Ashland Rotary
Patrick Gownley, a North Schuylkill High School senior, was named student of the month for January by the Ashland Area Rotary Club.
Patrick’s high school activities include football (captain), track (captain), chorus, Schuylkill County Chorus, Theatre Arts, Envirothon, Teens Against Tobacco, Students Against Destructive Decisions, North Schuylkill Newscast, presidents club, captains club, Best Friends Forever, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Future Business Leaders of America, pep club, peer mediator, National Honor Society and Math, Science, Social Studies and Tri-M Music national honor societies. His community service includes altar server at St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church, Ashland, and a counselor at Camp Spifida.
He is a son of Michael T. and Mary Alice Gownley, Ashland. Patrick plans to attend college and pursue a career in civil engineering.
Frackville Rotary
Gena Williams, daughter of Bruce and Melissa Williams, Frackville, was honored as Frackville Rotary student of the month for January at a meeting of the club at Cracker Barrel Restaurant, Frackville.
A junior at North Schuylkill High School, Gena is a three-year member of the varsity volleyball and softball teams. She has participated in Frackville Girls Softball League since age 6, Pottsville Synergy Travel Ball League and is a four-year member of the North Schuylkill chorus.
A distinguished honor student throughout her high school career, she is a member of Teens Against Tobacco, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Forever Friends and Spanish Club.
Gena’s community service includes Big Brothers/Big Sisters Bowl for Kids’ Sake. She volunteers at the Schuylkill Medical Center Car Seat Safety Fair.
She plans to major in actuarial sciences or engineering and is interested in attending Penn State or Villanova universities.
Mahanoy Middle
Robert McCarthy and Madison Denchy were chosen students of the month for January by Mahanoy Area Middle School faculty.
The program, sponsored by Mahanoy City Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 695, judges nominees on multiple achievements, character, leadership, citizenship and scholastic aptitude.
Robert is a son of Robert and Diane McCarthy, Mahanoy Plane, and a member of St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church, Ashland. He is involved in Theatre Arts, intramural basketball and National Junior Honor Society and volunteers at American Hose Company, Mahanoy Plane. He plans to attend college.
Madison is a daughter of Neil and Kimberly Denchy, Barnesville, and a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Mahanoy City, where she is a volunteer assistant Sunday school teacher. She is National Junior Honor Society secretary, a seventh- and eighth-grade Republican/Herald Spelling Bee representative and plays seventh- and eighth-grade girls’ basketball and intramural basketball and volleyball.
Madison is the seventh- and eighth-grade wrestling manager, middle school representative for the high school marching band and a participant in PMEA Elementary District Band, PMEA Intermediate District Band, Junior County Band, ski club, chorus and Theatre Arts. She volunteers at church functions, Ryan Township Fire Company bingo and wing sale and Mahanoy City Girls Softball clean up crew.
Madison plans to attend college and major in child psychiatry/psychology.
Adam Soriano and Payton Martin were named students of the month for December by the Mahanoy Area Middle School faculty.
Adam is a son of Lisa Soriano, Mahanoy City, and a member of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Parish, Mahanoy City. He is involved in seventh- and eighth-grade boys’ basketball, cross country, track and field and National Junior Honor Society. He volunteers with Biddy Basketball.
Adam plans to attend college, get a scholarship for running or basketball and major in law enforcement.
Payton is a daughter of Kris and Josette Bet, Barnesville, and Ken and Shannon Martin, Saint Clair. She is a member of St. Richard Roman Catholic Church, Barnesville.
Payton is involved in National Junior Honor Society, student council, Theatre Arts, ski club, chorus, seventh- and eighth-grade cheerleading, intramural volleyball and basketball, Anthracite volleyball, Mahanoy City Softball League and CYO basketball. She volunteers for various programs at her church and is manager of the high school volleyball team.
Payton plans to attend college, get a scholarship for volleyball and major in education.
Pottsville Rotary
Pottsville Area High School seniors Taylor Young and Ryan Scanlan and Nativity BVM High School seniors Ashley Strausser and Rebecca McCloskey were honored as Pottsville Rotary students of the month for January.
Ashley is a daughter of Alan and Michelle Strausser, Port Carbon, and attends St. Stephen Roman Catholic Church, Port Carbon, where she is an altar server. She is involved in varsity volleyball, basketball, track and field, Interact Club, student ambassador, art club, National Honor Society and science club. She has received many awards, including outstanding student ambassador, distinguished honors, highest achievement in psychology, outstanding effort in advanc-ed pre-calculus and first honors.
She plans to attend a college or university to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy.
Rebecca is a daughter of Joe and Karen McCloskey, Pottsville, and attends St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville, where she is an altar server and church picnics volunteer. She is involved in competitive and social cheerleading, softball, Interact and math clubs, student ambassadors, yearbook, campus ministry, student government and international club. She is an American Red Cross blood drive coordinator and Meals on Wheels volunteer.
An All-American Cheerleader, Rebecca received the America Needs Cheerleaders Leadership Award, outstanding effort award in pre-calculus and advanced algebra 2/trigonometry. She plans to attend Drexel University, Philadelphia, and major in mechanical engineering.
Taylor, a daughter of Dan and Darlene Young, Pottsville, is a member of the National and Spanish National honor societies, Quill and Scroll Honor Society and received the AP Scholar Award. She is a four-year member of the Spanish and ecology clubs, marching and concert bands and AID. She is also a member of publications and student council.
Taylor is captain, lettered in and is a four-year member of the swim team, lettered in and is a three-year member of volleyball and lettered in and is a one-year member of water polo. She is also a scholar athlete.
She plans to attend Penn State University and major in environmental science with a minor in environmental engineering.
Ryan, a son of Douglas and Mary Scanlan, Pottsville, is a member of St. Clare of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, Saint Clair. He is a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society, plus a four-year member of cross-country, swimming, Spanish Club, track and field and Leo Club. Ryan is also a member of the ecology club and SADD. He lettered four years in swimming and serves as captain, and three years in cross-country and track and field.
Ryan plans to attend Temple University, Philadelphia, and major in pre-pharmacy.