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Lycoming Valley Teen of the Year Winner: Miranda Stoner

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 13:45:19 GMT

Miranda Stoner named Teen of the Year

BY CJ DOEBLER

THE STANDARD-JOURNAL

WILLIAMSPORT— Eleven area teenagers were honored

Sunday night for their selflessness, academic excellence

and community service. One of the honorees, Miranda

Stoner, received a $5,000 scholarship announcement.

The Teen of the Week program, an initiative that honored one outstanding graduating senior every week for the past 12 weeks, culminated in a reception at the Little League World Series Museum to announce the winner of the scholarship and Teen of the Year.

The program, sponsored by Pennsylvania General Energy Company (PGE) and in partnership with the Sample News Group, highlighted each of the teens’ accomplishments before announcing Stoner, of Montgomery, as this year’s scholarship recipient and Teen of the Year.

Students were nominated for recognition each week by their teachers, administrators and guidance counselors from across the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania.

“It’s great to be able to honor all of these students,” Gary Adkisson, director of digital initiatives for Sample News Group, said. “This was a wonderful event.”

Nominees and their families were first treated to a private visitation of the Little League World Series Museum before going on a tour of the Little League World Series grounds.

After the tour, General Manager of The Shamokin News-Item Kimberly Glennon read remarks prepared by Amy Moyer, publisher of The Standard-Journal, to get the reception underway.

“Some weeks, it was no easy task to choose a teen,” Glennon said.

After the opening remarks, Adkisson called each nominee to the podium individually to highlight the key points of their story.

This year’s nominees were recognized for their achievements in school, sports and the community.

According to Travis Overdorf, a representative from PGE’s Corporate Giving Committee, employees of the company spent a lot of time ciphering through each nominee’s story before deciding who aligned with PGE’s core values the most.

“Being good stewards of the communities in which we operate, always doing our best in all that we do and providing support when and where needed coupled with academic achievement were all included in the selection process,” Overdorf said.

Stoner, the overall winner, is involved in her 4-H Club and Toastmasters, a public speaking club. She is president of the Bald Eagle 4H Club.

“Both 4-H and Toastmaster have given me great leadership skills,” Stoner said. “Skills that will help me a lot when I am a teacher in the future.”

Stoner’s 4-H journey started out with sewing and cooking trainings before taking on scrapbooking and babysitting classes.

After joining Toastmasters, Stoner began to grow out of her introverted ways. “I never wanted to talk in front of anyone,” Stoner said.

“Now, I’m doing so much better.”

Stoner also works an after-school job at New Covenant Kids Kare, where she works with children who are 3 to 6 years old.

In the fall, Stoner plans to attend Bloomsburg University and major in Special Education with an Early Childhood Certification.

Adkisson said all of the students honored have bright futures, and the area is lucky to have them.

“The narratives that describe each student nominated throughout the second half of the school year are very commendable, and demonstrate a wide array of life experiences leading up to the many new adventures that await,”

Overdorf said. “Selecting a Teen of the Year was a difficult decision. Congratulations Miranda.”

Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week: Mary Green

Sun, 05 May 2024 02:04:48 GMT

MONTGOMERY — At the beginning of her senior year, Mary Green couldn’t read sheet music and had never played an instrument. After putting in the work, Green can now play the saxophone and clarinet.

Green’s drive in music, athletics and academics led the Montgomery Area High School senior to be selected as the Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week, after being nominated by her band director, Trey Fox, and cheer coach, Sierra Aichner.

Since she was a young, Green strived to play a musical instrument. The only thing standing in her way was the expense of purchasing one.

Green was issued a school-loaned alto saxophone in August to begin her endeavors.

“I couldn’t read music. I couldn’t play. I had no concept whatsoever of music,” Green said. “From August up until now, I can read music. I can play pretty much a full scale. I can site read, and I also started picking up clarinet these past couple months.”

Every day, Green practices for three to four hours. Although the training is vigorous, she said it’s a relieving contrast to her commitment to her academics and busy schedule.

“I feel like it's a way to really let go,” she said.

Green recalled the moment of confidence she gained during the Christmas concert. “After we came out, everybody was sitting down, and the lights were pointed at us on stage," she recalled. "I had the moment of, ‘I have put in so much effort and so much time to get to

where I am right now, and if it weren’t for all of that, then I wouldn’t be here.’”

