Abington Heights
Kale Bonnewell, Abington Heights (Submitted)
Sophomore Kale Bonnewell took the polar plunge to support Special Olympics.
“I really liked being a part of the polar plunge so I can raise money for Special Olympics and be with my classmates doing something fun,” he said. “The water was ice cold, it felt like I was in the snow, but it was fun and worth it!”
Kale is a member of the Unified bocce and track teams, and after high school, he wants to be a sound designer, voice actor, actor and a movie director in the future.
Blue Ridge
Bella Montague, Blue Ridge (Submitted)
Freshman Bella Montague continues to excel both in and out of the classroom, earning a reputation for being kind, hardworking and creative, according to school officials. As a dedicated member of the Susky Ridge Youth Shooting Sports archery team, she recently completed a rigorous circuit of state qualifying tournaments across the region. Bella’s impressive performance secured her a spot in the state competition, which will be held at Spooky Nook in Manheim on Friday.
When asked what her favorite thing about archery is, she said, “I enjoy the community. Even if you’re doing bad, people still build you up and are kind and thoughtful with what they do.”
In addition to archery, Bella is involved with Blue Ridge Ag and FFA. Her hobbies include reading, creative writing, horseback riding and annoying her brother Leo. While her future plans are still taking shape, Bella is determined to find a path that combines her passion for horses with her talent for writing, school officials said.
Carbondale Area
Thomas Seymour, Carbondale Area (SUBMITTED)
Senior Thomas Seymour is playing the title role in the drama club’s upcoming production of the musical “Aladdin,” which is taking place March 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. and March 22 at 2 p.m.
“I feel very lucky to star in the CAHS musical this year, especially with this being my senior year,” he said.
His activities include baseball, writing, YouTube video development and acting.
Thomas plans on attending East Stroudsburg University for early childhood education.
Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County
McGee Toy, CTC (Submitted)
McGee Toy, a senior at North Pocono High School, is excelling in the welding program. He currently maintains and A average and is on co-op with Lockheed Martin. McGee passed multiple welding tests at Lockheed Martin while receiving all of his structural steel qualifications, OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 at the center.
“The CTC gave me the opportunity to earn real certifications and prove my skills,” McGee said. “Passing the welding tests at Lockheed Martin while still in high school is something I’m really proud of and it motivates me to keep pushing forward in the trade.”
He plans to continue working with Lockheed Martin after high school.
Dunmore
Seniors Abby Itterly and Krithika Krishnan were both selected as artists of the week for the arts program sponsored by WVIA. Abby was selected as the visual artist and Krithika was selected as the performing artist.
This television and digital campaign is designed to call attention to high school students who have excelled in the study of the arts. The partnering high school selects two students, one visual artist and one performing artist, who will be interviewed at the WVIA studios for a one-minute vignette. The Artist of the Week spot showcases the student, high school and school district and salutes them for their artistic achievement on WVIA-TV for one week and wvia.org for one year.
Elk Lake
Lilliana Huff, Elk Lake (SUBMITTED)
Junior Lilliana Huff is a student in Ms. Kelley’s algebra essentials class. Ms. Kelley’s dog Ammo passed away suddenly in August. It was a devastating loss for her and she knew she wanted to do something special to commemorate him, with something to place next to his ashes in her home. At first she was just going to print a photo on canvas, but the more she thought about it, the more she felt like a hand-painted portrait would mean so much more.
She has seen firsthand how talented Lilliana is — from her sketchbook work to the pieces Mrs. Stone (her art teacher) shares in her school emails. She asked Lilliana if she would be interested in painting Ammo for her, and Lilliana immediately said yes. She sent her the photo she wanted her to use as a reference, and Lilliana absolutely surpassed her expectations.
This is Lilliana’s first commissioned piece, which makes it even more special to Ms. Kelley. Ms. Kelley is so proud of her for being willing to put herself out there and trust her talent. The finished portrait means more than Ms. Kelley can say, and she is grateful she could support such an incredible young artist.
“I’m insanely happy my first-ever commission is from one of my favorite teachers, Ms. Kelley. She’s never failed to educate me, even through the hardest times, and I’ve never appreciated someone more than her,” Lilliana said.
Lilliana plans on taking animation classes or just any art classes in college in the future.
Forest City Regional
Bradley Carpenter, Forest City Regional (SUBMITTED)
Senior Bradley Carpenter attended the 2024 Washington, D.C., trip with younger students to help assist Mr. Nebzydoski for his senior project. He helped organize and plan the trip for accommodations and museums. He helped students on the tour trips and daily excursions.
“I enjoyed helping make the trip fun and so the students learned alot,” Brad said.
His activities include ski team, cheer team and CTC full-time electrical program.
After graduation, Bradley will work full time in the electrical construction field.
Lackawanna Trail
Tyler Jervis, Lackawanna Trail (Submitted)
Senior Tyler Jervis was selected to play in the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association Small School East West All-Star Game, which will be played May 17 at Cumberland Valley High School.
