- Five Questions, Five Answers with WAPEF Board Member Linda Rush
Our board member spotlights continue as we celebrate and recognize the significant contributions of Linda Rush. Not only does Linda serve as Secretary of the WAPEF board, she is also a key member of the Impact Committee, a former district teacher, and a spirited Wilson alum!
We sat down with Linda to learn more about why she’s stayed connected and committed to the Wilson Area school community.
What is your history with the Wilson Area School District?
In addition to being a graduate of Wilson High School and a nearly life-long resident of the district, I enjoyed a wonderfully rewarding 31-year teaching career as a reading specialist at Philip F. Lauer Middle School and Wilson Area Intermediate School. My husband Don is also a graduate of the district, and our two sons are Wilson graduates as well.
What is your fondest memory from your time as a student?
I have particularly fond memories of my elementary school years. During that time, the Wilson School District consisted of six elementary schools and one high school. The school I attended from kindergarten through 6th grade was Livingstone Elementary in West Easton. I am extremely grateful for the wonderful education provided to me by all of my elementary school teachers, and I can still vividly remember each and every one of them. I especially recall being very excited when learning how to read in Mrs. McGinnis’s first grade class! Those elementary years also fostered in me an appreciation for and love of music and the arts. My involvement in music culminated with the incredible experience of leading the Warrior Marching Band as we proudly represented Wilson at the International Lions Convention Parade in Miami Beach during June of 1973.
You were also a teacher in the district. What makes the Wilson Area school community special?
The Wilson school community has always been a very close-knit one which has maintained its individuality and identity based on a proud tradition of educational excellence.
Why did you become involved with the Wilson Area Partners in Education Foundation (WAPEF)?
I first became involved with the Wilson Partners in Education Foundation more than 15 years ago, and I am pleased to be part of an organization which strives to provide our students with enhanced opportunities in all areas of their education. The Foundation classroom grants enable our students to explore many subject areas in expanded detail, and these opportunities help them to discover new talents and abilities which give them a more complete and well-rounded education.
What’s one piece of advice you would offer today’s Wilson Warriors?
Be a participant! The Wilson School District offers many outstanding educational opportunities as well as sports, clubs, and activities for every student. Capture the Warrior Spirit now and it will become a part of you forever!
- Five Questions, Five Answers with Jan Krieger
Join us in celebrating WAPEF Board Member and now Wilson Area School District Hall of Fame Inductee, Jan Krieger. Jan is the most spirited Wilson Warrior we know, and we’re thrilled to congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition.
We sat down with Jan to learn more about her love for the district and the myriad ways she has generously given back to it.
What is your history with the Wilson Area School District?
Born and raised in Wilson, I am a proud alumna of Wilson Borough High School, as it was known “back in the day”. My last name even translates to “warrior”!! For the past 17 years, I’ve been involved with the WAPEF as a member of the board of directors. I am currently the President of the Wilson Area Alumni Association, And since 2021, it has been my honor to serve on the Wilson Area School District Board of Education, during the recent few years as Board VP.
What is your fondest memory from your time as a student?
Oh, so many memories!!! But nothing can compete with the Wilson-Nazareth Thanksgiving Day football rivalry. The week leading up to the game was so full of spirit – excitement throughout the school, which back then consisted of grades 7-12. The pep rally – the gym packed with students; crowning of the Warrior Princess and Mr. Irresistible; speeches from the coaches and players; twirling in our special pep rally uniforms; the gym teacher flapping around as the rival mascot during the skit produced by the cheerleaders; wearing the big yellow mum adorned with the blue pipe cleaner W to the game; the victory dance. And it was a victory that my class celebrated! Traditions – it was awesome!!
What made you want to become involved with the Wilson Area Partners in Education Foundation (WAPEF)?
The WAPEF plays such a vital part in contributing to the success of our students and staff. To be able to supplement the basic educational needs of our children with exciting and progressive initiatives and technology is such a boost for their future accomplishments. Our students are our most precious resource. It’s very rewarding to play a role in investing that our district achieves to its fullest potential.
How did your experience as a Wilson Warrior shape where you are today?
My years at Wilson were filled with so many wonderful experiences – friends, fun and most importantly, the education that combined to provide a base which transitioned straight to and throughout adulthood. Forever grateful for the time I spent in those hallways and classrooms.
What’s one piece of advice you would offer today’s Wilson Warriors?
The days may seem long, but the years go by so quickly. Be happy, continue learning, have many adventures – enjoy every minute.
