T h e N e w s l e T T e r o f M M I P r e P a r a T o r y s c h o o l

S P R I N G 2 0 1 2

Rebecca Warren ’84 has a new title: Montour County district attorney.

She was elected to the position by an overwhelming majority – 78 percent – in November and took office January 3 as the county’s first female district attorney.

“I’m honored the electorate thought I was the most qualified,” she said.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in political science from Bloomsburg University and her Juris Doctorate from Dickinson Law School, Warren began her legal career with a private firm in Bloomsburg. Within a year, she had made partner. Seven years later, she joined the district attorney’s office in Columbia County as an assistant district attorney and then opened her own practice.

“I loved the work in the district attorney’s office. I got a lot of positive feedback from law enforcement and victims and really felt as though I was making a

difference,” Warren said.

In 2006, she lost her father, Robert H. Kenvin, and brother, Robert W. Kenvin, in a car accident caused by another driver.

“The perpetrator had connections and wasn’t going to be charged,” said Warren, who worked tirelessly to convince the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office to file charges.

“I felt this was my mission and what I was supposed to do,” she said.

After charges were filed, the perpetrator

pleaded guilty to two counts of homicide.

Warren’s crusade for justice for her father and brother, coupled with her enjoyment of her work in the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office, led her to seek the position of Montour County district attorney.

As district attorney, she handles trial work and court appearances, working to prove a crime occurred and that the person who was charged was the one who committed the crime. She is the only attorney on her staff, which includes a victim witness coordinator, a paralegal, and a county detective.

“Montour County is an eighth-class county, meaning it’s one of the smallest in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean we are immune from crime,” said Warren, noting that the county is on track to have a record year of crime.

MMI celebrates new athletic fields

MMI threw out ceremonial first pitches at its new baseball and softball fields on April 13. At the ceremony were, from left: Ruth Ann Schaeffer; Samuel Schaeffer; Elaine Cusat; Anthony Cusat; President Thomas Hood; Caitlin Ferry ’10, who sang the national anthem; Dr. William Shergalis ’58; Miki Shergalis; Athletic Director Bruce Young; and Capital Campaign Chairman Tim Twardzik. See story and additional photos, page 12.

Alumna elected Montour district attorney

Atty. Rebecca Warren ’84

Continued on page 10

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Published quarterly, MMI Today is the official newsletter of

(570) 636-1108(570) 636-0742 (fax)mmi@mmiprep.org (email)www.mmiprep.org (Internet)

MMI Preparatory School154 Centre StreetFreeland, PA 18224

From the President

All the best,

Thomas G. HoodPresident

Thomas G. Hood – President William A. Shergalis, Ph.D. ’58 – President Emeritus Joseph G. Rudawski – President Emeritus

“A budget should reflect the values and priorities of our nation and its people.” ~ Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La)

While directed at governments, the above statement is also true for any organization or institution, including schools like MMI. The way we spend our valuable dollars reflects our mission and our values.

We manage the MMI budget in just such a manner. In doing so, we must maintain and modernize our world-class facilities. We must refine our programs and support our faculty so they meet the needs of our students. Finally, we must provide access to any student desiring an MMI education regardless of his or her economic status. Facilities, Programs, and Access are the keys to a quality MMI.

In this newsletter, you will see frequent references to our newest facilities and their positive impact on our students’ MMI experience. The athletic complex has turned out to be everything we hoped it would be with our outdoor athletic teams taking great pride in having their own fields while receiving unprecedented support from students and faculty. We will finish the Joseph A. Turri ’45 Library and Learning Center later this month. It will be a great gathering and educational space for our current and future students. We undertook these construction projects to ensure our teachers, staff, and coaches have the facilities necessary to provide the best possible education to the students of our area. They support our four pillars of success: Academics, Athletics, Activities, and Service. They help attract students who will benefit from the excellent education provided here and we are justifiably proud of them.

You also will see many of the great accomplishments of our students over the past four months. They are truly doing remarkable things under the tutelage of our great faculty. Our faculty work very hard with our students both inside and outside the classroom to make sure they receive a complete, well-rounded education. We invest significantly not only in academic and extracurricular programs for our students, but also in professional development for our faculty to ensure they remain current in both content and pedagogy. Our investment is paying off in the school acceptances and scholarships our graduates receive.

Finally, we must continue to provide access to MMI. Making MMI affordable for any student desiring to attend is at the core of our mission. With the current prolonged, stagnant economy, more students than ever require financial aid. This time of year can be distressing as we hear from families who are offered admission, but are unable to make it work financially. Many of our alumni and friends have stepped up and supported our fundraising efforts especially for student scholarship. While faculty, programs, and facilities make MMI a place that students want to attend, the amount of financial aid we offer makes us unique.

We are ready to graduate another great class with 37 students who also reflect the values of this great institution. We wish them all the best as they go forward to make their mark on the world.

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This column highlights just a few classes within MMI’s outstanding academic program. In this issue of MMI Today, we take a closer look at core classes Chinese I and Speech and conclude with an overview of the Trigonometry elective.

Comprehensive Core

Chinese IInstructor: Mrs. Christina Spencer

In this introductory Chinese Mandarin course, ninth-grade students develop skills, as well as an appreciation of the Chinese language and culture. Students also learn the basic structural components of Chinese characters using both the Pinyin phonetic system and the simplified Chinese character. Approximately 350 common, daily-used words are taught in class during the first year of Chinese. At the end of this course, students have acquired the vocabulary and sentence structures used in daily communication. Students are able to identify the sounds and tones of Mandarin in Pinyin system and read and write in simplified and traditional Chinese characters. Students also gain a basic knowledge of the cultural background including traditions, customs, lifestyles, history, music, and philosophy of the Chinese-speaking country.

Mrs. Spencer said, “Learning a new language is our bridge to another culture. It expands our opportunities, broadens our horizons, and creates everlasting friendships. The Chinese language is built upon a way of life, family, beliefs, culture, and traditions. In order to fully understand the origin and the transformation of the language, we must understand the culture and history of its people and apply our understanding to our communication with them.”

SpeechInstructor: Mr. Dennis Clarke

Speech is a mandatory one-semester course taught to ninth-graders in addition to their regular American Literature class.

The course starts with an examination of the textbook and the techniques used in giving speeches. The introduction to Speech class includes the importance of public speaking and the traditions and history of speaking as well as the process of public speaking. After learning the methods and techniques of speeches and viewing video examples of several kinds of speeches, the students present speeches from different categories during the two marking periods of the course.

“Students think that it is one of the most practical classes at MMI. They see

the value not only for their assembly that must be given each year, but also for use in college and their future careers. The impromptu speech at the end of the course is the most

memorable speech for most students and for some, the most humorous,” said Mr. Clarke.

Junior Farrah Qadri said, “For a freshman in high school, public speaking is a scary thing to do. However, the MMI Speech class allows you to use speaking techniques that will not only help you throughout your time at MMI, but for any other public speaking experience you may encounter in your life.”

Exhilarating ElectiveTrigonometryInstructor: Mr. Gerry Pierotti

This one-semester elective class is designed for seniors and is taken in addition to their core math class. The course refreshes and reviews important concepts necessary to increase success in calculus. As part of the final assessment, students are required to do research pertaining to a mathematician of their choosing. Both a written report and an oral presentation are required at the conclusion of the course, illustrating MMI’s focus on cross-curricular projects.

