MMI holds 121st commencement MMI conducted its 121st Commencement Exercises on May 23, as seniors were awarded diplomas by Brian G. Lucas ’84, chairman of MMI’s Board of Directors. The commencement address was delivered by Michael Watahovich ’61, who has dedicated his career to physical activity and education. He worked as a health and physical education instructor for the Hazleton Area School District for 31 years, teaching students from kindergarten to grade 12. He worked with the Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18 as a GED instructor, Job
Club supervisor and testing specialist, providing GED and psychological testing and driver training instruction to Pennsylvania CareerLink clients. Today, he is the fitness director at First Quality Nonwovens and performs clinical hypnosis and neurolinguistic programming (NLP) at Degenhart Chiropractic. Watahovich competed in a number of state, regional, national and international powerlifting contests, earning first place in many of those contests. He was inducted into MMI’s Wall of Fame for Athletic Achievement in 2010 and inducted into the Hazleton Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. Watahovich spoke to Michael Watahovich ’61 (standing before two banners honoring him as a 1,000students about what he point scorer and Wall of Fame recipient) described as “the Momentum delivers the Founder’s Day address during Factor,” saying, “While it commencement. may take 10 units of energy to get you moving in a particular direction, it takes only one unit of energy to keep you moving once you’re in motion. You have the principle of momentum working in your favor. … How do you use the Momentum Factor in your life? Well, it’s simple. You decide upon one key quality that you need to develop in order to accomplish one key goal that you want to accomplish. Then every single day, you work simultaneously on developing that quality and on taking steps toward the accomplishment of that goal. Once you put the ball into play, you keep the game going, every single day, without stopping.” He said, “When you set clear goals or objectives for yourself, when you dream big dreams and then determine to become the kind of person who’s capable of achieving the kind of goals that you want to achieve, you convince yourself, at a deep, subconscious level, that you’re absolutely unstoppable. You realize at last that nothing in the world can hold you back except your own thinking, and you don’t even let your own thinking limit your potential. See COMMENCEMENT, page 5
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From the Head of School “MMI is a unique and precious community, providing a safe, supportive, yet challenging academic environment for young people to grow and excel. MMI is in many ways more than a place; it is a culture where every student feels respected, valued, challenged, and supported. Recognizing the unique talents and difficulties of each individual, your school appropriately equips and challenges the social, emotional, and intellectual growth of your students.” These are the observations of the accreditation team lead who visited our campus last fall. As an independent school, MMI seeks accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Colleges and Secondary schools every seven years. During the past two years, we have been preparing as a school community for our accreditation visit. During that time, we spent considerable time reflecting on who we are, who we want to be, and how to be the best school possible for our students, their families and our faculty and staff. The statement above means what we are is there for all to see. During their visit, the team heard from teachers: “If every school were like MMI, American education wouldn’t be in the mess it’s in.” And from parents: “This school has changed for the better. The experience my current child has is richer and less stressful than my older child had. He wasn’t expected to sink or swim.” But most importantly, they heard from students, with comments such as: “Everyone is friendly at this school”; “The teachers really help us. They stay after school until we understand it”; “I love this school!”; “We’re like one big family”; “You can get a better education because everyone’s nice here”; “This school is amazing…it’s helped me and everyone so much”; “It’s a lot harder that public school was, but I realize I can do it”; “There’s mutual respect between students and teachers and there’s no babying”; “We’re encouraged to try. It’s hard, but it’s easy to get extra help”; “Teachers make us their first priority”; and “I learned I’m capable of more than I expected.” More important than any external accreditation, we are accountable to our students and our families. If we don’t provide a high-quality educational experience, our families will look for other options. We are accountable to those who have graduated as well as those who will attend in the future. They hold our traditions and our future. The observations of the Middle States team and the comments from within our MMI community validate that we continue to fulfill Eckley and Sophia Coxe’s charter “To provide dedicated area students with a comprehensive and inspiring 6th-12th grade college preparatory program that maximizes each individual’s academic, social, and character potential in preparation for success in college and beyond.” I couldn’t be prouder of the entire MMI community. Have a great summer. We can’t wait to start school in the fall.
All the best,
Thomas G. Hood Head of School
MMI Today is the official newsletter of MMI Preparatory School 154 Centre Street Freeland, PA 18224
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Thomas G. Hood – Head of School
William A. Shergalis, Ph.D. ’58 – President Emeritus
(570) 636-1108 (570) 636-0742 (fax) mmi@mmiprep.org (email) www.mmiprep.org (Internet) Joseph G. Rudawski – President Emeritus
Alumnus earns Fulbright scholarship Jan Wessel ’09 has been awarded a Fulbright research scholarship to study at Corvinus University in Budapest, Hungary, for the 2013-2014 academic year. The Fulbright program is the U.S. government’s premier scholarship program for overseas graduate study, research, and teaching. A member of the University of Scranton’s Honors Program and the Business Leadership Honors Program, Wessel earned his bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, in international business with minors in Spanish and finance this year. At commencement, he received the Excellence in International Business Award. The Fulbright awards were announced recently by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. The award recipients were drawn from a pool of more than 9,000 applicants nationally. Wessel’s Fulbright scholarship to Corvinus University will allow him to focus on how the recent global recession has affected foreign direct investment in Hungary’s manufacturing sector. His interest in the manufacturing sector springs from a childhood love of farming machinery and the hobby it spawned: rebuilding antique tractors and cars. In Hungary, Wessel will conduct his research under the mentorship of Dr. Péter Ákos Bod. Bod was Wessel’s economics professor when he spent a semester abroad at Corvinus University in 2011. “It is truly an exciting time, and I cannot wait to return to Hungary on my Fulbright. After studying abroad, I was looking for opportunities to return to the country. Through this Fulbright I have that opportunity. It should serve as a good springboard for future degrees and my career,” Wessel said. His Fulbright scholarship builds upon his honors thesis and allows for in-depth research in Hungary. Not only will he have access to unpublished data, but also to numerous experts on the Hungarian transition, many of whom occupied prominent positions in government. Bod will serve as a significant source of information as he was Minister of Trade and Industry during the very first democratically elected government, the Jószef Antall administration. He was the first to initiate the privatization programs that set Hungary as a transition economy. After one year in that office, Bod was made governor of the Hungarian Central Bank. He now serves as professor and director at the Institute of Economics as well as an economic adviser to the Prime Minister of Hungary. Bod said, “I am happy to learn that Jan has embarked on such a challenging enterprise. His proposal focusing on the role of foreign direct investment with emphasis on the manufacturing sector in Hungary’s economy is directly in line with my own fields of research and my previous experience.” Wessel said, “My keen interest in Hungary is a development of my semester abroad in Budapest. Hungary’s progression in transitioning from a planned economic system under
communism to an open market capitalistic system under democracy fascinates me. This interest emerged from the intriguing transition-focused economics and political science courses that I took while in Budapest.” Wessel already has considerable experience studying the Hungarian economy, as he was awarded a President’s Fellowship for Summer Research by the University of Scranton in 2012 to study China’s automobile industry and later compared the role of foreign direct investment in the development of Hungary’s auto industry to that of China for his honors thesis. He is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma (the AACSB – Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business – honor society), Omicron Delta Epsilon (national honor society of economics) and Alpha Lambda Delta (the national freshmen honor society). He was named to the dean’s list each semester at Scranton. He served as president of the university’s international business club and was also a member of the fencing club. He was valedictorian of his graduating class at MMI and is the son of Dierk and Andrea Wessel, Drums. In his Fulbright proposal, Wessel wrote, “I was fortunate enough to have had a non-traditional education, both at the Montessori school I attended and then at MMI, which emphasized a broad-based education. Every year at MMI, each student was required to showcase a semester-long project before the general public during open house. Some of my presentations drew on stories about international travel shared by my family. One such story concerned my grandmother’s experience traveling deep into Siberia with an aid group that brought supplies to an orphanage operated under the USSR. Her experience included a run-in with the KGB when she was stranded at a small Siberian airport. I enjoyed countless other stories about my grandparents’ farmstead, which fed my fascination with old machinery. This interest evolved into an engrossing hobby of rebuilding antique tractors and cars. I love studying machines, be it a simple, archaic 1930 Farmall tractor or a delicate and spirited 1964 Triumph convertible. When working on these machines, I would imagine them in their own eras. Thus, the experience was much like a living history for me.” Upon completing his Fulbright, Wessel will enroll in a dual-degree master’s of business administration and master’s of science in engineering (MBA/MSE) program. After graduate school, he intends to work with a manufacturing-based multinational enterprise that will allow him to employ his academic and research experience while building his practical experience in international business and management. Eventually, he would like to pursue a doctoral degree in international business as an expansion of his intellectual pursuits and interests. In addition to his academic work, Wessel plans to join a fencing club and to volunteer at local museums such as the Budapest Museum of Transportation Technology and the Hungarian National Museum, allowing him to expand upon his interests in old machines and their relationship to culture. “I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to study in Budapest previously. In observing the people, feeling its rich history, and smelling the aromas of the Grand Market hall, I became enthralled by the city. I felt at home and made friends quickly. I would like to explore further the many folk festivals, shows, museums, and operas that captivated me during my brief stay in 2011,” he said.
