Uniontown students take advantage of unique community, deer season

When Uniontown Area High School students are learning about the cardiovascular system in their anatomy classes, its not practical to actually handle and see a human heart. But thanks to the unique combination of hunting and education in the community, teachers have found a way for students to have a tangible learning experience.

For several years, students in Dario Pic Piccolomini and Pam Gadds anatomy classes at the senior high school have dissected locally donated, white-tailed deer hearts, in addition to their regular curriculum.

Since we have so many deer hunters that attend Uniontown, we thought this would be a great idea. Even some of our teachers donate, said Piccolomini.

Each year, the teachers advertise to the students and staff that theyre accepting frozen deer hearts that are intact and from legal kills.

Though the students also dissect cats during the semester, the deer heart is an added bonus.

Our administration has been very open minded and understanding of any of our classroom needs within our biology and anatomy classes, said Piccolomini.

We take our anatomy classes seriously at Uniontown High School, with many present students preparing to move into the medical field after graduation, he continued. We have been fortunate to have many of our former bright and hardworking students become successful nurses, physical therapists and physician assistants.

One high school senior chose to take Piccolominis anatomy class because of his interest in physical therapy. Jon Clark, 17, also donated the first heart for the classs dissection. Clark shot an eight-point buck on the second day of deer season in New Salem.

I think its cool that we get the opportunity to do this and see a heart up close, said Clark. You can only understand so much when youre reading a book. This really helps us learn.

One of Jons classmates also brought in three deer hearts. Miranda Shellgren, 16, of Confluence donated a heart from one she harvested this season, as well as two others from her father and friend.

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Uniontown students take advantage of unique community, deer season