"During my time with Mary, I have seen her take incredible strides in her skills as both a musician and a leader," Fox said. "Anytime that she has a free second in her school day, I find her in a practice room trying to better herself. Many younger students have started to follow her

lead because they have seen the direct results of her hard work."

Another passion of Green’s throughout school was cheerleading. During her sophomore year, she attended the Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) camp, where she was named All-American Cheerleader.

Her title allowed her to perform at a parade down Main Street USA at Magic Kingdom in Disney World, an experience she repeated during her senior year. “It really is an amazing experience,” Green said. “It was something that I know was never going to happen for me again.”

"Understanding the importance of academics and a growth mindset, Mary accepts change and learns to adapt to any situation," said Aichner. "She maintains a strong sense of organization by committing to her academics and balancing school, work, cheerleading, color guard, and many clubs."

Green has been a part of Scholastic Scrimmage since the seventh grade. “I joined the very first year the advisor was running it... figured it’d just be somewhere I could put my knowledge,” she said. “The teams that we go against either have a skill level similar to ours, or they have a skill level above ours, and the variety of skills students can have to vary based on where you go.”

In April, Green and her fellow students competed against schools from all over the country in a week-long National Scholastic Scrimmage Championship event in Chicago. Her team placed 16th out of 88 schools.

Through the Sign Language Club, Green and her peers took the initiative with Project Linus, supplying blankets to those in need. She has also planted 32 trees and participated with the student council in monitoring a blood donation drive.

“I feel like giving back to the community is super duper important,” she said. “By planting the trees, it helps everything around you flourish and blossom... giving back with things like Project Linus or the blood drive; it’s giving back to people who may not be as fortunate to have those things as I am.”

Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week: Gabrielle Segraves

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 16:48:26 GMT

MONTGOMERY — A dedication to community service has prompted Montgomery Junior/High School senior Gabrielle Segraves to pursue a career in the medical field.

Segraves was selected Lycoming Teen of the Week after being nominated by science teacher Nathan Crawford and gifted education teacher Shanna Haden.

Since her freshman year, Segraves has been an active member of her school’s Leo Club.

She was inspired by being part of Project Linus, in which members of the Leo Club create blankets to donate to hospitals.

“I didn’t realize at first how much there was to do in the community,” Segraves said. “I learned about Project Linus and all the things they do for hospitals with, donating the blankets that we make and other people make.

“After we made the blankets and donated them… they actually took us on a walkthrough of what they do when they receive the blankets.”

Segraves has also become involved with community action through the National Honor Society, doing a donation drive for a local church, and volunteering with the Lycoming Animal Protection Society.

During doctor’s appointments, Segraves said she watch as doctors and nurses perform tirelessly for the benefit of others in the community.

In addition to her involvement in community service, the dedication of the medical professionals inspired Segraves to pursue a medical career after high school.

Debating between physical therapy or sonography, Segraves chose the latter because it was better suited to her interests.

“I specifically want to be the sonographer who does sonograms for pregnant women,” she said. “Helping women have healthy pregnancies really interested me.”

After graduation, Segraves plans on attending Bloomsburg University to gain a bachelor’s degree in diagnostic medical sonography.

"After working with her to find a university where she could further her passion for medical imaging, it became very evident that Gabrielle has many goals and dreams that are almost as big as her servant's heart," wrote Crawford. "Her tireless effort to pursue excellence in all she does has led to many great personal and academic achievements throughout her high school career."

Once she finishs her college career, Segraves wants to practice her field while living in the local area.

“I plan on staying local because I love the community and also because I love being close to my family, because I really love my family,” she said.

Segraves has been a distinguished honor roll student since 2020 and was voted homecoming queen. She has an SAT score of 1050, a class rank of 4 out of 61, and a weighted average GPA of 99.39.

"(Gabrielle) strives well above her peers in her openness to responses, creative thinking, and critiquing, all while offering her own insightful humor," Haden stated. "Gabrielle excels in every capacity of every facet of learning she touches... She proves the ideas of versatility and determination. She inspires responsibility, motivation, and consideration."

Motivated by her mother’s words, Segraves said she was always told to work hard and try her best, “Even if you do fail… just keep on trying until you succeed.”

