BUSINESS-EDUCATION-COMMUNITY PROGRAM
Transports Guests to “A Global Village”
Students who presented at the Business-Education-Community Program November 22, 2017 included, from
left to right: Mason Vandermer, Daimon Kato, Austin Kellar, Abigail Raymond, Courtney Smith, Diego De la
Fuente Durán, Haley Arbore, Hedda Kristiansen, Collin Stover, and Timo Saarlo.
Norwin School District celebrated American Education
Week by hosting the seventh-annual Business-Education-
Community Program, which shines a spotlight on student
achievement and brings representatives of the greater
Norwin community into the school setting.
This year’s program theme was “A Global Village,” and it
featured students who have taken international trips or
who study French, Spanish, German, and Japanese. Three
exchange students from other countries also spoke. The
program was held Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at
Norwin High School.
The Norwin String Ensemble and Norwin Show Choir
provided entertainment. This year, approximately 120
people attended representing leaders in the local business,
education, and government sectors. School Board President
Mr. Robert Perkins and School Board Member Mr. Dennis
Rittenhouse also attended. Mr. Rittenhouse serves as
President of the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit Board of
Directors.
Masters of Ceremonies for the event included High
School students Mr. Diego De la Fuente Durán, a recent
president of the French Club, and Mr. Collin Stover, a
student of German through the College in High School
program.
Several students spoke publicly about their educational
experiences and future goals, with many sharing videos or
slideshows from international trips or their home countries.
These students included:
• Ms. Haley Arbore, who spoke about her study
abroad experience in Berlin, Germany;
• Mr. Diego De la Fuente Durán, who spoke about his
study abroad experience in Bordeaux, France;
• Mr. Daimon Kato, an exchange student who spoke
about his home of Kyoto, Japan;
• Mr. Austin Kellar, who spoke about his study abroad
experience in Japan;
• Ms. Hedda Kristiansen, an exchange student who
spoke about her home island of Vardø, Norway;
• Ms. Abigail Raymond, who spoke about the
Hahntown Elementary School World Languages
Internship Program;
• Mr. Timo Saarlo, an exchange student who spoke
about his home country of Finland;
• Ms. Courtney Smith, who spoke about the Norwin
trip to Spain led by Mrs. Llerena; and
• Mr. Mason Vandermer, who spoke about the Norwin
trip to Japan led by Mrs. Hiroko Maekawa.
The extra efforts of two Norwin High School
teachers made this year’s program possible. They were
Mrs. Danielle Llerena, Chair of the World Languages
Department, and Mrs. Ulrike Sauer-Voigt, German
teacher.
American Education Week presents all Americans with
an opportunity to celebrate public education and honor
individuals who are making a difference in ensuring that
every child receives a quality education.
NORWIN
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SPRING 2018
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