Tri-Valley Lions
Vincent Fritz and his grandfather, Dennis Shadle, both of Hegins, were guests of the Tri-Valley Lions at the club's January meeting, with Vince representing the 2012-13 class of outstanding artists at Tri-Valley High School.
Vince plans to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania to major in music education. An entrance hurdle that he had to overcome was a trombone audition, for which he played a piece of A. Guilmant titled "Morceau Symphonique Op. 88." He played it at the meeting, as well as an untitled piece to demonstrate his instrumental musical talent.
Vince was honored for his vocal ability as well, as evidenced by his participation in the chorus and his selection to the Schuylkill County Chorus. He was also selected to perform in the county, district and regional bands. At Tri-Valley, he is a member of the TV club and drama club.
Jenny Clink, accompanied by her mother, Tammy, and grandmother, Sharon Erdman, was a guest of the Lions as she was recognized as an outstanding student in the arts for her expertise on the clarinet.
She entertained the Lions with a reprise of her Community Day performance, playing "Music of the Night" from "The Phantom of the Opera" as arranged by Mr. Schmaldienst. She also played "From the Rose," a tune which she used as an audition piece for acceptance into a music education program at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her musical skills extend to saxophone, piano and bass clarinet.
Jenny described her school activities, which include marching band, varsity soccer, drama, musical, SWAT and prom committee. Outside of school, she is a member of the newly created Community Band, a church greeter, acolyte, lector and altar guild member, She also serves as a volunteer for Halloween Fun Day.
Jenny was a winner of the Sons of the American Revolution essay contest and was selected to perform in county, district and region bands and Lebanon Valley College Honors Band. She was named a section leader, has been on the distinguished honor roll and received two varsity letters.
Frackville Rotary
Devon Mashack was honored as Frackville Rotary Club student of the month for December at a meeting held at Cracker Barrel Restaurant at the Schuylkill Mall.
A junior at North Schuylkill High School, Devon is an honor student and is ranked 14th in his class. A cross-country team member, he was undefeated in eighth grade and has served as co-captain of the varsity team for the last two years.
Devon finished ninth in the district cross-country meet in October, qualifying for the state finals. He finished 128th out of 228 runners at the state meet.
He has also been a varsity member of the soccer team and has participated with the track team for three years. In eighth grade, he was undefeated in the mile run and set the junior high record of 5.004 seconds. He has also participated in junior varsity baseball.
Devon has been a member of the snowboard club for four years and is a staff member of Spartan Spectrum, the school newspaper. He would like to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to study engineering or construction.
Pine Grove Area
Michaela Dietrich and Aaron Abercrombie were named seniors of the month for February at Pine Grove Area High School.
Michaela is a daughter of Michael and Jeanie Dietrich, Pine Grove, and is a native of Wisconsin. She is enrolled in the college preparatory and advanced placement curriculums.
Michaela is a senior class officer and president of the international club. She is also a member of the ski club, National Honor Society, student council and girls varsity soccer.
An elementary PTO helper, Michaela is the soccer scholar athlete, and a recipient of the Top 10% Award. Her future plans are to attend a four-year university and major in international studies with an emphasis on languages.
Aaron is a son of Roger and Linda Abercrombie, Pine Grove, and is enrolled in the college preparatory and advanced placement curriculums. He is band president and yearbook co-editor, as well as a member of the Cardinal Marching Band, concert band, WPGA Morning Show, Cardinal Spotlight Theater and literary society.
Aaron plans to attend college to pursue a degree in music recording technology and eventually start his own record label.
Shen Valley
The following youngsters were named January students of the month at Shenandoah Valley Elementary School:
Kindergarten-1 - Mya Shoffler; K-2- Daniel Reeves; K-3 - Itsamar Flores; K-4 - Maliyah Alexander; Grade 1-1 - Destiny Seibert; 1-2 - Makiah McKee; 1-3 - Dayana Sanchez; 1-4 - Deanna D'Agostino; Grade 2-1 - Natalie Rosas; 2-2 - Sophia Lozado-Delzell; 2-3 - David Sanchez Perez; 2-4 - Brandon Nunez; Grade 3-1 - Gabrielle Gulden; 3-2 - Gabrielle Canavan and Robert Boris; 3-3 - Jeymi Marte-Moran; 3-4 - Maria Ramirez; Grade 4-1 - Abigail Applegate; 4-2 - Jason Lainez and Andrea Zamudio; 4-3 - Joseph Favaro; Grade 5-1 - Paige Konnick; 5-2 - Avery Dombrosky; 5-3 - Kirsten McClain and Jocelyn Hysock; Grade 6-1 - Kaylin Najda and Ernesto Tovar; 6-2 - Colby Ramirez; 6-3 - Brittany Kenton; 6-4 - Sean James; Life Skills - Scott Ort.