In every school community, there are moments that reveal the true character of its students. Recently, one such moment reminded us just how strong, compassionate, and courageous our students can be.
What began as a routine school day quickly turned into a powerful example of leadership and bravery. Just a mile from the school, a bus carrying students rolled over shortly after departure.
Within minutes, help arrived—not just from emergency responders, but from within the student body itself.
Student first responders Cam Traugh, Ryan Davis, Russell Longenberger, Aidyn McHale, Chase Compton, Holly Schmidt, and one of our own from Columbia-Montour AVTS, Zachary Rodgers, responded immediately and sprang into action. Trained and prepared, they rushed to the scene, offering calm, care, and critical support to those in need.
But the bravery didn’t stop there.
Inside the overturned bus, two high school students—Grayson Reck and Lillian Hinkle—acted with instinct and heart. Grayson opened the back hatch, creating a path for students to escape. Along with him, Lillian focused on guiding kids out with care and ensuring their safety.
In a moment defined by fear and uncertainty, these students showed what true leadership and compassion look like. Their actions were not rehearsed or expected; they were real, raw, and deeply human.
As the community reflects on that day, one thing is clear: courage doesn’t always wear a uniform. Sometimes, it walks in the same halls, sits in the same classrooms, and rides the same buses. And sometimes, it rises when we need it most.
Contributor: Maddison Yost, Print/Digital Media Intern
What began as a routine school day quickly turned into a powerful example of leadership and bravery. Just a mile from the school, a bus carrying students rolled over shortly after departure.
Within minutes, help arrived—not just from emergency responders, but from within the student body itself.
Student first responders Cam Traugh, Ryan Davis, Russell Longenberger, Aidyn McHale, Chase Compton, Holly Schmidt, and one of our own from Columbia-Montour AVTS, Zachary Rodgers, responded immediately and sprang into action. Trained and prepared, they rushed to the scene, offering calm, care, and critical support to those in need.
But the bravery didn’t stop there.
Inside the overturned bus, two high school students—Grayson Reck and Lillian Hinkle—acted with instinct and heart. Grayson opened the back hatch, creating a path for students to escape. Along with him, Lillian focused on guiding kids out with care and ensuring their safety.
In a moment defined by fear and uncertainty, these students showed what true leadership and compassion look like. Their actions were not rehearsed or expected; they were real, raw, and deeply human.
As the community reflects on that day, one thing is clear: courage doesn’t always wear a uniform. Sometimes, it walks in the same halls, sits in the same classrooms, and rides the same buses. And sometimes, it rises when we need it most.
Contributor: Maddison Yost, Print/Digital Media Intern
Monday kicked off SAVE's Start With Hello Week—a week dedicated to kindness, connection, and building a stronger school community. Each day is filled with fun spirit days designed to inspire students to reach out, say hello, and form new friendships.
On Monday during homeroom, every student received a name tag to display their name, encouraging them to step outside their comfort zone and meet someone new. Mrs. Borys, SAVE Club advisor, explained why this week matters so much, sharing that Start With Hello Week is a "national call to action week to promote belonging and unity in the school community."
Contributors: Karlene Wiehe, Alana Reuter, Brooke Knorr, and Kylee Henry, Journalism Staff Members
On Monday during homeroom, every student received a name tag to display their name, encouraging them to step outside their comfort zone and meet someone new. Mrs. Borys, SAVE Club advisor, explained why this week matters so much, sharing that Start With Hello Week is a "national call to action week to promote belonging and unity in the school community."
Contributors: Karlene Wiehe, Alana Reuter, Brooke Knorr, and Kylee Henry, Journalism Staff Members
Since Homecoming falls during Fair Week, we’re extending our Homecoming Spirit Week this year! 🐾 Check out the attached flyer for all the daily themes and activities.
📅 Spirit Week Dates:
September 15th – September 23rd
Get ready for seven school days of Tiger pride, themed fun, and school spirit ! 🖤💛
📅 Spirit Week Dates:
September 15th – September 23rd
Get ready for seven school days of Tiger pride, themed fun, and school spirit ! 🖤💛
🎗️ Support the Gorham Family – Change War Fundraiser 🐾
Just like last year, our High School Student Council is organizing a Change War to support a local family in need. This year, we’re rallying behind the Gorham family, whose three-month-old twin daughters, Olivia and Rebekah, are currently undergoing treatment for leukemia. Their journey includes at least eight months of chemotherapy, surgeries, and ongoing testing.
The Gorham family has deep ties to our community — their older children attend Southern Columbia, and they are relatives of graduate and current staff member Mady Adams.
