Education briefs
August 18, 2002 Applications accepted
Calvary United Methodist Preschool, 34 Clark St., Uniontown, is now accepting applications for the 2002-2003 school year.
Openings are available in the three-, four- and five-year-old classes. Classes are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., September through May.
For more information, call Bonnie Softcheck at 724-437-3280 or the church office at 724-437-6341.
Registration open
Lighthouse Christian Academy, Farmington, has announced that registration is now open for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
For more information, call 724-329-8440.
Move-in Day set
Cal U’s annual “Move-In Day” will take place on Sunday, Aug. 25, from 12 to 4 p.m.
A complimentary picnic for all of the volunteers will take place immediately following “Move-In Day” at the Herron Patio.
Christopher P. Meehan, executive director of Cal U alumni relations, encourages faculty members, staff, alumni and students to help out.
Volunteers from the university community will greet incoming resident hall students (new or returning) and their families. They will assist university police in directing traffic to the assigned dormitories, help unload and then carry personal belongings into the student’s dorm room. The off-campus Jefferson Apartments will also have Cal U volunteers assisting the incoming freshman at this complex which is located on Route 88 just before Adamson Stadium.
During the move-in period, Third Street, starting at the Hickory Street intersection, will be one-way as will Hickory Street up to Sixth Street.
To register or for further information, contact Meehan or Loretta Wilson at 724-938-4418 or e-mail alumni@cup.edu. Register in advance or at the registration table located at the picnic area behind Herron Patio on Sunday, Aug. 25, beginning at 11 a.m.
Romeo appointed coordinator
Ronald Romeo of Uniontown has been appointed local coordinator by the Academic Year in America (AYA) program.
The AIFS Foundation’s AYA program arranges 5 to 10 month homestay/high school experiences for teenagers from Europe, Asia and Latin America. As an AYA Local Coordinator, Romeo will be interviewing families in the area who are interested in hosting a boy or girl during the 2002-2003 school year.
Students arrive in August and January from Brazil, Germany, Poland, Japan, Italy and many other countries. All have studied English, and have their own spending money and full medical insurance.
Host families are awarded up to $1,000 in scholarship funds for family members to use on certain AIFS study and travel experiences abroad.
Anyone interested in knowing more about the program or in applying to serve as a host family may call Romeo at 724-439-9166 or Michelle McKay, regional director at the Academic Year in America’s national office at (800) 322-4678.
WCCC launches program
Westmoreland County Community College, Youngwood, is launching a new associate degree program in telecommunications for the fall term, which begins Aug. 22.
The program will prepare students to design, build, maintain and troubleshoot advanced computer networks, including local and wide area networks. The curriculum includes classes in such areas as telephony, wireless communications and fiber optics.
Classes are available days, evenings, weekends and online. For more information, call WCCC at 1-800-262-2103, ext. 4077.
ACT scheduled
The next ACT assessment will be administered Sept. 28.
College-bound high school students must register for the college admissions exam by Aug. 23 when the registration must be postmarked. There is a late registration postmark deadline of Sept. 6, but an extra fee is charged for late registrations.
Students can get registration packets from high school counselors or register online at www.act.org
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Registration slated
Mon Valley Career and Technology Center, Guttman Avenue, Charleroi, will conduct registration for adults and high school seniors for the fall 2002 adult education classes.
Registration will be conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 10-11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the school. Classes commence Monday, Sept. 30. Each course meets from 6 to 8:30 p.m. with the exception of the cosmetology class 5 to 9 p.m. Inspection and emission classes will be held upon the successful registration of at least 10 students with hours to be announced.
A variety of classes are being offered in the computer-, health-, business- and shop-related categories.
For more information, call the school at 724-489-9581.
Saint Vincent offers program
Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, will offer a master’s degree in accountancy through the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics and Government.
One class will begin this fall semester that may be applied toward the degree. The program will formally begin in the fall semester of 2003. The Saint Vincent College Board of Directors gave approval in June to the program, which is the first graduate degree program to be offered by the McKenna School and the second to be offered by Saint Vincent College.