She is thankful for the support of her friends, family, and the school district throughout her education journey.

"I believe Gabrielle is destined for great things and will be a true difference maker and source of change as she grows and develops as a leader in her community," Crawford stated.

Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week: Mitchell Schreiber

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 01:57:15 GMT

MONTGOMERY — As a boy growing up on a farm, Mitchell Schreiber didn’t see the value in hard work and the grueling hours it taught until he became a little older.

Schreiber, a senior at Montgomery Junior/Senior High School, has been named Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week.

He was nominated by his mathematics teacher, Thomas Flick.

“It was a learning curve, from a young age, I didn’t really like it much,” Schreiber said, of his time on his family’s farm, The Green Barn Berry Farm. “As I grew up, it started to grow on me, and I started to see how important it was to see the hard work and all the different types of work that goes into it – not just physical work, but also balancing time and being able to know what to do

and when to do it.”

The Green Barn Berry Farm grows berries year.

“I love the ability to grow up on a farm,” Schreiber said. “It’s not something I want to extremely pursue in the future, but it is truly something I appreciate, and it’s a great experience to live here.”

Schreiber has already been accepted into Penn State, where he plans on obtaining a degree in computer science. In the future, Schreiber aspires to build a career in cybersecurity.

“I’ve always been more math inclined rather than English,” Schreiber said. “I aspire to do a lot in the math field... (My math teachers) have taught me everything... they’re great teachers, and they’ve been great role models to me.”

So far, Schreiber has taken classes such as AP Calculus and AP English to better prepare him for his forthcoming education.

"Beyond his academic accomplishments, Mitchell is actively involved in his school community,” Flick said. “He has worked to develop his leadership skills through engaging in Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week and the (Pennsylvania College of Technology) Youth Leadership Program.”

During his time with the youth leadership program, Schreiber said the initial goal of implementing a peer-tutoring program at the school didn’t exactly pan out.

“It wasn’t exactly put into the way I imagined, but we were able to basically foresee a tutoring program at our school. I used those skills to put it into something else at our school,” he said.

Schreiber and his peer-constituents in the program created the Buddy-up Initiative. Older students gave their younger peers extra incentives throughout the school day.

“We go down to the life-skills class, and we play board games with them, or we make breakfast."

“Even more important than Mitchell's accomplishments and variety of extracurriculars is his personable demeanor. He is a very approachable and determined young man who will undoubtedly accomplish great things,” said Flick.

Schreiber has also dedicated time to athletics in track and field, javelin, shot put, discus, and the varsity football team.

Schreiber has a weighted rank of 6/61 in his grade. He also has a weighted gpa of 6.5 and an SAT score of 1,200.

Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week: Connor Poole

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 16:48:28 GMT

WILLIAMSPORT — Connor Poole has enjoyed further enhancing his work ethic through his part-time position as a member of the grounds crew for the Williamsport Crosscutters.

Poole, a Williamsport Area High School senior, has been named the Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week. He is the son of Richard and Teresa Poole.

While Connor won't be able to work for the Crosscutters this summer as he'll be heading off to college before the season ends, he's enjoyed the opportunity he's had with the baseball team.

"On game days, we will get to the field early, take off all the tarps, prepare it, put lines on the field, put the bases on," he said, while explaining his job. "During the game, every third inning, we wipe the field... After the game, lots of stuff gets done. We almost pretty much redo the field again, put tarps on."

According to Poole, approximately five people work as members of the ground crew.

In addition to enjoying working outdoors, and in an athletic setting, he's also appreciative of the learning experience that came with the job.

"I got to learn how to take care of grass, dirt," Poole said. "I learned good time-management skills. you have to get so much done in two hours. It has to be done in a certain order.

"You get to see equipment and machines you'd never otherwise work with."

He has also worked part-time as a youth soccer referee. In school, Poole has been a member of the football, soccer and unified bocce teams.

With a career in biotechnology in mind, Poole will be attending Lehigh University after graduation. There, he will serve as a kicker for the football team.

Poole has relished the opportunity he's had to be involved in athletics while in high school.

"It's good being on the team, and having some accountability," he said. "This year, I was captain on both our football and soccer teams."