He provided the following quote about his accomplishment: “The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender.” – Vince Lombardi
Tyler, who plans to attend Colgate University to major in math or physics, participates in varsity baseball, varsity football and the ski club. He is also the class president, president of the National Honor Society, vice president of the student council and a member of the Envirothon Team.
Mid Valley
Emma Fredricks, Mid Valley (SUBMITTED)
Fourth grader Emma Fredricks earned first place in the video component of the STEM competition.
“If you try something new, you will achieve more,” she said.
Emma participates in gymnastics, softball, pitching, STEM competition and soccer.
She plans to become a veterinarian.
North Pocono
Mitchell Stem, North Pocono (SUBMITTED)
Mitchell Stem is a high honors student who is enrolled in automotive technology at the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County. He is currently a student in Lackawanna College’s level-up pathway where he is pursuing an associate degree in petroleum and natural gas. Mitchell hopes to one day graduate from the petroleum program and pursue an engineering degree elsewhere.
He is involved in the Wyoming Area Warriors ice hockey team and was the varsity team captain this year. Mitchell currently works at Lamparter’s Wildlife Design, doing taxidermy work.
Old Forge
Ella Weeks, Old Forge (SUBMITTED)
Second grader Ella Weeks is a new student this year to Old Forge and she had a great week celebrating Dr. Seuss Week.
“Dr. Seuss Week was so much fun,” she said. “Each day we were able to dress a certain theme, had guest readers, and on Friday, special guest reader who read the book ‘Maybe.’ This was an extra special week for me because I was student of the week for my class. I had to make a poster describing myself and it was hung up all week.”
Ella’s activities include ballet, tap, jazz, softball and cheer.
Riverside
Isabella Ramos, Riverside (SUBMITTED)
Nathan Trolio, Riverside (SUBMITTED)
The students in the district celebrated Read Across America week with themed dress-down days and a visit from guest readers.
Isabella Ramos, a fifth grader, likes reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. “I enjoy reading on my own, and liked the red and blue dress-down day because it’s our school’s colors,” she said.
Nathan Trolio, fourth grader, favored wearing his favorite sports team shirt, which was his Riverside Basketball All Stars jersey. “It was neat when our superintendent, Mr. Brennan, came into Mrs. Lindsay’s class to read some of the books he wrote called Daddy Ball and Swagger. He even gave us copies,” Nathan said.
Scranton
The following students at Robert Morris Elementary School were the Social and Emotional Learning winners for the month of February for best displaying the social and emotional characteristic of honesty: Elias Morrison, Tatum Fahey, Bentley Ogilvie, Jayla Sewell, Mario Flores, Molly Pappas, Lexi Walsh, Zayd Aljoboury, Olivia Zhang, Brianalee West, Angelic Reyes Lopez, Edward Pena, Massiah Domenech and Austin Garcia.
Valley View
Dylan Ferraro, Valley View (SUBMITTED)
Dylan Ferraro has been selected as senior of the month in social studies.
“I’m grateful to be nominated as senior of the month. I do what I can to stay on top of my classwork and it is nice to see that pay off,” he said.
When Dylan is not busy in the classroom, he enjoys fixing electronics and working out in his free time.
Upon graduation from high school, Dylan plans on attending the University of Scranton, where he will work toward earning a bachelor’s degree in computer hardware engineering.
Wayne Highlands
Aven Hafler, Wayne Highlands (Submitted)
Damascus School seventh grader Aven Hafler plays percussion in the school band and sings in the chorus. He attended the Middle Grades Music and Art Festival at Dingman, Delaware, on March 12.
Aven, who has been playing the drums in the band and singing in the chorus since fifth grade, said “auditioning for solos is the most fun part of chorus.” His favorite part about being in the band is playing recognizable songs. He is excited to perform “Wipeout” in the spring concert.
Aven, who aspires to attend either Harvard or Princeton and study law and order, is also involved in basketball, baseball and GATE, and takes drum lessons.
Western Wayne
Owen Obloshny, Western Wayne (Submitted)
Senior Owen Obloshny is an accomplished academic, performance and culinary arts student, according to school officials.
He has been in drama club for five years, during which he has been Mr. Bernstein in “Little Shop of Horrors,” Flounder in “The Little Mermaid,” Uncle Fester in “The Addams Family” and Sam Carmichael in “Mamma Mia!” This year he will play Willy Wonka in the spring production of Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
Owen has been the club’s vice president for two years and the secretary for one year. He was previously a member of the Western Wayne Choir, where he made it to District Choir and Regional Choir during the 2023-24 school year and held the secretary position. In addition to drama club, Owen has been a member of the robotics team and studio club. His other activities include acting at several theatres: The Ritz in Hawley, where he was ensemble in “Urinetown”; the Scranton Cultural Center, where he played Damien in “Mean Girls”; and Imagine NEPA, where he played Caleb Thorpe in “Spitfire Grill.” Owen has also worked at Jak’s Pub & Eatery for four years.
“I am excited to start my path to a career in the culinary arts after high school,” he said. “I really enjoyed my time at Western Wayne in drama club and in my culinary arts classes.”
Owen’s future plans include getting his bachelor’s degree in culinary science from the Culinary Institute of America, where he gained early acceptance.