37 High School Students Attend 25th Annual IU9 Summer Academy at UPB

Thirty-seven high school students from McKean, Elk, Cameron and Potter counties rose to the challenge of college life last week at the Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit 9 Summer Academy at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

Now in its 25th year, Summer Academy affords students the opportunity to live on campus and experience college-style courses while enjoying activities and fieldtrips throughout the region. The academy, which started July 18 and ran through Saturday, July 24, is sponsored by Pitt-Bradford and the IU 9.

Students were able to choose one of three tracks: drama and communications, art and sculpture, or criminal justice and forensics. The students worked on a variety of projects within their designated tracks and presented them at the end of the academy.

Students in drama and communications were taught by Dr. Kevin Ewert, associate professor of theater, and Jeff Guterman, associate professor of communications. Students studied drama and the basics of radio and television production, creating commercials and newscasts. On Thursday they took a field trip to WNED public broadcasting and Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, N.Y.

Those in art and sculpture learned from Kong Ho, associate professor of art, and Dr. Martie Geiger-Ho, visiting assistant professor of art. Students experimented with painting and drawing and learned the basics of a ceramic studio. On Tuesday, they participated in a glass blowing workshop at the Corning (N.Y.) Museum of Glass.

The criminal justice and forensics track was taught by Dr. Tony Gaskew, assistant professor of criminal justice. In addition to classroom studies, students learned the basics of forensic investigation in Pitt-Bradford’s state-of-the-art Crime Scene Investigation House, including a nighttime crime scene. Students visited the Federal Correctional Institution -- McKean on Friday.

Summer Academy students also participated in several whole-group activities, including a GPS science lab, Pitt Improvers comedy workshop, swimming and sports activities, bonfire and luau dance. On Monday, the group took a field trip to the Challenger Learning Center of the Twin Tier Region in Allegany, N.Y., where they completed a space shuttle mission simulation and several team-building activities.

Funding for the academy comes from a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, private funding and tuition paid by participating school districts. Students attend at no cost.

Students who took part in the drama and communications track were Brittney Comilla, Marybeth Edwards, Rachel Ehrensberger, Andrea Finlan, Colton Gerhart, Victoria Hennigan, Emily Johns, Billy Kane, Natalya Nannen, Mary Rosman, and Cassandra Williams.

Those who took part in art and sculpture were Bryan Brooks, Brittany Carpenter, Kaitlyn Crosby, Jenna Elliott, Kaylie Fitch, Troy Nelson, Mickayla Poland, Jacob Seelbinder, Justin Strawderman, and Tommi Wildnauer.

Those taking part in criminal justice and forensic science were Chelsea Brien, Lyntana Brougham, Tashia Carrow, Brigid Colligan, Andrew Dexter, Sarah DuFresne, Samantha Hoh, Melissa Johnson, Andrew Kamats, Nichole Kan, Josiah Kenyon, Katelinn Lowe, Danielle Lutz, Jarrod Pire, Kearsten Trunzo, and Jordan Edgell.

Pictured, Nichole Kan and Jacob Seelbinder work feverishly at their computers during a mission simulation at the Challenger Learning Center of the Twin Tier Region in Allegany, N.Y. The fieldtrip was one of several that occurred during the 25th annual Seneca Highlands IU 9 Summer Academy at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
Photo courtesy of Pitt-Bradford