Summer 2022 Newsletter

The Official Newsletter of MMI Preparatory School

SUMMER 2022

MMI Preparatory School Honors the Class of 2022 at 130th Commencement Ceremony MMI Preparatory School honored the Class of 2022 during its 130th commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 26. Seniors received their diplomas from MMI Head of School Justin Kleinheider and Chair of the 2021-2022 Board of Directors Llewellyn F. Dryfoos, III ’82. This year’s graduating class of 28 seniors were accepted at more than 81 percent of the colleges they applied to and amassed more than $8 million in merit scholarships and awards. “The Class of 2022 has certainly endured a few interesting high school years. We are so proud of their accomplishments and their resilience. Each member of this class has experienced different stages of the pandemic, and we’re very pleased to be able to celebrate them in a traditional way this year. Completing MMI’s rigorous curriculum coupled with the amount of extra-curricular, athletic, community service, and work obligations, makes each graduate

well prepared for life after high school,” said MMI Head of School Kleinheider. During commencement exercises, valedictorian Rachael Emma Betz shared that, “We are all better people. Having such a small class has it pluses and minuses, but one thing I’m especially grateful for is how closely knit our relationships are. Unlike other high schools, we all know each other extremely well. We know each other’s Continues on page 3.

154 Centre Street, Freeland, Pennsylvania 18224 • 570-636-1108 • www.mmiprep.org

The Class of 2022 Sandra Abdulrahman, daughter of Jihad and Basema Abdulrahman of Hazleton, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Honors College – Biology. Viva Kia Mia Barrett, daughter of Mark Barrett and Kheshan Melendez-Barrett of Pottsville, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Honors College – Medical Imaging with a concentration in Sonography. Olivia Grace Bartholomew, daughter of Dean Bartholomew and Cheryl Serafin-Bartholomew of Jim Thorpe, University of Pittsburgh Honors College – Bioengineering with a Pre-Medicine concentration. Rachael Emma Betz, daughter of Dr. Amy Houm of Tamaqua and Richard Betz of Honesdale, University of Pittsburgh Honors College – Physics and Astronomy. Andrew Blasko, son of Andrew Blasko ’84 of White Haven and Renee Lapchak of Mountain Top, Wilkes University – Electrical Engineering. Jayden Blake Bonham, son of C. William and Melissa Bonham of Sugarloaf, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Mechanical Engineering with a concentration on High Performance Vehicles. David Castro, son of Angel and Danielle Morales of Freeland, Temple University Honors College – Nursing. Chance Hayden Eyerly, son of Eric and Charisse Eyerly of West Hazleton, Appalachian State University – Business Management with a minor in Entrepreneurship. Gina Galada, daughter of Danielle Donadi and Joseph Galada of McAdoo, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania – Marketing.

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Lindsay Marie Horvat, daughter of Thomas and Lisa Horvat of Drums, DeSales University – Guaranteed 3+2 Physician Assistant Program. Anna Olivia Hoxha, daughter of Telat and Edlira Hoxha of Hazleton, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania – Medical Imaging with a concentration in Sonography. Ashley Rose Loss, daughter of Frederick and Melissa Loss of Hazle Township, The George Washington University – Psychological and Brain Sciences. Jacob Gerard Magula, son of Gerard and Sarah Magula of Hazleton, Wilkes University – Nursing. Thomas Joseph Mayernik, son of Thomas Mayernik and Valerie Rudawski of Freeland, Bucknell University – Finance and Accounting with minors in Real Estate and Management. Amelia Ann Minzola, daughter of Joseph and Debra Minzola of Drums, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Honors College – Nursing. Katelyn Bridget Overa, daughter of Timothy and Lori Overa of Drums, Saint Joseph’s University – Business Administration. Dustin Chester Paul, son of Rustin and Cynthia Paul of Jim Thorpe, West Virginia University Honors College – Energy Land Management and Industrial Engineering.

Althea Jolene Stewart, daughter of Dina Hyduke of Drums, Thomas Jefferson University – Five-year BS/MS program in Psychology and Clinical Counseling. Morgan Elizabeth Strecker, daughter of Peter and Tara Strecker of Mountain Top, Pace University Honors College – Behavioral Neuroscience with a Pre-Medicine concentration. Kennedy Kaitlyn Tavaris, daughter of Theresa and Nathan Myers of Mountain Top, University of North Florida Honors College – Data Science. Alexandra Maria Tierney, daughter of Thomas and Crystal Tierney of Freeland, Thomas Jefferson University – Fashion Design. Carson Kenneth Valkusky, son of Joseph Valkusky ’79 and Gwen Valkusky of Drifton, The Pennsylvania State University – Project and Supply Chain Management. Daniella Marcef Vasquez Abreu, daughter of Ramon Vasquez and Seily Abreu of Hazleton, Villanova University – Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience with a Pre-Medicine concentration. Grace Lena-Ann Warner, daughter of Stanley B. Warner III ’92 of Drums and Heather Warner of Drums, Sacred Heart University – Exercise Science with a PreMedicine concentration.

Alex J. Smith, son of Johnny Smith ’01 of White Haven, The Pennsylvania College of Technology – Diesel Technology.

Kaylee Elizabeth Witner, daughter of Michael and Kristi Witner of Freeland, Washington and Jefferson College – Biomedical Science with a Pre-Medicine concentration.

Connor Michael Spencer, son of Christopher and Christina Spencer of Mountain Top, University of Pittsburgh Honors College – Biology and Biomedical Sciences with a Pre-Medicine concentration and a minor in Neuroscience.

Randy Zea, son of Milka Bonifacio of Hazleton, and Carlos Zea of Queens, New York, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania – Medical Imaging with a concentration in Radiation Therapy and a minor in American Sign Language.

Cover Story (continued) strengths and weaknesses, and we’ve learned how to work together as a team. We know how to motivate each other, comfort each other, and how to make each other laugh.” She ended by saying, “May we all be the best we can be, and I truly wish you to fare well in whatever comes next.” Salutatorian Olivia Grace Bartholomew expressed that if she had “one word to describe our four years of high school, it would be change. Throughout our four years of high school, our class has had so much change that arguably change is the one constant we have had. Our class experienced change more than almost any other.” She went on to say, “Why we weren’t always happiest with the constant change, it is through these changes that our class has grown closer and learned to adapt to anything thrown our way. Our adventure at MMI may be coming to a close, but it is just the beginning of our lifetime of adventures.”

Founders Day Address speaker, Dr. Sona A. Chikarmane ’99 shared with the graduates that, “A few recurrent themes helped guide me to success, even during the most difficult times. They are (1) be your authentic self, (2) embrace change, and (3) build resilience. These are not always easy to do, but when you achieve a small part of these goals, you will find yourself better off than you were before and a bit more prepared for what you will encounter next, even when you have no idea what is behind the next door.”

During the ceremony Ashley Rose Loss was honored with the Faculty Award and the Joseph A. Chaykowski ’48 Memorial Prize for Mathematics and Science was awarded to Rachael Emma Betz. The Faculty Award is presented to the student who displays basic goodness and honesty while being a good example for their peers in his or her own way. The student is emotionally mature and treats others with empathy, compassion, and concern. The Class President Daniella Marcef Vasquez Abreu entire faculty selects the recipient from a number remarked on how, “The students in the Class of 2022 of worthy candidates. The Joseph A. Chaykowski are some of the most diverse and intelligent people ’48 Memorial Prize for Mathematics and Science I have had the pleasure of knowing. While I cannot is awarded to a member of the class who has the speak for each one of my classmates’ journeys, I can highest combined average grade point average speak to the fact that they successfully navigated in math and science throughout their four-year high school with a world spinning faster than normal, upper school experience. The award is named and that is something to be extremely proud of. I am for a distinguished alumnus of MMI who studied certain, that no matter where life may take them, engineering at Penn State and was an outstanding they will all be incredible and successful people, professional engineer. The award was founded fearless in their expression and realizing they have in the memory of Joseph A. Chaykowski by his a family of support standing behind them.” daughter, Ms. Lisa Chaykowski Merlo ’80 and a member of the MMI Board of Directors until her Andrew Blasko and Jayden Bonham, who designed unexpected and untimely passing. the Class of 2022 banner, spoke about the symbolism of the mountain and how it signifies Daniella Marcef Vasquez Abreu was honored with perseverance. Jayden Bonham said, “We have the Freeland Rotary Club Rotary Service Above Self climbed the mountain of high school and all of the Award, which recognizes and acknowledges a young challenges with it. We have learned that we have to person who by his or her actions has personified climb above the storm to see the sun. The future the Rotary Motto of “Service Above Self” in their classes likely will not remember us, but they will school and community. know we were here.”

MMI Today is the official newsletter of MMI Preparatory School 154 Centre Street, Freeland, PA 18224 (570) 636-1108 • (570) 636-0742 (fax) • mmi@mmiprep.org www.mmiprep.org Justin Kleinheider Head of School

William A. Shergalis, Ph.D. ’58 President Emeritus

Joseph G. Rudawski President Emeritus

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Congratulations!

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MMI Inducts Students into Honor Societies at Annual Awards Convocation Ceremony

Inductees into the National Honor Society from left to right first row are: Nathan Sissick, Lex Lispi, Caitlin Lenahan, Caylee Herseim, London Chehovich, Diane Arias-Tejeda, Alexandra Tierney, and Sophia Plonk. 2nd row: Robert Orbin, Bria Kringe, Emily Hunsinger, Phoebe Bramley, Emily Borchick, Jason Salio, Ethan Lloyd, and Blake Warren. 3rd row: Mrs. Donna Titus, Reed Floryshak, Andrew Burns, Abigail Sparich, Connor Strecker, Kathryn Sissick, Sun Wang, and Jordon Mulhall. 4th row: Angelica Jimenez, Kasra Paknezhad, Brendon Brobst, Carson Valkusky, and Alex Smith.

MMI Preparatory School inducted students into multiple Honor Societies at their Annual Awards Convocation on May 18, 2022. Students were inducted into the Andrew J. Stofan Chapter of the National Honor Society by MMI English instructor Donna Titus who serves as the National Honor Society advisor.

