Senior Joni Host has been selected as Montrose Area High School Scholar of the Year.  Her radio interview will take place Sunday, January 10 at 12:00 pm on the University of Scranton Radio Station WUSR-99.5 FM.  The Scholar of the Year Program is sponsored by the Northeast Educational Intermediate Unit #19 and WUSR - 99.5 FM.  One senior student from each high school in the intermediate unit is selected on the basis of academic excellence, leadership, and citizenship.  In addition to the broadcast interviews, the scholars and their parents will be honored with a banquet at the end of the school year.

Joni Host

Joni is the daughter of William and Kathleen Host of Montrose.  Joni is involved in many school and community activities.  She is a very talented young lady with many awards and achievements both in the classroom and the community.  As part of the school community, Joni has been Class President for 4 years and a member of Student Council and the Liaison and Prom Committees.  She is also a member of the Advanced Placement Club, National Honor Society, Friends of Rachel, and Future Business Leaders of America.  She is the Business Manager of the Yearbook (ACTA) and has been a Peer Tutor.  Joni has been featured as Student of the Issue for the Meteor Chronicle as well as being honored as Student of the Month.  In addition to her busy academic and extracurricular day, Joni is a volunteer at the Blueberry Festival, Harford Fair and with the Holy Name of Mary Rectory.  She is also an award winning dancer with the Conklin Dance Academy Competition Team.  Joni has earned Gold, High Gold and Platinum Awards for Competition Dancing.  Joni plans to attend college and pursue a degree in Physician Assistant or Medical Doctor with a specialty in Neuroscience. 

Elk Lake debater Mika Smith continued her successful senior year with another placement in the final rounds.

On January 9, 2016 at the Blue, Maroon, and White Tournament at Shikellamy HS, Smith advanced to Finals in Varsity Lincoln-Douglas Debate.

Smith compiled a 2 win and 1 loss record during the preliminary rounds by defeating debaters from Delone Catholic and Southern Columbia HS. Her only loss came to a debater from State College HS.

In Finals, Smith lost a split decision to Linda Wen from Danville HS and placed second in Varsity LD Debate.

Mika Smith

Elk Lake Forensics Place-winner at Blue, Maroon, and White Tournament Mika Smith – 2nd Place in Varsity LD Debate.

“Mika has continued to make improvements this season. We are very happy with her progress at this point in the season,” commented EL Forensics Director Keith Brosious.

The EL Forensics Team traveled to E.L. Meyers HS in Wilkes-Barre to compete at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tournament on January 16.

Mr. Marc Weisgold, Elementary Principal at the Elk Lake School, is pleased to announce the December, 2015 Student of the Month Award winners.

Pictured (l-r) are: first row - Gage Raub, Jaqueline Diaz, Nancy Martinez, Piper Keeney, Adriana Rodriquez, Sage Darling, Mckenzie Shave; second row - Kaydance Koch, Megan Bollinger, Jaymee Roberts, Lucas Benscoter, Lilly Franklin, Ethan Smith, Mr. Marc Weisgold, Kurt Kipar, Terrance Mosher, Camden Ruark.

Students in kindergarten, first and second 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.

The following students at Blue Ridge Elementary are December, 2015 Citizens Of The Month.

Pictured (l-r) are: First Row - Rocky Ann Bross, Brittin Millard; Second Row - Nolan Gnade, Lauren Ross, Kennedi Phelps, Izabella McCrone; Third Row - Evander Dutcher, Ella Bianchi, Logan Haley, Natalie Kowalewski, Ashlee Sanchez, Olivia Folk, Patrick Donohue, Olivia Phillips, Gehrig Dibble, Elliana Dillman; Fourth Row - Lillian Bleck, Riley Baker, Sophia Bianchi, Elijah Dillman. Absent from photo: Vanity Grochal, Mason Falkenberg, Austin Barton, Rose Birtch.

Mountain View Jr/Sr High School is pleased to announce the following students of the month for December 2015.

