Author: monique.jacobs

The FPHS Topper Store popcorn machine is back in business, thanks to some Hilltopper teamwork and very talented students.

“Our popcorn machine was in need of a cart,” said Wendy Stokna, business education teacher and work-based learning coordinator. “We had the machine, but no safe way to transport or display merchandise.

“Students from Mr. Heroth’s Tech and Design class solved that problem by designing and creating a cart for the popcorn machine. After listening to design requests, his students went to work developing the design, submitting the design for approval, and then putting the design into production,” Stokna said.

“We are now thrilled to have the machine back at the Topper Store!”

The Tech and Design students built the cart from the ground up – fabricating it from raw materials and finishing it with bright red paint. The completed, custom-designed cart holds the popcorn machine securely, can be moved easily and features fitted, on-board sliding trays and a storage cabinet for displaying the popcorn and storing supplies.

Stokna noted that Work-Based Learning students benefit from working at the Topper Store when it is open and from working on all of the behind-the-scenes activities, including making and bagging popcorn, cleaning the machine, staffing, tracking sales, keeping store records, and promoting sales.

“Thank you Mr. Heroth and Tech and Design Students – great job!”

Corporal Richards from the Fort Plain Police Department gave an engaging demonstration of his crime technician skills in Dale Smith’s and Kevin Bogus’ Forensics and Criminology class. Corporal Richards showed students how crime techs in the field lift prints off everyday items like windows, water bottles and even dust.

“The students learned it is not as easy as it looks on TV, but it is a very important duty in catching the bad guys,” Bogus said.

Congratulations to Canajoharie-Fort Plain cross country team member Olivia Schaffer, who finished third in the Class D race at the Sectional Meet in Saratoga Springs on Friday, Nov. 5, and then went on to place 13th at the Class D State Meet at Chenango Valley State Park on Saturday, Nov. 13. Olivia is a junior from Canajoharie.

Fort Plain High School Class of 2011 graduate Chelsea Koch has a lot to share with the current students of her alma mater. A microbiologist with New York State by day, she is also the author of “Creatures Most Vile,” a novel for young adults.

Chelsea, who writes under the name Chelsea Lauren, visited with students in Lisa Trembley’s English classes at Fort Plain High School on Nov. 12, including the English 11 Honors class, where she once was a student. She talked with the students about writing, publishing and what she likes to read herself, as well as sharing a bit about her background.

Chelsea talked to the morning classes, reading part of her novel to each class, and answered questions posed by the students. Four students won signed copies of her novel: Natalie Thibodeau, Bree Cassanova, Vincent Lince and Isaac Paul, and all of the students received bookmarks.

“Seeing our students succeed is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a teacher,” Trembley said. “Today, I got to share that reward with my current students when one of my talented former students came in to share her debut novel called ‘Creatures Most Vile’. Through her strong anti-hero, Anora, and through her own experiences, Chelsea encouraged the students to be true to themselves and to fight for what they want in their own lives.”

Chelsea has fond memories of her high school classes, particularly English, which prepared her well for college and beyond.

“As a former student in Mrs. Trembley’s English class, what I remember most is her enthusiasm and encouragement of creative writing,” Chelsea said. “The writing skills she taught provided a great foundation going into college English courses.”

After graduating from Fort Plain, Chelsea attended Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY, where she double-majored in biology and chemistry. Hartwick is a liberal arts college, which means students must take courses in a wide variety of subjects for a well-rounded education. Chelsea took an introduction to creative writing course for this requirement, and that is where she developed her love for writing.

Professionally, Chelsea is a food microbiologist with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, where she analyzes various food and dairy products for food-borne pathogens such as e. coli and salmonella. Her work has contributed to recalls and helps keep food on the shelves safe for consumers.

In addition to writing, Chelsea enjoys crafting and watching monster movies, the latter of which inspired her novel. She is working on a second book of “Creatures Most Vile” and a science fiction project for middle grade readers.

Chelsea lives in Fort Plain.

Fort Plain High School students and staff performed 75,776 push ups over 22 consecutive school days, completing their 22Challenge to raise awareness of veteran suicide on Nov. 10, 2021, with VFW Commander Tom Ellwood on the gym floor leading the push-up count.

Fort Plain VFW Commander Ellwood and Jr. Vice Commander Laurence Maynard visited with students in their physical education classes the day before Veterans Day for the culmination of their challenge. Twenty-two veterans die by suicide each day, thus the name 22Challenge.

Commanders Ellwood and Maynard talked to the students about the stresses on veterans, including PTSD, that can lead to suicide, and shared their own experiences in the military and as veterans. Both have lost fellow service members and veterans to suicide and are close to individuals currently struggling with PTSD. They told the students that their actions were meaningful.

“Your participation in the 22Challenge made a difference,” Ellwood told the students. “You put a smile on the faces of veterans who are dealing with PTSD.”

“I’ve lost a lot of friends to suicide and it’s not a good thing,” Maynard said.

Ellwood and Maynard also engaged the students, most of whom have service members in their families, in a conversation about opportunities in the armed forces. Maynard shared that he’s been “all over the U.S. and around the world” with the military, visiting different places and learning about different cultures.

At the end of their class period, the students were given red silk poppies by the VFW commanders in honor of fallen veterans.

Fort Plain Physical Education teachers Casey Russom and Allie Swing, along with social studies teacher Brad Niles and art teacher Geoff Snyder, led all of the school’s 7-12th grade students through the 22Challenge during October and November, and Commander Ellwood sent the students inspiring daily video clips.

“Our veterans really appreciated your participation,” Ellwood told the students and their teachers. “Hopefully we are turning the corner on veteran suicide. Thank you.”

Read Oct. 20, 2021 article

Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School’s 7th Grade Team has developed a monthly award for students who are caught “doing their job.”

According to teacher Dale Smith, “Students who most demonstrate characteristics in one or more of the following categories will receive a Most Valuable Student award for the month:

• Responsibility/accountability
• Kindness
• Academics
• Good citizenship
• School pride
• Perseverance
• Self-control
• Helpful to peers/teachers, and
• Accepting of new challenges.”

September 2021’s award winner is Faith Narzymski. October 2021’s award winner is Aubry Brant. Congratulations!

Faith Narzymski

Aubry Brant