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National Honor Society inductees are: Jacob Magula (Hazleton), Alex Smith (White Haven), Alexandra Tierney (Freeland), Carson Valkusky (Drifton), Waqas Arain (Bear Creek Township), Nathan Canosa-Dewar (Drums), Gianna Moisey-Hoover (Sugarloaf), Samuel Pacchioli (Barnesville), Diane Arias-Tejeda (Hazleton), Emily Borchick (Mountain Top), Phoebe Bramley (Blakeslee), Brendon Brobst (Mountain Top), Andrew Burns (White Haven), London Chehovich (Drums), John Drobnock (West Hazleton), Reed Floryshak (Sugarloaf), Jagjit Gondara (Hazle Township), Caylee Herseim (Hazle Township), Emily Hunsinger (Sugarloaf), Angelica Jimenez (Hazleton), Kyle Kocon (Mountain Top), Bria Kringe (Drums), Caitlin Lenahan (Mountain Top), Lex Lispi (Lake Harmony), Ethan Lloyd (Drums), Edgar Lopez-Rodriguez (Hazleton), Jordan Mulhall (Freeland), Nathaniel Neidlinger

(Weatherly), Alexander Neyhart (Hazleton), Paul Neyhart Jr. (Hazleton), Robert Orbin (Mountain Top), Kasra Paknezhad (Mountain Top), Sophia Plonk (Hazle Township), Dominic Raifsnider (Lake Harmony), Jakob Rossi (Drums), Jason Salio (Sugarloaf), Kathryn Sissick (Drums), Nathan Sissick (Drums), Abigail Sparich (Weatherly), Connor Strecker (Mountain Top), Sun Wang (Weatherly), Blake Warren (Beaver Meadows), and Heath Williams (Mountain Top). Students were inducted into the Science National Honor Society by MMI Science Department Chair and advisor to the Society Michael Mele. Science National Honor Society inductees are: Andrew Blasko (Mountain Top), Katelyn Overa (Drums), Althea Stewart (Drums), Carson Valkusky (Drifton), Khristian Banks (Mountain Top), Ashley Bonifacio (Hazleton), Brenna Eckhart (Lehighton), Erica Kline (Mountain Top), Evelyn Lacombe (White Haven), Kate Malay (Jim Thorpe), Ty McDermott (White Haven), Jillian McGeehin (Sugarloaf), Manal Muhammad (Mountain Top), Caden Pease (Drums), Ava Putnam (Sugarloaf), Caleb Serock (Drums), Lucille van den Berg (Mountain Top), and Jessica Zheng (Jim Thorpe).

Five students were inducted into the Chinese National Honor Society by MMI World Languages Department Chair and Society Advisor Christina Spencer.

Gerard Periotti, MMI Mathematics Department Chair and Mu Alpha Theta National Mathematics Honor Society Advisor inducted 18 students into the society.

Inductees were: Ashley Bonifacio (Hazleton), Jillian McGeehin (Sugarloaf), Caden Pease (Drums), Ava Putnam (Sugarloaf), and Kasia Svendson (Drums).

Inductees were: Waqas Arain (Bear Creek Township), Khristian Banks (Mountatin Top), Jeffrey DeAngelo (Sugarloaf), Brenna Eckhart (Lehighton), Erica Kline (Mountain Top), Evelyn Lacombe (White Haven), Ty McDermott (White Haven), Jillian McGeehin (Sugarloaf), Manal Muhammad (Mountain Top), Caden Pease (Drums), Ava Putnam (Sugarloaf), Caleb Serock (Drums), Lucille van den Berg (Mountain Top), Jessica Zheng (Jim Thorpe), Amelia Minzola (Drums), Althea Stewart (Drums), Kennedy Tavaris (Mountain Top), and Kaylee Witner (Freeland).

Six students were inducted into the Spanish National Honor Society by Syra Dewar, MMI Spanish Language Instructor and advisor for the Society. Inductees were: Anjelica Jimenez (Hazleton), Lex Lispi (Lake Harmony), Kasra Paknezhad (Mountain Top), Sophia Plonk (Hazle Township), Dominic Raifsnider (Lake Harmony), and Kathryn Sissick (Drums).

MMI Recognizes Students During Upper School Awards Convocation MMI recognized students during the Upper School Awards Convocation. The Freeland VFW recognized Paul Neyhart Jr. (Hazleton), Jessica Zheng (Jim Thorpe), Brayden Harleman (Jim Thorpe), Abigail Sparich (Weatherly), Caylee Herseim (Hazle Township), and Diane AriasTejeda (Hazleton) for their excellence in the 20212022 Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Program. The Freeland American Legion honored Amelia Minzola (Drums) with the Freeland American Legion Good Citizenship Award.

Jillian McGeehin (Sugarloaf) was honored for her first place finish in the school level competition for Poetry Out Loud and Diane Arias-Tejeda (Hazleton) was honored for her second place finish. Students who placed in the Pennsylvania School Press Association Student Journalism Competition were also honored. Khristian Banks (Drums) earned a first place regional award for Yearbook Caption Writing and for placing fourth in the state-wide competition. Ty McDermott (White Haven) won a Continues on page 8.

The Greater Hazleton Area Polonaise Society presented the 2022 Jake Kislan ’56 Polonaise Society Award to Morgan Strecker (Mountain Top).

MMI honored the upper school Eckley B. Coxe Memorial Subject Award winners during its Upper School Awards Convocation. Pictured are, from left: Connor Spencer (Mountain Top), Alexandra Tierney (Freeland), Mr. Justin Kleinheider, Head of School, and Rachael Betz (Tamaqua).

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first place regional award for Literary Magazine Artwork and placed third in the state-wide competition. Jayden Bonham (Sugarloaf) earned a first place regional and state award for Literary Magazine Poetry. MMI students who placed in the 27th Annual Israel T. and Mildred Klapper Memorial Holocaust Essay Contact were recognized. Jillian McGeehin (Sugarloaf) earned first place and Andrew Blasko (Mountain Top) earned second place.

Fair.” Each student demonstrated excellence in their speaking and presentation skills. Students in ninth through twelfth grade received subject awards, which are given to students who show outstanding contribution, achievement, and dedication to an individual subject. Winners are: •

National Spanish Exam award winners were: •

Alexander Composto (Freeland), Brayden Harleman (Jim Thorpe), and Michael Kranyak (Freeland) earned Spanish 1 Honorable Mention Scholar Awards in the Classroom Experience Category.

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Angelica Jimenez (Hazleton) earned the Spanish 2 Gold Award in the Bilingual Category.

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Lex Lispi (Lake Harmony) earned the Spanish 2 Honorable Mention in the Classroom Experience Category.

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Manal Muhammad (Mountain Top) earned the Spanish 3 Bronze Award in the Classroom Experience Category.

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Jeffrey DeAngelo (Sugarloaf) and Jessica Zheng (Jim Thorpe) earned Spanish 3 Honorable Mention Scholar Awards in the Classroom Experience Category.

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Emely Lopez-Rodriguez (Hazleton) earned the Spanish 3 Honorable Mention in the Bilingual Category.

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Rachael Betz (Tamaqua) earned Spanish 4 Gold Award in the Classroom Experience Category.

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Amelia Minzola (Drums), Olivia Bartholomew (Jim Thorpe), and Sandra Abdulrahman (Hazleton) earned Spanish 4 Honorable Mention Scholar Awards in the Classroom Experience Category.

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Daniella Vasquez (Hazleton) and Randy Zea (Hazleton) earned Spanish 4 Honorable Mention Scholar Awards in the Bilingual Category.

Andrew Burns (White Haven) won the 2022 ACS Susquehanna Valley Local Section Outstanding High School Chemistry Student Award. Dustin Paul (Jim Thorpe) was presented with the 2022 MMI Ambassador Service Award for his dedication and longevity in the MMI Student Ambassador Program.

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Best of the Best Assembly winners were freshman Jason Roberts (Freeland) for his topic “Lucid Dreaming,” sophomore Diane Arias-Tejeda (Hazleton) for her topic, “Bilingual in America,” and junior Jessica Zheng (Jim Thorpe) for her topic, “Club

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Ninth Grade – Kendall Orozco (Zion Grove) English and Chinese; Alexander Composto (Freeland) History, Science, and Spanish; Xavier Bleiler (Mountain Top) Mathematics; and Joshua Witner (Freeland) Visual Arts. Tenth Grade – Caylee Herseim (Hazle Township) English; Nathaniel Neidlinger (Weatherly) History, Mathematics, and Chinese; Diane AriasTejeda (Hazleton) Science; and Angelica Jimenez (Hazleton) Spanish and Visual Arts. Eleventh Grade – Jillian McGeehin (Sugarloaf) English and Chinese; Jessica Zheng (Jim Thorpe) History, Science, and Spanish; Manal Muhammad (Mountain Top) Mathematics; and Ty McDermott (White Haven) Visual Arts. Twelfth Grade – Eckley B. Coxe Jr. Memorial Subject Award winners – Connor Spencer (Mountain Top) Chinese; Alexandra Tierney (Freeland) Visual Arts; Rachael Betz (Tamaqua) English, Mathematics, Science, History, and Spanish.

Other award winners are: Brenna Eckhart (Lehighton) George Eastman Kodak Young Leaders Award & Scholarship, Khristian Banks (Mountain Top) Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, Jillian McGeehin (Sugarloaf) Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award in Humanities and Social Sciences, Caden Pease (Drums) Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology, Jessica Zheng (Jim Thorpe) The Rensselaer Medal Award & Scholarship, Erica Kline (Mountain Top) The Bryn Mawr President’s Book Award, Ava Putnam (Sugarloaf) Chatham University Rachel Carson Healthy Planet Award, Manal Muhammad (Mountain Top) University of Pennsylvania Book Award, Emely Lopez-Rodriquez (Hazleton) Elmira College Key Award, Lucille van den Berg (Mountain Top) Rochester Institute of Technology Innovation and Creativity Award, Evelyn Lacombe (White Haven) Alfred University Outside of the Ordinary Award. Several awards were given to multiple winners. Anden Karlick (Freeland) and Ty McDermott (White Haven) earned the Wells College 21st Century Leadership Award. Kate Malay (Jim Thorpe) and John Schwear (Sugarloaf) earned the Sage Colleges Student Recognition Nomination. Ashley Bonifacio (Hazleton), Jeffrey DeAngelo (Sugarloaf), Gianna Moisey-Hoover (Sugarloaf), and Kasia Svendson (Drums) were presented with the Wilkes University Emerging Leader Award.

MMI Inducts 27 Students into National Junior Honor Society

Students inducted into the National Junior Honor Society are from left to right, first row: Ava Genetti, Kaedyn Harrelson, Dakota Delregno, David Yamulla. Second row: Madelyn Young, Gabriel Horvath, Nora Herseim, Erica Schwear, Ruth Huey. Third row: Christopher Laverty, Sharan Parikh, Arushi Solgama. Yeleiny Paniagua, Rishi Patel. Fourth row: Jayden Unger, Joseph Mayernik, JT Ferry, and Adam Frask. Fifth Row: Serena Novotney, Alena Lombardo, Cassidy McDermott, Caleb Skuba, and Bryce Radzwich.

