EXPRESS FILE PHOTO Bucktail students are pictured with local, state officials following their presentation on the Hynerpeton at Bucktail High School in April 2025.

HYNER — In an enchanted river valley in Northcentral Pennsylvania, where ancient, mystical mountains are crowned in fog, and the forests seem endless, there slept a legend named Harry. Harry wasn’t a dragon or a knight, but a Hynerpeton bassetti–a brave, pioneering creature who was one of the very first to crawl from water onto land, pulling himself toward a new destiny with his strong shoulders. For millions of years, he remained as a fossil, his story waiting to be rediscovered.

Then, one day, a clever and courageous group of young scribes from the Bucktail Student Government, while studying ancient lore of their Keystone Kingdom, made a discovery. The kingdom’s official fossil, the Trilobite, although an interesting character, was discovered in Ohio and found everywhere from Canada to Morocco.

“Our kingdom deserves a symbol that is ours alone!” they declared. “A symbol of our own strength, our own history and spirit!”

They remembered the local legend of the Hynerpeton bassetti. This local hero was even named for the Village of Hyner, Pa., where it was first discovered.

“He represents change, adventure, and comes from our very own home!” they cheered.

And so, their quest began. With quills and parchment, they crafted a powerful proposal, a scroll to make Hynerpeton the new official Pennsylvania State Fossil. They even brought Harry back to life as a friendly mascot, who waddles proudly at fairs and festivals, winning the hearts of the people with his story of evolution and resilience.

Their quest reached the grand Capitol Castle, where two noble champions, Senator Dush and Representative Borowicz, took up their cause, inscribing the students’ proposal into official scrolls (known as SB 829 and HB 1554) for the realm’s council to consider.

An important part of their journey is approaching. On Nov. 18, the Bucktail students, led by their courageous leader, Sir Josh Day, along with their brave mascot, Harry, will travel to the grand State Senate chamber. There, beneath the towering dome, they will stand before the wise Senators and request their votes to make the tale of Harry the Hynerpeton the official story of the Keystone Kingdom forever.

Their quest demonstrates that even the smallest voices, emerging from a tiny, remote village and armed with truth and passion, can indeed awaken a giant from the stone and Marcellus Shale to make history. The entire Realm of the County of Clinton wishes them courage, fortitude and safe travels as they embark upon this crusade.