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The Class of 2013 Ashley Elizabeth Acri, daughter of Louis and Loretta Acri, Hazleton. DeSales University – Physician’s Assistant Program. Anthony James Alfieri, son of Paula Alfieri, Hazleton, and Anthony Alfieri, Lakeville. King’s College –Accounting and Finance. Ashmeen Bains, daughter of Ravinder and Vikram Bains, Sugarloaf. Saint Joseph’s University – Business Management and English. Alexandra Baran, daughter of Richard and Maxine Baran, Sugarloaf. Corcoran College of Art and Design – Photojournalism/Photography. Noah Charles Beltrami, son of Elizabeth Beltrami, Hazleton, and the late Joseph Beltrami. The University of Scranton – Biology. Cassie Marie Caldwell, daughter of David and Maria Caldwell, Mountaintop. Marywood University – Speech Language Pathology.
Megan Elizabeth Klein, daughter of Edward and Susan Klein, Drums. The University of Pittsburgh – Marketing and English with a minor in Film Studies. Aaron Jacob Kollar, son of Janice Kollar, Freeland, and Ronald Kollar, Drifton. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania – Sport Management. Cindi Elaine Landmesser, daughter of Philip Landmesser and Teresa Zierden-Landmesser, Sugarloaf. Drexel University – Animation and Visual Effects. Gabriella Rose Lobitz, daughter of Mark and Stephanie Lobitz, Hazleton. Temple University – Biochemistry and a minor in Business. Jeffrey Michael Lotz II, son of Jeffrey and Nancy Lotz, Sugarloaf. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania – Geology.
Timothy Sean Connors, son of Regina Connors, Hazle Township. DeSales University – Biology/Sports & Exercise Science.
Dominic Vincent Maduro, son of Joseph and PollyAnn Maduro, Freeland. Pennsylvania College of Technology – Automated Manufacturing Technology.
Maurina Rose DiSabella, daughter of Joseph and Deborah DiSabella, Sugarloaf. Juniata College – Philosophy, Politics & Economics with minor in Spanish.
Casey Patrick McCoy, son of Daniel and Danielle McCoy, White Haven. Villanova University – Chemical Engineering.
John Michael Driscoll III, son of John and Susan Driscoll, Hazle Township. Embry Riddle University – Mechanical Engineering. Sean Patrick Ducaji-Reap, son of Marion and Frank Babula, Mountaintop, and Martin Reap, Laughlin. Drexel University – Mechanical Engineering & Mathematics. Brianna Dzurishin, daughter of Joseph and Sherri Dzurishin, Hazleton. Elizabethtown College – Computer Science. Katlyn Fowler Frey, daughter of Jaclyn Fowler, Drifton, and Eric Frey, Lancaster. Colorado College – Neuroscience and Chinese. Laurel Jacketti Funk, daughter of Wayne Funk and Maria Jacketti-Funk, Hazleton. The Pennsylvania State University – Psychology/Pre-Medicine. Sandrine Agbayani Gibbons, daughter of Russell and Edna Gibbons, Mountaintop. New York University – Music Business and International Business. Trebor Ryan Hall, son of Toni Foselli, Mountaintop, and Mark Hall, Texas. Cornell University – Entomology, Evolutionary Biology and Ecology. Alexis Nicole Haupt, daughter of David and Mary Ann Haupt, Hazle Township. Lehigh University – Bioengineering and Chinese. Lindsey Joseph, daughter of Timothy and Georgiann Joseph, Drums. Philadelphia University – Fashion Merchandising.
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Kayla Marie Karchner, daughter of Charles and Cheryl Karchner, West Hazleton. The Pennsylvania State University – Kinesiology and Psychology.
Brianna Marie Nocchi, daughter of Kathleen Nocchi, Freeland. Nova Southeastern University – Marine Biology. Rebecca Nicole Noga, daughter of Michael and Valerie Noga, Hazleton. Brown University – Biomedical Engineering. Nicholas William O’Clair, son of Timothy and Candice O’Clair, Drums. Duquesne University – Biological Sciences. Casey Andrew Olszewski, son of Nicole Borland, Weatherly, and Paul Olszewski, Weatherly. Ithaca College – Undecided. Chiarra Lynne Overpeck, daughter of Christina Geist and Richard Gortva, Hazleton. U.S. Army. Anjni Praful Patel, daughter of Praful and Bhavanaben Patel, Beaver Meadows. Saint Joseph’s University – Biology and Chemistry/Pre-Medicine. David James Polashenski, son of Edward and Jessica Polashenski, Drums. Dartmouth College – Environmental Studies. Farrah Firdous Syeda Qadri, daughter of Syed and Saffiyah Qadri, Drums. University of Scranton – Biology and Women’s Studies. Beau Adelberto Samonte, son of Enrique and Alexies Samonte, Mountaintop. University of Scranton – Psychology/ Pre-Medicine. Derya Sari, daughter of Izzet and Mumine Sari, Sugarloaf. Bucknell University – Neuroscience/Pre-Medicine.
Additional graduates, page 5
43 earn diplomas from MMI (continued from page 1) If you learn to be powerful and develop self-confidence by working progressively, every day, toward becoming the kind of person you want to be, and toward living the kind of life you want to live, you’ll unlock the giant within you, and it will never go back inside.” In closing, Watahovich said, “What I’ve presented to you tonight is a way of regaining your wings – to realize you’ve always had them and can use them to soar as high as you want. Picture the dream life you want to live, find the best way to take that first step, and then the second, and then the third, and learn to stay on course. Before long – perhaps a lot sooner than you expect – you’ll be in full flight.” During commencement exercises, valedictorian David Polashenski told his fellow graduates, “I know that the life lessons learned this year coupled with excellent education we have received from so many dedicated, passionate teachers will contribute to the success of each and every one of us.” Salutatorian Gregory Yannes also addressed his classmates, discussing music and its ability to motivate and encourage. “Ultimately, the unifying characteristic of these anthems is their often cliché but always endearing message. It is one of motivation. It is one of willpower. It is one of perseverance. Whatever the task – scaling a mountain or crawling out of bed on Monday morning – the words encourage us to pursue a purpose without flagging. When we hear these musical pep talks, we instinctively wed their support to our goals,” he said.
Valedictorian David Polashenski (above) and Salutatorian Gregory Yannes (below) address their classmates during commencement.
This year’s graduating class of 43 seniors amassed more than $7.9 million in merit scholarships and awards. The 2013 graduating class also attained an average SAT score of 1783, several hundred points above state and national averages. The Class of 2013’s average ACT score is 27, while the national average is 21. Alexandra Baran receives her diploma from her grandfather, honorary board member Roman Baran ’60. Alexandra, the daughter of Richard ’87 and Maxine Baran, is a third-generation MMI graduate.
The Class of 2013 Michael Scott Sarno, son of Susan and Larry Pecora, Drums. West Chester University of Pennsylvania– Criminal Justice.
Marianne Louise Virnelson, daughter of Kathleen Virnelson, Fern Glen. Randolph College – Theatre and English.
Lora Mae Schell, daughter of Crystal Schell, Freeland, and the late David Schell. Susquehanna University – Biochemisty/ Pre-Medicine.
