HOLY REDEEMER STUDENTS EXCEL AT SCIENCE COMPETITION
Students from Holy Redeemer High School earned a variety of awards at the 52nd Regional Meeting of the PA Junior Academy of Science, receiving recognition in fields from biology to zoology.
PJAS competitions are designed to stimulate and promote interest in science and math through research development and are open to students in grades 7-12. All first place winners are eligible to participate in the state competition in May at Penn State University, where 3000 students from 13 regions will compete.
Cameron Brennan, Harvey’s Lake, was awarded the Junior High Excellence Award in Ecology and received a perfect score. Christina Springer, West Nanticoke, received a first place in mathematics, a four-year Perseverance Award, and a scholarship to Wilkes University.
Michael Gatusky, Harvey’s Lake, received a first place award in zoology and was a finalist in interviews for the Commonwealth Medical College Research Fellowships. Bryce Partlow, Nanticoke, was also a finalist and received a second place in mathematics.
Other Holy Redeemer students who earned first place awards were Caitlin Croke, Mountaintop, physics; Lauren Higgs, Mountaintop, chemistry; John Kane, Shavertown, zoology; Angela Malinovitch, Hanover Twp., biology; Olivia Greer, Wanamie, behaviorial psychology. The following students won first place awards in mathematics: Emily Becker, Shickshinny (who also received a five-year Perseverance Award); Gaetano Buonsante, Exeter; Ben Chappel, Wilkes-Barre; Jamie Carty, Harvey’s Lake; Ann Cosgrove, White Haven; Victoria Fulton, Dallas; Amanda Halchak, West Nanticoke; Danielle Marchese, Kingston; Abigail Truschel, Mountaintop.
Second place winners were Olivia Gregorio, Kingston, ecology; Theodosia Seasock, Kingston, ecology; Alyssa Christian, Wilkes-Barre, chemistry; Ian Dysinger, Mountaintop, chemistry; Meghan McGraw, Mountaintop, chemistry; Sarah Thomas, Mountaintop, chemistry; David Tomaszewski, Trucksville, chemistry; Hailey Noss, Plains, mathematics; Patrick Serino, Shavertown, mathematics. Arvind Murali, Kingston, received a third place in computer science.
Faculty sponsors who guided students during their research were Joni Clarke, Mary Humiston, Linda Rakauskas, Ashley Butz, Nicole Frusciante, Steven Wise, Aaron Bilby.
Shown are students who received awards, first row, from left: Hailey Noss, Amanda Halchak, Emily Becker, Christina Springer, Abigail Truschel, Lauren Higgs, Meghan McGraw.
Second row: Olivia Greer, Angela Malinovitch, Danielle Marchese, Caitlin Croke, Ann Cosgrove, Victoria Fulton, Jamie Carty.
Third row: Alyssa Christian, Sarah Thomas, Theodosia Seasock, Olivia Gregorio, Jane Kane, David Tomaszewski, Michael Gatusky, Bryce Partlow.
Standing: Ashley Butz, Joni Clarke, Ben Chappel, Patrick Serino, Gaetano Buonsante, Cameron Brennan, Arvind Murali, Nicole Frusciante, Linda Rakauskas, Steven Wise.
Holy Redeemer High School, the largest Catholic high school sponsored by the Diocese of Scranton, is located in Wilkes-Barre on South Pennsylvania Blvd. Mrs. Anita Sirak is principal.