MMI Today – Winter 2012

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Alumnus recalls time as German POW For Robert L. Seitzinger, Jr. ’38, serving his country during World War II meant spending nearly a year as a German prisoner of war.

‘For you the war is over,’” Seitzinger recalled.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 after some initial difficulty being accepted into the service.

“After I graduated from MMI, I went to Muhlenberg College for two years and then back to Freeland. It was difficult to be home because my father, who operated Seitzinger’s Drugstore on Centre Street in Freeland, was on the draft board and everybody in town was looking at me wondering, ‘What’s wrong with that guy? Why isn’t he in the service?’” he said.

“I tried to get in all of the services: the Navy, the Army, the Coast Guard, and so forth. Because I didn’t have many bottom teeth – molars – they turned me down. You couldn’t get in the service, at that time, if you didn’t have enough molars.”

After finally passing a physical due to a change in policy, Seitzinger joined the Army along with several MMI classmates. He enlisted as an aviation cadet.

He trained at several locations and graduated from flying school. Then in 1944, he entered the Army Air Corps as a second lieutenant and commissioned pilot.

As he flew over Europe on only his

Robert Seitzinger’s Air Force photo taken at Columbus, Miss., after he became a second lieutenant and pilot in January 1944.

second mission, German soldiers launched flak shells from the ground that burst in the air and released shrapnel, destroying anything nearby.

“I bailed out of the airplane because we couldn’t get across the mountains after the flak inflicted more damage. I landed in a tree on the side of a mountain and I could hear people passing along the road down below me. The first thing they had told us about jumping out of an airplane and landing – the first thing you should do – is hide your parachute. Well, I spent a lot of time getting out of the tree and getting that parachute down and hiding it. Just about the time I was ready to move on to someplace away from where I thought they would be looking for me, this guy pokes a cannon through the brush at me and said,

He was taken to a prisoner-of-war camp, Stalag Luft III, Germany, which housed about 11,000 officers in addition to some enlisted airmen. The camp, located about 100 miles southeast of Berlin, was run by the Luftwaffe.

Seitzinger was assigned to the West compound. Another compound at Stalag Luft III, the North compound, was the focus of the book and movie “The Great Escape,” where 76 prisoners escaped through a tunnel.

Fifty of the 73 captured were executed. Three POWs escaped to Allied territory.

Of his time in the camp, Seitzinger said, “They had us in a compound where they had towers manned with machine guns and guys with rifles out there. They had a death wire that ran all around your compound, a line you couldn’t go across. If you crossed that line, they shot you, and they did kill a couple of POWs.” Seitzinger left the camp in December 1944 “when the Russians chased us out.”

After walking for many miles and then riding a train, the prisoners were put in a camp at Nuremberg.

“The camp had been filled with civilian and political prisoners who had been very badly treated. They had fleas and we got fleas. The fleas were terrible and would bite us, leaving big welts,” he said.

“In Nuremberg the camp we were in was right alongside the big area where the Nazis held their big celebrations. We were there in January 1945 when the Allies made bombing raids over three days; they bombed night and day. The British would come over at night, and the Americans would fly all day,” Seitzinger said.

He was eventually sent along with other prisoners on a train to a camp in Munich, where he described the conditions as “horrible.” He stayed there until Gen. See MMI GRADUATE, page 6

Robert Seitzinger ’38, front row right, is joined by members of his extended family.

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From the President “The whole is more than the sum of its parts.” ~ Aristotle I once lived next to the original Erie Canal in Watervliet, N.Y., just outside Albany.

Living next to the remains of this engineering feat, I was in awe of the size of the idea. Who dreamed of building a canal 40 feet wide, 4 feet deep, and 365 miles long connecting the Hudson River to Lake Erie? “Clinton’s Ditch” included 18 aqueducts to carry the canal over ravines, rivers, and 83 locks, with a rise of 568 feet from the Hudson River to Lake Erie. I also was always impressed by the number of people involved in making this big idea a reality. British, German, and Irish immigrants dug the canal – with shovels – over eight years. The enormity of the idea and the dedication of thousands of individuals created a transportation system that helped open up the area west of the Appalachian Mountains. Although it was replaced by a larger canal in 1918, we continue to move goods from the Hudson to Lake Erie by barge today.

Fifty-four years after the Erie Canal opened, Eckley and Sophia Coxe had an equally big idea that youth from the northeastern Pennsylvania coal region could be educated and live better lives through that education. Their idea, while not a monumental engineering feat, had an equal impact on the lives of the people of Greater Hazleton. Like the canal, the success of MMI rests on the shoulders of thousands of people – faculty, staff, coaches, students, parents, alumni, and friends. Without the dedication of a long line of great faculty members, MMI would not have the sterling academic reputation it has today. Without the efforts of our board and great leadership from our previous presidents, the school would not have weathered multiple economic downturns and continued to grow and adapt. Without parents’ support, we might have missed the needs of our students. And without the dedication of our alumni and friends, I am convinced MMI would have gone the way of other great ideas, unfunded and unfulfilled. Unlike the Erie Canal, we will not be replaced. Our size and our ability to provide individual attention to each and every one of our students will continue for as long as there is a need and the support of so many dedicated individuals. MMI’s construction will never be complete. We will continue to adapt to the needs of our students while remaining true to the vision of our founders, to prepare young people for success in college and in life.