Gregory Nicholas Yannes, son of Robert and Christine Yannes, White Haven. Lehigh University – Science/Technical Writing and German.
Justin Kihyun Sheen, son of Kwangsup and Chaeyun Sheen, Mountaintop. University of Pennsylvania – Biochemistry/Pre-Medicine.
Kirsten Lee Young, daughter of Bradley and Wendy Young, Drums. Bucknell University – Biology/Pre-Engineering, International Studies and Education.
Devon Marie Sherwood, daughter of John and Mary Ann Sherwood, Lehighton. University of California: San Diego – Dual Degree in Math and Economics.
Matthew David Yurish, son of Thomas and JuleAnn Yurish, Freeland. Lehigh University – IDEAS Program: Chemical Engineering and Computer Science.
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Assistant head of school announced Head of School Thomas G. Hood announced that Charles “Chip” Seidel has been named assistant head of school at MMI. Seidel joined MMI in early July.
and coach. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Davidson College and a Master of Education degree from the University of Georgia.
“After conducting national searches and holding interviews, our selection committee decided that Chip would be an excellent addition to the MMI administration,” Hood said.
“This position affords me a wonderful opportunity to apply my teaching and administrative experiences to help MMI provide the best possible 21st-century education,” Seidel said.
Seidel said, “I was looking for a place that values the development of each individual, and that places a premium on a challenging curriculum, a supportive environment, and a wellrounded experience, and I found that in MMI. MMI has talented students and a highly dedicated faculty who care deeply about their students. I was also impressed with the school’s compelling history and how MMI continues to have a sincere commitment to helping all of its students experience success and reach their potential.”
In his role as assistant head of school, Seidel will oversee the day-to-day lives of students at MMI, focusing on developing educational programming, curriculum, and extracurricular activities as well as supporting the faculty in their professional development.
Seidel comes to MMI as a veteran educator. He has spent the past four years as the director of middle school at The Steward School in Richmond, Va. There, he managed a middle school division of 160 students in grades six through eight, implementing curriculum initiatives, supervising and evaluating teachers, developing student schedules, and building relationships with students,
“I am firmly committed to providing a balanced experience, including an emphasis on community service and character education, as well as an emphasis on rigorous academics and rich co-curricular activities,” he said. Seidel
parents, and teachers. He worked to apply current learning methods, expand clubs and service learning, and integrate modern technology such as student laptop and tablet computers. Seidel also has 15 years of experience as a middle and high school history teacher and has served as a department chair, team leader, adviser,
Seidel and his wife, Karen, have two children, Charlie and Caroline. Hood said, “I was impressed with Chip from the first time I met with him. I feel he will do an excellent job at meeting the needs of our school and students. His independent school background will help us refine our educational programming.”
New athletic director joins MMI faculty Jason Tribbet has been hired as the athletic director and physical education teacher at MMI, announced Head of School Thomas G. Hood. Tribbet earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education with a concentration in sport management from East Tribbet Stroudsburg University. He also holds a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Marywood University and is certified to teach health and physical education.
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“From the moment I first visited, I could tell MMI is a great school with
a wonderful community of supporters. I was impressed that the students all go on to college, which demonstrates their drive to succeed and the excellent educational background they develop at MMI,” he said. Previously, he worked as vice president of corporate partnerships, director of corporate sales, and corporate sales executive with the Scranton/WilkesBarre Yankees and Red Barons. In those roles, he managed and supervised the corporate sales staff of the Philadelphia Phillies’ and New York Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate. He managed the day-to-day operations of the department and, as a senior management employee, helped make decisions that affected the entire organization. Tribbet served as the baseball coach at Pittston Area High School and as an assistant baseball coach at East Stroudsburg University.
He will oversee 16 athletic teams at MMI’s mid school and prep school and will also teach physical education classes. “I truly love sports and I love working with children. I’m looking forward to getting to know the MMI students and community. I feel my sports background, coaching experience, and education will combine to serve me well in my new position at MMI, enabling me to see a situation from a variety of viewpoints,” he said. Tribbet’s vision is for MMI’s athletic program to challenge students and help them grow and enjoy the spirit of competition. Hood said, “Jason brings a great combination of business expertise and athletic and training experience to this position. I am confident he’ll do a great job with our athletic program and making sure our educational goals meet the needs of our student athletes.”
MMI presents awards during convocation MMI recently held its Awards Convocation with many students in ninth through 12th grades receiving awards. MMI subject awards were presented to students in the following categories: Ninth grade: Science, Music and History, Sarah Moyer; Art, Jessica Pileggi; Math and Spanish, Jay Solgama; English, Lindsay Walko; German, Brendan Drusda; and Chinese, Joseph Marushin. MMI Head of School Thomas Hood presents the ninth-grade subject awards to, from left: Jay 10th grade: Science, Yusuf Qadri; Art, Solgama, Sarah Moyer, Jessica Pileggi, Lindsay Walko, Brendan Drusda, and Joseph Marushin. Joseph Synoski; Math, Alexzandriea van Hoekelen; English, Spanish and Music, and Laurel Jacketti-Funk; American Legion Good Citizenship Claire Sheen; History, Collin Frey; German, Eric Kabitzke; and Award, Nicholas O’Clair; Rotary International District 7410 Chinese, Emily Seratch. Essay Contest winner, Alec Andes; Nuremberg Community Players scholarship, Marianne Virnelson; Edgar L. Dessen 11th grade: Science, Math and Spanish, Jeffrey Careyva; Community Service Award, Hayle Shearer; George Eastman Art, Cindi Landmesser; English, Joseph Yamulla; History and Kodak Young Leaders Award and Scholarship, Alexis Williams; German, Roger Knittle; and Chinese, Mariah Serra. Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, Roger Knittle; The Eckley B. Coxe Jr. Memorial Subject Awards: Art, Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award in Humanities Alexandra Baran; German and Math, Gregory Yannes; Spanish, and Social Sciences, Paige Darrow; Xerox Award for Innovation Sandrine Gibbons; Science, Rebecca Noga; Chinese and English, and Information Technology, Kaitlyn Sitch; Rensselaer Medal Katlyn Frey; and History, David Polashenski. Award, Jeffrey Careyva; Bryn Mawr Book Award, Mariah Serra; Student Sage Other award Award, Alexander presentations Haber and Maria included: National Carrato; University Merit Scholarship of Pennsylvania finalist, Gregory Book Award, Yannes; Air Force Stephanie Pudish; Reserve Officers’ Wells College 21st Training Corps Century Leadership scholarship, John Award, RJ Kupsho; Driscoll; U.S. Wellesley College Army scholarship, Club Book Award, Chiarra Overpeck; Kristen Purcell; 2013 Woodmen MMI Head of School Thomas Hood presents the 10th-grade subject awards to, from left: Yusuf Qadri, Joseph Synoski, Emily Seratch, Alexzandriea van Hoekelen, Claire Sheen, Collin Frey, Prudential Spirit of of the World and Eric Kabitzke. Community Award, American History Andrew Alday; and Award, David Jake Kislan ’56 Polonaise Society Award, Matthew Yurish. Polashenski; Student Mathematics Club of Marywood University math competition, top score at MMI for Level 1, The Spanish Honor Society Award was presented to Claire Sheen; John Steiner Gold Math Exam Award, Trebor Hall; Sandrine Gibbons, the senior with the highest average during American Mathematics Competition first-place award, Chiara Spanish studies at MMI. DeMelfi, Matthew Yurish and Yusuf Qadri; Drexel University The American Association of Teachers of German Award Photography Contest award, Hannah Lesitsky and Alexandra was presented to Gregory Yannes, the senior with the highest Baran; WVIA Artist of the Week, Alexandra Baran, who was average while taking four years of German at MMI. also named one of WVIA Artists of the Year, and Marianne Virnelson; Biology Olympics winners, David Polashenski, Brianna Nocchi, Trebor Hall, Casey McCoy and Anjni Patel; American Chemical Society High School Chemistry competition, Jeffrey Careyva and Tristan Gibbons; and Science Olympiad, Jeffrey Careyva, Trebor Hall, Sean Ducaji-Reap and Paige Darrow.