“Students who plan on enrolling in higher-level mathematics courses benefit greatly from taking Trigonometry as an elective,” said Mr. Pierotti.

Today’s MMI

Mr. Dennis Clarke teaches a course at MMI.

Mrs. Christina Spencer writes on the board during a Chinese class.

Mr. Gerry Pierotti speaks to students at MMI.

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Five perform at famous Carnegie HallFive MMI students were selected to

perform at Carnegie Hall as part of an Honors Recital.

Junior Justin Sheen, son of Kwangsup and Chaeyun Sheen, Mountaintop; sophomore Stephanie Pudish, daughter of Robert and Victoria Pudish, Mountaintop; freshman Claire Sheen, daughter of Kwangsup and Chaeyun Sheen, Mountaintop; freshman Emily Seratch, daughter of Frank and Sarah Seratch, Hazleton; and eighth-grader Mikayla Dove, daughter of Eric and Susan Dove, Mountaintop, were selected for the 10th annual Honors Recital, sponsored by the Northeast Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association. The recital was held April 7 in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Justin Sheen played a piano piece, “Malaguena” by Ernesto Leucona; Claire Sheen played a piano piece, Prelude in C sharp minor by Sergei Rachmaninov; Stephanie Pudish sang “Il mio bel foco”; Emily Seratch sang “Se Florindo e fedele” by A. Scarlatti; and Mikayla Dove played a piano piece, “Dragonfly” by Melody Bober.

Students were chosen to perform at Carnegie Hall through an audition held recently at Marywood University. Stephanie Pudish and Emily Seratch are instructed by Dan DeMelfi, Mikayla Dove is instructed by Andrea Bogusko, and Claire and Justin Sheen are instructed by Michele Millington.

For more than a century, Carnegie Hall has been the place where distinctive artists of all stripes have come to make their names in New York City. This tradition of excellence has made Carnegie Hall an essential part of the city’s cultural fabric and the world’s most famous concert hall.

MMI Preparatory School students who performed at Carnegie Hall as part of an Honors Recital are, from left: Justin Sheen, Stephanie Pudish, Mikayla Dove, Emily Seratch, and Claire Sheen.

Senior named National Merit finalistMMI senior Caroline Bandurska has

been named a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Bandurska, the daughter of Wojciech and Boguslawa Bandurska, Freeland, is one of 15,000 finalists out of more than 1.5 million students throughout the country who entered the program this year, placing her in the top 1 percent of all entrants. In 2011, Bandurska was named a semi-finalist in the program.

MMI President Thomas G. Hood said, “We congratulate Caroline on being named a National Merit finalist. With such a small percentage of students chosen nationwide, this is truly an impressive achievement. We are very proud of her.”

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition

for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which serves as an initial screen of each year’s entrants, and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements.

As a finalist, Bandurska is eligible for a $2,500 National Merit scholarship or a corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship award.

Bandurska has consistently placed on the honor roll and President’s List throughout her high school career. She serves as vice president for the MMI Awareness Club and has helped raise money for breast cancer research and natural disasters in Haiti and Australia. At MMI, she is president of the Future Business Leaders of America and a member of the National Honor Society, the National German Honor Society and the school’s Mock Trial team, Drama Club and varsity girls’ tennis team. Previously, she was a member and student adviser of the Speech and Debate

Club, secretary of the MMI Student Council and a member of the varsity girls’ soccer team.

She has earned numerous awards, including regional and state Future Business Leaders of America awards, the University of Rochester’s Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award and the regional Mock Trial Best Attorney Award. She has qualified for the National Catholic Forensics League Competition, was designated as an AP Scholar with Honor and was named a finalist for the QuestBridge Scholarship Corporation.

In the community, Bandurska is a volunteer for the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, conducting lemonade stand fundraisers that raised $1,500 to fight childhood cancer. She serves as a volunteer each summer at Butler Valley Manor in Drums, where she coordinates and participates in a variety of activities with the nursing home residents. She also volunteers at her family’s Polish food business, Irena’s Homemade Food in Dickson City, nearly every weekend.

Caroline Bandurska

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MMI’s Mock Trial team received awards during several competitions in the 25th year of the school’s Mock Trial program.

The 25th year of the MMI Mock Trial team saw the team competing in more trials than ever before. During the competitions, MMI students argued for both the defense and plaintiff in two separate trials. In total, the MMI students competed in 13 trials this year.

The team participated in the annual Luzerne County State Mock Trial Competition, where several students earned individual awards.

The Luzerne County competition was held Feb. 7 and 8 at the Max Rosen Federal Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre. Participating members of the MMI Mock Trial plaintiff team were attorneys Caroline Bandurska, Roderick Cook, and Matthew Yurish and witnesses Paul Brasavage, Antonia Diener, and Megan Kost. Members of the defense team were attorneys Rebecca Noga, David Polashenski, and Justin Sheen and witnesses Anthony Alfieri, Andrew Mhley, and Vanessa Novinger.

Best Witness Awards were presented to Antonia Diener on plaintiff and Vanessa Novinger on defense, while Best Advocate Awards were presented to Caroline Bandurska on plaintiff and

David Polashenski on defense. The recipients of these awards were chosen by opposing teams.

The team also competed in an invitational tournament at La Salle University, placing sixth overall, and the annual Monroe County Mock Trial Tournament, placing third overall. At the Monroe competition, Best Attorney awards were presented to Claire Sheen and Stephanie Pudish and Best Witness awards were presented to Robert Rosamelia and Brianna Nocchi.

Dennis Clarke is MMI’s Mock Trial adviser. Attorney Emeline Diener and the Honorable Correale Stevens,

president judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, were legal advisers for the MMI team.

Clarke said, “I look forward to many more years of coaching the team, as the enthusiasm for the club continues to grow with more and more students joining every year. In addition to introducing interested students to the American legal system, this competition has provided public speaking skills and confidence and has built strong friendships that will continue to endure long after the jury has returned its verdict.”

Mock Trial team marks 25th year

Members of the MMI Mock Trial team include, from left: Anthony James Alfieri, Matthew Yurish, Rebecca Noga, Justin Sheen, David Polashenski, Vanessa Novinger, Judge A. Richard Caputo, Andrew Mlhey, Megan Kost, Roderick Cook, Antonia Diener, Caroline Bandurska, Paul Brasavage, and adviser Dennis Clarke.

MMI’s first Science Olympiad team recently competed in the Pennsylvania Regional Olympiad at Penn State Wilkes-Barre and two team members earned a medal.

The Olympiad consists of a series of individual and team-building projects and events in biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, engineering and computers.

Teams are composed of 15 students from ninth to 12th grades. During the event, teams competed in 23 events. Players enter in more than one event, typically in pairs.

Juniors Brianna Nocchi, daughter of Kathleen Nocchi, Freeland, and David Polashenski, daughter of Edward and Jessica Polashenski, Drums, won a third-

place medal in the Water Quality event.MMI’s Olympiad was supported by

the Parent-Faculty Organization. The

team is under the direction of instructor Dr. Gregg Bluth.

