The Hempfield Area High School varsity cheerleading squad placed second and the junior varsity squad placed third in their respective divisions at the American Cheer Power 2002 National Cheerleading Competition held recently in Columbus, Ohio. The varsity squad includes seniors Amy Anthony, Liz Bach, Sara Ball, Lindsay Lewis, Lindsey Owen, Meeca Sutty, Sara Taubken and Alicia Zappone and juniors Lauren Geary, Mandy Hunter, Megan Knopf, Jamie Mari, Emily McFarlane, Kristen Roberts, Gina Rosatti, Erin Squires and Megan Stevick . The junior varsity squad includes sophomores Ivy Bell, Stephanie Henry, Brittany Hoffman, Jackie Joseph, Amber Leonard, Bethany Loucks, Sara McEwen, Krissy Myers, Lindsey Rusnock and Delaina Smith and freshmen Sarah Bair, Ashley Baird, Jen Bombach, Kelly Johnson, Jessica Marazza, Amy Nedley, Ashley Polentini, Danielle Reger, Angela Santia and Nikki Walker .
Kerrie Cramer , a junior at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, has been elected to Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. She has a self-designed major in accounting and Spanish. Cramer is the daughter of Ronald and Judith Cramer of New Alexandria.
David J. Comstock , a junior majoring in materials science/engineering at Penn State University, was a recent recipient of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence Award. The program is designed to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering. The scholarship covers tuition, fees, books and room and board up to $7,500 per year. Comstock intends to pursue a doctorate in materials science and engineering and conduct research in the field of ferroelectric materials. Comstock is an Irwin resident.
Linda Lyman of Export recently attended a writers' workshop offered by The Highlights Foundation at Boyds Mills, aimed at professional children's writers and illustrators. The workshop was led by Joy Cowley, awarding-winning New Zealand author of dozens of children's books. The foundation is a nonprofit, public organization which helps advance the careers of writers and illustrators of children's literature.
Nicole Flores , a student at Seton Hill College, was recently named an All-American Collegiate Scholar. Flores was nominated by Mary Ann Gawelek, a dean at the Greensburg college. Flores' name will appear in the All-American Collegiate yearbook. She is the daughter of Ray and Donna Krenn of Yukon.
Kelly Townsend , a student at Clarion University, was also named an All-American Collegiate Scholar. She was nominated by Robert Carlson, university athletic director. The daughter of William and Karen Townsend of Latrobe, Townsend's name will also appear in the All-American Collegiate yearbook.
Three Yough Senior High School students were recently awarded scholarships from Allegheny College in Meadville. Each was recognized as a trustee scholar, making them eligible for achievement-based scholarships of up to $40,000. Planning to begin their studies in the fall are Aaron A. Fossi, son of Alan and Karen Fossi of Herminie; Jesse B. Hixson , son of Larry and Dawn Hixson of West Newton; and Justine B. Sever, daughter of James and Kathleen Sever of West Newton.
Jenny McKlveen , a student at Ligonier Valley High School, recently won a local level competition in the American Legion's Essay contest. Her essay was addressed "My Country, My Flag, My Future." Her essay will be forwarded to the district level for competition. McKlveen received $100 from the American Legion as the local winner.
Bill Woods , representing the American Legion, recently presented Ligonier Valley High School Principal Ronald Baldonieri with a $500 check toward purchase of a new scoreboard at Weller Field.
Among the students who recently began training at the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics are Michael A. Lavender of Greensburg and Jason A. Lindsey of Perryopolis. Lavender, a 1998 graduate of Greensburg Salem High School, and Lindsey, a 1997 graduate of Frazier Memorial High School, are training in the 21-month aeronautical maintenance technician program. Upon completion, each will receive an associate degree in specialized technology, as well as test for the Federal Aviation Administration's airframe and power plant certification.
The North Huntingdon Township Junior Police Academy Program was recently named Crime Prevention Program of the Year by the Pennsylvania Crime Prevention Officers' Association. The unit recently received a plaque at the organization's annual conference in Lancaster.
Three area students won awards in the recent 63rd Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair Award Program. John Tuley of Penn-Trafford High School are among area students representing Pittsburgh at the International Science and Engineering Fair, the World Cup for young scientists, May 11-18, in Louisville, Ky. Tuley is competing in the senior division computer and math category. Other area winners included Wilson Ragen , of Norwin Senior High School, senior division behavioral and social science, and Kerrick Dando , Franklin Regional Middle School, junior division physical science.