While Aristotle was right: the whole is more than the sum of its parts, at MMI, the numerous people who support MMI are vitally important and irreplaceable.

May you have a happy and prosperous 2012. Please come visit MMI and see the great things that are taking place here.

All the best,

Thomas G. Hood President

Published quarterly, MMI Today is the official newsletter of MMI Preparatory School 154 Centre Street Freeland, PA 18224

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Thomas G. Hood – President

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

Students honor Eckley, Sophia Coxe MMI students held a graveside service on Wednesday, November 23 to honor their school’s founder, Eckley Brinton Coxe, and his wife, Sophia Georgianna Coxe, for the important roles they played in the school’s creation.

Seniors, sixth-grade students, administration and faculty gathered for Founders’ Day on the grounds of St. James Episcopal Church in Drifton, where they held a wreath-laying ceremony at the gravesites of Mr. and Mrs. Coxe, more than 116 years after Eckley Coxe’s death. Afterward, the senior class students gave a history of Coxe’s life, including the mining industry and the beginning days of the Mining and Mechanical Institute, the school he founded in 1879. This institution, founded in 1879, was chartered in 1894 as an all-boys’ school to teach the sons of miners and is now known as MMI Preparatory School.

The students also explained Sophia Coxe’s contributions and generosity to the area. When Sophia married Eckley in 1869, she moved from the luxurious lifestyle she had always known to the unfamiliar coal fields of Drifton.

MMI Preparatory School students held a graveside service on Wednesday, November 23, to honor their school’s founder, Eckley Brinton Coxe, and his wife, Sophia Georgianna Coxe.

She made a new life for herself by conducting community service activities and focusing her attention on her new hometown and its people.

The Founder’s Day wreath-laying ceremony was performed by the Rev. Lawrence Barriger, Greek and Latin instructor at MMI. The Rev. Jeffrey Funk,

pastor of St. James Episcopal Church, then performed a Thanksgiving service with assistance from Barriger.

Senior class officers who took part in the ceremony are President Antonia Diener, Vice President Paul Gronski, Secretary Brittany Fisher and Treasurer Michael Macarevich.

Recent graduates return for Founder’s Day The classes of 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and a few members of the Class of 2007 returned to campus on Wednesday, November 23, to celebrate Founder’s Day 2011. In total, 56 alumni returned for lunch, socializing, and catching up with the MMI faculty, staff, and administrators.

Rachael Daniels ’11 said, “As a recent graduate of MMI, I was excited to come back to the school for Founders’ Day and talk to this year’s seniors about my college experience, and maybe even offer some insight to help them out with their college decision. Also, seeing the teachers and reminiscing about my years at MMI made me feel like I never left!”

MMI College Admissions Counselor Stephanie Shandra said, “Founder’s Day is one of my favorite MMI traditions, especially as it applies to our recent alumni. In fact, it’s the first time I see many of the students from the most recent graduating class, and I love hearing about their college experiences, families, and new friends. Each year on Founder’s Day, I ask a number of the recent graduates to return again to MMI in January before they head back to college to present a college panel to our current senior class. This is one of the most valuable experiences for our seniors as they begin to make critical decisions on where they will attend college after MMI,” she said.

MMI faculty member Donna Titus said, “Alumni who come back to MMI for Founder’s Day are excited about the opportunity to see both their old friends and their ‘old’ teachers. Since I see alumni as one of our most valuable assets, I think the attention paid to them is well worth our while. I really appreciated the opportunity to be able to spend some quality time with them this year.”

Catching up with faculty member Dennis Clarke are Fran Swankoski ‘11, Justin Yakubowski ‘09, Jacob Slusser ‘11, and Richie Franzosa ‘11.

Members of the Class of 2011 Binki Baxi, Rachael Daniels, Julia Dasher, and Carley Bonacci return to campus.

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Today’s MMI This column highlights just a few classes within MMI’s outstanding academic program. In this issue of MMI Today, we take a closer look at Citizenship and Current Events, and conclude with an overview of two electives at MMI: Applied Research and Myths, Masks, and Miracles.

Comprehensive Core Citizenship and Current Events Instructor: Mr. Michael Scarlato

It is the responsibility of every U.S. citizen to keep informed about domestic and world events. This MMI course, for eighth-grade students, examines the meaning of citizenship and the rights and responsibilities of a good citizen.

Additional topics include: immigration and America’s immigration policy, the history of democratic government and why government is needed, the various forms of government, politics, and the American legal system.

Students also prepare for ninth-grade United States History by learning about the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution, and the formation of the Constitution. In this class, students also study political parties, the political process, and the right to vote.

Current event hot spots are also covered during the school year.

Exhilarating Electives Applied Research

Instructor: Ms. Laura Petro

The Applied Research elective focuses on the methodology behind laboratory research and experimentation. The pace of this course allows students not only to adequately perform the experiments, but also to fully understand the concepts and methods presented. Close attention is given to technique, preparation, and overall understanding of laboratory experiments.

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This course aims at achieving three objectives.

First, students will develop the ability to produce and maintain a research notebook – a valuable asset in college- and graduatelevel labs. This allows the students to generate reproducible results, track their own progress, and analyze their results in a way that is conducive to analytical thought.

Ms. Laura Petro instructs students during a laboratory experiment.

