Abington Heights
Packy Lotz, Abington Heights (Submitted)
Sixth grader Packy Lotz signed up for the Special Olympics Polar Plunge, a fundraising event that helps support life skills students and the Special Olympics.
He said that last year he became really close to one of the students because he was in his mom’s classroom. Packy said every day, he helped him get ready with his healthy basket.
“That has meant a lot to me and we have become very good friends,” he said.
In addition, Packy’s older sister, Kenadi, signed up first and raised over $1,000. He said he really looks up to her, and Kenadi inspired him to do the Polar Plunge too. Packy has raised over $200 so far, adding that together they will be able to give a lot to the Special Olympics.
“I am really happy and excited for this, but I am nervous to jump into freezing water,” he said. “But it is totally worth it for my friends.”
Packy, who wants to be an electrician, likes to be outside on his scooter, e-bike or quad, loves to ski and play sports with his friends, and loves his family.
Blue Ridge
Maci Cox, Blue Ridge (Submitted)
Kindergartner Maci Cox was featured as Agnes Gru from “Minions” in the Blue Ridge Artist in Residence Program on Feb. 5. The production, titled “Small But Mighty,” showcased all four kindergarten classes as students dressed in costume, sang songs and performed dances aligned with the theme. The show was developed and produced by performing artist Theo Lencicki through the Arts in Education NEPA program. This marks Lencicki’s 14th year working with the district.
Maci’s teacher describes her as sweet and kind to her classmates, a hard worker and someone who arrives at school each day with a smile. Her favorite subject is math.
When asked about school, she said, “I love to go to school and learn stuff.”
Maci loves to dance, and takes ballet and acrobatics lessons at Shining Lights Dance Studio in New Milford. Outside of school and dance, she enjoys playing with her toys and watching movies. When she grows up, Maci wants to become a police officer so she can catch criminals and help keep others from stealing.
Carbondale Area
Matthew Serkosky, Carbondale Area (SUBMITTED)
Senior Matthew Serkosky won the Fidelity Bank State Budget Competition.
“I am happy that I won. It is pivotal everyone has a good understanding of finance, and the game was beneficial for giving us a real-world simulation,” he said.
Matthew’s activities include Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, physics club, SADD and Spanish club.
He will attend college to major in economics/finance with the hope of one day being an investment banker.
Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County
Brogan Leach, CTC (Submitted)
Brogan Leach, a junior at Dunmore High School in the automotive program, is bright, focused and always gives 100%, according to school officials.
“He’s been dedicated to his studies this year. He’s working hard to make sure he is successful in math. I’m really proud of his accomplishments,” math instructor Jess Ogonosky said.
Brogan also excels in his automotive course, obtaining industry certifications that will propel him into the workforce, school officials said. He currently has his OSHA 10, ASE 609, Lifting It Right and CAIS All DATA certifications.
“I’m trying to improve from last year,” said Brogan, who works at a local grocery store outside of school.
He plans to get a good job through the school’s Cooperative Education program in his senior year, and hopefully find a placement that becomes a full-time job after graduation, according to school officials.
Delaware Valley
Josie Lordi, Delaware Valley (SUBMITTED)
Junior Josie Lordi has been a Student of the Month, selected to attend Lead Like Her Leadership Summit at Sussex County Community College for female athletes and president of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee.
“It makes me a more rounded person and I enjoy being with different groups of people,” she said.
Josie’s other activities include tennis, basketball, Lax, student council, Mini Thon board, Morgan’s Message ambassador and sports co-editor of the Del.Aware
Dunmore
Dunmore students took part in the Scholastic Art competition, which offers young artists in grades 7-12, 13 years or older, the opportunity to showcase their creativity on a national platform.
The program encourages students to submit original works in a variety of categories such as architecture and industrial design, ceramics and glass, comic art, design, digital art, drawing and illustration, editorial cartoon, expanded projects, fashion, film and animation, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture.
