Abington Heights
Naomi Jones, Abington Heights (Submitted)
Newton Ransom Elementary School fourth grader Naomi Jones recently sold more than 500 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies for her local troop.
She said she enjoys all of the service projects they complete and is happy for all the friends she has met while being in Girl Scouts.
Naomi is also involved in karate and is an advanced red belt. After high school she would like to be a veterinarian.
Blue Ridge
Hayley Gordon, Blue Ridge (Submitted)
Seventh grader Hayley Gordon continues to impress and make an impact in and out school, according to school officials. She works hard to get good grades and is a positive role model for other students. Hayley has been on high honor roll each marking period and was recently inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. Hayley has been honored as both a Student and Athlete of the Month this school year.
She also contributes to her community through volunteer efforts, recently helping True Colors Youth and Outreach Program with its Egg My Yard campaign. This involved stuffing Easter eggs with candy and delivering them to people’s yards so that their kids could wake up and take part in an egg hunt the next day.
When asked about her volunteer work, Hayley said, “I started because of completing hours for National Junior Honor Society, but am continuing because I really want to help and support my community.”
She stays active with many extracurricular activities. Hayley is a member of the soccer and track and field teams. She also competes with Triplets Cheer, sings in the school chorus and plays trumpet for the band. She was chosen to attend both County Chorus and County Band this year. Hayley is also a member of student council and recently attended the PASC Region H Conference at Wyoming Valley West High School.
After high school, she aspires to become a nurse because she loves caring for and helping others.
Carbondale Area
Gabrielle Kielar, Carbondale Area (SUBMITTED)
Eighth grader Gabrielle Kielar received a perfect score at the regional Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science competition. The title of her project was “Improving Focus for People with Neurodevelopmental Disorders,” in which she tested students and their reaction times sitting down versus standing up.
“The work that I put in paid off. I am excited for states,” Gabrielle said.
Her activities include basketball, golf, dance, STEM, PJAS and Aevidum, and volunteering at her church and community cleanups.
Gabrielle hopes to attend Penn State and become a pediatrician.
Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County
Mia Cooper, Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County (Submitted)
Mia Cooper, a senior at Lakeland High School in the medical assisting program, received two $1,000 scholarships: the Hunter James Memorial Scholarship and the UNICO Keystone Chapter Kovatch/Perna Scholarship in honor of Christopher and Barbara Perna.
School officials say she has excelled throughout her time at CTC, being a Student Ambassador, Student of the Month, recognized in School Notes multiple times and nominated for CTC Scholar of the Year. Mia is currently out on co-op at Geisinger Medical Center, placed in the radiology department. She maintains a 99 average and will sit for her Certified Clinical Medical Assistant certification, a healthcare certification offered by the National Healthcareer Association.
Delaware Valley
Brooke Nielsen, Delaware Valley (SUBMITTED)
Sophomore Brooke Nielsen has been chosen as a student of the month.
“School activities have taught me time management, teamwork and leadership skills,” she said.
Brooke’s activities include soccer, Odyssey of the Mind, SAAC and track.
Dunmore
Makenzie Marshall, Dunmore (SUBMITTED)
Addison Lee, Dunmore (SUBMITTED)
Ivy Archer, Dunmore (SUBMITTED)
The district’s students had a great showing at the Pennsylvania PTA State Reflections competition.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of students in pre-K through grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-created theme. Students submit in one or more of the available arts categories and, based on grade and/or support needs, participate in one of the program divisions.
Two students placed in the Top 5 for the state of Pennsylvania from Dunmore Elementary: fourth grader Mackenzie Marshall, literature (intermediate), and second grader Addison Lee, film production (primary). Sixth grader Ivy Archer, visual arts (middle school), placed first in the category and her work will continue onto the national level of competition.
Elk Lake
Andrew Buffington, Elk Lake (SUBMITTED)
Sophomore Andrew Buffington takes drawing, painting and crafts, and excels in all of them, school officials said. One of his art pieces, transformation drawing, just placed third in the fourth annual Susquehanna County High School Art Exhibit held in Montrose. He is also a member of the Starry Knights Art Club.
“I feel joy about getting third place,” Andrew said.
His activities include homework club and his church youth group.
Andrew’s plans include renting some movies and playing Nintendo games. He plans to serve as a missionary for 1½ years and then get married.
Forest City Regional
Liam Hagan, Forest City Regional (SUBMITTED)
Senior Liam Hagan worked 14 Saturdays at the Forest City Recycling Center, collecting recyclable materials from cars, separating them and dumping them in the truck for his senior project.
“The best part was meeting new people and chatting with them,” Liam said.
His activities include cross country and Boy Scouts, and he worked outside of school, Advanced on NOCTI.
Liam plans to work in the electrical construction field and then enter the local IBEW.