Academic and community service awards were presented as follows: American Red Cross Red Cord Honors Program, Chiarra Overpeck, Derya Sari, Cindi Landmesser, David Polashenski, Matthew Yurish, Rebecca Noga, Marianne Virnelson, Brianna Nocchi, Megan Klein, Katlyn Frey
MMI Head of School Thomas Hood presents the 11th-grade subject awards to, from left: Joseph Yamulla, Jeffrey Careyva, Cindi Landmesser, Mariah Serra, and Roger Knittle.
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MMI earns awards at FBLA nationals Two recent MMI Preparatory School graduates placed in the top 10 of their respective categories during competition against thousands of other students at the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, Calif. Megan Klein won eighth place in the nation in the category of Health Care Administration and Devon Sherwood won eighth place in the nation in the category of Hospitality Management. In Anaheim, 8,400 students gathered from all over the country to compete for national accolades. Among those competitors were 380 students from Pennsylvania, including five representatives from MMI. Klein, Sherwood, Gabriella Lobitz, Sara Lucas, and Devan McCarrie received high scores at the Pennsylvania FBLA State Leadership Conference in Hershey in April and earned the right to compete at the national event. At the national competition, MMI received a special award of recognition at the Eastern Regional Meeting at the National Leadership Conference and received first place for the Local Market Share Award. MMI received this award for having the largest percentage of high school students in FBLA in the Eastern Region of the United States, which includes Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Doddseur (Europe), New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the Virgin Islands.
A dinner was held on June 28 at JT Schmid’s in Anaheim, Calif., to celebrate the FBLA’s trip to nationals. From left: Director of Advancement Kim McNulty, Attorney Michael DeRose ’99, Devan McCarrie, Sara Lucas, Gabriella Lobitz, Megan Klein, Devon Sherwood, adviser Christine Lizbinski, and adviser Kate Lengel.
The group was accompanied by MMI FBLA advisers Kate Lengel and Christine Lizbinski. Lengel said, “We are so proud of our students and all their hard work. Not only do they stand out among the best of the best in FBLA, they presented themselves professionally throughout the entire conference and they did an excellent job representing MMI.”
MMI students host visitors from Mexico
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MMI students hosted students from Mexico again this year in a program that helped broaden their educational and cultural knowledge. Six middle-school students from Francis Bacon School in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, stayed with families of MMI students and attended classes with their peers. They were accompanied on their trip by English teacher Angeles Guerrero Tobias. While visiting with MMI families, the students had the opportunity to experience life in the United States to the fullest, including traveling to different cities and sampling food from various restaurants. In return, they taught their hosts about Spanish culture. The Mexican students spoke English during most of their trip, except during Spanish class, when they conversed with MMI students in Spanish. “The experience was beneficial for the American and Mexican students alike. They all got to practice language skills while learning more about another culture and developing cross-cultural friendships,” said Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Aprilaurie Whitley, who coordinated the program at MMI. “This is the third year MMI has done the exchange program, and it has become
MMI students hosted exchange students from Mexico again this year. Mexican students are, front row, from left: Paulina Barba Mendoza, Natalia Martinez Torres, Alyn Aguirre Estrada, Ernesto De la Mora Martinez, Francisco Lara Bernal, and Gala Perez Lugo. MMI hosts at back are Madeline Dryfoos, Evan Dryfoos, Llewellyn Dryfoos IV, Angelica Alday, Julia Snyder, Adam Cortese, Quentin Novinger, and Medina Saeed.
highly anticipated each year.” MMI students and the exchange students took a bus trip to New York City and spent a Saturday there. The Mexican students and MMI mid-schoolers also attended a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders baseball game. Host families also took the students to places such as Philadelphia and Hersheypark. Ernesto De la Mora Martinez said about his trip to New York, “It was a very good experience, because I dreamt of being there. We visited the Empire State
Building and Times Square.” Francisco Lara Bernal said, “My host Quentin showed me how to play lacrosse, and I watched his games. I also saw the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia and visited New York.” Maura Dryfoos, whose three children spent time with Paulina Barba Mendoza, said, “The student exchange program was a fun experience for all of us. We hated to see Paulina leave so soon. We are enthusiastically looking forward to hosting a student next year.”
Team places second in state Envirothon MMI’s team from placed second in the Pennsylvania state Envirothon, competing against students from high schools throughout the state’s 66 counties. Team members were Brianna Nocchi, Rebecca Noga, Anjni Patel, David Polashenski, and Farrah Qadri. The team was coached by MMI biology instructor Michael Mele. The team also placed first in the aquatics component, fourth in the oral component, and first in the current issue of rangeland management. The group received medals and certificates and each student received a $500 scholarship to his or her chosen college. The two-day Pennsylvania Envirothon was held May 21 and 22 at Juniata College, Huntingdon County. Students participated in the oral presentation segment, followed by a testing day. They learned about soils, wildlife, aquatic ecology, forestry and this year’s current issue: grazing livestock for improved herd health and land management. Students looked at the short- and long-term impacts on the
A team from MMI placed second in the Pennsylvania state Envirothon. From left: adviser Michael Mele and team members David Polashenski, Brianna Nocchi, Anjni Patel, Farrah Qadri, and Rebecca Noga.
natural environment and how each may influence or directly impact their future.
competition, going on to compete at the international level.
Every year, about 15,000 Pennsylvania high school students compete in county-level competitions for the chance to go to the state Envirothon. MMI’s team won the Luzerne County Envirothon for four years in a row and placed first at last year’s state-level
Mele said, “I am incredibly proud of our team and I will be working hard not only to build a new winning team, but one that also can exhibit the characteristic traits of humility, compassion and camaraderie that this year’s team has shown.”
Students take part in cleanups
Hood speaks at tribute on Memorial Day
The Class of 2016 removed litter from sections of Route 940 on April 26 as a service project. From left: Tyler Barilla, Nash Wenner, Devon Faul, TJ Jankouskas, Brendan Drusda, Jay Solgama, Brian Driscoll, Jonathan Stish, Joey Delese, Ed Herbener, and Andrew Haber. The entire prep school community pitched in to help the local community on May 8 as MMI students helped clean up the Freeland Park, Rails to Trails, the Butler Township Community Garden, and MMI’s walking trail. Sophomore Lexie van Hoekelen, at right, worked at the Rails to Trails site.
MMI Head of School Thomas G. Hood was the guest speaker at the annual Memorial Day tribute hosted by the Veterans Committee of the Hazleton Elks Lodge #200. State Rep. Tarah Toohil also spoke at the event.
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Thank you, MMI faculty of 2012-13 Members of the MMI faculty pose for their photograph before commencement. Front row, from left: Stephanie Shandra, Susan Moyer, Laura Petro, MaryLee Hood, Christine Lizbinski, and Donna Titus. Second row: Madison Simmermon, Lisa Ferry, Patricia Medvecky, Grete DeAngelo ’92, Kathryn Green, Christina Spencer, and Katherine Lengel. Third row: Gerard Pierotti, Justin Vincent, Matt Kenenitz, Stella Boosalis, the Rev. Lawrence Barriger, and Dennis Clarke. Back row: Daniel DeMelfi, Anthony Cusat, Head of School Thomas G. Hood, Dr. Gregg Bluth, Michael Mele, and Bruce Young.
Thank you, Board of Directors! Members of the MMI Board of Directors include, front row, from left: Barbara E. Ecker and Chairman Brian G. Lucas ’84. Second row: William M. Loftus ’62 and Llewellyn F. Dryfoos III ’82. Third row: Head of School Thomas G. Hood, Stanley B. Warner III ’92, Nicholas L. Dei Tos ’71, and John L. Hersker ’76. At back is Edward A. Kushma ’62.