Second, students will gain better insight into reading and producing scientific literature. This allows students to fully grasp what is being expressed in scientific literature and mimic that style in their own writing to express their results and conclusions in a more comprehensive and developed manner.

Third, students will develop problemsolving skills in the laboratory setting, which will enable them to be confident in a lab setting.

Instructor Ms. Laura Petro said, “Students in Applied Research have the opportunity to use the science knowledge they have gained in Chemistry and Biology as they incorporate it into college-level laboratory assignments and research projects. Emphasis is given to a more thorough analysis of the data, careful experimentation, and the proper accumulation, organization, and presentation of experimental data.”

Myths, Masks, and Miracles:

how mythic gods were the world’s first superheroes. Attention is given especially to great epics such as the Iliad, the Aeneid and the Ramayana. Biblically, Moses and Jesus are studied as archetypal superheroes.

Following a study of the mono-myth from Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero with a Thousand Faces,” the class analyzes and applies the hero’s traits and quest to modern works, including graphic novels and films.

Works that are introduced in the class include: The Dark Knight Returns, The Watchmen, Iron Man, The Dark Knight, and Hancock.

Mrs. Donna Titus, an English instructor who has taught at MMI for more than 25 years, developed the class.

She said, “My students in ‘Myths, Masks, and Miracles’ come away with a greater understanding of the role that the myth of the hero plays in our daily lives, and with a healthy dose of cinematic literacy in the bargain!”

The Superhero

Instructor: Mrs. Donna Titus

Myths, Masks, and Miracles is an elective that explores the modern fascination with superheroes by starting in the ancient past and examining

Mr. Michael Scarlato speaks to his students at MMI.

Mrs. Donna Titus instructs a class at MMI.

MMI hosts Mexican exchange students For the second consecutive school year, several Mexican exchange students became part of the MMI family while spending two weeks living with and attending school with MMI students.

The eight middle-school students from Francis Bacon School in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, were accompanied on their trip by Angie Guerrero, a sixth-grade English teacher.

While visiting with MMI families, the students attended classes and enjoyed sightseeing, including a bus trip to New York City arranged by the school. In return, they taught their hosts about Mexican culture. The Mexican students spoke English during most of their trip, except during Spanish class, when they conversed with MMI students in Spanish.

Students who were part of the trip were required to be fluent in English, have

The students who visited MMI are, front row, from left: Ailed Fuentes, Cinthya Sanabria, Luisa Lopez, Erika Cervantes, Alejandra Rico, Andres Bravo, Fernando Ortiz, and Nicholas Velez. They are pictured with hosts, back row, from left: Abbie Ortiz, Sara Davis, Julia Snyder, Allie Ortiz, Robert Kupsho, Vanessa Novinger, Lexie Novinger, and Quentin Novinger.

good grades, and be independent.

that they don’t have in Mexico,” he said.

Guadalajara, with a population of about 1.5 million people, is Mexico’s second largest city and is the capital of Jalisco.

MMI Vice President Dr. Jaclyn Fowler said, “The students who come to MMI Preparatory as part of the Mexican exchange program open up the world to our students. Our students get the chance to see how what they’re learning in the classroom can be applied outside the classroom walls, as they use their developing language skills to interact with the exchange students. These interactions lead to an understanding that we’re more alike than not, no matter where we’re from or what language we speak. The exchange program is, therefore, an important component of our curriculum.”

Francis Bacon School student Andres Bravo said he enjoyed seeing snow left over from a late October snowstorm. “I never saw snow before. It’s usually really warm in Guadalajara all times of the year,” he said.

Playing a game together are, clockwise, from left: Abbie Ortiz, Erika Cervantes, Julia Snyder, and Ailed Fuentes.

MMI sophomore Robert Kupsho said, “It’s interesting to see how the countries differ. There are certain things they have in Mexico that we don’t have here. And there are certain things we have here

Sisters perform as siblings in ‘Nutcracker’ MMI students Alessandra and Abigail Ortiz, daughters of John and Cindie Ortiz, Sugarloaf, shared the stage recently in Ballet Northeast’s 28th annual production of “The Nutcracker.”

The sisters even played siblings, with Alessandra dancing the part of Clara and Abigail in the role of Clara’s brother, Fritz. The girls said it’s the first time sisters have performed in the two roles.

Alessandra is a freshman at MMI and Abigail is a sixth-grade student at the school. They have performed in “The Nutcracker” previously in smaller roles and were excited to earn the larger roles this year.

Sixth-grader Abigail Ortiz and ninth-grader Alessandra Ortiz recently played the roles of siblings in Ballet Northeast’s 28th annual production of “The Nutcracker.”

“I remember being in the studio one year and watching Clara dancing around gracefully. I was just looking up and thinking, ‘One day, I am going to be Clara,’” Alessandra said.

Cindie Ortiz said, “We were really hoping that one of these years they

would get to perform as Clara and Fritz together. And that’s how it played out this year, so it’s very exciting.”

Alessandra and Abigail spent much of December practicing for the performances, which were held at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts at Wilkes University.

They alternated their roles with a second cast from the ballet and had to learn additional parts, with Alessandra in five roles and Abigail in three.

Karla Kovatch, daughter of Eugene Kovatch ’55 and sister of Karen Bruno ’89, was the artistic coaching consultant for the play.