Further information about the master’s degree in accountancy program is available by contacting Dr. Charles Fazzi, professor of accounting, at 724-532-6600, ext. 2194, e-mail: charles.fazzi@email.stvincent.edu. For application and registration details, contact the Office of Admission and Financial Aid at 724-537-4540 or 800-782-5549, e-mail: admission@stvincent.edu.
Graduates announced
Slippery Rock University has announced the spring 2002 semester graduates.
Local residents are listed here with their degrees.
Antonia J. Leonelli of Uniontown, bachelor of science, elementary education; Jennifer Tallerico of Uniontown, bachelor of science, athletic training; Kevin J. Haggerty of Connellsville, bachelor of science, sports management; Sueann Louise Trump of Fairchance, bachelor of science, management; Sarah Kathleen Uphold of Smithfield, bachelor of science, special education; Lauri K. Kalasky of Uniontown, master of education; Barbara Drbal of Farmington, master of education.
Kelecic attains dean’s list
Creighton University, Omaha, Neb., student Jason Kelecic of Adah has been named to the dean’s honor roll for academic achievement during the second semester of the 2001-2002 academic year.
Full-time students who achieve a grade-point average of at least a 3.5 on a 4.0 scale are eligible for the dean’s honor roll.
Students receive honors
Two area students recently received honors for the 2001-2002 academic year at Allegheny College, Meadville.
Bradley A. Baker, son of Larry and Judith Baker of Point Marion, was named an Alden Scholar. A graduate of Albert Gallatin High School, he will be a senior economics and communication arts major at Allegheny College in the fall.
Arthur R. Craig Jr., son of Sharon Craig of New Geneva, was named a Distinguished Alden Scholar. A graduate of Albert Gallatin High School, he will be a junior political science major at Allegheny College in the fall.
Alden Scholar awards are presented to students who maintain a grade point average of 3.2 or higher during the preceding academic year. Distinguished Alan Scholar awards are presented to students who maintain a grade point average of 3.8 or higher during the preceding academic year. The awards are named in honor of the Rev. Timothy Alden Jr., who founded the college in 1815.
Sholtis named
A Smithfield resident was named one of 30 Outstanding Seniors at recent ceremonies at West Virginia University, Morgantown, W.Va., an award given the top 1 percent of the graduating class.
Douglas Sholtis, the son of Mike and Elaine Sholtis of Smithfield and grandson of Mary Christoff of Martin, received the WVU Foundation’s top honor during a Weekend of Honors Convocation.
Sholtis was also recognized by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences as an Eberly Scholar-a select honor to reward outstanding undergraduate academic achievement. The Department of History named him as that unit’s Outstanding Senior for his capstone course paper and superior academic record.
In addition, he received the Sallie Poole Wilkins Scholarship awarded annually to the senior history major with the highest grade-point average.
Sholtis, who maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout his WVU tenure, graduated summa cum laude May 19 with a major in history and political science and a minor in geology. He was named a student marshal for the Eberly College at 133rd commencement exercises, and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa national honorary.
A WVU Honors Scholar, Sholtis was a founding member of the WVU German Club and Alpha Theta Pi Biochemistry Honorary. He is a member of Mortar Board national senior honorary and served on the WVU Board of Governors as a member of the Elections Committee and the Judicial Board.
He also served on the Eberly College Undergraduate Advisory Board, was an officer with Young Democrats and named Army ROTC Cadet of the Semester.
Internships during college included a stint with state Rep. H. William DeWeese, D-Waynesburg; Government Policy Commission, National Defense Industrial Association, Washington, D.C.; and Fay-Penn Economic Development Council.
Sholtis will attend the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in the fall.
Neel graduates
Anita M. Neel graduated recently from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dentistry.
