The Weekly Update #4
March 31st, 2026
Junior/Senior Prom
Junior and senior students are invited to attend prom on Saturday, May 2. To be eligible, students must meet attendance and behavior requirements that were shared during mid-year grade-level meetings and through Schoology.
As of March 24, students must:
- Have no more than 3 unexcused absences
- Have no more than 6 unexcused tardies
- Not be on administrative or board probation
- Have no in-school or out-of-school suspensions
Prom tickets will be available for purchase from April 20 through April 24.
Speech and Debate Team Competes at State Tournament
The Cedar Cliff Speech and Debate team—John Hartman, Lillian Tommaselli, and Rihanna Mercado—proudly represented the school at the 2026 Pennsylvania High School Speech League (PHSSL) State Tournament, held at Bloomsburg University on March 20–21.
This prestigious event brought together hundreds of talented students from across Pennsylvania, showcasing some of the state’s top speech and debate competitors. Throughout the weekend, Cedar Cliff students demonstrated dedication, professionalism, and a strong commitment to their events while competing against a highly skilled field.
Although the team did not place this year, the experience provided valuable insight and motivation as they continue to refine their skills.
The team is proud of their efforts and is already looking ahead with excitement and determination for next year’s tournament.
CC Teacher Presents at National SHAPE Convention
Barb Ede was selected to present at the National SHAPE Convention on March 20 in Kansas City, Missouri. Her session focused on how school districts can support teacher wellness.
In addition, Barb was invited to serve on an advisory panel to help plan future SHAPE conventions—an honor that reflects her expertise and leadership in the field.
Congratulations to Barb on this outstanding achievement!
Colts Gaming Teams Compete in Spring Season
The Colts Gaming eSports team is off to a strong start in the Spring Overwatch 2 PIEA season. Both the Cedar Cliff Colts D2 team and the Red Land Patriots D1 team are currently ranked 2nd in their divisions and are in contention for the playoffs.
Led by dedicated team captains, both teams continue to work hard and compete at a high level. The regular season concludes on April 6, with playoffs to follow.
Best of luck to our teams as they push toward the postseason!
Students Attend Surgery Live at Whitaker Center
Over 50 Cedar Cliff High School students attended Surgery Live at the Whitaker Center on March 5. The event gave students the unique opportunity to observe a live gastrointestinal surgery while the surgeon explained each step of the procedure.
This experience provided a valuable, real-world learning opportunity for students interested in pursuing careers in the healthcare field.
Agriculture Secretary Visits Cedar Cliff Program
On Wednesday, March 17, Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding visited Cedar Cliff High School’s Aquaponics and Advanced Agriculture classes.
Staff from the Secretary’s office coordinated the visit to tour the program and learn more about its success and impact. The visit highlights the strength of Cedar Cliff’s agriculture curriculum and its growing recognition at the state level.
Students Compete in Brain Bee Challenge
On Saturday, February 28, Cedar Cliff freshmen Amaia Gonzalez and Diana Guk competed in the Brain Bee Challenge at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.
Amaia and Diana prepared for the competition through their Special Interest Independent Study class with Mrs. Kamps. As part of their preparation, they studied brain anatomy and read 18 chapters from a neuroscience primer published by the Society for Neuroscience.
The Brain Bee is a rigorous neuroscience competition consisting of three components: a written exam on general neuroscience knowledge, a neuroanatomy section, and a clinical portion in which students diagnose patients and interact with physicians.
During the event, students also participated in a neuroanatomy lecture featuring human specimens, followed by a hands-on practical assessment.
This experience provided a unique and in-depth look into the field of neuroscience.
Student Competes at National History Day
Sophomore Steven Martineau represented Cedar Cliff High School at the National History Day competition held at Messiah University on Saturday, February 28.
This year’s theme, Revolution, Reaction, and Reform, guided student research projects. Steven focused on the American Revolution, completing his work as a passion project through his Special Interest Independent Study course with Mrs. Kamps.
As part of his preparation, Steven conducted extensive research, developed written materials including an annotated bibliography of primary and secondary sources, and created an informative website to showcase his findings.
At the competition, Steven presented his original website and participated in a judge interview, demonstrating his knowledge and research skills.
Congratulations to Steven on this accomplishment!
VFW Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest
Cedar Cliff freshmen Makayla Morgan, Ava Anspach, and Calysta Tepsic (pictured) created original entries for the VFW Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest as part of their Special Interest passion projects in Mrs. Kamps’s class.
Each student explored the theme of patriotism through a unique artistic lens. Makayla Morgan’s pencil drawing, The Sound of Stars, highlights the role of drummer boys during the Civil War. Ava Anspach’s charcoal piece, Honor the Brave, conveys themes of grief and respect through the imagery of a battlefield cross memorial. Calysta Tepsic’s 3D clay work, Reading the Paper, reflects a love of country and the importance of active civic participation.
These projects showcase both creativity and a thoughtful understanding of patriotism.
