Twenty-nine students graduated May 2 from the initiative, which is designed to educate and motivate students to understand the needs of their communities and to take an active leadership role in addressing them.
“We have enjoyed our time watching these student leaders grow into civic-minded leaders through the Penn College Youth Leadership program,” said Allison A. Grove, associate director of student activities for new student programs and leadership. “The commitment and collaboration to the community was inspiring, and we can’t wait to see the change made in our communities within the next year.”Grove co-facilitates the program with Monica A. McCarty, dual enrollment coordinator.
As part of their participation in the interactive and engaging program, the students traveled to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., on a trip sponsored by the Lycoming County Brotherhood Alliance. The class also toured the Lycoming County SPCA, American Rescue Workers and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank (where they packed more than 400 boxes in two hours of volunteer service).
Each group submitted a proposal in the Social Change Competition, presenting and defending their projects in April to a panel of Jennifer D. Wilson, president and CEO of the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania; Patrick Marty, chief of staff and assistant to the president for college relations; and Anthony J. Pace, director of student activities.
During the graduation banquet in Penn College’s Thompson Professional Development Center, catered by Le Jeune Chef Restaurant, President Davie Jane Gilmour announced the winners:
- First Place – Sullivan County High School ($600)
Chosen as the top proposal was a youth basketball camp for students in fifth through eighth grades in Sullivan County. The focus is to develop student-athletes sooner rather than later, offering students a positive experience with teammates, coaches and referees. It will provide exposure to varsity athletes and coaches, as well as enable the motivational and inspirational sharing of stories by all involved. - Second Place – Montgomery Area High School ($500)
Hygiene bags will be distributed to men, women and children in Lycoming County who are without permanent housing. The bags will be provided to area shelters/programs, which will assist with the distribution of basic hygiene items. - Third Place – Jersey Shore Area High School ($500)
Characterized as “an Open House with a twist,” this event will provide students an opportunity to showcase (and be recognized for) their individual talents, skills and accomplishments – in and out of school-sponsored programs – in a creative way. The event will highlight what makes Jersey Shore students unique, as well as to learn more about one another and their talents outside the classroom. - Fourth Place – Williamsport Area High School ($500)
In an athlete mentor program, varsity student-athletes and coaches in Williamsport Area High School will partner with Firetree Place on a series of mini-clinics. Enrollment is open to Firetree students/attendees who want to learn more about a certain sport, providing students with a positive opportunity to get involved outside of regular school hours.
The 2019 Youth Leadership graduates and their schools are:
Rachel A. Bitler, Keira A. Briggs and Rebecca A. Sines, Hughesville Jr./Sr. High School; Emilianna N. George and Arizona R. Schreck, Jersey Shore Area High School; Elisa M. Dinicola, Ryan M. Fish and Erin M. Machmer, Loyalsock Township High School; Saige N. Whipple, Emily M. Wolfgang and Cameron W. Yeagle, Montgomery Area High School; Zoe C. Gillespie, Colin T. Gorini and Jaycie R. Neubauer, Montoursville Area High School; Madesyn G. Brelsford, Christian W. Good and Lilly R. Huff, Muncy Jr./Sr. High School; Dominick Bozza, Oliver Matz and Forman Stewart, St. John Neumann Regional Academy; Amilee J. Miller, Curtis W. Sauers and Sarah C. Sullivan, South Williamsport Jr./Sr. High School; Peyton Bednar, Jessica King and Kerigan Wettlaufer, Sullivan County High School; and Tianni M. Lewis, Gabe Manetta and Lydia A. Smith, Williamsport Area High School.
Schreck was selected by fellow Youth Leadership participants to serve as class speaker at their graduation banquet.
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– Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor
Judging from the caliber of this year's graduates, the answer is ... "very far, indeed!"
Also taking the podium is Pace, one of the judges for the Social Change Competition.
Co-facilitator McCarty offers opening remarks at graduation.
The PDC's Mountain Laurel Room, almost a year to the day after a ceiling collapse, is resplendent in its renovation.
Jersey Shore Area High School's Shreck was selected as student speaker.
WASD's Lewis (left) and Manetta
Representing Jersey Shore are George (left) and Shreck.
The second-place team from Montgomery includes Whipple (left) and Yeagle.
Sullivan County students hold their $600 check for the leadership program's No. 1 project. From left are King, Bednar and Wettlaufer ...
... who also receive congratulations from President Gilmour.
Audience members rise in recognition of the students' accomplishments.
Members of the four winning teams share the deserved limelight ...
... and gather with many of their classmates for an informal photo in the PDC.
Participants and their advisers celebrate a successful community service project at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank (which provided the photo).