Student Academic Awards
Liberty High School's Student Academic Awards Assembly will be Tuesday, May 22, 2012 beginning at 7:00 in Liberty's auditorium. The ceremony will honor juniors and seniors for outstanding GPAs, outstanding community service hours, and third party awards.
National French Exam Results
The following Liberty students placed in the National French Exam:
- Stacy Justo, 12th grade, placed 9th in the Lehigh Valley in level 5.
- Paula Zhang, 11th grade, placed 5th in the Lehigh Valley in level 4.
- Jenna Nguyen, 12th grade, Ranked 10th in the Lehigh Valley Level 5
Congratulations!
Science Students of April • May • June
The LHS Science Department is pleased to announce the Science Students of the Month for the remainder of the school year. These students have proven themselves to be dedicated and hard-working in their respective science classes and are leaders among their peers.
April's Outstanding Science Students are Chase Sakitis and Shane Molia May's Outstanding Science Students are Michael Saunders and Kayla Mulkern June's Outstanding Science Students are Jacob Buss and Apoorva Mathur.
The science department is proud of their accomplishments and congratulate them on this outstanding accomplishment.
NBC 10 News Van visits LHS
James Friedman, Supervisor of Digital News Gathering at Philadelphia's NBC10 television, returned to his Alma Mater to speak to Liberty's Broadcasting and Advanced Multi-media students.
Friedman gave an overview of how the modern, digital "News Business" works for the students and described his professional responsibilities at NBC. Mr. Friedman discussed the importance of preparation before shooting a news story and discussed the realities of editing an hour of video down to a news story that might be a minute and fifteen seconds in length.
Stressing fundamentals in all areas of broadcasting, including shots, storytelling and editing, Friedman stressed the importance of what the students were learning right now at Liberty.
"The basics won't change," he told the assembled students, "I still use them every day."
Friedman also told students that they should never abandon their creativity, just because there are certain rules for maintaining Broadcast Quality – light and sound levels, for instance, students shouldn't be afraid to follow their vision and try new things.
Mr. Friedman also gave the kids a tour of the NBC News10 van, explaining how it worked as a mobile studio and broadcasting platform. Throughout his visit Friedman answered questions students had about all aspects of news video and broadcasting.
Liberty's Tremple qualifies for the National Chemistry Olympiad
Congratulations to Michelle Tremple who has qualified for the National Chemistry Olympiad. Michelle was 7th in the entire Lehigh Valley beating students from all of the surrounding school districts on the local exam.
The U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad and the International Chemistry Olympiad are multi-tiered competitions that bring together the world's most talented high school students to test their knowledge and skills in chemistry. Nations around the world conduct examinations to nominate the most high-performing students for the International Chemistry Olympiad.
Other strong students, Megan Collins and Janaya Shelly also performed exceptionally well missing the cut off by only one question each. Mrs. Guarriello and the entire AP Chemistry class are very proud of these fantastic young ladies and wish Michelle Tremple good luck on the next level of competition.
Science Students of February & March
February and March Science Students of the Month. The Science Department is pleased to announce the February's students are Paula Escott and Harrison Cann. Paula and Harrison have proven to have an excellent work ethic in their biology classes. The science students of the month for March are Tori Kaleycik, Josh Ledyard, and Faith Dubose. They have also excelled in biology class and are leaders in their laboratory groups. The Science teachers are proud of these students. Congratulations to all of these outstanding students.
1998 LHS Graduate Returns for Concert
Musician, singer and Liberty Alum Erick Macek preformed today for students at Liberty while talking about life as a musician. Macek spoke to the kids about growing up on the South Side of Bethlehem and how coming home to Bethlehem and Liberty brought back such fond memories of growing up here.
Macek, fresh from his appearance on NBC's The Voice, played original pieces from his three CD's, with a few covers mixed in, for nearly an hour for the students and staff of Liberty. Between songs, Macek talked about how practice, determination and believing in himself shaped his life and his music after leaving Liberty.
