BEAVER FALLS, PA - Andrea Hinds of Montrose has been named to the Dean's List for the 2011-12 fall semester at Geneva College. Dean's List status is awarded to students who earn a 3.6 grade point average or better. A freshman, Andrea is majoring in Communication Disorders.

Blue Ridge Elementary School was the place to be in your pajama’s February 24. Dozens of families participated in the annual “Bedtime Stories at Blue Ridge” event enjoying a special dinner, craft making and, of course, a bedtime story. Young children (and some adults) dressed in their favorite night-time attire and brought with them special blankets, teddy bears or pillows as they participated in the full evening of activities.

Debra Galusha and son Jacob pick out a free book at “Bedtime Stories at Blue Ridge.”

Students from the National Honor Society at Blue Ridge helped make the evening possible by receiving food donations and coordinating a fun filled evening based on the book “Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What do You Hear?” by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle. Young children and adults enjoyed making animal masks and puppets, providing animal sounds to go with the story and playing a rollicking round of “Zoo Keeper Says,” based on the idea of Simon Says.

At the end of the evening, each child was able to pick a book to take home choosing from a variety of titles. Families were also encouraged to sign a bedtime story contract, promising to read bedtime stories each night.

“Bedtime Stories at Blue Ridge” was made possible through a joint effort with National Honor Society at Blue Ridge, the Blue Ridge School District and Susquehanna County CARES (Childcare, Agencies, Resources and Educational Services.) CARES is a non-profit group under the Susquehanna County Literacy Program dedicated to enhancing quality early child care and education in the county. CARES is part of Pennsylvania’s LEARN initiative and supports Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children, because every child is Pennsylvania’s future.

BINGHAMTON, NY - Caroline D. Millen from Montrose was recently awarded a MAT degree in English Adolescence Education from the Graduate School of Education at Binghamton University.

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA - Elizabethtown (Pa.) College announced the list of students whose outstanding academic performance has earned them the recognition of being included on the fall 2011 dean's list. Cassandra Summers, a senior from Hallstead, was included on the list. To earn this recognition, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.60 or better in 14 or more credit hours, of which at least 12 credits are letter-graded course work. Only Elizabethtown's full-time undergraduate students are eligible for this distinction.

Junior Sarita Farnelli, Alto 2, and sophomore Christian Sprout, Tenor 1, auditioned and were accepted into the PMEA District 9 Chorus for this year. The festival was held at E.L. Meyers High School from Wednesday, January 25 through Friday, January 27. This phenomenal choir rehearsed under the direction of Dr. Deborah Simpkin King, choral and vocal performer and educator from the northern New Jersey/Manhattan area. The performance included a couple of incidental solos, recorder and horn parts as well as some percussion. Dr. King incorporated some choreography down the aisles during the performance that was especially effective. Sarita Farnelli excelled into the next level, PMEA Region IV Chorus, which will be held at Lackawanna Trail High School from March 8 through 10. Both Sarita and Christian are students of Mrs. Barbara Holbert, Choral Director at Elk Lake High School.

On the last weekend of February at Abington Heights High School, the Elk Lake Forensics Team captured yet another PA High School Speech League District 8 Lincoln-Douglas Debate title.

EL debaters junior Austin Cohen and senior Richard Guiton went undefeated and captured 1st and 2nd place finishes in LD Debate and earned a trip to the PHSSL State Championship Tournament next month.

Elk Lake’s PHSSL District 8 Champions: EL Forensics Director Keith Brosious; Austin Cohen, District Champion in LD Debate; Richard Guiton, Runner-Up in LD Debate.

Cohen defeated debaters from Southern Lehigh and Meyers high schools en route to his undefeated record.

Guiton captured wins over debaters from Abington Heights and Southern Lehigh high schools on his way to an undefeated day.

Cohen placed first, and captured the District Championship, by virtue of his higher speaker points. He compiled two more than Guiton did for the day. However, both debaters now have earned spots at the PHSSL State Championship Tournament at Susquehanna University on March 23-24.

Cohen will be heading back for his fourth appearance at the State Championship Tournament. Last year, he advanced to the Semi-Finals, by defeating the defending State Champion. He lost in Semi-Finals and placed 4th in the state.

This will be Guiton’s first trip to States in LD Debate. For the last two seasons, he qualified to the tournament in Commentary. Last year, he even advanced to Finals and placed 5th in Commentary.

“They have both worked very hard and have been very consistent over the past few weeks. This was our first major goal of the post season, and we accomplished it,” commented EL Forensics Director Keith Brosious.

Mrs. Christine Acevedo, Forest City Regional High School Principal, announces the honor roll for the 2nd marking period of the 2011-12 school year.

Grade 7: High Honors - Jeffrey Burrell, Alexandra Fitzsimmons, Kayla Jonas, Ryan Kelleher, Michael Kelly, Allison Lipko, Nicholas Megivern, Lucas Nevins, Don Nguyen, Wolfgang Parente, Jared Paulin, Joseph Piotrowski, Grace Ross, Mikaylah Rutledge, Mahala Sampson; Honor Roll - Heather Agentovich, Kendra Bendyk, Caitlyn Bonham, Sebastian Cimoch, Keyle Hernandez, Matthew Keller, Cameron Kilgallon, David Lazier, Gabriella Loomis, Maria Montauredes, Taliah Orrell, Riley Peterson, Joel Smith.

