PHOTO PROVIDED Pictured is school mascot Fierce Phoenix wearing the National School Choice scarf and pointing to a beautiful plaque that Mr. William Deavor designed and located in the foyer of the gymnasium.

LOGANTON — Sugar Valley Rural Charter School has lived up to their slogan, “where every child is known.”

The mission of the school is simple: provide a rural, community-oriented lifelong learning center which both reflects and helps to shape the best of Sugar Valley’s social, cultural and educational heritage. Faculty and staff strive for a continued zero dropout rate, high academic achievement and 100 percent post-secondary or continuing education.

Last year, Randy Seely, Division Chief of Charter Schools for the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) reached out to visit SVRCS campus and learn more about the school. He spent the day listening to the positive stories and taking a tour of the school.

According to SVRCS CEO Tracie Kennedy, Seely was impressed by all of the different hands-on classes that are offered at the school.

Shaunte Smith, Manager of Member & Partner Engagement for the Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools created a newsletter about the school.

She wrote, “At Sugar Valley Rural Charter School, I developed a profound respect for the community’s rural lifestyle and enduring legacy. Engaging closely with the area’s traditions and values, I witnessed the strength and pride that bind the community together. This experience taught me the importance of integrating educational excellence with a respect for the local culture and history, empowering students not only academically but also as stewards of their heritage.”

SVRCS has a dual enrollment agreement with The Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania so their seniors have the ability to take college level courses.

They also just entered into an agreement with CPI that will allow their seniors to take courses in seven different career pathways starting this fall.

“We are proud of all of our students, staff and parents,” said Kennedy.

Kennedy also gave a brief overview of the SVRCS Foundation.

Developed in 2019, the mission of the SVRCS Foundation is to support and enhance the development, school improvement initiatives and programs of Sugar Valley Rural Charter School.

It is comprised of a volunteer Board of Directors, many of whom are educators, business leaders and community professionals.

The foundation awards grants and scholarships, and leverages community resources to support, strengthen and improve the education of students at the school.

The SVRCS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization, made up of community members, gathered to support the efforts of the Sugar Valley Rural Charter School.

Celebrating 25 years as a charter school this year, SVRCS students went all out this school year and achieved greatness on all faces of academics and extracurriculars.

National Honor Society (NHS) awarded the Sugar Valley Rural Charter School NHS chapter the Overall Award of Excellence for its exemplary record of leadership, service and efforts to improve the school and community.

In addition to basic requirements, the chapters must have demonstrated successful activities that exemplify one or all of the core values of NHS: scholarship, leadership, service and character.

Of the 17,000 active chapters in the nation, 20 of them received the Overall Excellence Award according to SVRCS NHS adviser Jodie Walizer.

In October, 2024, they inducted nine new members and will be trying to earn a different award in the upcoming school year — such as the Service Award.

This year marks the third in which they have been raising money for the local Pregnancy Resource Clinic, their largest service/charity project.

The Sugar Valley Chapter of the Future Farmers of America have been keeping busy throughout the school year.

Their annual apple cider production event was a huge success in September, with over 100 bushels of apples pressed into cider and purchased via donations to the school.

“We have 23 students competing in the States Collide Agronomy Contest,” said Agriculture teacher and FFA Advisor Chuck Bechdel, “It is online and organized by three Ag teachers in California.”

One Sugar Valley team participated in the State Grasslands competition, earning them first place overall. The team consisted of Austin Duck, Kohana Yamashita, Olivia Clester and Marrin Clester.

Students participated individually and then their scores were tallied together for a team total. Olivia and Yamashita were first and second respectively overall, with Yamashita only trailing behind Olivia by a few points.

Eight students represented SVRCS well in the National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, Ind.

The students competed in two categories — Forestry and Environmental and Natural Resource Management — against other students from across the United States.

The Forestry team is made up of Austin Duck, senior; Wyatt Conoway, junior; Thayne Jeffries, senior and Carson Sanders, sophomore.

The Environmental and Natural Resource Management team is made up of Olivia Clester, Parker Liddic, Nolan Bubb and Lincoln Breon, all seniors.

“We have won the Clinton County Competition 16 times since the school started. The past two years we have had all three places in the Clinton County Competition. We placed in the top 10 in the states once (6th) with places at 11th and 12th in other years. We are usually in the top half of the state (65 PA counties compete) every year,” noted Science/Environmental Studies Teacher and FFA Advisor Robbie Weaver.