MMI’s Science Olympiad team competes

Members of MMI’s first Science Olympiad team are, first row, from left: Brittany Fisher, Sandrine Gibbons, Rebecca Noga, Chiarra Overpeck, and Nicholas O’Clair. Second row: adviser Dr. Gregg Bluth, Katlyn Frey, Aydun Adil, Jeffrey Lotz, Sean Ducaji-Reap, Trebor Hall, Brianna Nocchi, and Casey McCoy.

Pair earns medal at regional olympiad

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The MMI Drama Club presented “Guys and Dolls” on March 23 and 24.

MMI’s production of “Guys and Dolls” was a musical fable based on the short story “The Idyll of Sarah Brown” by Damon Runyon with book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows and music and lyrics by Frank Loesser.

Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City, this oddball romantic comedy featured Antonia Diener as “mission doll” Sarah Brown and Paul Brasavage as Sky Masterson, a slick, high-rolling gambler. Adelaide, the chronically ill nightclub performer whose condition is brought on by the fact she’s been engaged to the same man for 14 years, was played by Megan Kost; Nathan Detroit, her devoted fiancé, desperate as always to find a spot for his infamous floating craps game, was portrayed by Roderick Cook. Save a Soul mission leader Miss Arvida Abernathy was played by Marianne Virnelson with General Cartwright played by Morgan Herbener.

The Mission Band was comprised of Agatha, Martha, Mary, and Calvin played by Emily Seratch, Caroline Bandurska, Stephanie Pudish, and Beau Samonte. Also appearing as band members were Sarah Delese, Gabriella DeMelfi, Katie Eschenbach, Anna Haber, Sukanya Kansara, Chava Kornblatt, Allison Maso, Sarah Moyer, Athena Nicholas, Lois Polashenski, and Erin Sari. Cast as The Hot Box Dancers were Carolyn Brennan as Mimi with Sandy Bluth, Sereina Brenhofer, Lacee Gera, Sarah Klush, Sara Lucas, Madison Luchi, Megan Marchetti, Olivia Minzola, Lexie Novinger, Taylor Peluso, Mariah Serra, and Emily Seratch rounding out the dancers.

Lt. Brannigan was played by Sam Scalleat. Nicely-Nicely Johnson, Benny Southstreet, and Rusty Charlie were portrayed by Farrah Qadri, Evan Dryfoos, and Kyle McGuire. The crapshooter crew was led by Lew Dryfoos IV as Big Ang, Evan

Spear as Harry the Horse, Ryan Twardzik as Big Jule, and Kyle Falatko as Society Max. Also appearing were Robbie Rosamelia as Joey Biltmore/Waiter and Eric Kabitzke as the Master of Ceremonies.

The stage manager of the production was A.J. Alfieri with Cindi Landmesser in charge of costumes and Alexandra Baran in charge of makeup. Members of the stage crew were John Bluth, Devon Faul, Victoria Kline, Maurina DiSabella, Derya Sari, Erin Sari, and Joseph Marushin.

This Prepper Playhouse production was under the guidance of MMI Drama Program Director Joanne Oakum. Frank Kulig served as music director and Lisa Ferry as art director for the 2011-12 spring show.

Drama Club presents ‘Guys and Dolls’

Featured in MMI’s production of “Guys and Dolls” are, from left: Antonia Diener, Paul Brasavage, Roderick Cook, and Megan Kost.

Four MMI received awards in the 2011 Johns Hopkins Global Talent Search conducted by the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth.

Seventh-grader Joshua Narrow, son of Howard and Marie Narrow, Hazleton, received a High Honors certificate for his performance in the Reading/Verbal category. Seventh-grader Quentin Novinger, son of Quentin and Lorraine Novinger, Mountaintop, scored High Honors for his performance in the Reading/Verbal and Math/Quantitative categories.

Additionally, freshman Claire Sheen, daughter of Kwangsup and Chaeyun Sheen, Mountaintop, scored High Honors in the Reading/Verbal and Math/Quantitative categories. Freshman Robert Graaf, grandson of Marvin and Sharleen Graaf, Hazleton, received a Certificate of Participation with Distinction in the Math/Quantitative category.

The students took the test for the program during the 2010-2011 school year.

Because they received High Honors, Narrow, Novinger, and Sheen were invited to a CTY Awards Ceremony to receive certificates in honor of their achievement. Only about 25 percent of Talent Search participants qualify for this honor.

CTY Talent Searches identify, assess and recognize students with exceptional abilities. The CTY community includes students from all over the world. CTY’s programs and services

help nurture students’ intellectual abilities, enhance personal development and foster better understanding of the needs of talented youth.

MMI will receive a certificate recognizing the school’s interest in serving academically talented students.

Students earn awards in talent contest

MMI students who received awards as part of the 2011 Johns Hopkins Global Talent Search are, from left: Joshua Narrow, Claire Sheen, Quentin Novinger, and Robert Graaf.

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MMI students earn PJAS awardsSeveral students from MMI earned

awards at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science’s regional convention held at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre.

Approximately 650 students participated in this year’s competition. Students who received awards were honored at a dinner and awards ceremony at the Genetti Hotel and Conference Center in Wilkes-Barre.

Four MMI students earned a perfect score in the competition. They were Ali Aijaz, Matthew Yurish, Katlyn Frey, and Anjni Patel.

Students who received first-place awards were: Gabriella Lobitz, Brianna Nocchi, Lora Schell, Megan Klein, Yusuf Qadri, Paige Darrow, Mitchell Muir, Joseph Yamulla, Farrah Qadri, Paul Brasavage, who received two first-place awards, Kisan Patel, Alexander Haber, Tyler Fulton, Balaganesh Natarajan, Samuel Sessock, Nicholas O’Clair, Ali Aijaz, Sarah Moyer, Stephanie Pudish, Justin Sheen, Sara Lucas, Sean Ducaji-Reap, Kirsten Young, Casey Olszewski, David Polashenski, Matthew Yurish, Llewellyn Dryfoos, Victoria Kline, Claire Sheen, Gabriellia Becker, Laurel Jacketti-Funk, Katlyn Frey, Anjni Patel, and Jay Solgama.

Students who received second-place awards were: Luke Yamulla, Joshua

Narrow, Gabriella DeMelfi, C.J. Snyder, Maria Carrato, Lacee Gera, Katie Eschenbach, Ashmeen Bains, Cindi Landmesser, Alexis Haupt, Sara Klush, Eleanor Maduro, Emily Morrison, Collin Frey, Austin Muir, and Ashley Acri.

Students who received third-place awards were Annika Fisk and Aydun Adil.

Those receiving additional awards were: Matthew Yurish, Excellence in Chemistry Award (Senior High); Llewellyn Dryfoos, Excellence in Computer Science Award (Junior High); and Paul Brasavage, Advisory Board Award.

MMI Preparatory School prep school students who earned awards at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science’s regional convention held at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre are, first row, from left: Megan Klein, Cindi Landmesser, Paige Darrow, Sara Lucas, Maria Carrato, Stephanie Pudish, Gabriellia Becker, Claire Sheen, Emily Morrison, Eleanor Maduro, Annika Fisk, adviser Susan Moyer, adviser Laura Petro, and adviser Mary-Lee Hood. Second row: Alexander Haber, Syed Yusuf Qadri, Ashmeen Bains, Kirsten Young, Farrah Qadri, Laurel Jacketti-Funk, Anjni Patel, Gabriella Lobitz, Alexis Haupt, C.J. Snyder, Joseph Yamulla, Llewellyn Dryfoos, Mitchell Muir, adviser Justin Vincent, Austin Muir, and adviser Michael Mele. Third row: Ashley Acri, Nicholas O’Clair, Lora Schell, Katlyn Frey, Brianna Nocchi, Matthew Yurish, Justin Sheen, Balaganesh Natarajan, Sean Ducaji-Reap, David Polashenski, Casey Olszewski, Tyler Fulton, Paul Brasavage, and adviser Matthew Kenenitz.