MMI Preparatory School inducted 27 students into the National Junior Honor Society for the 2021-2022 school year. Students inducted are: Frederick Blaine (White Haven), Kaden Delregno (Freeland), Jozef Dovicak (White Haven), JT Ferry (Drums), Adam Frask (Drums), Ava Genetti (Sugarloaf), Kaedyn Harrelson (Sugarloaf), Nora Herseim (Hazle Township), Gabriel Horvath (Conyngham), Ruth Huey (Drums), Christopher Laverty (Mountain Top), Alena Lombardo (Ebervale), Joseph Mayernik (Freeland), Cassidy McDermott (White Haven), Serena Novotney (Freeland), Yeleiny Paniagua (Hazleton), Sharan Parikh (Mountain Top), Rishi Patel (Drums), Bryce Radzwich (Sugarloaf), Christian Schulz (Freeland), Erica Schwear (Sugarloaf), Caleb Skuba (Drums), Arushi Solgama (Mountain Top),

Jayden Unger (Conyngham), Georgia Washko (Drums), David Yamulla (Sugarloaf), and Madelyn Young (Freeland). The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) elevates a school’s commitment to the values of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. These five pillars have been associated with membership in the organization since its inception in 1929. Today, it is estimated that more than one million students participate in NJHS activities. NJHS chapters are found in all 50 states, U.S. Territories, and around the world. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.

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MMI Inducts 19 Students into National Junior Classical League for Latin

Students inducted into the National Junior Classical League for Latin are from left to right, first row: Madelyn Young, David Yamulla, Ava Genetti, Ruth Huey, and Erica Schwear. Second row, Gabriel Horvath, Arushi Solgama, Yeleiny Paniagua, Serena Novotney, Nora Herseim, Keith Kitchen, MMI Classical Language Instructor and Advisor. Third Row, Joseph Mayernik, Caleb Skuba, Alena Lombardo, Jayden Unger, Cassidy McDermott, Rishi Patel, and Sharan Parikh.

MMI Preparatory School inducted 19 students into the National Junior Classical League for Latin for the 2021-2022 school year.

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Students inducted are: Frederick Blaine (White Haven), Jozef Dovicak (White Haven), Ava Genetti (Sugarloaf), Nora Herseim (Hazle Township), Gabriel Horvath (Conyngham), Ruth Huey (Drums), Alena Lombardo (Ebervale), Joseph Mayernik (Freeland), Cassidy McDermott (White Haven), Serena Novotney (Freeland), Yeleiny Paniagua (Hazleton), Sharan Parikh (Mountain Top), Rishi Patel (Drums), Erica Schwear (Sugarloaf), Caleb Skuba (Drums), Arushi Solgama (Mountain Top), Jayden Unger

(Conyngham), David Yamulla (Sugarloaf), and Madelyn Young (Freeland). The National Junior Classical League is an organization for middle and high school students in classical courses. NJCL proudly holds the honor of being one of the largest academic youth organizations in the world. There are over 35,000 members in approximately 1,000 chapters, located in almost every state and in several foreign countries. Established in 1936, the organization seeks to promote the study of Latin and Greek, to benefit students and teachers alike, and to impart an understanding of the debt of our own culture to that of classical antiquity.

MMI Honors Academic Achievements of Middle School Students at Award Ceremony MMI Preparatory School held an awards ceremony to honor middle school students for their academic achievements and to induct members into the National Junior Honor Society and the National Classical League for Latin. During the ceremony, eighth graders Caleb Skuba (Drums), Gabe Horvath (Conyngham), Cedrah Abdulrahman (Hazleton), and Arushi Solgama (Mountain Top) were recognized as the American Legion Award winners, which is given to the top two girls and top two boys with the highest grade point averages.

Computer Technology (Drums), and Philip Benyo, Music (Drums). Eighth Grade – Cedrah Abdulrahman, Government and Visual Arts (Hazleton), Serena Novotney, English (Freeland), Erica Schwear, Pre-Algebra and Music (Sugarloaf). Serena Novotney (Freeland) was honored for her placement in The Israel T. Mildred Klapper Memorial Holocaust Essay Contest, and Arushi Solgama (Mountain Top) was honored for her placement in the Mathcounts competition.

Sixth Grade – Siya Patel, Math (Sugarloaf), Marissa Yamulla, English (Sugarloaf), Zachary Naugle, Visual Arts (Hazle Township), Jared Santana, Science (Freeland), Evan Polanco, Computer Technology (Hazleton), Maia Laverty, Music (Mountain Top), and Andrew Pedri, Greek (Drums).

Marissa Yamulla (Sugarloaf) was honored for placing first in MMI’s Sixth Grade Science Fair for her presentation entitled “What Color Are Your Lungs?” Zachary Naugle (Hazle Township) finished second for “Bacteria Growth Inside a Home: Types and Amounts.” Jared Santana (Freeland) was third with “Natural vs. Artificial Light: Phototropism in Plants.” Gabriella Carsia (Sugarloaf) and Jackson Moore (Hazleton) were given Honorable Mentions.

Seventh Grade – Angelina Seeba, Math, Ancient Civilizations, Life Science, and Latin 1 (Mountain Top), Amanda Stoffa, English (White Haven), Kaitlyn Gera, Visual Arts (Weatherly), Delilah Yatsko,

National Junior Honor Society (see page 9) and National Junior Classical League for Latin (see page 10) honorees also were recognized at the award ceremony.

MMI also presented subject awards in each grade to the following students:

Zachary Jordan and Christopher Laverty earned Best of the Best awards for their assemblies this year and stand with Academic Dean Justin Vincent (left) and Head of School Justin Kleinheider (right).

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MMI Honors Student Athletes at Athletic Awards

Members of MMI Varsity Baseball team pictured with coaches.

MMI Preparatory School recently held an Athletic Awards Ceremony outside in the Mildred Culp Kahler Courtyard to honor upper school and middle school student athletes and their achievements during the 2021-2022 school year. MMI Head of School Justin Kleinheider opened the program with welcoming remarks and Joseph Flanagan, Athletic Director, in conjunction with coaches, announced the award winners. During the ceremony, athletes received awards in the MVP, Most Improved, and Coach’s Award categories and varsity letter recipients were recognized. Kleinheider said, “We were happy to be able to recognize our student athletes for their accomplishments. Athletics at MMI is an important part of our program and helps to build wellrounded students.” The upper school MVP, Most Improved Player, and Coach’s Award recipients, as well as members who received varsity letters, are as follows:

Basketball:

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MVPs – Thomas Mayernik (Freeland); Carson Valkusky (Drifton); and Chance Eyerly (West Hazleton). Letter Winners – Thomas Mayernik (Freeland), Chance Eyerly (West Hazleton), Carson Valkusky (Drifton), Caden Pease (Drums), Edgar Lopez-Rodriguez (Hazleton), Lex Lispi (Lake Harmony), Ryan Clymer-Sones (White Haven),

Brendon Brobst (Mountain Top), Reed Floryshak (Sugarloaf), and Nicholas Pantages (Lake Harmony).

Girls Basketball:

MVP – Bria Kringe (Drums); Most Improved – Chloe Allen (Freeland); and Coach’s Award – Ava Putnam (Sugarloaf). Letter Winners – Chloe Allen (Freeland), Silvia Roberto (Hazle Township), Bria Kringe (Drums), Emily Borchick (Mountain Top), Phoebe Bramley (Blakeslee), Angelica Jimenez (Hazleton), and Ava Putnam (Sugarloaf).

Baseball:

MVPs – Carson Valkusky (Drifton) and David Castro (Freeland); Most Improved – Jacob Magula (Hazleton). Letter Winners – David Castro (Freeland), Carson Valkusky (Drifton), Jacob Magula (Hazleton), Ty McDermott (White Haven), Andrew Burns (White Haven), Zachary Yenchko (Freeland), Heath Williams (Mountain Top), John Drobnock (West Hazleton), Lex Lispi (Lake Harmony), Nicholas Pantages (Lake Harmony), Joshua Witner (Freeland), and Michael Kranyak (Hazle Township).

Cheerleading:

Most Improved – Eve Corazza (Sugarloaf); and Coach’s Awards – Lindsay Horvat (Drums) and Kate Malay (Jim Thorpe). Letter Winners – Lindsay Horvat (Drums), Kate Malay (Jim Thorpe), Khristian Banks (Mountain Top), Erica Kline (Mountain Top), Ashley Bonifacio (Hazleton), Eve Corazza (Sugarloaf), Willa Bartholomew (Jim Thorpe), and Gracie Magula (Hazleton).

Boys Cross Country:

Girls Tennis:

Girls Cross Country:

Boys Tennis:

Golf:

Volleyball:

Most Valuable Runner – Eric “Woobie” Kupsky (Bear Creek Township); Most Improved Runner – Edgar Lopez-Rodriguez (Hazleton); and Coach’s Award – Connor Spencer (Mountain Top). Letter Winners – Connor Spencer (Mountain Top), Eric “Woobie” Kupsky (Bear Creek Township), and Edgar LopezRodriguez (Hazleton).

Most Valuable Runner – Mary Kate Kupsky (Bear Creek Township); Most Improved Runner – Gracie Magula (Hazleton); and Coach’s Award – Rachael Betz (Tamaqua). Letter Winners – Rachael Betz (Tamaqua), Mary Kate Kupsky (Bear Creek Township), Chloe Allen (Freeland), Gracie Magula (Hazleton), Silvia Roberto (Hazle Township), and Erica Kline (Mountain Top).

MVP – Thomas Mayernik (Freeland); Most Improved – Lex Lispi (Lake Harmony); and Coach’s Award – Carson Valkusky (Drifton). Letter Winners – Thomas Mayernik (Freeland), Kade Lutz (Lake Harmony), Lex Lispi (Lake Harmony), Carson Valkusky (Drifton), John Schwear (Sugarloaf), and Heath Williams (Mountain Top).

Soccer:

MVP – Caden Pease (Drums); Most Improved – Jayden Bonham (Sugarloaf); and Coaches’ Award – Thomas Horvat (Drums). Letter Winners – Aiden Hosier (West Pittston), Caden Pease (Drums), David Castro (Freeland), Evan Pedri (Drums), Jayden Bonham (Sugarloaf), Nicholas Pantages (Lake Harmony), Reed Floryshak (Sugarloaf), Samuel Pacchioli (Barnesville), Teagan Bonham (Sugarloaf), Thomas Horvat (Drums), and Waqas Arain (Bear Creek Township).

