Abington Heights
Leah Puttcamp, Abington Heights (Submitted)
Sixth grader Leah Puttcamp is excelling academically and in both BMX and mountain bike racing, according to school officials. Over her young career she has more than 70 top-five finishes with 20 wins. Most recently, Leah finished second in the BMX Gold Cup in Schenectady, New York.
She has been bike racing since she was 4 years old with BMX racing and over the years has advanced in proficiency from novice, to intermediate, to expert. As an expert, Leah has competed in state and regional (Gold Cup) races. This year, she earned State No. 2 at South Park BMX in Bethel Park and Gold Cup No. 2 at Tri-City BMX in Schenectady. She runs about 50 BMX races a year in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.
Leah has been mountain biking since she was 7 with her BMX friends and started racing this year with the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League, competing in and winning three races. She is currently No. 1 in the sixth grade girls category, posting the fastest women’s race times of all middle school girls in races in Hershey, Blue Mountain, Penn College and Belmont Estates in Philadelphia. (She beats the seventh and eighth grade girls, too.) Leah has also raced an Enduro Mountain Bike race at Greek Peak in New York and won the 15-and-under women’s category.
She also participates in skiing and softball, and hopes to continue competing in BMX and mountain bike racing after high school.
Blue Ridge
Jeremiah Hobbs, Blue Ridge (Submitted)
Seventh grader Jeremiah Hobbs will play a leading role as Pugsley in Blue Ridge Theater Department’s upcoming production of “The Addams Family” on Nov. 7, 8 and 9.
This is Jeremiah’s third production. His past roles include Harpy One in “Hercules” and a chorus member in “Once Upon a Mattress.” Jeremiah says he enjoys getting to know and working with his fellow cast members. He admits to feeling a little nervous before a show and when he first steps on stage, but adds that “it’s fun hearing the applause afterward.”
When asked his thoughts about the upcoming “Addams Family” show, Jeremiah said, “It’s going to be a good show. I like the plot and it is funny.”
In addition to theater, he is a member of the school chorus and was selected to participate at Chorus Fest last year. Jeremiah is also active at South New Milford Baptist Church, where he attends youth group and helps at activities like the fall festival and trunk or treat. His hobbies include technology, video games and fixing things. After graduating high school, Jeremiah is interested in attending college to study information technology and/or acting.
Carbondale Area
Jacob Ortiz, Carbondale Area (SUBMITTED)
Freshman Jacob Ortiz participated in the University of Success program at the University of Scranton. He also took trips to Dorney Park and museums in Philadelphia. He learned about energy conservation at a landfill and he also volunteered at a food kitchen.
“I really enjoyed this program. It helped me learn about things I would have never thought I would enjoy. It also helped me connect with people my age all over the country,” Jacob said.
He plans to attend the University of Scranton but is undecided on his major.
Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County
Lorenny Almonte Martinez, CTC (Submitted)
Lorenny Almonte Martinez, a junior at West Scranton High School in the building mechanics program, has succeeded in all projects presented to her, according to school officials. She has taken the lead and shown her fellow students the behavior and productivity that should be expected in the program and is a dedicated leader, maintaining an A average.
At West Scranton, Lorenny, who plans to attend college for a Ph.D. in architecture, is class president and a member of the track and cross country teams, yearbook club, tutoring program, drama club, spirit club, community service, Red Cross and Students Against Destructive Decisions, and is a student ambassador at the CTC.
Delaware Valley
Ava Troup, Delaware Valley (SUBMITTED)
Senior Ava Troup is serving as Pennsylvania Future Business Leaders of America state first vice president and cross country team captain.
“It has helped to get me more involved in the community and make lasting connections,” she said.
Ava’s activities include FBLA, cross country and lifestyle co-editor on the school newspaper.
She plans to attend college and pursue a major in psychology.
Dunmore
The following students were nominated and selected for students of the month for September: Avery Fangio, grade 7; Teagan Stefanski, grade 8; Evan Rivera, grade 9; Caleb Kamide, grade 10; Owen Joseph, grade 11; and Jaedyn Kura, grade 12.
These students were selected by their teachers. They are considered with the following criteria: displays excellent character, follows rules and expectations, maintains good attendance, displays a positive attitude toward learning, participates in class, demonstrates full effort and works to their potential, acts as a positive role model for fellow students and promotes the school as a proud member of the school community.