💛 How You Can Help:
Students are encouraged to bring in spare change throughout the rest of this month. The homeroom in each building that collects the most will win a celebration — think donuts or pizza! 🍩🍕 Homeroom teachers will have collection bags in their classrooms.
*A flyer is attached with more details. This fundraising effort will run through September 30.
Let’s come together to show the Gorham family how strong and supportive our Tiger community truly is! 🐯💛🖤
Hi SCASD!
The Student Support Team is selling T-Shirts for Suicide Prevention Month.
T-Shirts are $15 each.
The sale closes on Monday, September 1st.
We will be wearing the shirts on Tuesday, September 30th.
You have the option to have your order shipped directly to your home for a small fee OR in bulk for free where we will sort them out.
Order here: https://www.customink.com/fundraising/scasd
The Student Support Team is selling T-Shirts for Suicide Prevention Month.
T-Shirts are $15 each.
The sale closes on Monday, September 1st.
We will be wearing the shirts on Tuesday, September 30th.
You have the option to have your order shipped directly to your home for a small fee OR in bulk for free where we will sort them out.
Order here: https://www.customink.com/fundraising/scasd
The Southern Columbia High School Band made a powerful debut at Friday’s pep rally and football game, setting the tone for an incredible season ahead. Let’s keep the momentum going; come out and support these talented students at every performance. They’re just getting started! 🎺🥁🎷
Mr. Leslie’s algebra classes spent time this first week learning about Ted Lasso and his philosophy to “Believe.” Students brainstormed to identify things we need to do to be successful—not just in algebra class, but in our lives. Some of those ideas included: “Be determined to succeed,” “I will ask for help when I need it,” “I will help others with anything they need,” and “Believe in yourself.” Each student had the opportunity to sign the “Committed to ‘Believe’” board, which will remain at the front of Mr. Leslie’s classroom all year as a reminder of their commitment to believe in “Believe.”
Yearbooks are now on sale at their lowest prices of the year, but only until September 12!
Celebrate the memories that will make this school year an unforgettable time of lifelong friendships with a yearbook that captures it all. Whether you're a student, parent, or teacher, this is your chance to lock in a discounted price before time runs out. Just click the link below to start your order. It only takes a minute to preserve a lifetime of memories.
Click here to order for any of our three schools: Yearbooks | Reserve Your School's Yearbook Today - Jostens | Jostens
📣 Welcome Back, Students and Families!
We’re excited to begin a new school year!
🗓️ The first day of school is Monday, August 18th.
To ensure you receive all important updates and communications, parents and guardians should visit their Sapphire Parent Portal to review and update contact information as needed.
Stay tuned for more announcements as we get closer to the start of school!
We’re excited to begin a new school year!
🗓️ The first day of school is Monday, August 18th.
To ensure you receive all important updates and communications, parents and guardians should visit their Sapphire Parent Portal to review and update contact information as needed.
Stay tuned for more announcements as we get closer to the start of school!
SCA Families
If your child requires any prescription medication for the 25-26 school year, please be sure to have an updated Medication Order and Action Plan (if applicable) from your child's doctor. All medication must be brought to the school in the original prescription bottle with a medication order by a parent/guardian. Drop off times are as follows:
Monday, August 11th 5:30-7:00pm in the HS Office for K-12
Wednesday, August 13th 12-3pm Elementary & HS Office
Thursday, August 14th 9am-3pm Elementary & HS Office
Students' 5th- 12th grade are able to self-carry their inhalers and/or Epi-pens if approved by parent and doctor. Please submit a medication order stating they are self-carry. If --you would like to have your child's medication order faxed to the school the Elementary fax # is 570-356-7169 and the HS fax # is 570-356-2835. Thank you!
Alexis Spade
School Certified Nurse
If your child requires any prescription medication for the 25-26 school year, please be sure to have an updated Medication Order and Action Plan (if applicable) from your child's doctor. All medication must be brought to the school in the original prescription bottle with a medication order by a parent/guardian. Drop off times are as follows:
Monday, August 11th 5:30-7:00pm in the HS Office for K-12
Wednesday, August 13th 12-3pm Elementary & HS Office
Thursday, August 14th 9am-3pm Elementary & HS Office
Students' 5th- 12th grade are able to self-carry their inhalers and/or Epi-pens if approved by parent and doctor. Please submit a medication order stating they are self-carry. If --you would like to have your child's medication order faxed to the school the Elementary fax # is 570-356-7169 and the HS fax # is 570-356-2835. Thank you!
Alexis Spade
School Certified Nurse
📚✨ Literary Exploration Meets Creative Expression✨
To conclude an enriching year, students in Mr. Mensch’s 9th Grade Honors English classes completed a culminating project that allowed them to demonstrate their understanding of literature through creative, student-driven formats. Drawing from works by Shakespeare, Orwell, Steinbeck, Poe, Bradbury, and more, students brought texts to life through video reenactments, hand-painted ceiling tiles, original artwork, and even wood engravings crafted with woodshop skills.
