Drexel med school superstar friends
Michael Le and Alexander Zygmunt first met as members of The Times-Tribune 2008 Scholastic Superstar Team members.
Michael and Alex went on to become friends at the University of Scranton, and now the two superstars are roommates as they begin their studies at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia.
A South Abington Twp. resident, Michael is a 2012 summa cum laude graduate of the university, where he earned his bachelor's degree in biology and philosophy while participating in the university's Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. He is a graduate of Abington Heights High School and the son of Tong Xuan and Hoa Kim Le.
Alex, of Covington Twp., a 2012 magna cum laude graduate of the university, earned his bachelor's degree in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology and philosophy while participating in the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. Alex also participated in the university's Honors Program, conducting research with Michael Sulzinski, Ph.D., professor of biology, his faculty mentor. He was the valedictorian of his graduating class at Holy Cross High School and St. Stanislaus Elementary School in Scranton. Alex is the son of Stan and Elizabeth Zygmunt.
The superstars received their white coats during a ceremony at Drexel.
Principals of labor
Several local high school administrators were on hand as Skills in Scranton hosted its second annual High School Principal's Forum.
The event allowed educators - including Jane Nagurney, Scranton Prep; Margaret Billings-Jones and Thomas Kameroski, Lakeland; Ida Castro, Commonwealth Medical College; Joseph Farrell, Carbondale Area; Christopher Thomas, Old Forge; Tim Hopkins, Dunmore; Chad Vinansky, Mid Valley; John Coyle, Robert Gentilezza and William King, Scranton; and Joe Moceyunas, Riverside High School - to meet with workforce development professionals and Skills in Scranton staff to discuss careers and educational requirements for students entering the workforce.
They also toured the Commonwealth Medical College with other participants, including William Cockerill, Scranton Central Labor Union; Virginia Turano, Workforce Investment Board; Richard Smith, PA Career Link; William J. Shoen, Skills in Scranton; Drew Simpson, Carpenter's Union; and Dave Jadick, Tobyhanna Army Depot.
High notes
Kimberly Duffy-Wylam will serve as corporate chairwoman for the East Central Pennsylvania Branch of JDRF's local inaugural Walk To Cure Diabetes, scheduled for the spring. Kim is president/managing partner of Vantagen, A ParenteBeard Co.
"It's great to be partnering with JDRF and working together toward such an important goal - promoting awareness of Type 1 diabetes and raising funds to advance research," said Kim. "By working together, we can make a difference for the millions of people who are affected by this disease."