Pictured are Donna Porter (School Counselor), Emily Supancik, Alyssa Kelly, Jeremiah Schwartz, Robert Presley (Principal).

Elk Lake High School Principal Brain Mallery has announced the December, 2015 Students of the Month for grades seven through twelve.

Pictured (l-r) are: front row - Felicia Bedford, Eliza Bosscher, Naylynn Godfrey, Breanna Yonkin, Shyanne Bennett, Aubree Budzinski, Davia Adams, Tanden Rafferty, Hailey Strohl, Becca Sisson, Mikaela Meaders, Vanessa Lopez, Cydney DeWitt, Taylor Howey, Higinio Loboda; back row - High School Principal Mr. Brian Mallery, Gabe Spila, Omar Lopez, Skyler Newell-Ramsay, Jake Hand, Kaleb Bennett, Seth Tewksbury, James Heft, Cole Tyler, Jerry Fassett, Jimmy Kerchner, Anthony Falcone, Chase Orlandini, Dakota Barber, Jordan Bliss, Steven Hinkley, Nate Preston. Absent from photo - Chelsea Corby, Zach Gardner.

Mrs. Sondra Stine (pictured), a member of the Mountain View School Board, received recognition for 16 years of service at the board meeting on November 9, 2015. She was presented a certificate, adding her name to the PSBA “Honor Roll of School Board Service.”

Mrs. Karen Voigt, Superintendent, spoke about Mrs. Stine’s years of dedicated volunteer service to children, the community, and public education. She has worked hard to make Mountain View School District a district of excellence. Her son and daughter were also present as she was honored.

School directors are spending more of their personal time on school-related activities. More than half devote 16 hours or more a month to school board business. That is a real commitment on their part.

The Susquehanna County Career & Technology Center recently offered a 16-hour certification course. Ten Automotive Technology students have successfully completed training and are now certified in refrigerant recycling and service procedures. The students are now qualified technicians and comply with the 1990 U.S. EPA Clean Air Act requirements for certification in refrigerant recovery and recycling to protect the environment. Their services are needed for the mobile air conditioning, heating and engine cooling system segment of the automotive aftermarket.

Pictured (l-r) are: front row - Katherine Colwell, Brianna Williams, James Vilchock, Anthony Pasquali, Nicholas Darling; back row - Randall Farr, Matthew Gevert, Dylan Miller, James Morton. Missing from photo - Nicholas Wilmot.

Dr. Alice M. Davis, Executive Director of the SCCTC, is excited to offer this class to students in order to add to their skill set and prepare them to be the most equipped candidates for the extremely competitive job market.

Dr. Alice M. Davis, Executive Director of the Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center (SCCTC), is proud to announce the SCCTC’s “Students of the Month” for December, 2015.

Pictured (l-r) are: front row - Macy Wega, Krista Squier, Derik Gorton, Isaiah Sincavage, Rodney Ely, Dr. Alice M. Davis; back row - Alex Payton, Robert Gregory, Corey Grochal, Evan Aldrich, Christopher Mulvey, Michael Villanella, Casey Kelley. Missing from photo - Josh Najarian, Rose Warner, Sonja Stacknick, Gina Hall, Carol Henry, Jordan Flynn, Kelly Oliver, Mariah Canfield, Brandon Gibbons.

On December 22, 2015, six representatives of the Susquehanna Community High School Between the Extremes club traveled to the WVIA Studios in Pittston and received a $1,000.00 community service grant sponsored by WVIA and PP&L.

Pictured (l-r) are: Madison Towner, Bailey Allen, Jasmine Funk, Nicole Anthony, Mackenzie Steele, Carson Beamer, representative from PP&L and SCHS teacher, Mrs. Elizabeth Updyke.

The 28-member club plans to use the grant money in two ways. Half of the money will fund projects to assist the middle school students as they work with our Pre-K children in developing language and pre-reading skills. The other half of the money will be used to connect with our senior citizen population as the club members “adopt a grandparent” to exchange information, work with social skills, and address any potential loneliness issues.

Our students at SCHS are really excited and cannot wait to get started with this endeavor.

