Medical school
VP honored
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine’s Ida Castro, JD, received the first-ever Lillian Escobar-Haskins Latino Legacy and Leadership Award during the Pennsylvania Latino Convention. Castro,vice president for community engagement and chief diversity officer at GCSOM, served as the keynote speaker during the convention.
Her address focused on Latinos’ present and future contributions to Pennsylvania. She was introduced by Wilton Curiel, a Dominican-born Geisinger physician assistant, who also works with GCSOM’s out-of-school enrichment program, REACH-HEI. He shared his personal journey as a Latino in the United States and why he became a physician assistant.
The award in honor of Escobar-Haskins, an author and state Department of Health policy-maker, is given to an individual who exemplifies dedication to improve the status of Latinos in Pennsylvania.
“Your remarkable body of work and commitment to social justice is a legacy,” said Serena Escobar-Haskins, daughter of Escobar-Haskins. “Our Latino communities have been served brilliantly by you. You have advocated for our interests at all levels from local to national. It is an honor well deserved.”
Geisinger served as a platinum sponsor of the Pennsylvania Latino Convention, which was held in Bethlehem.
Top teachers
Holy Cross High School teacher Kimberly Mecir is one of four Pennsylvania teachers recognized with a 2019 Voya Financial Unsung Heroes Grant for Innovative Teaching.
Mecir was selected from a group of more than 650 applicants and will receive $2,000 to bring to life her “Mission to Planet X” project, which focuses on increasing student engagement and achievement in biology.
Students will complete scientific method, biochemistry, 3D design and coding lessons and labs and design and 3D print fins for a rocket that will launch a rover to the planet.
“We’re honored to help Kimberly Mecir go above and beyond to prepare our leaders of tomorrow for their own successful futures,” said Heather Lavallee, president of Tax-Exempt Markets for Voya’s Retirement business.
Mecir will now compete with other finalists for one of the top three prizes — an additional $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000 from Voya Financial.
High notes
Under the direction of Frank Jones, musicians of the First Presbyterian Church of Clarks Summit will perform a concert today.
The centerpiece of the event will be the 30-voice adult choir’s performance of “Light Shines in the Darkness,” a moving work by Michael John Trotta.
The work explores the reality of loss, the pain of transitions and the hope and joy of a better place, according to the church.
Other performers in the concert include the Children’s Choir, Alleluia Choir and Bell Choir, along with soloists and instrumental ensembles.
Jones, the director of music at the church, is a music teacher in the Dunmore School District and director of children’s and youth programs for the Choral Society of Northeast Pennsylvania. The Bell Choir is directed by Richard Cochrane, and the Children’s and Alleluia Choirs are led by Kay Ten Eyck, who is church organist and accompanist for the choirs.
The concert, which is open to the public and free of charge, begins at 4 p.m. in the church sanctuary, 300 School St., Clarks Summit. Free-will offers will be taken to help defray the cost of the event, which is part of the Arts at First Presbyterian concert series supported by the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts Program, a Lackawanna County arts and cultural grant and numerous individual donors.
For details, contact the church at 570-586-6306 or visit www.fpccs.org.