Abington Heights
Nine students at Abington Heights qualified to participate in the National Catholic Forensic League Grand National Tournament.
Held in Philadelphia in late May, the tournament offers six forensics events and four debate events.
The list of students who qualified includes three seniors, Shomik Ghosh, Dan Schlosser and Panos Tsaklas; two juniors, Scott Curran and Maria Sunick; two sophomores, Alex Fried and Kate Glidewell; and two freshman, David Larar and Richard Ling.
miorfino@timesshamrock.com
Blue Ridge
After a month of preparation, Madison Button and Allen Weed have qualified for All-State Chorus.
Madison, a senior, and Allen, a sophomore, have been singing since they can remember. After performing two selections from the pieces they prepared, the students qualified to compete in Erie.
Madison and Allen are among 32 students in Northeast Pennsylvania to be selected. They will represent not just Blue Ridge but also Susquehanna County.
The students leave on April 17 for all-state and are set to perform on April 20.
This is Madison's last year singing with Blue Ridge. Next year she will attend Elizabethtown College and major in music therapy.
"I'm going to miss being in a big group, making new friends with similar interests," Madison said. "It's been a blast."
Allen, who plays percussion for school plays, is a member of the National Honor Society and competes in soccer and track. This was his first year qualifying at regional chorus.
"It's fun and I would like to do it again," he said.
kbolus@timesshamrock.com
Carbondale Area
A life skills teacher in the district was rewarded recently after one of her students recommended her for a local honor.
Carrie Paulin was named the Ertley Teacher of the Month, a title that gave her use of a brand new KIA Optima for one month, a $150 Visa gift card and a $75 Chili's gift card.
Martin Parise nominated his teacher after hearing about the contest on the radio.
"Mrs. Paulin is always pleasant and happy and encourages us to be our best," he said. "She is honest with us and tells us what to expect after graduation. She is truly a teacher for the students."
For his part, Martin received a $100 gift card and a $50 Burger King gift card.
rbrown@timesshamrock.com
Delaware Valley
James Matthews, grade 12, is a member of National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Mu Alpha Theta and junior historians, as well as playing volleyball and soccer.
"Being involved in activities at school has helped me to learn to work and get along with people," James said.
He still finds time to volunteer with Relay for Life and United Way's Day of Caring. James, who will be majoring in architectural engineering in the fall, has already been able to practice his skills when the administration asked for his input in the architectural layout for the high school's new guidance office space.
lzaccagnino@ timesshamrock.com
Dunmore
Eighth-grader Nina MacClean's essay was named the district's winner in the VFW's Patriot's Pen contest that asked students to write something they would like to tell the founding fathers.
The Dunmore Middle School student's essay focused on positive and negative changes that have occurred since the founding of the United States, with an emphasis on the military.
Nina was recently honored with a certificate and a $200 prize, and her essay will now advance to the state competition. She enjoys writing and is currently working on a fantasy story.
"I like to write as it makes me feel more creative," Nina said.
kwind@timesshamrock.com
Elk Lake
Samantha Boner, a senior member of the drama club, is part of the stage crew for this year's performance, "Dressed to Kill."
Performances are taking place Friday and Saturday.
"I run the soundboard for the play. I also help with hanging and focusing the lights," Samantha said. "The beginning of setting up the first show is not that, bad but during tech week (week before and week of the show) is extremely nerve-wracking."
Samantha will be attending Mansfield University to become an English teacher.
lzaccagnino@ timesshamrock.com
Forest City Regional
The district will be part of a new anti-bullying program next year, assisted in part by junior Christian Retana.
The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program will be introduced in the upcoming school year and Christian will be at the helm of a 15-student committee to help develop fundraising and promotion ideas, among other things.
"I chose to do this for my senior project because I've been bullied in most of the ways possible," he said. "Bullying can be very detrimental, not only when it's happening, but later in life."
Both he and Juliann Lionetti, school counselor, are looking forward to unveiling the research-based program.
rbrown@timesshamrock.com
Lakeland
He may only be a fourth-grader at Mayfield Elementary School, but Nathaniel McAllister has already mastered the mile race.
So he decided to participate in something a little more challenging.
Nathaniel participated in a 5K run through downtown Scranton, with all proceeds benefiting the National Organization of Rare Diseases.
He said he enjoyed the experience, and would be willing to participate again.
miorfino@timesshamrock.com
Mid Valley
Evan Collins and his classmates will benefit from his experience at the Pennsylvania Student Council Conference.
