I want to welcome you all on behalf of the staff, faculty, and administration of Pen Argyl Area High School to the Pen Argyl Area High School website. As a former Social Studies teacher and now Principal at Pen Argyl Area High School, I will be unyielding in my dedication to upholding the high standards of scholarship, leadership, and service that have been established by so many generations of success. Since 2013, it has been the honor of my lifetime to be a part of Pen Argyl Area High School and Pen Argyl School District. Working with the students, families, and community of the district has rewarded me more than I ever thought possible. Furthermore, I consider myself most fortunate to engage with the traditions and history of Pen Argyl Area High School daily. PAAHS may be just a small school nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, but the impact it has on the lives of students and alumni is immeasurable.
My favorite thing about Pen Argyl is the value the community and District place on dedication, hard work, and maintaining the traditional historical cornerstones that have made this area such a wonderful place. There is an overwhelming sense of pride and togetherness that is noticeable to anyone who enters and it is a place where teamwork and togetherness abound. There is a quote from my favorite musician (Bruce Springsteen) in his song "Long Walk Home" that always reminds me of Pen Argyl. In it, a son remembers the words of his father about the town they grew up in:
"My father said, 'Son, we're lucky in this town,
It's a beautiful place to be born.
It just wraps its arms around you,
Nobody crowds you and nobody goes it alone.'"
I have felt this way since I began at Pen Argyl. I was always given the space and trust to hone my craft, but whenever I needed help, the school, District, and community always responded in droves. Indeed, it is a special place.
For more than a decade I have been fortunate that I have been able to share my experiences at Pen Argyl with my wife Veronica, and our daughters Rowan, Lexington, and Remi. You will often find us attending one of the many Pen Argyl athletic events throughout the week or busy at home taking care of our English Mastiff, Oliver, and our cats Wilbur, Hemingway, Princess, Mufasa, Lenny, and Popeye.
I grew up in Whitehall and am a 2003 graduate of Whitehall-Coplay High School and of Moravian University with a Bachelor of Arts in History (Class of 2007) and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. I also have a Master of Arts in American Studies from Lehigh University.
If you need to get in contact with me, please do not hesitate to reach out to me via email or by calling our main office at 610.863.1293.
As always, we at PAAHS are "guided and united in character" and stand ready to serve the students, families, and communities of Pen Argyl.
Nolan Gerencser
Principal, Pen Argyl Area High School