Mr. Bronson Stone, Superintendent of the Susquehanna Community School District, announces the “Students of the Month” for the Elementary School for December, 2015 for Grades Kindergarten, First, Second and Third.

Pictured (l-r) are: first row - Cadence Bastedo, Chase Creamer, Hunter Downton, Gabriel Maby, Evan Beamer, Mr. Stone; second row - Zakkery Ace, Lily Hugaboom, Jeffery Benson, Joel Decker; third row - Sydney Donahue, Ryan Norton, Hayden Carmody, Kinzie Fasulo, Mason Opalka.

And for grades 4 through 6 ...

Pictured (l-r) are: first row - Olivia Rossi, Ashlyn Corbin, Joseph Burke, Mr. Stone; second row - Danni Williams, Tatum Norris, Kambrie Colwell, Kerstin Dooley; third row - Chasity Rafferty, Kayla Sheldon, Megan Decker, Mackenzie Roe, Meghan Kiernan.

Wilkes University awarded 226 doctoral, Masters and Bachelors degrees to students graduating after the completion of the fall 2015 semester.

Kristen Bishop of Great Bend, Pa., received a Master of Science in Nursing.

Following is the Susquehanna Community High School 2nd Marking Period Honor Roll for the 2015 school year.

Highest Honors 93 -100

12th Grade –  Daniel Braun, Breanna Bushong, Zachary Collins, Cori Glidden, Kaitlyn Gow, Allison Hampton, Marissa Hodge, Alyssa Hubal, Ashley Meck, Kendra Papocchia, Michael Pelicci, Miranda Rhone, Nicole Sherman, Kayla Wayman.

11th Grade – Madison Canfield, Hannah Day, Garret Grausgruber, Evan Haley, Jessica Lamb, Saige Perry, Alexandria Warring, Kathryn Woodruff .

10th Grade –  Isabella Abruzzo, Emily Frye, Bridget Iveson, Tristan Megivern, Kaylin Trynoski, Skyla Wilson.

9th Grade –  Angel Bieloski, Devon Dubanowitz, Emily Fremberg, Lia Heath, Kaylee Landry, Rhiannon Potter, McKenzie Rhone, Chloe Tinklepaugh.

8th Grade – Carson Beamer, Jaycie Conklin,  Mackenzie Heath, Taylor Huyck, Jonathan Jenkins, Mackenzie Steele, Kailye Towner, Meaghan Towner, Samantha Voege .

7th Grade – Austin Gow, Ella Hansen, Sophie Lawrenson

Honor Roll 90-92.99

12th Grade – Baily Barnes, James Cottrell, Ashley Hallisey, Marissa McConnell, Rachel Serfilippi.

11th Grade – Lauren Soden, Amy Zebrowski.

10th Grade – Chelsea Bush, Kendra Colwell, Elizabeth Delaney, Lucas Marco, Kayla Marino, Kelsey Swartz, Stephen Vivona

9th Grade –  Christopher Ayres, Michael Braun, Ryan Carmody, Cheyenne Kelley, Bethany Maby, Cody MacDonald, Adam Rockwell, Canyon Stone

8th Grade –  Nichole Anthony, Ryan Armitage, Dylan Crawford, Rachel Day, Shania Megivern, Geena Miller, Airyll Rockwell, Jakub Tomczyk

7th Grade – Cortney Bennett, Garrett Decker, JD Heckman, Kyleigh Jones, Bradley LaBar

Merit Roll 85-89.9

12th Grade – Haley Aldrich, Kristine Callahan, Gabrielle Cina, Donna Jo Decker, Brandon Gow, Miranda Groover, Benedict Kane, Alyssa Rockwell, Lewis Sparks, Dylan Stout.

11th Grade – John Abruzzo, Taylor Bennett, Brittany Burlingame, Slone Chandler, Gabrielle Glover, Lyndsey Mroz, Robert Murphy, Skyler Voege, Taylor Williams.

