Movers
Honor earned
Brynn May Lilley, of Uniontown a fifth-grade student at Hutchinson Elementary School, earned the top statewide prize in Pennsylvania American Water’s 9th Annual “Protect Our Watersheds” Art Contest. The company received more than 530 entries from fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders across the commonwealth. Lilley earned first place for western Pennsylvania and the grand prize for her artwork depicting Lick Run with a duck and wildlife, titled “Let’s get smarter and protect our water.” As the grand prize winner, Lilley will have her artwork featured on “bloomer cards” distributed across the state by Pennsylvania American Water. Bloomers are seed-filled cards that, when planted and tended, produce a variety of wildflowers.
Educator of the year
Connie Williams Evans, formerly of Uniontown, received the 2011 Educator of the Year from the New Philadelphia School District in New Philadelphia, Ohio. Evans is a graduate of California University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in library science from Kent State University. She is a daughter of Peggy Williams of Uniontown and the late Joe Williams.
DeFranc earns degree?
Dr. Jeffrey DeFranc of Coal Center earned the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. DeFranc will move forward into a four-year emergency medicine residency program with UPMC Hamot in Erie.
Farmer graduates
Jessica Leigh Farmer graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia in May with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She will attend Duquesne University School of Law in the fall. She is a daughter of Ed and Sue Farmer of Uniontown and a 2007 Laurel Highlands High School graduate.
Nuccetelli receives degree
Alexandra Nuccetelli received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from La Roche College where she graduated magna cum laude with a 3.87 grade point average. Nuccetelli will enter West Virginia University College of Law in August. She is a daughter of Roberta Higinbotham and a 2008 graduate of Laurel Highlands High School.
Lee makes president’s list
Latavia L. Lee of New Salem has been named to the president’s list at the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville for the 2011 spring term.
Costello picked for competition
Elizabeth Ann Costello of Monroeville, formerly of Brownsville, was selected to represent the United States in The World Retail Congress Competition in Berlin, Germany this fall. Costello and her three teammates will compete against student teams from six other colleges from around the world as they showcase the future of retail talent linking in with Berlin’s premier department store, KaDeWe. She is a junior at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City working toward a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising. She is a daughter of Lisa Costello of Monroeville and Walter Costello of California.
Dzara makes dean’s list
Jessica Dzara of Smock has been named to the dean’s list at Duquesne University’s Mylan School of Pharmacy for the 2011 spring semester.
Bauer, Rosemeirer honored
Belle Vernon native Thomas A. Bauer and Cokeburg native Ronald Rosemeier, both alumni of the former St. Vincent Prepartory School, were honored during Prep Renion Weekend June 11 at the Fred M. Rogers Center on the college campus near Latrobe. Bauer, of Lorain, Ohio, is a 1963 graduate of the former Saint Vincent Preparatory School. He began his undergraduate studies in engineering at George Washington University on a football scholarship and later graduated from California University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor of arts degree in education, specializing in mathematics. He earned a master of arts degree in teaching from Colorado State University in 1975. After beginning his career with IBM Corporation in Poughkeepsie, New York, he moved to Lorain, Ohio, where he enjoyed a teaching and coaching career spanning nearly 35 years at Lorain High School and Southview High School where he taught algebra, geometry and computer science; he also coached football for his entire teaching career. After his retirement from the public schools, he taught computer science at the local community college. He was a wrestling coach and, later, an official which he continues to enjoy. He has been honored as Lorain’s Teacher of the Year and is a member of the area Officiating Association Hall of Fame. He and his wife, Nancy Jean have one daughter, Kelly Danielle Bartley, a nurse practitioner at the Cleveland Clinic. They are members of St. Peter’s R.C. Church in Lorain. Rosemeier of Monkton, Md., is a 1970 graduate of the former Saint Vincent Preparatory School. He earned a bachelor of science degree with high honors from Saint Vincent College in 1974, both a master of science and engineering in 1977 and a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University in 1981 in the field of materials science and engineering. He did post-doctoral work at the University of Maryland in College Park until 1983. While a graduate student at the Johns Hopkins University, he founded Brimrose Corporation of America. This company undertakes government research and produces products in an arcane field known as acousto-optics where the reflective properties of light are used to measure properties of pharmaceutical drugs. In 2009, he started a spin-off called Brimrose Technology Corporation primarily performing the development of sensor technology to keep our soldiers safe. He is president and CEO of both companies and he and his wife, Dr. Jolanta Rosemeier, who is chief technology officer of Brimrose, have co-authored a number of specialized scientific papers in the field. They have two children, Cory and Nicole, and three grandchildren.
Leasure awarded scholarship
Melissa Leasure, a student at Laurel Business Institute (LBI) in Uniontown, was awarded a scholarship from the Pennsylvania Health Occupations Students of America to complete her degree as a pharmacy technician. Leasure is active in the LBI chapter of HOSA, participating in charity events and chapter meetings. She also excels academically at the school and exhibits a caring attitude towards her patients and fellow classmates.
Speeney receives award
Anthony Speeney of Connellsville, a 2011 graduate of Geibel Catholic High School received the Geibel Alumni Award from the Geibel Alumni Association, created in 1981. The award is presented to the most outstanding senior student who, during his/her years at Geibel, has given evidence of total dedication to the development of personality, talents, aptitudes, social skills, service to the school, example to the student body, and a distinct and genuine Catholic attitude and spirit. Speeney is a son of Michael and Jane Speeney of Connellsville.
Three receive Daley award
Madison Maxon of Bethlehem-Center High School, Angela Marie Pelehac of Brownsville Area High School and Ian Gray Colbert of California Area High School each received the state Rep. Peter J. Daley Student Leadership Award. The awardees received a certificate, a congratulatory letter and $100.