An evening of intergenerational cheer was on tap at Fellowship Community, Whitehall, Aug. 10. Whitehall High School football players and cheerleaders met residents of the senior living facility in a celebratory pep rally to kick off the season.

Kim Csek, activity director, and Kelly Gould, vice president of marketing and development, both at Fellowship, said they were pleased this event was taking place for the second year in a row. The residents love the enthusiasm of the players and cheerleaders. Many of the residents were WHS grads themselves.

The football players and cheerleaders made an entrance into the activity room with loud raucous cheering from the residents. The cheerleaders proceeded with a routine, and many football players spoke about their love of the team and their future goals.

The residents had a chance to ask questions of the players. Ethan Guzenski, offensive tackle, was asked his height. He responded 6 feet, 6 inches - with cleats 6 feet, 7 inches - to an amused audience. He said he has scholarship offers to Alvernia University and Albright College and hopes to continue to play football in college.

Team captain Kaden Weaver, a tight end, related he and the team are very happy to come to talk to the residents of Fellowship Community. He said the team respects the residents’ life accomplishments and learns very much from them. He believes their team has a close-knit group with good attitudes; they would not miss this event.

Csek related that last year the players and cheerleaders came back at Christmastime to make a second visit and deliver Christmas presents. She fully anticipates that to be the case again this year.

First-year head football coach Andy Marino said he is proud of his players and their attitude. He knows this gives them appreciation and perspective regarding the stages of life. Andy spent 13 years coaching college but wanted a more settled life, so he and his wife are now in the Lehigh Valley. He said he is very happy to be in this coaching position. It was evident Marino is proud of the players and cheerleaders.

Several Fellowship residents who are WHS graduates and employees were present. Karen Moyer, a 1988 graduate of WHS, said she loves the school. She was in the concert choir and loved her English teachers. She is especially fond of her home economics teacher, Mrs. Kurtz. She attended then-Lehigh County Community College for occupational therapy. She has been a resident of Whitehall most of her life and said she was very happy to see the team and cheerleaders come out for some fun.

Elizabeth Hess, a cafeteria worker for 25 years before retiring, stated she has a lifetime membership to all WHS games, concerts and events. She was given this in appreciation for her long service to the Whitehall-Coplay School District. She said she was well known for the “yummy” peanut butter squares served at the school. Her son also taught history in the district. She is just short of 100 years old but full of spirit and energized by these young people’s presence.

Evan Burian was a sports writer for 20 years. He is well aware of the WHS sports programs and enjoys speaking about his experiences. He loves to talk to young people about sports, and the players and cheerleaders were focused on his stories he regaled them with.

Csek and Gould, along with Allison Lockard, activity assistant, said they were pleased with how the event turned out.

Refreshments were served after the pep rally, and more conversation ensued.