Class of 2013 celebrates their achievements
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Students inducted into honor societies MMI students were inducted into the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, and National Latin Honor Society during ceremonies held at the school. During the induction for the Andrew J. Stofan Chapter of the National Honor Society, Head Eighth-grade students were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. of School Thomas G. Hood welcomed guests. McGeehan, Dillon Merenich, Olivia students into the honor societies. Faculty Biology instructor Michael Mele was Minzola, Joshua Narrow, Quentin member Dennis Clarke addressed the the keynote speaker for the induction Novinger, Keenan Overa, Kisan Patel, students. Luke Yamulla, a freshman at ceremony. He was introduced by adviser MMI, provided piano accompaniment for Erin Sari, Samuel Sessock, Dylan Slusser, and faculty member Donna Titus. Ryan Touey, and Nicholas Young. the processional and recessional. Adviser Kate Lengel provided closing National Latin Honor Society National Junior Honor Society remarks. inductees are Ali Aijaz, Niklas Byriel, inductees are Ali Aijaz, Evie Allport, Chapter officers gave presentations on Sereina Brenhofer, Niklas Byriel, Dana Dana Carrato, Gabriella DeMelfi, Garrett the criteria of the National Honor Society Carrato, Anirban Chowdury, Kevin Kost, Joey Kress, Megan Marchetti, for its membership. Historian Joseph Olivia Minzola, Joshua Narrow, Quentin Cibak, Gabriella DeMelfi, Evan Dryfoos, Yamulla presented the history, Secretary Novinger, Keenan Overa, Kisan Patel, Katie Eschenbach, Ryan Eschenbach, Anjni Patel spoke about character, Vice Samuel Sessock, Ryan Touey, and Sukanya Kansara, Garrett Kost, Joey President Sean Ducaji-Reap spoke about Nicholas Young. Kress, Megan Marchetti, Allison service and Treasurer Alexander Drusda spoke about scholarship. President Farrah Qadri gave a speech on leadership. MMI’s new NHS inductees are: Seniors: Noah Beltrami, Casey Olszewski, and Chiarra Overpeck. Junior: Hayle Shearer. Sophomores: Gabriellia Becker, Emily Bogansky, Jared Dasher, Chiara DeMelfi, Kelsy Donaldson, Llewellyn Dryfoos IV, Keegan Farrell, Collin Finkel, Annika Fisk, Hayden Francis, Collin Frey, James Gabrielle, Tristan Gibbons, Soprina Guarneri, Sam Harman, Zachary Heckrote, Sherwood Jones, Eric Kabitzke, Haylee Kirschner, Madison Luchi, Eleanor Maduro, Katelyn McGuire, Emily Morrison, Autumn Onderko, Jesse Plaksa, Syed Yusuf Qadri, Cory Rogers, Medina Saeed, Emily Seratch, Claire Sheen, Christopher Snyder, Rachel Stanziola, Joseph Synoski, and Avery Williams.
MMI inducted 38 students into the Andrew J. Stofan Chapter of the National Honor Society.
During the induction ceremony for the eighth-grade students who were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society and the National Latin Honor Society, Hood provided opening remarks and greeted students, parents, family and friends before the formal candlelight ceremony. Faculty member and adviser the Very Rev. Lawrence Barriger presented the criteria for membership and inducted the
11 New members of the National Latin Honor Society were inducted in a ceremony at MMI.
Wister Quartet entertains MMI On March 11, the world-famous Wister Quartet, along with composer and guitarist Allen Krantz, visited MMI. The quartet writes music for MMI’s string classes, plays with the students at an in-school performance and again performs with the students at an evening concert that is open to the public. This year, for the first time, the Wister Quartet offered music seminars after school for any MMI student who was interested in spending time with the members of the quartet or Krantz. Pictured is Allen Krantz working with ninth-graders Charles Bower and Andreas Boosalis after school. The event was sponsored by Dr. James W. Feussner ’65.
’04 alumnus returns to Alumni reunite in Phila. talk law with students
Attorney Justin P. Richards ’04 returned to MMI and addressed the sophomore class as part of Law Day, a day when young lawyers return to area schools to talk about their careers. His speech was titled “Surprise... you’re a lawyer.” Richards is a graduate of Wilkes University and received his juris doctorate from Dickinson School of Law. He is employed at the firm of Gillespie, Miscavige, Ferdinand & Baranko in Hazleton.
Attorney Philip Yoon ’96 and Attorney Brody Stevens ’98 served as reunion hosts for the April 11 Philadelphia Mini-Reunion at The Mexican Post Restaurant. Guests included, from left: Attorney Philip Yoon ’96, Jordan Gorski ’11, Andrew Hoffman ’08, Head of School Thomas G. Hood, Lindsay Gorski ’07, Gabby Dei Tos ’08, Kristin Maranki ‘03, Beth Lesko ’93, Dr. Jennifer Maranki ’95, Albert Huang ’97, and Attorney Brody Stevens ’98.
Support MMI with a commemorative brick MMI offers an exciting opportunity to participate in a commemorative brick program on the school’s campus. Recognize someone special by purchasing a brick that will be placed on the Centre Street walkway entrance to the new Joseph A. Turri ’45 Library and Learning Center. Your brick can honor an MMI student, alumni, a classmate, a favorite faculty member, a beloved coach, or a member of your family, or you may create a special message to share. Your brick will be a lasting tribute and a symbol of support for the school for many generations to come! Bricks are available in two sizes: a 4” x 8” brick that costs $300 and may be inscribed with three lines of 15 characters per line or an 8” x 8” brick that costs $500 and may be inscribed with five lines of 15 characters per line. Bricks are sold on a first-come, firstserved basis. Please note that MMI reserves the right to review and approve all inscriptions before the brick is engraved.
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For more information or to purchase a brick, please contact Director of Advancement Kim McNulty at 570-636-1108 or kmcnulty@mmiprep.org.
Projects on display at Open House Each year, MMI students are challenged with preparing special research projects that are displayed at the annual Open House event. All MMI students, from sixth-graders to seniors, will display, explain and demonstrate their projects in classrooms and locations throughout the school during Open House on April 21. Visitors observed a variety of student projects, including many in the areas of literature, mathematics, science and social studies. In addition, food projects, prepared primarily by foreign language students, were featured. The food was served in an atmosphere authentic to the nation of the food’s origin and was available for sampling.
Above, John Driscoll, Sean Ducaji-Reap, and A.J. Alfieri display their project on Willy Wonka. Below, Rebecca Noga displays her project and model of MMI Preparatory School.
All projects were prepared by MMI students under the guidance of faculty advisers. Each project was evaluated during Open House by a panel of judges from the Hazleton campus of Penn State. Local restaurateurs evaluated food projects. Open House winners were honored at a special assembly, with Level 2 Awards being given to ninth- and 10th-grade students and Level 3 Awards to 11th- and 12th-grade students. Winners were: Cooking projects: first place, Anjni Patel, David Polashenski and Farrah Qadri, “The Dehli Shoppe”; second place, Maurina DiSabella, Derya Sari and Kirsten Young, “Route 66 Chicks”; and honorable mention, Katlyn Frey, Sandrine Gibbons and Beau Samonte, “The Filipino Filibusters.” Humanities: first place, Level 2, Jessica Pileggi, “Creative Writing”; second place, Level 2, Madison Luchi, “Symmetry”; first place, Level 3, Jeffrey Careyva and Sarah Jamack, “Phenomenology
and Existentialism”; and second place, Level 3, Alexandra Baran, “Dark Room Photography.” Science: first place, Level 2, Llewellyn Dryfoos, “RoboRoach”; second place, Level 2, Claire Sheen, “Gaming Theory”; first place, Level 3, Matthew Yurish, “Benzene”; second place, Level 3, Alexander Haber, “Effect of Sulforaphone on Bacterial Growth”; and honorable mention, Level 3, Noah Beltrami, “Earth’s First Nuclear Energy.”
Mid school Open House winners were: Humanities: Angelica Alday, first place, “Tan Yau Hoong”; and Garrett Kost, second place, “Coal Mining the Anthracite Region in PA.” Science: Joshua Narrow, first place, “The Mathematics of Tesseracts”; Caitlyn Kline, second place, “The Abacus”; Joshua Kalada-Kania, honorable mention, “Oar Fish”; and Keenan Overa, honorable mention, “The Chaos Theory.”
Student earns high honors in talent search Anirban Chowdhury, who recently completed eighth grade at MMI, earned high honors in this year’s talent search conducted by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth.
