Times-Tribune honors 2023 Scholastic Superstar team

Sarah Hofius Hall, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
·3 min read

May 9—SCRANTON — Manan Pancholy created a device to more easily navigate blood vessels during catheterization procedures.

Jayde Waibel founded the Books for Bedtime program, distributing books through the pandemic to children and posting videos of her classmates reading the books online.

Juliann Downton helped create an organization focused on supplying menstrual products to students in need.

This year's Times-Tribune Scholastic Superstars excel in their classrooms, serve as role models in their schools and make a difference in their communities. They plan to become computer scientists, doctors and physical therapists — and continue to serve others. Over the last 29 years, The Times-Tribune has recognized 725 graduating seniors as Scholastic Superstars.

The Times-Tribune recognized the newest class of students at the Peoples Security Bank Theater at Lackawanna College on Tuesday night, in front of nearly 100 family members and educators. Students spoke about their most rewarding achievements and activities and plans for the future.

Members of this year's team are Michael Allardyce, Holy Cross High School; Francis (Frankie) Cocchini, Lackawanna Trail Junior-Senior High School; Michael Cummins, Abington Heights High School; Lacey Danilovitz, Riverside Junior-Senior High School; Marshall Davis, Western Wayne High School; Nicholas DeMarco, Tunkhannock Area High School; Juliann Downton, Susquehanna Community Junior-Senior High School; Emily Franklin, North Pocono High School; Jennifer Genell, Riverside Junior-Senior High School; Alexandra "Sasha" Kazysta, Riverside Junior-Senior High School; Zachary Keiser, Tunkhannock Area High School; Genevieve Larkin, Mountain View Junior-Senior High School; John Lockwood, Delaware Valley High School; Sarah Lyons, Holy Cross High School; Jack McLaughlin, Valley View High School; Kylie Merring, Western Wayne High School; Molly Murphy, Valley View High School; Della Noon, Valley View High School; Lanee Olson, Scranton High School; Manan Pancholy, Abington Heights High School; Evan Peirce, Western Wayne High School; Matthew Rakauskas, Lackawanna Trail Junior-Senior High School; Jonathon Symuleski, Mountain View Junior-Senior High School; Jayde Waibel, Scranton Preparatory School; and Anna Williams, Tunkhannock Area High School.

Jill Murray, Ph.D., president of Lackawanna College, served as keynote speaker. After highlighting the students' accomplishments, Murray gave students five pieces of advice: be kind to yourself and others, be patient with yourself, know wherever life takes you is OK, don't compare yourself to others and enjoy the journey.

Alana Roberts, regional affairs director for PPL Electric Utilities, the sponsor of this year's program, congratulated the Superstars and their families.

Judges selected this year's team from 67 nominees representing more than two dozen Northeast Pennsylvania high schools. The newspaper invited schools to nominate up to three seniors who excel in academic performance, school activities and community service. The judges review nominations without names or schools attached, so students are selected based solely on their accomplishments and activities.

This year's judges were Fran Calpin, Keystone College senior director of college relations; Theresa Caputo, Penn State Scranton assistant director of enrollment management; Lois Draina, Ph.D., Marywood University retired dean; Erica Barone Pricci, Ph.D., Lackawanna College provost and chief academic officer; Alison Lisk, Johnson College recruitment advisor; Ritch Kelley, Ed.D., dean, School of Education at Clarks Summit University; and Joseph Roback, University of Scranton associate vice president for admissions and enrollment.

The newspaper will feature each student in a profile that will appear Tuesdays through Sundays. Superstars will be featured in alphabetical order.

Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133; @hofiushallTT on Twitter.