Abington Heights
Sixth grader William Egan spent the fall writing letters to law enforcement and other first responder offices across the country to thank them for their service.
Will, an Abington Heights Middle School student, requested the departments share a patch from their unit to add to his collection.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in Golden Colorado responded to Will’s request in late November. They took a video of the letter being read to staff and their response, titled “A Letter from a Future Super Hero.” The office also sent Will a sheriff’s baseball cap and a challenge coin, along with junior deputy stickers and frisbees for his classmates and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office patch.
He plans to write to other law enforcement agencies across the country to grow his collection.
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;
@kbolusTT on Twitter
Blue Ridge
Senior Ainsley Allen maintains a job at Jenny Leigh’s Country Cookin’ through the school’s co-op program, averaging 20 hours a week.
She takes EMR classes at the Harford Fire Hall two nights a week and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. She plans on taking the national registration exam in January to become a certified EMR.
Ainsley has also been working hard as an actress at the Hellstead Manor on weekends for the past seven weeks. She has acted there for the past four seasons. She enjoys scaring people and applying makeup for her position.
In her spare time, Ainsley is learning to be a tattoo artist. Although she knows her passion for art may not pay the bills, she would like to learn the art of tattooing. Ainsley hopes to become a firefighter one day.
After high school, she plans to be a volunteer firefighter, EMR and take some type of formal art training.
— ROBERT TOMKAVAGE
rtomkavage
@timesshamrock.com;
570-348-9100 x5365;
@rtomkavage on Twitter
Carbondale Area
Alexis Price and her peers on the Chargerettes soccer team turned their game against the Forest City Lady Foresters into a fight against cancer.
The game on Oct. 14 was a “Red Card Cancer” event, which aims to help defeat the world’s biggest opponent by uniting the global game of soccer in the fight against cancer.
The game was a success. The teams raised money through the T-shirts, bracelets, pin-ups and concessions sales which was all donated to the American Cancer Society.
The Foresters won, 6-3.
Alexis said it was a “good way to bring everyone together to support a cause that’s near and dear to many of our hearts.”
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;
@kbolusTT on Twitter
Career Technology Center
Ryan Shoener, a service occupations junior from North Pocono, will head to Hershey in April for the
SkillsUSA state conference. He will compete in the building maintenance competition.
Ryan’s “hard work ethic, leadership skills and good character” have earned him the chance to participate in the event to show off his personal and workplace skills, according to the school.
“I’m very excited to go to SkillsUSA,” Ryan said. “It’s a great opportunity. It pays off to work hard to achieve your goals.”
Ryan is a member of the CTCLC safety committee.
— SARAH HOFIUS HALL
shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133;
@hofiushallTT on Twitter
Delaware Valley
Tarna Batelman is a well-rounded senior.
“Being well rounded has made me more social and allowed me to take full advantage of all the things DV has to offer,” Tarna said.
She is a member of National Honor Society, Rho Kappa, Mu Alpha Theta, an AP Scholar with Distinction and part of Day of Caring, Turkey Trot and Warrior Fest.
She plans to attend a four-year college after graduation.
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;
@kbolusTT on Twitter
Dunmore
Dunmore Elementary Center students and sisters Mia Irving and Maggie Irving started a business called “Accessories for Change,” and donate a portion of their profits to service initiatives and charities.
“We wanted to donate some of our profits because we understand that there are people less fortunate than us, and helping out is a good thing,” said Mia, a sixth grade student.
In the past few months, the sisters donated to Dunmore families in need of financial assistance for medical reasons and purchased products for local organizations who help foster children, among other initiatives.
Mia and Maggie purchase products at wholesalers and repack and sell the items at craft fairs throughout the area and online. Popular items include lip balms, earrings and small gifts.
The sisters started the business with help from their mother and are learning business skills while giving back to their community.
Maggie, a third grade student, enjoys meeting new people at the crafts fairs while spending time with her sister and mother.
“We’re learning about business, pricing, advertising, marketing and how women can run successful businesses,” added Mia.
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;
@kbolusTT on Twitter
Elk Lake
Sophomore Kevin Noldy , who previously held Elk Lake’s record for the 100 backstroke, recently broke that record with a 59:24.
“I was excited when I broke our school’s record in the 100 backstroke last season at championships. It was incredible when I broke
my own record this season and set a new school record,” he said.
Kevin swims year round.