Chowdhury
Chowdhury, the son of Bhaskar and Saumitri Chowdhury, Drums, achieved a score at the High Honors level in the math category. He took the Johns Hopkins 2013 Talent Search Exam for Grades 7 and 8 in January at MMI and achieved “exceptional” results, CTY officials said. He attended a CTY award ceremony at Bucknell
University in Lewisburg on May 4. During the ceremony, top CTY Talent Search students were honored in front of their families, teachers, school administrators and friends. Only about 25 percent of Talent Search participants qualify for this honor. CTY’s programs and services help nurture students’ intellectual abilities, enhance personal development and foster better understanding of the needs of talented youth. MMI received a certificate recognizing the school’s interest in serving academically talented students.
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Kislan golf tournament winners announced MMI held the annual Jake Kislan ’56 Memorial Golf Tournament on June 21 at the Valley Country Club. The tournament, which raises money for the school’s student-athletes and for a needbased scholarship in Kislan’s name, is held in memory of Jake Kislan, an MMI alumnus and athlete who passed away in December 2008. First-place winners in the first flight, for the second year in a row, were Jeff Lotz, Jeffrey Lotz ’13, Frank Cabell, and Steve Walser. Second place in the first flight went to the team of Frank Seratch, Dr. Chris Snyder, Jim Fisher, and Dave Merrick. First place in the second flight was awarded to the team of Head of School Thomas G. Hood, Paul Malone, Dave Eschenbach, and MMI Board of Directors member Tim Twardzik.
MMI held the fifth annual Jake Kislan ’56 Memorial Golf Tournament on June 21 at the Valley Country Club. From left: Head of School Thomas G. Hood; members of the winning foursome Jeff Lotz, Steve Walser, and Frank Cabell; Jake Kislan’s widow, Michelle Kislan; and Director of Advancement Kim McNulty. Jeffrey Lotz ’13, the other member of the winning foursome, is absent from the photo.
Second place in the second flight went to MMI Board of Directors member Florie McNelis, Sarah Seratch, Dr. Jill Snyder, and Debbie Walko ’79. Glenn Kushma had the men’s longest drive and Jess Herness ’01 had the women’s longest drive. Additional winners included MMI Board of Directors member Bill Loftus ’62, closest to pin #2; Tom Brown, closest to pin #12; Head of School Thomas G. Hood, most accurate drive; and Luke Evans, winner of the Pocono Raceway Putting Contest. PNC Bank was the Eagle Sponsor for the tournament.
Above: Tim Twardzik, Paul Malone, Head of School Thomas G. Hood, and Dave Eschenbach received first place in the second flight. Left: Llewellyn Dryfoos III ’82, past board chairman, takes a swing. Below: Megan LaBuda, state Rep. Tarah Toohil, Attorney Chris Slusser, and Joe Zeller (Luzerne County Office of Community Development) played as a foursome in the tournament.
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Alumnus specializes in clinical genetics Murray Feingold ’48 founds center for children born with disabilities Dr. Murray Feingold ’48 has distinguished himself as a pediatrician specializing in genetics, a medical journalist, and as the leader of a foundation that assists children born with physical and intellectual disabilities and genetic disorders. Much of his career has been spent caring for children with these medical problems, and he is nationally known in the field of clinical genetics. Feingold graduated from Franklin & Marshall College and Jefferson Medical School, now known as Thomas Jefferson University. He served in the Army Medical Corps as a psychiatric social worker in Fort Knox, Kentucky, for two years during the Korean War. While doing his pediatric residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston City Hospital, he felt the needs of children with disabilities were not being met. He began working with such children through his chief of pediatrics, who was involved with the March of Dimes. “My main specialty, genetics, wasn’t a focus at that time, but I realized that many birth defects are associated with genetic problems. As a pediatrician, I began to specialize in genetics, which enabled me to work with young children born with a variety of disorders,” Feingold said. He served as the chief of the division of birth defects at Boston Floating Hospital for Children and physician in chief and chief of genetics at Franciscan Hospital for Children in Massachusetts. In 1984, he founded the National Birth Defects Center, now known as The Feingold Center for Children, to provide diagnosis and treatment to children born with birth defects, genetic diseases and intellectual disorders. The center, which is now located at Boston Children’s Hospital, includes doctors and consultants in the fields of pediatrics and genetics with access to specialties such as orthopedics, cardiology, neurology, ophthalmology, endocrinology, craniofacial surgery and plastic surgery. The center also provides satellite clinics at locations throughout Massachusetts. The Feingold Center is supported by the Genesis Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides funding for specialized care of New England area children born with birth defects, genetic diseases and mental retardation. Feingold is the founder and president of the Genesis Fund. “The Genesis Fund allows us to spend more time with each patient and coordinate their care, since many of them need to see several different specialists,” he said. Additionally, Feingold has spread proactive health messages to a much broader audience through the media. He initially began speaking to women’s groups as a matter of education. “My mission was to let women know that as they get older, the chance of having a baby with Down syndrome increases, going up to one in 100 by the time a mother is 40 years old. I wanted to let women known this not to scare them, but to educate them,” he said. A local television station in Boston asked Feingold to speak about Down syndrome to a broadcast audience of hundreds of thousands of people. From there, he has continued to use the media to inform people about various health issues. He has been the medical editor at Boston’s CBS television affiliate and on WBZ radio for 30 years. His “Medical Minute” feature is
Dr. Murray Feingold ’48 visits with Sam, a patient of The Feingold Center for Children, at a fundraising event.
broadcast daily on WBZ-CBS. Feingold also writes a medical column, “Second Opinion,” which appears in newspapers throughout the country, including the Standard-Speaker in Hazleton. He has written more than 180 scientific articles and two books on genetics and birth defects and has edited 13 medical periodicals. In recognition of his journalistic efforts, he has received an Honorary Doctor of Journalism degree from Northeastern University and a New England Academy of Television Arts and Science Award. He has also received the Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award from Franklin & Marshall College and the Distinguished Service Award from the American Society of Law and Medicine. He has identified three genetic conditions, including one named after him. Feingold syndrome is a rare condition in which a child has an usually small head (microcephaly), abnormal fingers and toes, possible gastrointestinal problems and possible developmental delays. “I described this syndrome many years ago, and during the last few years, researchers in Europe have discovered the gene for it. Feingold syndrome is caused by a genetic mutation,” he said. Feingold served as professor of pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine and has also been a faculty member at Tufts University School of Medicine. He is presently on the staff of Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He has served as president of the New England Pediatric Society and has been elected to the American Pediatric Society. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Medical Genetics and the American Board of Pediatrics. Feingold was inducted into MMI’s Wall of Fame in 2007 for Professional Achievement and served as MMI’s commencement speaker in 1977. “The same ingredients for success hold true as when I was a student at MMI: work hard, be a nice person, and take advantage of the opportunities presented to you,” he said.
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Donor Recognition Reception held with special play seating The Head of School’s Donor Recognition Reception was held in conjunction with the MMI Prepper Playhouse musical “Into the Woods” on March 16. This special reception recognizes MMI friends and supporters who are members of The Red Club, The President’s Circle, The Mining and Mechanical Circle, The 1879 Society, and The Eckley and Sophia Coxe Society. Head of School Thomas G. Hood welcomed 70 alumni, parents, and friends of MMI to the reception in the new Joseph A. Turri ‘45 Library and Learning Center. At right, Hood and his wife, MaryLee, visit with Maura Dryfoos and Board Chairman Brian Lucas ’84.
Milestones
Events in the lives of the MMI Prep family Births Brittany (Payne) Campbell ’95 and her husband, Brian, welcomed a daughter, Bryne Irene, on October 17, 2012. She joins a brother, Thomas Ray, age 5. Brittany is employed as a trauma and surgical ICU nurse at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Helena Kocon passed away on April 30. Surviving are three children, Christopher Kocon and his wife, Iwona; Waledmar Kocon and his wife, Barbara; and Yolanta Breznak and her husband, John. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren including Nathalie Kocon ’09.
Cindy Clarke Matosky ’01 and her husband, John Matosky, welcomed a daughter, Abigail Rose, on March 18. This is the first child for Cindy and John as well as the first grandchild for Senor Dennis Clarke, MMI’s Spanish teacher, and his wife, Joni.