He was also liked serving as a member of the school's unified bocce team, in which regular education and special education students play side by side.

"You see the kids in the hallways, you don't really know them," Poole said. "You put them on a bocce ball court, your are like 'wow, these are good athletes.'

"(I enjoy) seeing smiles on their faces and having fun. It's a cool experience."

His interest in biotechnology blossomed over the last three years while learning in the program offered through Williamsport's Career and Technology Education coursework.

In the school's laboratory, Poole said students do advanced experiments involving topics such as DNA and bacteria.

"I've always wanted to work with a field in medicine," Poole said. "I would like to work at the CDC or World Health Organization, in disease control."

He was interested to watch as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded.

"It was interesting to go through and see how our lives changed," Poole said.

Jessica Becker, a school counselor, nominated Poole for Teen of the Week.

"Throughout his time in high school, he has consistently displayed a strong commitment to academic excellence and personal growth," Becker wrote, in her nomination. "His dedication to his studies, coupled with his intellectual curiosity and work ethic, sets him apart as an exemplary candidate for recognition.

"Connor's integrity, responsibility, and empathy are truly commendable," she added. "He is a dependable individual who consistently goes above and beyond to support his peers, both academically and personally. His willingness to assist others has had a profoundly positive impact on our school community."

Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week: Megan Radspinner

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 16:48:24 GMT

WILLIAMSPORT — Growing up in a musical family, it was only natural that Megan Radspinner would develop a love of song at an early age.

A Williamsport Area High School senior, Radspinner has been selected as Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week.

"Both of my parents are orchestra teachers," Radspinner said. "I'm very grateful for that. It's given me a lot of great opportunities."

She is the daughter of Matthew and Anna Radspinner.

While Megan has been playing violin for 14 years, her main instrument is the viola.

"I also sing a lot," Radspinner said. "I sing in my school choir. I sing in an acappella group."

She has also sung with the Williamsport Chamber Choir and Orchestra.

In addition, Radspinner volunteers at a summer string camp operated by her parents, for students in grades four through eight.

"I teach there," Radspinner said, of her responsibilities at the camp. "I'm a viola teacher. It's one of the best experiences of my life.

"I love working with students," she continued. "I feel as if I'm making a positive influence on their life."

It's a bit difficult for Radspinner to put into words just how much music means to her.

"I love music," she said. "Music has given me such a great outlet to express myself. It has provided me with a good community of people.

"I can't imagine my life without it. I've been doing this since I was 4."

At her high school, Radspinner is also president of the Model UN club. She has been involved with it since 10th grade.

In the club, Radspinner said participants discuss resolutions which could be passed by various countries.

"We go to a convention with a bunch of other schools," she explained. "We debate these topics."

After graduation, Radspinner plans to major in communications — with a focus on journalism and digital content — at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove.

"I've always loved to write, as a child," Radspinner said, while discussing what spurred her future career direction.

"I love to talk to people," she continued. "I was on my school's yearbook staff. I like to write that."

Radspinner also plans to be involved with the music program at Susquehanna, and noted she previously worked with the university's choir director while participating in a regional choral event.

In high school, Radspinner's favorite subject is history. She has been inspired by her history teacher, Craig Niklaus.

"Mr. Niklaus is one of my favorite teachers," Radspinner said. "He gave me this newfound love of history.

"It's fascinating to see the mistakes that were made (in the past), and how we can apply it to our future."

Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week: Emma Gallew

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 16:48:27 GMT

WILLIAMSPORT — With a passion for science, Emma Gallew hopes to pursue a career in biochemistry.

A high honor roll student with a 3.96 weighted GPA, Gallew attends St. John Neumann Regional Academy in Williamsport. She has been selected as the Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week.

After taking honors courses in biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, precalculus and trigonometry and calculus, Gallew is planning on continuing her science-based academics at Pennsylvania State University.

“I really excel in both biology and chemistry and I find it really interesting, just how the way the world works and figuring that out on a molecular level,” Gallew said.

Growing up, Gallew said her parents were always supportive of her, inspiring her through her academics by teaching her the value of hard work.

“I really appreciate that because I feel like, as I’m getting older, hard work is definitely something that is super important,” she said.

However, Gallew said she didn’t spend much time in extracurricular activities until later in her schooling.

