Blue Ridge
Senior Jade Viruet was presented with Scholastic Art Awards’ Silver Key Award for her sculpture, “New Life.”
Jade received the award at Marywood University, and her sculpture was showcased.
She also won a district-wide contest for painting a New Milford snowplow in December.
“I think I inherited my interest in art from my mother and grandmother, who are both artists,” Jade said.
Jade is a member of the art club and an avid gamer. After high school, Jade wants to be a tattoo apprentice.
“I have wanted to work in a tattoo shop for a long time, and art has been my passion since grade school,” Jade said.
— AUTUMN GRANZA
agranza@timesshamrock.com
Carbondale Area
Members of the Carbondale Area High School Medical Careers Club and Sparc heard a presentation to bring awareness to the numerous career opportunities in the health care field.
“I’m at the stage of my life where I need to make a career and college decision,” said junior Madison Jordan, who attended the presentation. “This presentation helped me to see the many opportunities out there in the health field.”
Christie Depietro, Career Link case manager supervisor; Edward Zaleski, PTA director of rehabilitation; and Carolyn Quinn, EOC academic specialist, talked to the students on Dec. 16 about high school subject areas and skills that help prepare them for higher education, educational requirements and average salaries for each career and the need for health care professionals in Northeast Pennsylvania. The speakers also encouraged the students to job shadow or volunteer in health care.
Madison said the presentation also “showed me the things I should do and also not do in order to be successful in any one of these careers.”
Janet Rusnak, R.N., is the adviser for the medical careers club.
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter
Career Technology Center
Rachel McCarthy, a junior from Valley View in the health occupations technology lab, is being recognized by her geometry teacher, Michelle Lipko.
Rachel “consistently does quality work and goes above and beyond what is required of her. In doing so, she has been able to raise her average as well as acquire a greater understanding of the concepts presented throughout the course,” Mrs. Lipko said. “She is conscientious, thorough, friendly and
responsible.”
When Rachel is not in school, she works part time at a fast-food restaurant. After graduating next year, she plans to pursue a career in the medical field.
— SARAH HOFIUS HALL
shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter
Delaware Valley
Skylar U’Glay, a freshman, was chosen as an academic student of the month.
In addition, she received the President’s Award last year and placed second at the Tri-State Spelling Bee. Skylar donates her time as a youth basketball coach and with United Way’s Day of Caring.
“Volunteer work makes me feel like a part of my community,” she said.
Skylar plays volleyball, basketball and softball at school as well.
— LISA ZACCAGNINO
lzaccagnino@
timesshamrock.com
Dunmore
Seventh-grade students recently participated in a school competition of the National Geographic Bee.
The students tested their geography skills. After a final round of competition in the auditorium, a winner was crowned. After seven rounds, Gergana Petkova, 13, won the competition. Gergana will take a computerized geography test to see if she qualifies for the state competition in Harrisburg.
“I was so excited and couldn’t believe that I won,” she said.
Gergana’s favorite subject in school is geography, and she enjoys learning about the world.
“I have traveled a lot and it’s interesting to study the places I’ve seen,” said Gergana, who hopes to become a lawyer.
— SARAH HOFIUS HALL
shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter
Elk Lake
Junior Natalie Head is vice president of Starry Knights art club.
The members are in the midst of painting a large mural in the elementary
cafeteria.
“We started in November. The mural is of all the different Dr. Seuss characters,” Natalie said. “Last year we did a mural with superheroes and the kids went
bonkers.”
In the fall, Natalie plays soccer. She is a member of the ski club, and out of school, she dances and is a Girl Scout.
She hopes to major in forensic science after graduating next year.
— LISA ZACCAGNINO
lzaccagnino@
timesshamrock.com
Forest City Regional
Dominick Evans was a concession stand volunteer with the Forest City Youth Soccer Program for his senior project.
“My dad is president of that soccer league and I thought it would be a great way to give back to the community,” he said.
He’s been a starter with the varsity soccer team for the past four years. Dominick is also a lifeguard at the YMCA as well as being a member or its youth board. In his free time, he plays soccer every Sunday at Riverfront Sports Complex and enjoys hanging out with friends.
Dominick plans on attending the Act 120 program at Lackawanna College in the fall and eventually to become a police officer.
— LISA ZACCAGNINO
lzaccagnino@
timesshamrock.com
Holy Cross
High School
As a student council officer, senior Matthew Marsh helped plan Catholic Schools Week activities.
He gathered other council members together to determine ways to celebrate the week and then made those plans a reality.
“It was enjoyable to plan ways to celebrate our school community through Catholic education,” he said.
Matthew is also a member of the track and field team and participates in Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science. Outside of school, he is a firefighter and an altar server.
— SARAH HOFIUS HALL
shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter
Lackawanna Trail
Juniors Cassandra Brown and Matthew Kinback will represent Lackawanna Trail at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Region Chorus festival at Nanticoke High School this spring.
Both students finished in first place during district chorus competition auditions held at Lackawanna Trail Feb. 3 to 5.
Cassie and Matt, who said they were honored and relieved to have placed so well, maintained their first- chair status at the district festival.
The PMEA festivals are rewarding, said Cassie, adding it allows her to meet new people from the area and work toward a common goal. In 2015, Cassie participated in district-, regional- and state-level festivals for both band and chorus. She plans to perform music after high school.