10th  Grade – Stephanie Ballard, Faith Benedict, Travis Craig, Lexus Heeman, Matthew Kane, Marisa Kenny, Emily Lawrenson, Eric Lee, Madisson Stanford, Nicholas Wayman.

9th Grade – Bryce Baldwin, Justin Belvedere, Robert Burns, Mercedes Crowley, Megan Hackett, Eric Hall, Aaron Herbert, Garrison Kiernan, Jordan King, William Perry III, Payton Rhone, Nicole Swanson, Jessica Teribury, Ashley Wallace, Cameron Wasko, MacKenzie Williams

8th Grade – Elizabeth Barnes, Paetan Benson, Samantha Fox, Matthew Phillips, Cody Swartz, Alecia Towner, Bridgett Towner, Kelsey Treible

7th Grade – Gavin Baker, John Barry, Devyn Benson, Caleigh Carrillo, Zachary Consla, Dalton Crowley, Jacob Downton, Jasmine Funk, Chance Marino, Joseph Murphy, Stephen Murphy,  Cody Orner, James Paynter, Leah Place, Kaylee Rooney, Brianne Sheldon, Emily Sheldon,  Courtney Towner, Madison Towner, Kevin Tross, Brooke Welch, Val White, Robert Wolf

Morgan Ofsharick of Susquehanna, PA, who is working on a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration was named to the Dean's List at the University of New Haven for the Fall 2015 semester. Full-time undergraduate students must have a 3.50 or better cumulative GPA for the semester to be eligible for the Dean's List

WILLIAMSPORT, PA (01/27/2016)-- The Lycoming College Dean's List is issued at the close of each semester in recognition of superior scholarship. The following local students made the Dean's List for having completed at least 12 semester hours and earning a minimum grade point average of 3.50 for the fall 2016 semester:

Johanna Hripto, a senior biology major, of Montrose, Pa. (18801)

Bailey Hughes, a junior financial accounting major, of Forest City, Pa. (18421)

Samanntha Poole, a sophomore sociology major, of Montrose, Pa. (18801)

Amy Overpeck of New Milford, Pa., is one of 109 Lebanon Valley student-athletes named to the Middle Atlantic Conference's (MAC) Fall Academic Honor Roll.

Overpeck, a gradute of Pocono Mountain East High School, is a member of the women's soccer team, and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience at The Valley.

The academic honor roll is comprised of student-athletes who compete in a varsity level sport and registered a term/semester GPA of 3.20 (on a 4.00 scale) or higher. In 2015-16, the MAC is allowing freshmen to be eligible for the conference academic honor roll for the first time.

The addition of freshmen allowed for a record 1,377 MAC student-athletes who competed in men's and women's cross country, field hockey, football, men's and women's soccer, and volleyball to earn honor roll recognition.

Several local students were named to Susquehanna University's dean's list for the fall 2015 semester. The dean's list recognizes students who achieve a grade point average of 3.4 or higher out of a possible 4.0 for the semester.

Austin French, of Susquehanna, is a business administration major in the Class of 2018. A 2014 graduate of Blue Ridge High School, he is the son of Larry and Margie French.

Emily Staros, of Thompson, is a chemistry major in the Class of 2018. A 2014 graduate of Susquehanna Cmty High School, she is the daughter of Stan and Lisa Staros.

Margaret Hale Jordan of Union Dale, PA, has been awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree - History from Kutztown University.

University of Scranton Announces Fall 2015 Dean’s List

More than 1,550 students were named to The University of Scranton Dean’s List, which recognizes students for academic excellence during the 2015 fall semester. A student must have a grade point average of 3.5 or better with a minimum number of credit hours to make the Dean’s List. The list includes students from the Jesuit university’s College of Arts and Sciences, the Kania School of Management and the Panuska College of Professional Studies.

Local Dean’s List students, listed alphabetically by area: Amy E. Black, Hop Bottom; Mary H. Brennan, Browndale; Jeshua L. DeJesse, Susquehanna; Christopher M. Fitzsimmons, Forest City; Elizabeth A. Steele, Kingsley; Caleigh E. Wildenstein, Forest City.