The Weekly Update #4

Cedar Cliff is now accepting donations of formal gowns for our annual Prom Boutique. If you have a formal dress tucked away that you’re ready to part with, we would love to give it a second chance to shine.

While prom is a special and memorable night, it can also be expensive for some students. Your donation helps ensure that all students have the opportunity to enjoy this milestone event.

Donations may be dropped off at the Cedar Cliff front office. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Crager in the Counseling Office.

Thank you for helping make prom magical for everyone!

Every three years, the West Shore School District engages in a comprehensive planning process to evaluate our programs, identify priorities, and establish clear goals that guide the future of our schools. Comprehensive planning is a critical component of continuous improvement, ensuring responsible use of resources while strengthening academic opportunities and support systems for all students.

The District is currently developing its 2026-2029 Comprehensive Plan. This process includes reviewing student achievement data, assessing district needs, and gathering valuable feedback from students, families, staff, and community stakeholders. Community input plays an important role in shaping the plan and ensuring it reflects the shared priorities of our school community.

The proposed plan was presented to the Board of School Directors at its February 19, 2026, meeting. As the plan moves through review and approval, updates, presentations, and supporting documents will continue to be posted online.

Community members are encouraged to review the materials and stay engaged in the planning process by visiting:

https://www.wssd.k12.pa.us/ComprehensivePlanning.aspx

Questions, comments, or feedback may be submitted through our Contact Us page at:

www.wssd.k12.pa.us/ContactUs.aspx

Students will have the opportunity to attend the Pennsylvania Air National Guard Career Fair on Friday, March 27, at their base located at Harrisburg International Airport.

We will depart from school at approximately 9:00 a.m. and return by 2:00 p.m.

Students interested in attending can use the sign-up link provided or see Mr. Miller for additional information.

This event offers students the chance to explore career pathways and educational opportunities available through the PA Air National Guard. Representatives will share information about:

• Hands-on trade and technical training

• Tuition-free college opportunities

• The Community College of the Air Force degree program

• Competitive signing bonuses (up to $50,000 for qualifying candidates)

• Additional service benefits

Service in the Air National Guard typically involves one weekend per month and two weeks during the summer over a five-year commitment.

The Career Fair is an excellent opportunity for students to learn more and ask questions about potential future pathways.

If you are a Cedar Cliff Student in need of a prom gown, check out the Prom Boutique on March 26!

Congratulations to Cedar Cliff freshman Grace Kane on earning second place in the Etters VFW Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Competition!

With the guidance of teacher Mrs. Angela Kamps, Grace prepared and entered the competition as an enrichment project for Special Interest. She wrote and delivered an original audio essay responding to this year’s theme, “How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?”

On February 1, Grace attended the awards banquet, where she presented her speech and was recognized for her eloquent and thoughtful message. Essays were evaluated based on content, originality, and delivery.

The James A. Danner VFW Post 537 awarded Grace a second-place plaque and a $575 scholarship in recognition of her achievement.

Well done, Grace! Cedar Cliff is proud of you.

Congratulations to our Cedar Cliff students who have been recognized in the 2026 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards! Working closely with Mrs. Hyde and Mrs. Kamps, students refined and submitted their writing for this prestigious competition. We are proud to celebrate seven talented student authors who earned awards this year.

Student submissions were reviewed by a panel of creative professionals and recognized for outstanding merit in originality, technical skill, and the development of a strong personal voice and vision. The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, in partnership with Shippensburg University, presented the regional awards.

Congratulations to the following students (pictured left to right):

• Carmella Santorello – Honorable Mention, Speculative Fiction

• Dzejla Kunovac – Honorable Mention, Senior Portfolio; Gold Key, Flash Fiction

• Scarlett Gendron – Silver Key, Poetry

• Eduardo Lara Ortiz – Gold Key, Poetry

• Jadyn Arroyo – Honorable Mention, Flash Fiction; Silver Key, Critical Essay; Gold Key, Poetry

• Amelia Morgan – Honorable Mention, Novel

Missing from photo:

• Jenna Sadowski – Honorable Mention, Poetry; Silver Key, Short Story

A special congratulations to Jadyn Arroyo, Dzejla Kunovac, and Eduardo Lara Ortiz, who received Gold Key honors — the competition’s highest regional award — and will have their work advance to the national level for adjudication.