The girls began dance lessons at the Jeanne S. Burger Performing Arts Center in Conyngham and now study at the Conservatory at Wilkes University.

Since they began dancing, each at age 3, they have participated in intensive and competitive ballet programs along the East Coast.

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Grandparents spend time visiting MMI More than 85 grandparents and grandfriends returned to the classroom on Tuesday, November 29, as part of MMI’s second annual Mid School Grandparents’ and Grandfriends’ Day. The day began with a lunch for everyone in the MMI Athletic Complex. Following the meal, grandparents and grandfriends joined their MMI student for sixth-period class.

After class, all the guests were treated to a preview of the MMI Holiday Concert featuring the second-year violins, thirdyear violins, and the mid school choir.

grandparents. Most importantly, it was very rewarding to see the enthusiasm of the students for school and learning,” said Marshall and Lillian Kornblatt, grandparents of sixth-grader Chava Kornblatt.

Betsy Wallen, grandmother of seventh-grader Finally, the grandparents and Cody Wallen, said, Chava Kornblatt introduced her great-grandmother Ruth Cherim, grandparents grandfriends completed a number of “I really enjoyed Pam and Jerome Weisberg, front row, and grandparents Lillian and Marshall cross-generational activities encouraging Kornblatt, back row, to her new school. sharing my school the younger MMI students to learn more stories with Cody sparked the Christmas spirit, and we left about their guests. and seeing how he spends his day.” feeling we had a memorable day.”

“Our experience at Grandparents Day Marie and Ron Rossi, grandparents of MMI would like to express its gratitude was absolutely wonderful. The faculty seventh-grade students Katie and Ryan for the participation of so many was available and the classroom work Eschenbach, said, “Grandparents Day grandparents and grandfriends. engaged and challenged students and was really a funfilled day. We had a lovely lunch, and then a chance to go to class with our twin grandchildren. The students were very engaging and I was impressed with their knowledge of the subject matter.

The preview of the Marie and Ron Rossi visited with their grandchildren Katie and Cody Wallen was accompanied by both of his grandmothers, Betsy Christmas show Ryan Eschenbach.

Wallen at left and Mary Helen Brosinski at right.

MMI graduate retires as Air Force major (Continued from page 1) George Patton’s troops liberated the camp in late April. He later learned that MMI classmate Stanley Balon was a member of Patton’s Third Army, which liberated the camp.

While Seitzinger was a prisoner of war, his daughter Jeanne was born. Although he knew his wife was expecting, it wasn’t until months later that he learned of Jeanne’s birth.

Overall, however, he described his time as a POW as “not too bad.”

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“I will say I really lost a lot of weight.

I wasn’t too heavy when I went in, but I survived. It could have been worse. A lot of people, including some friends of mine who were prisoners of the Japanese, had a terrible, terrible time. How they

survived I really don’t know,” he said.

Back home in Freeland in time for the Memorial Day parade in 1945, Seitzinger stayed and worked at his father’s drugstore for a few years until he reenlisted in the Air Force in 1948. He was recalled to active duty as a second lieutenant in 1953 and served in several locations, including Japan and Germany.

He studied computers at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi and, after he retired as a major in 1965, remained in Mississippi to work in computer programming for several companies over the next 20 years. He retired as a computer programmer for the U.S. Navy at the Gulfport, Mississippi, Seabee base in 1984.

Seitzinger and his wife, Evelyn (Miller), had three children: Jeanne,

Betsy, and Robert, III, who passed away in 1993. They also had six grandchildren “and a tremendous number of greatgrandchildren.” Evelyn passed away in 1997.

Today, Seitzinger lives with his wife of 13 years, the former Helen Klechko of Freeland, in Vancleave, Mississippi, and has many fond memories of MMI. “MMI is regularly on my mind. It’s a wonderful place and I’m so proud of it and the people who run it,” he said.

He remembered in particular Mr. Andrew Stofan, who taught at the school for many years. “He worked with me quite a bit, even after I came back from the service. We went over college algebra again, which helped me in my career as a computer programmer,” he said.

Seniors honored in National Merit program One MMI senior was named a Semifinalist and three additional seniors were named Commended Students in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Roderick Cook, Antonia Diener and Michael Macarevich received letters of commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Cook is the son of Brian Cook, Nesquehoning, and Melissa Hawk, Nesquehoning. Diener is the daughter of Ian and Emeline Diener, Pocono Lake. Macarevich is the son of Brian and Carol Macarevich, Drifton.

Caroline Bandurska, the daughter of Wojciech and Boguslawa Bandurska, Freeland, was selected as a Semifinalist.

She will be notified in February if she has advanced to Finalist standing.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which serves as an initial screen of more than 1.5 million program entrants each year, and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements.

Of the 1.5 million entrants, some 50,000 with the highest PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index scores (critical reading, mathematics and writing skills scores) qualify for recognition in the National Merit Scholarship Program. In April, following the fall test administration, high-scoring participants from every state are invited to name two colleges or universities to which they would like to be referred by NMSC. In September, these high scorers are notified through their schools that they have qualified as either a Commended Student or Semifinalist.

One MMI senior was named a Semifinalist and three additional seniors were named Commended Students in the National Merit Scholarship Program. From left: Commended Students Roderick Cook and Michael Macarevich, Semifinalist Caroline Bandurska, and Commended Student Antonia Diener.

