Blue Ridge
Hadley Hayes, Blue Ridge (Submitted)
Seventh grader Hadley Hayes has been recognized as a middle school student of the month for being a well-rounded student who consistently gives her best effort, enjoys helping others and brings a great sense of humor that brightens the classroom, according to school officials.
Her favorite subject is English language arts, which she enjoys because of her love for reading — especially mystery and thriller novels.
Outside the classroom, Hadley stays very active. She participates in cross country and track and field, is a member of chorus, and has danced jazz and lyrical at Conklin Dance Academy for the past seven years. Hadley also volunteers at her church’s café at Bridgewater Baptist Church in Hallstead.
When asked what she enjoys most about her activities, Hadley shared that her favorite thing about dance is “learning new skills and improving.” She added that her favorite aspect of cross country is “bonding with her team.”
In her free time, Hadley, who is considering a career in cosmetology, enjoys being outdoors, going to concerts, listening to music and drawing.
Carbondale Area
Jaeden Arthur, Carbondale Area (SUBMITTED)
Senior Jaeden Arthur is completing a co-op placement at Carbondale Area Elementary School in prekindergarten. She helps assist with whatever the teacher needs for the students, including teaching a few lessons.
“I enjoy it, and I look forward to pursuing a career in this field,” Jaeden said.
She is active in the marching band and plans on attending college for early childhood education.
Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County
Mya Shumski, CTC (Submitted)
Mya Shumski, a senior at Valley View High School in the illustration and design program, has completed many impressive projects throughout her time at CTC, including Illustrated pages in “The Nutcracker” program, and an activity and coloring book, including ballerina poses, according to school officials.
She will be submitting a portfolio for AP 2D Design, where her theme is decomposition. Last year, Mya helped design voting stickers for Scranton Political and painted a mural of a firefighter, EMT and police officer in the Protective Services gym room.
“CTC has been an integral step in getting me closer to my goal of making facial prosthetics,” she said. “The opportunities and skills I’ve been afforded are priceless.”
Outside of school, Mya plays the drums, which she mainly self-taught, dabbles in makeup and worked as a makeup artist doing special effects makeup at Reaper’s Revenge. After high school, she plans to study anaplastology, or medical facial prosthetics, and has been accepted to Temple University and Arcadia University.
Delaware Valley
Joseph Benavides, Delaware Valley (SUBMITTED)
Senior Joseph Benavides has a long list of accomplishments to speak of, including sixth place at Future Business Leaders of America National in parliamentary procedure in 11th grade, Pa. FBLA State first place in parliamentary procedure in 10th grade, Pa. FBLA State second place in partnership with business project in 11th grade, two-time student of the month (grades 10 and 11), National Merit Scholarship Award semifinalist in 12th grade, member of the gifted program in all four years of high school and AP Scholar with Honor Award in 11th grade.
“FBLA has significantly impacted my interpersonal communication and presentational skills. It also has taught me how to be a leader, responsible, accountable, and practice good time management. Math peer tutoring has taught me empathy, and has helped me learn how to effectively teach others,” Joseph said.
His other activities include math peer tutoring in grades 10-12, FBLA all four years of high school, FBLA chapter treasurer in grades 10 and 12, FBLA chapter parliamentarian in grade 11, Rho Kappa in grades 11-12, Rho Kappa chapter treasurer in grade 12, National Honor Society, National Business Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta in grades 11-12, and Model UN in grade 11.
Joseph plans to attend college and major in mechanical engineering.
Dunmore
Each quarter the top 10 students in their respective grades are recognized for their academic achievement through the Bucks Scholar program. The top 10 students for the first quarter of the senior class are Ella Brier, Jaclyn Brown, Robert Ciccotti, James Clark, Amanda Dempsey, Mya Harrity, Santino Nicastro, Julia Noto, Alexis Pilar and Taryn Walsh. The top 10 students for the junior class are Paige Ancherani, Tazrian Aronno, Ryan Clark, Colin Coulthard, Milagros Crespo, Jason Genovese, Irelyn Gilhooley, Brianna Hendricks, Ryan McMynne and Pruthvi Patel.
Elk Lake
Natilee Hollett, Elk Lake (SUBMITTED)
Seventh grader Natilee Hollett is the newest addition to the school’s guitar program, arriving with some self-taught chord knowledge and an eagerness to grow. Though still in the early stages of her musical journey, she has already taken on the challenge of learning full songs and can play several classics that many grew up loving. Balancing her passion for guitar with her commitment to sports, Natilee shows a strong dedication to excelling in both areas. With a clear love for country music, she is well on her way to following in the footsteps of the artists who inspire her, school officials said.
“I got my first guitar for Christmas a couple years ago and decided to teach myself some chords. After learning a few songs I decided that I really enjoyed guitar. When I heard the announcement that Mr. Caprio would be doing guitar lessons I knew I was going to take this opportunity. So far I have learned some new chords and a few basic songs. I plan to continue these lessons to hopefully learn more advanced chords and songs,” Natilee said.
Her activities include band (clarinet and five other instruments), soccer, basketball, and arts and crafts.
Natilee plans to do cosmetology after high school and hopefully own her own salon.
Forest City Regional
Amanda Borsheski, Forest City Regional (SUBMITTED)
Senior Amanda Borsheski did stage management and set design for the Forest City Elementary School drama club’s production of “SpongeBob the Musical.”
