Tradition, pride, and spirit are embedded in everyone at Schuylkill Valley High School (SVHS); these characteristics are especially prevalent during Homecoming Week.
This year, Pajama Day kicked off the week. Following Pajama Day was Tie-Dye Tuesday, Red and Black Wednesday, Hawaiian Thursday, and on the day of the pep rally and Homecoming game, Pink Friday.
On Wednesday an assembly was held to announce the Spirit King Winner, Rhett Robinson, and to allow the Homecoming Queen candidates answer three questions in front of the school. The Spirit King is decided by the candidate who has the most positive money by the end of a grueling game of Penny Wars. Students leave coins (positive money) and paper bills (negative money) in each candidate’s bucket over a series of days. Each candidate had previously chosen a charity and the Spirit King Winner is given the total money collected from Penny Wars to donate to his charity.
Spirit King, Rhett Robinson, donated the fourth highest total in Penny War history to the tune of $1,061.84 to March of Dimes.
The annual pep rally, led by the Spirit King, consisted of marching band performances, routines from the cheerleaders, and a relay in which students from each fall sport competed against each other.
The Queen, Cailynn Chase, was announced Friday at Halftime of the Homecoming Football Game in which the Schuylkill Valley High School Football team faced the Wyomissing Spartans.
The following day, Saturday Oct. 24, SVHS held its third annual class induction known as the Pride of Schuylkill Valley. All inductees were chosen because of their dedication to SV and/or their outstanding accomplishments and will be immortalized on SV’s Wall of Fame. The Class of 2015 inductees consist of Mr. Lee Potteiger, Mr. Robert “Bob” Jones, Mr. LeRoy Seip, Mr. Wayne Huey, Mr. Stuart (Stu) Reese, and Mr. Toby Lentz.
Mr. Potteiger graduated from Ontelaunee Vocational School in 1941. He received a degree in both Accounting 1 and 2 from McCann School of Business and served in World War. Potteiger’s military service resulted in a good conduct medal, 6 Bronze Stars and 1 Bronze Arrowhead.
Mr. Jones graduated from Penn State University with a B.S. and M. Ed. University of Virginia. Jones was an active volunteer at Schuylkill Valley High School for over 40 years. Also a participant in local functions, Jones had several titles throughout Leesport such as a Co-Chairman of the Bicentennial and Sesquicentennial Celebrations and one of the three founders of the Leesport Lock House Foundation. He also served proudly in the United States Army.
Mr. Seip graduated from Ontelaunee High School in 1951 and earned a B.S. in Kutztown University. He taught Social Studies for 36 years at Muhlenberg High School and is known for his perfect attendance. A member of the Muhlenberg High School Hall of Fame and Berks County Chapter Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Jones served multiple authoritarian roles such as a coach and member of the Schuylkill Valley School District Board of School Directors.
Mr. Huey graduated from Schuylkill Valley High School in 1962 and earned a B.S. at Pennsylvania State University. Huey has two State Track & Field Championships. He chaired the United Way fund drive for Lehigh County and co-chaired a fundraising effort to build a new medical pavilion for Paoli Hospital. Huey serves on the Board of Directors for Royal Bank America and the Paoli Hospital Foundation.
Mr. Reese is Valedictorian of the Class of 1973 for Schuylkill Valley High School. He earned a B.S. in Gettysburg College and MBA at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business. Reese graduated with High Distinction and was named an Edward Tuck Scholar at Dartmouth. He is a Chairman and CEO of the MassMutual Financial Group. Reese also serves on several boards such as the board of The Appalachian Mountain Club and Boards of Leucadia.
Mr. Lentz graduated from Schuylkill Valley High School in 1995 and earned a B.S. in the United States Naval Academy and M.S. from Georgia Institute of Technology. Lentz served 4 tours on the USS Maine (SSBN-741) as the Chemistry and Radiological Controls Assistant and Tactical Systems Officer. He also served as several other positions and currently serves as Engineering Manager for Stellar Energy Americas, Inc.
Each inductee was honored after being presented in the ceremony with a plaque that states his name and a few achievements. The plaques will be hung in the lobby in Schuylkill Valley High School next to other members of the Hall of Fame recognize in previous years.
Olivia Roth ’17 and Bethany Schlott ’17 are students at Schuylkill Valley High School. They are members of the Schuylkill Valley “Pantherette.”