Commended Students are named on the basis of a nationally applied Selection Index score. Although Commended Students do not continue in the competition, some of these students become candidates for Special Scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses.

About 16,000 students, or approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers, are notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists. Semifinalists are designated on a state representational basis. They are the highest scoring entrants in each state.

Students help at Rails to Trails Students from MMI recently assisted with projects at the Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails.

The seniors, under the supervision of MMI faculty member Matthew Kenenitz, planted 10 trees along the trail and cut back brush growing into the trail. MMI students have provided a work crew for important maintenance on the trail each spring and fall for the last several years.

Last year, MMI students also planted trees at the trail.

MMI students assisted with projects at the Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails. On the trail are, from left: Alex van Hoekelen, George Gera, Vanessa Novinger, Andrea Lara, Corey Sisock, Annika Wessel, MMI faculty member Matthew Kenenitz, Office of Surface Mining Volunteer in Service to America Michael Bloom and Rails to Trails volunteer Evelyn Welsko.

The Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails is overseen by Bob Skulsky, executive director of the Greater Hazleton Area Civic Partnership.

“The MMI students always do a tremendous job and we greatly appreciate their help. Each time, I’ve been more than pleased with the job they have done,” Skulsky said. “Several students have even thanked me for the opportunity to have them on the trail, which shows me there are many good young people out there.”

Wall of Fame nominations accepted MMI Preparatory School’s Wall of Fame honors and recognizes alumni as well as current and past faculty and staff of MMI who have distinguished themselves in the areas of athletics, business, sciences, education, government, public service, the arts, or the humanities.

The MMI Wall of Fame Selection Committee is seeking nominations for inductees. The deadline for Wall of Fame nominations is March 1.

MMI Wall of Fame recipients are announced in June and inducted at a ceremony during MMI’s annual Homecoming festivities.

Visit www.mmiprep.org to download the MMI Wall of Fame Nomination Form or call MMI Director of Advancement Kim McNulty at (570) 636-1108 for more information.

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Alumni Notes

What’s happening with MMI graduates around the globe Dominic DeJoseph ’84, son of Ralph and Patricia DeJoseph, continues to work with the band R.E.M., producing videos from the final single from the accomplished alternative rockers who announced they are disbanding in September.

Mr. DeJoseph and R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe co-directed two short films for “We All Go Back Where We Belong,” which includes actress Kirsten Dunst and poet John Giorno.

Gabrielle Dei Tos ’08, daughter of Nick ’71 and Patricia Dei Tos, had a very successful senior season running with the Philadelphia University women’s cross country team. Serving as a team captain for the Rams, Ms. Dei Tos finished first overall (out of 136) in the Delaware Valley Invitational, 15th overall (out of 148) in the Fordham Fiasco, fourth overall (out of 102) in the Philadelphia Metro Meet, in seventh place at the Jack St. Clair Invitational and eighth overall (out of 138) in the CTC Championships. She helped lead the Rams to their fourth consecutive CACC Championship title with a fourth-place performance and placed 29th at the NCAA Regional Race.

Magisterial District Judge Gerald L. Feissner ’72 was again certified for service as a member of Pennsylvania’s Unified Judicial System after successful completion of continuing legal education. The course was conducted by the Minor Judiciary Education Board and the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts in Harrisburg.

Lindsay Gorski ’07 will graduate from Temple University in January. She has earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in

Elementary and Special Education with a minor in Spanish.

She has maintained a 3.72 GPA and has been selected to be the student keynote speaker at commencement in January.

Attorney Rebecca Lee Warren ’84 was recently elected as Montour County’s district attorney. She won the General Election on November 8 with 78 percent of the vote. Upon taking office in January, Attorney Warren will be the first female district attorney to serve in the 26th Judicial District, which comprises Columbia and Montour counties.

Elizabeth Yale ’08, daughter of Pamela and Dominic T. Yale, III, was honored as a Homecoming Hostess and was honored during Homecoming at Bucknell University this fall. She is a senior majoring in English. While at Bucknell, she has served as a residential advisor, the creator of the Athena Women’s Living and Learning Community, and a peer consultant with the writing center. She is also a member of the Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society and the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society.

Special library memorial Frances J. Berg, mother of Sigrid Berg ’90 and Birgit Berg ’95, donated a book titled Divine Inspirations: Music & Islam in Indonesia to the MMI Library in memory of James Berg. Birgit wrote Chapter 7 of the book after conducting extensive fieldwork among people in Indonesian ethnic Arab communities.

Alumna supports military spouses with new business As a military wife herself, Stacy (Moore) Swearengen ’00 wanted to help fellow military spouses follow their dreams and succeed in their educational and career goals. So in March 2010, she founded Military Spouse Portable Career Planning, LLC, which she designed to provide career and education guidance for military spouses at any rank, branch or location, including internationally.

from Regis University. She has also been certified as a career management coach

by Career Coach Academy.

“I was blessed with a wonderful education, including my schooling at MMI. As my husband and I have moved across different parts of the country with his Army career, I realized that not everyone has been as fortunate as I have been to receive a solid educational foundation. I believe it is my calling to With the tagline “Military life may use the preparation I had and the passion be unpredictable. Your career shouldn’t I continue to have for education to help be,” Swearengen’s business works to tackle Stacy (Moore) Swearengen ’00 those who have unique educational the challenges that military spouses often face in pursuing fulfilling careers, needs find the education they need to be including frequent relocation and unpredictability. successful,” she said.

