Abington Heights
Brady McHugh, Abington Heights (Submitted)
Senior Brady McHugh recently auditioned and qualified for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District Jazz Band on drum set, the first Abington Heights student to qualify for this honor in almost a decade, according to school officials.
“I have taken drum lessons for awhile, and the hard work has paid off with qualifying for the District Jazz Band,” he said. “My experience at Abington Heights and with Mr. Lesnesky (band director) has been fantastic!”
Brady’s activities at school are jazz band, marching band and symphonic/concert band. He also plays with the Keystone College band and is employed by Weis Markets in Clarks Summit. Brady plans to attend Marywood University’s SOAR program for two years.
Blue Ridge
Jayce Treible, Blue Ridge (Submitted)
Sixth grader Jayce Treible is recognized as a hardworking student who successfully balances academics and extracurricular activities. He is a member of middle school student council and recently attended the PASC Region H Conference. He also recently participated in Chorus Fest at Honesdale High School. Jayce has been recognized as a student of the month this school year.
“It was cool,” Jayce said of the leadership conference. “We got to do fun activities and learn about leadership and teamwork.”
In addition to student council and chorus, he plays percussion in the school band and had a role in the fall school play, “Hercules.” Jayce is also a very active athlete, playing soccer at 434 Sportsplex in Binghamton, New York, basketball with Blue Ridge Basketball Club, and baseball for Blue Ridge Little League and Triple Cities Empire.
After high school, Jayce would like to attend Penn State University or Keystone College to study sports leadership. As a career, he would like to be a professional athlete and coach.
Carbondale Area
Alexis Borosky, Carbondale Area (SUBMITTED)
Eighth grader Alexis Borosky attended the Girls in STEM competition in Scranton. She participated in mathematics, science, programming and engineering activities, including testing pH levels of skin products and making a machine that made paper butterflies.
“It was very educational and fun,” Alexis said.
Her activities include softball, basketball, science and technology club, and Girls in STEM.
Alexis plans on attending college after she graduates.
Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County
Paige Rudalavage, CTC (Submitted)
Paige Rudalavage, a senior at Valley View High School, has excelled in the cosmetology program. School officials say she is always willing to help out when needed and has excelled in completing tasks throughout her time in the program, leading to obtaining her State Board Cosmetology license early before high school graduation. She has maintained an A average throughout the year.
While in the program, Paige has obtained her OSHA10 for cosmetology and her Milady Trafficking Awareness certification. She is also certified in Hand-Tied Weft Hair Extensions, I-Tip Hair Extensions, and received certifications in Eye Lash Extension and Norvelle Spray Tan. At CTC, she has assisted with New Student Acceptance, numerous cosmetology community services trips and the student salon.
“CTC was a great environment and helped me reach all my goals,” Paige said.
At Valley View, she is a football cheerleader, and after graduation, school officials say Paige has a salon chair waiting for her at Fusion Hair Design.
Delaware Valley
Meadow Weber, Delaware Valley (SUBMITTED)
Freshman Meadow Weber won third all around in state gymnastics to qualify for regionals to compete first on the all-star team on May 18 in Westford, Massachusetts.
“Being involved in these activities has been very time consuming, and it is hard to keep up with my school work,” she said.
Meadow’s activities include gymnastics and dance outside of school, snowboarding, coaching and working at a local restaurant.
Dunmore
On April 26, senior Oum Patel and junior Santino Nicastro competed in the International Bridge Contest hosted by the Illinois Institute of Technology. Santino’s bridge weighed 12.84 grams and held 15.9 kilograms, giving him a score of 1238. Oum’s bridge weighed 16.68 grams and held 52.5 kg, giving him a score of 2998, a school record and enough to earn him 12th place overall among the 44 contestants who submitted bridges in person or by mail. Oum and Santino qualified for this competition on March 15 at the Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Bridge Building Competition hosted by North Pocono High School.
These contests provide students with an opportunity to apply math and science in a physical project, meet like-minded people, and motivate the next generation of engineers, Dunmore school officials said.
Elk Lake
Anya Unger, Elk Lake (SUBMITTED)
Junior Anya Unger is the elementary yearbook editor. She also plays volleyball and is on the prom steering committee.
“Being the elementary yearbook editor is a very tough but rewarding job. It has taught me how to take charge and use my skills. These two years have been a wonderful learning experience, and I can’t wait to take on the role as the high school yearbook editor,” she said.
Anya’s activities include volleyball, prom steering and UPS Reading/STEM Program.
She plans on going to college to become a graphic designer.
Forest City Regional
Melissa Heinle, Forest City Regional (SUBMITTED)
Senior Melissa Heinle made Spanish flashcards for Spanish 1 & Spanish 2 with many vocabulary words and verbs as well for a senior project. Mr. Priebe, Spanish teacher, uses these cards for studying each lesson. Melissa spent over 25 hours on the project.
“I liked helping the younger students in our school learn Spanish,” Melissa said.
Melissa’s activities include Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, art club and Including You Diversity Club. She also works part time at a local food store.
Melissa plans on attending the University of Scranton for computer science.
Lackawanna Trail
Lyla Ryon, Lackawanna Trail (Submitted)
Eighth grader Lyla Ryon successfully earned a spot on the U16 USA Junior Women’s National Team after participating in the highly competitive field hockey tryout process.
“If you fail to prepare, you’re prepared to fail,” she said.
In addition to her participation on the team, Lyla’s other activities are junior high track and field, junior high field hockey and club field hockey. She wants to play Division 1 field hockey while pursuing further education after high school.