“Sometimes it’s hard, but you know you have to push yourself to get better,” he said. “I’m working hard and hope to get to states during my high school career.”
He said his coaches and teammates make the sport fun.
Kevin also runs cross country and is a member of 4H and Spanish Club.
After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in engineering in college and also wants to swim.
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;
@kbolusTT on Twitter
Forest City
Regional
Senior Cameron Britton volunteered at the Browndale Fire Company for his senior project.
He helped at the annual car show and fall chicken barbecue. He also did cleaning duties, ran fire calls and attended trainings to increase his fire operation skills.
“The most rewarding part for me was helping people in their worst time and being a part of the fire department family,” Cameron said.
He is a member of the yearbook committee, CHOPS, baseball, fishing club and Browndale Fire Department.
Cameron plans on working and living in Harrisburg, get training from the Progress Fire Department and eventually working as a full-time firefighter.
— LISA ZACCAGNINO
lzaccagnino
@timesshamrock.com;
570-348-9130
Lackawanna Trail
Gerald “JR” Decker successfully auditioned for the Pennsylvania Music Educators District Chorus festival.
“I worked hard to prepare my audition piece for several months,” he said.
JR listened to recordings he found online and practiced each week with the high school choir director.
“I think the entire experience is going to be awesome because the music is so incredible,” he said.
The festival will be held at Marywood University this month. It will be JR’s first PMEA festival and he is looking forward to singing high quality literature with students from local school districts.
He is a member of the drama club, varsity track and field team, Madrigal Choir and concert band, jazz band and marching band.
He plans attend a nearby two- or four-year college or university after graduation.
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;
@kbolusTT on Twitter
Mid Valley
Senior Michael Miller is a starting player for the varsity boys basketball team.
“It’s a really good experience that keeps me busy while working me mentally and physically,” he said. “It also lets me have fun with my friends as well.”
Michael also plays baseball and tennis and is president of the Students Against Destructive Decisions club.
Michael plans on attending West Chester University to major in secondary mathematics.
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;
@kbolusTT on Twitter
Mountain View
Eighth grader Riley Jagger won the school’s geography bee.
“I got a very easy question at the end,” he said. “The geography bee was fun.”
Riley participates in baseball, basketball and soccer, and is a member of the Junior Honor Society.
He hopes to study engineering at Penn State.
— ROBERT TOMKAVAGE
rtomkavage
@timesshamrock.com;
570-348-9100 x5365;
@rtomkavage on Twitter
North Pocono
Senior Edward Olenchak has taken numerous Advanced Placement courses while in high school.
”North Pocono’s given me the opportunity to succeed,” he said.
Edward, who ranks in the top 25% of the class, plays basketball and is captain of the golf team. He’s a member of student council, SADD and mathletes club.
Edward plans to study social data analytics at Penn State in the fall.
— SARAH HOFIUS HALL
shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133;
@hofiushallTT on Twitter
Old Forge
Senior Prince Scurry, who moved to Old Forge in October, plans to be the first in his family to graduate from high school this spring.
When he lived in South Carolina, Prince became involved in making and producing rap music.
“I travel to different cities where I am invited and attend several music studios with their local artists where I record my music,” he said. “I have also entered several contests including one that was recently held in Wilkes-Barre where I was able to perform my music.”
Music is a way for Prince to express himself, and his music can be found on Spotify, iTunes and other platforms with the artist name is Baby 2x.
Prince, a member of the basketball, football and wrestling teams, plans to continue his music career after high school.
— SARAH HOFIUS HALL
shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133;
@hofiushallTT on Twitter
Riverside
Fourth graders Luke Diegnan and Seth Ochman have been learning about the Knox Mine Disaster in their Pennsylvania history class.
“I learned that the men were mining too close to the riverbed,” said Luke. “This made it collapse into the mine.
On Jan. 22, 1959, in Port Griffith, 12 miners drowned after the Susquenhanna River plunged through into the mines.
“I learned that Myron Thomas of Taylor was a hero in the accident by rescuing about 25 guys,” said Seth. “They escaped through the Eagle Air Shaft.”
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;
@kbolusTT on Twitter
Scranton
West Scranton Intermediate honored students for the month of December.
Ramses Bracero, grade 7, was selected for student of the month for the characteristic of thoughtful.
Daniel Ebersole, grade 8, was selected as scholar of the month for the subject area of social studies.