MMI Preparatory School mid school students who earned awards at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science’s regional convention held at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre are, first row, from left: adviser Mary-Lee Hood, adviser Susan Moyer, Sarah Moyer, Katie Eschenbach, Lacee Gera, Gabriella DeMelfi, Sarah Klush, and adviser Laura Petro. Second row: adviser Justin Vincent, Joshua Narrow, Kisan Patel, Ali Aijaz, Victoria Kline, Luke Yamulla, Jay Solgama, Samuel Sessock, adviser Michael Mele, and adviser Matthew Kenenitz.

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Inductees announced for Wall of Fame 2012MMI President Thomas G. Hood and

the Wall of Fame Selection Committee are proud to announce the inductees to the MMI Wall of Fame 2012. More detailed information on the honorees will be presented in the Summer edition of MMI Today. The induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 8.

Athletic AchievementMr. Walter F. Dryfoos ’59

• Held MMI’s all-time scoring record in basketball

• Set all-time scoring record in a season with 694 points as the team posted a 17-10 season

• Averaged 25.8 points per game in his senior year while shooting 68 percent from the field

• Set numerous records playing basketball at Ursinus College

• Served as the first-ever men’s basketball coach at DeSales University

Community ServiceMr. Paul D. Lesser ’73

• Volunteered as a firefighter for more than 35 years, serving in the Fearnots Fire Company, the Freeland Fire Department (assistant chief), Neversink Fire Company No. 3, and Diamond Fire Company No. 2.

• Instructed at the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy and ran PPL’s Fire Training Facility for 32 years before retiring in 2011

• Currently serves as the public safety training coordinator at Luzerne County Community College

• Recently was re-appointed for another four-year term on the PA Fire Service Certification Advisory Committee under the state fire commissioner

Professional Achievement

Dr. Cory Coll ’60• Worked at Sandia National Laboratories

from 1974 to 1981 before moving to Lawrence Livermore National Lab as a design physicist

• Between 1984 and 1986, served as staff to the deputy undersecretary for defense for strategic and nuclear forces

• Later served as a program manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

• Returned to Livermore in 1988 as a deputy program manager and moved to a staff member position in the office of the director of the Department of Defense Programs

Dr. Lawrence Kline ’60• Board certified in internal medicine,

pulmonary medicine, critical care medicine, and sleep disorders medicine

• Joined the Scripps Clinic in 1978 in San Diego, California, and has served as director of chest and critical care, senior consultant, trustee of Scripps Foundation, and adjunct associate member of the Department of Molecular and Experimental Research

• Treated Mother Teresa during a one-month stay at the clinic’s hospital and attended her beatification ceremony at the invitation of Pope John Paul II

• Serves on the Internal Advisory Board at Scripps and is an assistant clinical professor at UC San Diego’s School of Medicine, a presidential appointee to the International United States-Mexico Border Health Commission, a trustee at the Neurosciences Institute, and president of the LASH Foundation

Dr. Nicholas Martyak ’59

(deceased February 18, 1998)

• Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatrics

• Served as chief of pediatrics at Coaldale State General Hospital and at Hazleton-St. Joseph Hospital

• Served as a clinical assistant professor at Penn State University, a Wilkes-Hahnneman Medical Education Program and King’s College instructor for the physician assistant programs, medical director at the State Correctional Institution at Mahanoy, and chair of the Luzerne-Wyoming County Mental Health Board

• Was an MMI board member and honorary board member

Dr. Fredrick T. Sherman ’63 • Serves as chief medical officer for

community and managed-care services for ArchCare, formerly the Catholic Health Care System of the Archdiocese of New York

• Serves as a clinical professor of geriatrics and palliative medicine at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine

• Has been medical editor of the journal Geriatrics since 2001 and author of over 100 clinical publications

• Earned the following awards: first American Geriatrics Society’s Clinician of the Year Award in 1990; Teacher of the Year at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in 1983, 2000, and 2004; and the Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award

Service to MMIMr. William K. Rudewick ’42

(deceased October 13, 2005)

• Served as assistant to the president at MMI from 1975 to 1987

• Responsible for the faculty, scheduling, co-curricular activities, and discipline

• Organized and executed many MMI events including Homecoming, sports award banquets, annual Phonathon, and the 1979 centennial celebration

• Coached MMI’s golf team

Dr. David Stiller ’61• Taught chemistry and physical science

at MMI for over 30 years, serving as Science Department chair

• Instrumental in beginning PJAS Club and MMI’s membership in the American Chemical Society (ACS)

• Served as adviser to numerous clubs such as fly tying, biking, outdoor, hiking, and environmental club

• Earned accolades as K-Mart Teacher of the Year, Walmart Teacher of the Year, ACS Outstanding Chemistry Teacher twice, Tandy Corp. Scholar Finalist, and The David W. Stiller, Ph.D., Chemistry Chair by the Charles. T. Butler Endowment in recognition of his talent and service

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Maggie Mistal ’91 was the perfect choice to talk to this year’s graduating class – seniors who are about to transition to the next phase of their lives. Helping people make transitions and follow their dreams is what she does on a daily basis, as Mistal is a career coach who works with clients to help them find employment that is ideally suited to them.

“I’m so excited to be the commencement speaker this year. For me, it’s a dream come true. MMI has had a huge impact on my life, my perspective and, I believe, my success, so it’s wonderful to be able to share inspiration with the graduating seniors,” she said.

Mistal, touted by CNN as “one of the nation’s best known career coaches,” entered the field through a career transition of her own.

After attending Villanova University on a full scholarship, she began working at accounting firm Arthur Andersen. While she was working at Arthur Andersen, the firm broke down after it was found guilty of criminal charges relating to its handling of audits of energy company Enron. Although the conviction was eventually overturned by the Supreme Court, the majority of the firm’s 28,000 employees needed to find new jobs because of the scandal.

Mistal initially looked to career coaching to find a coach for herself in the wake of the Enron scandal, having only a few months to find a job.

“In doing so, I discovered I’d been a natural career coach all my life, helping people I knew overcome obstacles. I had

never thought I could make a career out of it,” she said.

Mistal launched her career coaching business on the side while working for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, which she described as “a great launchpad for me careerwise.” At Martha Stewart, she worked in training and development and coached employees within the company. She became the career coach for Martha Stewart Living Radio and hosted her own nationally syndicated radio show for six years on SiriusXM called “Making a Living with Maggie.” She answered listener calls and also interviewed numerous celebrities such as Martha Stewart, Deepak Chopra, actress Patricia Heaton and tennis great Martina Navratilova to inspire her audience to create their dream jobs.

Mistal’s business has continued to flourish and she has appeared on CNN 12 times. Her sister, Marcy Yurick ’92, has been her virtual assistant for six years.

