about us
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OUR MISSION
The purpose of the Susquenita Blackhawk Foundation is to support the educational and extracurricular activities in the Susquenita Schools through financial and in-kind resources. The Corporation is formed exclusively for charitable, religious, educational and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code. BYLAWS bylaws_of_the_blackhawk_foundation.pdf |
WHAT WE DO
The foundation:
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our board of directors
Kellas Wechsler
Kellas Wechsler is the mother of three children that attend Susquenita. She coaches girls' soccer at Susquenita at the MS and HS level and this will be her 7th year in that capacity. Additionally, she coaches and teaches and is president of the local travel soccer club, Hawkrock. 2020-21 will be the fourth year she has been a substitute for the District. She earned her bachelor's degree and played soccer at IUP. 
Racheal Byerly Engle
Racheal Engle is a 2000 graduate of Susquenita and has been employed by Susquenita since 2005. She teaches our youngest students to love and enjoy learning at Susquenita. She and her husband live in New Buffalo with their 3 children, 2 dogs, 3 cats, and lots of ducks! All three children attend Susquenita and enjoy many of their extra activities that the school provides. Joining the Susquenita Blackhawk Foundation is one more way to help our hawks SOAR! 
Stacy Brackbill
Stacy (Upperman) Brackbill grew-up in one of Central Pennsylvania's most beautiful agricultural areas, Duncannon's Kinkora Cove. Stacy and her husband, Chris are 1997 Susquenita alumni. They reside in Lewisberry on a small farm with their daughter, Sydney and have two dogs - Sunny & Wilson and seven cats - MJ, Preshy, Puck, Lina, Sva, Milkyway, & Bogey. Stacy started her career in 1998 with Berg Electronics/FCI, now Aphenol, A Fortune 500 company and one of the largest manufacturers of interconnect products in the world. She is a third-generation employee and has spent the last 20-years building her technical career. She is the IT Manger and is responsible for Aphenol's Etters facility. She brings an extensive range of technical experience to Susquenita's Blackhawk Foundation. Additionally, she is a First-Responder, Vice President of the Amphenol Valley Green employee association and enjoys supporting local animal rescues. Stacy is honored to support the Susquenita Blackhawk Foundation and proud to be paying it forward to her high school alma mater. Blackhawk pride! 
Dr. Jon Fox
Dr. Jon Fox became the Susquenita Superintendent in July of 2021. Previously, he was at Ridgeway, East Pennsboro, Central Dauphin, Dauphin County Technical School. and Bermudian Springs. Educationally, he has matriculated at Clarion, Duquesne, Shippensburg, Edinboro and Northcentral University. One of his hobbies is running and in the inaugural Susquenita Blackhawk Foundation Veterans Day run he finished fifth overall. He is married with two children. Jon looks forward to lifting hawks to soar. |
Harriet Magee
Harriet Magee is a member of the class of 1955, the first class to graduate from the current high school building. In 1978, she returned to her alma later as a school nurse and eventually became head of the high school gifted program. She retired in 2000. Harriet is the foremost authority on all things Susquenita. Later generations of Blackhawks have dubbed her "The Susquenita Lady." 
Dr. John C. Rubisch
Dr. John C. Rubisch was a counselor at Susquenita High School from 1986-2018. In the 2010's he sponsored the "Susquenita Remembers..." project which annually collected photos form a different decade of the schools existence for display in the high school. From 1998-2018, he coached the SHS Model UN team which won at least one award every year it competed. He is a member of the Susquenita School Board. In 2015, he produced the movie "Hawks Soar! The History of Susquenita High School as told by Harriet Berrier Magee" which can be viewed on Youtube as "Susquenita-The Movie." 
Stephanie Dorman
Stephanie Dorman is a 2000 graduate of Susquenita and continues to be involved with the school today. She became a school board member in 2017 and has helped to start the Susquenita Blackhawks Foundation. Her three children attend Susquenita Schools and she is involved in their educational and actives in every aspect. When not involved with her children's activities, she's a program director for a national non-profit, National Energy Foundation. Her job is to teach energy safety and efficiency to students and their families across the county, adhering to national and state standards. 
Donald Failor
Donald N. Failor is the face of the “new” Doyle Hotel working as the bar and restaurant manager, where he collaborates with his father who owns the building and brother who is the executive chef. While his family has roots in the Harrisburg area, Donald relocated to Duncannon from Jacksonville Beach, Florida, where he has maintained a second home and worked previously in the hospitality sector. Weather permitting, he’s easily recognizable around town wearing island shirts and flip flops seven days a week, and is perhaps Perry County’s only Jacksonville Jaguars fan! He has thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the residents of his adopted hometown, and deeply appreciates the support the Duncannon community has shown to the Doyle Hotel! |
Terry Engdahl
Terry Engdahl is a resident of Rye Township since 1995. He is married to Sharon Cole Engdahl. Sharon’s daughters Sandra and Audrey are graduates of Susquenita as well as Terry’s son Christian. Terry graduated from Penn State with a degree in Journalism and holds a Master’s degree in Public Relations from Boston University. He served two years in the U.S. Army following college. Early career work included reporting and editing for several newspapers and then sports information and public relations positions with Eastern Michigan University, Juniata College and Boston University. He served 27 years as Director of Development for Penn State York Campus prior to his retirement. Terry has also done consulting work in development for the Yeshiva Foundation in Harrisburg and for the New Birth of Freedom Boy Scouts Council. His current volunteer work is associated with The Mental Wellness Awareness Association (2012) and the American Mental Wellness Association (2016), non-profit organizations founded by Sharon. 
Jennifer Turner Long
Jennifer Turner Long is a long-time resident of Marysville Borough. She and her husband Kevin have a daughter Olivia, who is a sophomore at Susquenita High School. Jennifer graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in English and Women’s Studies, and hold’s a Master’s degree in Education from Miami University. She has worked in higher education, and the IT industry in relation to senior living, health care, and advocacy. In 2004 she started The Studio, a dance studio in the Summerdale Plaza in Enola. She finds great joy in her work and has taught numerous Susquenita students through the years. She is a member of Market Square Presbyterian Church where she is a deacon, active with the Ecology Action Committee, and their community outreach efforts. Jennifer was an active member of the PTO at Susquenita Elementary, has choreographed and assisted with SHS musicals, and enjoys continuing to help serve our students. 
Chester Holmes
Chester Holmes assumed the position of Assistant to the Superintendent for Finance and Operations in March of 2023 after having practiced as a CPA in various finance, tax, and consulting positions. Mr. Holmes’ previous professional experience in education included classroom teacher, assistant principal and principal in Pennsylvania Public Schools. Educationally, he has a B.S. in Business Administration, with undergraduate degrees from Bloomsburg University and Lycoming College, and an M.Ed. in Leadership & Policy from Bucknell University. Favorite pastime activities include golf, live sporting events, and family travel. He is married with three daughters. |
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