Cocalico High School
Paige Roberts
Senior
You probably recognize this student’s face from under the shining lights of Cocalico’s stage. Paige Roberts has dedicated herself during the past four years of high school in a multitude of ways. Miss Roberts has taken part in every instrumental ensemble available, she sings in the choir, and she is a member of the Cocalico Playmakers. Through the years, Paige participated in every fall play and spring musical, served as a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, took part in Cocalico’s Model United Nations team, attended the Senator for A Day Conference, and challenged herself with an AP and Honors course load.
Paige also works part time at Fairmount Homes Retirement Community. While Paige is a well-rounded student in and out of school, she has a passion for science. This fall, Paige will be attending Shippensburg University to study biotechnology. She described her decision to study biotech by saying, “I like diseases. I grew up looking at my mom’s medical books. It’s so interesting.” Paige’s passion is rooted in her own drive and the teachers who have supported her, such as Mr. Sonnen, Mrs. Kieffer, Mr. Buck, and Mr. Kimmich to name a few. Paige’s biggest take away is that “there is no age limit to learning.” Just like many seniors at Cocalico, Paige has a bright future ahead of her.
Written by: Zoe Smith
Zoe Smith
Senior
Zoe Smith is a young woman that is hard to find because of all the activities and extracurriculars that she is involved in. Zoe does everything with a bright smile and positive attitude. She is very involved with her school work and has taken many AP classes, which she says are her favorite because they challenge her and allow her to understand concepts in a way that personally makes sense to her. Zoe also loves people and being social. She thinks that being able to learn alongside other people is quite important and is crucial to a good learning environment. She is not just social in the classroom but also stays social through her extracurricular activities as well. Zoe is involved in every band group in the high school as well as choir. She is also the co-editor for Newspaper Club and writes monthly Student Spotlight articles. She is the president of Tri-M Music Honor Society, the secretary of National Honor Society, and she is on the Quiz Bowl team. Zoe puts her best foot forward in all of these extra activities and will also continue to do so by furthering her education, studying law and becoming an environmental lawyer. Miss Smith cares a lot about the environment and continues to help out not just in the school but outside of it, volunteering at Art of Recycle in Ephrata. She absolutely loves it and spends most of her time organizing donations and helping customers. When Zoe is not doing school activities or volunteering, she enjoys playing trumpet and writing a lot as well as doing typical high school things like going to Dunkin’ with her friends. Miss Smith has worked very hard to accomplish many things in her four years, and her greatest accomplishment was being able to get in front of a full stadium every Friday night in the fall to perform with the band. It helped her become more confident, and she shared that everything makes her nervous. Zoe says she could not do it on her own and credits Mr. Trescavage and Miss Diehl with helping her become the leader she wanted to be, helping her keep deadlines, and shaping her into a better person. She also admires Mr. Irvine, Cocalico High School’s Principal, because she does not know how someone can be so positive. He inspires her every day to just keep on moving. Lastly, she expressed that a core value that has helped her get where she is today is the following: “My parents always told me all I have to be is kind. There is nothing more important than that. So, I try to be that way as much as I can.” Zoe not only lets her positive attitude radiate as she goes throughout school but also continues it throughout the community and will forever be a role model for many students. She is bound to achieve amazing things as she continues her education and strives to help out the environment.
Written by: Grace Templin
Ethan Pierce
Senior
Cocalico is full of talented musicians and actors, and Ethan Pierce is a Cocalico senior who performs with the Cocalico Playmakers in a multitude of roles. His passion for music is evident as he performs in every singing group the high school offers. Ethan also works with the elementary schools to inspire young students to have a passion for singing. In addition, he inspires high school students through the men’s group he helped create. Talented at singing as well as trumpet, Pierce served as the trumpet section leader in marching band and plays in every instrumental ensemble at Cocalico. Off campus, Ethan loves airsoft and video games. He is also a Boy Scout with Troop 60 of Reamstown. Overall, as a talented student in class and on stage, Ethan’s positive attitude precedes him in everything. College is the future for this Cocalico senior as he hopes to obtain a marketing degree while continuing his theater education and involvement. If you are interested in seeing Ethan’s last show before he graduates, catch You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown the weekend of March 15th. With everything he has accomplished, he has one piece of advice: “If you want to do something, go for it, but stick with it. You may just end up loving it.” Hopefully, we can all take a page from Ethan’s book and stick with what we love and maintain a positive outlook.