Five senior FFA members received the Keystone Degree this year — the highest state FFA award. These students included Thayne Jeffries, Olivia Johnson, Timothy Underkoffler, Nolan Bubb and Isabell Culvey. This was the most recipients SVRCS has ever had in one year.

They also had five freshman members receive FFA jackets from the FFA Alumni Association — also the most received in one year. These freshmen included Alania Rettew-Leigey, Marley Bickel, Tobias Conoway, Cooper Shade and Brody Swanger.

On top of competing in numerous competitions, the students also celebrated FFA week at the end of February with many activities. They butchered pigs, had Greenhand day, held Elementary Ag Spirit Week and Education Day, the FFA carnival and hosted animal day for all elementary students to attend and pet or just see animals.

Sugar Valley Athletics is on the upward trajectory, according to Athletic Director Tyler Koser, and their teams continue to improve year in and year out.

During their second year of having a girls wrestling team, they had the opportunity to host an individual girls wrestling tournament in December. This tournament was the first that SVRCS has ever hosted. There were 11 teams in total at the event and almost 90 girls in attendance.

“It was an amazing environment, one that saw each of the Sugar Valley Girls Wrestlers placing in the tournament including one champion at 190, Marrin Clester,” said Koser.

Marrin is also a returning regional qualifier from 2024.

This season’s wrestling teams have made significant strides, with the Varsity Boys posting an impressive 13-8 record. One standout moment was Senior Jarren McCloskey setting a new record for all-time wins in Sugar Valley Charter School history, now with 80 victories in his four years.

“He’s closing in on his 50th pin, a milestone he could achieve if he continues his strong performance in the postseason,” said Koser.

Exciting changes are also underway in the baseball and softball programs. For the first time since its founding in 2014, the baseball team will have a new head coach– Mike Toner. With years of coaching experience, Mike is poised to lead the team to new heights.

On the softball front, SVRCS aims to keep improving within the fiercely competitive Mid Penn Athletic Conference. A major highlight last season was the incredible opportunity to play at Beard Field at Penn State University against Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy — a memory Koser is sure the girls will treasure for years to come.

Koser continued, “We’re proud of the continued success and growth of Sugar Valley Athletics and are excited for what’s to come!”

Along with academics and extracurriculars, SVRCS students are also very active in the community.

Dawn Jeffries, SVRCS Community Liaison, was excited to share the community events that SVRCS has been able to offer this past year.

On the second Friday of the month from October to April, senior citizens are invited to the school gym for a social hour from 12:30 to 2 p.m. During this time of fellowship, students enrolled in the Life Skills classes host and serve snacks that they have researched, shopped for and prepared for the guests. There are also special musical performances, with an elementary class facilitating an activity to engage seniors each month.

“This is a great time to bridge the generational gap and address goals and skills that some of our students may have,” said Jeffries.

On the first Wednesday of every month a WellSpan Mobile Health Bus sets up in the Scenic Ridge Foods parking lot from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. to offer free screenings. These screenings include Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose, Cholesterol/Triglycerides screenings as well as bone density heel scans (if qualified). Last year they also offered a special day of breast and skin cancer screenings.

On the first and third Tuesdays from September to May, a parent-run playgroup is held at a local church from 9 a.m. to 11. Mentored by Jeffries, parents are tasked with becoming involved in daily group activities and planning for all aspects of the schedule from set up to clean up — including art, snack, storytime, small group activities and large motor activities.

In December they host one of their most sought-after events: Winterfest. They host an afternoon of free services for the community thanks to generous sponsors from generous area businesses and individuals.

They bring in live reindeer, sleigh and wagon rides, and have lots of food and activities for all ages. Santa and Mrs. Claus also make an appearance at the event, riding in on a local fire truck. This year, an estimated 450-500 people attended.

Other events/programs/workshops/classes throughout the year include: 6 week Intro to Spanish, 8 week Basic Sign Language, Barn Quilt Painting, Stain Glass art, holiday greens, fairy gardens, spooky gardens, Seed to Supper, DIY Raised Beds, Ornament painting, hammered silver jewelry, DIY Charcuterie boards, sourdough classes, karate classes, Produce Growers workshop, DIY Kombucha, food preserving series, back to school clothing sale and backpack giveaway, intro to knitting, kids in the kitchen cooking, fall flower arranging, enchanting herbs and pysanky egg decorating.

The Sugar Valley Rural Charter School is located at 236 E. Main St., Loganton.

For more information, or to arrange a tour, visit their website at www.svrcs.org, or phone 570-725-7822.

Sugar Valley Rural Charter School

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236 E. Main St.,

Loganton, PA 17747

www.svrcs.org / 570-725-7822