Nearly 200 area students participated in The University of Scranton's annual Hayes Family Science Competition for High School Physics and Engineering Students. The academic competition tested the high school students' knowledge of physics and engineering through a series of quizzes and hands-on challenges. Students competed individually and in teams.

Susquehanna High School participated in the team competition of The University of Scranton's annual Hayes Family Science Competition for High School Physics and Engineering Students. Pictured above (l-r) are: seated - University of Scranton Physics Instructor Nicholas Truncale, coach John Salinkas, Elizabeth Delaney; standing - Bridget Iveson, Kayline Trynoski, Tristan Megivern, Jorge Bautista, William Dixon, Stephen Vivona, Emily Lawrenson.

Aidan Cunningham from Wallenpaupack Area High School came in first place in the individual competition and received the $250 cash award. Charles Kulick from Scranton Preparatory School came in second place and won both the $150 cash award and the $1,500 scholarship to The University of Scranton for holding the highest quiz score of a participant who will attend the University in fall of 2018. Charles Brinsfield from Wallenpaupack Area High School came in third place and won the $100 cash award.

In the team competition, Wallenpaupack Area High School Team One placed first.

The competition was organized by the University's Department of Physics and Electrical Engineering with the purpose of encouraging more students to pursue careers in physics and engineering. The Joseph Kane Estate, the University's Financial Aid Office, the Department of Physics and Electrical Engineering and students in the University's physics and electrical engineering program support the Hayes Family Science Competition for high school physics and engineering students.

Lena Penny, a junior attending Mountain View Junior-Senior High School, was recently notified that she received an honorable mention award for an essay submitted to the Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF) PAYBACK Challenge competition. PAYBACK Challenge is a free, interactive, web-based game. When playing the game, students make decisions and see how those decisions impact their college debt while also tracking their academic focus. The game tries to have students consider their overall happiness. The goal is to consider factors crucial in actually finishing college and graduating with a job that can help them repay their debt.

Pictured (l-r) are: Karen K. Voigt, Superintendent; Lena Penny; Dr. Elaine M. Chichura, Family and Consumer Sciences teacher

After playing the game as a part of a Family and Consumer Sciences class, Mountain View School District students were encouraged to write a 250 word essay with the following prompt: "How could you use the online game, PAYBACK, to have a conversation with your parent/guardian about paying for college?"

"Over 60,000 students played PAYBACK during the contest period," noted NGPF Founder, Tim Ranzetta. "Reading through hundreds of essays demonstrated how PAYBACK spurred so many thoughtful conversations between students and their parents/guardians. We applaud the educators who provided their students with the opportunity to grapple with these challenging decisions BEFORE they leave high school. Congratulations to the winners and to all those who participated!"

Lena's was one of over 500 students representing all fifty states to submit an essay for this competition. Her essay received an honorable mention award of $500 from NGPF to be used for educational purposes. In addition, the nominating teacher, Dr. Elaine M. Chichura, will receive an additional $200 for classroom projects.

Paul Matthew Chichura, Kingsley, PA, graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) and received both the B.A. and the M.S. degrees. Paul is the son of Drs. Andrew and Elaine M. Chichura and brother of Dr. Anna M. Chichura.

Paul Chichura

Graduation ceremonies were held at UPenn on May 12th, 13th, and 14th. Paul's B.A. degree is in physics with Honors and a mathematics minor. His M.S. degree is in physics and astronomy.

In a special May 10th ceremony Paul was initiated into the Delta Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. This is the oldest and most prestigious honor society in the United States, and is the only one in which a faculty committee elects students to membership.

While at UPenn, research experience was gained in the Department of Physics and Astronomy during the summers of 2016 and 2017 and part-time throughout the 2017-2018 academic year. Paul's B.A. Honors thesis, titled "An Investigation of Polarized Power Spectra from HERA-19 Commissioning Data" was based on his summer and academic year research at UPenn.

Prior to attending UPenn he graduated as salutatorian in 2014 from the Scranton Preparatory School. While at UPenn Paul continued his music and drama experiences as a participant since his sophomore year and president during his senior year with the Disney A Cappella music group.

Peoples Security Bank and Trust Co. recently hosted a trivia event for the Peoples Security Financial Scholars Program, an initiative to bring critical financial literacy education to high school students across Mountain View School District. Peoples Security Bank and Trust Co. has partnered with EverFi, Inc., the nation's leading education technology company, to bring this interactive, web-based financial management program to all high school students at no cost to the schools or taxpayers.

In the Jeopardy-like trivia game, the students were able to put to use everything they had learned throughout the course of completing the Peoples Security Financial Scholars Program. Nine out of more than 50 students that earned their Financial Scholar Certification played to test their knowledge while their classmates cheered them on from the audience. The event at Mountain View High School included remarks from Bonnie Phelps (Hop Bottom Branch Manager, Peoples Security Bank and Trust Co.) and John Cardenas (Schools Manager, EverFi). Bonnie also presented Dr. Elaine Chichura, Mountain View High School, with a Teacher Appreciation Certificate to thank her for all of the hard work and dedication she put forth implementing this program.

