Blue Mountain
Rebecca Downey, a senior at Blue Mountain High School, was chosen as one of the students of the month for December by the Blue Mountain School District. She received the award at the school board's monthly meeting.
A distinguished honor roll student, Rebecca is a member of the National Honor Society and the Russel S. Petrucka Chapter of the Social Studies Honor Society. She attended the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine in Washington, D.C.
Rebecca has participated in the following clubs and activities: International club, Leo Club, newspaper, senior planning committee, peer helpers, Red Cross blood drive and Special Olympics.
Rebecca volunteers at the Reading Hospital and Medical Center Child Development Center, where she has provided care for infants and toddlers of medical professionals at the hospital's Community Garden Party, St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church's picnic and the Pottsville Knights of Columbus Thanksgiving meal delivery. She also enjoys taking classes in American sign language and was featured in a recent Republican-Herald article on sign language.
Rebecca plans to attend American University, Washington, D.C., to study public health.
She is a daughter of Edward and Lisa Downey, Orwigsburg area.
Shen Rotary
Samantha Pascavage, a senior at Shenandoah Valley High School, was chosen as student of the month for February by the Shenandoah Rotary Club.
Samantha's high school activities include student council and the yearbook, formal and float committees. She is flags captain, National Honor Society secretary, and was the 2012 homecoming queen.
Her out-of-school activities include American Cancer Society fundraisers, First United Methodist Church activities, Toys for Tots and American Red Cross bloodmobile. She is also an SPCA dog walker.
A daughter of Mark and Lydia Pascavage, Shenandoah, she plans to attend college to major in a pre-physical therapy program.
Minersville Area
Minersville Area High School seniors James Brophy and Jaynie Moran were named students of the month for February.
James is an honor student and a member of the varsity baseball, basketball and football teams.
He volunteers for the American Red Cross blood drive and coaches CYO basketball. He is a member of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, Minersville, where he serves as an usher.
James plans to attend Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, to major in construction management with architecture.
He is a son of Martin and Connie Brophy, Minersville.
Jaynie is a member of the National Honor Society, book club, yearbook, 1700 Club and Teens Against Tobacco. She is chemistry club secretary, band front captain and an athletic director assistant.
In the community, she volunteers and delivers food with Minersville food banks.
Jaynie's future plans are to study biology at Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, go to medical school and become a doctor. She is a daughter of Tom and Sharon Moran, Minersville, and a member of St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, Minersville, where she is an altar server and volunteer.