She received the Robert Zugsmith Memorial Award for meritorious academic and clinical achievement and the Student Award of Merit for outstanding achievement in the pursuit of excellence in the study of esthetic dentistry. She also completed and graduated from the United States Naval Officer Indoctrination School at Newport, R.I., as a lieutenant.
Presently, she is doing her residency as a doctor/lieutenant at Bethesda, Md.
Neel is a the daughter of Robert and Patricia Neel and the granddaughter of Helen Fleszar and the late John Fleszar of Hutchinson and the late Don and Jean Neel of Brownsville.
Papincak named to list
Nicole R. Papincak, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Larry J. Papincak of Uniontown and Fox Chapel, was named to the dean’s list at Smith College, Northampton, Mass., for her academic achievement for the 2001-2002 school year.
The dean’s list recognizes those students with grade point averages of 3.333 or above.
Papincak graduated from Shady Side Academy where she was honored as a Raphael M. Sotak scholar. She received the E. Bruce Hill Memorial Prize, the Cohen Family Improvement Prize and the Gargoyle Society Award. She is majoring in sociology and Italian.
Kalakewich receives masters
A Belle Vernon student received a master’s degree from Bradley University, Peoria, Ill., on May 18.
Ryan Kalakewich received a master of arts degree.
Koratich attends camp
Jo’ai Koratich, a student at Carmichaels Area High School, participated in the 29th annual Women in Engineering Summer Camp sponsored by the University of Dayton School of Engineering, Dayton, Ohio.
The camp is a weeklong residential program that introduces high school girls to career opportunities in engineering. This year’s Women in Engineering Summer Camp was held July 14-19 and introduced 61 high school girls from 40 cities in 13 states to the various fields of engineering.
During the week, the girls attended sessions in each of the engineering disciplines, met with practicing women engineers, and went on site to job-shadow engineers at either an industrial or government facility to gain first-hand knowledge of engineers in action.
Dean graduates
Lauren R. Dean of Fairchance graduated with honors from Penn State Fayette on May 11, achieving the highest grade point average, 3.67, in the major of electrical engineering technology.
She was presented with a plaque and received a commendation of academic excellence.
She is the daughter of Donald and Joyce Dean.
Magold earns BA
Ann Mangold of Point Marion, daughter of Robert L. Mangold and Fran Bowers Mangold, recently earned a bachelor of science degree in journalism, public relations, from West Virginia University, Morgantown, W.Va.
With a 3.95 cumulative grade point average, she graduated summa cum laude and was designated a University Honors Scholar. Mangold also earned the WVU P.I. Reed School of Journalism’s Top Scholar in Public Relations Award and was the top scholar overall in the School of Journalism. Additionally, she was recognized at the Graduation Day President’s Brunch as the P.I. Reed School of Journalism Outstanding Graduating Senior.
As a student, Mangold held active membership in the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), serving as national liaison, Web designer/editor and treasurer. She was one of four PRSSA students to attend the 2001 PRSSA National Conference in Atlanta, Ga. She also held internships with the WVU Special Events Office and the WVU Foundation Inc.
Mangold has accepted an account coordinator position with the CHO High Water Group, a boutique public relations firm specializing in interactive entertainment, consumer products and technology in New York City.
She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Edwin J. Mangold of Fairchance and Mrs. Frank L. Bowers Jr. of Point Marion.
Yezbak graduates
A local resident was included among the more than 1,327 graduates and their invited guests who attended Ithaca College’s 106th Commencement on May 18 at the Ithaca, N.Y., campus.
Catherine Yezbak earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in acting from the School of Humanities and Sciences. A graduate of Geibel Catholic High School, Yezbak is a permanent resident of Uniontown.
Schuessler achieves list
Tracy Schuessler of Masontown achieved the dean’s list for the spring 2002 semester at the University of Pittsburgh.
The daughter of Jim and Teri Schuessler, she will enter the university’s school of nursing in the fall.
