Sun Valley High seniors honor faculty with classroom visits

Fifteen seniors on the Sun Valley High School cheerleading squad walked through the halls of the Aston, Pennsylvania, campus on Wednesday morning. The students moved from classroom to classroom to personally thank the teachers and staff members who influenced their high school careers.

Kiara Jones, 17, visited her personal finance teacher, Kate Bigelow. Jones presented Bigelow with a shirt and a golden ticket to the school's Friday football game, which marks senior night. The gift prompted applause from the students in the room. Jones described Bigelow as a dedicated instructor who ensures every student understands the material.

Abigail Falcone, also a senior, became emotional while thanking teacher Joseph Kochersperger. Falcone said she visits Kochersperger before homeroom daily. Kochersperger noted that he has watched Falcone develop from a shy freshman into a confident student. He stated that her growth represents a meaningful difference in his teaching career.

Maddie Starinieri, another teacher honored during the visits, said the gesture improved her difficult week. Starinieri called the experience touching. The students also recognized Joseph Burch, the head custodian. Senior Jack Abate surprised Burch with a tribute, referring to him as the best custodian ever. Burch expressed that he was honored by the recognition.

The tribute event followed a similar initiative by the Sun Valley football team. On October 7, the football players distributed jerseys to teachers. The cheerleading squad's visit on Wednesday added to the school's tradition of acknowledging staff contributions during the senior year.

Kate Bigelow described the event as a reminder of the effort required in teaching. She noted that while the job involves hard work, the interactions with students bring joy. The fifteen cheerleaders completed their rounds as graduation approaches for the class.

The recognition events at Sun Valley High School involve both athletic teams honoring staff members. The cheerleading squad's Wednesday visit focused on personal connections formed during the four-year high school experience.