Julia Temperino, a senior, and Millie Crespo and Clare Fofi, juniors, each won honorable mention awards in the Scholastic Art competition. Their artwork will be on display at the Everhart Museum in Scranton through March 1.
Elk Lake
Kalei Timerman, Elk Lake (SUBMITTED)
Senior Kalei Timerman is president of the Starry Knights Art Club and is very good about fulfilling that role, school officials said. She also ran a Toys for Tots collection at Christmastime. She excels in several art classes and commits to doing extra work on her free time.
“I am the president of the Starry Knights Art Club and have been in that club for a few years. I try to help out the club as much as possible and work hard in all my art classes,” Kalei said.
Her activities include Future Business Leaders of America and Girl Scouts.
While Kalei is not 100% sure yet, she would like to go to OCAD in Toronto for drawing and painting and become a tattoo artist.
Forest City Regional
Madilyn Richardson, Forest City Regional (SUBMITTED)
Madilyn Richardson will be managing the high school boys volleyball team for her senior project. She will manage the books and the equipment for the season. Max will assist with the practices as well. She will attend all games and assist the coach , Nick Lowry.
“I am so excited to use the ball launcher and assist Mr. Lowry in the practices,” Max said.
Her activities include volleyball, cheerleading and student council. She also works outside of school.
Max plans on attending college for sonography in the fall and to play volleyball as well.
Lakeland
Peyton Martin, Lakeland (Submitted)
Senior Peyton Martin was recognized by the school board as December’s Outstanding Senior. A nominating teacher wrote, “Peyton walks into every class with a smile, a great attitude, and a readiness to take on any challenge. Peyton can be described as dependable, respectful, and full of spirit.” She was also recognized for exemplary scores on the AP Biology exam and the AP English Language and Composition exam.
“I really appreciate being recognized for such an awesome award,” Peyton said. “It’s nice to see that my hard work hasn’t gone unrecognized.”
Her activities are class secretary, student council vice president, National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Aevidum, Student Mentor Ambassador and varsity football cheerleader. Peyton plans to attend King’s College for its five-year physician assistant program with a major in medical studies.
Mid Valley
Nathan Santa Reyes, Mid Valley (SUBMITTED)
Senior Nathan Santa Reyes’ comic art was selected for the Silver Key Award and will be on exhibit in Scranton’s Everhart Museum.
“I was surprised at first, I had no idea that I would get a Silver Key Award. I think it is really cool that my work will be on display in a museum,” he said.
Nathan works at Books-A-Million.
He plans to continue working and consider his options. He is interested in pursuing a career in graphic design.
North Pocono
Olivia Charles, North Pocono (SUBMITTED)
Olivia Charles has completed eight AP classes in previous years and has added to the course load for the current year with AP physics 2, AP chemistry, AP research, AP psychology, AP English literature and AP calculus BC.
Olivia was a four-year member and one-year captain of the varsity soccer team and a four-year member of the softball team. She is a member of many clubs, including an officer for Mini Thon, prom committee, friends of animals club, Mathletes, yearbook, interact and Dead Language Society. Olivia has been a member of the student council for four years, has achieved high honors for three years and has been inducted into the National Honor Society both eligible years. She achieved a perfect score on the National Latin Exam to earn a magna cum laude gold medal.
Outside of school, Olivia volunteers for the Icanbike camp. She is currently employed at Montage Mountain and the High Bridge House.
Olivia plans to attend the University of Scranton or Villanova University to study biochemistry. After college she plans to attend med school to become an anesthesiologist.
Old Forge
Joselyn DeStefano, Old Forge (SUBMITTED)
Sophomore Joselyn DeStefano was selected for and currently appears in February’s edition of Happenings Magazine, representing Heart Month.
Joselyn will be participating in the American Heart Association’s Teen of Impact campaign, a nine-week initiative that began Feb. 6. Throughout the campaign, Joselyn and her team will raise awareness about heart health while raising funds that support critical research. Through school and community fundraisers, she will help spread heart health awareness, encouraging others to join the effort and make a meaningful impact.