“That made me push towards getting myself out there when I was older,” she said. “I wanted to experience a lot of things I didn't when I was younger, just to prepare me for life as an adult.”

Working for a year as a volunteer at St. Joseph the Worker Parish Food Pantry between the end of her middle school days and the beginning of her high school career, Gallew said she was able to develop better social skills.

She worked alongside a group of women from the parish, delivering food items to community members in need.

“(The ladies) taught me important lessons, because they were older and they taught me how to interact with people better, especially people I didn’t know,” Gallew said. “I didn’t have a lot of social experiences when I was younger, so it was really important for me to learn that as I got older.”

Gallew noted that seeing the impact of her service work while delivering food to people in need was a “nice” feeling.

In 2023, she painted a mural at Asher Manor in Muncy, after two years of volunteering at St. Joseph the Worker Parish Vacation Bible School.

In 2024, Gallew began volunteering at the Y.W.C.A., for her senior project. She has hosted donation drives and reorganized storage units.

She has been working as a kennel attendant at the Williamsport West Veterinary Hospital since July 2021. While there, she tended to the animals, administered medication and communicated with their owners on top of her labor duties of sanitation and organizing documents.

“Work hard, you never really know if… you’re good at something unless you give it 100%,” Gallew said. “ I feel like a lot of people now, they give up before they even start really. The first steps you need to take in excelling at something is hard work.”

Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week: Haylie Heverly

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 16:54:37 GMT

MONTGOMERY– Haylie Heverly will be graduating with a loaded resume, filled with hours of community involvement. She will be continuing her educational journey into a field built on helping.

“Originally, I didn’t have much interest,” Heverly said, of volunteering in the community. “Then I realized it’s more than me.”

Heverly has been selected as the second Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week.

Since 2021, Heverly has been the president of the Leo Club in her school. The club commits to annual donation drives for those in need in the community. In 2023, the club held two drives.

“Last year, we donated Christmas presents to kids in need in our own community,” she said.

As the organizer of the event, Heverly said it was perspective-changing to put herself in the shoes of others who might be less fortunate than her.

Over the course of four years, she’s dedicated over 167 hours of community service between her position in the Leo Club, varsity basketball and cheerleading, and the National Honors Society.

“This year with the National Honors Society, we did make a Blanket Day,” Heverly said. “We had a bunch of clubs in school come to help.”

After assisting in the organization of and participation of Blanket Day, Heverly and her peers were able to donate approximately 150 blankets to Project Linus in Danville.

Project Linus is a national movement that provides handmade blankets to children up to age 18 who are in need due to illness, trauma or insecurity.

“That felt great just to know we’re doing stuff beyond us… to help out people we didn’t even know,” Heverly said.

During her junior year, Heverly was awarded the Pennsylvania College of Technology Leadership award for an outstanding project.

Working alongside two of her classmates, Heverly implemented a peer-tutoring program in her school. The idea was to have students who are especially strong in a particular subject to tutor struggling students.

Heverly said that teachers aren’t always able to connect to students concerning specialized subjects the way that other peers can.

The project lasted throughout the entirety of her junior year, though she was also involved with organizing a youth cheerleading camp for elementary cheerleaders, teaching elementary basketball players game tactics, and assisting during a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) event for young children within the school district.

“It feels really good to see that I’m not the only one, and people in my school aren’t the only ones, to see what I do,” she said.

Three defining traits Heverly attributes to herself are her ability to be caring, outgoing, and a leader.

“Mainly, the way I think of it is ‘treat others the way I want to be treated,’” she said. “I don’t want to be known for things that aren’t very great.”

After her senior year, Heverly is narrowing down between attending Penn State Schuylkill or Bloomsburg University to pursue a degree as a first-generation college student.

She is looking forward to the individuality and freedom that college grants.

“It’s a little nerve-wracking, but it feels very good to know that I’m able to do something others in my family were not able to do in that I have a support system around me that they may not have had,” she said, of being the first in her family to go to college.

Since she was a young girl, Heverly has taken an interest in healthcare. An interest that has only amplified throughout her years of community service.

She's considering studying to become either a psychiatric or cardiovascular nurse.

“I like seeing how teachers in our school are very (helpful),” she said, of her inspirations. “It feels good to help others that’s definitely something I want to continue doing, no matter where I’m at or what I’m doing.”

