Abington Heights
Sophomores Norah Carey and Jonathan Strain and juniors Brooke Sorensen and Erin Lipkus will serve as representatives during the annual Unified Sports Youth Summit on Wednesday.
Abington Heights School District is hosting the summit for the second year in a row. Student athletes, along with the Unified Sports teams from eight local school districts, will participate in various activities that encourage team building and highlight the strengths of students of all ability levels.
Unified Sports was developed in conjunction with Special Olympics. This is the third year the high school offered Unified Sports in track and field during the spring season. At the end of November, the district will incorporate a Unified Sports Bocce Ball program into district athletic programs.
—KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;
@kbolusTT on Twitter
Blue Ridge
Third grader Julia Hobbs harvested her first deer during the youth hunting season while with her dad.
“I loved it,” Julia said. “I was so excited to get my first deer. I went out to my hunting spot early in the morning.”
Julia, 8, loves all things outdoors. She helps her mother in the garden each year and they have a produce stand together. She also has six chickens, which she takes care of daily.
— ROBERT TOMKAVAGE
rtomkavage
@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5365:
@rtomkavage on Twitter
Carbondale Area
Josh Berg was elected president of the freshman class.
“I’d like to be a mouthpiece for my class,” he said. “I’d like to take their ideas to student council so that the school as a whole can take action on them.”
He said despite freshmen just starting their high school careers, he hopes a good beginning will serve as their baseline and move them forward.
—KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;
@kbolusTT on Twitter
Delaware Valley
Mia Van Wie is a multi-sport athlete who is actively involved in her school.
The senior is a member of the varsity soccer, basketball and lacrosse teams while serving as student council president and opinions editor for the school newspaper.
Mia also volunteers for youth camps, Special Olympics and Peer Buddies.
“It has allowed me to participate in numerous activities, which have impacted me in different ways,” said Mia. “I have learned how to be a leader, communicator and work well with others.”
She hopes to play lacrosse during college while studying political and environmental science.
—KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;
@kbolusTT on Twitter
Dunmore
As treasurer of the service club, senior Katherine Hopkins assisted with the Jack Attack Gives Back hidden books project.
The project was started by the Callahan family, who received overwhelming support during their son Jack’s battle with cancer. The family and volunteers hid books in the Dunmore area, including on the campus of the Elementary Center for students to find, read, enjoy and keep or pass along to someone else. The goal of the project is to promote kindness and give back to the community.
“We jumped at the opportunity to help a special family, and it was a project very near and dear to my heart,” said Katherine.
Katherine volunteers for many hours of community service, including assisting with the high school’s food drive, breast cancer awareness activities and donations for local charities. She is also involved with the school’s TACT club, SADD club, Earth club, health careers club, French and Spanish clubs, National Honor Society, newspaper and yearbook. She plays volleyball and basketball and is a member of the football cheerleading squad.
After graduation, Katherine plans to major in nursing during college.
—KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;
@kbolusTT on Twitter
Elk Lake
Krista Jones is the Lackawanna League’s runner of the year.
“I love running,” said Krista. “I was really honored to be chosen runner of the year. I was also honored to represent Elk Lake at the district and state competitions.”
The sophomore also took first place in the district competition and fourth at the state competition.
On average, she runs six days a week, five miles a day. She said the track team is very close and supports each other.
Krista is also a member of the cross country and basketball teams, student council, Key club, Spanish club, youth group, and is president of the class of 2022.
Krista hopes to continue running in college.
—KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;
@kbolusTT on Twitter
Forest City
Regional
Senior Grace Ursich shadowed nurse practitioners and nurses and also made small, hand-sewn fabric wallets for St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis for her senior project.
The shadowing benefited her by “learning more about the medical field and helped me decide to choose nursing as a career,” Grade said.
She is active with volleyball, track, National Honor Society and SADD, as well as working part time outside of school.
Grace plans to attend college and work as a pediatric nurse.
— LISA ZACCAGNINO
lzaccagnino
@timesshamrock.com;
570-348-9130
Holy Cross High School
Senior Madelyn Klassner, who has multiple leadership roles in the school, represented the school at the mayor’s prayer breakfast in Scranton.
Madelyn, who hopes to pursue a degree in nursing, is involved in student council and is senior class secretary, president of the pro-life club, captain of tennis team and captain of cheer squad.
— SARAH HOFIUS HALL
shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133;
@hofiushallTT on Twitter
Howard Gardner Multiple Intelligence Charter School
Mollie Bridges, an accomplished equestrian, is now an award-winning artist.
She and other students at the school participated in the Lackawanna/Susquehanna Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs annual holiday billboard contest. Mollie received an honorable mention award for fifth grade for the month of July.
“My poster was about two people watching fireworks and celebrating sober,” she said.
— SARAH HOFIUS HALL
shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133;
@hofiushallTT on Twitter
Lackawanna Trail
Seniors Abigail Dalton, JR Decker and Isaac Vierling will perform with the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 9 Chorus.
The festival will be held at Marywood University from Jan. 15-17.
“It’s great to be selected to represent our school,” said JR. “We put a lot of time in just practicing for the auditions every week. ... we all worked together and did really well. It will be very exciting to sing at Marywood University.”
They compete for a place in the Region IV Chorus, which will be hosted by Wyoming Seminary in February.
The students are involved in the school’s music programs, including concert band, select madrigal choir, marching band and jazz band.
Issac and Abigail have also performed lead roles in the schools’ spring musical production.
—KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;
@kbolusTT on Twitter
Lakeland
Jahleah Warney won the Scott Twp. Veterans Memorial Committee poster contest.