Rachel Ann Hlatky of Perryopolis recently completed an internship at Latrobe Area Hospital Mental Health-Partial Hospitalization Program, under the supervision of George Mizikar. Hlatky, daughter of John and Bev Hlatky of Perryopolis, is a junior at St. Vincent College, Unity Township, majoring in psychology.
Several area students attending Clarion University of Pennsylvania were recently named to Who's Who Among Students in American Universities. Included were: Jennifer Barton , a junior elementary education major and daughter of Ronald and Kathleen Barton of Conneaut Lake who graduated from Franklin Regional High School; Terrilyn Cheatham , a junior political science/philosophy major and daughter of Carmella Cheatham of Arnold who graduated from Valley High School; Tiffany Shields, a senior elementary education/special education major and daughter of Gary and Marie Shields of Marion Center who graduated from Marion Center High School; Rebecca Sloan , a senior microbiology major and daughter of William and Ruth Sloan of Irwin who graduated from Norwin High School; and Melinda Valdiserri , a daughter of James and Peggy Valdiserri of Apollo who graduated from Apollo-Ridge High School.
Several Armbrust Wesleyan Christian Academy students won awards for projects submitted to the school's social studies fair. A total of 48 projects were completed in grades second through eighth. Winners included: Codie Starenchak, Steven Cline and Sarah Levine , first, second and third place, second grade; Tyler Hoffman, Dustin Hall and Andrew Kozemchok , first, second and third place, third grade; Jordon Fike, Ryan Baldassare and Emily Yothers , and Bethany Sweitzer , first, second-place tie and third place, fourth grade; Joel Mensch, Caleb Dusenberry and Daniel Lotto, first, second and third place, fifth grade; Christine Mensch, Tiffany Ackerman and Mitch Yothers, Kyle Rooke, Jenny Brown and Becky Smith, first, second and third-place tie, sixth grade; Teddy Barko, Samantha Stonebreaker and David Stinebaugh , first, second and third place, seventh grade; and Brandon Sweitzer, Kelly Durler and Jesse Keller, first, second and third place, eighth grade.
John M. O'Connell Jr. of Greensburg was recently awarded the President's Award for Professionalism by the Westmoreland Bar Association at its annual meeting. O'Connell is the fourth recipient of the award. He was recognized for achievements in the area of ethics and integrity, competence and dedication to the practice of law, civility, service to the Bar and its members and dedication to the improvement of the practice of law. O'Connell is a partner with the Greensburg law firm O'Connell and Silvis. He began practicing in 1964, following graduation from Harvard Law School. He is the solicitor for the Greater Greensburg Sewage Authority and Westmoreland County Transit Authority and previously served on the Jeannette District Memorial Hospital board of trustees. He is past president of the WBA and the Westmoreland Academy of Trial Lawyers and has served as a member of the House of Delegates for the Pennsylvania Bar Association. He is a founding fellow with the Westmoreland Bar Foundation. At the same meeting, Lisa Galloway Monzo was recognized as the Outstanding Young Lawyer of 2002. Monzo, a member of the WBA since 1992, is credited with establishing the Young Lawyer Division of the association, and served as chairwoman from 1993-94. She serves as the PEACE project attorney assigned to Maxwell Elementary School. Last year, she participated in the Juvenile Justice Town Meeting and continues to work on the "Lunch Buddies" program that resulted from that meeting. She is a legal education speaker for the WBA and is representative on the state Bar Association House of Delegates. A graduate of Franklin Regional High School and the Ohio Northern School of Law, Monzo and her family reside in Greensburg.
In addition, Jack L. Bergstein of Monessen was presented the Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award. Bergstein handles an average of four pro bono cases a year, providing legal services to indigent Westmoreland County residents. Bergstein is past chairman of the board of trustees of the Westmoreland Bar Foundation, and is past president of the WBA, the Westmoreland Academy of Trial Lawyers and the Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association. A senior partner in the Monessen firm of Bergstein & Galper, he attended Monessen High School, Penn State University and Duquesne University School of Law. He is a former member of Monessen City Council, and serves as solicitor for the Monessen Redevelopment Authority and for Belle Vernon Borough.