Mistal will address the graduates with a message that centers on “Everything I ever needed to know, I learned at MMI.”

“If you can make it at MMI, you can make it anywhere. The school provides the essential foundation and building blocks to help its students develop their skills and follow their passions,” she said.

“MMI instilled a lot of confidence in me. The school provides an approach to learning that can really expand your mindset and helps show how much is possible for you. There’s not just one

path you can take. To learn lessons like that at such a young age is very helpful,” she said.

Mistal was salutatorian of her graduating class in 1991 and gave her speech about MMI alumni who had made a great impact in the world.

She said, “These were people who reached the heights of their field. When you know you’re part of such a group and you can have so much of an impact, it builds confidence. We may be part of a small school and town, but our alumni have an impact all over the world.”

Mistal also said assemblies at MMI helped develop her public speaking ability, which has been of great benefit in her career.

“Most of all, MMI taught me how to learn, which has been crucial in the career changes I’ve made and in creating the career I have,” she said.

Through her career change and life purpose coaching services, Mistal has a steady client flow and works with five to 10 clients at any one time. She usually works with a client for about three to four months using her specially developed Soul Search, Research, Job Search approach. The Soul Search aspect helps the client developing clarity on an ideal career, the Research process assists the client in learning more about that career, and the Job Search phase focuses on helping the client make the career a reality.

Mistal, who spoke to prep school students at MMI several years ago, will meet with MMI’s seniors during the week leading up to commencement.

She lives in Manhattan with her husband, Craig Zabransky, and their son, Mercer.

Maggie Mistal ’91

Alumna helps others follow their dreams

Alumni reconnect at Mid-Winter SocialMMI alumni, friends, and

faculty gathered for MMI’s Mid-Winter Social at the

Valley Country Club on February 24. Right: Lorraine

Sharp and Edward Sharp ’36 visit with Mary-Lee Hood.

Maggie Mistal ’91 to speak to graduates

Left: Norman Dick ’87, Tim Twardzik, Director of Admissions Aprilaurie Whitley ’88, and Stan Warner ’92 take a moment to pause for a photo.

10

The Grammy-nominated Wister Quartet returned to MMI for a concert on April 16, the ninth consecutive year the group performed at the school.

The program was given in honor of Dr. James W. Feussner ’65, who was instrumental in bringing the quartet to MMI for the first time in 2004. He has financially supported the quartet’s return each subsequent year.

The Wister Quartet’s program, entitled “From Broadway to Borodin,” included music by Joseph Haydn, Alexandre Porfir’yevich Borodin, Stephen Sondheim, and Franz Schubert. Original compositions by quartet member Lloyd Smith were part of the performance. This year’s concert once again featured special guest Allen Krantz, a critically acclaimed guitarist, composer, and chamber musician.

The group also performed for students in grades six through eight during a student assembly at the school the same day as the public concert. The student concert illustrated the connection between classical music and the popular music of Broadway, featuring music by Borodon, Sondheim, and Leonard Bernstein. Students played original pieces by Smith, one for each grade, alongside the ensemble during both performances.

MMI President Thomas Hood said,

“The Wister Quartet’s performances at MMI, which are always well received by the community and students alike, help cultivate a love of classical music in our students.”

The Wister Quartet, which formed in 1987, was named to honor Frances Anne Wister, founder of the Volunteer Committees of the Philadelphia Orchestra. The Wister Quartet has earned high praise from critics and audiences alike for its superb musicianship and memorable performances, including those with guest artists Emanuel Ax, Yefim Bronfman, Alicia de Larrocha, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Christoph

Eschenbach and Yo-Yo Ma. The quartet performs widely in the tri-state area and has recorded with DTR Recording Company, earning a Grammy nomination and critical praise for its “big vibrant sound, dramatic contrasts and brilliant effects.” The Wister Quartet is the core group of 1807 & Friends.

The Wister Quartet is made up of violinists Nancy Bean and Davyd Booth, violist Pamela Fay and cellist Lloyd Smith. The musicians also belong to several other performance groups, including the 1807 & Friends Chamber Ensemble and the renowned Philadelphia Orchestra.

Wister performs at MMI for ninth year

MMI mid school students, directed by Tina Lizbinski, perform with members of the Wister Quartet on April 16.

Warren serves as Montour district attorney(Continued from page 1)

She said MMI has benefited her in her career in many ways, citing in particular the “extremely challenging courses and excellent teachers.”

“They teach students how to be organized and how to study, which translates into the working world. MMI is also a fabulous resource for learning how to network and interact with your peers,” Warren said.

She advised current students to take advantage of the school’s many offerings, saying, “Realize the wonderful opportunity you have. Very few students have the opportunity to be immersed in such a great educational process.”

Warren remains involved with the school today as a member of the Wall of Fame Committee and previously served as a board member. She has also committed to assisting the school through planned giving.

“I want to help MMI give the same opportunity that I had to other students,” she said.

“As an attorney, I handled estate planning and saw many people who didn’t want to think about a will or decide where they should leave their money. That’s the worst approach you can take, because if you pass away without a will, none of your wishes are met,” Warren said.

With a planned gift, she noted, the donor can do something positive that will greatly impact future generations at MMI.

“Planned giving is something you can set up for the future that doesn’t affect your financial situation now. It’s a win-win arrangement for the donor and the school. You’re never too young to think of preparing a will and planning your estate,” she said.

Warren lives in Danville with her

husband, Rick, and their children, Grant, 10, and Blake, 6. Grant recently attended MMI’s Visitation Night and Warren hopes her sons will attend MMI.

She serves on the board of Maria Joseph Continuing Care Community in Danville; is a volunteer for Montour County’s 4-H venue, Montour-DeLong Community Fair; is co-chair of the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force; and is a member of organizations including the Montour County Prison Board, the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, the National District Attorneys Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Columbia-Montour Bar Association, the Pennsylvania State Grange, the Pennsylvania Sheriffs’ Association, the Republican Party of Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Club, and a local neighborhood watch group.

11

Alex Price Baj ’88, daughter of Mr. Samuel ’56 and Mrs. Angela Price, recently wrote a children’s fantasy book, The Black Stone Prophecy, which is available on Amazon.com.

Attorney Andrew Christopher ’00, son of Carl and Anne Christopher, has accepted a position with the legal staff of the Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington, D.C.

Samantha Christopher ’04, daughter of Carl and Anne Christopher, has been named curator at the Pennsylvania State Police Museum in Hershey.

Gabrielle Dei Tos ’08, daughter of Nick ’71 and Patricia Dei Tos, had a very successful senior season running with the Philadelphia University women’s cross country team. In addition to serving as a team captain, she was selected as a U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Division II Academic All American at the conclusion of her final season.

Nina C. Dei Tos ’01, daughter of Nick ’71 and Patricia Dei Tos, has accepted a position with The Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC), Scranton, as the director of alumni relations and annual giving. In this position, she will direct the college’s alumni relations and annual giving functions and will serve as the primary contact for physician and student relations within the Institutional Advancement Office. She will also promote the college’s philanthropic interests by planning, coordinating, and executing special events and the annual fund on behalf of TCMC.

Lindsay Gorski ’07, daughter of Lynn Gorski and William Gorski, graduated from Temple University in January, earning

her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary and Special Education with a minor in Spanish. She maintained an almost-perfect GPA and was selected to be the student keynote speaker at January’s commencement.

