Tri-Valley Lions
Alexis Artz, daughter of Kim and Jeff Mattis, was named the Tri-Valley Lions outstanding student in the arts for December. She attended the club’s Christmas party in December with her parents, brother Cole and sister McKenna.
The art pieces that Alexis shared at the meeting included a chalk pastel self-portrait, tissue paper Smurf, “Despicable Me” metamorphosis, ceramic triangular pot formed by rolled strands of clay that were smoothed on the exterior and glazed and a plaque created by 3-D foam carving.
Outside of the classroom, Alexis is a member of the varsity volleyball team, FBLA, yearbook committee, cheerleading and National Honor Society. She participated in the Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival and Mountain Valley Golf Course fashion show, placed seventh in regionals for FBLA and was named a page for the Electoral College.
Alexis plans to enroll in a BSN program, preferably at Penn State.
Emily Kahler, a Tri-Valley High School senior academic student, was named November outstanding student in the arts by the Tri-Valley Lions at the group’s second meeting in November to fete her talent in graphic arts.
Emily was accompanied by her parents, Nancy and Ryan Kahler, as she demonstrated her talent with a display of her work including pen and inks, colored pencils and a logo depicting all military branches. The logo was a winner of competition during a Veterans Day celebration and will be featured on the back of a T-shirt to be sold as a fundraiser for veterans support. Much of the art displayed involved scenes from downtown State College produced last summer at an art camp at Penn State.
Emily is a member of and serves as secretary of the high school band, FFA, SWAT and yearbook committee. She plans to enroll in a graphic design program at Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport.
The Tri-Valley Lions announced Summer Stehr as outstanding arts student for October at the its second meeting in October.
Living in the midst of abundant natural beauty, Summer showed her appreciation for nature in developing a portfolio of photographs set in scenic rural settings. Using her computer, she showed a series of pictures for which she had been commissioned by family, friends and acquaintances familiar with her interest and work.
A daughter of Henry and Stacey Stehr, the Tri-Valley High School senior is editor of the yearbook, a Big Brothers/Big Sisters volunteer and was a member of the Homecoming Court. She plans to enroll at Harrisburg Area Community College to major in a photography program.
Mahanoy Middle
Ryan Folk and Kendall Bernardyn were named students of the month for December by Mahanoy Area Middle School faculty through a program sponsored by Mahanoy City Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 695. Nominees are judged on multiple achievements, character, leadership, citizenship and scholastic aptitude.
Ryan is a son of David and Stacie Folk, Delano, and a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, Tamaqua, where he serves as an acolyte, crucifer and lector.
Ryan is involved with the Mahanoy Area marching and concert bands, jazz band, National Junior Honor Society, Schuylkill Youth Symphony Orchestra and golf team. A distinguished honor student, he received the Manners Matters certificate.
Ryan plans to attend Penn State Schuylkill and major in biology.
Kendall is a daughter of Mark and Stephanie Bernardyn, Gilberton, and a member of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church, Mahanoy City, where she serves as a greeter.
Kendall is involved with chorus, float committee, CYO basketball, Vacation Bible School, Stations of the Cross, National Junior Honor Society, Paw Print, Theatre Arts, seventh- and eighth-grade girls basketball, biddy volleyball, intramural basketball, swim team and track and field. A superior honor student, Kendall is also JV and varsity girls basketball manager. She volunteers her time helping with ACTION Youth Group, Citizens Fire Company and Knights of Columbus.
Kendall plans to earn a scholarship for swimming and attend Lehigh University, Bethlehem, and major in orthopedic nursing.
Minersville Area
Kaitlyn Glore and Edward Pollman were named students of the month for December at Minersville Area High School.
Kaitlyn is a daughter of Michael and Maria Glore, Pottsville. A dual enrollment student, she is a member of the National Honor Society, Academic League, County Band, cross country, and track (pole vaulting) teams. Outside of school, she is a blood drive registration volunteer.
Kaitlyn plans to continue her education to become a character animator.
Edward is a son of William and Donna Bernasz, Pottsville. He is a member of the marching band and participates in the annual musical and volunteers at the MS Walk bake sale.
Edward plans to become a writer/film historian.
Pottsville Rotary
Nativity BVM High School seniors Kayla Prezelski and Gino DiNicola and Pottsville Area High School seniors Sarah Williams and Derek Shuman were honored as Pottsville Rotary students of the month for November.
