Author: Ivy Miller

2024 Girls Lacrosse Season

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By Izzy Shoemaker ‘26

This year, the Lady Knights have had a more prosperous season than ever. As of May 1st the Girls were sitting with a 10-1 record, only falling to Abington Heights. After losing several key players in the class of 2023, the new talent on the team has not only filled positions, but completely changed the course of the team’s path.

The young team welcomed highly talented freshmen, like Ellie Kersey ‘27. Kersey, a midfielder specializing in draw control, already has several lacrosse accolades this year. Kersey has an average of 6.33 points per game, making her the Wyoming Valley Conference’s fourth highest scorer. On the attack line, captain Sienna Popple ‘24 has also made a significant impact, on the most recent count averaging 4.67 points per game. Defensively, goalie Eva Blaum ‘25 has a total save rate of 0.524%, the fourth highest in the conference. Goalie Celeste Perry ‘24 has a save average of 0.500%, the sixth highest save rate in the conference.

The girls took home a win at their senior night on April 26 against Belefonte Area, winning 21-5. Kersey also achieved her 100th draw control. Despite Belefonte Area getting the first point on the board, the Knights rallied forthwith, obtaining a several point lead by the nd of the first quarter. Captain Abby Williams ‘24 and Laine Cabell ‘24 put up several points in the first quarter. Williams ended with 6 goals total and Cabell ended with 2 goals. This win serves as a great confidence boost for the team as they looked forward to playing Scranton Prep and Crestwood. Crestwood holds the highly contended number one ranking, with Prep at number four, right behind the SEM girls in the three spot. Ryleigh McDonell ‘26 was very excited for the Crestwood game. She said, “Crestwood’s always a great team, but this year I think we are more evenly matched and I think we have a great shot at winning.” Emma Butcher ‘26 expressed a similar sentiment, saying “I think we are having a great season, and beating Crestwood isn’t out of reach.” The girls continued to be incredibly confident, as their skills speak for themselves. The Knights are motivated to keep leading the conference and to continue elevating their program as a whole. As fans, the SEM community is incredibly excited.

Lillendahl and Blades Head to Olympics

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By Michael DeMuro ’27

In April, Luke Lilledahl ’24 and alumna Kennedy Blades ’22 were accepted to the Olympic Trials for wrestling. This prestigious honor did not go unrecognized by the Sem community. As a current student, Lilledahl’s peers had a send-off at the Sprague alleyway.

At the trial, Lilledahl placed 5th overall. When asked about his experience, Lilledahl said, “It was really fun […] being able to see players I’ve looked up to and how they prepare and wrestle.” When the Olympics return in 4 years, Lilledahl plans on trying again, and then again after that, until he reaches his goal.

Blades won first place at 76 kg in the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials. At just 20, Kennedy, a second-place finisher when she was 17 at the Olympic Team Trials in 2021, is among the youngest wrestlers on the women’s or men’s teams.

The 2024 Summer Olympic Games begin in just over two months, scheduled from July 26 through August 11. #GoBlueKnights

Sem Presents: Dance Works

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by Lily Roberti ’24

Sem Dance Company’s hard work pays off once again! Months of dedicated rehearsals culminated in the forty-third annual Dance Show over the second weekend in May. Dance Works was a result of Bernadine Vojtko’s enthusiasm and commitment and a company of twenty-two talented dancers. 

This year, alumni dancers Samantha Barcia ‘22, Brennan Twardowski ‘10, Robert Zaloga ‘20, and Jennifer Zemetro ‘22 brought their abilities back to Sem. Highlights include Robert Zaloga and Lucy Lew ‘24 as a shockingly talented duo in “Pas de Deux and Coda from Le Corsaire” and Jennifer Zemetro and Sam Barcia performing a moving duet called “Cringe.” The Sem Dance program is lucky to continue to have dancers who return year after year because they love the company so much. 

This year, the dance show brought something different to the table. The entire second act was comprised of Billy Joel songs- all performed by a live singer and band at the back of the stage. Noah Sunday-Lefkowitz ‘14 shared his phenomenal voice on our stage, and Tyler Harvey ‘13 coordinated and played saxophone in the band. Dancer Reece Fisher ‘25 says, “We’re so excited to have worked with live music this year instead of tracks. We know that the uniqueness of Noah’s performance brought many people to the show, and working with a live band is such an amazing opportunity to really feel the music as you’re dancing.” Eight senior girls and boys performed a 50’s-esque couple’s piece to Billy Joel’s “Christie Lee.” Senior athletes Michael Vodzak, Louis Michaels, Que Riggins, and Kwashaun Williams bounced between sports practice and the dance studio to allow this piece to happen. The act closed with “The Entertainer,” where all dancers returned to the stage to perform a heartwarming finale together. 

This year, six upperclassmen were given the opportunity to choreograph their own pieces. Lucy Lew ‘24, Molly Kopetchny ‘24, Lily Roberti ‘24, Kara Perzia ‘24, Abigail Lott ‘25, and Reece Fisher ‘25 shared what they’d learned since the fall in Mrs. Vojtko’s class, ‘Choreographer’s Workshop.’ Kara Perzia, who choreographed a jazz piece to Lady Gaga’s “Applause” with Lily Roberti, says, “I had so much fun with this piece! I was able to work with four talented dancers and it has been so great to watch my vision come together on stage. Creating a dance from scratch has taught me so much about what Mrs. Vojtko does and allowed me to be a part of the other side of the dance show.” All of the choreographers worked with brilliant lighting designer Jonathan Vojtko ‘11 to bring their pieces to life. 

Dance Works was a beautiful testament to the art that can be made when all different people put their talents together. Between diligent alumni, peer and outside choreographers, student athletes, skilled musicians, and, of course, Mrs. Vojtko, Sem’s forty-third annual dance performance was a massive success!