Eric Twardzik ’09, son of Tim and Carol Twardzik, is currently serving as the nonfiction editor of Emerson College’s Gauge Magazine and the deputy A&E editor of The Berkeley Beacon, Emerson College’s daily newspaper. This spring he will have articles published in all four magazines on campus. A previously campus-published article covering the lives of professional renaissance faire knights has been submitted to the editor of Vanity Fair for consideration. Over the summer, Eric will be interning at Culture Magazine’s new offices in Somerville, Massachusetts. His duties will include research, copywriting, blogging, article formatting, and data entry for both the website and magazine.

Beth A. Woodring ’79, daughter of Gordon and Ann Woodring, was appointed as chief underwriting officer of the Barbour Group in Westminster, Md., this past fall. Prior to joining the Barbour Group, Beth held senior leadership positions with the State of Maryland’s Department of Business and Economic Development and as a commercial lender with Mellon Bank and Bank of Maryland. She holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Bucknell University. The Barbour Group is a 100 percent female-owned company based in Westminster, Md., which provides surety bonding and commercial insurance solutions for construction contractors and Fortune 1000 companies.

Alumni NotesWhat’s happening with MMI graduates around the globe

Alumna earns Ph.D., teaches at Texas university Joleen Beltrami ’82 earned a Ph.D.

in Applied Statistics from the University of Texas at San Antonio in August. Her dissertation is entitled “Competing Risks in the Step-Stress Model with Lagged Effects,” and is dedicated to her brother Joseph Beltrami, Jr., who passed away last spring.

“Several faculty members were doing research in that area and it seemed very interesting, with a lot of application to real-world problems,” Beltrami said.

After receiving bachelor’s degrees in Economics and French from Wellesley College, she earned a Master of Science degree in Statistics from the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she taught in the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Management Science and Statistics from 2001 until

2008. While at UTSA, she established several degree and minor programs, implementing and overseeing a Bachelor of Science degree program in Actuarial Science as well as a minor in Actuarial Science.

Beltrami received the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2004 and 2006 at UTSA, as well as the Dean’s Teaching Award for Core Curriculum in 2006.

In 2009, Beltrami joined the faculty of the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, as an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics. She teaches undergraduate and graduate statistics courses and is working to establish a minor program in Actuarial Science at the University of the Incarnate Word.

“MMI provided an excellent academic background for me as well as a really good foundation in terms of responsibility, commitment, and so forth,” she said. She and her husband, Todd Schell ’80, visit the school

whenever they are back in the area.

She and Todd live in San Antonio with their children, Austin, a freshman at Texas A&M University, and Madison, a sophomore at Claudia Taylor Johnson High School.

Beltrami is the daughter of Paula (Mindick) Beltrami, Hazleton, and Joseph Beltrami, Sr., Sugarloaf, and the daughter-in-law of Beverly and Earl Schell, Sugarloaf. Her nephew, Noah Beltrami (her late brother’s son), is a junior at MMI.

In her community, Beltrami volunteers with several children’s organizations in addition to activities at her children’s schools, including the marching band. She spends time on a volunteer basis mentoring students for honors and scholarship projects. She also takes part in many service-oriented activities through the University of the Incarnate Word, including Habitat for Humanity projects and ecological conservation efforts through the Headwaters Coalition on a portion of the San Antonio River near the campus.

Beltrami

12

MMI celebrated the opening of its new baseball and softball fields on April 13. The fields are part of the school’s new 30-acre athletics and environmental complex, made possible by the current Campaign for MMI.

Anthony Cusat and Samuel Schaeffer threw out the ceremonial first pitches on the baseball field, accompanied by MMI Athletic Director Bruce Young. Both Mr. Cusat and Mr. Schaeffer have been long-serving members of the MMI community in many capacities. Mr. Cusat currently teaches math and is MMI’s longest-tenured faculty member, having been on staff since the fall of 1972. Mr. Schaeffer retired in 2006 after teaching in MMI’s social studies department for 38 years. Both served as baseball coaches for the Preppers.

From the softball field pitcher’s circle, Dr. William Shergalis ’58 threw out the first pitch, accompanied by President Thomas G. Hood. Dr. Shergalis served as the chairman of the MMI Board of Directors and retired as the president of MMI in 2008. The athletic fields complex was

Dr. Shergalis’ dream during his tenure as head of school.

The MMI family would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Shergalis, Mr. Cusat, and Mr. Schaeffer for their leadership, commitment, and vision. Following the ceremony, both the softball and baseball teams posted 10-0 wins over GAR High School.

New baseball, softball fields open for play

Samuel Schaeffer, left, and Anthony Cusat, right, prepare to throw out the first baseball pitches, while Athletic Director Bruce Young watches from the middle.

President Emeritus Dr. William Shergalis ’58 throws out the first softball pitch. President Thomas G. Hood is at right.Caitlin Ferry ’10 sings the national anthem.

MemorialsLibrary Memorials, Annual Fund Memorials and Honors donated between December 15, 2011, and April 15, 2012

In memory of Edward Abrams ’62Mrs. Marlene Abrams

In memory of Richard Abrams ’60Mr. Jacob R. Sherman ’60

In memory of Peter AmentlerDr. John ’67 & Mrs. Kristine Amentler

In memory of Milton & Hilda AppleRabbi James ’55 & Mrs. Sandra Apple

In memory of John BaerDr. William ’58 & Mrs. Miki Shergalis

In memory of Stanley Balon ’38Mr. Frank D. Balon

In memory of Alexandra BetleyMr. Gregory ’70 & Mrs. Anne Marie Betley

In memory of Joseph M. BoyleMr. Paul Lesser ’73

In honor of Denis Brenan ’55Mr. C. Kane Brenan

In memory of Lambert E. BroadMr. & Mrs. John Kushnerick

In memory of Thomas F. Cadwalader, Jr.Mrs. Thomas F. Cadwalader, Jr.

In memory of Bill CampbellMr. & Mrs. James M. BielloMs. Samantha M. Christopher ’04Mr. Karl Wallen ’87

In memory of Mary CeraMr. Anthony ’58 & Mrs. Rosalie Cera

In memory of Elizabeth CorcoranDr. William ’58 & Mrs. Miki Shergalis

13

In memory of Clare & Bob CorrellMr. & Mrs. Martin Kimmel

In memory of George DeComa ’42Mr. Carmen DeComa ’39 Mr. Joseph DeComa

In honor of John J. Della Croce ’73The staff at Della Croce Dental Care

In memory of Stanley J. DudaAtty. & Mrs. Theodore R. Laputka

In memory of Elizabeth EvansDr. William ’58 & Mrs. Miki Shergalis

In memory of George Fatula ’56Dr. William ’58 & Mrs. Miki Shergalis

In memory of Albert C. FeissnerMr. Francis Feissner ’59

In memory of Dr. James Fischer ’53Mr. & Mrs. Thomas G. HoodMr. & Mrs. Timothy McNultyDr. William ’58 & Mrs. Miki Shergalis