Softball:

MVPs – Kaylee Witner (Freeland) and Grace Warner (Drums); and Most Improved-Gina Galada (McAdoo). Letter Winners – Amelia Minzola (Drums), Anna Hoxha (Hazleton), Ashley Loss (Hazleton), Gina Galada (McAdoo), Grace Warner (Drums), Kennedy Tavaris (Mountain Top), Kaylee Witner (Freeland), Lucille van den Berg (Mountain Top), Phoebe Bramley (Blakeslee), Emily Borchick (Mountain Top), Danica Karlick (Freeland), Chloe Allen (Freeland), and Mia-Lynn van den Berg (Mountain Top).

Boys Swimming:

MVP and Letter Winner – Eric “Woobie” Kupsky (Bear Creek Township)

Girls Swimming:

MVP and Letter Winner – Mary Kate Kupsky (Bear Creek Township)

MVP – Kendall Orozco (Zion Grove); Most Improved – Kathryn Sissick (Drums); and Coach’s Award – Brenna Eckhart (Lehighton). Letter Winners – Kendall Orozco (Zion Grove), Kathryn Sissick (Drums), Eve Corazza (Sugarloaf), Kasia Svendson (Drums), Kate Malay (Jim Thorpe), Diane AriasTejada (Hazleton), and Brenna Eckhart (Lehighton).

MVP – Thomas Mayernik (Freeland); Most Improved – Xavier Bleiler (Mountain Top); and Coach’s Award – Dustin Paul (Jim Thorpe). Letter Winners – Thomas Mayernik (Freeland), Dustin Paul (Jim Thorpe), Xavier Bleiler (Mountain Top), Nathan Sissick (Drums), Kyle Kocon (Mountain Top), Blake Warren (Beaver Meadows), Jason Salio (Sugarloaf), and Reed Floryshak (Sugarloaf).

MVP – Alessandra Marciante (Jim Thorpe); Most Improved – Kennedy Tavaris (Mountain Top); and Coach’s Award – Kaylee Witner (Freeland). Letter Winners – Alexandra Tierney (Freeland), Gina Galada (McAdoo), Kennedy Tavaris (Mountain Top), Grace Warner (Drums), Kaylee Witner (Freeland), Lindsay Horvat (Drums), Sandra Abdulrahman (Hazleton), Anna Hoxha (Hazleton), Gianna MoiseyHoover (Sugarloaf), and Alessandra Marciante (Jim Thorpe). The Middle School MVP, Most Improved Player and Coach’s Award recipients were:

Soccer:

MVP – Adam Frask (Drums); Most Improved – Caitlyn Carter (Mountain Top); and Coach’s Award – Ruby Myers (St. John’s).

Boys Basketball:

MVP – Caleb Skuba (Drums); Most Improved – Jozef Dovciak (White Haven); and Coach’s Award – Bryce Radzwich (Conyngham).

Girls Basketball:

MVP – Georgia Washko (Drums); Most Improved – Arushi Solgama (Mountain Top); and Coach’s Award – Cassidy McDermott (White Haven).

Baseball:

MVPs – Adam Frask (Drums); Caleb Skuba (Drums); and Bryce Radzwich (Conyngham).

Softball:

MVPs – Cassidy McDermott (White Haven) and Erica Schwear (Sugarloaf); and Coach’s Award – Eve Corazza (Sugarloaf).

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MMI Captures First and Third Places in Luzerne County Envirothon Competition

MMI Preparatory School captured first and third place in the Luzerne County Envirothon competition. The first-place team of, from left, Jessica Zheng, Connor Spencer, Rachael Betz, Olivia Bartholomew, and Sandra Abdulrahman will advance to the state competition. Also pictured is Michael Mele, MMI Science Department Chair and Envirothon Advisor.

MMI’s first-place team of Jessica Zheng, Connor Spencer, Oliva Bartholomew, Rachael Betz, and Sandra Abdulrahman, advanced to the state competition at Camp Mount Luther. This team also won the high score award in wildlife. The state Envirothon is a one-day event which includes an “oral component” test along with the other stations. The team of Kathryn Sissick, Nathan Sissick, Nathaniel Neidlinger, Blake Warren and Diane Arias-Tejeda placed third. MMI had a total of 11 teams compete in this year’s event. The rest of the teams placed sixth, eighth, tenth, sixteenth, eighteenth, nineteenth, twentieth, twenty-first and twenty-second.

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MMI science instructor and Envirothon advisor Michael Mele said, “More than 60 students voluntarily take on extra studies outside of the normal curriculum to compete in the Envirothon competition. Each year, I am amazed at their performance. I appreciate the fact that our students had this opportunity and look forward to the future of the Envirothon program at MMI.”

The Pennsylvania Envirothon is one of the state’s largest natural resource education competitions. It provides thousands of students with the knowledge and tools necessary to address the natural resource challenges facing today’s world. During the competition, five-member teams participate in a series of field station tests that focus on five topic areas – soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife, and environmental issues. Additionally, the teams complete an oral presentation that provides them with the experience of developing a presentation from start to finish that is based on a written scenario. The testing station and oral presentation scores are combined to determine the winning team. The first Envirothon competition was held in 1979 by the Fulton, Luzerne, and Schuylkill conservation districts and by 1984, the program expanded to a statewide competition and then nationally and internationally. Now, more than 15,000 high school students across the state compete in 67 county Envirothons.

MMI Students Have Strong Performances at PJAS Regionals and States Twelve MMI students participated in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) state- level competition in May on the Penn State Main Campus. Six earned first awards, six won second awards, and one earned an Outstanding Junior Award. Jessica Zheng (Jim Thorpe) earned the Outstanding Junior Award and a first award. Diane-Arias Tejeda (Hazleton), Olivia Bartholomew (Jim Thorpe), Jillian McGeehin (Sugarloaf), Amelia Minzola (Drums), and Grace Warner (Drums) all earned first awards. MMI’s Second Award winners were: Khristian Banks (Mountain Top), Thomas Horvat (Drums), Nathaniel Neidlinger (Weatherly), Kiyan Paknezhad (Mountain Top), Dustin Paul (Jim Thorpe), and David Yamulla (Sugarloaf). Dustin Paul was awarded a Perseverance Award for his six years of participation. Amelia Minzola, Jillian McGeehin, and Jessica Zheng were all honored with Perseverance Awards for their five years of participation. Olivia Bartholomew and Grace Warner were honored for their four years of participation. Earlier in the spring, MMI had 22 students participate in the regional-level competition. Thirteen earned first awards (one won twice), six won second awards, and two earned third awards. The first award winners then advanced to States and represented MMI in May.

Khristian Banks and Jessica Zheng received perfect scores. Additional First Award winners were: David Yamulla, Thomas Horvat, Kiyan Paknezhad, Diane Arias-Tejeda, Nathaniel Neidlinger, Jillian McGeehin, Manal Muhammad, Oliva Bartholomew, Amelia Minzola, Dustin Paul, and Grace Warner. MMI’s Second Award winners were: Arushi Solgama (Mountain Top), Kendall Orozco (Zion Grove), Rachael Betz (Tamaqua), Brenna Eckhart (Lehighton), Viva Barrett (Pottsville), Connor Spencer (Mountain Top), and Morgan Strecker (Mountain Top). Third Award winners were: Abigail Sparich (Weatherly) and Jason Roberts (Freeland). MMI instructors Amanda Shonk, Melissa McHale, Michael Mele, and Justin Vincent served as advisors for the competition. The PJAS competition is open to students in grades 7-12. During the PJAS competition, students conduct a scientific research project in one of the 13 Scientific Categories of Research identified by PJAS and then orally present that research to a team of judges. The categories are: Behavioral Psychology, Biology, Biochemistry, Botany, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth and Space, Ecology, Engineering, Mathematics, Microbiology, Physics, and Zoology.

Students Place in Top 10 at FBLA State Leadership Conference Two individuals and one team from MMI Preparatory School placed in the top 10 at the State Leadership Conference held in Hershey April 11-13. Mrs. Katherine Zucco, MMI Social Sciences Department Chair, serves as the FBLA advisor. The MMI FBLA team is sponsored by Flashback Cinema. MMI’s Jessica Zheng placed third in Sales Presentation and qualified to advance to the National Competition. Other commitments will keep her from attending over the summer. Rachael Betz placed tenth in Business Communications and the team of Sandra Abdulrahman, Kennedy Tavaris, and Thomas Mayernik placed sixth for Data Analysis.

Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational association of student members preparing for careers in business or who are interested in learning more about the free enterprise system. FBLA helps students develop leadership abilities and prepare for entry into, and advancement within, a business or business-related occupation. Members learn how to engage in business enterprise, how to direct the affairs of a group, and how to compete honorably in competitive events. These activities help prepare students to be better employees and better citizens. MMI competes in Region 16, which includes students from schools throughout Luzerne County.

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Thank You, Donors! MMI has received a number of gifts that have been allocated to fund different initiatives on our Faculty Wish List this year. A special thank you to all the donors who have assisted with these special projects!

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Dr. Philip McHale ’58 and Linda Tishko funded several projects this year. These generous donors allocated monies to sustain the student mini-grant program for the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, or PJAS. The funds in this program are used for student research projects that exceed basic out-of-pocket expenses. This year, funds were awarded to senior Amelia Minzola who used the added resources to purchase bovine blood samples, buffering solution, growth plates, spectrophotometer cuvettes, anticoagulant solution, and centrifuge tubes. Minzola was trying to determine the relationship between oxygen binding to red blood cells under various temperature and pH conditions. She wanted to know how having a fever affects our oxygen carrying capacity and how acidosis, which can lower the pH of blood, will affect binding, too.

John Hersker ’76 supported the School by purchasing a new podium and omnidirectional microphone for use at MMI events. The podium was donated in gratitude for the MMI Assembly Program and made its debut at Graduation 2022.

Dr. McHale and Ms. Tishko also supported our faculty’s professional development. Twice this spring, MMI hosted Todd Samet from McTighe & Associates to lead workshops with MMI’s faculty. Jay McTighe, the company’s founder, created the Understanding by Design approach to curriculum development. Mr. Samet spoke virtually to MMI faculty in April, was on campus in May, and will be returning in August as MMI continues working on a curriculum review over the next few years. As part of our social sciences curriculum review process this year, two faculty members, Mrs. Katie Zucco and Ms. Mara Zumchak, were able to visit Holland Hall in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to experience and observe classrooms at another independent school thanks to this gift.

Sean McGraw continues to support MMI’s science program in memory of his father Dr. Thomas McGraw ’52. This year, MMI was able to purchase three automatic pipette pumps for the Chemistry lab. These allow students to more easily gather the proper volume of liquids they need in chemistry experiments. They are widely used in industry and go hand-in-hand with the digital pipettes that McGraw’s donation purchased in 2020-2021.

Katie Zucco, right, and Mara Zumchak, dressed down in support of Ukraine, visited Holland Hall this spring to meet with their peers in the Social Science Department.

