Community turns out for Knoch renaming celebration
JEFFERSON TWP — More than 2,000 residents of the newly-renamed Knoch School District turned out Wednesday, Aug. 24, evening to celebrate the switch from the South Butler County School District, including 99-year-old Mae Wise, whose grandfather was a cousin of the original family who owned the land.
The spry and bright-eyed nonagenarian was thrilled to be an honored guest at the celebration, as she fondly recalled the kind and generous Bill and Eva Knoch.
“I think the name change is a great idea, because Eva was a great lady,” Wise said of Knoch, who donated the land for the school in the 1950s.
Wise grew up next door to the property that is now the district's secondary campus, on her parents' dairy farm.
She recalled in her comments to those assembled in the parking lot near the high school gym that Bill Knoch was in the oil and gas industry, and that the couple lived beside the historic White Church at the end of Main Street in Saxonburg.
“Sixty-four years later, we have unified the district under the Knoch name,” said David Foley, Knoch superintendent. “It's a beautiful, historic evening for us.”
He said the former South Butler Primary School and South Butler Intermediate Elementary School have been renamed with the “Knoch” prefix as well.
Foley also recognized Jim Mahan of Penn United Technologies, a major manufacturer and employer in the school district, for the company's $28,000 donation toward expenses associated with the name change.
The Knoch High School choir sang “Seasons of Love” for the occasion as well as the district's official alma mater, and the marching band and concert band performed throughout the evening.
Booster groups offered many and varied food items from their booths, and Todd Trofimuk, high school principal, plunged into the water repeatedly as the victim in the varsity soccer boosters' dunk tank.
“I'm staying cool,” Trofimuk said good naturedly as he wiped water from his face and climbed back onto his collapsible platform for the umpteenth time.
Many students from all grades attended the celebration, which was held outdoors from 5 to 7 p.m.
Braydon Esplen, a defenseman for the Knoch Knights hockey team, eventually succumbed to the August heat and doffed the team jersey from over his T-shirt.
“I'm here because I like to support my school and hockey team,” Braydon said. “I'm glad the name finally changed to Knoch because I feel like everyone knew us as that anyway. South Butler County was confusing.”
Kinsley Ireland, a sixth-grader at Knoch Middle School, attended to help out at the wrestling boosters booth, as she is a team member.
Kinsley also approves of the name change.
“I think it's better for the school district because a lot of people I know got confused before,” she said. “It's going to be helpful.”
She was impressed at the celebration, which also offered bounce houses for the district's youngest residents.
“It's very fun,” Kinsley said. “They put a lot of effort into it with the food, choir and bands.”
Chris Coriale of Winfield Township came to support his daughter, Anna, who plays in the marching band, although she is home-schooled.
“I honestly have been calling this the Knoch School District for years, so the name change is a technicality to me,” he said.
Kim Sasse of Jefferson Township helped staff the varsity soccer boosters booth, which sold pierogies and soup.
“I think it's about time,” Sasse said of the name change. “Every time somebody asks where my kids go to school, I already automatically replied 'Knoch.'”
The 1996 Knoch graduate was thrilled with the turnout at the celebration, which gave students and parents one last chance to get together before school starts Thursday, Aug. 25.
State Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-21st, supported the state legislation to change the district's name, which was introduced by state Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th.
“I attended tonight to get a sense of the school district, because it will be in my new district,” Hutchinson said.
He was impressed at the districtwide camaraderie he saw at the celebration.
“It's a phenomenal turnout,” Hutchinson said.
Debra Miller was the lone Knoch school board member to vote against the name change, but she happily attended the celebration Wednesday.
“I'm here because of the kids,” Miller said as she nibbled on a walking taco. “You've got to support them.”
