Abington Heights
Freshman Natalie Williams, a gymnast at United Sports Academy in Dunmore, recently went to Level 9 Easterns, the national competition for gymnasts in the country.
“I enjoyed the experience of being with the team, which was comprised of gymnasts from all along the East Coast,” she said. “I look forward to continuing my journey as a gymnast and hope to return as a Level 10 gymnast next year.”
After high school she plans to go to college and possibly be a member of the school’s gymnastics team.
Senior Logan Kerrigan has overachieved in every way throughout his 18 years. He has been on the honor roll, is part of many clubs and had major parts in musicals. According to his dad, he is blessed with an incredible voice.
Logan’s activities include computer club, chorus, plays and musicals. He plans to attend Lehigh University in the fall. Logan is the son of Mellissa and Brian Kerrigan.
Blue Ridge
Second grader Bryson Nagel won the second grade competition in the elementary school’s Oral Reading Contest. Students are encouraged to act out their reading and show expression to entertain their audience of teachers, parents and grade-level peers. Bryson, who also won first place last year, read an excerpt from “Mr. Docker is Off His Rocker” by Dan Gutman.
Each grade, first to fifth, has their own contest, with performances judged by a team of teachers. The top three scorers receive trophies. The first round involves participants reading up to 90 seconds of a passage they chose and have been able to practice, and the second round is a “cold” read of a passage they have not seen before.
On participating, he said, “I felt a little nervous, but other than that I was fine. I just took a few deep breaths and did my best to read with expression.” When asked how winning the contest felt, Bryson said, “it felt really good!”
Outside of school, he plays baseball for Blue Ridge Little League and football for Susquehanna Jr. Sabers. Bryson also competes in kart racing at Penn Can Speedway, winning first place in last week’s Junior 2 race. After high school, he would like to be a car mechanic and have his own business.
Carbondale Area
Freshman Alex Thornton placed third in the Lackawanna County Stock Market Game. His portfolio showed 9% growth over a 10-week simulation.
“I learned that investing small amounts of money add to bigger amounts quickly with investing,” Alex said.
He is involved in the marching band and plans on furthering his education in college after he graduates.
Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County
Jake Cortazar is a senior at Dunmore High School enrolled in the culinary program. School officials describe him as an unassuming student who is respectful, polite and just overall a great person who they enjoy talking with.
They say Jake, who plans to work in the culinary field upon graduation, is dedicated to his studies at CTC, which is evident in his high average over the last three years, thus allowing him to earn the honor of being inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. He has also earned several culinary certifications, including ServSafe and OSHA safety certifications.
Delaware Valley
Junior Elizabeth Bailey took fourth place in the Parliamentary Procedure event for Future Business Leaders of America states in 2024 (national qualifier), placed first in Parliamentary Procedure event for FBLA states in 2025 (national qualifier), as well as being the varsity swim and dive 2026 captain and an AP scholar.
“Being involved in so many different school-related activities has allowed me to have many opportunities to try new things and take risks. Additionally, these activities have given me some of my best friends and memories throughout high school,” Elizabeth said.
An FBLA chapter officer, her activities include varsity swimming and diving, varsity cross country, varsity track and field, student council, class of 2026 officer and National Honor Society.
Elk Lake
Junior Cohen Orlandini has been making a huge difference in the community this year.
The UPS or Upperclassmen Providing Support Program was founded by Cohen and was a completely self-directed project. The program started as a reading program, where upperclassmen would read to younger, elementary students during the day, and has now expanded to include a STEM component, where UPS members lead fun, experimental activities that teach key concepts and principles of STEM to third grade students.
There are currently 21 members of the program, led by Cohen. He plans to expand the program in the future and pass the program director role to someone when he graduates. In addition to developing the UPS program, Cohen created a podcast with Superintendent Bob Galella, titled “The OG Connection.” Cohen was recently accepted into the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Sciences prestigious five-week summer STEM program at Carnegie Mellon University.
“I would not have been able to make any of these accomplishments happen without my network of support. I’m proud to have the opportunity to make a difference. I want to say thank you to my parents and mentors, for they have always supported me in each of my endeavors,” Cohen said.
His other activities include captain of the scholastic team/academic team, captain of varsity soccer, varsity baseball, National Honor Society president, Envirothon team captain, student council, prom steering, key club, peer tutoring, ski club and weightlifting.