Rich Abrams ’88 provided funding for a new CO2 incubator for the Biology Lab. Science Department Chair Michael Mele said that, “More and more students are asking to study mammal cell lines, especially for their PJAS projects, which requires a CO2 incubator. This piece of equipment is critical for growing mammal cells in the lab.”

Gifts from Bob Koslap ’65 and Carole Koslap, Dr. Bill Shergalis ’58, and Miki Shergalis, and The Warner Endowed Fund for Baseball and Softball supported two of MMI’s spring sports this year. The Baseball program was able to purchase a GoPro camera for recording games with a backstop mount, an iPad to keep in-game statistics, and bounce medicine balls, resistance bands, and olympic barbells for training. The Softball program also purchased a GoPro camera for game recording with a backstop mount and an indoor pitching mound. Doris Gicking made a gift in memory of her late husband, David Gicking ’56, that was restricted to Physics for a wish list purchase. Tim Garvey, Physics instructor, was able to add a wave generator and a wave amplifier with a ripple tank to the lab. The new equipment allows students to study how waves are generated, the speed of wave propagation, the superposition of waves, the effects of varying water depth on waves and the principles of reflection, refraction, and diffraction.

MMI’s Train Club, which gathers on Friday afternoons, recieved an anonymous donation that is helping to fund their multi-year project of building Eckley Miners’ Village and the Freeland area surrounding MMI. This year the students used equipment in the Makerspace and Art Room to 3D print and create buildings, trees, and other structures for the display. The donation allowed the Club to purchase O-gauge train supplies for use next year including track, engine cars, and a power transformer. Also purchased was a Reading coal hopper car, and MMI has commissioned a Jeddo Highland coal hopper, too! MMI purchased a collection of pelts and furs for the science department thanks to the generosity of Rich Abrams ’88. The School’s animal pelt collection had furs from a whitetail deer, fisher cat, raccoon, striped skunk, red fox, gray fox, beaver, bobcat, ermine, long tailed weasel, and mink, which had been purchased previously through Abrams’ generosity. This year MMI was able to add a black bear, brown bear, and snowshoe hare. These hands-on teaching aids allow students to look at differences in hair structure and density with respect to latitude or elevation changes. They also study coloration of the pelts with respect

to evolution, and fur mass comparisons can be related to temperature profiles. For the Envirothon competition, pelts are used for identification and evolutionary process studies. MMI received a $500 grant from the ExxonMobil Foundation, nominated by Onvo, that the School will use to purchase draftboard and other supplies for the Glowforge Laser Engraver. MMI purchased the Glowforge in 2017 following a donation from Dr. Philip McHale ’58 and Linda Tishko. During the past few years, MMI students have used the laser engraver to complete a variety of projects, including making ukuleles, 3D dinosaurs, and furniture design in engineering class. The equipment is used across the curriculum to create a variety of projects. Justin Vincent, Academic Dean, said, “Our students are fortunate to have access to the kind of equipment we have in our Maker Space such as the Glowforge. The ability to have the necessary materials on hand for students to continue to be creative is necessary and appreciated.” Since the program’s inception in 2011, MMI has received more than $7,750 in ExxonMobil grant money through Liberty Petroleum Distributors, now ONVO. The funds helped the school purchase several items for its math, science, and technology departments, including a digital incubator, graphing calculators, circuit pens, and to complete a collaborative project between the Marine Biology and Robotics classes where students worked toward building Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles (ROVs). If you are interested in helping MMI with wish list items for a classroom or program area, please contact Director of Advancement Kim McNulty at kmcnulty@mmiprep.org.

72 Hours of Giving Campaign Thank you to all of our donors for making our 72 Hours of Giving successful! The campaign raised $13,966 from 93 people for MMI’s Scholarship Program! The Classes of 2010-2021 won both aspects of the Decades Challenge with the most donors and most money raised. This young group set the bar with 36 unique donors giving $2,701! Thank you! MMI’s youngest alumni heard the call from Head of School Justin Kleinheider. Together, alumni who graduated between 2010-2021 met his challenge

and made at least 25 donations. Mr. Kleinheider completed his donation of $2,022, in honor of this year’s graduating class! Thank you! For the first time ever, MMI accepted dozens of popular cryptocurrency coins through a secure and encrypted platform that is now on our website. If you are just dipping your toes in with crypto or are a serious investor, you can now use your excitement for digital currency to support students at MMI. We received a total of three cryptocurrency donations during this campaign! Thank you!

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MMI Holds 13th Annual Jake Kislan ’56 Memorial Golf Tournament

The members of the winning foursome gather at the 13th Annual Jake Kislan ’56 Memorial Golf Tournament (left to right) Head of School Justin Kleinheider, Kevin O’Donnell, Bob Moisey, Adam Hoover, Mickey Kislan, Bill Dessoye, and Director of Advancement Kim McNulty.

MMI hosted the 13th Annual Jake Kislan ’56 Memorial Golf Tournament at the Valley Country Club on Friday, June 24. It was a gorgeous day on the course and we thank everyone who participated in the fun day! Congratulations to the team of Bill Dessoye, Adam Hoover, Bob Moisey, and Kevin O’Donnell who captured first place, shooting -16 under par with a score of 55. Second place went to the team of Marybeth Hayden, Henry Mleczynski, and Gary Parsons who shot a score of 60 (-11). In third place was the foursome of Paul Detwiler, Dr. David Flannery, DL Sadvery, and Harry Reed who were -10 with a score of 61. MMI would like to acknowledge Mrs. Mickey Kislan, who joined us for Friday’s dinner. In 2009, MMI chose to rename its annual golf tournament to honor longtime athlete and 1956 MMI graduate Jake Kislan, who passed away in 2008. The MMI community is always pleased to have Mickey at this event to help honor her late husband’s memory. This year’s Golf Gift Sponsor was Bryn Mawr Trust, a WSFS company. The Golf Technology Sponsor was Tri-Mountain Ventures. The Golf Towel Sponsor and Cocktail Hour Sponsor was PNC Bank while the Beverage Cart sponsor was the Class of 1995. Moore and Associates was the Hand Sanitizer Sponsor and Community Bank sponsored the 50/50 raffle, which had a payout of $800. F&L Doors sponsored the Hole in One Contests and Computer Management and Marketing Associates sponsored the Putting Green.

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The Closest to the Pin on Hole No. 5 was Jason Watson and on Hole No. 16, sponsored by Hawk

Mountain Labs, the winner was DL Sadvery. The Longest Women’s Drive on Hole No. 8 was Michelle Genetti while Anthony Franzosa ’15 won the Longest Men’s Drive on Hole No. 11. The Closest to the Keg contest on Hole No. 14, sponsored by Karl’s Case and Keg, was won by Neal DeAngelo ’01. Hole sponsors were: Frank, Sandy and Anthony ’06 Orlando; Laurels Senior Living Community; Golden Business Machines; Louie’s Prime Steakhouse; Julie and Bob Parmegiani in honor of Kevin McNulty ’21; Dr. and Mrs. William Shergalis ’58; and John and Lisa Schwear in honor of John Schwear ’26 and Erica Schwear ’23. MMI especially would like to thank the 80 golfers who took to the course. Their participation in this event is the key to its success and we are so grateful that they took the time to come and support MMI! Finally, we are also appreciative of those who volunteered 2022-2023 Chair of the their time to work MMI Board of on the course Directors Atty. including: Lani Richard A. DiLiberto Drobnock, Peggy Jr. ’79 fires the golf Durako, Lisa Ferry, cannon on Hole No. Anne Frey, Marci 6. Thank you to all Hosier, Ryan of the members of Jastremsky, Kim the MMI Board of McNulty, Joanne Directors for their Oakum, Eileen service and thank you Perchak, and to those who joined Michelle Tyburski. us at this event!

MMI Appoints Two Co-Head Baseball Coaches MMI appointed two new co-head coaches for the varsity baseball program. Cory Rogers ’15 and Charlie Karchner ’14 led the Preppers on the diamond this spring. Cory Rogers is a 2015 graduate of MMI, was vice president of the student council, and a key member of the 2014 District Championship Baseball Team along with Co-Head Coach Charlie Karchner. He was also the last 1,000-point scorer to play for the Prepper basketball team. Rogers is currently the Head Coach of the MMI MidSchool Basketball team and previously served as an assistant coach for the Varsity Baseball team. Rogers earned his Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Pittsburgh and is pursuing his Master’s Degree in Education at Bloomsburg University. At the University of Pittsburgh, he was vice-president of his club basketball team making it to the national tournament twice. Currently, he serves as the program director at the Freeland YMCA. In addition, he is a substitute teacher at MMI and the Hazleton Area School District. Charlie Karchner is a 2014 MMI graduate who was a four-year athlete in baseball and basketball. He was a tri-sport athlete during his junior and senior year, adding golf to the equation. Charlie helped lead the 2014 varsity baseball team to the School’s first ever district title with a 6-5 win over Blue Ridge at PNC Field. Karchner went on to study engineering at Penn State Hazleton and completed requirements for math and business minors. In college, he played baseball for four years and played golf his final two years. In his last year of college, he and his freshman research partner studied the baseball swing and presented a research project, “Swinging for the Fences: Dynamics of an at Bat,” at Penn State Hazleton’s Research Symposium. They won first place in STEM and were awarded Overall Popular Vote.

Farewell to Ms. McHale and Mrs. Novotney Our faculty and staff take exceptional care to guide our students and we are grateful for their dedication. This year, we say goodbye to Ms. Melissa McHale and Mrs. Jennifer Novotney. Thank you to both of them for their years of service and dedication to our students. Ms. McHale joined MMI in 2018 as a science instructor teaching physical science, chemistry, and AP chemistry. She has also served as an advisor/judge for the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Sciences (PJAS) Program, assistant soccer coach, assistant volleyball coach, assisted with drama productions, and class advisor. After joining the English faculty in 2013, Mrs. Novotney served as the English Department Chair since 2015 and taught courses including AP language and composition, creative writing, and introduction to literary analysis. Additionally, she has served as the advisor to the Poetry Out Loud Competition, the award winning MMI literary magazine, Angst, the Israel T. and Mildred Klapper Holocaust Essay Contest, and the PA School Press Association Journalism Competition. She also served as a class advisor.