“Seeing them perform at the end of the project was the most rewarding part of this project,” she said.
Amanda is an officer of the drama club, art club president, band vice president, managing editor of yearbook club and treasurer of her senior class.
She plans to attend Penn State University Main Campus, majoring in art and minoring in sociology.
Mid Valley
Emma Campbell, Mid Valley (SUBMITTED)
Sophomore Emma Campbell volunteers at Friends with Paws Pet rescue. She handles pets and is a trainer at the facility for rescued animals. She has been a member of this rescue for approximately four years.
“I really like to see the journey of the animals from when they arrive until they are adopted. I like watching their improvements mentally and physically and I love being a part of helping them on this journey,” Emma said.
She is a dog trainer and is involved in multiple school activities, and has been dancing since the age of 3.
Emma plans to always have a part in animal rescue and training.
Old Forge
Lucas Malinowski, Old Forge (SUBMITTED)
Fifth grader Lucas Malinowski was awarded Devil Pride for the month of November. He was nominated by his teachers.
“I felt great. I was very surprised,” he said. “It was an honor to receive this award from your teachers because they see that I am a hard worker, respectful, and I help my teachers and classmates as well as completing all my work. I want to thank my teachers for recognizing me this month.”
He believes people should “just work hard and always be respectful.”
Lucas enjoys basketball, soccer, video games and his YouTube videos.
Riverside
Hunter Schield, Riverside (SUBMITTED)
Students in fifth grade have joined a book club that meets outside of regular school hours at Riverside East Elementary School.
The club is under the coordination of teachers Janice Penn and Amber Rugletic, and its goal is to make reading fun by sharing what they are comprehending along with other ideas.
“I’m looking forward to meeting with friends before school to talk about what we have read,” Hunter Schield said.
Another goal of the club is to allow the students a chance to write a novel of their own. Hunter added, “I like reading, but one of my favorite things is illustrating.”
Scranton
The following students from John G. Whittier Elementary School recorded perfect attendance from August until December: Elias Diaz, Kaiser McGrue, Ethan Jimenez, A’Maia Loussaint, Nathaly Sanchez Diaz, Adam Bennett, Cataleya Calixte, Aurora Sanders, Anson Khatiwada, Ishimwe Desange, Julian Made Santiago, Zabdi Ruiz Garzon, Hayven McGrue, Beau Baresse, Kleider Tecu Hernandez, Rocco Baresse, Emmanuel Byishimo, Sophia Trinidad Jugans, George Rodriguez Rodriguez, Miguel Martinez Diaz, Claudio Bautista Solano, Evie Engles and Elaine Coyne.
Valley View
Jason Munley, Valley View (SUBMITTED)
Jason Munley has been selected as senior of the month in physical education.
“It’s an honor to receive this award; I’ve always had a love for physical education,” he said.
When Jason is not working hard in school, he enjoys spending his time playing football on Valley View’s football team, as well as weightlifting.
Upon graduation from high school, Jason plans on attending a local college or university to further his academic studies.
Wallenpaupack Area
Levi Gross, Wallenpaupack Area (Submitted)
Wallenpaupack South Elementary School second grader Levi Gross has been a member of the Wallenpaupack Junior Wrestling Club since kindergarten, and he recently competed in some matches.
When asked about wrestling, Levi stated, “my favorite part is the matches and my favorite move is called a cement mixer.”
He also plays soccer with the Wallenpaupack Youth Soccer League and baseball with the Wallenpaupack Area Little League, and hopes to play football this year. Last year, Levi was a student ambassador at school, and this year he was selected as a Good Citizen for the month of November. At home, Levi helps to raise dairy cows and pigs, and he showed some of them at the Greene-Dreher-Sterling Fair this past year. Levi is also a member of the 4-H Club, and he enjoys fishing and hunting in his free time.
Wayne Highlands
Kayla Stinavage, Wayne Highlands (Submitted)
Stourbridge Primary Center second grader Kayla Stinavage is a member of the Bethany 4-H Club, which she joined recently in her first year.
School officials say Kayla has jumped right in, raising a beef cow, one or two goats, two pigs and a sheep. She plans to show some of her animals at the Wayne County Fair this summer.
“It’s a lot of hard work, but I really like cleaning the stalls and making their beds with sawdust and hay,” Kayla said. “My favorite part is feeding the animals. I love feeding the cow hay and corn. My steer is over 600 pounds. Pigs used to be my favorite, but now I think I like my cow the best. My cow is starting to get used to me and I am able to play with him a little bit, which is really fun.”
She likes to play soccer and softball, enjoys baking cookies, especially gingerbread cookies and gingerbread houses, loves to visit Hershey Park, where she is really looking forward to riding the big roller coasters. Kayla, who takes dance classes and wants to grow up to be a farmer, also likes to go deer hunting with her family.
Western Wayne
Andersyn Agnello, Western Wayne (Submitted)
Robert D. Wilson Elementary School third grader Andersyn Agnello shows excellent Wildcat pride and is involved in numerous activities outside of school, according to school officials.
“I’m excited,” she said.
Andersyn is active in swim, soccer, basketball, softball and Girl Scouts. When asked what she wants to be when she grows up, she said, “I want to be a labor and delivery nurse; I have 28 baby dolls.”