Blue Ridge
Conner Sauer, a fourth- grade student, came to the rescue of another student during lunch.
Conner’s classmate was choking, and Conner immediately responded by doing the Heimlich maneuver, which he said he learned from the school nurse.
“She’s my friend, and friends help other friends,” Conner said.
Conner hopes his choice to act will inspire other students to choose to do the right thing.
— AUTUMN GRANZA
agranza@timesshamrock.com
Carbondale Area
Peter Saad was one of seven students to compete in the Kane Competition at the University of Scranton.
“There was a paper friction test where you intertwine two notebooks and test the friction between the pages in the notebooks. I thought that was cool because it was really hard to pull the notebooks apart,” he said.
The competition on April 15 was organized by the university’s physics department. The students competed against other schools to increase their awareness of practical applications that physics teaches.
Peter and his team took a written test, used a circuit board, participated in a balloon momentum activity and played a “Jeopardy!” game.
“It was fun to see these principles we worked on in class actually applied in such an enjoyable way,” said Peter.
Joseph Borosky, physics teacher at Carbondale Area, advised the team.
Members of the team included Cody Calabro, Matt Allison, Sarah Vadella, Molly Salitsky, Tyler Deue and Nick Pugliese.
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter.
Delaware Valley
Senior Hannah Matthews is the epitome of a well-rounded student.
She is a member of lacrosse, peer buddies, student council, Future Business Leaders of America, engineering club and Mu Alpha Theta. Hannah also serves as class treasurer, president of the National Honor Society and is involved in peer tutoring. Her involvement goes beyond the classroom, volunteering with Special Olympics and Country Ark Farm, as well as being a member of her church choir.
She plans on furthering her education at College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts, where she plans on majoring in biology.
“I am looking forward to an educative and illuminating secondary education that will begin my journey of mastering the knowledge and techniques necessary to be skilled in the medical sciences and to secure a position in the medical field. I hope to use these gained skills to better the lives of others, whether it be by physically improving the lives of those in need or simply by inspiring a sense of hope and enlightenment, ” Hannah said.
— LISA ZACCAGNINO
lzaccagnino
@timesshamrock.com
Dunmore
Students enrolled in the French program at the high school participated in the National French Contest. Nine Dunmore students earned medals at the national level in the contest conducted by the American Association of Teachers of French.
Freshman Gia Occhipinti, 15, earned first place for her division in the region and placed fifth on the national level, earning a gold medal. She and the other winners were honored at an awards ceremony.
“Placing first in the region was incredibly rewarding because I take pride in studying and hard work. I am thrilled that I was able to accomplish this while representing Dunmore High School,” Gia said.
Foreign languages allow people to feel connected to the rest of the world while being in a classroom, Gia said.
“Learning a foreign language is a great way to challenge yourself, to test your memory and to make correlations between someone else’s culture and your own,” she said.
— SARAH HOFIUS HALL
shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter
Forest City
Regional
Junior Mikaylah Rutledge is a member of Envirothon at school. “It is a club in our school in which kids who are interested in the environment and wildlife can sign up for. We talk about five aspects of the environment: wildlife, aquatics, forestry, current events or a current issue and soils. We prepare for it all year long for as much as we can because we don’t have an elective course at school. Each year, we compete against a few other schools in Susquehanna County on those five subjects. This year it was May 5 at Elk Mountain Ski Resort,” she said. Mikaylah added, “Because we don’t have the elective that other schools have, we are sometimes able to get wildlife conservation officer Ben Rebuck to come in the morning and he spends time trying to teach us the things we need to know.”
In addition to Envirothon, she is treasurer of FBLA, a member of the prom committee and parlimentarian of the National Honor Society
Mikaylah works at the Red Schoolhouse restaurant in Pleasant Mount and Koberlein in Honesdale.
She hopes to major in biochemistry or pre-med and eventually become an OB-GYN or have some kind of family practice.
— LISA ZACCAGNINO
lzaccagnino
@timesshamrock.com
Holy Cross High School
Freshman Geanna Cusmano participated in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 9 Chorus Festival at Marywood University.
