November Teen of the Month
BY GAWHARA ABOU-EID
THE STANDARD-JOURNAL
CANTON — Growing up in a close-knit community, Isabel Schoonover has always believed in the power of helping others. With parents who are both deeply involved in their community — her father a small business owner and her mother in child protective services — Schoonover was inspired early on to give back in meaningful ways.
A senior at Canton Jr./Sr. High School, Schoonover has been selected as the Lycoming Valley Teen of the Month. The program is presented by Pennsylvania General Energy Company (PGE) and Sample News Group, the parent company of The Standard-Journal, in partnership with the 15 high schools in Lycoming, Sullivan and lower Tioga counties, to recognize the exemplary efforts of high school seniors.
“I’ve always been taught that it’s important to make a difference in the lives of others,” she said. “I think that’s why I’ve gotten involved in so many things — to help where I can.”
Schoonover has always been active in her school and community. She is a member of the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program, which recognizes students for positive behavior and encourages them to continue making good choices. As a leader in the program, Isabel has helped organize assemblies and pep rallies, making sure that all students, no matter their background, feel recognized and valued, she said.
“PBIS is all about rewarding the good that people do, whether they’re always the best student or not,” she said. “It’s a way to show everyone that they matter. I love being a part of that.”
In addition to her work with PBIS, Schoonover is heavily involved in outdoor programs. She has volunteered as a lifeguard at the local pool, tutored younger students and helped out with babysitting.
“It feels good to help people,” she said. “Whether it’s tutoring someone or just giving up a few hours to help out at the pool, it all adds up, and I know I’m making a difference.”
Though Schoonover didn’t start playing golf until her sophomore year, she quickly fell in love with the sport and it became an additionally valuable experience.
“I never really touched a golf club until a few years ago,” she said. “I grew up playing volleyball and softball, but after two knee surgeries, I had to find something less strenuous. I started working at Corey Creek Golf Course, and some friends who were on the team encouraged me to join. I’ve loved it ever since.”
Her commitment to the game paid off this year when she made it to the State Golf Tournament after qualifying at the district level. For Schoonover, the experience was a reminder of the power of community and teamwork.
“I never thought I’d make it to states,” she said. “But getting there and seeing how incredible the other athletes were, it was amazing. The support from my teammates and the opportunity to compete at such a high level was something I’ll always be grateful for.”
Schoonover has also gained valuable leadership experience through programs like Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week (PFEW) and the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY). At PFEW, Schoonover participated in a business simulation, learning how to run a company, manage finances and market a product.
“It was a lot of hard work,” she said. “But it was great to work with a diverse group of people, all of us coming together with different approaches to solving problems. It really helped me understand what goes into running a business.”
Her experience at HOBY, a leadership seminar, further honed her skills in teamwork and personal growth.
“HOBY was incredible,” she said. “It was a safe place where you could reflect on your personal leadership style. The people there were so supportive, and it helped me grow as a leader, knowing that I could help others become better, too.”
When it comes to her future, Schoonover plans to continue her education at the University of Pittsburgh, where she has been accepted into the biomedical engineering program. Her interest in the field started early, driven by her curiosity about how things work and how technology can improve lives. She said she hopes to one day create medical devices or systems that will help people in ways that matter.
“I want to use technology to help people,” she said. “It’s exciting to think about all the things that are possible in the future.”
Through her community service and leadership roles, Schoonover has already demonstrated a passion for helping others, and she plans to carry that forward in her career.
When asked what advice she would give to younger students, Schoonover shared the following:
“I’ve definitely witnessed, myself included, when you're young, you want to fit in and feel understood by everyone, and that's simply not going to happen,” she said. “The sooner you can become comfortable with yourself and your friendships and relationships between your family, teachers and community, the better time you're going to have in high school. It’s really good to just stay true to yourself and not try to fit in and adjust yourself to conform to others. Staying true to you is honestly the biggest piece of advice I can give."
