Kelly Sipes was the chorus teacher, as well as the Pickleball club and Mountain Movers adviser. Sipes’ last day at the high school was Feb. 28.
Sipes started Pickleball club because she wanted to share her love for the sport, as well as give an opportunity to students since it is becoming a popular activity.
“I got donations from a pickleball company (new and used paddles, ball hopper and a net) and friends in the Blair County Pickleball Club,” Sipes said.
Sipes teaches pickleball in her free time during the summer where she was able to gather volunteers to help her at the school.
“The volunteers helped me teach people skills at all levels: the rules of the game, different shots and strategy. We met weekly in the fall and worked well as a team,” Sipes said.
Sophomore Aaden Aveni joined the club this year after playing for fun in the summer.
“Mrs. Sipes was really impactful when helping other kids learn as well as helping me get better at it,” Aveni said. “I hope that the club continues and more kids continue to join.”
Sipes hopes the club motivated students to continue to play on their own or join a club team.
“I enjoyed teaching all levels of players and seeing people come out to try a sport for the first time,” Sipes said.
However, the club was not presented for approval and will not be continuing this spring.
The Mountain Movers is another club Sipes was the adviser for. She helped students Talen Turiano, Karinna Wolfe and Keira Mayhue begin the club three years ago when looking for an adviser.
“This was our Genius Hour project two years ago, and we thought the school needed something like this,” Turiano said. “There used to be bible studies, but with COVID it wasn’t a thing anymore.”
Turiano is the head spokesperson who leads lessons and takes on the administrative side.
“I hope that students find there is a community of like-minded people in the school and that they can be there for each other when challenges arise,” Sipes said. “The discussions that related to our everyday lives were very valuable for those involved.”
The Mountain Movers already have leaders in place to take over for this year’s seniors. Other faculty members have stepped up to help in Sipes’ absence.
“I really hope we expand because Karinna and I started it but we are leaving after this year so it will be left to Josh and Olivia Wolfe so we are hoping with them being younger, they can recruit more people,” Turiano said.