“I would love to be able to spead knowledge and raise money for this impactful organization,” she said. “There has been a history of heart disease in my family, which has made me more aware of the importance of heart health. It is so important to make healthy choices and I would love to provide information to help others make good choices.”
Joselyn believes that, “Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.”
Her activities include softball, basketball, soccer, golf and cheerleading as well as an Aevidum ambassador. In addition, she is a member of the French club and student council.
Joselyn plays on a travel softball team and hopes to continue her athletic career in college.
Riverside
Landon Yarem, Riverside (SUBMITTED)
Landon Yarem, a fifth grade student at East Elementary, recently won his school’s Scripps National Spelling Bee competition. Next, he takes on the online qualifier to see if he advances to the regional competition, the Diamond City Spelling Bee in Wilkes-Barre.
“I was kind of nervous on stage at first, but it got easier as it went on,” Landon said. “I took advantage of writing the word down first to be sure I had it right.”
Jen Susko, gifted and computer science teacher, coordinated the competition at Riverside Elementary East, which included students in third through sixth grades.
Scranton
Gianna Praefke, Scranton (Submitted)
John F. Kennedy Elementary School first grader Gianna Praefke recently donated 13 inches of hair to “Locks of Love.” School officials said she exemplifies the four core traits of a Kennedy Cadet: empathy, kindness, perseverance and respect.
Valley View
Justin Stewart, Valley View (SUBMITTED)
Justin Stewart was selected as senior of the month in science.
“Success depends on the time and effort one is willing to put into something. In my case, I put in the necessary blood, sweat and tears, and in return, I gain the knowledge needed to succeed as well as the respect of the people around me,” he said.
When he is not focused on his academics, Justin is actively involved in a wide range of extracurricular activities. He is a member of the National Honor Society and Math Honor Society and participates in several clubs, including Unified Club, SADD club, Leo club, biology club and history club. Outside of school, Justin is an avid hunter.
After high school, Justin intends on enrolling in a four-year college or university to pursue a Bachelor of Science in mathematics.
Wayne Highlands
Finley Scanlon, Wayne Highlands (Submitted)
Stourbridge Primary Center second grader Finley Scanlon is a member of the Wayne Highlands Elementary wrestling league. He placed first at the Lake-Lehman wrestling tournament, and won a medal and a trophy in the 55-pound weight class. Finley also recently participated in a wrestling tournament against the Summit Wrestling Club, and wrestled in the Mike Chesna Round Robin Memorial Tournament in Honesdale.
“I like wrestling against larger students during practice so I can get stronger and improve my moves,” he said. “I also like the challenge of competing against really good wrestlers in tournaments so I can always try to keep getting better.”
Finley plays soccer in the fall, is gearing up for baseball this spring and wants to explore playing football next school year for the Wayne Highlands Stingers. He enjoys playing with his older brothers in high school, whether it’s playing catch with the football, or other games like monkey in the middle, Jenga and Monopoly. Sometimes Finley plays with his younger brother, wrestling the 3-year-old and teaching him some of his grappling moves. He also enjoys going fishing with his family, and loves going to school and striving for monthly perfect attendance.
After high school, Finley wants to go to college, and be a football player and weightlifter.
Western Wayne
Mia Grenion, Western Wayne (Submitted)
Sixth grader Mia Grenion is an excellent academic student who also loves athletics, according to school officials. Her favorite subject is social studies and Mia particularly likes learning about the 1930s and the Great Depression. She enjoys class discussions.
In addition, Mia is highly athletic, playing both basketball and soccer for Western Wayne, beginning both sports when she was very young. Also, Mia has participated in Wallenpaupack’s Lady Bucks lacrosse program for the past four years. She enjoys playing defense in all of her sports.
“I enjoy sharing my opinions in my classes,” Mia said. “I hope to be a lawyer one day.”
Her favorite part about basketball is shooting the ball. After high school, Mia aspires to be a lawyer.