Mid Valley
Arleana Thompson, Mid Valley (SUBMITTED)
Junior Arleana Thompson is vice president of the PBIS student committee. Recently, she helped to organize a staff appreciation event in which Safari Farm Petting Zoo will bring a baby kangaroo to spend time with the staff.
“I’ve been volunteering at Safari Farm since I’m 9 years old. Animals are really important to me, and I love getting other people to learn about them. This was a cool opportunity for me to tie that into helping the school I love,” Arleana said.
Her activities include SADD (vice president), family and consumer science club (president), select choir, drama club/Underwood Players (public relations officer), Spartan Choir (public relations officer), Leo club, Spanish club, French club, National Honor Society and PMEA Chorus, as well as the Scranton Cultural Center Youth Theatre Program.
Arleana would like to study sonography.
Old Forge
Brynn Negvesky, Old Forge (SUBMITTED)
One of freshman Brynn Negvesky’s most recent accomplishments is having been selected to play the lead, Audrey, in her high school’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” When she found out she was chosen to play a character like Audrey, she said, she felt a rush of excitement and shock because for her that is a big deal and something she takes pride in.
“Some words that I use to keep me motivated and to help me understand the reason why I do the things I do is the fact that, ‘Success feels different when it’s built from something you love,’” Brynn said.
Her activities at school include track, cross country, varsity cheer, student council, drama club and the school’s watershed.
In her future she plans to keep auditioning for plays whether it be in or out of school, to continue to work hard with all of her extracurriculars, and to stay motivated and focused to do all of her schoolwork.
Riverside
Mason Linck, Riverside (SUBMITTED)
Sixth grader Mason Linck takes trombone lessons at his school, and looks forward to the upcoming band and choral concert on May 19 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium.
“I was able to play at a high school football game and it was a super, fun experience,” Mason said. The high school band, directed by Johanna Reed, is growing every year. Students may decide to take up instrument lessons beginning in fifth grade.
“I think it’s so cool when all the instruments are played together making one beautiful song,” Mason added.
Scranton
South Scranton Intermediate School students Yaneris Anguiera Riveria, Jenara Alicea Mendez, Imir Donaldson, Nichole Sawkulich, Ryan Midgley, Anthony Holley and Aaden Graham are part of the South Scranton Bean Co. coffee cart.
The cart is offered to South Scranton staff and administration three days a week and serves coffee, tea and homemade pastries provided by the teachers in the building. The students set up, manage and clean up the coffee cart.
Valley View
Kathryn Ulkoski, Valley View (SUBMITTED)
Kathryn Ulkoski has been selected as senior of the month in physical education.
“I want to thank my current gym teachers, Mr. Munley and Ms. Ruspi, along with my middle school gym teacher, Mrs. Munley, for always believing in me. Keep working, you’ll get there eventually,” she said.
Kathryn attends the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County, where she studies automotive technology. At Valley View, she is a member of the Aevidum club.
Outside of school, she enjoys fishing, working on cars and spending time with friends.
After graduation, Kathryn plans to pursue a degree in electrical engineering.
Wayne Highlands
Landon Smith, Wayne Highlands (Submitted)
Stourbridge Primary Center second grader Landon Smith is combining his farming and business skills by raising chickens, and harvesting and selling farm-fresh eggs at his house and at the Alpine Wurst & Meat House in Honesdale.
“I like to raise the chickens and spend time with the goats on the farm,” he said. “It’s fun because I can pet them and the animals are very funny!”
Landon has two cows, four pigs, two goats, and many chickens and ducks. School officials say he is very helpful around the farm, working to spread the sawdust his father obtains from a local logging company, feeding the cows, and helping his dad with the hay bales. Sometimes Landon helps his grandfather install fence posts. He has also learned to drive the tractor to mow the grass, and use the bucket to pick up various items around the farm.
Landon is a Clover Bud in 4-H, enjoys riding his four-wheeler and looks forward to hunting deer with his father. He recently participated in a fishing derby with his grandfather.
After high school, Landon wants to pursue his interests in agriculture and be a farmer in Wayne County.
Western Wayne
Jade Wetherington, Western Wayne (Submitted)
Senior Jade Wetherington was nominated by the Armature and will receive the NEIU 19’s 2026 Performing Artist of the Year Award later this school year. She has been a member of the Western Wayne Drama Club for the past five years.
“I am humbled and honored even to be nominated for this award,” Jade said. “I have greatly enjoyed my time in the performing arts during my high school career and will always cherish the memories and fun times I had with all of my friends.”
In her five years in drama club, she was ensemble in “Little Shop of Horrors,” Attina in “The Little Mermaid,” Morticia Addams in “The Addams Family,” Tanya in “Mamma Mia!” and Mrs. Bucket in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Jade is also involved in Envirothon, National Honor Society and Future Business Leaders of America. Her activities outside of school include performing at the Lyceum School of Visual Performing Arts for three years and working at Ace Hardware.
Jade’s future plans include attending Moravian University for premedicine.