In memory of Dr. Thomas E. Gillespie ’57Mrs. Barbara L. Gillespie

In memory of Ira Mark Goldberg ’64Mrs. Angeline CameronMs. Nina Dei Tos ’01 Mrs. Marilyn GordonMr. & Mrs. Thomas G. HoodMr. & Mrs. Walter C. IffertMrs. Ann G. KrusinskiMr. & Mrs. Howard NarrowMr. & Mrs. Richard P. NauseMrs. Donna NestorMr. Daniel Roda ’01Ms. Julie Roda ’98Dr. & Mrs. Paul I. Roda, M.D.Ms. Lorna D. Veglia

In memory of Atty. Morton J. Gordon ’52Mrs. Marilyn Gordon

In memory of Alfred Huang ’99Mr. Jason & Dr. Jodi Lenko ’99

In memory of Walter Iffert ’49Mrs. Ann G. Krusinski

In memory of William JamackMMI Parent Faculty Organization

In memory of Thomas Kishen ’46Mr. & Mrs. Thomas G. Hood Mrs. Gloria Kishen

In memory of Matilda KollarMr. & Mrs. Thomas G. Hood

In memory of Joseph KubaMr. & Mrs. Thomas G. Hood

In memory of Mary KushnerMr. Andrew T. Kushner ’63

In memory of Mr. & Mrs. Milford LaubDr. Herbert ’56 & Mrs. Estee Laub

In memory of Donna M. LawsonMr. Jimmy Lawson

In memory of Alvan Lynn ’55Mrs. Patricia J. Lynn Mrs. Cynthia L. Noren

In memory of Margaret MarusiakMr. & Mrs. Thomas G. HoodMr. & Mrs. Anthony Kiddish

In memory of Elizabeth McGovernMr. & Mrs. Michael J. Morrison

In memory of Thomas Merrick ’51Mr. Edward R. Merrick ’54

In honor of MMI Preparatory School’s Music Program

DeAngelo Brothers, Inc. In memory of William Morse ’52Dryfoos Insurance Agency, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. William J. Flood Mr. & Mrs. Thomas G. Hood Mr. & Mrs. Timothy McNultyDr. William ’58 & Mrs. Miki Shergalis

In memory of William ’52 and Patricia Morse

Mr. and Mrs. Llewellyn F. Dryfoos, Jr.

In memory of James A. O’Neill ’41Ms. Suzanne C. Ludlam

In memory of Lois PanckeriMr. & Mrs. Thomas G. HoodMr. Brian ’84 & Mrs. Kathy LucasMr. & Mrs. Timothy McNultyMMI Parent Faculty Organization Dr. William ’58 & Mrs. Miki Shergalis

In memory of Joseph Raynock ’49Mr. & Mrs. Thomas G. Hood

In memory of William Rowett ’62Mrs. Marlene Abrams In honor of Joseph RudawskiRev. & Mrs. John M. Brndjar

In memory of Sammy the catMr. Edward ’58 & Mrs. Susanne Lesny

In memory of Bernadine ScalleatMr. & Mrs. Thomas G. HoodMr. Mark ’79 & Mrs. Lee Ann Laputka

In memory of David E. SchnauferMr. & Mrs. Thomas G. Hood In memory of William K. Schreiner ’61Mr. E. Edward ’61 & Mrs. Karen Riley

In memory of Robert Seitzinger ’38Mr. & Mrs. Paul CurryMr. & Mrs. Richard HollednakMr. & Mrs. Thomas G. HoodMr. & Mrs. Timothy McNultyMrs. Mary Siroky

In memory of Debbi SmithDr. William ’58 & Mrs. Miki Shergalis Ms. Allison Thomas ’09

In memory of Theresa TomczakMr. Leo ’45 & Mrs. Cecelia Ravina

In memory of James C. Warner ’54Anonymous

In memory of Gertrude WeaverMr. Joshua Kiddish ’11

In memory of Thea WelskoMr. Thomas E. Welsko ’57

In memory of Beth Ann WennerMr. Brian ’84 & Mrs. Kathy Lucas MMI Parent Faculty OrganizationDr. William ’58 & Mrs. Miki Shergalis

In memory of George Woelfel ’37Dryfoos Insurance Agency, Inc.

In memory of Sarah Jane Yuscavage ’04Mr. & Mrs. Joseph J. Yuscavage

Additional memorials

14

MilestonesEvents in the lives of the MMI Prep family

EngagementNicole Ferdinand ’04, daughter of Paul ’63 and Nancy Ferdinand, became engaged to Brett Freeman recently and is planning a July wedding.

BirthsBernadette Genetti ’00, daughter of Barbara Genetti, and her husband, Jonathan Ulanoski, welcomed their first baby, a girl, on February 24, 2011. The couple married on May 22, 2010, and look forward to enrolling their daughter at MMI in the coming years.

Crystal (Hollednak) Rodgers ’01, daughter of Richard and Frances Hollednak, and her husband, Gary Jr., welcomed a daughter, Cara Lynn Rodgers, on March 23, 2012. Cara joins her 2 ½-year-old sister, Cassidy Ann.

Bill Van Horn ’98, son of William and Cynthia Van Horn, and his wife, Goldie, welcomed a daughter, Cecily Margaret Van Horn, on December 29, 2011. Cecily joins a sister, Caroline, 2.

DeathsMary Paul Bellows passed away on February 14, 2012. She is survived by children, Charles “Trip” Bellows, III ’68 and his wife, Dena; Julie Bellows and her husband, John Donini; Kathy Bellows; and Chris Bellows and his wife, Lyn; and three grandchildren.

James R. D’Andrea ’39 passed away on March 8, 2012. He is survived by daughters, Barbara Holly and her husband, David; Linda D’Andrea and her partner, Michele; and Catheryn D’Andrea; and four grandchildren.

George T. Fatula ’56 passed away on February 16, 2012. He is survived by his caregiver, Susan Yoder, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

James J. Fischer ’53 passed away on February 22, 2012. Dr. Fischer is survived by his wife, Dr. Anne Curtis; son, Henry W.B. Fischer; daughter, Gwendolyn Magnan, and her husband, Richard; and grandchildren, Edward, Charles, Elizabeth, and Caroline.

Rosella Gardecki passed away on January 19, 2012. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Joseph Gardecki; children, Joseph Gardecki ’84 and his wife, Ramona; Rosella Gardecki ’86; and John Gardecki ’90; and granddaughter, Emma.

Ira Mark Goldberg ’64 passed away on March 28, 2012. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Louise; son, David; and sister, Michele Goldberg.

John M. Heller passed away on March 19, 2012. He is survived by his wife, Helen; son, John Heller, and his wife, JoAnn; daughters, Jacqueline Malloy and her husband, Joseph; and Jean Heller and her companion, Joseph Martin; and grandchildren, Jennifer Massell ’00 and her husband, James; Jessica Malloy ’06; Josette Malloy; JoLynn Heller ’07; John Heller; and Amy Zurko.

Walter H. Iffert, Jr. ’49 passed away on February 13, 2012. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; son, Walter C., and his wife, Dea; daughter, Lynn, and her husband, Thomas Lyman; and

two grandchildren.

Thomas Kishen ’46 passed away on December 28, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Gloria, and five children.

Matilda Kollar passed away on March 25, 2012. She is survived by sons, Ron Kollar, Tom Kollar ’72, and Dave Kollar; and grandchildren, Brian Kollar, Janelle Montigney, Lynette Kollar, Alicia Brumbaugh, Ian Kollar ’06, and Aaron Kollar ’13.