Cohen plans to attend college to major in mechanical engineering.
Forest City Regional
Senior Lorelei Pensyl created a periodic table for one of the chemistry teachers, Nick Lowry, for her senior project. Lorelei was asked to do this, and she found a piece of wood from the woodshop at school, painted the base white and then did the painting of the elements. This took over 30 hours, and it now is hanging in the science lab for chemistry and physics.
“Getting to the end of the project and seeing the final result was the best part of service project,” Lorelei said.
She is a member of chorus, art club and National Honor Society, and works part time as well.
Lorelei will attend East Stroudsburg University for early childhood education in the fall.
Lackawanna Trail
Junior Avery Ronchi broke the school record in the 3,200-meter against Mountain View with a time of 10:04 and again at the Walter J. Godek Twilight meet with a time of 9:56.
At the Wyalusing Lasagna Invitational, he completed the 3,200 meter in 9:51. At the Robert Spagna League Championships, Avery completed the 3,200 meter with a time of 9:47 and set the school record again with a time of 9:37 at the District 2 Championships in the 3,200 meter. Avery additionally set the school record for the 1,600 meter at Wyalusing Lasagna Invitational with a time of 4:34. At the Robert Spagna League Championships, he completed the 1,600 meter with a time of 4:30 and set the school record with a time of 4:29 at the District 2 Championships in the 1,600 meter.
“He who has a why can bear almost any how,” Avery said.
In addition to varsity cross country and track and field, he also participates in jazz band, concert band, mountain biking and fishing. Avery plans to go to college and major in mechanical or aerospace engineering.
Lakeland
Senior Brayden Osborn was recently recognized by the school board as outstanding senior of the month.
“It felt really nice to be noticed,” he said. “I try my best to work hard and be nice to others, so to be recognized for that is awesome. I’m excited to go off to college and feel that Lakeland has prepared me for what’s next.”
Brayden’s activities are lacrosse, Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Scholastic Bowl, engineering team and Aevidum, and he is vice president of Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society. He will attend Lehigh University to major in electrical computer engineering.
Mid Valley
Senior Jiya Patel has been accepted to Wilkes University for pharmacy and MBA.
“After high school, I plan on attending Wilkes University for pharmacy alongside a Masters in Business Administration,” she said.
Jiya is involved in the book club, school newspaper, National Honor Society, yearbook and SEPA.
She will be attending Wilkes for the next six years to complete both.
North Pocono
Anthony Santaniello is a hardworking student who leads by example in classes such as AP physics, AP calculus, AP computer science principles and psych/soc, according to the school. Anthony has received high honors for the past two years and will finish high school with a total of six AP classes. He has also passed all of his AP tests that he has taken and is recognized as an AP Scholar.
Although Anthony is heavily dedicated to his work in the classroom, he is still an involved member of Mini-THON, SADD and Buddies Club. Outside of school, he has been an athlete that participates year-round. He is a four-year member of the baseball and basketball teams, and a one-year member of the football team. He is also currently employed by the Elmhurst Country Club and works there when he has free time.
After high school, Anthony plans to attend Drexel University and participate in their co-op program with the hopes to become a mechanical engineer.
Old Forge
Senior Rhianna Kupetz’s painting “Potato Heart” placed first in Pennsylvania’s 8th District Congressional Art Competition for high school students. The painting will be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
“How I felt about winning this award: I remember making this painting as a Christmas gift for my mom in the winter, thinking the simple act of her holding a garden-grown potato in her kitchen would suffice as a painting to give. I entered it into the competition as suggested by my art teacher, and I was mind blown when they announced that my painting had won. It felt absolutely surreal and I am incredibly grateful,” Rhianna said. She added her personal quote, “I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I’ve ended up where I need to be.” (Douglas Adams)
She currently serves as president of the drama club, is secretary of Leo Club and a member of the PTSO, and also works part time at Revello’s in Old Forge.
Rhianna plans on attending West Chester University to study studio arts.
Riverside Elementary East
The students in third grade participated in “Too Good for Violence,” a program delivered by Jeff Thomas, prevention supervisor at Lackawanna-Susquehanna Office of Drug and Alcohol.
“I learned all about ways to be kind to others. It’s important because kindness spreads to avoid violence,” Delia Davis said.
