Karns City Elementary celebrates America’s 250th birthday
CHICORA — With America’s 250th birthday coming up, students and teachers at Karns City Area Elementary School got a head start on the celebrations.
On Friday, May 22, the school’s students and staff hosted an event to celebrate the semiquincentennial. The celebrations began with a patriotic sing-along, during which students sang songs such as “This Land is Your Land” and “My Country ’Tis of Thee.”
Karns City Area fifth-grade students Titus Murray and Avery Crick said the sing-along was their favorite part of the celebration. Avery said it was her favorite part because she “got to read up front and sing with the special ed kids.” Similarly, Titus enjoyed reading a page on stage about the history of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The students, alongside several guests, lined up for a parade in the school parking lot. The parade began with a banner with USA 250 on it, followed by members of the Karns City Area Jr./Sr. High School marching band and drum line. The drum line led the way, while the band played patriotic songs such as “America the Beautiful.”
After the band passed by the school door, a new group of students joined the parade. Some of the parade participants carried crafts they made in class. For example, the fifth-grade students made wind socks while the first-grade students made noisemakers. Meanwhile, other grades made Uncle Sam hats.
The parade marched by an enthusiastic audience of students in patriotic outfits. Chants of “U-S-A” rang out from the sidewalk throughout the parade.
After the parade ended, the students went behind the school to enjoy a picnic lunch.
Fifth-grade English language arts and social studies teacher Mary Twentier led the schoolwide celebration. Her main inspiration for the celebration was her own curriculum.
Twentier, a teacher for 31 years, said “I thought because in fifth-grade, the curriculum follows the forming of the nation, the colonies and the young United States, that it would be nice if we celebrated the big 250th birthday.”
The event lined up perfectly with her unit about the young United States, so as a part of the celebration, her class did a project in which groups researched a memorial or monument in Washington, D.C., and created a trifold poster.
However, Twentier was not alone in planning the celebration. In an interview, she thanked several staff and community members.
“I had a lot of support from the administrators, Mr. (Jeff) Wagner and Mr. (Shane) Spack, plus a lot of teachers and staff members were willing to help,” she said. “PTO was a huge help, and along with some community members as well.”
Some of the help came in the form of patriotic hallway decorations, such as American flag-themed crafts. Twentier loved the teachers’ contributions, saying “they just went all out and decided to help make the building look beautiful and patriotic for today’s celebration.”
The guests at the event watched the Karns City Area Elementary School community come out to celebrate the milestone.
Melanie Brewer, district director for U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, said “It’s always so wonderful to see kids and teachers and everybody excited (about America).”
Meanwhile, Sam DeMarco, southwestern Pennsylvania regional director for U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, said “(McCormick) thought it was so great that the children of Karns City Elementary celebrated America’s 250th anniversary.”
In addition to sending DeMarco, McCormick sent the school a letter and a video message.
DeMarco said, “I think the sense of patriotism and the sense of enthusiasm these children have is just a wonderful, wonderful thing.”
Brewer said the students’ patriotism and love for America was something the whole nation could learn from.
“The kids don’t care about Democrat or Republican. They’re here to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, and I think we need to take that as adults and say, let’s celebrate America,” she said.
-
Students at Karns City Elementary School march in a parade during an America 250 celebration on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Students at Karns City Elementary School march in a parade during an America 250 celebration on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Fourth-grader Jase Cox walks in a parade celebrating America's 250th birthday at Karns City Elementary School on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Miranda Nolder, center, enjoys a frozen pop during an America 250 celebration at Karns City Elementary School on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Students at Karns City Elementary School march in a parade during an America 250 celebration on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Students at Karns City Elementary School march in a parade during an America 250 celebration on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Students at Karns City Elementary School march in a parade during an America 250 celebration on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Students at Karns City Elementary School march in a parade during an America 250 celebration on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Students at Karns City Elementary School march in a parade during an America 250 celebration on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
State Senator Scott Hutchinson takes part in an America 250 celebration parade at Karns City Elementary School as a special guest on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Students at Karns City Elementary School march in a parade during an America 250 celebration on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Kindergartener Ira Abbott, center in green, takes part in a parade celebrating America's 250th birthday at Karns City Elementary School on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Students at Karns City Elementary School march in a parade during an America 250 celebration on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Fourth-grade teacher Nicholas Stockert walks in a parade celebrating America's 250th birthday at Karns City Elementary School on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Students at Karns City Elementary School gather outside for a parade during an America 250 celebration on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Students at Karns City Elementary School gather outside for a parade during an America 250 celebration on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Betty MacPherson, left, takes part in a parade celebrating America's 250th birthday at Karns City Elementary School on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Zane McCartney enjoys a frozen pop during an America 250 celebration at Karns City Elementary School on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Sam DeMarco, right, takes part in an America 250 celebration parade at Karns City Elementary School as a special guest on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Myah Dawkins, center, walks in a parade celebrating America's 250th birthday at Karns City Elementary School on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Fourth-grader Jase Cox, center, waves a flag during an America 250 celebration parade at Karns City Elementary School on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Students at Karns City Elementary School march in a parade during an America 250 celebration on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Students at Karns City Elementary School receive popcorn and hot dogs during an America 250 celebration picnic on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Students at Karns City Elementary School enjoy popcorn and hot dogs during an America 250 celebration on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Students at Karns City Elementary School receive popcorn and hot dogs during an America 250 celebration picnic on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Students at Karns City Elementary School enjoy popcorn and hot dogs during an America 250 celebration on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Helen Borja, left, and Hazelynn Burk enjoy popsicles during an America 250 celebration at Karns City Elementary School on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
-
Fourth-graders Riley MacKrell, center, and Melina Comfer, right, walk in a parade celebrating America's 250th birthday at Karns City Elementary School on Friday, May 22, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
