The following students made April Citizens Of The Month at Blue Ridge Elementary for the 2013-2014 school year.

Pictured (l-r) are: back row - Matt Button-Principal, Caiden George, Alex Gennerelli, Ryan Blaisure, Natalie Welch, Jessica Boyko-Counselor, middle row - Mia Landis, Andre Plunkett, Devin Sherwood, Dylan Colwell, Madison Martin, Calim Percarrio, Madison Halstead, Dakota Bross, Julia Smalley, Ethan Fisher, Jamare Minton, Carson Gallagher, Matthew Edwards, Peyton Shaw, front row - Jaydon Barile, Katelyn Scott, Alex Cisek. Absent from photo:  Savannah Sanborn, Alexis Steffens, Paul LaBonte, Joseph Thompson-Bruno, Andy Colwell.

On Monday, May 12, 2014, Rebecca Warholic, a sophomore at Elk Lake High School, attended the annual American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) dinner at King’s College.  At this event, Rebecca was honored as an 8th place National Winner and 2nd place Northeast Chapter Winner in the National French Contest.  This is Rebecca’s second year in a row to place in the top ten nationally and in the top three for her chapter.

Pictured (l-r) are:  Mr. Brian Mallery (High School Principal), Mrs. Coleen Warholic (Rebecca’s mother and 7th grade English teacher at Elk Lake High School), Rebecca Warholic (sophomore at Elk Lake High School) and Mrs. Kathleen Host (French teacher).

The National French Contest (NFC), which is a timed, 60 minute exam, is the only national French exam available to all students studying French.  There are five different levels of French which are tested.  Students at each level are invited to this dinner if they earn first, second, or third place in the chapter or if they rank in the top ten for the nation. 

Mrs. Coleen Warholic, Rebecca’s mother, accompanied her to this AATF dinner along with her French teacher, Mrs. Kathleen Host, and her principal, Mr. Brian Mallery.

Rachel’s Challenge was presented at Susquehanna Community High School on Friday, April 25, 2014. Rachel’s Challenge exists to equip and inspire individuals to replace acts of violence, bullying, and negativity with acts of respect, kindness, and compassion. Rachel’s Challenge is based on the life and writings of Rachel Joy Scott who was the first victim of the Columbine school shootings in 1999. Through her example, Rachel’s Challenge is making a positive impact in the lives of millions of people every year.

Superintendents, principals, teachers, parents, and students bring Rachel’s Challenge into their schools because of escalating problems such as: bullying, student isolation, teen suicide, discrimination, school violence, and increased disciplinary actions. Through powerful presentations, trainings, community events, and professional development, Rachel’s Challenge provides the sustainable solution. Rachel’s inspiring story provides a simple, yet powerful example of how small acts of kindness and acceptance motivate us to consider our relationships with the people we come in contact with every day. Rachel’s Challenge renews our hope that our life has meaning and purpose. Rachel’s story gives us permission to start our own chain reaction of kindness and compassion, which positively affects the climate in our schools and communities.

A few weeks after the tragedy, Darrell Scott, Rachel’s father, spoke to a Congressional House Judiciary Committee regarding issues of school violence. His speech has become one of the most widely read on the internet. Shortly afterwards, he founded “Rachel’s Challenge”, a bullying and violence abatement program. More than 2.5 million students annually experience Rachel’s Challenge and have the opportunity to accept the challenges, modeled after Rachel’s life and writings.

The universal message of kindness and compassion told by Rachel’s story has been heard by students in several other countries. Since inception, over 17 million people have heard Rachel’s story in live settings around the world, at least eight school shootings have been prevented, and over 500 suicides have been averted. The Scott family and other Rachel’s Challenge certified presenters have reached millions more on popular media outlets like CNN, Fox News, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Larry King Live, Oprah, Dateline, O’Reilly Factor, Hannity and Colmes and numerous others. Mr. Scott has also authored three books, including the bestseller “Rachel’s Tears.”

Emily Stark introduced the Keynote Speaker DeeDee Cooper, who is from Nashville, Tennessee. She has been speaking to students for the past 5 years. Rachel’s story and missions to start a chain reaction of kindness and compassion touched DeeDee so deeply that she knew she wanted to share Rachel’s message with everyone. She was very well received by the students and stayed after the assembly to converse with students.

The SADD organization sponsored the Rachel’s Challenge with the help of the following who donated toward the event:  Schneider’s Market, Video King, The Susquehanna Community Teachers Association, Susquehanna Community Student Council, Rob’s Market, and the Northern Tier Industry & Education Consortium.

The following students made April Student Standouts at Blue Ridge Elementary, for the 2013-2014 school year.

Pictured are: fifth row - Elizabeth Stone, Marissa Sharer, Bryant Beach, Dylan Dorunda, Matt Button-Principal; fourth row - Zachary Randall, Johnathan Rosa, Kendra Brant, Phoebe Shaw, Trista Stone, Anthony Torres; third row - Emily Gorham, Max Madura, Clarissa Muzzy, Talan Brewer; second row - Brooke Kenny, Ithel Miley, Aurora Fenton, Cody Gunn, Brogen Gunn; first row:  Alexa Miley, Jocelyn Megill, Patrick Snyder, Brett Jones. Absent from honors:  Lillian Edwards, Logan Barber.

Dr. Kenneth Cuomo, Elementary Principal at the Elk Lake School, is pleased to announce the April, 2014 Student of the Month Award winners.

Pictured are: front row - Emily Miller, Lily Decker, David Valazquez, Clayton Frasier; back row - Desiree Gowin, Dylan Malinowski, Gage Kinsman, Brandon Richards, Noah Kaulfers, Dr. Kenneth Cuomo, Elementary Principal.

Students in third and fourth were selected by their homeroom teachers.  Students may be selected as student of the month from four different areas.  Those four areas are academic achievement, attendance, citizenship and most improved.

Elk Lake is proud of their students and congratulates them for their accomplishments.

Mr. Robert Keyes, Principal of Susquehanna Community Elementary School, announces the “Students of the Month” for the April, 2013-2014 school year for Grades Kindergarten, First, Second and Third.

Pictured (l-r) are: first row - Holden Mills, William Hobart, Julia Connelly-Bishop, Brice Woodruff; second row - Tyler Benedict, Matthew Matis, Ava Houck; third row - Ashlee Anderson, Tyler Rockwell, Alexander Bishop, Jackson Maby; fourth row - Joshua McAuliffe, Jordan Towner; Absent – Kyle Davis.

And for grades 4-6 ...

Pictured (l-r) are: first row - Brooke Dolph, Devlin Ace, Tori Smith, Julia Schell; second row - Courtney Towner, Bethany Burns, Anthony Palonis, Brianne Sheldon; third row - Charles Towner, Carson Beamer, Mackenzie Heath, Emily Seman.

Rhonda E. Lynch, of Susquehanna, received her bachelor of arts degree fromWilkes University, majoring in criminology and psychology, with a minor in sociology.  She graduated cum laude.

Rhonda graduated from Blue Ridge High School in June 2011. Having taken advantage of the dual enrollment program through Lackawanna College while in high school, Rhonda entered Wilkes in August 2011 with 22 college credits. Those credits, along with a full course load and persistence, determination, and hard work, enabled Rhonda to complete her studies in three years.

While at Wilkes University, Rhonda was involved in various clubs and activities. She also worked at the university and was involved in community service.

Rhonda is the daughter of Russell and Ruth Lynch.

Susan Greene, of Susquehanna, PA, was recognized during Millersville University of Pennsylvania's Honors and Awards Convocation on April 26, 2014.

Greene received the Students of Academic Distinction Honor.