Miller named to list
Rachel M. Miller, daughter of Brenda and C. Jeff Miller of Dawson, has been named to the merit list at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, for the second semester of the 2001-2002 academic year.
To be eligible for merit list recognition, a student must earn a grade-point average of at least 3.45 on the college’s 4- point grading scale.
Champlin receives award
The Point Marion Progress Club recognized Megan Champlin as the 2002 Miriam S. McClain Award winner at the annual spring luncheon held at Crosley’s Restaurant on June 1.
The award was established in 1976 by the Progress Club to honor an outstanding graduating senior girl from the Point Marion or Springhill Township area. The selection criteria include academic achievement, extracurricular activities, good citizenship and community service.
Champlin has excelled both in and out of school. She ranks in the top fourth of her senior class at Albert Gallatin High School. Her high school activities and honors include drum major, concert band, marching band, jazz band, pep band, Advanced Placement Program and Interact Club. Other activities and honors include Knights of Columbus Honor Band, PMEA District I East Honor Band, Best Drum Major Award at Fiesta-Val held in Virginia Beach, outstanding band soloist on soprano saxophone, Masontown BPW scholarship award and the United States Navy Music Achievement Award.
She plans to attend West Virginia University, majoring in music education. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. James Champlin III of Point Marion.
Cluss inducted
Melanie Cluss, daughter of Cynthia Ekas of Uniontown and Steve Cluss of Winchester, Va., was named among the new inductees to Denison University’s chapter of Phi Society.
A 2000 graduate of Laurel Highlands Senior High School, Cluss is a physics major at Denison in Granville, Ohio.
Phi Society, an honorary for undergraduate students, is sponsored and supervised by Denison’s Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest academic honorary.
Wegner receives BA
Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, awarded 3,209 degrees to students during spring commencement exercises Sunday, May 5, in Yager Stadium.
The list of candidates for graduation included Tara Marie Wenger of Uniontown who received a bachelor of science and a bachelor of science in business.
Addleman on list
Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, Idaho, has announced the names of students on the dean’s list for the 2001-2002 spring semester, including Kelly Addleman of Mill Run
To be eligible for the academic honor roll, a student must earn a minimum of a 3.5 grade point average while taking at least 12 graded credit hours of classes.
Whitlock gets scholarship
Tim Whitlock, son of David and Christine Whitlock of Merrittstown, recently received a $1,000 scholarship from Verizon.
A 2002 graduate of Brownsville Area High School, where he earned high honors, Whitlock was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, the musical lighting crew and the ski club. He also participated in his church youth group.
Whitlock is employed at Wendy’s restaurant and at the Brownsville Drive-In. The grandson of Rose Yauger of Hopwood, he will attend California University of Pennsylvania in the fall and major in computer science.
Packon graduates
Aaron C. Packan graduated from the International Academy of Design and Technology in Pittsburgh on April 14.
He earned an associate in specialized technology degree, majoring in visual communications and graphic design.
Packan is a 1999 graduate of Uniontown Area High School and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Packan of Uniontown.
Perry receives award
Michael W. Perry, son of John and Roberta Perry of Uniontown, received the Ohio Northern University Meritorious Service Award.
He has enrolled in the College of Pharmacy at Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio, majoring in pharmacy.
A graduate of Laurel Highlands High School, Perry was active in the swim team, quiz team, dram and Bible study group.
Sridharan attains list
Columbia University, New York, N.Y., announced Vishnu Sridharan of Uniontown achieved the spring 2002 dean’s list.
The honor is reserved for students who have a 3.33 index or higher.
Scerba named to list
Emily Nicole Scerba of New Salem has been designated “Distinguished in Scholarship” and named to the dean’s list at Bethany College in Bethany, W.Va., for the spring semester of the 2001-2002 academic year.
Scerba is the daughter of Janet and the late Ernest Scerba of New Salem.
Dean’s list honorees have earned a grade point average of 3.65 or better on a 4.0 scale on at least 12 graded credits during the semester. The distinction is determined by the college’s honors committee.