“It took me countless hours of research, a lot of unnecessary worry, some perseverance and the advice of experienced military spouses for me to discover that it is entirely possible to have a successful career, while my husband pursued his own,” said Swearengen, who has been married to SSG Curtis Swearengen for four years and currently lives in South Carolina.

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Swearengen holds a master’s degree in adult education and training from Colorado State University, a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Muhlenberg College and a certificate in adult learning, training, and development

Her business has been featured as one of seven most innovative military start-ups on Inc.com, which describes itself as a place where entrepreneurs and business owners can find useful information, ideas and resources.

“Over the next few years, I will be looking to educate companies on the value of hiring military spouses and to identify those companies who are already doing so to promote them to my clients,” Swearengen said.

For more information on her business, visit www.portablecareerplanning.com.

Milestones Events in the lives of the MMI family Births Tiffany Gwilliam ’94 and her husband, Jason, welcomed their third child on July 11, 2011. Amelie Madeleine joins her sister, Ava, 5, and brother, Alexander, 3.

Deaths Agnes Brasavage passed away on October 19, 2011. Agnes is survived by her two sons, current parent Mark Brasavage and his wife, Bernadette, and Lance Brasavage and his wife, Janice, and several grandchildren, including Paul Brasavage ’12.

Dolores P. Carrato passed on November 5, 2011. She is survived by her husband, Anthony Carrato; son, Dr. Anthony M. Carrato ’83 and his wife, Carmine; daughter, Ann (Carrato) Shastay ’84 and her husband, Michael; and grandchildren including Angela Carrato ’09, Anthony Carrato ’10, Maria Carrato ’14, Dana Carrato ’17, and Nicholas Carrato.

Frances Colladay passed away on September 29, 2011. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Bob; and sons, Charles and Donald Colladay ’88.

Alfred Huang ’99 passed away on October 12, 2011. Alfred is survived by his parents, Jung Tsung and Mei Chin Huang; brother, Albert Huang ’97; and cousin, An-Chian Kao ’88.

Donald J. Hudson ’34 passed away on September 14, 2011.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ann Marie; three children, Donald Jr., Drew, and Diane Maund and her husband, Ehren; and four grandchildren.

Dr. William A. Jamack, father of Sarah Jessica Jamack ’14, passed away on September 27, 2011.

Gordon E. Kessell ’40 passed away on November 1, 2011.

He is survived by his daughter, Linda Dorneman, and her husband, Robert; granddaughter, Katrina Dorneman; and great-grandson, Christian Dorneman.

The Rev. Kenneth L. Klingerman ’50 passed away on October 23, 2011. He served as pastor in the St. Louis area for 50 years. He is survived by his wife, Diane; son, Kevin; daughters, Kathy Rixey and Kristy Hennessey; and eight

grandchildren. Ken’s father, George J. Klingerman, was a member of MMI’s Class of 1921.

Helen Lesko passed away on November 11, 2011. She is survived by her son, Lt. Col. Leo S. Lesko ’72.

Lewis J. Matuella passed away on October 21, 2011. Lewis is survived by his wife of 59 years, Margaret; son, Lewis J. Matuella ’77 and his wife, Melanie; and grandsons, J. Tyler and Michael.

Michael R. Morgan ’71 passed away on November 26, 2011. He is survived by his mother, Madelon; and brothers, William D. Morgan ’68 and his wife, Margaret; Thomas Morgan ’69 and his wife, Elaine; and James J. Morgan ’72 and his wife, Kim. Stanley T. Perkosky, Jr. passed away on November 17, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; son, Stanley, and his wife, Kelly; daughter, Patricia Carreli; daughter, Andrea Marchetti and her husband, David; and several grandchildren including Zachary Marchetti ’12 and Megan Marchetti ’17.

William C. Rowett ’62 passed away on October 19, 2011.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Deborah.

Bernadine Scalleat passed away on December 11, 2011. She is survived by her children, Sammy and his wife, Janine; Sheila Scalleat and her friend, Frank Tuchi; John and his wife, Catherine; and James; and numerous grandchildren including Samuel J. Scalleat ’12.

Mary A. Shane passed away on September 19, 2011. She is survived by her son, Dr. John J. Shane ’53.

Beth Ann Wenner passed away on November 21, 2011.

She is survived by her parents, Tom and Lois Carter; her husband, Rick; sons, Michael Bacon and his wife, Liz; Mark Wenner and Thomas John “TJ” Wenner ’12; a daughter, Crystal Bacon; and a stepdaughter, Sami Salko, and her husband, John.

Grace L. Yamulla passed away on October 21, 2011. Grace is survived by a daughter, Barbara Conahan, and her husband, Michael; son, Dr. Robert Yamulla, and his wife, Ann; and grandchildren, Robert Yamulla ’10, Joseph Yamulla ’14, Luke Yamulla ’16, and Christian Yamulla.

MMI mourns passing of retired custodian MMI’s beloved retired custodian, William E. “Billy” Campbell, Jr., of East Cranberry Avenue, Hazleton, passed away October 31, 2011, at Hazleton General Hospital. He will be dearly missed by the MMI family.