- Congratulations to the 2023 WAPEF Scholarship Winner
Each year, the Wilson Area Partners in Education Foundation awards a minimum of one $1,000 scholarship to a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding achievements in academics, leadership, and community service.
It is our great pleasure to celebrate the 2023 WAPEF scholarship recipient, Braelynn Roth. We’re certain that Braelynn will uphold the high standards that have been synonymous with this award, and we wish her all the best with her post-graduate studies at Penn State University.
Many thanks to the Wilson Warrior alumni who served on our 2023 Scholarship Selection Committee:
- Sydney Brannon, ‘16
- Jessica Buttner, ‘13
- Anthony Calantoni, ‘14
- Jaryd Flank, Class of ‘13
- Alex Gornick, Class of ‘11
Pictured: WAPEF Board President & WAHS Alum, Scott Barr and Braelynn Roth
- Five Questions, Five Answers with Emily Reiter
In February, we welcomed a new board member, WAHS alum Emily Reiter. Emily is an Executive Producer, Commercial Risk Advisor with Brown & Brown Insurance.
We sat down with Emily to learn more about her time in the district and her desire to now give back to it.
What is your history with the Wilson Area School District?
I attended school in the WASD from Kindergarten through High School education. I graduated as Valedictorian of the WAHS Class of 2015.
What is your fondest memory from your time as a student?
My fondest memories from my time as a student are centered around art class and the WAHS Drama Program. I had the opportunity to be one of the first students to take Wilson’s Advanced Placement Art course and it was a wonderful experience. The relationships I formed inside the classroom with Mr. Costenbader are friendships I still cherish today. I was involved in numerous extra-curricular activities, but I most enjoyed my time outside of the classroom in the Drama Club, performing in the Freddy Awards in 2014 and 2015.
What made you want to become involved with the Wilson Area Partners in Education Foundation (WAPEF)?
WASD helped shape the person I am today. I received my Bachelors of Science at Moravian University and continued my career in Bethlehem at Brown & Brown Insurance. I have a strong connection to the Lehigh Valley and I wanted to be a part of a foundation where I could give back to my roots.
How did your experience as a Wilson Warrior shape where you are today?
My experience as a Warrior helped shape my character, as I had the opportunities to explore all my interests. I did not have to be a part of just one club, or group; instead, I was able to foster all of my interests with my friends. From Editor in Chief of the newspaper to National Honor Society President, the potential to excel felt uncapped and I was lucky to make memories with friends by my side.
What’s one piece of advice you would offer today’s Wilson Warriors?
One piece of advice I would share to Warriors today is to explore all avenues. It is important to acknowledge uncharted paths and forge your own trails. There are countless opportunities throughout the schools and joining clubs, or groups will bring new friendships and bring new skillsets.
- Unleashing Creativity through Investments in STEM Learning
Our increasingly knowledge-based economy is driven by innovation—the foundation of which lies in a dynamic and well-educated workforce equipped with strong STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) skills.
In 2022, to further support Wilson Area School District students in this critical space, the Foundation identified K-12 STEM education as a priority, three-year initiative. In collaboration with WASD educators, our first-year goals were to reduce limitations on creativity and enable students to be challenged at a higher level—both of which would ultimately strengthen the talent pipeline for our future Lehigh Valley workforce.
To help fuel our STEM initiative, the Foundation applied for, and received, a $5,000 grant from the KeyBank Foundation. These funds went toward the purchase of an additional state-of-the-art 3D printer for the high school’s Innovation Lab.
Upon arrival of the 3D printer last month, the machine was integrated into Mr. Erik Everett’s high school technology courses, including Principles of Engineering, Innovation & Design, and Civil Engineering. Through these courses, students have used 3D printing capability to create items such as motor brackets, gears, ID badge holders, hinges, emergency fire door replacement parts, mechanical movement device components, and much more. They’ve also broadened their thinking to develop prototypes for innovative projects.
3D printing brings out our kid-creative minds that say anything is possible. This is an area that becomes suppressed through the innate limitations of our environments and the belief that only one correct answer exists to problems we encounter.”
—Mr. Erik Everett, WAHS Industrial Art TeacherThe investment in a new 3D printer will enhance the educational experience for WAHS tech ed students this school year, and will continue to do so throughout the life of the machine. With reduced wait times and expanded capability, educators are able to challenge students at a higher level across multiple areas of the technology-centered curriculum.
We’re grateful for the KeyBank Foundation’s support in empowering Wilson Area’s future innovators to successfully compete in an ever-evolving, technology-based world. As our children and youth are exposed to the most modern technology available, they’ll continue to gain confidence and expand their thinking for both creative expression and real world problem solving.
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