Haverly has maintained a 4.0 grade point average throughout her four years of high school and scored a 1180 on her SATs. She’s also aced four AP classes, seven honors classes, and continued involvement in eight extracurricular activities.

“Do what you need to do, don’t do stuff to please other people,” she said in inspiration for her younger peers. “Go for what ‘you’ want.”

Montgomery Junior/Senior High School Principal Joe Stoudt nominated Haverly for Teen of the Week.

One of her teachers spoke highly of Haverly.

“I also believe Hailey represents our country very well as a participant in civic duties and responsibilities,” said social studies instructor Zachary Mrochko. “Hailey’s achievements at Montgomery have not gone unnoticed. The determination and humility she exhibits now as a young adult is truly remarkable.”

By Lauryn Longacre

The Standard-Journal

Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week: Madison Shrimp

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 17:48:26 GMT

MONTGOMERY — Living on a dairy farm that has approximately 20 beef cattle, Madison Shrimp understands the value of hard work.

"We feed our cows bread," Shrimp said. "Me, my Dad and my brother (John) have to open the bread. It's bread you buy in the store. We have to feed the cows, we have to water them. That takes about an hour every day."

She noted that bread is fed to the cows as it helps them to gain weight.

"The grain in it is really good for them," Shrimp said.

Shrimp has been selected as the first Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week, for February.

A senior at the Montgomery Junior/Senior High School, Shrimp plays basketball, and is on the track and field team. She's also involved in the Bible quiz team at her church, New Covenant Assembly of God, of Montgomery.

"When I started going back to Montgomery, when I was in seventh grade, I decided I wanted to go back into basketball," Shrimp said. "I've been doing it ever since."

As a sophomore, she decided to join the track and field team.

"I wanted to branch out and do more things," she said. "I enjoy having a place where I can put all of my passion into something I enjoy doing."

Shrimp enjoys the camaraderie that comes with being involved in athletics.

"It's a way to make more friends," she said. "Our track and field team, it's joined with Muncy. I get to see people I wouldn't normally see."

Shrimp's father, Bryan Shrimp, encouraged her to join the Bible quiz team.

"I wasn't super excited at first," Madison said. "When I started to do it, I really loved it."

"I was able to make more friends in my church that I didn't have before. It's really fun to memorize the scripture and compete with other churches, and to learn more about God."

In the classroom, Shrimp enjoys her art and advanced-placement statistics classes.

"(Art) is a nice way to express my creativity," she said. "(Statistics) is a really small class. I'm able to learn a lot quicker because my teacher is able to work more with us than in a bigger-size class."

Shrimp draws inspiration from her leadership teacher, Shanna Haden.

"She puts a lot of effort into her lessons and work," Shrimp said, of Haden. "She makes our classroom interactive... She puts a lot of time and effort into giving us a good education."

After high school, Shrimp plans to attend a four-year college.

"I want to become a forensic scientist," she said. "I always wanted to be someone that brought justice to criminals.

"I thought about being a detective," Shrimp continued. "I decided forensic science would be better. It's a way to work alongside police to bring justice for families."

She decided on the career path about a year ago. While she was nervous about the course load that will come with a major in forensic science, a teacher confirmed her the time put in will be worth it.

"(The teacher said) once you get through the first four years (of college), then you'll have a job you enjoy," Shrimp said.

Shrimp has a 4.0 grade point average, and scored 1140 on her SATs.

Joe Stoudt, Montgomery Junior/Senior High School principal, nominated Shrimp for Teen of the Week.

"To me, Madison was an obvious choice to represent Montgomery in the Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week competition," Stoudt said. "She has consistently demonstrated academic excellence and unquestionable character throughout her high school career. Madison is also very well-rounded, dedicating time outside the classroom to athletics and her church. Her quiet demeanor masks an individual who is fiercely determined to succeed."

By Kevin Mertz

The Standard-Journal

Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week: Abbigail Robertson

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 02:48:55 GMT

WILLIAMSPORT — Williamsport Area High School senior who has been attending classes
through a dual-enrollment agreement with Commonwealth University remains focused on

finding academic success.

Abbigail Robertson has been selected as Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week.

