Abington Heights
Nicholas Bradley, Abington Heights (Submitted)
Senior Nicholas Bradley, who has committed to Auburn University, delivered his second consecutive no-hitter on May 4 in a game against West Scranton, following up a dominant performance on April 27 against Valley View.
In the first inning of the game, Nick also surpassed 200 career strikeouts, and now sits at 211 for his career — a total that is believed to be the highest in program history and still counting. The reigning Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year continues to elevate his legacy in his senior season, and school officials said they’re proud to celebrate this remarkable stretch alongside his teammates, coaches, family and supporters.
“I’m proud of my athletic experience at Abington Heights,” Nicholas said. “I’m just really happy that the team is coming together at this time of the season as we move into postseason competition.”
He also plays varsity football and plans to major in business at Auburn.
Blue Ridge
Violet Six, Blue Ridge (Submitted)
First grader Violet Six won the first grade competition in the elementary school’s oral reading contest. Homeroom teachers each selected two or three students from their class to participate. Students were encouraged to act out their reading and show expression to entertain their audience of teachers, parents and grade-level peers. Violet read an excerpt from her favorite book series, “The Cupcake Diaries” by Coco Simon.
On participating, she said, “I felt excited because I thought I might win first place.” Violet said that to prepare, “I practiced a lot at my house almost every night.”
When asked how winning felt, she said, “I felt so super excited and happy.”
Outside of school, Violet, who would like to be a singer when she grows up, participates in Blue Ridge Youth Soccer, and her hobbies include playing outside, reading and making art.
Carbondale Area
Brooke Boguski, Carbondale Area (SUBMITTED)
Seventh grader Brooke Boguski was given an award for the top average in the seventh grade at the academic honors ceremony.
“This accomplishment taught me a lot about hard work. I was focused all year on reaching this goal. It motivated me to stay organized, keep my grades up and not give up,” she said.
Brooke’s activities include the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, science/technology club, student council, Girls in STEM, soccer, basketball and softball. She volunteered at food stands for sporting events and volunteered at the school cleanup.
Brooke plans to apply to the University of South Carolina for physical therapy.
Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County
Ambar Calderon Alvarez, Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County (Submitted)
Ambar Calderon Alvarez, a junior at West Scranton High School in the cosmetology program, is a delightful student who consistently carries a bright smile and positive attitude, school officials said. As a student ambassador, she represents the school with professionalism and enthusiasm during tours and presentations.
Ambar is also scheduled to take the early licensing exam in cosmetology and has distinguished herself as a dedicated team player who consistently maintains a full student salon clientele. She is conscientious in her schoolwork, interacts respectfully with classmates, accepts constructive feedback professionally, and continually strives for personal and professional growth, according to school officials.
Delaware Valley
Senior Townes Francis Markwalter is a recipient of Marywood’s Conductor Award and a member of jazz, pit and auditing concert bands.
“It’s nice to be able to do something I love (playing music) during the school day. My music teacher allows a lot of freedom in the process of learning to play independently and with other students,” he said.
After high school, Townes plans on writing, recording and playing music.
Dunmore
Members of the chorus joined other schools throughout the region for PMEA District 9 Chorus Fest held May 8 at Tunkhannock Intermediate.
They spent the day rehearsing their music with guest conductor Jodi Rheinheimer. The day concluded with a concert for the participants and their families. Students who attended are Zoey Schlittler, Juliet Renard and Scarlett Carson.
Elk Lake
Kierney Shalata, Elk Lake (SUBMITTED)
Eighth grader Kierney Shalata is a member of the Aevidum club. This club promotes mental health awareness and works to create a positive school climate for the district. Kierney is the first to volunteer her time and she works hard to assist in the completion of several club initiatives. Without her and her dedication to the Aevidum club’s message, this club would not be as successful as it is, school officials said.
“I love Aevidum and everything it does to help mental health. You never know who might be struggling. We meet monthly to plan what we can do that will benefit our school. Some of the things we do are: make posters with affirmations, hand out candy with affirmations, and I help with the bulletin board, which gets decorated according to the month with different positive quotes,” she said.