Students were selected based on merit, and throughout the event, students from different schools came together to rehearse and prepare music for a concert.
Geanna said the experience was “one like no other.” At Holy Cross, Geanna also participates in track and field.
— SARAH HOFIUS HALL
shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter
Lackawanna Trail
This summer Emily Herron and Lilly Martin will study abroad as part of the Rotary International Exchange Program.
Although the country they will visit has not been decided, both students hope to be selected to live in France. Interacting with students from Belgium, Brazil and Taiwan influenced both Emily and Lilly to want to study abroad.
During the Youth Exchange study-abroad program, which is hosted by local Rotary Clubs, students can spend a few weeks to a full year internationally.
Emily and Lilly are both members of Lacakwanna Trail Interact Club, the student division of Rotary International. In return, they will host an exchange student in Northeast Pennsylvania.
Lilly always wanted to travel and looks forward to learning a new culture. Emily is also interested in immersing herself in a different culture to learn how other students live and socialize. Both students are excited to meet new people.
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter.
Lakeland
Abigail Davis participated in Chorusfest at Marywood University.
“It was a lot of fun to sing in such a big concert hall with so many other kids,” said Abigail.
Abigail, a fourth-grader, was one of five students escorted to the festival by Alissa Swarts, music teacher.
“I’m proud of the hard work our students poured into their music,” said Mrs. Swarts. “It was a joy to see them perform in a larger ensemble.”
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter.
Mid Valley
Seventh-grader Emma Yusavage uses her leadership qualities in student council.
Emma joined the club to help make fun changes around the school.
Student council is an excellent way to learn leadership qualities, she said.
Her favorite part is organizing events for her fellow classmates, including planning and running the middle school lock-in. She called for donations, food and drinks and organizing games. Emma also volunteered at the Dickson City Christmas party and other middle school events this year.
Emma enjoys softball and basketball.
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter.
Mountain View
Senior Johnathan Wiggins participates in the Youth Apprenticeship Program.
Johnathan has been volunteering at Gesinger Community Medical Center since he was 13 and decided to incorporate volunteering into his curriculum. As part of Youth Apprenticeship Program, every Tuesday, Johnathan spends time at GCMC, where he works as a junior volunteer.
While at the hospital, Johnathan rotates between helping with clinics, where he restocks individual rooms with necessities; labs, where he checks patients in and runs specimens to the main lab; and administration, where he helps any way he can.
“(Volunteering) offers me the opportunity to work with people I normally wouldn’t get to work with,” he said.
At school, Johnathan is a member of chorus and drama club.
After graduation, he plans to attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.
— AUTUMN GRANZA
agranza@timesshamrock.com
North Pocono
Senior Alea Troup has been a member of student council since middle school.
Alea, an executive officer for student council, has maintained high honors and is an active member of the National Honor Society.
The daughter of Maureen and Todd Troup, Alea is a member of SADD, TATU and Red Cross since ninth grade. She played varsity volleyball during high school.
Alea works at Tasty Swirl and dances at Arabesque Academy of Dancing. Alea has danced since she was 3.
After high school, she plans to attend Penn State University Park and major in education.
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter.
Old Forge
Senior Steven Farber is the Leo Club’s Leo of the Year.
“I was very surprised I won it,” Steven said.
As part of the Leo Club, Steven participates in many community service activities and also has gone on trips with the group.
Steven is also a member of the science and math club, drama club and football team, and had a role in the school’s production of “Cinderella.” He plans to pursue a career as a nurse.
— SARAH HOFIUS HALL
shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter
Riverside
West Elementary fourth- grader Alanna Galonis had a wonderful history lesson while on her class trip to Medieval Times in New Jersey and the Statue of Liberty. “I liked watching the battle for the princess just like it probably was during the real medieval times,” she said. The trip was made possible by the PTA’s fundraising efforts during the school year. Alanna added that, “Also, I learned that the Statue of Liberty was a gift to our country from the French people in 1886.”
