Lebanon Valley
Maria Kolonsky, a senior at Lebanon Valley College, Annville, was inducted into the college's Phi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society. Maria will graduate this month with bachelor's degrees in music education and music with concentrations in percussion performance and jazz studies. She is a recipient of the Edna and Clark Carmean Talent Award in Music and has been a dean's list scholar since her freshman year.
She recently finished a semester of student teaching in the Cornwall-Lebanon School District at the elementary and secondary levels. She is a member of the LVC Symphonic Band, wind ensemble, jazz band, college choir, percussion ensemble, The Pride of the Valley Marching Band and the Lebanon Valley College Chapter of the National Association for Music Education, where she served as vice president. She was the featured soloist with the LVC orchestra in March as one of three winners of the college's annual Concerto-Aria competition.
Outside of LVC, Maria is an active performer with the Reading Pops Orchestra and is one of the founding members of a local marimba quartet. She also serves as a substitute percussionist for the Reading Symphony Orchestra.
Locally, Maria performs with the Cressona and Pine Grove Community Bands. On the national level, she has performed in National Intercollegiate Band festivals held in Phoenix, Ariz., and Colorado Springs, Colo.
Maria is a daughter of Dr. Edward and Johanna Kolonsky, Shenandoah, and a 2008 graduate of Nativity BVM High School.
Lycoming
Laura Brennan, a biology and photography major, was one of the recipients of the M.B. Rich Endowed Prize during the honors convocation at Lycoming College, Williamsport. The award is given to students in the freshman class who attain the highest rank in scholarship and deportment.
Laura was named to the dean's list for the fall semester with a 4.0 GPA.
A 2011 graduate of Tri-Valley High School, Laura is a daughter of Jeff and Chris Brennan, Barry Township.
Temple
Sierra Gladfelter, a New Ringgold native and senior anthropology major at Temple University, Philadelphia, presented her research at the fifth annual Temple Undergraduate Re-search Day in Harrisburg on March 26.
Her study, "BEYOND BOUNDARIES: Geotourism as a Bridge between Yosemite National Park and Its Gateway Communities," explored geotourism, a concept that describes a form of tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place, through the relationship between Yosemite National Park and the communities just outside its gates.
During Undergraduate Research Day, undergraduate students from across Pennsylvania presented a wide variety of innovative, Temple-funded research projects to members of the General Assembly, legislative staff and visitors in the East Rotunda of Pennsylvania's State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Sierra was one of 11 Temple students chosen to present this year.
Eastern Kentucky
Rebecca Lynn Cunningham has accepted membership in the Golden Key International Honor Society at Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Ky. She was also recently recognized for outstanding academic achievement by Phi Kappa Pi National Honor Society, and is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.
Rebecca is enrolled in the health science pre-med program and has been recognized for maintaining a 4.0 GPA and has remained on the dean's list. A 2006 graduate of Nativity BVM High School, she is a daughter of James and Constance Cunningham, Pine Grove, and a granddaughter of Louise Overkott, Ashland.
Lock Haven
Abby M. Skripko and Amy S. Skripko each received the Dr. Victoria Romeo Memorial Physician Assistant Scholarship and the Health Science Faculty Scholarship at Lock Haven University's annual Gerald R. Robinson Academic Honors and Foundation Awards Convocation on April 15.
They are twin daughters of Michael and Susan Skripko, Pine Grove, and granddaughters of Reba Strubhar, Pine Grove, and Florence Skripko, New Philadelphia.
Abby and Amy are 2009 graduates of Pine Grove Area High School.
Susquehanna
Elizabeth Tropp, Pottsville, has been elected to The Crusader student newspaper editorial board at Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove. She will serve as managing editor of content for the 2012-13 academic year.
Elizabeth is a rising senior majoring in communications with an emphasis in journalism. She is a 2009 graduate of Nativity BVM High School and the daughter of John and Jodi Tropp.
Destiny Arturet, Pottsville, was identified as the 2012 Outstanding Senior Woman at Susquehanna University. She was acknowledged by Susquehanna's alumni association.
Each year, the alumni association selects two well-rounded seniors, one man and one woman, who "most typify the ideals of Susquehanna University." The selection committee, which consists of faculty and staff from student life, athletics, admissions, the chaplain's office, the registrar's office and the academic deans, nominates students based on academic performance, activities, volunteer work and other accomplishments.
After reviewing the nominations and candidates, the committee votes on the winners. The winners will receive medallions prior to commencement, and are invited to be alumni speakers at freshman convocation next fall.
Destiny was also one of 13 Susquehanna University students inducted into the Pi Sigma Alpha political science honor society. She will graduate this month with bachelor's degrees in international studies, diplomacy and philosophy with a minor in the honors program.
She is a 2008 graduate of Pottsville Area High School and a daughter of Antonio and Connie Arturet.