Kierney’s activities include basketball, soccer, student council, builders club, National Junior Honor Society and community volunteer work.
She plans to attend college for healthcare after high school.
Forest City Regional
Meaghan Lee, Forest City Regional (SUBMITTED)
Meaghan Lee ran a collection for the Women’s Resource Center and the St. Joseph’s Baby Pantry at her schools, Career Technology Center and Forest City Regional, with boxes for donations of baby and women’s items. Monetary donations were collected as well.
“Knowing that children and women in great need had items they needed for daily life,” she said.
Meaghan’s activities include chorus, Envirothon, art club, CTC child development, advanced on the NOCTI and co-op experience at St. Joseph’s Trinity Daycare Center.
She plans to attend Penn State University in spring 2027 for psychology and pediatric nursing.
Mid Valley
Jack Cheplick, Mid Valley (SUBMITTED)
Bridget Swarts, Mid Valley (SUBMITTED)
Sixth grader Jack Cheplick is an awesome student who has determination to accomplish his goals, school officials said. He is always willing to help out, respectful to his teachers and classmates, disciplined to complete his work and responsible for having what he needs for each class.
Jack said he was surprised and happy to be recognized as an Outstanding Spartan.
Jack participates in athletics, including basketball and football.
After graduating high school, Jack plans to attend college and pursue a career.
Sixth grader Bridget Swarts consistently demonstrates respect, responsibility and safe behavior, according to school officials. She arrives each day with a positive attitude and a smile, ready to learn. Bridget shows kindness and respect toward both her peers and teachers, making her a wonderful role model in the classroom.
Bridget said she felt happy and excited about earning the Super Spartan recognition.
Bridget is actively involved in a variety of activities, including volleyball, swimming and the school band.
After graduating high school, Bridget plans to pursue a career as a voice actor.
North Pocono
Caitlyn Gallacher, North Pocono (SUBMITTED)
Caitlyn Gallacher has maintained a rigorous course of accelerated and AP classes throughout high school and will have completed 11 AP classes by graduation.
She has maintained high honors throughout high school and is co-founder of the creative writing club, secretary of the PJAS club, and a member of numerous other clubs, including National Honor Society. She has participated in the High School Scholars program and dual enrollment programs, where she took college classes while in high school.
Caitlyn has been a member of the cross country team throughout high school and has completed several half marathons. She has been a member of both chorus and orchestra for all four years, competed in the PMEA Chorus and Orchestra festivals and reached the state level for chorus. Caitlyn was named a student of the week this year by WVIA.
Outside of school, Caitlyn’s musical accomplishments include participation at the Dorothy Sutton Festival on both piano and vocal, and two solo vocal performances at Carnegie Hall. She has participated in numerous plays and musicals since age 10. She is an alumni of the HOBY state and international conferences. Caitlyn has volunteered at many local events with various organizations. She is currently employed at Slingshots Bar and Grill.
After graduation, Caitlyn will attend Loyola University Maryland to study biochemistry.
Old Forge
Savannah Isabella Strickland, Old Forge (SUBMITTED)
Junior Savannah Isabella Strickland is a student at Old Forge and a film/audio-visual communications student at the Wilkes-Barre Career and Technical Center.
Along with that, she is a SkillsUSA district champion and competitor. SkillsUSA is a workforce development organization for students enrolled in career technical education. Savannah competed in the prepared speech category, where she won first place in the district competition, and was able to move onto the state competition in Hershey. Although she didn’t place and move onto nationals, she spent three days in Hershey with her friends making memories she’ll never forget, and it was her first independent travel experience.
She’s made multiple promotional short-form videos for WBACTC, where she’s a student ambassador as well. Savannah’s been a tour guide for eighth graders looking to attend CTC in their freshman year, and done photo and video coverage of the 2026 Annual Job Fair held by Wilkes-Barre CTC.
