Abington Heights
For years, Tony Mercuri has been the one on stage, entertaining students, parents and faculty with his musical talents.
At a recent chorus concert, though, the senior at Abington Heights took on a different responsibility. He controlled the stage lighting and microphone levels.
"It was a lot of fun, and is something I am interested in doing again," Tony said. "I was nervous when I first started, but after a little while, I settled down and enjoyed it."
Tony said he is waiting to hear from the University of Delaware, where he hopes to attend college and major in business.
miorfino@timesshamrock.com
Blue Ridge
Sophomore Ryan Rogers' weapon of choice is a bow and arrow.
Every Wednesday, Ryan can be found in the school gym, practicing with the archery club. Last year, he took his archery skills all the way to states and placed second.
Ryan started wielding the bow at age 6, and also hunts with it.
He is a member of the football and wrestling teams.
kbolus@timesshamrock.com
Carbondale Area
The high school was bursting with patriotism Nov. 9, when students were joined by members of VFW Post 4712 of Simpson and its Ladies Auxiliary for a special Veterans Day assembly.
Senior Michael Farrell was the master of ceremonies for the "Presenting the Colors" assembly, which he said is a long-standing tradition for the district.
"It made me appreciate what these men and women do for our country," he said. "It was very inspirational."
rbrown@timesshamrock.com
Delaware Valley
Katie Krause, senior class president, is serving as a student representative on the school board.
She is active with Teens Against Tobacco Use, Future Business Leaders of America and student council, and has been named Student of the Month numerous times. Katie is also in the drama club and was a 2011 HOBY representative.
"Being involved has affected me by exposing myself to many different students, teachers and people who have made an impact in some way to my life," Katie said.
Katie also volunteers with Pennies for Patients, CROP walk, food pantry and a local nursing home.
"I'd like to be remembered as a hardworking, driven and kind student who was actively involved in making Delaware Valley students united," she said.
lzaccagnino@ timesshamrock.com
Dunmore
Senior Cheyenne Kersavage can't imagine a single child who wouldn't want to have a meal with Santa.
As chairwoman of Breakfast with Santa, scheduled for Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, at Dunmore High School, Cheyenne will help make that happen for children in the community. The event will feature a breakfast buffet, raffles, crafts and games for children, and photos with Santa.
Cheyenne said organizing the event is a challenge but enjoys putting it together.
"I hope this gets everyone in the Christmas spirit," she said. "It's a real honor planning this for my community."
Tickets for the event are $6 for children and $9 for adults and can be reserved by calling DHS at 346-2043 or by visiting www.dunmore schooldistrict.net.
rward@timesshamrock.com
Elk Lake
Samantha Stevens, a senior, was chosen as a WVIA-TV Artist of the Week for music after being nominated by her school.
"I've always performed in our school's choral group, and (teacher) Mrs. Holbert knew that I sang and also played guitar, so she thought that I would be a good candidate to go," Samantha said.
She is a member of the drama club, art club, key club and National Honor Society.
Samantha plans on furthering her studies by majoring in theater with a minor in education.
lzaccagnino@ timesshamrock.com
Forest City Regional
Though he is only a junior in high school, Jonathan Terry is already recognized nationally for his weather-tracking abilities.
Jonathan regularly reports the rainfall, snowfall and conditions to WNEP-TV, a practice that began after he interviewed meteorologist Tom Clark for a career night project.
"I set up a webcam and gave them a link so they could use it," he said. "Many people might not know the conditions up here."
His interest in the weather began when he was a young boy, and last spring, he completed a course to become a National Weather Service Skywarn spotter. If there is any extreme weather in the area, he calls it in.
"It gives them better advanced warning," he said. "It makes me feel like I'm making a difference."
rbrown@timesshamrock.com
Holy Cross
Seven members of the Holy Cross varsity basketball team are visiting with younger students to discuss bullying issues this year as part of the Olweus anti-bullying program.
Juniors Connor Callejas, Connor Jones and Kyler Kovaleski and seniors Casey Gaughan, Corey Joyce, Kerry Kearney and Josh Kosin visit elementary schools to discuss how they were bullied, how they overcame it and how students can stop bullying.
"This is something we love to do, and we are happy to help," Connor Callejas said.
rward@timesshamrock.com
Lakeland
Though she was looking forward to her senior year, Danielle Bickelman wasn't ready to leave Europe in the summer.
Through the Education First student tours, she spent nine days touring Italy, hitting tourist spots in Venice, Rome and Florence.
"It was an incredible trip, one that I will always remember," Danielle said. "If I could go back right now, I would."
miorfino@timesshamrock.com
Mid Valley
Rebeca Chieffallo carried on a family tradition when she participated in a recent academic competition.
The eighth-grader said her brother had been a competitor two years ago, and she was excited to share the same honor.
The general knowledge event pitted a team of her peers against other middle school students in the area.
"I liked the whole day in general," she said. "It was a unique situation to be in, being one of the top students in your class."
rbrown@timesshamrock.com
Montrose Area
On stage, the Wicked Witch taunted the citizens of Oz, but behind the curtain, she was sewing all their hems.
Senior Amanda Rucker doubled as the green-skinned witch and the costume mistress for Montrose Area School District's performance of the "Wizard of Oz."