Joseph S. Matz passed away on April 26. Surviving are two daughters, MaryJo Brestowski and her husband, Leo; and Diane Kupsho and her husband, Dr. Robert Jr., Drums; and four grandchildren including RJ Kupsho ’14 and Gabriella Kupsho ’18.
Deaths Joseph T. DeComa ’43 passed away in May after a brief illness. He is survived by his brother, Carmen DeComa ’39. Dr. Edgar L. Dessen passed away on May 22. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sonia; his son, Larry Dessen ’77, MMI Board of Directors, and his wife, Elizabeth; his daughter, Miriam Beth Duffy ’78, and her husband, Daniel; and five grandchildren. Harold Domchick ’34 passed away on February 18 at the age of 96. He is survived by his daughter, Judy Domchick Hall. According to his daughter, Harold “always loved Pennsylvania and really appreciated the education he received at MMI.” John S. Gaffney Sr. passed away on March 8. He is survived by his wife, Lucille, and his sons, John S. Gaffney Jr. ’94 and Dr. Christian J. Gaffney ’99. Harold C. Griesing ’49 passed away on June 3. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Cynthia, and his two daughters, Dr. Jill Brown and Holly Murray.
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wife, Kathleen.
Mary L. Jarick passed away on March 16. She is survived by her daughters, Barbara Ecker, MMI Board of Directors, and her husband, Bart; Mary Lou Jarick; and Sandra Shoffner and her husband, Mann. Also surviving are four grandchildren including Dr. Michelle Ecker ’84 and husband, Dr. Bruce Klugherz, and Bart Ecker ’88 and his
Michael E. Pavlick Jr. ’61 passed away on April 10. He is survived by his wife, Alice; and his daughters, Alicia Schenk and her husband, Stanley; and Kimberly Pavlick ’88 and her husband, Ken Okrepkie. He is also survived by grandchildren including Allison Gortva ’05 and Justin Yakubowski ’09 and his aunt, Agnes O’Donnell, MMI Honorary Board of Directors. Karen Riley passed away on April 24. Surviving are her husband, Ed Riley ’61, and uncles. David A. Schell passed away on May 30. Surviving are his daughter, Lora M. Schell ’13; his fiancé, Rosanne Pupko; his stepmother, Gladys Schell; a stepsister; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. David Sugarman ’60 passed away on February 13. Surviving are his wife, Lois; a daughter, Deborah Palmer, and her husband, David; a son, Eric, and his wife, Heather; and seven grandchildren. Mary Jane Urenovitch passed away on May 8. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Dr. Joseph Urenovitch ’55. Also surviving are their four children, Sharon Rehatchek and her husband, Carl; Lori Boughton and her husband, David; Joseph J. Urenovitch and his wife, Kristine; and Michael Urenovitch and his wife, Lisa. Eileen B. Whitaker passed away on February 7. She is survived by her husband, Arthur “Art” Whitaker ’49; her sons, A.J. Whitaker and Alan Whitaker ’83 and his wife, Lisa; and two grandchildren.
Alumni Notes
What’s happening with MMI graduates around the globe Noelle Brandmier ’06 served as the guest speaker for the MMI Chroma Chapter of the National Art Honor Society induction ceremony on April 18. Noelle is an animator for Workinman LLC, an entertainment-based content creation company that specializes in creating games for the youth market. John Czarick ’64 was re-elected as president of the Pennsylvania Association for Rehabilitation Professionals. He will serve his new term in 2013-14. John has also served as a member of the American Board of Vocational Experts for 28 years. Jacob Daniels ’11 spent 12 weeks completing a co-op placement at GE Aviation in Cincinnati, Ohio. While at GE, Jacob worked with the Product Support Engineering Team (PSE) on the GEnx product line. The GEnx engine is GE’s newest engine, which is more fuel efficient and has less harmful emissions than any other engine in production. Jacob also attended customer training school, where GE trains mechanics from customers like Boeing and specific airlines. In late May, he returned to Rochester Institute of Technology to continue taking classes over the summer. From now until his graduation in 2016, Jacob will either be taking classes in Rochester or on various co-op experiences gaining professional skills. Attorney Richard A. DiLiberto ’79 was reappointed to a third term as chairman of the Delaware Commission on Italian Heritage and Culture by Delaware Gov. Jack Markell. Rick is a law partner with Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor LLP, with offices in Wilmington, Middletown, Georgetown and New York City. Dr. Jonathan Gandhi ’04 and Dr. Ashley Morrison ’05 earned their Doctor of Medicine degrees from Penn State Hershey’s College of Medicine on May 19. Jonathan is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Harsh Gandhi of Sugarloaf. Ashley is the daughter of MMI Business Manager Michael Morrison and his wife, Maria, also of Sugarloaf. (See photo at right.) Dr. Jodi Washinsky Lenko ’99 was the guest speaker on June 11 at the 39th Academic Achievement Awards Banquet coordinated by the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce. As in years past, the top academic senior students from Hazleton Area High School, Immanuel Christian School, Marian Catholic High School, MMI Preparatory School, and Weatherly Area High School were recognized for their gradepoint averages throughout their high school careers. PPL Corp. was the Premier sponsor for the event.
Dr. Joleen Beltrami ’82, left, instructor of mathematics at the University of Incarnate Word (UIW), receives the 2013 Provost’s Legacy Teaching Award from Dr. Glenn James, associate provost at UIW. The award, presented during a Faculty Appreciation Luncheon on April 4, recognized her commitment within the first five years at UIW to keeping alive the rich tradition of teaching excellence that characterizes the university.
LP and will be relocating to San Antonio, Texas in the fall, where she will continue her career in architecture as an architectural intern within a strategic design group. Leandra is the daughter of Anthony A. Pszeniczny and Angela Shannon. Attorney Jarrod Tranguch ’92 was appointed to the position of administrative law judge with the Social Security Administration’s Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. Attorney Philip Yoon ’96 was named the chief staff attorney for the Pennsylvania Superior Court on March 25. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Washington and Lee School of Law, he now oversees the Superior Court’s central legal staff and advises the judges of operational, procedural, and legal developments.
Attorney George C. Morrison ’99 was named a 2013 Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine. Leandra D. Pszeniczny ’07 graduated with a Master of Architecture degree from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Prior to graduation, she was awarded the 2013 AIA (American Institute of Architects) Certificate of Merit for Excellence in the Study of Architecture from the Henry Adams Fund. Leandra has also been initiated into Tau Sigma Delta, the honor society in Architecture and the Allied Arts. She was a mentor in SCAD’s Graduate Mentor Program. This summer, Leandra will be an instructor and residential/day adviser in the EXPLO at Wellesley program at Wellesley College. She has also accepted a full-time position with HEB Grocery Company
Emily Morrison ’15 poses with her sister, Dr. Ashley Morrison ’05, who earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Penn State Hershey’s College of Medicine.
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Memorials
Library Memorials, Annual Fund Memorials, and Honors donated between February 1 and June 15, 2013 In memory of Dr. and Mrs. Crescencio Azcueta Dr. Ester Azcueta Bekeris, Andrew ’16 and Angel ’18 Azcueta Alday In memory of Mr. Federico Alday Dr. Ester Azcueta Bekeris, Andrew ’16 and Angel ’18 Azcueta Alday In memory of Louis and Alexandra Betley Mr. Gregory Betley ’70 and Mrs. Anne Marie Lesniak-Betley In memory of Lambert E. Broad Mrs. Leatrice Kushnerick Mrs. Mary E. Mertz In memory of Lucy Cusat M&T Bank MMI Parent Faculty Organization Dr. William Shergalis ’58 and Mrs. Miki Shergalis
In memory of John F. Duffy Mrs. Elizabeth J. Duffy
In memory of Lucy Cusat and Carol Cusat Mr. Mark Laputka ’79 and Mrs. Lee Ann Laputka
In memory of Irene Evancho Mr. and Mrs. Wally Golab Mrs. Joanne Korol
In memory of Joseph T. DeComa ’43 Mr. Carmen M. DeComa ’39 In memory of Dr. Edgar L. Dessen Mrs. Irene Giuliani Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood Dr. and Mrs. Johann A. Koenig Dr. William Shergalis ’58 and Mrs. Miki Shergalis In memory of John A. Doddo Sr. Mrs. Madelene C. Scarlato In memory of Llewellyn Dryfoos Jr. Mr. and Mrs. John Boland Mr. James Cibak and Mrs. Deirdre Cibak ‘85 Attorney and Mrs. Bart E. Ecker Mr. Douglas Elsom ’82 Fellin’s Jewelers Mr. and Mrs. William J. Flood Bob and Linda, Jeff ’75 and John ’76 Gicking Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood Dr. and Mrs. Johann A. Koenig Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Leib, P.E. Mr. James Lewandowski and Mrs. Nancy Lewandowski ’89
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Mr. Brian Lucas ’84 and Mrs. Kathy Lucas Mr. and Mrs. Timothy McNulty MMI Parent Faculty Organization Mr. and Mrs. Frank P. Orlando, CPA Mr. Edward Sharp ’36 and Mrs. Lorraine Sharp Dr. William Shergalis ’58 and Mrs. Miki Shergalis Mr. and Mrs. William R. Shull Mr. William Spear ’79 and Mrs. Marylynne Spear Mr. Joseph Turri ’45 and Ms. Barbara Sowers Mr. Richard Warren and Attorney Rebecca Warren ’84 The Woelfel Family
In memory of Annie Durako Mr. and Mrs. Andrew B. Durako Sr.