Pictured (l-r) are: Bonnie Phelps, Hop Bottom Branch Manager, Peoples Security Bank; Lily Virbitsky, Todd Landis, and Madison Hegedty, Mountain View High School students

Bonnie Baker, Senior Vice President, Peoples Security Bank and Trust Co. commented, "To team up with an organization like EverFi and be able to present this program to the school districts in our area is very rewarding. Having the support of the administration and faculty made the program such a success and allowed the students to respond in a positive way. Peoples Security Bank looks forward to bringing this program to other school districts in our local communities."

Dr. Elaine Chichura, Mountain View High School commented, "Financial literacy is a practical skill that will serve the students throughout their lifetimes. We are proud to take part in this important initiative."

Lily Virbitsky, Mountain View High School student, commented, "EverFi explained all the things I was dreading about adult life in a manner that was both engaging and informative. I feel much more prepared to tackle life's financial obstacles after completing this course. I am extremely lucky to have been given the opportunity to learn through EverFi because of how much I know it will help me in the near future."

Madison Hegedty, Mountain View High School student, added "EverFi taught me things that I would have never learned by myself.  Thanks to EverFi I have plans to open my own checking account tomorrow after school."

Powered by EverFi technology, the web-based learning platform uses the latest in new media technologies – video, animations, 3-D gaming, avatars, and social networking – to bring complex financial concepts to life for today's digital generation. High school students will become certified in over 600 topics in financial education, allowing them to become more informed, responsible citizens.

The Peoples Security Financial Scholars Program is a 10-unit course that offers 6-8 hours of programming aimed at teaching, assessing and certifying students in a variety of financial topics including credit scores, insurance, credit cards, student loans, mortgages, taxes, stocks, savings, 401k's and other critical concepts that map to national financial literacy standards. This learning platform tracks knowledge gained as well as students' attitudes and behaviors on these important issues. Students who successfully complete the course receive certification in Financial Literacy, a valuable mark of distinction on college applications and resumes.

Wilkes University awarded nearly 800 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees at its 71st spring commencement ceremonies on May 19. Following is a list of local students who achieved the honor.

Jennifer Baron, of Vandling received a Bachelor of Arts in English. Jennifer was also: honored with the Outstanding Graduate for the College of Education by the School of Education department and Dr. Rhonda Rabbitt; awarded the Highest GPA in English Award by the English department; and received the Outstanding Secondary Teacher Education Student presented by the Teacher Education Program department and Dr. Suzanne Murray-Galella.

Alaney Berish, of Union Dale received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

Stefani Fink, of Meshoppen received a Master of Science in Education.

Kara Hines, of Thompson received a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nursing.

Mary Howell, of Springville received a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership/Educational Leadership Studies.

Kimberlee Lerma, of Browndale received a Master of Science in Education.

Joshua Mayse, of Harford received a Master of Business Administration in Business Administration.

Sarah Nichols, of New Milford received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Sarah was also: honored with the Catherine M. Bone Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement and Service by the Chemistry department and Dr. Amy Bradley; and awarded the American Chemical Society Section Award by the Chemistry department.

Robert Peck, of Susquehanna received a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.

Ethan Robinson, of Brackney received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology.

Kathleen Rosa, of Meshoppen received a Master of Arts in Creative Writing.

Anna Ruseski, of South Montrose received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in Nursing.

A total of 327 students have been named to the Mansfield University Dean's List for the Spring, 2018 semester. To be named to the Dean's list, a student must attend the university full-time and earn at least a 3.5 GPA.

Area students earning the honor were: Madison Canfield of Susquehanna; Kaitlyn Dabulewicz of Montrose; Lindsay Daly of Montrose; Ashlee Derrick of Susquehanna; Courtney Ditchey of Nicholson; MacKenzie Jones of Friendsville; Korena Kraynak of Montrose; Paul Moore of Meshoppen; Bailey Shaw of Susquehanna; Emily Tracy of New Milford.

One hundred and thirteen students have been named to the Mansfield University President's List for the Spring, 2018 semester.

To be named to the President's List, a student must attend the university full-time and attain at least a 4.0 QPA for the semester.

Area students who earned the honor are: Anastasia Hester of Brackney; Devin MacGeorge of Montrose; Ty Moon of Montrose; Shelby Valvano of Meshoppen.

Students at Misericordia University qualify for the dean's list with a 3.55 grade point average or higher.

The following students were named to the dean's list for the Spring, 2018 semester: Keana Albert, Hallstead; Tyler Arnold, Springville; Ashley Birchard, Montrose; Jesse Gerfin, Kingsley; Kayla Krishak, Springville; Matthew Lavin, Clifford Township; Jason Prescott, Forest City; Tanner Reyan, Friendsville; Micaela Rhone, Starrucca; Alex Skopic, Springville; Katelynn Taylor, Clifford Twp; Jody Teel, Springville; Joshua Wilbur, Montrose.

Benjamin Pettyjohn, a Junior Criminal Justice major of Montrose, was among over 800 Bob Jones University students named to the Spring, 2018 Dean's List.

The Dean's List recognizes students who earn a 3.00-3.74 grade point average during the semester.

Alexis Roe, Susquehanna, earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology during Arcadia University's 2018 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on May 18.