Born in Hazleton on June 18, 1947, he was the son of the late William E. and Dorothy (Fisher) Campbell, Sr. and spent his entire life in Hazleton. He was employed as a custodian for MMI Preparatory School and retired in December 2009.

Campbell

“Bill Campbell was one of the first people I met at MMI, when I spent the summer of 1984 as part

of the work-study program. He had a thankless job, but he was always so supportive. As I grew older and would spend many evenings cleaning after school during the week, he would always take the time to come and chat with me as I was waiting for my father to come pick me up. I’m sure he stayed longer than he needed just to be sure I got off safely. He will be sadly missed,” said Sigrid Berg ’90.

Bill was preceded in death, in addition to his parents, by a brother, David Campbell, and a sister, Rose Shaffer. He is survived by his wife of the past 36 years, the former Louise “Effie” Welsh; two stepsons, Louis Kowalski and Thomas Kowalski, Jr., and his wife, Madeline; and three stepgrandchildren, Denise and Crystal Kowalski and Thomas Kowalski, III, all of Hazleton.

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Memorials

Library Memorials, Annual Fund Memorials, and Honors donated between September 15 and December 15, 2011 In memory of James Ballard Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood

In memory of Cecilia Herbener Dr. and Mrs. John J. Della Croce

In memory of Stanley Perkosky Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood

In memory of Stanley Balon ’38 Maj. and Mrs. Robert L. Seitzinger, Jr.

In memory of Catherine Hoch Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Moore

In memory of Charles Reczkowski ’46 Mr. Richard and Attorney Rebecca Warren

In memory of Joseph Beltrami Ms. Marilyn Carsia Mr. and Mrs. Rocco J. DeStefano

In memory of William Jamack MMI Parent Faculty Organization Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood

In memory of Agnes Brasavage Dr. and Mrs. John J. Della Croce Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood

In memory of Bob Judd Mr. and Mrs. George M. Yenchko

In memory of Bill Campbell Mr. and Mrs. Dennis P. Clarke Mr. and Mrs. Allan R. Dick, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Morrison Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Schaeffer Dr. and Mrs. William A. Shergalis In memory of Dolores Carrato Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood Dr. and Mrs. William A. Shergalis Mr. Richard and Attorney Rebecca Warren In memory of Stephen Chyko Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood In memory of Frances Colladay Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood

In memory of Anna Kish Mr. John E. Kish ’85 In memory of Kenneth Klingerman ’50 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mucha In memory of John Kostick Dr. and Mrs. John J. Della Croce In memory of Helen Lesko Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood In memory of Lewis J. Matuella Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood Mr. and Mrs. Daniel E. Jenkins Mr. and Mrs. Frank P. Orlando, CPA Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Schaeffer Dr. and Mrs. William A. Shergalis

In memory of Weld Coxe ’46 SSG and Mrs. Curtis Swearengen

In memory of Daniel Valentine Monaghan Mr. and Mrs. Edward M. Lesny

In memory of Peter Crofcheck, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. John J. Della Croce

In memory of Michael R. Morgan ’71 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood

In memory of George DeComa ’42 Mr. Carmen DeComa ’39

In memory of Patricia Morse Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood

In memory of Sean Ferry Dr. and Mrs. John J. Della Croce

In memory of Rev. William O’Hara ’71 Mr. and Mrs. Emil Kasarda

In memory of William Rowett ’62 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Schaeffer In memory of Mary Shane Ms. Debra Yetter Medina Mr. and Mrs. Robert Yetter Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood In memory of Robert J. Shelhamer, Sr. Dr. and Mrs. John J. Della Croce In memory of Laurence Stone Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Synoski (25th wedding anniversary) Mrs. Ann G. Krusinski In memory of Gertrude Weaver Mr. and Mrs. Emil Kasarda In memory of Beth Ann Wenner MMI Parent Faculty Organization Mr. and Mrs. Dennis P. Clarke Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood In memory of George Woelfel ’37 Attorney and Mrs. Bart E. Ecker Mrs. Kathleen S. Haentjens Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood Mr. Robert D. Jones ’48 In memory of Grace Yamulla Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Hood Dr. and Mrs. William A. Shergalis

MMI Prepper Playhouse presents ‘Clue’ Students in MMI Preparatory School’s Drama Club presented the play “Clue” on Saturday, December 3, at the school.

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Members of the cast included: Mrs. Peacock, Marianne Virnelson; Wadsworth, Roderick Cook; Mrs. White, Caroline Bandurska; Professor Plum, Paul Brasavage; Mr. Green, Ryan Twardzik; Colonel Mustard, Corey Sisock; Miss Scarlet, Antonia Diener; Mr. Boddy, Sam Scalleat; Yvette, Megan Kost; Mrs. Ho,

Kirsten Young; Singing Telegram Girl, Madison Luchi; Motorist, Beau Samonte; Cop, Farrah Qadri; and Evangelist/Chief, Morgan Herbener.

Members of the stage crew were: Stage Manager, A.J. Alfieri; Assistant Stage Manager, Englysh Handlong; Stagehand, Robbie Rosamelia; Prop Master, Claire Sheen; Costumes/Wardrobe, Cindi Landmesser; and Makeup, Alexandra Baran.