Lakeland
Brooke Hill, Lakeland (Submitted)
Abigail Jager, Lakeland (Submitted)
Seventh grader Abigail Jager and senior Brooke Hill were recently recognized as junior and senior high students of the month. Abby’s teachers nominated her for “excelling on assignments and being willing to help other students,” and “being an all around great student who is polite, cooperative, participates, and is helpful and motivated.” Brooke’s teachers described her as being “very involved in the Lakeland community through clubs and extracurriculars,” and being “a strong academic student who exhibits all of the TRIBE qualities.”
Abby, who participates in track and field and Lakeland Junior Chiefs cheer, said she was shocked to find out that she was student of the month, but “I’m really happy about it because I know it’s such a big accomplishment.”
Brooke said the last time she was student of the month was in elementary school.
“I’ve always put a lot of work into school, so for teachers to be able to recognize that again now that I’m a senior is really cool,” she said.
Brooke, who will attend Misericordia University to study biology on the pre-dental track and play soccer, participates in soccer, track and field, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, Aevidum and Students Against Destructive Decisions. Abby would like to go to college and potentially be a dermatologist after high school.
Mid Valley
Jayden Hill, Mid Valley (SUBMITTED)
Senior Jayden Hill has been accepted to the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) class of 2029. His major is general engineering with an interest in aerospace. He is also enrolled as a cadet in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets under the NROTC track, and intends to pursue a minor in naval leadership.
“As one of the six Senior Military Colleges in the U.S., Virginia Tech blends tradition and progress into a cumulative education that I feel will best prepare me for my aspirations,” Jayden said.
His activities include Pa. Junior Academy of Science, history club, chess team, Spanish club and National Honor Society. He is also employed part time as a FOH assistant manager.
After graduation, Jayden intends to study for his bachelor’s degree at Virginia Tech. Immediately after his degree, he plans to commission into the Marine Corps as an officer in either intelligence or combat engineering.
Old Forge
Amira Medallel, Old Forge (SUBMITTED)
Third grader Amira Medallel recently participated in the Old Forge Elementary talent show held on April 13.
“I was one of the performers who did a group dance and gymnastics. In gymnastics, I did my greatest moves, and in my group dance number my friends and I performed together. We all helped to choreograph it. I was nervous at first to perform, but then when I got on stage I danced my heart out,” Amira said.
Her activities include jazz and tap dance classes, gymnastics, piano, cheer and soccer.
Riverside
Miriangeliz Molina-Hernandez, Riverside (SUBMITTED)
The students in Amber Rugletic’s fourth grade science classes will be participating in the annual trash walk. It’s an opportunity to celebrate Earth Day by making a difference in their school’s neighborhood’s environment.
“I think it’s important to pick up litter so it doesn’t wind up in streams and rivers. If it does, it can kill fish and other life in these waterways,” Miriangeliz Molina-Hernandez said, adding, “I’m excited to clean up our school’s neighborhood.”
Scranton
Charles Sumner Elementary School first grader Kailah McKenzie was chosen as the Sumner Kindness Star for the month of March. Her name was on the school’s Kindness Tree the most.
Each day, students’ names are put on the Kindness Tree when they are caught doing something kind. Their names are read each morning on the loudspeaker at school. Her name was on the tree and announced the most.
Kailah loves to be kind and make people happy and she is very proud to be the Kindness Star, the school said. She loves to play outside and with her friends. School officials say she is a great student and works well with others.
Valley View
Taylor Cawley, Valley View (SUBMITTED)
Senior Taylor Cawley has been selected senior of the month in business at school.
“It is a great honor to be selected student of the month in business. It is something I am very passionate about. I got accepted into Binghamton University’s School of Management and I want to pursue a career in accounting,” she said.
Taylor enjoys playing softball on the varsity girls softball team and, in her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family.
Upon graduation from high school, Taylor plans on attending Binghamton University, with a major in accounting (School of Management). She will also continue to play softball.
Wallenpaupack Area
Zachary Pollan, Wallenpaupack Area (Submitted)
Seventh grader Zachary Pollan has been playing for the local lacrosse team for two years. He plays four times per week and competes against other local teams and in tournaments on the weekends.
He enjoys hanging out with his friends, playing games with them and getting playing time. In addition, Zach rides quads and ATVs and also enjoys fishing.
Wayne Highlands
Katelyn Stiles, Wayne Highlands (Submitted)
Lakeside Elementary School fifth grader Katelyn Stiles is highly involved in activities at the school and in the community. She participates in the Missy Basketball program and the Wayne Highlands Softball League. She is also a member of the school’s Girls on the Run program. Katelyn and her teammates are training for their race on May 23.
She said she loves spending time with her friends at Girls on the Run. Katelyn’s other activities are basketball, softball and running. She plans to work at her family’s farm after high school.
Western Wayne
Ashdyn Agnello, Western Wayne (Submitted)
Robert D. Wilson Elementary School fourth grader Ashdyn Agnello is the youngest Pacers Aquatic Club swimmer to swim in the Eastern Zone SC (short course) Championship meet in Webster, New York. He dedicates six-plus hours weekly to swimming. While at the pool, he swims approximately 2,500 yards daily.
School officials say not only is Ashdyn very involved in sports, he an excellent student, always making school his priority.
“I’m very excited and proud,” he said.
When not in the pool, Ashdyn is busy with multiple sports. He pitches for the Western Wayne Little League Minors Team, he’s a striker for his Wildcat soccer team, he plays W.W. Biddy Basketball and is on a Wildcat flag football team at Riverfront. When he grows up, he would like to be a professional baseball player.