Abington Heights
Kenny White looks forward to his study hall period every school day.
During that period, the junior at Abington Heights High School creates a 45-second video that contains the SAT question of the day, the answer and the explanation. All of his videos are played during the following day's homeroom class, when all high school students are tasked with the challenge of answering the question.
"I was never really a big computer guy, but I thought this would be a fun opportunity for me to learn," Kenny said. "Now, I'm starting to think I want to pursue a career that involves computers."
miorfino@timesshamrock.com
Carbondale Area
The eighth-grade class president is no stranger to the job.
Chelsie Jones was elected to the position this year after holding a leadership post in the seventh grade as well.
"I believe that I can help our class achieve all of their goals for this year," she said. "I think that my fellow students were happy with the way I represented them in student government. That makes me feel good as that is the role of a student leader."
rbrown@timesshamrock.com
Delaware Valley
Senior Audrey Djiya keeps pretty busy.
She is vice president of student council and a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Rachel's Challenge, chamber choir, drama club, peer buddies, peer mediation, Teens Against Tobacco Use, Future Business Leaders of America and Broadcast Del-Val.
In addition, Audrey was acknowledged as an AP Scholar with honors.
"School-related activities have allowed me to feel a sense of school unity, meet unique new people and exercise my leadership skills," Audrey said.
She attended a missions/community service trip to Jamaica the past two summers and also volunteers at the soup kitchen for Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as at the veterans and senior citizens dinners.
"Nothing feels better than seeing the smiling faces of those who I have helped in some way," she said.
lzaccagnino@ timesshamrock.com
Dunmore
Aileen Walsh's organizing ability has blended school spirit with compassion for others.
The senior leads this year's annual DHS Homecoming Food Drive.
At Friday's football game against Western Wayne High School, students ask all fans to bring nonperishable food items that will be donated to local food pantries. Along with asking for food items from fans, Aileen and her fellow students will collect items from students in the Dunmore School District all week.
"This is a tradition at DHS, to involve the school with the Dunmore community," she said. "It is a huge help to area families who are in need of our support."
Aileen is a senior class officer, serving as recording secretary. She also participates in the Earth club, art club, TACT, SADD, Spanish club, French club, the National Honor Society, service club, football cheerleading and girls soccer. After graduation, she plans on attending college to major in biology/pre-med.
rward@timesshamrock.com
Elk Lake
Junior Tara Watkins was named this year's junior homecoming princess.
"It was such a surprise. I was shocked and speechless that moment when they said my name over the loudspeaker," Tara said. "We all wear short, formal dresses for homecoming. Everyone looked so nice."
She is secretary of student council and a member of key club and National Honor Society. Tara also plays tennis, basketball and track and field at school.
lzaccagnino@ timesshamrock.com
Forest City
Helping others outweighed an initial uncertainty Benjamin Terry had about donating blood.
The senior completed a blood drive for his senior project and is helping to organize another drive this year.
"I initially really didn't want to even give blood. I hated the idea of needles," he said, though his feelings changed once he got involved. "I love the experience of helping someone."
Benjamin expects a strong turnout for the blood drive, which will be held Thursday.
After graduation, Benjamin plans to attend college and study broadcast journalism.
rbrown@timesshamrock.com
Holy Cross
Senior Mary Ann Seamon helped plan an important school event that will take place Saturday: homecoming.
The cheerleader's work involved making decorations for the dance and field.
She also was involved in decorating the houses of the senior football players and cheerleaders. Mary Ann is also in the play, show choir, a cappella group, pro-life club, mission club, ceramic club and yearbook.
"I really just love my school and all the people there," she said. "I like being around my friends."
After graduating from high school, Mary Ann plans to enroll in college and may major in psychology.
rward@timesshamrock.com
Lakeland
Mayfield Elementary School has named its September students of the month. Students honored are Kaylee Lorenzetti, Joseph Krisovich, Tyler Uram, Kaitlyn Passiment, Elizabeth Pittsman, Julia Possanza, Ian Imbalzano, William Ogozaly, Ariel Black, Anna Liuzzo, Thomas Vinansky and Paul Halstead.
miorfino@timesshamrock.com
Mid Valley
Corinne Negvesky hopes her fellow students will relate to her writing.
As one of the editors-in-chief of the Spartan Outlook, the senior looks forward to the challenge.