This year’s competition was highly competitive, with fewer than 10% of entries earning Silver Key recognition and only 5% receiving Gold Key awards. Since 1923, the Scholastic Awards have recognized some of the nation’s most celebrated artists and writers as teenagers, including Stephen King, Amanda Gorman, Charles White, and Andy Warhol.

We are incredibly proud to count our Cedar Cliff students among the distinguished Scholastic Art & Writing Awards honorees. Congratulations to all!

The World Affairs Council of Harrisburg honored Cedar Cliff freshman Carmella Santorello as a finalist in the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Poetry and Storytelling Competition.

Through Cedar Cliff’s Special Interest Independent Study class with Mrs. Kamps, Carmella developed an original short story inspired by this year’s theme and Dr. King’s powerful quote: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Her work reflected thoughtful engagement with the message and demonstrated both creativity and depth.

The competition invited high school and college students to submit original short stories, essays, and poems. The World Affairs Council of Harrisburg hosted the event at Harrisburg Area Community College’s Cooper Center, where distinguished local artists also performed original works and readings as part of the program.

Congratulations, Carmella, on this outstanding achievement!

This spring semester, students in our Outdoor Adventure Education classes took on the challenge of learning how to properly set up tents as part of their outdoor living skills unit. Working with 2-, 4-, and 6-person tents, students gained hands-on experience identifying tent components, selecting appropriate campsites, and practicing safe and effective setup techniques.

Throughout the process, students discovered that successful tent building requires more than just technical knowledge. Teamwork and communication proved essential — especially when assembling the larger tents. Clear roles, patience, and collaboration were key to raising each shelter efficiently.

As they worked together, students strengthened not only their outdoor preparedness but also their leadership skills and trust in one another. By the end of the unit, every group demonstrated confidence in their ability to safely and efficiently set up shelter — an essential skill for future outdoor adventures.

Cedar Cliff's Unified Bocce team and Friends Forever club put together a group of students and teachers to participate in the Cool School Polar Plunge. The event took place on Friday, February 27th at Gifford Pinchot State Park.

The Cool School Polar Plunge features teams of students and teachers who plunge into the freezing cold water in order to raise funds and awareness for the Special Olympics.

The group set out with a goal of raising $2,000 dollars to beat their amount from last year of $1,420. This group CRUSHED IT by raising $3,565 this year, earning themselves the 4th place spot on the fundraising leaderboard for the event!!

A special thanks to the Cedar Cliff Baseball team for joining in on the fun.

We cannot wait for next year to continue to be "Freezin' for a Reason"! Go Colts!

Students from Cedar Cliff High School played an important role in supporting this year’s PETE&C Conference in Hershey. Throughout the event, students provided technical assistance between concurrent sessions, tested and troubleshot equipment, and connected with partners in education in the vendor hall.

Their professionalism, technical knowledge, and willingness to assist helped ensure the conference ran smoothly for presenters and attendees alike.

Pictured below are the Cedar Cliff students who participated, along with their advisor, Mr. Matt Uibel.

The following students from Cedar Cliff High School were among those chosen as "Student of the Quarter" at Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center for the Second Marking Period of the 2025-2026 school year.

• Justin Eden
• Rachid Hafsi
• Angelica Hinojosa Santana
• Hailley Hollinger Nance
• Holden Keller
• Sydney Minsker
• Noel Pappas-Wright
• Jose Sanchez Lopez
• Kaylee Sharar
• Josie Smith
• Dimitri Xidane

West Shore Indoor Percussion has earned 1st place in each of the three competitions they have entered so far this season. Following an undefeated 2025 season — highlighted by outperforming 16 other units to win the KIDA A-Class Championship — the ensemble has continued its winning streak into the new season.

As a result of their continued success, WS Percussion has been promoted to Open Class, a significant achievement that reflects the group’s talent, dedication, and growth.

