Warwick townlively.com
DECEMBER 18, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXV • NO 41
Nolan Rucci listened to his head, followed his heart to Happy Valley BY JEFF FALK
It may be too early to tell; the jury may indeed still be out. But it’s beginning to seem that Nolan Rucci’s move to Penn
State may have put him in the best position to realize success. A graduate of Warwick High School, Rucci is a junior offensive lineman on the Nittany Lion football squad who transferred See Nolan Rucci pg 2
Members of the Warwick field hockey team celebrate their Class AA state championship.
PIAA title topped Warriors’ list of fall achievements BY JEFF FALK
“You have to play for each other, and you have to play as a team.” On that particular Nov. 15 afternoon, Warwick raced out to a 2-0 first-quarter lead, and four different Warriors - Bree Zoccolo, Taylor Hess, Kenzie Ellis and Calli Martin - tallied markers. Warwick concluded its campaign with an overall record of 27-2.
“In the state championship game, we played well,” said Stief. “We did what we needed to do. We finished well.” “I think (a state championship) is the pinnacle,” Stief added. “There is nothing after that. We finished the season sixth nationally. It’s the highest competition we have. It’s pretty sweet to win it all.” On its journey, Warwick captured the Lancaster-Lebanon Section One championship, dropped a 1-0 decision to rival Manheim Township in the Lancaster-Lebanon League title tilt and wore the District Three Class AA crown. With junior Zoccolo, an Ohio State commit; Karys Craver; and Hess providing the offense and Taryn Toburen minding the net, the Warriors outscored their
EPAC transforms lively community into thriving one BY JEFF FALK
Art and culture provide an escape, they introduce new ideas, and they enhance lives. The Ephrata Performing Arts Center (EPAC) plays an important, but sometimes undervalued, role in our community. “Art, and specifically live performing art, is something that brings people together,” said Zach Haines, who’s been EPAC’s media director for seven years. “When you’re in performing arts, it gives you something to
think about. It’s a great way to think about topics in different ways. Art extends to an audience, and that audience shares things with (other) people. I think that’s such an important message in today’s society.” Located at 320 Cocalico St., Ephrata, EPAC has a long tradition of providing quality theater and entertainment to audiences and giving local performers opportunities to hone their skills and share their talents. Physically, EPAC is an intimate space featuring a three-quarter
See State champions pg 4
See EPAC pg 3
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Inspire Their Journey
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or many, a state championship is the pinnacle of high school athletics. Others define success in less tangible ways. The Warwick field hockey team enjoyed a very successful fall season, both on and off the field of play. “Absolutely, it was a successful season,” said Warwick head coach Ron Stief. “Success isn’t just your final win-loss record. It’s about who your kids are. Are they growing? Are they developing? The answer to all of those questions is a resounding yes.” It’s been nearly a month since that fateful Saturday in the middle of November when the Warriors dominated Northern
York 4-0 at Cumberland Valley High School’s Chapman Field in Mechanicsburg to earn a PIAA Class AA title. It’s given Warwick time to reflect on its accomplishments, a practice that almost always produces perspective.
Nolan Rucci (number 72) gets set at the line of scrimmage during a Penn State game against UCLA earlier this season.