Written by: Zoe Smith
Juliana Martin
Sophomore
As one of Cocalico’s many talented musicians and actresses, Juliana Martin has gained a passion for music, theater, and media. Academics are of course a priority, but Juli has a calling for the arts. She has qualified for regional band and regional choir as a sophomore, and she studies clarinet privately. Juli takes part in all ensembles she can on her instrument and voice part, such as Cocalico’s audition choir, choralaires, and the school marching band. The music department is truly where Juli thrives, as she also serves as the Tri-M Music Honor Society Historian at Cocalico. Media Arts is another place where Juli shows her talent through Cocalico’s own TV Production classes. She also serves as her church’s children’s ministry photographer. While Juli is easily recognized by her positive attitude and contagious laugh, you might have seen her as a performer on the stage with the Cocalico Playmakers. Miss Martin is an involved and devoted student as well as a strong follower of Christ. She attends Cocalico Community Church and strives to use all of her talents to honor Him. Through and through, Juli Martin is a talented sophomore with a passion for the arts and for the relationships she has formed along the way. Cocalico is looking forward to Juli’s future and what she will do with everything she continues to toward.
Written by: Zoe Smith
Megan Rodriguez
Senior
Megan Rodriguez is a junior at Cocalico High School, and she brings her great spirit to the tennis court and the classroom here at Cocalico. She keeps herself busy by playing on the school’s tennis team and running for the track team. As a student, Megan challenges herself with an advanced course load. As a junior, she is an AP student with a love for science. Currently, she is taking AP Biology. She is also well-liked by her teachers. Outside of Cocalico, Megan holds true to her love for tennis. She plays for Cocalico and does extra training sessions outside of school. She also enjoys theater, as she loves starring in plays and musicals. At home, Megan enjoys cooking, and she sometimes brings treats into school for her classmates and her teachers. Looking towards her future, Megan is college bound, and she is planning to major in dentistry. She will continue to keep us smiling as she works toward her high goals.
Written by: Zoe Smith
Will Meckley
Senior
Will Meckley is one of the many musically inclined students at Cocalico High School. Will is a senior who has spent the past four years achieving in all facets of music. He has made county and district band festivals every year of high school while also challenging himself with AP courses. Will is also a part of every band ensemble at Cocalico. Outside of Cocalico’s walls, he is an Eagle Scout, loves to lift at the weight room, and, of course, takes private saxophone lessons, which allow him to perform outside of school as well. It is sensible that Will hopes to study Music Performance at either Carnegie Mellon or Indiana University of Pennsylvania. His love for music comes from the desire to “come up with an idea and express it in a way that isn’t words or pictures.” Will states simply, “there’s nothing like it.” Will also manages to make every room a little better with a simple play of Careless Whisper on his alto saxophone. Cocalico hopes he never stops playing his own tune.
Written by: Zoe Smith
Grace Templin
Senior
Grace Templin is an active member in her community here at Cocalico High School, and she has accomplished a lot in the past four years. Grace has participated in athletics, such as soccer and tennis, and she managed the boys volleyball team in the past. She is a proud member of the National Honor Society, the Leo Club, and is a senior writer for the Newspaper Club. Grace is a devoted student. She takes challenging classes, and Economics and the Stock Market and TV Studio are a couple of her favorites. Grace is always up to date on the latest trends and has a passion for fashion and a killer sense of style. Ms. Templin also has a talent for filmmaking and photography. Within Cocalico’s walls, Grace has inspired a lot of people and has been inspired herself. Mr. Buck, Grace’s TV Studio teacher, has taught her the importance of knowing and working towards your own goals, regardless of those who say you cannot achieve them. As well as Mr. Wolf, our Newspaper Club Advisor, who has instilled the need to give 100%, even when no one is watching because hard work does pay off. As Grace finishes her high school career this January, her future is bright. Looking to attend either Full Sail University, High Point University, or NYU, Grace will pursue a career in Media and Communications. Wherever her path leads, it will be successful, and she can always find her way home to Cocalico.
Written by: Zoe Smith
Cara DiCiano
Senior
Cara DiCiano is a student who lights up a room with her laugh and stunning personality. Cara is known not just for her personality but her tennis skills as she is number one for the girls tennis team this year. She is a senior captain, an inspiration to her teammates, and has a hardworking attitude that has most people saying what a role model she is. Cara is not just a star on the courts; she works hard at school too. As a Senior at Cocalico High School, Cara has challenged herself by including Anatomy, a notoriously difficult class, in her schedule for her second semester. When asked what she likes most about school, she responded, “I always struggled with school, but I like pushing myself and working hard so I can prepare myself for college.” Cara is not afraid to push her limits to make herself a better, more well-rounded person and athlete. Along with tennis, Cara plays on the girls lacrosse team. In her free time, Cara often enjoys working out and playing tennis as well as being with her friends and family. She plans on going to Harcum College to become an occupational therapy assistant to continue challenging herself as she pursues her dreams. Outside of school, Cara also is involved in LEFC church in Lititz, where she helps in the nursery every other week. She is influenced by the people around her and is greatly inspired by her older sister, Abby. Cara is a well-rounded individual with a sparkling personality, big smile, and amazing work ethic.
Written by: Grace Templin