With the dual enrollment, Robertson is already working towards a degree in sports management. She's alreadly completed six college courses.

“This demonstrates her exceptional academic abilities and her eagerness to challenge herself in pursuit of knowledge,” said Williamsport Area High School School Counselor Jessica Becker, who nominated Robertson for the award. “Abbigail's positive attitude, strong work ethic, and commitment to personal growth make her an exemplary candidate for the Teen of the Week award.”

After graduation, Robertson plans to attend Commonwealth University's Lock Haven campus.

“I figured out I absolutely love the sports management program at Lock Haven,” Robertson said. Ultimately, Robertson realized she wanted to help girls find their passion in sports and guide them, while utilizing her own experiences.

She is particularly enjoying a psychology coaching class, which she is taking this semester. The professor has extensive experience in the field, which Robertson said will help guide her in her future career.

“I’ve always been a sports fan my entire life, my family’s always been really ingrained into sports,” she said.

For more than 12 years, Robertson has been a softball player. For much of the time, she has been coached by her idol, her father, Richard Robertson.

“My dad coached me a lot when I was younger... He's definitely someone I really look up to because he knew what he was doing when he was coaching us,” Robertson said.

Her father has taught her to never leave anyone out or favor a player over the others.

“He treated every player like his own kid, and that’s kind of what I want to do when I’m at that stage so I can coach," Robertson said, of her father. "I want to treat everybody the same and show them that I care.”

When she was around 11 years old, Robertson and her softball all-star team traveled to Fairchance for the state championships. The team won the state championship in 2016 with Robertson on the mound.

“(My father) had pure faith in me, and I could see it – even at a young age, I could still see it,” she recalled.

Robertson has also played tennis, been involved in the school newspaper, played trumpet since fourth grade, and played on their school’s co-ed Unified Bocce team.

As the first person to join the bocce team, Robertson helped recruit the other members to join the fun.

“She has a genuine care and compassion for all students, as evidenced by her involvement in our Unified Bocce Team,” said Becker.

The team was comprised of four athletes from Williamsport Area High School and four Special Olympic players.

“That was a really cool experience, to play with all the kids and see them have a good time and play with each other,” Robertson said. “It was awesome working with everybody. They all kind of clicked together. It was really great.”

In addition to her college courses and commitment to athletics, Robertson ranks in the top eighth percentile in her class.

Robertson advises those with passions to “strive your hardest to get to where you want.”

Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week: Alonzo Rice

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 02:44:11 GMT

WILLIAMSPORT — Standing by his peers, both on and off the football field, Williamsport Area
High School senior Alonzo Rice has proven to be a true leader.

Rice was selected as the Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week after being nominated by WAHS Counselor Jessica Becker.

When he was a kid, Rice said he would always play outside.

Whether it was two-hand touch, wiffle ball, or a neighborhood kickball game, Rice harbored an interest in athletics, regardless of the activity.

Now in his last year of high school, the senior has dedicated over half his entire school career to baseball, basketball, track and field, and football.

“Alonzo’s involvement in numerous sports and activities is a testament to his boundless energy and commitment to personal growth,” Becker said.

In track, he was awarded the Most Versatile Athlete for his impressive skills in discus, relays, sprinting, and long jump.

Throughout his time on the Williamsport Millionaires, Rice has been recognized as Defensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player on his football team.

“In all my years as an educator, I have rarely encountered a student as dynamic, dedicated, and compassionate as Alonzo,” Becker said. “His commitment to excellence in both academics and extracurricular activities, coupled with his unwavering positivity and inclusivity, make him an exemplary role model for his peers.”

Rice was inspired by the NFL Hall of Fame Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.

“He was my idol because he kind of grew up in not such a good environment. He grew up in poverty, didn’t have the best home life with his family. He used it as his motivation,” Rice said.

“That’s something that I always kind of looked up to and I try to replicate now with my life.” When discussing leadership, Rice noted that the word can often be misunderstood.

“Leadership comes with integrity and that ambition, and a great sense of charisma,” he said. “It’s not only with one’s words that they show that type of charisma in their leadership. I think with their actions...

I always told people that you don’t have to be the best player on the team to be a leader. As long as you go out there and you show people that you’re willing to fight for it.”

However, Rice’s commitment doesn't stop when he steps off the turf.

