and Hanna Behr on clarinet; Mitch Topf on bass clarinet; Julia Scanlan on alto saxophone; Zach DeDionisio on tenor saxophone; Becca Danik on baritone saxophone; Mitch Weaver and Adam Johanknecht on trumpet; Lauren Agnello on French horn; Aaron Jackson and Austin Treu on euphonium; Seb Demetter and Katy Kolor on trombone; and Brendan Kennelty on percussion.

Based on their auditions, all 15 students will participate in the PMEA Regional Band Festival.

Instrumental teachers on the Seneca Valley secondary campus are Varden Armstrong, Bob Babick,Sam Eisenreichand Sara Snyder.

31 jazz students go to district PMEA

JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley High School had 31 students selected for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District Jazz Band held at Slippery Rock University.

The students selected were Dan Singer, Sarah Kochis and Katie Platt on alto sax; Marina Fec, Nick Hepp and Tommy Zugell on tenor sax; Becca Danik on baritone sax; Austin Landgraf on guitar; Martin Chrzanowski, Patrick O’Connor, Nate Fritch, Aaron Jackson, Katy Kolor, Seb Demetter, Alex Miller, Nick Garrett and Henry Von Rintelen on trombone; Connor Griffith, Adam Johanknecht, Mitch Weaver, Dan Popp, Maddy Sinan, Aaron Wolf, Daniel Kushner and Jeremy O’Connor on trumpet; Isaac McKinley and Miya Paserba on piano; Jordan Bender and Colin Scott on percussion; and Hayden Goodzinski and Luci Ferraro on bass.

Seneca Valley students made up nearly 60 percent of the 53-member district jazz band.

Varden Armstrongis the director of jazz ensembles I and II at Seneca Valley.