Elk Lake
Carly Gill, Elk Lake (SUBMITTED)
Senior Carly Gill is a senior editor of the Antler. Carly was a co-editor of the Buck last year, and this is her fourth year in yearbook.
As an editor, Carly has to create pages, but also lead fellow students in creating a uniform vision for the book’s theme, edit their work for perfection and market the book. The year has just begun and she is hard at work already. In addition to yearbook, Carly is a class officer, and a member of the National Honor Society, student council, UPS, band and cheerleading. She also holds down a part-time job.
“Over the past four years, I have had so much fun designing and creating our school’s yearbook. Being an editor for the yearbook has taught me excellent leadership skills, communication, journalism and creativity. It has been such an honor this year to have such an important role in creating the book and I can’t wait to see how it turns out,” Carly said.
In addition, she is also involved in youth group.
Carly plans on attending college to get her doctorate in occupational therapy.
Forest City Regional
Mehlayia St. Hilaire, Forest City Regional (SUBMITTED)
Senior Mehlayia St. Hilaire helped with the FC Clothing Closet as her service project for students who are in need of clothing, including dresses, shoes, formal wear and other items for shows, concerts, proms, graduations and job interviews. She organized donations and worked in the room setting up the shelves and racks, spending her service hours there for the students.
“It felt good to hear students were going in and getting clothing and feeling good about being dressed up,” Mehlayia said.
Her activities include soccer, basketball, track and field, Junior Leadership Wayne County, SADD, National Honor Society, art club and yearbook committee. She also works part time, volunteered for the Steamtown Marathon and is a Red Cross blood donor.
Mehlayia will be attending college for early childhood education at Misericordia University and will be running track and field.
Mid Valley
Nicholas Pinto, Mid Valley (SUBMITTED)
Nicholas Pinto is serving as vice president of the senior class.
“I am able to represent all of my classmates and their ideas to make it a memorable year. I get to work with all of my fellow class officers to accomplish our goal of making it a great year,” he said.
Nick’s other activities include National Honor Society, varsity football and varsity baseball, and he is a member of the wellness committee.
After graduation, he plans to attend college with the goal of becoming a physical therapist.
Montrose Area
Quinn Rogers, Montrose Area (SUBMITTED)
Eighth grader Quinn Rogers was selected for PMEA Jazz Festival on Nov. 13 for his performance on percussion. He was also selected as the school’s eighth grade student of the month.
“I am really excited for this opportunity that I worked so hard to get to,” Quinn said.
He is also involved in marching band and jazz band.
Quinn hopes to one day attend college and study some type of engineering.
North Pocono
Sarah Luczak, North Pocono (SUBMITTED)
Sarah Luczak will have completed 10 AP classes upon graduation and is currently taking AP statistics, AP U.S. history, AP psychology, and AP English lterature and composition for her senior year.
Even with a full course load, Sarah has maintained high honors throughout high school and is a member of the National Honor Society. She has been a member of the track and field team for four years. She is the treasurer of SADD club, and also a member of yearbook club, Mini-Thon and period club.
Outside of school, Sarah takes dance classes, including tap, jazz, ballet and lyrical, at the Carmel Ardito School of Dance in Moscow. Sarah is currently employed as a counter person at Leonor’s Eatery in Moscow. During the summer, she works as a camp counselor at Eagle Lake Community Association.
After graduation, Sarah plans to attend a four-year university to study either nursing or social work.
Old Forge
Arthur Askew, Old Forge (SUBMITTED)
Senior Arthur Askew has made it a little more than the halfway point in earning his associate degree in professional studies with 48 credits at Lackawanna College in the Level Up program.
“I feel overcome with happiness and excitement that I am getting closer and closer to a goal that I have been incredibly dedicated to achieve,” he said. “Seeing my hard work and long-term commitment to the Level Up program finally come to fruition makes me feel like it was all worth it. I am very proud of myself and the discipline I have held for the last two years in order to reach this goal. I also want to thank my parents and teachers for their unwavering support throughout my journey.”
Arthur said a quote that has motivated him is from Vince Lombardi: “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.”
He currently plays basketball and soccer.