"I want to write on issues that apply to kids our age, any issues in the school, just stuff that would be relevant and that people would want to read," she said.
After graduation, Corinne plans to attend college and study biology as part of pre-medical coursework. She hopes to someday become a pediatrician.
rbrown@timesshamrock.com
Montrose
During second period at Montrose Area High School, senior Ashlynn Cobb can be heard speaking French.
As a member of National Honor Society, she was asked to be part of the organization's peer tutoring program to help other struggling students.
Ashlynn appreciates the opportunity in helping others with the language.
"I want to help people be able to succeed, and I don't feel they should fail because of a struggle," Ashlynn said.
kbolus@timesshamrock.com
Mountain View
Morgan White is one freshman determined to have fun.
The member of student government was chairwoman of the "Welcome Back" dance for grades seven through 12. The dance took place on the first Friday of the new school year.
Morgan helped get a DJ, provided refreshments and promoted the dance throughout the school.
This won't be the last dance for Morgan; she also helped with the homecoming dance on the party favor committee.
"It's just something I enjoy for now," said Morgan.
When she's not planning fun, Morgan is also a member of the Junior Honor Society.
kbolus@timesshamrock.com
North Pocono
Marty Kelly blends school academics, athletics and service to the community.
The senior at North Pocono High School, the son of Martin and Susan Kelly, has a class ranking of 27th while taking both accelerated and advanced-placement classes.
Marty is also a member of the National Honor Society.
Earning high honors throughout high school, he is a member of the soccer, basketball and track teams. He is also a member of Red Cross, library and Future Business Leaders of America clubs.
Making time to volunteer, Marty spends time at Geisinger Community Medical Center, the Dress for Success foundation, Special Olympics and the highway cleanup.
During the summer, Marty works as a lifeguard at Lake Hideaway. He plans on attending college after graduation.
rward@timesshsamrock.com
Riverside
The Riverside School District's "Viking Voices" choral group has a new member from East Elementary.
Fifth-grader Amanda Merrick-Tompkins, 9, recently joined the district's elementary music program and is looking forward to singing in a group setting.
"I think it's going to be lots of fun," Amanda said. "I like a lot of singers from today, including Lady Gaga."
She said she would like to be a famous singer one day.
jkohut@timesshamrock.com
Scranton
Northeast Intermediate School has named its September students of the month.
Students honored are sixth-graders Erika Aguilar, Daniel Scott, Nevaeh Ross, Steven Paszek, Tionna Manigo and Humphrey Mende; seventh-graders Ciera Chandler, King Rose, Vrutti Patel and Noah Horn; and eighth-graders Selena Ross, Darren Pitts, Marissa Gaglione and Ross Zhangi.
shofius@timesshamrock.com
Valley View
Achieving the distinction of Scholar of the Year takes more than 365 days of work.
For senior Jillian Butkiewicz, the honor recognized her academic excellence from her freshman year until this point. The scholar of the year is awarded to the student with the highest cumulative GPA from grades nine to 11.
"All the hard work and dedication to academics and community service makes this a very rewarding achievement," she said.
Jillian is also involved with SADD, Spanish club, Math Honor Society, National Honor Society, tennis and basketball.
rbrown@timesshamrock.com
Wayne Highlands
A Honesdale High School senior is on the path to becoming a race car driver.
Joseph Decker III was accepted to the University of Northwestern Ohio in May of his junior year to pursue a degree in automotive/high-performance motor sports.
He is being considered for a 30-member race team of six drivers and 24 crew members.
Joseph has been driving race cars since he was a young child. He looks up to Tony Stewart, who drives in the NASCAR Sprint series.
"Since I was 7 years old, all I ever wanted to do was race," Joseph said. "I am looking forward to gaining the knowledge that will enable me to continue my career path. UNOH is a very impressive school and is the perfect place for me."
He gave up all school sports during high school to be competitive and successful in his racing career.
jkohut@timesshamrock.com
Western Wayne
After training all summer, high-schooler Jordan Liptak joined her father in running the Rock 'n' Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon last month.
It was the first 13.1-mile race for them both, and "unbelievably, we both completed it in 2:14:54," Jordan said. "My mom, who jogged it, came in just an hour after we did."
Jordan said they definitely plan to run another, and even try a marathon eventually. She also plays soccer and competes in the hurdles in track.
rward@timesshamrock.com