Grayson Lindsay added, “I learned about having self-control and managing anger to avoid being violent.”
Both agreed that Thomas is nice to the students and can also be funny sometimes.
Valley View
Senior Hannah Merchant, a dedicated athlete on the school’s Unified Track Team, is being recognized for her exceptional effort and sportsmanship. In honor of her hard work, determination and positive attitude, Hannah was selected to serve as one of the torchbearers during the opening ceremony of the Division Championship. Her commitment and enthusiasm have made her a standout member of the team and a role model for her peers.
Unified Track and Field is a co-ed, inclusive high school sports program that brings together students with and without disabilities to train and compete as one team. Designed to promote social inclusion and build friendships, it operates under the Special Olympics umbrella and is often recognized as a varsity sport.
“I felt happy and proud when I held the torch,” Hannah said.
Some of Hannah’s hobbies include running, listening to music, spending time with friends and cooking. When she is not busy at school, Hannah also attends the Center for Independent Living.
Wallenpaupack Area
Wallenpaupack North Intermediate School fifth grader Jake Seltzer recently participated in the U.S. Kids Golf event that was held in New Jersey, competing in the boys 11-year-old division and achieving victory with an 81.
At another tournament the following week, he did even better with two back-to-back eagles and shot a 77, but came up one stroke short of the win, finishing second.
“I enjoy playing competitive golf,” Jake said.
His other activities are athletics, Scrabble, board games, drama, music, reading, math challenges and building.
Wayne Highlands
Stourbridge Primary Center first grader David Jonas is raising three dairy cows — Magic, Laney and Lucy — at his home and takes care of another one, Music, at his Uncle Jim’s farm. He also tends to two roosters and over 20 chickens, has a pig named Chester, cares for a goat named Luna, and is raising a Nigerian pygmy goat named Victoria, giving her a bottle two times a day, right after school and before he goes to bed.
David plans to show his dairy cow Music and his two goats in the open show at the Wayne County Fair this summer. He also donated hen eggs to a student at Honesdale High School, which she incubated, hatching several baby chicks for a project in her agriculture class.
“Farm animals really fascinate me,” David said. “Some of them are like good pets. It’s a lot of fun taking care of them.”
David has been to the Pennsylvania Farm Show a few times. When asked about his favorite activities, he replied, “I liked watching my sister show her pig. I really liked seeing all the other animals, especially the goats and dairy cows.” David went on to say, “The best part of the show was the milkshakes! They were so good! The line for milkshakes was as long as the whole barn!”
In his free time, David, who plans to join 4-H when he is 8 years old and be a dairy farmer when he grows up, enjoys playing with his huge collection of farm toys, including animals and tractors. He also likes running around, jumping on the trampoline, hunting and fishing.
Western Wayne
Eighth grader Kamila Rivera was chosen for her academic excellence in school. She is one of the first group of middle school students this year to be inducted into the middle school’s newly started National Junior Honor Society.
Kamila was given the honor of presenting one of the speeches at the recent induction ceremony, with her speech being about the foundation of National Junior Honor Society and the accomplishments of her classmates who were chosen for induction. Kamila is also an accomplished athlete, playing basketball and softball for three years of middle school. She plays shooting guard in basketball and center in softball.
“I have created so many strong bonds through Western Wayne athletics,” she said. “We all spend so much time together on the team that we become best friends.”
Kamila plans on playing soccer for the first time in her freshman year. She knows that she is quick and is looking forward to this new challenge. In her sixth grade year, she did the Pop Up Club and Reading Team. In addition, she enjoys creating art, especially drawing and coloring nature and sunset scenes. Kamila’s favorite academic subjects are social studies and English language arts. She really enjoys learning about things she never knew about before and is looking forward to starting high school next year and making new friends in older grades.
For her future plans, she aspires to be a lawyer. In addition, she is also highly involved in her church, St. Thomas More Church of Lake Ariel, where she volunteers doing food drives, and is excitedly awaiting her confirmation in June.
EverGreen Elementary School pre-kindergartner Colby Nied works very hard on his family’s small farm. He loves to help take care of the horses by feeding them and giving them hay and cleaning their stalls.
“When I grow up I want to ride horses all day and I’m going to teach other people how to ride them too,” Colby said.