— SARAH HOFIUS HALL
shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133;
@hofiushallTT on Twitter
Scranton Prep
Senior Evan Garver is a professional cross country mountain biker, racing as a category 1 professional.
He finished fifth overall in the 2019 racing series standings in the PA Interscholastic Cycling League as a member of the Keystone Composite, racing under Scranton Prep. In 2018, Evan was the first place finisher in the Mid Atlantic Super Series.
”I was really excited to reach the professional category 1 level,” he said. “Cross Country mountain biking requires a unique discipline. I’ve played many sports but never found one that puts your body through such a high endurance level both physically and mentally.”
Evan volunteers at Lackawanna State Park, building mountain trails and went with some fellow classmates on the Reading summer service trip last year. Evan plans to attend Brevard College in North Carolina to major in engineering, with the hope of breaking into trail design in the cycling industry.
— SARAH HOFIUS HALL
shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133;
@hofiushallTT on Twitter
Susquehanna Community
Junior Val White helped a man recovering from a stroke.
“I was willing to come over and try to help him as much as I could,” he said. “I learned to shake his left hand, due to his stroke, and how to communicate with him because he is nonverbal. I take care of the coal and ashes, and whatever else needs to be done. While helping out this man, I have made a new friend.”
Val participates in cross country and track and is working on becoming an Eagle Scout.
He’s planning to go to college for electrical engineering and hopes to get a job building houses or as an electrical engineer.
— ROBERT TOMKAVAGE
rtomkavage
@timesshamrock.com;
570-348-9100 x5365;
@rtomkavage on Twitter
Valley View
Ally Welsch is December senior of the month for art.
“I am beyond thankful to be chosen,” she said. “My art teacher, Mrs. Burge, has always been such a supportive and caring person. I am very lucky to have had her to help me grow as an artist.”
Senior of the month is sponsored by the Valley View student council and the Blakely/Peckville Lions Club.
Ally is a member of the art club, cross country and track and field teams. She also enjoys painting, drawing, sewing, reading and the outdoors.
She plans on joining the Air Force after graduation.
— KATHLEEN BOLUS
kbolus@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5114;
@kbolusTT on Twitter
Wallenpaupack Area
Junior Tadd Zumpone piloted his drone for the school district’s first-ever, district-wide outdoor pep
rally.
There were about 3,000 students and staff in attendance, and he recorded video and took pictures throughout the entire event.
“I was able to show my school spirit while doing what I love and that is what school should be all about,” he said.
Tadd enjoys video production, photography, video editing, 3-D design and printing and running sound for live performances. He is involved in the WAHS Players and the National Honor Society.
His volunteer work includes doing microphones/sound at the Ritz Company Playhouse as well as assisting with the collection, sorting and distribution of toys for the Zipper Junction Holiday Toy Drive.
He plans to pursue a career in film production/editing.
— ROBERT TOMKAVAGE
rtomkavage
@timesshamrock.com;
570-348-9100 x5365;
@rtomkavage on Twitter
Wayne Highlands
Mia Hall, an eighth-grade student at the Damascus School, is a junior high cross country runner for Honesdale.
She has been competing with USA Track & Field on the state and national level. Recently, she competed in the Philadelphia 4K, finishing ninth of 50 runners in her age group. That result qualified her for a regional race in Niagara Falls where she finished 15th out of 150. She also qualified for nationals in Wisconsin, where she finished 189th out of 400.
Mia said she has been running since she was 3 years old. She said her love of running comes from her father, who also enjoys running.
She participates in basketball and likes to paint.
She would like to run cross country in college.
— ROBERT TOMKAVAGE
rtomkavage
@timesshamrock.com;
570-348-9100 x5365;
@rtomkavage on Twitter
Western Wayne
Katherine Roedel , a sixth grader at Western Wayne Middle School, was recognized for outstanding work in English Language Arts.
“I really love reading mystery novels,” Katherine said. “My ELA teacher, Mr. Fahrenbach, makes class fun.”
Katherine’s favorite class is social studies and she really enjoyed learning about some of the first inventions. She also loves participating in chorus and really enjoyed preparing holiday music for the school’s January chorus and band concert. In her spare time, she loves to participate in hip hop dance class at a local studio in
Honesdale, where she gets the chance to enjoy dancing with her friends.
— ROBERT TOMKAVAGE
rtomkavage
@timesshamrock.com;
570-348-9100 x5365;
@rtomkavage on Twitter