"At the PASC leadership conference, I learned many invaluable things about working with other people," he said. "A skill I picked up there was to work with other people more efficiently and how to keep a better attitude around others."
The vice president of student council is also a runner on the junior varsity track team, an avid golfer and plays the bass.
rbrown@timesshamrock.com
Mountain View
Jesse Gerfin built a helicopter.
Standing 5 inches tall and 1 inch wide, the balsa wood helicopter was constructed to compete in Science Olympiad. The competition brings together groups from different schools in the area and Jesse, his partner and the helicopter placed 11th out of 14 groups.
This was the eighth-grade student's first year in the competition and he says he would go back next year.
Jesse is also interested in basketball, baseball and soccer. He is a member of Junior Honor Society and enjoys hunting and fishing.
kbolus@timesshamrock.com
North Pocono
Kerri Orr, a Pocono High School senior, is ranked in the top 10 of her class, is vice president of student council and president of the National Honor Society.
In addition to those activities, Kerri was captain of the girls soccer team and is a member of cross country, track and field, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Teens Against Tobacco Use, Red Cross and Friends of Rachel clubs.
She has made high honors every quarter and has been enrolled in accelerated and Advanced Placement courses.
Her most memorable moment in high school came when she helped set the record in the 4 x 800-meter relay during her freshman year of track.
kwind@timesshamrock.com
Riverside
Will Taylor has never had green eggs and ham.
If the opportunity presented itself, the Riverside Elementary West first-grader probably wouldn't say no.
"Green Eggs and Ham" was the theme of his Read Across America Day poster that came out on top in his class.
He picked the Dr. Seuss imagery because "Green Eggs and Ham" is his favorite book.
Will said he enjoys being read to at home as well as reading on his own.
"â'Green Eggs and Ham' is also my second-favorite movie," Will said.
jkohut@timesshamrock.com
Scranton
Members of the West Scranton High School German club competed in the school's annual Deutschlandreise Tournament, which tests students on their knowledge of the German language, geography and culture.
Senior Tyler Bonafede won first place, sophomore Ryan Clarkson won second place and sophomore Jason Camp won third place. The German club is moderated by Joseph Meyers.
shofius@timesshamrock.com
Scranton Prep
As a student council representative, junior Matt Walker helped collect Easter baskets for the Friends of the Poor giveaway.
Each homeroom was given the task of collecting enough items to make up two baskets, including candy and a toy. Prep collected about 80 baskets to donate.
"We were very happy," Matt said.
Along with being on student council, Matt plays football for Prep.
shofius@timesshamrock.com
Susquehanna Community
At 11 years old, Dan Staros got his first real six string.
The full-size guitar sparked Dan's interest in music, but his interest fully ignited when his parents upgraded him to an electric guitar.
In December, Dan and his guitar were featured as WVIA-TV and NEIU 19 Artist of the Week. During the one-minute segment, Dan gave viewers some biographical information while an original song played in the background. He also recently attended District Band at Blue Ridge.
Dan is involved in drama club, band and track, and doesn't just play the guitar but also drums and piano. He enjoys snowboarding.
Dan says he would like for music to always be a part of his life.
kbolus@timesshamrock.com
Tunkhannock
Even before he was named co-president of Tunkhannock High School's robotics team, the Tigertrons, Race Sick aspired to be great.
"My oldest brother was the driver from 2003 to 2006, which made me want to try to do the same thing and accomplish the great things he did," Race said.
It didn't take long for Race to reach the same level of success as his brother.
The senior is the driver of the winning robot from the Mid-Atlantic Region District Competition at Mount Olive High School in New Jersey.
Race also plays golf and baseball, and he is a member of the steering committee.
miorfino@timesshamrock.com
Valley View
Sophomore John Rebovich is already working toward becoming an EMT and putting that training to good use.
On March 14, he performed CPR on a woman after he was sent on a call to Archbald. He was able to help stabilize her while she was transported to the emergency room.
"I would like to thank the rest of the ambulance and police crew for their teamwork," he said. "This feeling of helping someone is a life-threatening emergency is incredible."
rbrown@timesshamrock.com
Western Wayne
Seniors Alyssa DeKenipp and Julie Rieutort were named national winners in the 2013 Scholastic Art awards, and the pair will be awarded medals during a ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City in May.
Alyssa's acrylic painting "Urban Corruption" won a gold medal and will be on display at Carnegie Hall, and Julie's acrylic painting "Neutral" won a silver medal.
Alyssa is vice president of the National Art Honor Society and a National Honor Society member. Julie is a member of both the National Art Honor Society and National Honor Society.
kwind@timesshamrock.com