{"id":127010,"date":"2026-03-01T23:28:15","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T23:28:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/127010\/"},"modified":"2026-03-01T23:28:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T23:28:15","slug":"school-notes-march-1-2026-scranton-times-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/127010\/","title":{"rendered":"School Notes, March 1, 2026 \u2013 Scranton Times-Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"

Abington Heights
\n\"NathanielNathaniel DeMeglio, Abington Heights (Submitted)<\/p>\n

Senior Nathaniel DeMeglio is representing Yokomo USA in the RC Off-Road Buggie category. In order to qualify to race for Yokomo USA, drivers must showcase strong RC racing skills, experience and a competitive performance record. The Yokomo team will compete in the fourth annual MIBO International this month. He is currently competing in Michigan.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m excited to be competing with a new car and taking on new challenges,\u201d Nathaniel said.<\/p>\n

In addition, when he was 9, Nathaniel, who plans to study criminal justice in college, started a business called Nate\u2019s Lil Cakes and More, catering for weddings, anniversaries, sweet 16 parties and more. Every year, he donates dozens of loaves of bread to the Diocese of Scranton\u2019s Easter Loaves of Joy Project.<\/p>\n

Blue Ridge
\n\"VincentVincent Cain, Blue Ridge (Submitted)<\/p>\n

Eighth grader Vincent Cain will play Hansel in Blue Ridge Theater Department\u2019s upcoming production of \u201cHappily Ever Before,\u201d running March 6 to 8. This will be his third performance. Vincent has also played roles in \u201cHercules\u201d and \u201cNight at the Wax Museum.\u201d He is known by his teachers as kind, creative and willing to take on academic challenges, such as honors classes.<\/p>\n

On the upcoming performance, Vincent said, \u201cI\u2019m excited, although I will likely start feeling nervous as the show gets closer.\u201d<\/p>\n

In his spare time, he enjoys drawing, playing video games and being creative. After graduating high school, Vincent aspires to attend college to study robotic engineering.<\/p>\n

Carbondale Area
\n\"NathanNathan Matos, Carbondale Area (SUBMITTED)<\/p>\n

Senior Nathan Matos was named WVIA Artist of the Week. He drew an abstract art piece, created a nice painting of mountains and drew a cathedral.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t too difficult, honestly. I feel confident in what I do,\u201d Nathan said.<\/p>\n

His activities include drawing, working out and playing basketball.<\/p>\n

Nathan plans to attend college to major in art.<\/p>\n

Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County
\n\"KienanKienan Cook, CTC (Submitted)<\/p>\n

Kienan Cook, a junior at Forest City Regional High School in the collision repair program, is being recognized for his outstanding workmanship\/leadership in the program. He has maintained an A average this year, and obtained his OSHA10 safety certification.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like to work and make progress and an outcome every time I work on a new project,\u201d Kienan said.<\/p>\n

Outside of school, he is restoring a Dodge pickup outside. After high school, Kienan hopes to get a good job and work toward his future goals.<\/p>\n

Dunmore<\/p>\n

Fifth and sixth grade members of the Dunmore Elementary Service Club held their annual fundraiser this past February.<\/p>\n

Students have the ability to buy a \u201ccandygram\u201d for their friends and teachers at the school. Members of the service club help distribute the candygrams throughout the school for Valentine\u2019s Day. They then use that money to help various organizations and groups throughout the school community and even the larger Dunmore community.<\/p>\n

Elk Lake
\n\"MadilynMadilyn Lucio, Elk Lake (SUBMITTED)<\/p>\n

Freshman Madilyn Lucio is playing the leading role of Celia in the spring play, Shakespeare\u2019s \u201cAs You Like It,\u201d on March 13 and 14 in the high school auditorium, with a ticket price of $3.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got my first major role in a play. My role is Celia from \u2018As You Like It.\u2019 I\u2019m the cousin of the main character, Rosalind, and I go into exile with her,\u201d Madilyn said.<\/p>\n

She plans on attending a trade school to become a cosmetologist.<\/p>\n

Forest City Regional
\n\"AdriannaAdrianna Davis, Forest City Regional (SUBMITTED)<\/p>\n

Senior Adrianna Davis tutors every day at lunch-and-learn with middle school students for her senior project. She helps them with classes and study skills.<\/p>\n

\u201cI enjoy working with children and helping them do better in school,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Adrianna also works at Dyberry Camp every summer with children with disabilities.<\/p>\n

She plans to work full time and eventually study ultrasound technology to work in the field.<\/p>\n

Lakeland
\n\"AbigailAbigail Bertocki, Lakeland (Submitted)<\/p>\n

Senior Abigail Bertocki was recognized by the Lakeland School Board as December\u2019s outstanding senior. A nominating teacher wrote, \u201cAbigail is a conscientious student with an excellent attitude. She is extremely driven and focused on getting the most out of her high school education.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am extremely appreciative of this and I love that I can be recognized even now as a senior,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Abigail, who hopes to go to a four-year university to major in psychology and minor in philosophy, is a member of the varsity girls soccer team and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, and also dances.<\/p>\n

Mid Valley
\n\"ChristopherChristopher Jenkins, Mid Valley (SUBMITTED)<\/p>\n

By definition, Christopher Jenkins, grade 6, is an excellent role model to his peers. He embodies what it means to be a Spartan, school officials said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you believe in yourself, you are already halfway there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Chris participates in Mid Valley Little League. He enjoys cooking and hanging out with his friends.<\/p>\n