“I was surprised I won,” she said. “I drew an American flag with a heart and message inside.”
In sixth grade, Jahleah will lead the Veterans Day ceremony at the Joe Terry Civic Center Saturday.
Outside of school, she enjoys gymnastics.
—KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;
@kbolusTT on Twitter
Mid Valley
Damien Chmielewski was a part of the cross country team that competed during a state meet.
“It was very nice to see all our hard work pay off, we are a young team and really built up this program over the last couple of years,” said Damien. “We really became a team to beat.”
The junior is also a member of the school newspaper, student council, drama club, French club, National Honor Society, chorus, wellness committee and is the president of his class.
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;
@kbolusTT on Twitter
Mountain View
Senior Hunter Sunbury is a member of the high school’s Acapella Group.
“I love that we become the instruments in making the music,” Hunter said.
Hunter, 17, also participates in chorus and digital media.
He plans to attend college to become a music producer.
— ROBERT TOMKAVAGE
rtomkavage
@timesshamrock.com;
570-348-9100 x5365;
@rtomkavage on Twitter
North Pocono
Senior Hannah Bronson is the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County representative on the North Pocono School Board.
“I am very humbled by this experience and am taking this opportunity to be a leader/role model to my fellow peers,” she said.
Hannah was the first female student at the CTC to obtain and earn an OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 certification. She’s served as a student ambassador for the last two years and has also participated in 4-H for the past 10 years.
She plans to attend Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology and become a certified welder/certified welding inspector.
— SARAH HOFIUS HALL
shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133;
@hofiushallTT on Twitter
Old Forge
As part of their senior project, Nick Nalaschi, Ryan Termini, Jacob Burkhart, Anthony Marsico and Matthew Smith are in charge of this year’s backpack program for the district.
In its third year, the program helps feed students and their families. After receiving food from a local food bank, the students help pack 40 to 50 bags for families each week.
— SARAH HOFIUS HALL
shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133;
@hofiushallTT on Twitter
Riverside
Addison Smith became Cruella De Vil from “101 Dalmatians” during Riverside Elementary East’s Halloween Parade.
The parade was held inside this year instead of the usual outdoor parade for parents.
“It was still fun and the parents got to see it on live stream at home,” she said.
Addison, who is in fourth grade, said despite dressing up as the Disney villain, she actually like dogs.
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;
@kbolusTT on Twitter.
Scranton
Whittier Elementary School fifth grade student Liarexmy Miecen wanted each teacher, secretary and aide in the annex to know how much they are appreciated.
Last month, she wrote and delivered hand-written notes to each of them.
“I just wanted to show appreciation for their services in the school and how we all respect them,” Liarexmy, 10, said. “I feel like they’re always there to help you. They can always be there when you need something or if something is going on.”
— SARAH HOFIUS HALL
shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133;
@hofiushallTT on Twitter
Susquehanna Communtity
Fourth grader Aubrey Welsh, 9, has volunteered her time cleaning up after breakfast each day at school and making sure the stations have enough items.
She also returns the carts to the cafeteria.
“I like helping my peers and the staff,” Aubrey said. “I consider it fun and rewarding.”
— ROBERT TOMKAVAGE
rtomkavage
@timesshamrock.com;
570-348-9100 x5365;
@rtomkavage on Twitter
Valley View
Mackenzie McHale was October senior of the month for foreign language.
“I feel honored to have been selected for this award, especially since I was nominated by an esteemed mentor and teacher of mine, Mrs. Namlick,” she said. “I take pride in my commitment to foreign language studies, as speaking an additional language is vital to the career that I wish to obtain.”
After graduation, Mackenzie plans to study government, law and Spanish.
Senior of the month is sponsored by the Valley View Student Council and the Blakely/Peckville Lions Club.
Mackenzie is a four-year member of the varsity basketball team, a member of National Honor Society and a participant in Valley View’s unified track and field team.
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;
@kbolusTT on Twitter
Wallenpaupack
Fourth grader Anthony (Ace) Rose participated in a karate tournament at Kalahari Resorts and will be attending the Karate World Championship in North Carolina.
“I have been doing karate for five years,” Anthony said. “My favorite thing about karate are the kicks.”
Anthony, 9, also enjoys fishing.
— ROBERT TOMKAVAGE
rtomkavage
@timesshamrock.com;
570-348-9100 x5365;
@rtomkavage on Twitter
Wayne Highlands
Reagan Gries, 7, performed a dance routine about antibullying during an in-service on opening day for the school district.
“I enjoyed dancing and learning with the older students,” Reagan said.
The second grader at the Damascus Area School enjoys gymnastics, math class, playing outdoors and teaching her hamster, Samantha, tricks.
Reagan would like to become a veterinarian.
— ROBERT TOMKAVAGE
rtomkavage
@timesshamrock.com;
570-348-9100 x5365;
@rtomkavage on Twitter
Western Wayne
Madison Kammer competed in the PIAA Cross County Championships in Hershey on Nov. 2.
“It was a really great experience to compete with a lot of talented girls throughout the whole state,” Madison said.
Madison, 15, is a member of the Wildcats marching band, where she plays the flute and piccolo. She participated in county band and played in the pit band in the high school’s production of “Annie” last year. She also participates in outdoor track and field in the two mile run, one mile run, 800 and 4x8 relay race. She has participated in the Jordan Relays, the Robert Spagna Championship Track & Field Meet and District 2 track meet.
— ROBERT TOMKAVAGE
rtomkavage
@timesshamrock.com;
570-348-9100 x5365;
@rtomkavage on Twitter