Joseph J. Kuba passed away on March 17, 2012. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, the former Marcella Leggo; children, Linda Drusda and her husband, Jeffrey; Elaine Cussatt and her husband, Gregory; and Stephen Kuba and his fiancée, Heather Mellor; and grandchildren, Kristopher Kuba, Alex Drusda ’14, Brendan Drusda ’16, and Alyssa Cussatt.

David J. Mahon passed away on January 15, 2012. He is survived by sons, David Mahon and his wife, Elizabeth; and James Mahon and his wife, Jennifer; daughter, Mary Ann; and six grandchildren, including Kevin Falatko ’03.

Margaret C. Marusiak passed away on November 27, 2011. She is survived by five daughters including former MMI faculty member Cathy Kasarda and her husband, Emil; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

William L. Morse, Jr. ’52 passed away on January 7, 2012. He is survived by his sister, Linda Gicking; sons, William Morse, III and his wife, Robin; and Robert S. Morse and his wife, Jane Ann; daughter, Elizabeth Collins and her husband, Robert; and four grandchildren.

Lois J. Panckeri passed away on January 9, 2012. She is survived by her daughter, MMI faculty member Donna Titus and her husband, Albert, and grandchildren Nathaniel Titus ’03, Colin Titus ’06, and Alaina Titus ’10.

Joseph Francis Raynock ’49 passed away on December 16, 2011. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Gloria; sons, Joseph Raynock, Jr. and his wife, Patti; and Michael Raynock; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

David E. Schnaufer passed away on March 8, 2012. He is survived by his wife, Ann; three daughters, Minda, Megan, and Molli; and son, Micah Schnaufer ’10.

Robert L. Seitzinger, Jr. ’38 passed away on February 28, 2012. He is survived by his wife, Helen; his children, Jeanne Goff and her husband, Kenneth; and Betsy Barnette and her husband, Bruce; stepchildren, Larry Gabriel and his wife, Janet; Mike Gabriel and his wife, Pat; and Susan Siroki and her husband, Leo Kratz; six grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren.

Debbi Smith passed away on January 31, 2012. She is survived by her husband, Stephen; son, Brian; and daughter, Traci Smith ’09.

Correction: Alfred Huang ’99, who passed away on October 12, 2011, is survived by his parents, Jung Tsung and Mei Chin Huang; brother, Albert Huang ’97; and cousins, An-Chian Kao ’88 and Andrew Kao ’94. Andrew was originally left out of the listing and MMI apologizes for the omission.

Victoria Kline is now in her second year as a mid-school student at MMI. She is a competitive figure skater who began skating at age 7 and was competing by her eighth birthday. Victoria competes at the level of Juvenile Ladies and her most notable achievement is winning a silver medal at the South Atlantic Regional Competition.

She belongs to the Figure Skating Club of Northeast Pennsylvania and practiced at either Coal Street Rink or Revolution Ice Rink.

Unfortunately, Victoria has been

grounded from her leaps and twirls by a problematic foot fracture this year. However, she is enjoying having some more time on her hands for other hobbies such as drawing, reading, writing, and spending time with her friends. She also has had the chance to get more involved at MMI, participating in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science and as a member of the stage crew in the recent Prepper Playhouse production of “Guys and Dolls.” Victoria also has a love of music and has been playing the piano since the age of 6. She

took up dancing a couple of years ago, initially to help her with her skating. In recent months, her passions have shifted, but dance remains a very important part of her life.

Victoria is the daughter of John and June Kline of Mountaintop. She has four younger sisters. Caitlyn is in sixth grade at MMI. Jessica attends Wyoming Valley Montessori School, and Dominique and Erica both attend Wilkes-Barre Academy.

Faces in the Crowd

Cory Rogers enrolled at MMI in ninth grade this past fall and two of his four siblings are MMI alumni. He initially considered the school after seeing the benefits both his brother and sister gained through their attendance at the school and as a result of conversations with MMI Head Basketball Coach Joe Flanagan, who also serves as director of the Freeland YMCA.

Cory said, “I enjoy MMI more than I thought I would. There isn’t as much homework as everyone thinks. I really like staying after school and hanging out

with my friends in the Coxe Commons.”

Cory plays basketball and baseball at MMI and also plays Babe Ruth baseball. His favorite subject at MMI is U.S. History and he really enjoys the way the subject is taught by Ms. Grete DeAngelo. When he graduates, he hopes to attend the University of Notre Dame and he would like to embark on a career as a sports broadcaster.

Cory is a Freeland native and is the son of Robert and Deborah Rogers. He has two older brothers and two older sisters. Skye, his oldest brother, resides

in Freeland. Jim ’02 is in the Navy and is stationed in Maryland. Kate ’05 lives in Wisconsin, and Meg is a student at Temple University.

Stella Boosalis is a full-time member of the faculty at MMI in her fifth year. She serves as the librarian and also teaches classes in Computer Applications and Library Science for mid-school students. Ms. Boosalis uses a Socratic teaching method, engaging her students to think critically through writing, debate, and documentaries. She also helps students on a school-wide basis with research and navigation through MMI’s databases and other resources. In addition, she is the adviser for the Foreign Film Club.

Ms. Boosalis earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Russian and Soviet Studies from the University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom. Prior to arriving to MMI, she spent more than 20 years working in the

education field in many different roles through educational tours in Europe and the former Soviet Union. She also has past experience as a teacher, librarian, and school administrator. In her spare time, Ms. Boosalis enjoys reading, films and documentaries, photography, healthy living, and traveling to Europe to

visit her family.

“The library is the backbone and the heart of any educational establishment. I am honored to be a part of this significant milestone for MMI with the opening of the Joseph A. Turri ’45 Library and Learning Center. The new facility will greatly enhance the school’s climate for learning and research. I commend Mr. Turri for his investment in the academic enrichment of the students and wanting to create a beautiful and collegiate environment.”

Ms. Boosalis resides in the Weatherly area with her four children. Michael ’09 is currently a junior at George Washington University. Katerina is a freshman at King’s College. Maria is a senior at MMI and Andreas is an MMI eighth-grader.

“Faces in the Crowd” is a feature of MMI Today that includes more information on MMI students and faculty members. Through these articles, newsletter readers will have the opportunity to learn more about members of the MMI family.

Victoria Kline – Class of 2016

Cory Rogers – Class of 2015

Ms. Stella Boosalis – Faculty

Ms. Stella Boosalis

Cory Rogers

Victoria Kline

15

MMI Preparatory School154 Centre StreetFreeland, PA 18224

Address service requested

New awnings installed

Through an anonymous donor, MMI

was able to have two new awnings

installed over the Ridge Street entrances.

NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDWILKES-BARRE, PA

PERMIT#188

For more information, please visit www.mmiprep.org and click on “2012 Summer Camps” button

Storybook Theatre, Stop Action Animation, Introduction to Photography, and many more!

MMI Summer Camps 2012Prep School Awards Convocation . . . . . . . . . . . . May 16Baccalaureate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 22Commencement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 24Washington, D.C., alumni mini-reunion . . . . . . . May 31Jake Kislan ’56 Memorial Golf Tournament . . . . . June 22

Important Dates