— LISA ZACCAGNINO
lzaccagnino
@timesshamrock.com
Scranton
Students at Isaac Tripp Elementary School participated in a reading service project for the St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen this spring. The 36 students who participated raised $2,135.66 to help feed the hungry.
The top three fundraisers were Michael Anne Osborne, who raised more than $500, Ahnna Rogalewicz and Gianna Savani.
Catherine Diplacido, a student-teacher from the University of Scranton, helped organize the read-a-thon, as well as an awards ceremony for the participants. She collected donations from local businesses so that each participant received a thank-you gift.
— SARAH HOFIUS HALL
shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter
Scranton Prep
Junior Maggie Wright sang “Music of the Night,” from the musical “Phantom of the Opera,” for Prep’s choir concert last week.
Maggie started singing three years ago and said she loves it. “I always say, if I had to save one thing in a fire, it would be my voice,” she said.
Maggie joined the choir during her freshman year, and is also a member of the Prep Players and the football cheerleading squad. The Covington Twp. resident is also an interviewer for the Prep newscast.
— SARAH HOFIUS HALL
shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter
Summit Christian Academy
Stephen Lisowski, grade eight, has attended the school since preschool. He loves learning and has an excellent outlook, in and out of school.
Stephen also thinks it’s important to encourage and assist his classmates. “Well, I myself try to help them the best I can. If someone needs help I try to be enthusiastic when I help, tell jokes and make it fun. I have really great classmates so it’s always fun,” he said.
He also helps at school, whether it be helping to clean lunch tables or put away papers. “I definitely think it’s important to help someone out. I learn by helping out that a lot of people need help, and that they can usually help you. It’s cool. If you help someone you gain their trust, a good relationship, and you trust them now too.” In addition, he loves music and drama. “I do sing a lot but I like singing fast, upbeat music. I’m learning to play guitar more now too. Oh, and Miss Gallo, our music teacher, taught me so much more about music with finding rhythm and beat, and how to read music even better. In drama I feel the teacher has a big influence on me. I can’t believe everything Mrs. Feldman did and pulled off this year. At the beginning of the year I was really nervous and insecure about doing drama, but in just a few days Mrs. Feldman helped me so much, and I want to thank her for that. I’m more outgoing in everything now. And it’s all been really fun.”
— LISA ZACCAGNINO
lzaccagnino
@timesshamrock.com
Valley View
Brandon Peters and his classmate Joe Koniszewski placed first in the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit Virtual Bridge Building Contest.
“I’m excited to be back in the competition this year,” Brandon said. “I am looking forward to the final competition.”
The final competition will take place Thursday. If the team places in the top four of 40 teams, team members will be awarded scholarships.
Brandon is a member of National Honor Society, student council, SADD, Spanish and Friends of Rachel Club. He plays basketball and baseball.
After high school he plans to attend Lock Haven University to study in the physician assistant’s program and play baseball.
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter.
Wayne Highlands
Six fifth-graders participated in Band Fest on April 29.
Participants included Brodie Cole, Nate Hugaboom, Caroline Klinkiewicz, Emma Matlaga, Kalin Pietraszewski and Davalyn Ursich.
“What I liked best about Band Fest was getting to know kids from my school better,” Davalyn said.
Students practiced all day and perform for family and friends in an evening concert.
Davalyn’s favorite song to perform was “You’re the Dragon.”
The event is sponsored by Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 9.
— AUTUMN GRANZA
agranza@timesshamrock.com
Western Wayne
Fifth-grader Jack Klikus participated in the EverGreen Elementary’s Title I Reading Awards Night.
At the awards night, students were recognized for their hard work and dedication throughout the year, as they worked towards their reading goals.
“My favorite part of the night was receiving a book to read over the summer and getting my award,” Jack said.
Jack is also a member of the school’s kindness club.
Next year in middle school, Jack hopes to be a member of the band. He plans to tryout for the clarinet.
— AUTUMN GRANZA
agranza@timesshamrock.com