BLOOMSBURG - Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania has recently released its list of students named to the Dean’s List for the fall semester of the 2011-2012 academic year. To qualify for Dean’s List, a student must earn a quality point average of 3.5 or higher (based on 4.0) during the semester. The following area students earned Dean’s List recognition: Keaton Bennett, Lawton; Nicole Bruce, Clifford Twp.; Nicholas Holinej, Montrose; Hannah Hunsinger, Montrose; Matthew Kellum, Montrose; Madison Legg, Montrose; Lindsey Luchonok, Forest City; Atwood Lunger, Montrose; Mackenzie McCain, Montrose.

At the 40th anniversary of Shikellamy High School’s Blue, Maroon and White Tournament, the state’s longest running one day tournament, the Elk Lake Forensics Team was almost perfect en route to a 6th place team finish against the top teams from the eastern Pennsylvania, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh areas.

With only 4 debaters and 2 speech competitors in the field, the EL Forensics Team managed to bring home 6 place-winners.

EL Forensics Team place-winners at 40th Annual Blue, Maroon and White Tournament: Haley Skinner and Rebecca Phillips, 4th place in Novice Duo Interpretation; Kenneth Brittingham, 1st place in JV LD Debate; Matthew Horvath, 2nd place in JV Debate; Austin Cohen, 1st place in Varsity LD Debate; Richard Guiton, 2nd place in Varsity LD Debate.

The domination began in Varsity Lincoln-Douglas Debate as both junior Austin Cohen and senior Richard Guiton compiled undefeated, 4 win and 0 loss records, by defeating debaters from Bloomsburg, Delone Catholic, Bethel Park, Southern Lehigh, Trinity, and Dallastown high schools during the preliminary rounds.

In the Semi-Final round, Cohen won a split decision over Megan Noll from Dallastown and Guiton won a split decision over Ayush Mittal of Danville High School. As a result of these wins, both debaters advanced to Finals.

The Final round was not held and Cohen and Guiton were declared co-Champions in Varsity LD.

The EL JV LD Debaters followed a path similar to their varsity counterparts as 8th grader Kenneth Brittingham and junior Matthew Horvath both compiled undefeated, 4 win and 0 loss records during the preliminary rounds with victories over debaters from Shikellamy, Danville, Central Park, Truman, Delone, and Abington Heights high schools.

In the Semi-Final round, Brittingham won a split decision over John Martz of Delone Catholic High School and Horvath won a split decision over Meghan McDonald of Danville High School.

Once again, the Final round was not held and Brittingham and Horvath were declared co-Champions in JV LD Debate.

While the debaters were dominating their field, Elk Lake’s Novice Duo Interpretation team of Rebecca Phillips and Haley Skinner, in only their second tournament, ranked in the top 6 in their event and advanced to Finals.

In Finals, they narrowly missed earning a trophy by placing 4th overall.

The debaters set a team record by compiling a team record 24 wins at a tournament. The previous record was set last season at Pennsbury High School.

Perhaps the more impressive accomplishment by the debaters was the combined record of 24 wins and 0 losses and closed out the final round in both divisions of debate at the tournament. Neither of these things has ever been accomplished in the 20 year history of the EL Forensics program.

“Words simply cannot express how impressed I am with the performance of the team today. They worked extremely hard this week and were very focused today. They set records that may never be beaten. Having everyone place at a tournament is incredible,” commented EL Forensics Director Keith Brosious.

The team will head to Meyers High School in Wilkes-Barre to compete at the annual Martin Luther King Tournament on January 21.

HARRISBURG - State Rep. Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming) is reminding college-bound students of the importance of filling out and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to capitalize on both federal and state student aid opportunities.

“Higher education can be expensive, so it is important for families to explore every avenue for potential financial aid,” said Major. “Filling out the FAFSA is the first step in the process and, by making the application available online, the process is quick and easy.”

The FAFSA determines eligibility for federal grants, the need-based Pennsylvania State Grant, many scholarships, reduced-cost federal student loans, work-study programs, and many school-based student aid programs.

Need-based Pennsylvania State Grants are provided to qualified Pennsylvania residents through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) and do not have to be repaid. Students must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered.

Individuals with Internet access may file their FAFSA electronically through PHEAA’s website at www.PHEAA.org/FAFSA or at fafsa.ed.gov.

Major, a member of the board of PHEAA, noted that in addition to the FAFSA, first-time applicants for the Pennsylvania State Grant program also need to fill out a State Grant Form, which students can access through PHEAA’s website.

May 1 is the deadline for the Pennsylvania State Grant, but families should contact the schools their student is interested in attending, as many have earlier financial aid deadlines.

PHEAA is offering free FAFSA completion sessions across the Commonwealth from January through April for students and their families.

A schedule of upcoming FAFSA completion sessions should be available in the near future online at www.PHEAA.org.FAFSA, or through Major’s website at RepMajor.com and click on the PHEAA link. The schedules will be updated weekly as additional locations are confirmed.

Wilkes-Barre, PA - Dr. Nicholas A. Holodick, vice president for academic affairs at King’s College, recently announced the students who have qualified for the Fall 2011 dean’s list. Local students receiving recognition include: Daniel Kempa, Susquehanna; and Tamara Sager, Susquehanna.

Dallas, PA - The following local Misericordia University students applied and were eligible to participate in the winter commencement ceremony on Monday, December 19, 2011: Adele Philippides, Montrose, BS Medical Imaging; Nanci Travis, Hallstead, BSN Nursing.