This year, Rice was nominated by his peers to be on his school’s Hope Squad, a program where selected students help their peers who have been dealing with problems.

For Rice, the position meant a lot.

“A lot of people saw it as a joke, but I was truly honored. I thought it was a really good thing that the school was putting on with that group,” he said. "As a Hope Squad member, it made me go about things differently than I would have before... I was always good with myself, but just being a part of that squad really made me feel obligated to do better overall.”

Becker stated Rice’s enthusiasm towards his nomination was “a testament to his compassionate nature and commitment to supporting his fellow students.”

On top of his athletic accomplishments and dedication to his peers and schoolwork, Rice also noted his love for music as a songwriter and guitar player.

He has also made outstanding academic achievements while working in the construction trade for the past three years.

During his junior year in high school, Rice took a history course through Pennsylvania College of Technology. As a senior, he took English and math courses through the college.

Rice has a 3.7 GPA. After graduation, he plans on attending Savannah Technical College in Georgia to obtain a degree in construction management.

Despite his love for the sport, Rice will not continue to play football at Savannah Technical College, as the school does not have a team.

Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week: Owen Sherman

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 03:31:13 GMT

MONTGOMERY — A member of the Montgomery Junior/Senior High School Class of 2024 has
his sights set on working for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) or

Lockheed Martin.

Owen Sherman has been selected Lycoming Valley Teen of the Week. He aspires to attain a career in the aerospace industry.

Since his junior year, Sherman has been attending Bloomsburg University’s engineering program, through a dual enrollment. After graduating from high school, Sherman plans on attending the University of Central Florida to major in aerospace engineering.

“I really fell in love with the subject, and the University of Central Florida is a pretty prominent school in that (field),” said Sherman. “I think I was always drawn towards math and science a little more than English.”

His interest in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) field grew naturally from the time he was in elementary school.

“You can learn about these things and you can see how to use them in the real world,” Sherman said. “Especially in physics and calculus, how they kind of how to apply real situations. I’ve always found that very interesting.”

Originally, Sherman’s plan was to get into the electrical engineering field. It wasn’t until he began attending Bloomsburg University that he started to follow aerospace a little more.

He has been supported throughout his educational endeavors by his parents, and his gifted education teacher, Shanna Haden. “She’s really opened up a lot of opportunities for me, she was the one that got me into Bloomsburg STEM,” Sherman said.

"Owen is the perfect example of a well-rounded, highly intelligent student... He strives well above his peers in reading, project-based responses, and writing. He is truly remarkable, distinct, and unique,” said Haden. “With his help, I was able to create an award-winning group of students and his departure from high school to college marks a large hole in the program, as well as a sadness felt by all my gifted students and myself.”

In her recommendation letter, Haden spoke highly of Sherman’s ever-increasing work ethic and dedication to education.

During his seventh-grade year, Sherman created a Weebly website for the school’s history teacher. The site explored The Civil War and was so well built that the teacher used it while teaching his eighth-grade students, according to Haden.

In eighth grade, Sherman made a multi-level PowerPoint bracket to determine which colleges would best suit his peers.

During his high school career, Sherman has dedicated his time to extracurricular activities as well as volunteerism.

He has spent time volunteering at The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum, Maker’s Faire, and creating blankets for those in need with Project Linus, through the National Honor Society.

He’s been a counselor for elementary school students at Camp Intervention, a STEM camp, as well as at a soccer camp for young players.

Sherman has also volunteered with church-related activities, such as a backpack drive for students in Africa and a Christmas toy drive for underprivileged kids in South Williamsport.

A five-time top-10 finalist in regional Quiz Bowl tournaments, Sherman is Montgomery's all-time top scorer in the National Academic Quiz Tournaments, LLC’s annual high school competition.

"I have never seen a student so adept at such a variety of educational and musical activities before,” said Haden. “Any college would be lucky to obtain such an accomplished individual.”

Since his junior year, Sherman has been attending Bloomsburg University as part of dual enrollment. His classes have included Arabic, Calculus, Macroeconomics, and Physics.

He currently ranks first in his class of 61 seniors and has won the President’s Award for Educational

Achievement.

He has a 4.17 weighted GPA, 1470 SAT score, and has been Quiz Bowl Captain since 2019.