Much like the classic board game, the play explored the questions of “Who did it? Where? And with what?” The production was under the guidance of MMI Drama Program Director Joanne Oakum with art direction by Lisa Ferry.

The Prepper Playhouse will perform its spring musical, “Guys and Dolls,” on Friday, March 23, and Saturday, March 24. Tickets are available by contacting Joanne Oakum at mmi@mmiprep.org.

Faces in the Crowd “Faces in the Crowd” is a feature of MMI Today that includes more information on MMI students and faculty members. Through these articles, newsletter readers will have the opportunity to learn more about members of the MMI family.

Niklas Byriel – Class of 2017 Niklas Byriel joined the MMI family this year, beginning seventh grade after graduating from the Wyoming Valley Montessori School in Kingston. His current favorite subject at MMI is Latin I taught by the Rev. Lawrence Barriger.

Niklas travels with his family to Europe to visit family and friends.

He has been to Germany, Denmark, France, Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, and, most recently, England.

Niklas was born in Lörrach, Germany, and moved to the U.S. when he was a little over a year old. He lived in Connecticut and North Carolina previously but has been a Pennsylvanian for the past five years. Every summer,

“Besides visiting grandparents, greatgrandparents, great-aunts and greatuncles, I really enjoy traveling. I get to see new places like Berlin, London, and Paris, plus I get to fly and ride the fastest trains,” says Niklas of his adventures.

Niklas Byriel (center) poses with his brother, Philip, and their father, Kim, at the Tower of London this past summer.

In his free time, Niklas enjoys reading, sports-related video games, statistics, and everything that has to do with soccer. Niklas speaks German and English fluently and understands Danish.

Niklas is the son of Kim and Julia Byriel of Mountaintop. He has a younger brother, Philip, who is in fourth grade.

Maria Carrato – Class of 2014 Maria Carrato, a sophomore, is part of an alumni legacy at MMI. Her father, Dr. Anthony Carrato, is a member of the class of 1983 and her aunt, Ann Carrato Shastay, graduated one year later, in 1984. Maria has two older siblings who have graduated from MMI (Angela ’09 and Anthony ’10), a younger sibling in seventh grade (Dana ’17), and a younger sibling who is a member of next year’s sixth-grade class (Nicholas ’19).

Starting at MMI in sixth grade, Maria has been very successful academically, landing spots on the MMI Honor Roll and President’s List each year since her arrival in September 2007. This year she was inducted into the Andrew J. Stofan

Chapter of the National Honor Society.

Maria is active on the MMI basketball and softball teams and still finds time to be involved in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, where she placed second last year, and the Mock Trial Team. She also serves as the sophomore class president.

Maria loves to write and is especially fond of the new Creative Writing elective taught by MMI Vice President Dr. Jaclyn Fowler. In June 2011, Maria found out that she was chosen as a finalist in Letters About Literature, a national essay contest in its 28th year. She was one of only 50 finalists selected from 954 entries. MMI Librarian Stella Boosalis

Mr. Michael Mele – Faculty

said, “The thing that impressed me most was that Maria entered this contest voluntarily as a ninth-grader. She is a keen reader and writer.”

Maria is the daughter of Anthony and Carmine Carrato and lives in Drums with her family.

During his undergraduate and graduate career, Mr. Mele completed numerous research projects and his master’s degree thesis: Modeling the Fate of Blue Crab Larvae on the Continental Shelf.

Mr. Michael Mele joined the MMI faculty during the last academic year and is the newest member of our superb line of instructors. In 2011-12, Mr. Mele is teaching sixth-grade Life Science, eighthgrade Health, ninth-grade Biology, and an elective in Human Physiology. He also coaches MMI’s Pennsylvania Envirothon team.

Mr. Mele is a graduate of Kutztown University, where he received a degree in Marine Science/Biology (cum laude).

He is also a graduate of the University of Delaware, where he received a master’s degree in Physical Oceanography (magna cum laude).

Mr. Mele has a diverse background in various aspects of biology (including marine biology), marine geology, physiology, natural sciences, and numerical modeling. He is also a member

Maria Carrato

Mr. Michael Mele instructs a class at MMI.

of the adjunct faculty of Lehigh Carbon Community College, where he teaches introductory and general biology lectures and labs.

“Growing up in Jim Thorpe, I became aware of MMI through sports (playing basketball) and later, knowing friends who attended MMI. It was a name synonymous with success and still is.

I consider myself fortunate to lend my educational experiences and enthusiasm to the program and the students. It is extremely rewarding to have the latitude to teach my true passions and the opportunity to play a defining role in future success stories,” he said.

Mr. Mele lives in Penn Forest with his wife, Laurie, and three children, Gavrielle, Kai, and Kieran. In his free time he enjoys cycling, weightlifting, running, fishing, and carpentry.

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NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE

PAID WILKES-BARRE, PA PERMIT#188

MMI Preparatory School 154 Centre Street Freeland, PA 18224 ADDRESS SERVICE R EQUESTED

Fifties faculty Some members of the MMI faculty dressed in 1950s-themed costumes for Halloween.

Important Dates Entrance Exam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 28 Mid-Winter Social . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 24 Prepper Playhouse presents ‘Guys and Dolls’ . . . March 23-24

Wister Quartet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 16 Open House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 22 PFO Spring Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 28