Blue Ridge Fourth Grade students recently completed their annual Sea Turtle Unit in Sarrah Dibble-Camburn's art class. Students watched the Seaworld movie Turtle: The Incredible Journey, created a sea turtle awareness poster, and a clay sea turtle.  

Pictured (l-r) are: Billy Colwell, Ricky Dunn, Layla Gregory, Kayla Blaisure, Megan Kibler, Stefionna Bloodgood, Jayden Crandall, Collin Deupree, Andy Colwell.

Fourth Graders took an optional collection among their fourth grade class, donated it to the Sea Turtle Conservancy, and adopted a Sea Turtle named Banjo. The Hawksbill Sea Turtle can be tracked via a satellite telemetry on www.conserveturtles.org 

The Susquehanna County Career & Technology Center was recently recognized with an award and a monetary donation by the Pennsylvania Association for Rural and Small Schools (PARSS) at a conference at Penn State on April 25, 2014.  The award is for the implementation of the SCCTC’s Licensed Practical Nursing Program.  This program is a 1765 hour/12 month program.  Students are awarded 12 college credits for classes completed through LCCC, our local community college, via online learning.

Implementation of this new program coincides directly with the mission of PARSS – “It is the PARSS mission to work for the improvement of quality education and equal opportunity for all students in every public school in Pennsylvania.”

Pictured (l-r) are:  Dr. Ken Cuomo, Elk Lake Principal;  Jack Sible, School Board Member;  Dr. William Bush, Superintendent;  Chuck Place, School Board Member;  Dr. Alice M. Davis, SCCTC Administrative Director; Eric Emmerich, School Board Member.

According to Dr. Alice M. Davis, SCCTC Administrative Director and School Counselor, rural education can be difficult due to the distance and availability of services.   The SCCTC has bridged the gap of distance by bringing a nursing program to the center of Susquehanna County.  This allows students to be educated where they live. It has also created a seamless transition for high school students desiring to continue their education in the health care field.   The education that SCCTC brings to the local community takes into account the various learning styles of the wide range of age groups.   SCCTC offers hands on learning, computerized learning and basic training for those not familiar with the use of a computer.  We also offer remediation to those that may not have had a solid academic base.  Prep courses are offered to guarantee success to those that truly want to benefit from educational advancements.  We believe that if we are to differentiate our program from the other LPN programs, we must prepare our students prior to beginning their nursing education.

The SCCTC is working to be the leader in technical and adult education.  We are extremely proud of achieving this educational milestone in our rural community and we look forward to expanding nursing education in Susquehanna County. 

“The support we have received from the Board of Education and guidance and knowledge from Nursing Director, Sherrie Bazin, has been outstanding.  With these individuals, the SCCTC’s nursing program will continue to move forward to offer quality education locally.” Dr. Alice M. Davis

The Elk Lake Forensics Team completed its 2013-2014 season with a strong finish at the Southern Lehigh HS Spartan Invitational on April 26.

EL junior Keeley Carney advanced to Quarter-Finals and placed 8th overall in Lincoln-Douglas Debate in a field that included debaters from 7 states.

Carney amassed a 2 win and 2 loss record in the preliminary rounds by defeating debaters from Dallastown and William Tennent HS.

Pictured are EL Place-winners at the Spartan Invitational: Keeley Carney 8th Place in LD Debate; Kenneth Brittingham – Presiding Officer in Student Congress.

She lost her Quarter-Final round to Alex Fried from Abington Heights HS and placed 8th overall in the tournament.

In Student Congress, EL sophomore Kenneth Brittingham served as Presiding Officer for one preliminary session and narrowly missed advancing to the Super Session.

“This is a great end to the season for our team. It will help us continue our preparation for nationals,” commented EL Forensics Director Keith Brosious.

Two of Elk Lake’s debaters, Keeley Carney and Haley Skinner, will travel to Chicago over Memorial Day Weekend to compete at the National Catholic Forensics League’s Grand National Tournament against the top 250 debaters in the country. Last year, in Philadelphia, EL debater Austin Cohen won the NCFL National Championship in LD Debate at this tournament.

The Susquehanna County Elementary School Principal's would like to recognize each school's "Principal Award Winners" for the 2013-2014 school year. Students attended a recognition luncheon with their Principal at Green Gables restaurant on Tuesday, May 13, 2014.

Pictured (l-r) are: front row - Emory Bewley (Mt View), Riley Millard (Lathrop St/Montrose), Shannon Stewart (Choconut/Montrose); back row - Taylor Huyck (Susquehanna), Amelia Comly (Elk Lake), Aaron Beesley (Blue Ridge), Madeline Bailer (Forest City).    

Wilkes University awarded 724 doctoral, master's and bachelor's degrees to students graduating after the completion of the spring 2014 semester during the University's 67th annual spring commencement ceremony. The 10 a.m. ceremony for graduate students and 3 p.m. ceremony for undergraduates were held in the Arnaud C. Marts Sports & Conference Center. Graduates marched down South Franklin Street and entered the center to the music of bagpipers leading the procession.

Christopher N. Breiseth, Wilkes University president emeritus, delivered the commencement address for graduate students receiving doctoral and master's degrees at the morning event. Wilkes alumnus Stelios J. Patsiokas, corporate vice president and chief innovation officer for Sirius XM Satellite Radio, delivered the afternoon address to undergraduates. Both Breiseth and Patsiokas received honorary degrees at the commencement ceremonies. Breiseth received the Doctor of Humane Letters and Patsiokas received the Doctor of Science.

Melissa Demianovich of Forest City, received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Rhonda Lynch of Susquehanna, received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology. Lynch also received the Raymond R. Ritz Award in Sociology.

Rebecca Scales of Little Meadows, received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education.

Charlene Daugherty of Forest City, received a Master of Science in Education.

Jenna Kogut of Great Bend, received a Master of Science in Education.

Danielle Lonzinski of Vandling, received a Master of Science in Education.

Bridgette McKennas of Montrose, received a Master of Science in Education.

Richard Priebe of Forest City, received a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.

Susquehanna resident Kyla Kemmerer received a BFA Communications Design (Illustration) degree from New York City's prestigious Pratt Institute at its 125th Commencement ceremony. Held at the iconic Radio City Music Hall, Kemmerer was one of 1,337 graduating students to be awarded their degree.