Until now, Matt participated in various county-level festivals but never a PMEA festival. Encouraged by older students to audition, Matt said this year felt right.
He looks forward to festival and the opportunity to advance from the region level to his ultimate goal of making it to state choir.
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter.
Lakeland
Third-grader Luke Vinansky was the youngest participant to brave icy waters for a good cause.
Luke, 8, traveled to Baltimore to participate in the 20th annual Polar Bear Plunge.
The cold jump into the freezing Chesapeake Bay was a fundraiser for the Special Olympics, and Luke donated $603.48. His classmates at Mayfield Elementary donated $313.48 to the cause.
“It took me five hours to get warm again,” said Luke, who jumped into the 38-degree water with his stepfather.
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter
Mid Valley
As president of the Mid Valley Spanish club, senior Ian Fabricatore not only helps plan events and projects for the club but also visits the elementary school to help kindergarten students learn Spanish.
For six weeks, Ian and other club members are teaching kindergartners colors, numbers, body parts and the alphabet in Spanish.
His interest in Spanish was sparked during sophomore year. Ian thought it would be interesting to read, write and speak in a different language. The Spanish club adviser is Rebecca Petrini.
Ian is also part of the National Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars.
After high school, Ian plans to major in Spanish and minor in economics during college with the dream of traveling to different countries to translate.
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter
Mountain View
Sophomore Sophia Ficarro plays trumpet and participated in District Band, which was held at Pittston Area High School.
Pre-auditions for District Band were held in November. Sophia had a blind audition, where judges didn’t know her gender or name, and she had to sight-read a piece she had never seen before.
“I love playing because it’s a good way to take circles and dots on a page and make something people can enjoy,” Sophia said. “I like the creativity of it.”
At school, Sophia is a member of jazz band, senior band, Future Business Leaders of America, Science Olympiad, Envirothon, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science and track.
— AUTUMN GRANZA
agranza@timesshamrock.com
Montrose Area
Sophomore Grace Wood is involved in the school’s music program.
Grace participates in band and chorus, and placed second at District Band’s pre-auditions. From there, she was able to move onto District Orchestra and District Band. Grave placed second at District Band and will be moving onto Regional Band in March.
“I love band, and I’m very happy with how I’ve done so far this year, especially as a sophomore,” Grace said.
Grace is also a part of key club and student council, and made the second-quarter honor roll. She enjoys working with animals and rides horses in her spare time.
— AUTUMN GRANZA
agranza@timesshamrock.com
Scranton
Two Charles Sumner Elementary School students won golden stars in January.
Jacqueline Harvey, fifth grade, and Logan Marsico, third grade, were each recognized for their hard work and kindness to others. The golden star now sits on the “star wall” outside of the main office in honor of their achievement.
The golden star is the highest and hardest honor to receive at Charles Sumner.
— SARAH HOFIUS HALL
shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter
Scranton Prep
Sophomore Anthony Ferraro was on target at a recent competition.
Anthony, a member of the school’s archery club, placed 13th in the young adult division at the Vegas Shoot, held in Las Vegas. Anthony scored 894 points out of 900. The first-place winner scored 898 points.
Anthony, who said he enjoys the competitiveness of archery, got into the sport through hunting.
— SARAH HOFIUS HALL
shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter
Susquehanna
Sophomore Kayla Marino likes being involved.
Kayla started playing alto saxophone in the fourth grade and has been playing it ever since. She also participated in District Band.
“It was such a wonderful experience,” Kayla said.
At school, Kayla is the 2016 Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership representative, and has been a part of the drama club since the second grade. Kayla also runs track and field, and is a basketball cheerleader.
“A lot of people tell me that my life is crazy busy, but I enjoy it,” Kayla said. “I love being involved in so many things, and I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
— AUTUMN GRANZA
agranza@timesshamrock.com
Valley View
For two pieces of art she created, junior Anna Pidgeon won a Gold Key and honorable mention in the Scholastic Art Contest.
Anna’s ceramic piece, titled “Namaste,” was awarded the Gold Key; her painting of cartoon, “State of Confusion,” received honorable mention.
“I really feel like my hard work paid off,” Anna said. “I am so excited about this honor.”
The artwork will be displayed at the Mahady Gallery Shield Center for Visual Arts at Marywood University until Feb. 17.
A member of National Honor Society and Math Honor Society, Anna is also in Can Jam, Spanish, history and art clubs.
After high school, she plans to pursue a career in graphic design.
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter.
Wallenpaupack
Seventh-grader Katelyn Haytko has became a volunteer at the Newfoundland Public Library.
Katelyn began helping the library last summer after her grandmother invited her to attend a Women’s Club meeting at the library.
“Now I clean and work the desk, checking books in and out,” Katelyn said.
At school, Katelyn plans to play softball this spring.
— AUTUMN GRANZA
agranza@timesshamrock.com
Wayne Highlands
Sophomore Alex Jachens is involved with the coffee cart and recycling programs.
The coffee cart is a program sponsored by the special education department. Teachers order coffee, tea or hot chocolate to be delivered to them two days a week.
“I really like it when we take coffee down to the district office to see Mr. Frigoletto,” Alex said.
The recycling program involves a group of students, who help to collect bottles and paper waste two days a week.
“I like when we collect bottles, because we’re helping out the school and keeping it clean,” Alex said.
After high school, Alex plans to get a job in customer service.
— AUTUMN GRANZA
agranza@timesshamrock.com