Amanda's designs were not just for the play but also served as her senior project. Costume design is just a hobby for Amanda, but she had a wonderful time using her creative side.
"Amazing things can happen when you concentrate. It was really rewarding to be able to do this (for the play)," Amanda said.
kbolus@timesshamrock.com
Mountain View
In honor of Mountain View High School boys soccer team's triumphant win at states, the school held a recognition rally for all students.
Kerri Jarnagin, a senior and first-time member of student government, organized the rally two days before it was held, which Kerri said, was "stressful but went awesome."
With the help of the other student government members, Kerri assembled the rally. Every club and sports team got a shout out.
To keep the students excited and involved, the organizers provided fun and games, like a scavenger hunt. Kerri and the other students made sure everyone was represented and, at the end of the rally, the soccer team was treated to a slide show.
After her time at Mountain View is done, Kerri hopes to study elementary education at Penn State.
kbolus@timesshamrock.com
North Pocono
Senior Joseph Stalker is in the top 20 of his class and has attained high honors throughout high school.
The son of Joanne and Christopher Stalker, Joseph is a member of the National Honor Society and has received the perfect attendance and Rennselaer Medal awards. He is a member of Science Olympiad, Friends of Rachel, track and field and the cross country teams.
Joseph works for Allan Hornbeck Chevrolet and volunteers at St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen, Special Olympics and the highway cleanup.
For his senior project, Joseph organized a 5K run benefiting the Arthritis Foundation. He plans on attending college to major in engineering.
rward@timesshamrock.com
Riverside
Taking a cue from his big sister, a Riverside East Elementary student participated in a walk to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on Nov. 17.
James Stanco said his sister Breynne is a manager at NY&Co. at the Shoppes at Montage, a company that has been a partner of the walk for several years.
James went to Coca-Cola Park in Allentown to register at 8:30 a.m. and participated in the walkat 10 a.m.
"It's a little help for a big cause," James said. "My goal is to help kids from suffering any longer."
jkohut@timesshamrock.com
Scranton
Students of the month at Northeast Intermediate School are Juanita Wolak, Jason Carpenter, Claudia Pitts, Jeremiah Oakes, Irelan Gattens and William Cobley, sixth grade; Tracy Nguyen, Dylan Campbell, Bansari Patel and Alex McCarthy, seventh grade; and Jane Miller, Thomas Bouselli, Jocelyn Gonzalez and Mitchell Lacerda, eighth grade.
shofius@timesshamrock.com
Scranton Prep
Senior Jimmy McGrath was part of the team that won third place at the Scholastic Bowl held at the Radisson at Lackawanna Station hotel last month.
His teammates included Michael Brier, Molly Siebecker, William Cognetti and Lydia Karnick.
"We were happy," Jimmy said. "We thought the competition was good."
At Prep, Jimmy runs cross country and track, is captain of the mock trial team, master electrician for the Prep Players and director of freshman orientation.
shofius@timesshamrock.com
Susquehanna Community
Colton Stone doesn't let his Type 1 Diabetes get in the way of football or baseball.
The first-grader at Susquehanna is quarterback for the Susquehanna Junior Sabers and also plays baseball in the spring.
Colton was September's Successful Saber, received the reading achievement award for A-plus in language arts during first quarter, and holds a green belt in karate,all while monitoring and testing his own blood sugar levels.
Colton also took part in the Diabetes Walk-A-Thon in Johnson City, N.Y., with more than 30 walkers from the Susquehanna community who participated to support him. He received $1,000 in donations and even went home with a bike.
kbolus@timesshamrock.com
Tunkhannock Area
What started as an inquiry project has since turned into a schoolwide initiative to raise anti-bullying awareness.
Last year, Maggie Elias and two friends left motivational messages throughout the school's hallways - a move that united the entire school.
This year, one of her classmates took the initiative a step further, creating a student body documentary on Rachel's Challenge - remembering the writings of Rachel Scott, the first student killed in the Columbine school shooting.
"Rachel's Challenge was the next step for Operation Motivation, and Rachel is a great example of a motivator," Maggie said.
miorfino@timesshamrock.com
Valley View
Senior Erica Gerichten, who sings the soprano 2 part, is looking forward to spending time with "talented young musicians" in the area at the district competition.
"I have learned so much about music through these festivals, and am glad to have yet another opportunity to grow as a performer," she said.
In addition to the choir, Erica is involved in drama club, French club, National Honor Society, math honor society, scholastic team, student council, reading team, Leo club, table tennis club, chess club, Japanese club, Vivace! and cand.
rbrown@timesshamrock.com
Western Wayne
Tyler Beck, son of Glenn and Mary Beck of Waymart, was recognized at the December school board meeting as an outstanding senior.
Tyler has achieved the distinguished honor roll throughout high school and attained principal's list for the second quarter as a junior. His academic schedule included AP English language as a junior and currently includes AP chemistry and AP calculus.
Tyler is vice president of Students Against Destructive Decisions and former treasurer. He is also a member of Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, band, varsity baseball and weightlifting.
He plans to major in exercise science at a four-year university and continue his education, earning a physical therapy degree.
rward@timesshamrock.com