While he learned to play accordion, drums and trumpet as a young boy, Erick told the students he hadn't picked up the guitar until he was a freshman at Millersville University.
Macek also shared his experiences auditioning for The Voice; relating the time and number of rehearsals he took part in through the audition process. He said he was pleased to have had the opportunity, the experience and met the many fantastic people associated with the show.
After playing, Macek answered student questions and signed autographs, before heading to Philadelphia for a show later tonight.
Visit Erick's website for more information about this promising young musician and be sure to check out his music.
2012 yearbooks are now on sale
Deadline for all orders is May 22, 2012. Special reminder to seniors: The price of your yearbook is NOT included in class dues. If you would like a book to remember your senior year, you must order one. See Mrs. Gilliard in room 001 with any questions. [Download the order form here]
LHS Student chosen for 2012 Exceptional citizenship award
Liberty High School student, Junie Rich, has won the 2012 "Exceptional Citizenship Award" for his outstanding volunteer work in collecting over $2000.00 worth of canned food to benefit The Salvation Army.
The Junie "CAN" DO IT CAN FOOD DRIVE ran at Liberty from October through December, 2011.
Junie will be honored at an Awards Banquet on Thursday, March 29 at The Best Western Banquet Hall in Bethlehem. WFMZ TV, Channel 69's Ed Hanna will host the event, and will present Junie with the "Exceptional Citizenship Award".
Thank you to all faculty, staff, and students for your tremendous generosity and can food donations. Junie would not have received this award without YOU!
LHS AP Chemistry participates in National Chemistry Olympiad
The Liberty AP Chemistry class participated in the National Chemistry Olympiad on Saturday, March 3, 2012. After having a pizza party, the entire class ventured to Trumbower Hall at Muhlenberg College to sit for a 2 hour national exam. Hopefully, Liberty will have several students moving on to the State and National levels. Great Job AP Chemistry students! We are all proud of you!
LHS Science Students to compete at Penn State
Congratulations to Ryan Dupuis, Lizzie Ritter and Michelle Trempel for their outstanding performance at this weekend's Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science competition. Ryan's project, "The Effect of Concentration on the Potency of Esters" took a Second Place, Michelle's chemistry project explored how to use simultaneous multiple variables, positive and negative effects and first and second order effects of the Perfect Volcano. Michelle took a first place and will be representing Liberty HS at States in May. Lizzie Ritter investigated how the brain perceives images. Her earth science topic was, "The Full Moon Illusion According to Emmet's Law". Lizzie also took first place and will be moving on to states at Penn State University Park. We are so proud of these three students and wish Lizzie and Michelle good luck!
NAACP ACT SO Winners to be honored
The Bethlehem Freedom Fund Banquet is being held on Sunday, February 19, 2012. The ACT SO winners will be honored during this event. Liberty High School students receiving the Gold Award include Troi Pitt for Mathematics, Imanni Gaye for Playwriting and Poetry; and Rachel Anson for Vocal. Ka'Yon Ross was awarded the Bronze Award in Poetry this year.
The NAACP's Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics is a yearlong achievement program designed to recruit, stimulate, and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among African-American high school students.
ACT-SO includes 26 categories of competition in the sciences, humanities, business, and performing and visual arts. More than 260,000 young people have participated from the program since its inception.
Signing Day at Liberty
Liberty High School is pleased to announce the college selection of ten of our standout-athletes on Wednesday, February 1st. The signing ceremony was held in the LHS Art Gallery.
The following student athletes signed their letters of intent:
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Jody Chickey - Mount St. Mary's University, JJ Hilliard - Lock Haven University, CJ Hilliard - Gwynedd-Mercy College
FOOTBALL: Stephon Font-Toomer - Wagner College, Anthony Orlando - Colgate University. Jimmy McCarthy - Moravian College, Anthony Castillo - Kutztown University
CROSS COUNTRY / TRACK: Amy Darlington - University of Pennsylvania
WRESTLING: Devon Lotito- California Polytechnic State University
SWIMMING: Courtney Desh - Lehigh University
Course Selection to Begin - A Note from Mrs. Durante
The winter break has afforded us an opportunity to rest and refocus on the New Year! We are beginning the course selection process during the entire month of January and a portion of February. Counselors will be visiting selected Social Studies classes to review the wide variety of course electives that are available at Liberty High School.