This project not only highlighted their analytical and interpretive abilities, but also celebrated their individuality, creativity, and personal connections to the literature studied throughout the year. This project served as an inspiring showcase of what it means to be a thoughtful reader and a creative thinker. 🎭🖌️📖
Southern Columbia Area High School will be offering Summer School options for students this year. Information and a registration form were emailed to your student today. Forms are also available in the Guidance Office and the High School Office.
Summer school will run from June 9–26, with registration and payment due by June 4. If you anticipate that your student will need summer school, please complete a pre-approval form and return it with payment to the High School Office by June 4.
High School yearbooks will be distributed at B and C lunches on Friday, May 23rd!
‼️ATTENTION SENIORS‼️ See the attached graphic for information regarding Senior Sunset! ☀️🎓
📢 End-of-Year Technology Return Reminder 📢 Dear Parents & Guardians, as we approach the end of the school year, we’d like to remind you that all school-issued technology equipment — including laptops, chargers, and cases — must be returned by May 30th. 🔹 Grades 1–8: Students will return their devices to their homeroom teachers when instructed. 🔹 Grades 9–12: Students must return their devices directly to the Technology Office (Room 103 in the High School). If a student has completed all coursework requiring a laptop, they may return their equipment at any time. 📌 Important Notes: Once a laptop is turned in, it will not be returned. All equipment must be returned in working condition. Fees will apply for any damaged or missing items. 💻 For a list of potential fees, please check the Sapphire Parent Portal under the File Cabinet section, located in the 24-25 First Day Parent Forms. Thank you for helping us wrap up the school year smoothly!
On Friday, Mr. Lindenmuth welcomed a guest speaker to his Contemporary Issues class to discuss the coal industry in the Anthracite region and explain how surface mining operations work. Dale Lindenmuth, former Superintendent at Blaschak Coal, spoke to the class about the uses of anthracite coal and the fundamental processes involved in mining it locally.
With over 30 years of experience in the coal mining industry, Mr. Lindenmuth provided students with a unique and insightful perspective on how coal mining positively impacts the economy. As a token of appreciation, students received gifts including a piece of actual anthracite coal, Blaschak-branded earplugs, and a Blaschak coal stress ball/toy.
Kate Brecht, Isabella Miller, Ryan Maciejewski, and Declan McGinley completed their first year in the Chief Science Officer STEM Program this past week. Each member spent the year promoting STEM awareness by organizing a STEM Day for elementary students and attending various workshops that introduced them to STEM-based careers.
Declan McGinley received the Most Outstanding Chief Science Officer Award. This award is presented to the officer who goes above and beyond their regular duties and responsibilities—both in planning and presenting their action plan and in their engagement during workshops throughout the school year. Declan was the sole recipient of this award, selected from approximately 50 students representing several schools across the CSIU and BLAST IU regions.
📢 End-of-Year Technology Return Reminder 📢
Dear Parents & Guardians,
As we approach the end of the school year, we’d like to remind you that all school-issued technology equipment — including laptops, chargers, and cases — must be returned by May 30th.
🔹 Grades 1–8: Students will return their devices to their homeroom teachers when instructed.
🔹 Grades 9–12: Students must return their devices directly to the Technology Office (Room 103 in the High School). If a student has completed all coursework requiring a laptop, they may return their equipment at any time.
📌 Important Notes:
Once a laptop is turned in, it will not be returned.
All equipment must be returned in working condition.
Fees will apply for any damaged or missing items.
💻 For a list of potential fees, please check the Sapphire Parent Portal under the File Cabinet section, located in the 24-25 First Day Parent Forms.
Thank you for helping us wrap up the school year smoothly!
🎨 Thank you to the SCA community for showing support for the arts last week at the HS Art Show.
🖼️ If you missed the show, please enjoy the snapshots of the exhibit. We have such talented students! Your support inspires creativity and makes a lasting impact—thank you!
🌿💧 Bringing the Courtyard Pond Back to Life! 💧🌿
Our Agricultural Science students rolled up their sleeves and got to work restoring the courtyard pond—and their efforts paid off!
With the guidance of Mr. Rich Yoder, students drained, cleaned, and refilled the pond, adding fresh water and vibrant plants to breathe new life into this peaceful outdoor space.
Their hard work not only beautified the courtyard but also created a hands-on learning experience in environmental care and aquatic ecosystems. Great job, team! 👏🐟🌱
Contributor: Karleigh Sommers, Journalism Staff Member