Grade 8: High Honors - Neil Albright, Julia Bailey, Joseph Baron, Anna Congdon, Courtney Daniels, Larissa Grigaitis, Mary Ligus, James Lipko; Honor Roll - Monique Barrese, Kayla Bebla, Patrick Fitzsimmons, Krya Fortuner, Mary Hall, Alexander O’Neill, Katrina Ondrako, Jamie Phillips, Macy Phillips, David Pollak, Tazzera Rousseau, Sarah Stephens, Shelby Weber.

Grade 9: High Honors - Sonny Albright, Cody Barrese, Alan Brucher, Tyler Butler, Patrick Coles, Cassidy Congdon, John Darrenkamp, Noah Fedak, Morgan Gasper, Scott Giles, Katelyn Kernoschak, Sean McCormick, Madison McGraw, Steven Ramos, Nicholas Rutledge, Emily Statkun, Tyler Trichilo, Abbigail Westgate, Nicole Williams, Katelyn Zembrzycki; Honor Roll - Emily Carney, Tyler DeBrino, Marissa Gillespie, Sarah Gorton, Lucas Johns, Elizabeth Kelly, Richard Mikloiche, Matthew Nevins, Daniel Nysenbaum, Andrew Trotter, Jamie Walsh.

Grade 10: High Honors - Jennifer Baron, Cassandra Bendyk, Rachel DeLucy, Megan Demcevski, Neil Foster, Meagan Goben, Will Jonas, MackKenzie Keller, Michaela Konzman, Nicholas Kovaleski, Michaela Martines, Logan McHale, Doria Miller, Katie O’Neill, Kelsey Twilley, Jolyn Zawisky; Honor Roll - Jenna Baron, Jenna Burrell, Victoria Corey, Carly Erdmann, Jon-Paul Hernandez, Matthew Kackos, Gregory Kowalewski, Alexander Kresock, Ryan Long, Wayde Loomis, Frank Piotrowski, Sabrina Sacco, Evan Smith, John Stueber.

Grade 11: High Honors - Kirsten Bailey, Kylie Besz, Kylie Borick, Samantha Carey, Michael Eustis, Jacob Fedak, Gavin Herman, Megan Marcinkus, Katherine Pecko, Stephanie Ramos, Drew Stark, Benjamin Terry; Honor Roll - Vincent DeLucy, Zachary Johns, Morgan Saul.

Grade 12: High Honors - Courtney Andrews, Brian Carpenter, Katherine DeMark, Kelsey Glavich, Sarah Kubus, Amber Leary, Jennifer Natishak, Michael Palmer, Tania A. Pollard, Anthony Vadala, Katie Zefran, Kara A. Zerby; Honor Roll - Maria Bostjancic, Rose Campbell, Faith Conklin, Lauren Hornbeck, Jenna Lucchesi, Amanda Marchese, Brian Nebzydoski, Cassie Saul, Brandon Sherwood, Dana Statkun, Taylor-Ray Tammero, Seth Thomas.

The Mountain View Elementary gym was recently filled with kids, their parents, grandparents, and staff members enjoying a fun-filled family event sponsored by the PTO. For each canned good they brought, they received a bingo card to play for the evening. Winners were able to choose from a variety of prizes. Everyone also received two free tickets for chances on a dozen theme baskets. Throughout the night everyone enjoyed pizza, popcorn, drinks, and a vegetable tray provided by the PTO. What started as a brainstorming session at a PTO meeting resulted in not only a great time for the families but also benefits to a local program.

Families enjoyed a fun-filled Bingo night sponsored by the PTO at the Mountain View Elementary School. Displayed on the table are some of the winning baskets, snacks and bingo prizes which were a part of the event. From left to right are Camdyn Rusek; Camryn Urda; Olivia, Rylan, and Kathie Ainey; and Danielle, Levi, and Noah Urda.

A total of $250.00 was collected along with 120 food items. All proceeds were donated to the Summer Lunch Box Program. It is a local non-profit organization dedicated to children having enough food to eat during the summer months. The program services Mountain View students.

The program continues to need financial and food donations as well as volunteers. Food items needed include cereals, 100% fruit juices, granola bars, snacks, tuna, chicken/canned meats, soups, and other such items. Donations can be mailed to PO Box 71, Brooklyn, PA 18813. Bonnie can be contacted at 289-4578 to sign up for food or to volunteer.

The PTO is dedicated to providing programs and family opportunities to the students of the school. They raise money for such projects through the craft fair in the fall and the hoagie sales and bake sales during the parent teacher conferences. They thank everyone who supports the fund raisers which benefit the students.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - The following local residents have been named to the fall 2011 Dean's List at University of the Sciences: Shannon Elbrecht, Hallstead; Jacqueline Kodish, Nicholson; Kayley Liuzzo, Carbondale; Aleshia Napolitano, Susquehanna; Brittany Remus, Forest City; Sarah Zedar, Forest City.

Selection for this award is based on completing and passing all assigned courses with no grade below a "C" and attaining an academic average of at least 3.4 for courses taken in the fall semester of 2011.