Arthur’s plan for the future is to use these credits and get his associate degree to pursue a career in physical therapy by studying exercise science. He has applied to numerous colleges, including the University of Pittsburgh, University of South Florida, Penn State and the University of Tampa.
Riverside
William Dixon, Riverside (SUBMITTED)
Sixth grader William Dixon and his father are involved in the G.A.R. Civil War and Museum at the Marketplace at Steamtown in Scranton. He attended a recent presentation by member and licensed Gettysburg Battle Field guide Tim Pierce, which focused on the Pennsylvania Reserves.
Museum hours and other information can be found by visiting www.garmuseum.org.
“I think it was a great presentation because I learned so much more,” William said. “One interesting thing was a group called the Bucktails, who actually wore the tails of deer on their hats.”
Scranton
Asher Conforti, Scranton (Submitted)
Dallas Sostre, Scranton (Submitted)
Charles Sumner Elementary School fourth graders Dallas Sostre and Asher Conforti won the Kindness Star Award for the month of September. They were “caught being kind” more than any other student in the school. Their names appeared on the Kindness Tree.
Both were excited to win the Kindness Star Award and said they enjoy making other people happy.
“I was so surprised and so proud,” Dallas said. Asher added, ” I feel happy. Doing good things makes you feel good!”
Dallas plays football, fall baseball and baseball, and Asher participates in baseball, basketball and soccer.
Valley View
Claire Miller, Valley View (SUBMITTED)
Junior Claire Miller has been elected as the president of the Unified Club at school. The Unified Club is a student-led group, associated with Special Olympics Track and Field, that brings together students with and without intellectual disabilities to promote social inclusion and leadership. Claire has been actively involved in this club since its inception.
“In the past, schools have faced various challenges with inclusion, but this new program at Valley View has created new and valuable opportunities for more students to feel welcomed and involved throughout the school,” she said. “This program has opened up new doors for all students to strive to reach their full potential, without feeling judged or excluded. Joining this club has taught me the most valuable life lessons from leadership to empathy and communication. I am driven every day to create a pathway that changes the school to evolve into a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that pulls everyone together from diverse backgrounds and intellectual abilities. This program has instilled in me the motto, ‘Play Unified. Live Unified,’ a principle I strive to embody every day in school, at home and throughout the community.”
When Claire isn’t focusing on academics or leading as president of the Unified Club, she devotes her time to many other extracurricular activities. She is also the vice president of the SADD club and an active member of the Leo club, student council, math honor society, National Honor Society, bio club and Spanish club. Claire has been a dedicated member of the school’s cross country team for five years and the Unified track team for two. Outside of school, she works at Pasquale’s Pizzeria, where she has been employed for three years.
After graduating, Claire plans to attend a four-year college, dual majoring in early childhood education and special education. After college, she plans to become an elementary special education teacher.
Wayne Highlands
Blake Estus, Wayne Highlands (Submitted)
Preston Area School fourth grader Blake Estus participated in the Wayne County Fair in August, showing his two pigs, Zeus and Thor. The pigs competed in different weight classes, and he came in third overall for each. He has been a member of the Maple Line 4-H for two years.
“I like being there for the pigs and showing them. I also like seeing how everyone in 4-H does and I try to do the best that I can do,” Blake said.
He also enjoys playing football, wrestling, basketball and baseball. In the future he would like to get into carpentry or play professional football for the Buffalo Bills or San Francisco 49ers.
Western Wayne
Cole Paciotti, Western Wayne (Submitted)
Fifth grader Cole Paciotti is making a name for himself on stage and on the field. He has performed in several productions at the Scranton Cultural Center, including “Shrek Jr.,” “Seussical the Musical,” “Willy Wonka” and “Finding Nemo.” Cole’s passion for performing and natural stage presence have made him a standout in each show, according to school officials.
When he’s not on stage, he can be found on the football field as a proud member of the Jr. Wildcats team. They said Cole brings the same dedication and teamwork to football that he does to performing.
In addition to his busy schedule, he maintains excellent grades and is known for being polite, hardworking and well-mannered. Cole loves drawing and writing his own books and consistently shows commitment, enthusiasm and a positive attitude — qualities that make him a true role model for his peers.
“I enjoy performing because I get to meet new people and get to express myself on the stage,” Cole said.