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Around Campus Jayden Bonham ’22, Khristian Banks ’23 and Ty McDermott ’23 represented MMI at the state finals of the Pennsylvania School Press Association’s Student Journalism Competition on March 30 at Penn State University. Bonham took first place in the Literary Magazine Poetry competition while Banks took first place in the Yearbook Caption Writing competition. McDermott took first place for Literary Magazine Artwork. Left to right: Ty McDermott ’23, Jayden Bonham ’22, Khristian Banks ’23, and Jennifer Novotney, MMI English Department Chair and Activity Advisor

Rachael Betz ’22, Jayden Bonham ’22, and Connor Spencer ’22 received awards in the regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition. Betz won a Silver Key for her poem “Misunderstood.” Bonham was awarded a Silver Key for his poem “A Room at the Top of the World” and an Honorable Mention for Flash Fiction “Reality.” Spencer was awarded an Honorable Mention for his poem “Snow.”

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Jessica Zheng ’23, along with her research partner Xinyi Zhang of South Brunswick High School in New Jersey, was named a finalist in MIT THINK 2022. The duo submitted “A Novel Chitosan-Bioactive Glass Coated Kresling Origami Lumbar Disc Replacement” as their project. MIT THINK is a science, research, and innovation program for high school students that is organized by a group of MIT undergraduates. Finalists have weekly mentorship meetings with THINK team members for technical guidance, helpful resources, and updates on the projects’ progress, and are given up to $1,000 in funding for their project. Finalists are invited to MIT where they tour labs, present their project to MIT students and faculty, and spend time with the THINK team.

The Parents Association hosted a Making Smart Choices event in the gym on Wednesday, March 2 for students in grades 10-12. Agencies represented included: Lehigh Valley Health Network Distracted Driving Simulators, Lehigh Valley Health Network Trauma Program, Northeast Highway Safety Program, Pathway to Recovery, Domestic Violence Service Center, Northeast Counseling, and Earli-Polli Insurance Agency. Zachary Naugle ’28, Jared Santana ’28, and Marissa Yamulla ’28 placed in the top three at MMI’s Sixth Grade Science Fair on February 11. Yamulla captured first place for her project entitled, “What Color Are Your Lungs? The Effects of Nicotine and Tar from Cigarettes on Human Lungs.” Naugle was second for his project called, “Bacteria Growth Inside a Home: Types and Amounts Present.” Santana came in third for his project entitled, “Natural vs. Artificial Light: Phototropism in Plants.” Gabriella Carsia ’28 and Jackson Moore ’28 both received Honorable Mentions. Seated: Gabriella Carsia ’28 and Marissa Yamulla ’28. Standing: Jared Santana ’28, Jackson Moore ’28, and Zachary Naugle ’28

Abigail Sparich ’24 won the local chapter contest and earned third place at the district level in the 2022 Pennsylvania American Legion Essay Contest. This year’s essay theme was, “What Does The 19th Amendment Mean to Me?” Gracie Magula ’25 and her competition cheer team advanced to the world finals in Florida in late April. Magula is both an MMI cheerleader and cheers with the Alpha Flight Competitive Cheer team.

Around Campus (continued) Trout in the classroom returned this spring and rainbow trout were raised from eggs in MMI’s biology lab where students learned about the life cycle of a trout. MMI’s trout were released into Hickory Run on May 20 by Science Department Chair and instructor, Mr. Michael Mele. For more about the state program visit www.patroutintheclassroom.org.

Three students placed in the annual Israel T. & Mildred Klapper Memorial Holocaust Essay Contest. Serena Novotney ’26 (Middle School category) and Jillian McGeehin ’23 (High School category) captured first place finishes in the 2022 contest. Andrew Blasko ’23 tied for second place in the High School Category. McGeehin also placed third at the Poetry Out Loud regional competition. Sam O’Connell, Chief Creative Officer from Coal Creative, worked with student editors of Angst, MMI’s Literary Magazine, to show them how to use Adobe InDesign and work with publishing templates.

The team of Connor Spencer ’22, Rachael Betz ’22, Morgan Strecker ’22, and Jessica Zheng ’23 placed fourth in Brainteasers and the Game of 24 Points at the annual Bloomsburg University Math Contest. Mr. Gerry Pierotti, Mathematics Department Chair and instructor, serves as the advisor for the program. The Bloomsburg University Math Contest has tripled in size over the past 16 years, peaking last year with more than 300 students representing 24 high schools from across Northeast Pennsylvania.

Kate Malay ’23 was named the Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week Best Ambassador Winner. Malay is pictured fifth from the left in the front row of the photo with the PFEW participants for the coming summer.

Mrs. Lisa Ferry, MMI Dean of Students and Art and Anthropology Instructor, showed her work at the Hazleton Art League Invitational Photography Exhibit in February. She also received an Honorable Mention award at the Hazleton Art League Annual Members Exhibit held on March 4.

MMI kicked off Chinese New Year the first week in February with a red dress down day. Many projects created by first through fourth year Chinese Language students were displayed in the Coxe Commons, and the students celebrated with games and authentic Chinese food.

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Around Campus (continued) Khristian Banks ’23 was a member of the Junior Leadership Northeast class of 2022. The class dedicated their time to learning about leadership, teamwork, and fulfilling community needs. Khristian and her group, The Happy Brain Initiative, worked to raise funds and advocate for children’s mental health. You can learn more about their activities from their Instagram account @thehappybraininitiative. The Interact Club, MMI’s service club sponsored by the Freeland and Hazleton Rotary Clubs, helped celebrate Valentine’s Day with candy grams with the proceeds being donated to a local non-profit. The club also held a schoolwide drive to help those in need in the Ukraine. MMI’s drive was part of a larger drive organized by the Jim Thorpe Area School District. The club collected medical supplies like gauze, antiseptic, gloves, and wound care items. Students were able to participate in a Ukrainian flag themed dress down day to show their support.

Kade Lutz ’24 attended the USASA National Championships April 9 through April 13 in Copper, Colorado. Lutz’s events were Slopestyle and Rail Jam. He was one of 68 attending, and the only one from the Mid-Atlantic series invited to attend. He finished 15th in his heat of 34 skiers.

Seventh grade music students took advantage of a beautiful spring day to play ukuleles in the Courtyard. The ukuleles were purchased through a generous donation in 2020 made by the Gaudio family in memory of Robert Gaudio ’54.

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MMI’s Mathcounts team competed virtually on February 17 in the Anthracite Chapter competition. There were eight participants from MMI in a field of 63 participants. Arushi Solgama ’26 placed in the top 10.

The Easter bunny visited campus in April and handed out treats prior to the extended weekend break. It was also a “Tourist” dress down day on campus.

MMI’s sixth graders performed a clean up around campus in mid April. They wiped down stairwell railings, hallway door contact points, and inside the glass walkway. Maintenance provided the cleaning supplies. On May 5 all students, faculty, and staff participated in a service project for campus beautification. Some students spread mulch, others picked up trash and debris, some cleaned up the storage area in the gym, and others weeded. The Parents Association sponsored a Distracted Driving presentation for tenth through twelfth grade on April 20. Eileen Miller, an advocate for safe driving habits and legislation, spoke to students about her experience when her son was killed by a distracted tractor trailer driver 10 years ago. Rebecca Ryback with the Northeast Highway Safety Program was also on campus to speak.

Around Campus (continued) Senior Prom 2022 was held at Sand Springs on Thursday, April 28. Dustin Paul ’22 and Alex Tierney ’22 were chosen King and Queen. Kudos to the Seniors and their advisors for planning such a wonderful event!

Director of Advancement Kim McNulty was named the Chairman of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for the next two years at the 130th Annual Meeting of the Chamber on May 19. McNulty was also recently named the Chairman of Parish Pastoral Council at The Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in Kingston.

Jayden Bonham ’22 placed in the top 10 competitors in the Annual Pennsylvania Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) State Skeet Shoot with a score of 90/100. The competition was held at Generations Skeet Club in Patton, Pennsylvania, and the event welcomed 83 shooters from both Pennsylvania and surrounding states.

Hayden Schwabe ’25 was elected to serve as one of the three Pennsylvania Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Vice Presidents at Large. He will represent MMI FBLA and PA FBLA at the National Leadership Conference in Chicago this summer, at the PA FBLA State Leadership Workshop at Kalahari Resorts this fall, and will play an instrumental role in planning and executing the PA FBLA 2023 State Leadership Conference. The mid-school dance was held in the Mildred Kulp Kahler Courtyard on Saturday, April 30. Thank you to the Parents Association, the chaperones, and everyone who made it such a fun night for the students and their friends!

In the Classroom Many exciting activities took place in MMI’s academic classrooms this spring! •

Anthropology students worked in pairs to create posters to identify primates before studying hominins.

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Mrs. Donna Titus’ ninth grade English students performed Macbeth skits.

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Art students in ninth grade learned about Sol LeWitt and conceptual art. Students wrote their own instructions and gave them to their peers for them to complete how they interpreted the instructions.

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Biology students in ninth grade conducted a diffusion lab where they looked at rates of diffusion based on cell size.

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Chemistry and AP Chemistry students performed experiments such as visualizing chemical reactions, putting together overall chemical equations, and using the technique of calorimetry to calculate enthalpy change and heat of the solution.

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In the Classroom (continued) •

Eighth grade science students performed labs to enhance their studies on determining if a substance is a solution, colloid, or suspension.

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Students in Mrs. Catherine Carter’s Algebra 1 class learned how to graph lines by making a stained-glass window.

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Sixth grade English students participated in an independent reading project. They then made hats that were decorated to represent a character from one of the books they’ve read.

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AP Biology Students did a transformation lab that illustrated how foreign gene sequences can be added to bacterial DNA. The e. Coli are “transformed” to grow with ampicillin resistance and a sequence of jellyfish DNA which allows the bacteria to glow under UV light.

On the Road MMI hosted a number of experiential learning field trips during the second semester!

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Mrs. Lisa Ferry’s Advanced Art students visited the Hazleton Art League to observe and critique art as well as complete observation drawings.

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Seniors from the Spanish Language and Chinese Language classes visited New York City on a cultural trip this spring.

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The senior class had a bonding trip to play Skirmish, which was a fun and exciting way to end their year!

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MMI’s sixth, ninth, and AP Environmental Science students went on a field trip to Lacawac Nature Sanctuary and Biological Field Station on May 5.

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Juniors in the World Language classes took a field trip to New York City where they learned about immigration, researched ancestors, and took a cultural tour.

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Seventh grade students went on a geological field trip in May, exploring various rock formations and types of geological sites.

