Abington Heights
Keyan, left, and Kiva Patel, Abington Heights (Submitted)
Clarks Summit Elementary School third graders Kiva and Keyan Patel performed a traditional dance during the Diwali celebration at St. Mary’s Center in Scranton on Nov. 15.
The event drew approximately 400 attendees who gathered to mark Diwali, the festival of lights that represents the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil. The evening featured cultural performances and a dinner served to all guests.
Keyan said, “I felt happy after performing,” while Kiva said she “felt nervous and happy because I was in the front during the performance.”
They both like playing with friends, riding bikes, playing soccer and visiting family in India. After high school, Keyan wants to be a soccer player or engineer and Kiva wants to be a doctor or an artist.
Blue Ridge
Devin Ralston, Blue Ridge (Submitted)
Fourth grader Devin Ralston was recently named Blue Ridge Elementary School Citizen of the Month for Grit. School officials say he never gives up on his classwork and even when a task is challenging, he puts forth the effort needed to reach mastery. They said Devin’s determination sets a great example for his classmates.
His favorite subject is math because his teacher tells funny math jokes and he enjoys multiplication. Devin also enjoys learning about weather in science class. One of his favorite books is “Alvin Ho” by Lenore Look. He has been named a citizen of the month each year throughout elementary school and was even named citizen of the year in first grade.
When asked how it felt to be chosen as Citizen of the Month, Devin said, “I felt really happy that I can be recognized as a good student.”
Outside of the classroom, he plays basketball for Blue Ridge Basketball Club, soccer for Blue Ridge Youth Soccer and baseball for Blue Ridge Little League. Devin has also wrestled. He enjoys going to P3 Trampoline park, watching movies with his family and reading. After high school, Devin would like to become a doctor because he is interested in science and helping people.
Carbondale Area
Emily Grover, Carbondale Area (SUBMITTED)
Senior Emily Grover is currently completing a co-op placement at Geisinger Community Medical Center for inpatient nursing on the orthopedic acute care floor. They help people of all ages and problems from replacements and surgical fires to caring for sick people.
“I really enjoy it because I enjoy helping people,” Emily said.
Her activities include student class secretary, student council secretary, SADD, Future Business Leaders of America, math club, Spanish club, library club, mock trial, STEM club, photography club, and food pantry/Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church picnic volunteer.
Emily plans on attending college for radiology.
Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County
Kayden Barnauskas, CTC (Submitted)
Nicholas Chapman (Submitted)
Jason Olivares, CTC (Submitted)
Jake Kizer, CTC (Submitted)
Nicholas Suchecki, CTC (Submitted)
Keegan Lopez Sanchez, CTC (Submitted)
School officials are proud to recognize junior and senior plumbing and heating students who have been working diligently on live projects throughout the school. From repairing fixtures to assisting with plumbing-related maintenance, these hands-on tasks allow students to practice technical skills that directly align with their program of study.
Students are building essential workplace skills — collaboration, problem-solving, communication and accountability. Working together on real projects helps them understand the importance of teamwork and prepares them for success in the field, officials said.
School officials said they’re proud of the students’ professionalism, skill and the positive impact they’re making on the school community.
These students include juniors Kayden Barnauskas from Mid Valley Secondary Center, Nicholas Suchecki from Abington Heights High School, and Keegan Lopez Sanchez and Jason Olivares, both from West Scranton High School, and seniors Nicholas Chapman from Scranton High School and Jake Kizer from West Scranton High School.
Delaware Valley
Shaun Cannalley, Delaware Valley (SUBMITTED)
Senior Shaun Cannalley was named to the All-Region first team in lacrosse.
“It has helped me make more friends and just be a better person helping around the school,” he said.
Shaun is involved in SAAC, varsity football and lacrosse.
After graduation, he plans to go down South and major in mechanical engineering.
Elk Lake
Piper Stone, Elk Lake (SUBMITTED)
Sixth grader Piper Stone is involved in Interscholastic Equestrian Association for riding English classes and competing. She also maintains good grades while doing this. She recently qualified to advance and show at IEA Regionals located in upstate New York.
“I say to myself ‘I can do it,’” Piper stated.
Her activities include K-kids, band, chorus and art, as well as enjoying baking and loving training and working with animals.
Piper is thinking of getting a degree in design/art. She also wants to ride on a college or university equestrian team.
Forest City Regional
Dominic Vishnefski, Forest City Regional (SUBMITTED)
Senior Dominic Vishnefski volunteered at Happy Trails Stables for his senior project, where he did trail rides for customers. He took care of the horse as well. Dom did this all summer after his ninth grade year.
“Being around the horses and caring for them was the best part of this project,” he said.
Dom worked at several jobs and is involved in ski club, Envirothon and art club.
He plans to attend college for criminology and work in the FBI.
Lackawanna Trail
Lucas Griggs, Lackawanna Trail (Submitted)
Sixth grader Lucas Griggs recently participated in the national Patriot’s Pen Essay competition sponsored by VFW Post 7069 under the direction of his teacher, Dina Berrios. This year’s theme was, “How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?”
His essay has been selected as a winner at the post level and will be moving forward for district judging. There were over 1,300 entrants; only 18 winners were selected to represent District 10 for each contest. The winner among the 18 finalists will move on to the state level.