Timothy J. Geary was installed as president of the Westmoreland Bar Association. Geary, a partner with the Vandergrift law firm of Geary and Loperfito, is a graduate of the University of Delaware and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a captain and retired as a lieutenant colonel from the Air Force Reserves in 1987. He serves as solicitor to several townships and zoning hearing boards. Geary succeeds John M. Campfield, a partner with the Greensburg law firm of Campfield & Ferraro. Other elected officers for the 2002-2003 term include: Aaron Kress of New Kensington, president-elect; Robert Johnston of Greensburg, vice president; and Milton Munk Jr. of Mt. Pleasant, treasurer. Board members include James R. Silvis of Greensburg, Becky Brammell of Harrison City and James Whelton of Greensburg.
St. Vincent College junior Michael J. Allen of Jeannette plans to work as an intern this summer in the Allegheny County Coroner's Office, under the supervision of registered nurse Joseph Dominick. Allen, a biochemistry major, is the son of John and Kathleen Allen.
Anita Vin of Export, a senior at the Ellis School in Pittsburgh, was recently named a semifinalist in the 2002 Presidential Scholars Program. Vin is also a National Merit Scholarship finalist, winning a $2,500 scholarship, and was named Student of the Year by the Pittsburgh Federal Executive Board. Vin is an Indian classical dancer, and plays lacrosse for her school's team. She is a Cum Laude Society inductee, and has been selected as one of two Pennsylvania delegates to participate in this summer's West Virginia National Youth Science Foundation camp. She intends to enroll in college in the fall and study medicine. Vin is the daughter of Prakash and Vishakha Vin.
Dana Lynn Luccy of Greensburg has accepted membership to the Golden Key International Honor Society at the Rochester Institute of Technology. The society is an academic honors organization that provides academic recognition, leadership opportunities, community service, career networking and scholarships.
Kimberly Reed of Derry was recently inducted into Thiel College's chapter of Psi Chi, the national psychology honor society. Reed, a junior psychology and elementary education major, is active in Habitat for Humanity, the Young Educators Club and Alpha Xi Delta sorority. A 1999 graduate of Derry Area High School, she is the daughter of Dean and Linda Reed.
Kelly A. Rovnak , a senior at Penn-Trafford High School, has been accepted to attend Westminster College in the fall. Rovnak has been awarded a scholarship and will swim on the Titan swim team. Rovnak is the daughter of Gerald and Roxeen Rovnak of Jeannette.
Bethany Ball , a senior at Grove City College, recently presented her senior recital at the Pew Fine Arts Center on the school's campus. Ball, a soprano music major from Greensburg, presented selections by Mozart, Linley, Brahms, Schumann, Faure, Leroux, Rorem, DeLuca, Puccini and Stavinsky.
Marla Leigh Yates of North Huntingdon Township was recently inducted into the Lycoming College chapter of Phi Kappa Phi national honor society. Yates, a junior biology major, is a graduate of Norwin Senior High School.
Christine Hayden was recently hired as an administrative assistant in the admissions office of Seton Hill College. Hayden recently relocated to Greensburg after living in Michigan for several years. She and her fiance, Theodore Martin, also plan to open a beauty supply store offering products to diverse ethnic groups in Greensburg this spring.
Dr. Rebecca Knorr of Washington, Pa., was recently named "Young Optometrist of the Year" during the Western Pennsylvania Optometric Society annual awards ceremony. Knorr graduated from Penn State in 1993 and from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1997. She has practiced in western Pennsylvania since graduation and opened a private practice, Washington Family Eyecare, in 1999. She and her husband, Jeff Peters, reside in Cecil Township. Dr. Maureen Weldom Kamons of Regent Square was named "Optometrist of the Year." Kamons, director of public information for the society, has established educational programs for area school nurses and developed a Web site, www.wpos.org. Kamons graduated from Carlow College in 1985 and from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1989. She established a private practice, Eyes on Regent Square, in 1992. In addition, the Lions Club International was presented with the Van Essen Award, which acknowledges an individual or group outside of optometry that has demonstrated leadership in promoting visual welfare. The Lions Club earned this distinction through its continued support of the Special Olympics' "Opening Eyes" vision screening project. Mike Vudragovich accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