The ensemble will compete in Open Class at:

• WGI Regional – Toms River, NJ (early March)

• KIDA Championships – Chambersburg, PA (late March)

• WGI World Championships – Dayton, OH (mid-April)

Be sure to come out and support them at their home show hosted at Red Land High School on March 21.

Congratulations to WS Percussion on their recent promotion, and best of luck for the remainder of the season!

Cedar Cliff Productions invites you to join us for our spring musical, The Music Man! Bring your family and friends for a heartwarming, high-energy production that’s sure to leave you with a song in your heart and a spring in your step.

Show Dates & Times

• Thursday, March 12 – 7:00 PM
• Friday, March 13 – 7:00 PM
• Saturday, March 14 – 7:00 PM
• Sunday, March 15 – 2:00 PM

Ticket Information

Purchase tickets online at: https://www.cedarcliffproductions.com/musical-tickets

• Adult Tickets: $15.00

• Student Tickets: $10.00

• All tickets at the door: $15.00

Show Preview

It’s Independence Day, 1912, in River City, Iowa, and the arrival of a fast-talking outsider shakes the town to its core. Professor Harold Hill claims to be a traveling salesman organizing boys’ bands, using fear of a new pool table to convince townsfolk that music is the key to saving their children from moral decline.

There’s just one problem — Professor Hill is no musician. He’s a con man planning to collect the money and leave town before anyone discovers the truth. But River City is full of colorful characters and skeptics, including librarian Marian Paroo, who isn’t easily fooled. As romance blossoms and the town falls under Harold Hill’s charm, will his secret be revealed? And will River City ever get its boys’ band?

One of the most beloved musicals of Broadway’s Golden Age, The Music Man promises laughter, romance, and unforgettable music for audiences of all ages.

Know Before You Go

• The Music Man is a two-act musical with a 15-minute intermission.

• No recording or photography is permitted during the performance.

Originally debuting on Broadway in 1957, Meredith Willson’s The Music Man won the 1958 Tony Award for Best Musical and ran for 1,375 performances. It inspired a popular 1962 film adaptation, a 2003 television version, and multiple Broadway revivals — most recently starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster.

The Music Man is presented with kind permission from Music Theatre International.

For more information, please contact Business Manager Teresa Stoner at tstoner@wssd.k12.pa.us

We look forward to seeing you at the show! 🎶

It has been a thrilling conclusion to the winter sports season as our athletes showcased their talent, determination, and competitive spirit across multiple arenas.

Both our Boys and Girls Basketball teams entered the District III playoffs as #8 seeds and proved they belonged among the top contenders in a field of 16 teams. The Boys secured an impressive 6th-place finish, while the Girls finished strong in 7th place. Most importantly, both teams have officially qualified for the PIAA State Playoffs and will begin their state runs this March.

On the wrestling mats, our program celebrated tremendous success at Districts, with five competitors representing Cedar Cliff. Aiden Herndon and Kavin Muyleart each captured District Championships with 1st-place finishes, while Will White earned an outstanding 2nd-place finish. All three have qualified for the upcoming State competition. We also commend Josh Weaver and John Eisenhower for their hard work and District performances.

In addition, we wish Claire Simcox and Ava Holjes the best of luck as they represent our Co-op Red Land Wrestling team at Regionals this weekend at Manheim Central.

Congratulations are also in order for our Bocce team on a stellar season. Entering the Commonwealth Division District playoffs as the #2 seed, they competed with pride and determination. While their postseason run concluded at Districts, we are incredibly proud of their high-ranking finish and the success they achieved this year.

As our athletes prepare for State competition, be sure to follow us on Instagram @cedarcliff_ad for live updates, schedules, and results.

MARCH

Mon, Mar 2: PIAA Spring Sports Begin

Thurs, Mar 5: WSSD Band Festival

Wed, Mar 11: Musical Preview for Students

Thurs, Mar 12: Musical, 7PM

Fri, Mar 13: Musical, 7PM

Sat, Mar 14: Musical, 7PM

Sun, Mar 15: Musical, 2PM

Friday, Mar 20: No School

Mon, Mar 23: Remote Learning Day

Thurs, Mar 26: Prom Boutique

Fri, Mar 27: Q3 Ends