After twenty years as Founder and Executive Director of the KASD Education Foundation, Dr. Brenda Winkler has indicated her wish to mentor a new leader of the foundation’s Board of Directors. Dr. Winkler will remain a guiding force of the foundation as a member of the board while she mentors Executive Director-Elect, Mrs. Katherine Metrick.
The KASD Education Foundation was created twenty years ago in October 2000, by three Kutztown High School Alumni: Dr. Brenda Winkler, then Superintendent of the Kutztown Area School District, the late DeLight Breidegam Jr., co-founder of Deka Battery, now East Penn Manufacturing, and Attorney Robert P. Grim. Today, the Foundation remains strongly committed to its original mission, “to enhance educational opportunities in the district’s schools and communities, and to recognize the superior achievements of districts students and alumni.”
Miss Abigail Herrlin received the Education Foundation’s “John & Laila Silan Valedictorian Scholarship.” In addition to becoming the Class of 2020 Valedictorian, Abigail was a member of the marching band, county band, district band, and concert band. She is a four-year member of the musical, a two-year member of the National Honor Society, and was…
Miss Sydney Sheetz received the Education Foundation’s “John & Laila Silan Salutatorian Scholarship.” In addition to becoming the Class of 2020 Salutatorian, Sydney was Class President since her sophomore year, as well as a member of the Student Council and National Honor Society.
The KASD Ed Foundation Board announced the 2020 Distinguished Alumna of the year, Dr. Karen L. Rauch, Ph.D., KAHS Class of 1980. Dr. Rauch received her Ph.D. from The University of Virginia. She currently serves as Associate Provost for Accreditation and Assessment at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, where she has also served as Associate Professor, Chair of the Modern Language Studies Department, and Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. As a faculty member, she taught undergraduate and graduate courses in Caribbean studies, nineteenth-century Peninsular (Spanish) and Latin American literature, civilization and culture, translation/interpreting, and Spanish for business.
Dr. Michael Karch, the Education Foundation’s “2019 Distinguished Alumnus” inductee presented an impassioned speech to the graduating class, inspiring and motivating them to achieve great heights. He challenged the class to teach, mentor and volunteer, and to see the world, so that they can appreciate what they have. Dr. Karch emphasized that struggle builds character, and that the graduates, now part of “our team”, i.e. the real world, are in a relay race which requires them to become not average, but exceptional.
On June 4, the Kutztown Area School District graduated 111 students in their 103rd commencement ceremony. Miss Madison Keiser earned the title of Class of 2019 Valedictorian, and Mr. Alexander Graff was named 2019 Salutatorian. The Education Foundation awarded these scholars with the annual John & Laila Silan Valedictorian & Salutatorian Scholarships.
At the Annual Meeting of the Kutztown Community Partnership held on March 12, the Kutztown Area School District Education Foundation was awarded the “Community Organization of the Year” Award. The Kutztown Community Partnership receives nominations each year as they look to highlight an individual volunteer and an organization who go above and beyond to make the community a better place.