“Winning first place at the district competition was invigorating. I slaved away for five days straight trying to memorize my speech and it paid off perfectly. I left with a gold metal and six new friends. The state championship was my first time being humbled, but has opened my eyes to self-improvement. Being a student ambassador takes school dedication to a whole new level. It’s something I have to go out of my way for, but I don’t regret a second of it,” Savannah said.
She plans on attending college after her graduation in 2027, and her dream school is the Savannah College of Art and Design. Savannah wants to continue studying film and TV production and would love to be a TV producer in the future.
Riverside
Leila Reesey, Riverside (SUBMITTED)
Leila Reesey, a sixth grader, received many academic awards at a recent ceremony presented by Dave Walsh, principal, and Justin Lacomis, dean of discipline.
“I always pay good attention to my teachers, even though I don’t always sit up front,” Leila said. Students in grades three through six received academic awards in various subjects and perfect attendance awards, as well. “My favorite subject is math, and I really like learning pre-algebra from Mrs. Miller,” she added.
Scranton
The following students at Isaac Tripp Elementary School demonstrated the social emotional learning characteristic for April, courage: Eithan Campana, Micaella Villacorta Soto, Kobe Danner, Adryan Monterio, Nathalia Morales, Melakai Stokes, Caylee Mulkerin, Nalani Perdoma Alicea, Noah Panetti, Hailey Reyes, Joneyliz Sanchez Ortiz, Amelia Rodriguez, Aydam Idrovo, Stacey Salinas Garcia, Sinclair Parks, Keyden Caban, Rubby Rivera E., Scarlett Ferandez Santos, Valentina Dides, Bryan Nieto, Jeremias Salinas Calix, Tristan Tejeda-Jargiello, Greyson Fox, Zaria Lepka, Kyle Kelly, Ryan Branning, Facundo Salazar, Valeria Velazquez, Messiah Hadley, Scarlett Galdieri, Jonathan Amaya, Kira English and Adryan Monterio.
Valley View
Stefani Neshkova, Valley View (SUBMITTED)
Senior Stefani Neshkova has been selected as senior of the month in science.
“I am very proud to have received this award, based on all the hard work I put into my classes the past 12 years. It feels very rewarding to be recognized for my dedication and determination,” she said.
Stefani is also actively involved in football varsity cheerleading, basketball varsity cheerleading, Spanish club, National Honor Society and Math Honor Society while continuing to excel academically.
After graduation, Stefani plans to attend Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg, where she will major in nursing.
Western Wayne
Kaylee Fischer, Western Wayne (Submitted)
Junior Kaylee Fischer is an exemplary student who is a two-year member of the National Honor Society with a wide range of interests, school officials say. She is the president of the Hot Rod Club and is part of the Lackawanna College Level Up Program in which she is taking college courses toward her bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Kaylee has taken a variety of courses so far, including psychology, sociology, medical ethics and more. She also does dual enrollment through Lackwanna College and is in the high school’s honors chemistry course. In addition, Kaylee will continue to take courses through Lackawanna this summer. Next year, she will graduate high school with her associate degree in nursing.
“I was inspired to pursue, in particular, hospice nursing as a career through following a hospice nurse’s chronicles online and reading her book,” she said. “It really seems like a truly inspiring career path.”
She has been a highly active member in the Western Wayne Hot Rod Club throughout her time in high school, serving in a variety of officer positions. As club president this year, Kaylee helped to make the annual car show a success this past fall and enjoys working on a variety of different vehicles in auto shop. Her favorite car to work on at home is her family’s 1986 K10 Chevy Truck.
In addition, Kaylee is a member of CATS club, student council and the varsity tennis team for three years. She also works two part-time jobs, at the Caboose Food & Ice Cream in Madison Twp. and Skytop Lodge, along with also helping out at her dad’s excavation business, Fischer Brothers Excavating.
Kaylee plans to become a hospice nurse after completing her bachelor’s degree in nursing, and continue working at her family business.