Prepper Sports Update: •

Woobie Kupsky ’24 and Mary Kate Kupsky ’25 had phenomenal swim seasons this winter. Mary Kate placed third at the PIAA District 2 meet in the 200 IM with a time of 2:12:00 and Woobie set a new District 2 record in the 200 IM at 1:53:65 for a first-place finish on the first day of competition. On the next day, Woobie brought home the gold with a new District 2 record in the 500 Freestyle in a time of 4:36:96 and Mary Kate took second with a time of 5:10:37. Both swimmers advanced to the PIAA State Championships where Woobie took silver in the 500 Free and placed fifth in the 200 IM. Mary Kate was fifth in the 500 Freestyle and 13th in the 200 IM. Woobie was named the Citizens’ Voice Swimmer of the Year for the second time and Mary Kate was named to the 2022 Girls Swimming All-Star team in the Wyoming Valley Conference. In May, Woobie was second in the 400 IM in Richmond, Virginia, at the Super Sectionals. He is currently ranked seventh in the country in this event for 16-year olds and has qualified for Long Course Summer Nationals in Irvine, California, in August.

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The varsity girls basketball team advanced to the PIAA District 2 Semifinal Playoff game against Forest City on February 26 where they fell 42-29.

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Bria Kringe ’24 was named an Honorable Mention Division All Star by the Wyoming Valley Conference girls basketball coaches. She was also named Honorable Mention on the Standard Speaker All-Area Girls Basketball Team

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Chance Eyerly ’22, Brendon Brobst ’24, and Ryan Clymer-Sones ’24 were named Honorable Mention on the Standard Speaker All-Area Boys Basketball Team. Chance also played on Team Toole for the Dr. George Moses Senior Basketball All-Star Classic. His team won by a 121-119 final, and Eyerly scored six points.

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The MMI softball team took on Blue Ridge in the District II Class A Softball Quarterfinals on May 24 and fell by a final score of 10-6.

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The boys tennis team was seeded No. 6 in the PIAA District 2 Quarterfinals and fell to No. 3 Scranton Prep. MMI also had six members of the team advance to the PIAA District 2 Championship Tournament. Thomas Mayernik ’22 and Xavier Bleiler ’25 competed in singles. Four sophomores played in doubles as the teams of Kyle Kocon ’24 and Reed Floryshak ’24 and Nathan Sissick ’24 and Blake Warren ’24 qualified for Districts.

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The Preppers baseball team was crowned the PIAA District 2 Class A Champions with an 8-3 win over Forest City. The team advanced to the state tournament and hosted a first-round game against Jenkintown which they won 11-9. On May 9 the preppers fell to defending state champs Halifax in the State Quarterfinals at Pine Grove by a 3-1 score. Carson Valkusky ’22 and #42 David Castro ’22 talk on the mound with catcher Josh Witner ’25. Photo credit: Robert John Gaetano

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Alumni Milestones Events in the lives of the MMI Family

Births Dr. Stacey (Barron) Miller ’02 and her husband, Travis, welcomed their first child, a son named Jack Thomas on November 13, 2021. The family resides in Wexford, Pennsylvania. Two months later, younger sister Kelly (Barron) Hoffer ’04 welcomed her second child with husband, Jacob. Baron Maddox was born on January 22, 2022 and joined older sister Kinsley, who is four. The Hoffers reside in Cape May Courthouse, New Jersey.

Jack Thomas Miller (top) and Baron Maddox Hoffer (left)

Deaths Jeremiah Abrams ’65 passed away in Ubud, Bali, on May 27, 2022, where he had been residing for the past 10 years. He was preceded in death by his father, Irving Abrams ’30, and his brother, Edward Abrams ’62. He is survived by his two children, Rachael Abrams and Phil Abrams, and his sister, Ann Abrams Morrison. John Bigelow ’70 passed away on February 17, 2022. He was survived by his brothers, Lynn Bigelow ’80 and his wife, Dr. Karen Bigelow ’79, and Gordon Bigelow ’81. Barbara Crockford passed away on March 25, 2022. Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents, Robert and Helen Boniff, were her husband, Ronald Crockford and daughter, Eileen Good. Surviving are her son, Keith Crockford and wife, Dawn, and grandchildren, Brandon Crockford ’20 and Michael.

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Donna Mae Dalesandro passed away February 17, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Ilamae (Berger) Brior, by a son, David Dalesandro, and brother, Donald (Butch) Brior. Surviving are five of her children, Lisa Dalesandro, Colleen Acri and her husband, Joey, Melissa Dalesandro, Tiffany Whitenight, and Dustin Dalesandro and his companion, Kim Mumaw; eight grandchildren including Alexis Dalesandro ’21 and Ryan Dalesandro ’27; brother William Brior and his wife, Kathy; and a sister-in-law, JoAnne Brior; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Sonia “Mombo” Wise Dessen passed away on February 20, 2022, at the age of 101. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Edgar L. Dessen, M.D.; sister, Gloria Stees; and brother, Francis R. Wise Jr. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Lawrence Dessen ’77, member of the MMI Board of Directors, and Elizabeth Dessen and their children; and her daughter and son-in-law, Miriam Beth Dessen Duffy ’78 and Daniel Duffy and their children. Richard Allan Flynn passed away on April 13, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Karen; son, Trevor Flynn; and daughter, Jessica Flynn ’20. Irene Giuliani passed away on June 11, 2022. She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Scott ’84 and husband, John; and grandchildren, Nicole and Brady. Rhonda Ann Healey passed away on February 7, 2022. Surviving, in addition to her mother, is her husband, Joseph; son, Kyle; daughters, Emily, Elizabeth and Renesmee; brother, Ronald; and sisters, Janine and her husband, MMI Director of Maintenance Joseph Stepansky; and Nicole Traub. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive including Audrey Stepansky ’15. David A. Karpowich ’61 passed away on January 10, 2022. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley; and brothers, Joseph Karpowich ’65, Richard, and Victor. He is survived by brothers, William Karpowich Jr., Ronald Karpowich ’60, Robert Karpowich and wife, Linda, and John Karpowich and wife, Carmella; and sister Mary Verbonitz.

Alumni Notes What’s happening with MMI graduates around the globe

Thank you to all of our guests who joined us in Philly!

MMI hosted the Philadelphia Mini-Reunion at Tir na nÓg on April 20. It was wonderful to see so many alums and friends in person again at our annual gathering!

Left to right: Head of School Justin Kleinheider, Nick Young ’17, Jai Hoover ’17, and Jakob Schwabe ’18

MMI classmates Frank Castrina ’60, Cory Coll ’60, and Bob Kettrick ’60 were finally able to take a trip that was booked in 2020. They boarded their ship in Montreal and sailed the St. Lawrence River to the Atlantic Ocean. They took on-shore excursions at Quebec City; Saguenay, Corner Brook, NL; Sydney, NS; Halifax, NS; Bar Harbor, ME; Newport, RI; Boston, MA; and disembarked in NYC for the flights home. According to Coll, “It was a great cruise with wonderful friends, great food, and really first-class service and accommodations.” The group’s next planned trip is in January 2024 when they will cruise from Los Angeles to Miami via the Panama Canal.

Bob Kettrick ’60, Frank Castrina ’60 and Cory Coll ’60

Justin Yakubowski ’09 and fiancée Atty. Morgan Palermo ’09 visit with Mrs. Donna Titus

Tim Connors ’13 recently was accepted to join the United States Capitol Police class 219 and has begun Federal Officer and Capitol Police training. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from King’s College in Exercise Science in 2018 and with a Master’s Degree from Vermont Law School in Environmental Law and Policy in 2022. He will be working on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., upon graduation from the academy.

Left to right: Judy and Frank Castrina, Eileen and Bob Kettrick, and Anne and Cory Coll

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Alumni Notes (continued) The Head of School’s Donor Reception was held at Valley Country Club on May 14.

Left to right: Chairman of the MMI Board of Directors Lew Dryfoos ’82 with Sandy and Frank Orlando

Left to right: Dr. Joseph Donato ’66, Eileen Donato, and MMI Board member John Hersker ’76

Atty. Richard DiLiberto ’79 was re-appointed chairman of the Delaware Commission on Italian Heritage and Culture for a three-year term effective April 29 by Delaware Gov. John Carney. He has served as chairman since being first appointed in 2006, and has been reappointed five times. The commission’s statutory duties are to establish, maintain, and develop cultural ties between Italians and Italian-Americans; foster a special interest in the historical and cultural backgrounds of both groups as well as in the economic, political, social, and artistic life of the countries involved; and help establish or promote Italian-language programs in the schools of Delaware. DiLiberto is a law partner in the personal injury litigation section of Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP, and served in the Delaware House of Representatives from 19922002. He is a graduate of MMI Preparatory School, Bloomsburg University and Widener University Delaware Law School. He will be the Chair of MMI’s Board of Directors this fall. Brian Driscoll ’16 spent some time in early May completing a training exercise in Lithuania with the National Guard. Upon his graduation from Wilkes University in 2020, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and assigned to the Pennsylvania National Guard.

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Jake Driscoll ’13 is a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He was deployed to Qatar on short notice just after the New Year and flew a number of missions in the Middle East. In late January he was sent to England. He then flew over Ukraine until the war started in late February, then transitioned to flights over Poland and Romania right along the border. Driscoll returned stateside in early April,and he will begin Aircraft Commander training in July.

Left to right: Dr. Michael Washinsky, Nancy Washinsky, and Scott Sugarman ’73

Eric Todd Forschner ’82 landed a book deal with publisher Wipf & Stock for his nonfiction book, “The Fullness of Love,” to be released in the fall of 2022. Additionally, his start-up, YFM World, is doing well after several years of development. YFM discovers and breaks unknown independent music artists. Anna Haber ’18, Mahad Muhammad ’18, and Julia Snyder ’18 graduated this spring from University of Scranton. Muhammad was inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu, the national Jesuit honor society while Snyder was inducted into Lambda Pi Eta, the national honor society for communication majors, and Alpha Epsilon Alpha, the honor society for communication students. Cal Herring ’74 was presented with the Chair Award by Charles Burkhardt at CAN DO’s 66th Anniversary Program and Dinner on June 14. Herring said: “I am truly honored to have received this award and thankful to the CAN DO staff, board, and Student Action team for their support of the Community Relations Committee. Their hard work during the past year made this possible and for this I will always be grateful.” Left to right: President and Chief Executive Officer of CAN DO Joe Lettiere, Cal Herring ’74, and Chairman of the CAN DO Board of Directors Charles Burkhardt

Alumni Notes (continued) John Hersker ’76 spent time in Hershey this spring as a workshop speaker at the 2022 Pennsylvania State Leadership Conference for the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). He additionally set up and spoke to MMI’s FBLA Club on a field trip to the Cinema & Drafthouse and a screening of the movie “Draft Day.” The field trip and MMI’s FBLA Club were sponsored by Flashback Cinema. Elise Hreha ’19 was selected as a 2022 White Haven Lions Scholarship recipient. She was presented her award by fellow-alum and Lions President Ed Gower ’73. Joining her at the presentation were her parents, Eric and Elizabeth.