All Liberty High School students are required to earn 26.5 credits toward a Liberty High School diploma and will also need to meet PSSA proficiency requirements. Students will be recommended to their core subjects, (Mathematics, English, Social Studies, and Science) by their teachers. Guidance Counselors will assure that other requirements (Health, Physical Education, Computer Technology, and Fine and Practical Arts) are selected. All Students are expected to maintain a minimum of 8 credits per school year, therefore, students will be required to choose appropriate electives.
Elective offerings are based on demand for the course. Counselors will help students make choices and give them career recommendations, where possible. Our course catalog is posted to our website. Please review the booklet carefully. Students will also have a list of electives to share with you. Discuss these options with your children. Download the full letter from Mrs. Durante here.
LHS Students Show Off Their Artistic Talent
This weekend is the Scholastic Art Award 2012 awards ceremony at Allen High School. The exhibit of student work is at the Allentown Art Museum and Baum School of Art through February 5.
Visit this a link to an article by WFMZ and the list of our winners.
Here are the winners from Liberty:
- Zachary Gallagher, "Bruce" – Sculpture
- Joan Rivera, "Golden Dragon" – Sculpture
- Francesca Roehrenbeck, "Tubby Time" – Ceramics & Glass
- Allison Salinas, Converse Whistle" – Ceramics & Glas
- Stephanie Bonilla, Natural Beauty" – Comic Art
- Stephanie Bonilla, Scream" – Drawing
- Stephanie Bonilla, Shockwave" – Comic Art
- Angel Diaz, Dignitaries of the Present Time" – Drawing
- Angel Diaz, Facial Adjustment" – Mixed Media
- Angel Diaz, "Out of a Different Mind" – Comic Art
- Joeshua Gonzalez "Ferris Bueller" – Photography
- Joeshua Gonzalez, "Lomography" – Photography
- Tommy Rutherford, "Caballo" – Painting
Angel Diaz won the Dr. Christine Oaklander Artistic Merit Award for his piece, "Out of a Different Mind."
Massas wins 2012 MLK Oratorial Contest
Lehigh University hosted the 2012 MLK Oratorial Contest at Bethlehem City Hall, Wednesday January 11th. Six contestants from Liberty, Parkland and other Lehigh Valley schools competed for the $500 first prize. Cleo Massas, a 12th grader at Liberty, won first place at the event.
Cleo will deliver her speech again at Lehigh University's MLK Convocation on Thursday, January 19th at 4:30 pm, where Ilaysa Shabazz, daughter of Malcom X, will deliver the keynote address.
Shelton visits Fellowship of Christian Athletes
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes were visited by a special guest speaker this week, Johnny Shelton. Shelton played for the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers and currently serves as the team chaplain for Virginia Tech University. The Liberty High FCA meets every Wednesday morning at 6:45 am in room 104.
LHS 's Bednarik honored with statue at Franklin Field
"Concrete Charlie" LHS's own Chuck Bednarik was honored on November 19th, 2011 with the unveiling of a seven foot bronzed statue at Franklin Field during the halftime of the Penn-Cornell game. The Bednarik statue will become the center-piece of a proposed sports museum at Franklin Field.
Bednarik played at Franklin Field, as both a Penn Quaker and a Philadelphia Eagle.
Completing the LHS connection, the University of Pennsylvania Choir sang the Liberty Alma Mater at the unveiling while Bednarik and current Liberty football team players looked on.
To read Senior Ahmad McFarland's account, read more about Mr. Bednarik, and see more photos from the statue dedication, please click here.
