Mahanoy Middle
Megan Babinsky and Justin Letcavage were chosen as students of the month for October by the faculty at Mahanoy Area Middle School. Sponsored by the Mahanoy City Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 695, nominees are judged on the basis of multiple achievements, character, leadership, citizenship and scholastic aptitude.
Megan, a daughter of Paul and Colleen Babinsky, Barnesville, is a member of St. Richard Roman Catholic Church, Barnesville, where she is an altar server. A distinguished honor student and student council secretary, she is involved in chorus, National Junior Honor Society, Community Outreach Club, ski club, Theatre Arts, intramural basketball, CYO basketball, swim team and track and field.
Captain of the seventh- and eighth-grade basketball, Megan achieved perfect attendance in 7th grade. She plans to attend college and become an optometrist.
Justin, a son of Kim Letcavage, Barnesville, is a distinguished honor student. He is student council president and is involved in National Junior Honor Society, ski club, seventh- and eighth-grade football, intramural basketball, track and field and wrestling.
Justin volunteers his time at the Mahanoy Area Wrestling Tournament and with the middle school homecoming float committee. He plans to attend college.
Minersville Area
Minersville Area High School seniors Morgen Woodford and Aaron Fritz were named students of the month for October.
Morgen is a daughter of Clifford and Sandra Woodford, Pottsville. She is president of SADD and student council and treasurer of the National Honors Society,
Her other activities include yearbook and prom committees, TAT, Academic League, varsity soccer and softball. Outside of school, she waitresses at St. Nick's Hall, Primrose, and works the ticket booth at football games.
Morgen plans to attend college.
Aaron, a son of Charlie Fritz and Veronica Harley-Fritz, Pottsville, is a member of the Academic Bowl Team and baseball and basketball teams. Outside of school, he does maintenance work at the Minersville Teener League field.
Aaron plans to attend Bucknell University, Lewisburg.
Minersville Area seniors Morgan Nawrocki and Lukas Heffron were named students of the month for November.
Morgan is a daughter of Kyra Nawrocki, Minersville, and is treasurer of SADD. She is a member of the chemistry club, Academic League, National Honor Society, yearbook, prom and steering committees and soccer and softball teams. She also does orientation for new students.
Outside of school, Morgan volunteered at elementary basketball games, is involved with church activities, helped with the "purple" cancer awareness football game and volunteers at South Cass Fire Company. She plans to attend college to study pharmacy.
Lukas is a son of Marty and Tanya Heffron, Pottsville. He is treasurer of his class and a member of SADD, student council, chemistry club, Academic League, prom and yearbook committees, and the baseball and football teams. He is also a tutor and does orientation for new students.
Lukas is involved with church activities and the Minersville Football Midget Program outside of school. He helped with the cancer awareness football game, sponsored by Minersville 5th Quarter Club and worked and helped a local artist.
Lukas plans to attend college to study exercise science and pre-chiropractic.
Pine Grove Area
Toby Morgan and Ryan Martin were named students of the month for November at Pine Grove Area High School.
Toby, a son of Todd and Becky Morgan, Pine Grove, studies in the post-secondary curriculum. His high school activities include the recycling club, FFA and advanced woodshop.
He plans to own his own business.
Ryan, a son of Daryl and Doris Martin, Pine Grove, is enrolled in the college preparatory curriculum. His high school activities include varsity football, varsity wrestling, SADD, FBLA and the varsity club, of which he is president.
Ryan's future plans include going to Williamson Trade School, Media, for machine shop.
Frackville Rotary
Tara Ketterer, a senior at Nativity BVM High School, was honored as the Frackville Rotary Club student of the month for November at a meeting at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant at the Schuylkill Mall.
Tara has been an honor roll student during her four years at Nativity, where she is a four-year member of the volleyball team, a member of the track and field team and has been involved in organized swimming meets for eight years. She is also a member of the school's yearbook staff and science club.
Tara serves as current affairs chairwoman of the Knights of Lithuania Anthracite Council 144 and has assisted the council's annual Lithuanian Days celebration at the Schuylkill Mall. She has been an altar server for eight years at Annunciation BVM Roman Catholic Church, Frackville, assists with CCD classes and Vacation Bible Camp. She has also participated in the annual SKIP clean-up.
After graduation, Tara plans to attend a four-year college in Pennsylvania to study athletic training.
Pottsville Rotary
Rachel Shields and Alexander Martz of Pottsville Area High School and Rachel Wood and Dylan Palamar of Nativity BVM High School were named Pottsville Rotary students of the month for November.
Rachel, a daughter of Craig and Beth Shields, Pottsville, is a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. She is also a four-year member of the Key Club, of which she is vice president, the ecology club, of which she is in her second year as president and the Spanish Club.
Rachel is a two-year member of the debate team and has been treasurer both years. A varsity letter winner in tennis, she has played for three years and is team captain.
Rachel is a volunteer blood drive organizer for the American Red Cross. She plans to attend college and major in computer science.
Alexander, a son of Gwen and William Martz, Pottsville, is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, sketch club, winter and spring track and field and the German Club, of which he is vice president. He lettered three years in a row in spring track and field, and is a volunteer firefighter.
Alexander plans to attend college and major in mechanical engineering.
Rachel is a daughter of David and Carol Wood, Pottsville, and is a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville. She is involved in the Interact, art and science clubs, student government, yearbook and campus ministry.
Rachel plays volleyball and softball and was selected to play in the All-Star game for volleyball. She has received multiple highest achievement awards at Nativity and plans to attend college and receive her Ph.D. in pharmacy.
Dylan, a son of Theresa and Tom Palamar, Pottsville, attends St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church and is involved in baseball, basketball and football. He is a peer listener and a control officer with student government and is a member of the Interact and art clubs.
Dylan participated in the Schuylkill County Youth Leadership team. He plans to attend college and major in business.