Students Begin University of Success
Twenty-two rising high school students entered The University of Scranton’s University of Success program. The four-year, pre-college mentorship program began for the new participants with a two-week summer institute, which took place on the University’s campus in July.
During the summer institute, students participated in “hands-on” physics classes where they learned how physics is applied to harness wind energy, as well as for amusement rides that included a day of roller coaster riding at Dorney Park. They learned about exercise physiology and visited the University’s Loyola Science Center for a lesson that included live turtles, tortoises and a snake. The students participated in service projects at the St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen and the Children’s Advocacy Center. They also visited the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour at McDade Park and the Pocono Environmental Education Center.
The students from 12 area high schools will return to the University’s campus one Saturday every month throughout their four years in high school.
The University of Success is designed for students to develop the skills needed to successfully gain acceptance to college. Students enter the program at the completion of the eighth grade and continue through their high school years. The program offers enrichment courses in study skills, SAT prep, public speaking, math, science, art and cultural activities, as well as financial aid and wellness seminars.
The University of Success, offered free of charge to participants, is funded almost entirely by corporate and foundation grants. Donors to the program include AT&T, Charles A. Frueauff Foundation, Dime Bank, Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank, Kuehner Family Foundation, MetLife Foundation, Overlook Estate Foundation, Peoples Security Bank and Trust, Prudential Foundation, Scranton Area Foundation, Waste Management, Weis Markets and Wells Fargo.
The students who completed the University of Success’ summer institute are as follows:
Rebecca Coldwell of Taylor, who will attend Riverside Junior/Senior High School;
Elisha De Souza of Blakely, who will attend Valley View High School;
Anthony Diaz of Scranton, who will attend West Scranton High School;
Shane Frank of Taylor, who will attend Riverside Junior/Senior High School;
Adriana Gentle of Tunhkannock, who will attend Tunkhannock Area High School;
Caillou Kaneski of Tunhkannock, who will attend Tunkhannock Area High School;
Emily Kogan of Moscow, who will attend North Pocono High School;
Samuel Anthony Loukopoulos of Scranton, who will attend Scranton High School;
Logan Matone of Throop, who will attend Mid Valley Secondary Center;
Quiyan McClain of Scranton, who will attend Scranton High School;
Mikayla Mendez of Taylor, who will attend Riverside Junior/Senior High School;
Liam Misko of Carbondale, who will attend Carbondale Area Junior Senior High School;
Andrea Murphy of Milford, who will attend Delaware Valley High School;
Corey Ortiz of Bushkill, who will attend Norte Dame High School;
Yeraiza Pena of Scranton, who will attend Scranton High School;
Ritu Regmi of Scranton, who will attend Scranton High School;
Mahnoor Sami of Jessup, who will attend Valley View High School;
Victoria Scarpati of Lake Ariel, who will attend Western Wayne High School;
Jordan Traver of Friendville, who will attend Montrose Area Junior Senior High School;
Mayra Suely Varela of Taylor, who will attend Riverside Junior/Senior High School;
John Edgardo Velazguez of Scranton, who will attend West Scranton High School;
Pavel Vorozilchak of Blakely, who will attend Valley View High School.
For additional information, visit the University of Success web site.
First row, from left: Margaret Loughney, University of Success program director; Brianna Lawrence, head counselor; Krystine Jimenez, counselor; Erin Shumbres, lead teacher; Kelly Judge, assistant teacher, and Andrea Mantione, D.N.P., director of the Leahy Community Health and Family Center.. Back row: Patrick Chapman, counselor; Joseph Stella, counselor, and Jacob McDonnell, assistant counselor.