In memory of Dr. Joseph R. Gabala Dr. John Della Croce ’73 and Mrs. Marybeth Della Croce In memory of John S. Gaffney Sr. Mrs. Thomas J. Crofcheck Sr. Mr. Thomas Crofcheck ’73 and Mrs. Mary Lynn Crofcheck Mrs. Mary Dinofrio Mrs. Lucille Gaffney Mr. and Mrs. William Gorski Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood Mrs. Joanne Korol Mr. David Medash ’78 and Mrs. Kimberly Medash Dr. William Shergalis ’58 and Mrs. Miki Shergalis Mr. Matthew Swartz Mr. John Teliho The Zisa Family Ms. Alice Zurko In memory of Raymond Garbacik Hydro-Geo Services Mr. Edward Lesny ’58 and Mrs. Susanne Lesny In memory of Marianne Genetti Dr. William Shergalis ’58 and Mrs. Miki Shergalis
In memory of George Gentile Mr. Joseph Turri ’45 and Ms. Barbara Sowers In memory of Mary Jarick Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood Dr. William Shergalis ’58 and Mrs. Miki Shergalis In memory of Anna R. Kish Mr. John E. Kish ’85 In memory of Jake Kislan ’56 Mr. Frank Kislan ’74 and Mrs. Wendy Kislan In memory of Mary Kushner Mr. Andrew T. Kushner ’63 In memory of Steve T. Lenkevich Mr. Joseph Turri ’45 and Ms. Barbara Sowers In memory of Leroy D. “Bud” Loy Jr. Mr. Edward Lesny ’58 and Mrs. Susanne Lesny In memory of Dr. Nicholas Martyak ’59 Mr. James Lewandowski and Mrs. Nancy Lewandowski ’89 In memory of Joseph Matz Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood In memory of Allen McDonald Mr. Joseph Turri ’45 and Ms. Barbara Sowers In memory of Michael F. McDonald ’58 Mr. Brian McDonald ’60 Dr. William Shergalis ’58 and Mrs. Miki Shergalis In honor of the MMI Prepper Playhouse Mr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Kost In memory of Nicholas Nemesh Dr. Ronald Petrilla ’72 and Mrs. Laura Petrilla Mr. Edgar Steward ’62 and Mrs. Pauline Steward In memory of Mildred Norris Dr. William Shergalis ’58 and Mrs. Miki Shergalis (Memorials continued on page 19)
Additional memorials In memory of Harold Ocker Mr. Joseph Turri ’45 and Ms. Barbara Sowers
In honor of Justin Sheen ’13 and Claire Sheen ’16 Sue Hand’s Imagery
In memory of Michael Pavlick ’61 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood Mrs. Agnes O’Donnell Dr. William Shergalis ’58 and Mrs. Miki Shergalis Dr. David Stiller ’61 and Rev. Connie Stiller
In memory of Donald Silvernell Ms. Donna Brobst
In memory of Andreas Porpaxias Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood Mr. Joseph Turri ’45 and Ms. Barbara Sowers In memory of Karen Riley Mr. E. Edward Riley ’61 In memory of Agnes Rimshaw Ms. Mary Sluck Mr. and Mrs. Ralph W. Williams Jr. In memory of Margaret Sacco Mr. Richard Warren and Attorney Rebecca Warren ’84 In memory of David Schell Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood Mrs. Kim McNulty
In memory of Andrew Stofan Dr. John H. Stunz ’39 In memory of David Sugarman Dr. William Shergalis ’58 and Mrs. Miki Shergalis In memory of Millie and Harold Sugarman Mr. Scott J. Sugarman ’73 In memory of Ronald J. Turri ’62 Mr. Robert Turri ’60 and Mrs. Marie Turri In memory of Mary Jane Urenovitch Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood Mr. Eugene Kovatch ’55 and Mrs. Ruthanne Kovatch Mr. and Mrs. Timothy McNulty Dr. William Shergalis ’58 and Mrs. Miki Shergalis Dr. Joseph V. Urenovitch ’55 The Urenovitch Children and Grandchildren
(Continued from page 14) In memory of Dr. David S. Wagner Attorney and Mrs. Bart E. Ecker Mr. and Mrs. William J. Flood Bob and Linda, Jeff ’75 and John ’76 Gicking Mrs. Kathleen S. Haentjens Dr. and Mrs. Johann A. Koenig Mr. and Mrs. Timothy McNulty Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Schaeffer Mr. Edward Sharp ’36 and Mrs. Lorraine Sharp Dr. William Shergalis ’58 and Mrs. Miki Shergalis In memory of Eileen B. Whitaker Mr. and Mrs. William J. Flood Dr. and Mrs. Arthur S. Haber Mrs. Kathleen S. Haentjens Dr. and Mrs. Johann A. Koenig Mrs. Kim McNulty Dr. William Shergalis ’58 and Mrs. Miki Shergalis In memory of Sarah Yuscavage ’04 Mr. Brett Freeman and Mrs. Nicole Freeman ’04
Homecoming 2013 set for September 20-21
This year’s homecoming celebration will be held Friday and Saturday, September 20 and 21, and will honor reunion classes ending in -3 and -8. Homecoming events are as follows: Friday, September 20
Head of School’s Reception from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. All alumni classes are invited to join Head of School Thomas G. Hood as we begin Homecoming weekend with cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres in the Joseph A. Turri ’45 Library and Learning Center. Reunion Class Dinners at various times and locations Alumni classes are planning their reunions at various locations in the area. For help planning your class reunion, please contact Kim McNulty at kmcnulty@mmiprep.org or 570-636-1108.
Alumni and their families enjoy the Homecoming 2012 picnic.
Saturday, September 21
MMI Wall of Fame Induction from 6 to 10 p.m.
Annual Homecoming Picnic from 12 to 3 p.m.
An elegant induction ceremony is planned to honor this year’s additions to the MMI Wall of Fame. The cocktail hour will begin at 6 p.m. with dinner to follow at 7 p.m. in the MMI Athletics and Drama Complex. Be part of this special night and help us celebrate the achievements and dedication of the Wall of Fame Class of 2013.
All alumni and their families are invited to attend the annual Homecoming Picnic featuring great food and friendship. Picnic highlights include raffle drawings, campus tours, and the opportunity to visit with classmates and friends.
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MMI Preparatory School 154 Centre Street Freeland, PA 18224 Address Service R equested
MMI PROM – Seniors and their guests enjoyed MMI’s prom May 16 at Sand Springs Country Club.
Homecoming Weekend Important Dates September 20 and 21, 2013
This year’s festivities will honor the reunion classes of 1933, 1938, 1943, 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, and 2008. See page 19 for more details.
New Student Orientation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August 26 First Day of School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August 27 Meet the Teacher Night. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 10 Freshmen Orientation and Pajama Parade . . . . . September 13 Parent-Faculty Organization Bingo. . . . . . . . . . . October 6