Local Teens Part of Cyber School Prom

by Jonathan Weaver

Armstrong School District students are attending prom during the next few weekends, but two local students enrolled in cyber school already attended their ‘red carpet’ event.

9^th Graders Alyssa Peters of Shelocta and Stefan Dinus of Ford City attended the Agora Cyber Charter School prom April 20 at Water’s Edge at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. More than 110 high school students attended the annual event.

Peters – who is finishing her first year with the cyber school after Elderton Jr. – Sr. High closed in June 2012 – said in an email response that she enjoyed the event.

“It was really fun. The fact that it was at the aquarium at the Pittsburgh Zoo was really neat,” Peters wrote in an email response. “I was excited to go.”

Peters ordered the dress and attended the event after being asked by Dinus and her friends.

Western Pennsylvania Agora Event Coordinator Scott Feely is one of six within the statewide school and said that he received similar responses from other students that attended. A prom in the region has been held at least during the past five years.

“It’s a unique venue and doesn’t really take a lot of decoration because of the tunnel and the sea otter tanks and everything in view. It’s unique and beautiful on the same token,” Feely said.

Five other prom events were held that weekend – additionally in Harrisburg, Allentown, Philadelphia, and Scranton. Prom was offered to 9^th-12^th grade students.

Fun events to round out the school year include trips to Idlewid and Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh, DelGrosso’s Amusement Park in Tipton (Blair County) or Waldameer Water World in Erie, Pa.

But, Feely said there are many educational field trips as well.

Yesterday, Feely was on the way back from Laurel Hill State Park in Somerset – a field trip where students studied and identified macro invertebrates.

“I think it offers a lot of social aspects, but also some hands-on learning experience. A lot of times, the parent will come to the event and stay, so sometimes it’s more in a controlled environment,” Feely said. “(Students) can select the events they want to go to.”

Students do not have to attend the events to complete their unit of study, and can even participate in virtual field trips.

A different theme is offered each month around a particular topic, such as health and wellness, reading or community service.

The last day of school for students is June 13^th, with graduation –held at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pa. – a week later. Graduates from the school statewide are invited to walk during graduation.

Statewide, Agora instructs more than 11,000 students.