“Very surprised,” Lucas said about the honor. “I enjoy writing, but did not think I would be selected for this.”
His other activities are football, baseball and basketball.
Mid Valley
Cassius Gratsy, Mid Valley (SUBMITTED)
Junior Cassius Gratsy has been selected as one of the Mid Valley student representatives for state Sen. Marty Flynn’s Student Ambassador Program.
“It was very exciting to be selected and I am looking forward to learning more about the legislative process,” he said.
Cassius is active with varsity basketball, varsity baseball, is a member of the mock trial team and is also a student representative on the Districts Interconnected Systems Framework Committee.
He plans on attending college with the goal of becoming a lawyer.
North Pocono
Hailey Rocco, North Pocono (SUBMITTED)
Hailey Rocco will have completed eight AP classes by graduation, and is currently taking AP physics, AP chemistry, AP psychology and AP pre-calculus for her senior year.
Hailey has had high honors all throughout high school and is a member of the National Honor Society, and the rifle and track teams. She participated in student council all four years of high school, and was the Lackawanna representative for the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils (PASC) her sophomore and junior years.
Hailey volunteers at Geisinger Community Medical Center as a junior volunteer and program mentor. She also facilitates a Catholic youth conference each year (International Student Leadership Institute). Hailey shadowed a primary care physician and physical therapist this summer. She is currently a food service worker at Geisinger CMC.
Upon graduation, she hopes to continue her education at the University of Scranton, where she will major in neuroscience on the pre-med track.
Old Forge
Jaciene Semedo, Old Forge (SUBMITTED)
Junior Jaciene Semedo was inducted into the National Honor Society.
“I am from Cape Verde, located on the west coast of Africa. I speak four languages (Creole, Portuguese, Spanish and English). I learned Creole in my home country at home, I learned Portuguese in school and I also took Spanish,” she said. “l also have some family and friends that speak Spanish. I’ve been in this country for three years since 2022. When I got here I didn’t know any English and I was scared at first but I didn’t let that stop me from running after what I wanted. When I got inducted into the National Honor Society I was so happy and proud of myself knowing I worked hard to accomplish it and shows that my hard work is paying off. I’m grateful for all my teachers, family and friends that helped me achieve this goal and for being so patient with me.”
Jaciene has been in a Spanish club since eighth grade and played basketball in ninth grade. She just joined Leo, Aevidum and the yearbook club. Jaciene was also nominated for the student council.
After high school, she plans on attending college for international business.
Riverside
Evan Ritterbeck, Riverside (SUBMITTED)
Jacob Ritterbeck, Riverside (SUBMITTED)
The students at Riverside Elementary East School have been busy making snowflakes for the residents at Gino J. Merli Veterans Center in Scranton.
“It’s a nice thing to do because they fought for us,” Jacob Ritterbeck said. His twin brother, Evan, added, “It’s being respectful for all they did for our country, and it helps make their holidays brighter.”
At home, the boys enjoy making snow forts and engaging in snowball fights with their friends.
Scranton Preparatory School
Colin Lewis, left, and Tyler Durst, Scranton Preparatory School (Submitted)
Freshmen Tyler Durst and Colin Lewis received first place in the doubles division during the Data Science contest at the University of Scranton.
“These small steps will lead to even greater achievements in the future, something that Prep will continue to help me with, even as time progresses,” Tyler said.
Colin added, “studying pays off.”
Tyler, who founded the school’s engineering club, plans to major in nuclear engineering and get an associate degree in mechanical engineering. Colin, who enjoys chess, video games and programming, is unsure what he wants to do after high school.
Valley View
Ayden Tempesta, Valley View (SUBMITTED)
Senior Ayden Tempesta is being recognized at school for his outstanding work as lead photographer for the school newspaper, the Cougar Chronicle.
“I am absolutely honored by this nomination. Being recognized for my work with photography, easily the thing I experience the most joy in doing, is an absolutely amazing feeling and something I’m very thankful for,” he said.
Outside of school, Ayden stays busy capturing photos as the owner of his own photography business, Tempesta Photography. He is also an active member of student council and the Aevidum mental health club.
After high school, Ayden plans on attending a four-year college for either photography or journalism.
Wayne Highlands
Ava Theis, Wayne Highlands (Submitted)
Preston Area School eighth grader Ava Theis had a lead role in the November school play, “Peter Pan Jr.,” playing Captain Hook. The show is her third play while at Preston and is also her favorite, according to school officials. While being Captain Hook, she participates in most of the songs; her favorite to sing is “Hook’s Tarantella.”
“I like playing the villain, Captain Hook. It was challenging trying to learn a deeper voice, while using a British accent,” Ava said. “I like acting because I get to be someone else. I get a new perspective from being in someone else’s shoes.”
She is also a cheerleader, a class representative, and a member of the band and chorus. Ava would like to go into the medical field after high school.
Western Wayne
Brinley Jenkins, Western Wayne (Submitted)
Robert D. Wilson Elementary School fourth grader Brinley Jenkins is consistent with her hard work, daily efforts, kindness and helpfulness to others, according to school officials. She volunteers in the classroom and shows exemplary Wildcat pride.
“I’m excited, I’m glad to help out,” Brinley said.
She does vocal lessons, and loves to draw and make paintings. When Brinley grows up, she wants to be an art therapist.