Left to right: Eric Hreha, Ed Gower ’73,Elise Hreha ’19, and Elizabeth Hreha

Aaron Kollar ’13 currently serves as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Point Park University in Pittsburgh while working as the Program Coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Gabriella Kupsho ’18 graduated magna cum laude from Drexel University on June 9 with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. Ceremonies were held at Citizens Bank Park. She will be attending Duke University in the fall to pursue a master’s degree in biomedical engineering with a medical device focus. The Class of 1960, led by Jim Makuch ’60, established an endowed scholarship at MMI this spring. Donations to the fund totaled $21,250, and Makuch matched all gifts personally bringing the fund’s total up to $42,500. He commented: “Such monies will open MMI’s doors a bit wider to deserving students who require financial assistance. That will allow them to take their place, and someday our places, as successful and supportive alumni. I believe that we have done something very special for a very special place. Our scholarship honors all of our class members, including those

who have passed. I think it’s fair to say that we’re a pretty good bunch of guys, and I think that we have done ourselves and MMI proud.” MMI is very grateful for the generosity of the Class of 1960 in this endeavor, thank you! Jessica McClellan ’19 accepted a position for the 2022 Masters Tournament working with ladies merchandise inside the main golf shop. Jessica commented, “I feel very fortunate to be able to spend the week in Augusta and to be a part of this event. It will be incredible to get an inside glimpse in the production of a major golf championship, on arguably the biggest stage in the world, Augusta National Golf Club.” Rebecca Price Maff ’07 was a presenter at Partner in Education’s Girl Power in STEM: Careers Outside the Box!! The event was held on April 5 at Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences. She currently works as a Product Manager within the Steele Institute for Health Innovation at Geisinger Health System. The research she is currently involved in focuses on the following core areas: patient experience, safety and quality. Maff received her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in Spanish from Albright College and her Master of Science in Biology at Bloomsburg University. Her graduate research focused on the signal transduction mechanisms of aggressive forms of cutaneous melanoma.

Dean’s List Morgan Allen ’21 Kutztown University (Fall 2021, Spring 2022) Anna Haber ’18 University of Scranton (Fall 2021) Morgan Hosier ’21 Thomas Jefferson University (Fall 2021) Amanda Kalada-Kania ’19 Susquehanna University (Fall 2021) Kevin McNulty ’21 Rochester Institute of Technology (Spring 2022) Hiba Muhammad ’21 University of Scranton (Fall 2021) Mahad Muhammad ’18 University of Scranton (Fall 2021) Andrellie Puntiel ’20 Fairleigh Dickinson University (Fall 2021) Millie Symbula ’21 Bloomsburg University (Spring 2022)

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Memorials Library Memorials, Annual Fund Memorials, and Honors donated between January 8, 2022 and June 27, 2022 In Honor of The Class of 1971 Mr. Rudy T. Corazza ’71

In Memory of Nancy Deisroth Colonel Andrew Straw ’75 and Ms. Anita Doran

In Honor of Jacob Hoover ’27 Mr. Robert Moisey and Mrs. Janice Gans Moisey

In Honor of The Class of 2022 Mr. and Mrs. Justin Kleinheider Mr. Joseph Mucha ’50 and Mrs. Nancy Mucha

In Memory of Sonia Wise Dessen The Dei Tos Family Dr. and Mrs. Johann A. Koenig MD Dr. William Shergalis ’58 and Mrs. Miki Shergalis

In Honor of Joshua Hoover ’25 Mr. Robert Moisey and Mrs. Janice Gans Moisey

In Memory of Gemma and Andrew Arnoldi Mr. Andrew Arnoldi ’63 and Mrs. Judith Arnoldi In Memory of Joseph Beltrami Mr. Todd Schell ’80 and Dr. Joleen Beltrami ’82 In Memory of Alexandra Betley Mr. Gregory Betley ’70 and Mrs. Anne Marie Lesniak-Betley In Honor of Rachael Betz ’22 Mrs. Ruth Betz In Memory of Myron Brenner Mr. Lawrence Walko and Mrs. Debbie Walko ’79 Ms. Lindsey T. Walko ’16 Mr. Peter T. Walko ’21 In Honor of Shirley Brenner Mr. Lawrence Walko and Mrs. Debbie Walko ’79 Ms. Lindsey T. Walko ’16 Mr. Peter T. Walko ’21

In Honor of Gabe Horvath ’26 Mr. and Mrs. Mike Flock

In Memory of Edward Ecker ’57 Dr. William Shergalis ’58 and Mrs. Miki Shergalis

In Honor of Aiden Hosier ’25 Mr. Barry Hosier and Mrs. Marcianna Hosier

In Memory of Robert Edmunds ’56 Dr. Thomas Edmunds ’62 and Mrs. Pamela Edmunds

In Honor of Morgan Hosier ’21 Mr. Barry Hosier and Mrs. Marcianna Hosier

In Honor of Elizabeth Wallen Mr. Karl Wallen ’87 In Memory of George Evancho Sr. Mr. Nicholas Dei Tos ’71 and Mrs. Patricia Dei Tos In Memory of Greg Feussner Mr. Nicholas Dei Tos ’71 and Mrs. Patricia Dei Tos In Honor of Reed Floryshak ’24 Mrs. Bonnie Floryshak

In Memory of Roberta Chagaris Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Rogers II

In Memory of Athena Ford ’01 Marquis George MacDonald Foundation, Inc.

In Memory of Ambabai and Mahadev Chikarmane Mr. Gabriel Griffin and Dr. Sona Chikarmane ’99

In Honor of Adam Frask ’26 Mrs. Lois Zoldi

In Memory of Barbara Crockford Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Major Mr. and Mrs. Mark Plitnick In Memory of Edward Leon Deal ’42 Mrs. Anne J. Frey In Honor of Jeffrey DeAngelo ’23 Mrs. Bonnie Floryshak

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In Memory of Agostino DiLiberto Atty. Richard A. DiLiberto Jr. ’79 and Atty. Faith DiLiberto

In Honor of Corey Buchman ’25 Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Buchman

In Memory of Dennis Clarke Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bayo Mr. John E. Kish ’85 Mr. Adrian V. Rodrigo ’95 and Mrs. Melanie Rodrigo

In Honor of Louis DeAngelo ’21 Mrs. Bonnie Floryshak

In Honor of Gianna Moisey-Hoover ’23 Mr. Robert Moisey and Mrs. Janice Gans Moisey

In Honor of Carter Frask ’20 Mrs. Lois Zoldi In Memory of Jennifer Gallagher Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Kranyak Atty. and Mrs. Edward P. McNelis MMI Faculty and Staff In Memory of Carleen Garvin The Dei Tos Family In Honor of Benjamin Gombeda ’26 Mr. Andrew Gombeda Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Kistler In Memory of Anne D. Goranitis Mr. Emil Daniels

In Memory of Douglas Howard Mr. Nicholas Dei Tos ’71 and Mrs. Patricia Dei Tos In Honor of Allison Hudak ’01 Mrs. Mary Beth Hudak In Honor of Emily Hunsinger ’24 Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Anderson In Honor of Michael Kranyak ’25 Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Higgins In Honor of Morgan Long ’19 Mr. and Mrs. David A. Long In Honor of Noah Long ’21 Mr. and Mrs. David A. Long In Memory of Rocco and Katherine Lutz Dr. Robert J. Lutz ’63 In Honor of Kade Lutz ’24 Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Lutz In Honor of Kenedy Lutz ’27 Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Lutz In Memory of Dorothy Malast Ms. Katherine T. Lewandowski ’21 In Honor of Jack Malay ’18 Mr. and Mrs. John Malay Sr. In Honor of Kate Malay ’23 Mr. and Mrs. John Malay Sr. In Memory of Jules Mason ’32 Roman-Mason Foundation

Memorials (continued) In Honor of Cassidy McDermott ’26 Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Kistler

In Honor of Robert and Julie Parmegiani Mr. Tim McNulty and Mrs. Kim McNulty

In Memory of Joseph Seaman Atty. Joseph J. Seaman ’68

In Honor of Ty McDermott ’23 Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Kistler

In Honor of Andrew Pedri ’28 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Newman Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pedri

In Honor of Simona Sickler ’27 Mr. and Mrs. Fran Sickler

In Memory of Dan and Joan McNulty Mr. Tim McNulty and Mrs. Kim McNulty In Honor of Kevin McNulty ’21 Mr. Tim McNulty and Mrs. Kim McNulty Mr. and Mrs. Robert Parmegiani In Honor of Kim McNulty Mr. and Mrs. Robert Parmegiani

In Honor of Evan Pedri ’25 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Newman Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pedri In Memory of April Petrick Mr. John R. Petrick In Honor of Bryce Radzwich ’26 Mr. and Mrs. Craig Radzwich

In Memory of Steve Mischissin ’48 Mr. Joseph Mucha ’50 and Mrs. Nancy Mucha Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Schaeffer

In Honor of Derek Radzwich ’28 Mr. and Mrs. Craig Radzwich

In Honor of All MMI Alumni Mr. and Mrs. Michael P. Mele

In Honor of Jason Roberts ’25 Ms. Kathy Roberts

In Honor of The MMI Faculty (Past and Present) Mr. and Mrs. Justin P. Vincent

In Memory of William “Rover” Schaub ’48 Mr. Robert Koslap ’65 and Mrs. Carol Koslap Mr. William M. Loftus ’62 Mr. Harry Carl Schaub J.D. ’46 and Mrs. Kathryn Deans Schaub

In Memory of Thomas Murmello ’63 Mr. Robert Koslap ’65 and Mrs. Carol Koslap In Honor of Kendall Orozco ’25 Ms. Debby Eyerly In Honor of Katelyn Overa ’22 Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Overa

In Honor of Christian Schultz ’26 Ms. Dawn Kancir In Memory of David Schutter ’57 Mr. Daniel Schutter ’57 and Mrs. Linda Ann Schutter

In Honor of Althea Stewart ’22 Mr. Charles Bowman In Memory of Craig Wallen Mr. Karl Wallen ’87 In Honor of Grace Warner ’22 Mr. Robert Moisey and Mrs. Janice Gans Moisey Mrs. Lois Zoldi In Honor of Ethan Warner ’19 Mrs. Lois Zoldi In Memory of Danny Pardee Williams Mr. Brian McDonald ’60 In Honor of Alexandra Young ’21 Mr. and Mrs. Richard Young In Honor of Madelyn Young ’26 Mr. and Mrs. Richard Young In Honor of Nicholas Young ’17 Mr. and Mrs. Richard Young In Honor of Zachary Young ’19 Mr. and Mrs. Richard Young

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The MMI Baseball Team after their 11-9 home win in the first round of the PIAA Class 1A State Championships against Jenkintown.

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