Chris plans to attend college for turf grass management. He hopes to attend Mississippi State and play baseball.<\/p>\n

Old Forge
\n\"AshleyAshley Batista, Old Forge (SUBMITTED)<\/p>\n

Seventh grader Ashley Batista was chosen to sing the national anthem at all of the home basketball games for the 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy music teacher enjoys the way I sing, and when I sang a duet in my music concert she contacted me and asked if I would sing at our games. I felt very special being chosen among others since it\u2019s my first year in high school. I am nervous singing in front of a large crowd, but I really enjoy it and hope I can continue next year,\u201d she said. \u201cSometimes you have to fight for something that someone told you that you couldn\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ashley\u2019s activities include softball, chorus, cheer in the summer and drama club.<\/p>\n

She would like to do something in the medical field.<\/p>\n

Riverside
\n\"LiamLiam Novak, Riverside (SUBMITTED)<\/p>\n

Liam Novak and his classmates in Amber Rugletic\u2019s fourth grade science classes participated in a magnetic chess game as part of learning about magnetism.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was surprised I won the entire tournament,\u201d Liam said.\u00a0The tournament was designed to reinforce what the students were learning and to be fun too.<\/p>\n

\u201cI learned that opposite forces attract and like forces repel,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

The students are also looking forward to the annual Trash Walk, which is held in the school\u2019s neighborhood in the spring. The Trash Walk is focused on Earth Day.<\/p>\n

Scranton
\n\"JodielisseJodielisse De Armas, Scranton (Submitted)
\n\"McKenzieMcKenzie Brudnicki, Scranton (Submitted)<\/p>\n

West Scranton Intermediate School seventh grader Jodielisse De Armas was named as the school\u2019s scholar of the month for Janurary in the fine arts subject area.<\/p>\n

Sixth grader McKenzie Brudnicki was named student of the month in January for being organized.<\/p>\n

Scranton Preparatory School
\n\"ArnaArna Patel, Scranton Preparatory School (Submitted)<\/p>\n

Senior Arna Patel won the best advocate award in Mock Trial for two competitions in a row. The first was in the Mock Trial competition against Dunmore, and the second was versus Abington Heights, both resulting in a win for Scranton Prep.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf there\u2019s one thing I\u2019ve learned in my four years on Scranton Prep\u2019s Mock Trial team, through all the late nights and long weekends, it\u2019s this: never let them see you sweat,\u201d she said. \u201cBut beyond keeping a straight face at the counsel table, Mock Trial has given me so much more! I\u2019ve shared more laughs, inside jokes and last-minute pep talks with this team than I can count. They create such an uplifting environment that even on the most stressful days leading up to trial, our practices are filled with laughter. Then, after months of preparation, we see our hard work come to life in trial, and we know the effort was worth it. I\u2019m incredibly grateful to my teammates, coaches and family for their unwavering support. The best advocate awards I\u2019ve received are truly a reflection of their hard work.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to Mock Trial, Arna is a member of the diversity council and climate club. She loves to get involved with any kind of service and also does classical Indian and Bollywood dance. After high school, Arna plans to major in neuroscience on a pre-med track.<\/p>\n

Valley View
\n\"AnthonyAnthony Cotillo, Valley View (SUBMITTED)<\/p>\n

Anthony Cotillo has been selected as senior of the month in mathematics.<\/p>\n

A guiding principle for Anthony is the following quote: \u201cNo discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.\u201d (Hebrews 12:11)<\/p>\n

When Anthony is not in school, he participates in powerlifting and runs his own detailing business. He is also a member of Math Honor Society and National Honor Society.<\/p>\n

After graduating from high school, Anthony plans to attend either Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Rochester Institute of Technology to study mechanical engineering.<\/p>\n

Western Wayne
\n\"KeiraKeira Hauenstein, Western Wayne (Submitted)<\/p>\n

Eighth grader Keira Hauenstein is an all-around excellent academic student who is involved in a variety of sports and clubs at school. She displays strong leadership qualities and takes pride in all she does, according to school officials.<\/p>\n

Keira is the secretary of the school\u2019s National Junior Honor Society, and recently she and her friend, fellow eighth grade student Harper Bell, had artwork chosen to be displayed on a local billboard for the Victims\u2019 Intervention Program of Wayne and Pike Counties\u2019 annual February Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month art contest. The entry they created was a picture of an orange butterfly that said \u201cGo Breathe Free.\u201d School officials said Keira and Harper were pleased to create an image to inspire others and offer them hope.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really enjoy being involved in all aspects of my school experience, from the work I do in the classroom to the activities I do for fun, including competitive gymnastics,\u201d Keira said.<\/p>\n

Keira, a member of Balance Gymnastics who has been involved in the sport since she was 3 years old, enjoys competing with her group, with her favorite event being the floor routine. Keira is also a member of the soccer team, has participated in Cats Club soccer at school since she was 3, and is a member of the track team in her seventh and eighth grade years; her event is the pole vault.<\/p>\n

Keira looks forward to her high school career, continuing to participate in sports and having many new challenging experiences in high school, college and beyond.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Abington Heights Nathaniel DeMeglio, Abington Heights (Submitted) Senior Nathaniel DeMeglio is representing Yokomo USA in the RC Off-Road…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":85246,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[227,182,139,178,180,179],"class_list":["post-127010","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-scranton","tag-education","tag-local-news","tag-news","tag-scranton","tag-scranton-headlines","tag-scranton-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127010","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=127010"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127010\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/85246"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=127010"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=127010"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=127010"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}