Kayla is a daughter of Richard and Allison Prezelski, Pottsville. She is a member of Nativity’s math and science clubs, National Honor Society and yearbook.
Kayla is a class representative for the Interact Club, student ambassador for the Schuylkill County Youth Summit and captain of the girls soccer team and track and field team. She volunteers at the Pottsville Soup Kitchen and Walk In Art Center, Schuylkill Haven.
Selected to attend the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for Engineering and Technology last summer, Kayla plans to attend college and become a biomedical engineer.
Gino, a son of Gino and Lorna DiNicola, Minersville, is a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Parish, Pottsville. He is senior class vice president and is active in the science, math and Interact clubs.
Gino is a member of the National Honor Society and Science National Honor Society. He plays football, basketball and baseball at Nativity.
His future plans include college to major in biology.
Sarah is a daughter of Scott and Susan Williams, Pottsville. She is vice president of the National Honor Society and is a member of the Spanish National Honor Society. She has earned distinguished honors/honor roll and has perfect attendance.
Sarah is a member of the marching, concert, stage and pep bands and percussion ensemble. She is drama club vice president and stage manager of the stage club.
She is a member of SADD and the ecology club and serves as captain of the Quiz Team. Sarah is also a member of the Third Brigade Band, Cressona Band and the MJ Big Band.
She volunteers at Red Creek Wildlife Rescue and for Dash for Dave and is a member of the Key Club.
Sarah plans to attend college with a double major in biology and English and minor in music.
Derek is a son of Attorney Karen Rismiller and Kurt Shuman. He is president of the National Honor Society and a recipient of the Bausch & Lomb Award for the top science student.
Derek is also a member of the PAHS Math Competition Team and a recipient of the Michael Ferugio Award for the highest scholastic average on the basketball team. His activities include four years on the basketball team, a four-year member of the Spanish and Leo clubs and three-year member of the ecology club and student council. He is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, where he serves as an acolyte and nursery volunteer.
Derek plans to attend Penn State University or the University of Miami and major in meteorology.
Shen Rotary
Nicholas Gurski, a senior at Shenandoah Valley High School, was named student of the month for November by the Shenandoah Rotary Club.
Nicholas’ is student council vice president and National Honor Society president. He is a member of the varsity football and baseball teams, drama club, Talent Search program and senior class activities.
His community service includes being an organizer and participant in the annual Kielbasi Festival, raffle ticket fundraiser for the Shenandoah Valley Quarterback Club, St. Patrick’s Day parade float, SPCA Christmas fundraising project, spina bifida fundraiser, Brain Tumor Alliance fundraiser in memory of a teacher who passed away, Vevasis family fundraiser, Veterans Day ceremony organizer and participant, placing American flags on veterans’ memorials, Shenandoah Valley Learn and Serve program, Toys for Tots fundraiser organizer and participant, Lyla’s Hope fundraiser organizer and participant and numerous service projects related to the student council and National Honor Society.
A son of Jon and Rayaire Gurski, Lost Creek, Nicholas plans to attend college to major in pharmacy.
Shen Elementary
The following students were named December students of the month at Shenandoah Valley Elementary School:
Kindergarten-1 — Jowell Burdier, K-2 — Kaylanny Paulino, K-3 — Victoria Hernandez, K-4 — Chelsea Ozorio and Angel Hernandez; Grade 1-1 — Kailey Shatalsky, 1-2 — Jesus Tovar, 1-3 — Jasmine Adorno, 1-4 — Rachel Sekula; Grade 2-1 — Dante Garcia, 2-2 — Katrina McNulty, 2-3 — Jayden Favaro, 2-4 — Dylan Fogarty; Grade 3-1 — Morgan Fegley, 3-2 — Madison Wasser, 3-3 — Deanna D’Agostino, 3-4 — Hannah DeAngelo; Grade 4-1 — Miranda Lawson, 4-2 — Gavin Huggins and Landyn Hossler, 4-3 — Lucas Zelinsky; Grade 5-1 — Brandon Ramirez, 5-2 — Bobby Boris, 5-3 — Amy Hernandez De Aza; Grade 6-1 — Justin Chernesky, 6-2 — Joie Rodnick, 6-3 — Lena Bell.