Newsroom

Erica Kovalik Wins Region XX Division III Cross Country Individual Championship

Congratulations to Erica Kovalik (Forest Hills) for winning the NJCAA Region XX Division III Cross Country Individual Championship at Hagerstown Community College on Saturday, October 26th. She won the championship with a time of 23:07.9.

Kovalik finished sixth among all runners which included Region XX runners from both Division I and Division III community colleges. She is the first individual Region XX champion in Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Black Bear history.

“Erica was able to peak at the right time thanks to the training she received from her father, Daniel,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities and Athletics. “Erica is an excellent example as to what is truly possible when you commit yourself to excellence.”

Kovalik will travel to Stanley Park, MA, on November 1st and 2nd to compete in the NJCAA National Cross Country Meet, hosted by Holyoke Community College.

Four Students Chosen To Represent The College In The America250 Innovation Challenge

Congratulations to Hailey Giuffre (Johnstown), Alexandra Lambrinos (Johnstown), Bret Sarlouis (Johnstown), and Richard Tavalsky (Ebensburg) for being chosen to represent Pennsylvania Highlands Community College in the regional round of the America250 Direct Effect Innovation Challenge (DEIC).

The American250 DEIC is an event where student teams from Pennsylvania colleges and universities compete to design and launch the integrated marketing campaign strategy for the America250PA initiative. The three-round competition will end with the final DEIC competition being held live on stage at the Wilkes-Barre Connect Conference, on November 19^th.

These students will travel to Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA on October 24th to compete. The campus round was held on October 3rd, where this team was chosen out of the five competing teams.

These students will compete against other college teams at the next level to design, develop, and pitch a concept that will highlight an integrated marketing strategy for the America250 PA campaign. For additional information about the America250 PA campaign, please refer to the website at www.america250pa.org.

Erica Kovalik Wins the WPCC Cross Country Title

Congratulations to Erica Kovalik (Forest Hills) for becoming the first Black Bear to win an individual Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC) cross country title in Penn Highlands’ history. She is now the 2019 WPCC 22019 Cross Country Champion!

Erica ran a 22:57:1 in less than perfect conditions. In addition to being the WPCC Champion, Erica has earned a spot on the WPCC All-Conference Team.

Erica will compete next in the NJCAA Region XX Championships in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Erica Kovalik (Forest Hills), 2019 WPCC Cross Country Champion

Annual Community Trick Or Treat Planned; Free To Public

Fall is here and Halloween is almost upon us. Penn Highlands Community College is celebrating the season with its annual, family-friendly Community Trick or Treat event, generously sponsored by Wessel & Company. It will be held on Monday, October 28th, from 5:30pm to 7pm, at the college’s Richland Campus (101 Community College Way, Johnstown).

Intended for families with children who are 12 years old and under, this event is an experience that is not easily forgotten. Faculty, staff, and students will be on-hand to give out free treats (while supplies last) and provide a unique Halloween experience to visitors.

As well as trick or treat, we will have special areas dedicated to creating Halloween crafts, intently watching a special Halloween puppet show, and experiencing our one-of-a-kind “Twisted Fairytales Haunted Hallway.” All activities considered, there is something for children of all ages to get in on the fun.

Last year, we had over 1,200 happy visitors. This year, we are prepared for that number to continue to grow as we create not only a community tradition, but also a family tradition.

We kindly ask that visitors park and enter through the East Hills Recreation entrance. Lastly, we are asking for you to leave your pets at home as pets are not permitted on our campus (service animals are allowed).

Further details can be obtained by contacting Pennsylvania Highlands Student Activities at 814.262.6463 or studentactivities@pennhighlands.edu.

Sophomore Emma Garrison Presents At Beacon Conference On The Power Of Aromatherapy

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College would like to congratulate Early Childhood Education student Emma Garrison, of Patton, on receiving a Certificate of Achievement for her paper at the Beacon Conference. The Beacon Conference accepted Emma’s paper, “The Power of Aromatherapy,” and she was able to present it during the 2019 Beacon Conference.

Emma Garrison, Early Childhood Education Student

The Beacon Conference was established by mostly Honors faculty to recognize, celebrate, and showcase the academic achievements of outstanding students at community colleges in the mid-Atlantic region. It encompasses a wide range of disciplines.

Her paper was prepared under the guidance of Penn Highlands Professor Dr. Russell Newman. The highly competitive conference drew approximately 140 submissions from students at community colleges in four states. Being chosen was a significant accomplishment for Emma.

Emma’s paper dealt with aromatherapy and its overall power, addressing the severity of antibiotic overuse and advocates the utilization of essential oils to reach an equivalent result. The paper explains that inexpensive therapeutic-grade oils, containing a variety of medicinal purposes, lack any and all potential health risks, allowing for the permanent replacement of many over-the-counter medicinal drugs.

Emma Garrison is on track to graduate with her associate degree in May 2020, as a part of the college’s 25^th graduating class. After graduating, Emma plans to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

“Public speaking has always been an intense, inexplicable fear of mine,” stated Emma Garrison. “When presented with the opportunity to challenge myself, however, I confronted my fear head-on, stepped far beyond my comfort zone, and tested my possibilities. Due to its rewarding outcome, the Beacon Conference was an amazing, beneficial experience. It’s one that I hope to be a part of again in the future.”

About The Beacon Conference
The Beacon Conference was born in 1993 when Rockland Community College (NY), with a grant from the American Association of Community Colleges and the Kellogg Foundation, and in association with Bergen Community College (NJ), Brookdale Community College (NJ), Catonsville Community College (MD), Dutchess Community College (NY), Harford Community College (MD), Kingsborough Community College (NY), Middlesex Community/Technical College (CT), Nassau Community College (NY) and Westchester Community College (NY), organized two conferences for student scholars at two-year colleges in the mid-Atlantic region. Since then, the conference has been sponsored by a coalition of participating community colleges, which take turns hosting this event each year on the first Friday of June.