Area students are writing a weekly column for the Times News. The column is being coordinated by Sue Ann Gerhard from Carbon Career & Technical Institute.

Carbon Career & Technical Institute

Gracie Heintzelman

Hello every one, here is what is happening at CCTI.

Yearbooks are available for purchase. You can visit the tech office for an order envelope or order online at https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/my/CCTI2024. Yearbooks are $35 and will be delivered at the end of May.

Great job to all the DECA students who attended states Feb. 21-23.

Also, congratulations to Officer Woods for being awarded support staff member of the marking period.

The Salon will be open to the public on Feb. 29 and March 1.

Call 570-325-3682 ext. 1129 for an appointment.

Lehighton High School

Koy Wentz and Abby Bauder

Penn State Hazleton will be hosting an engineering day for any ninth or tenth grade students who are interested in learning more about a career in engineering. This opportunity will take place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 12. It will include hands-on engineering activities, panel discussion with people in the field, and a tour of PSU Hazleton. This opportunity allows students to learn more about this field of career. Students who may have an interest in engineering will get to learn more about what an engineering career has to offer.

Shout out to Lorah Thomas, who placed first in shot put, as well as Gabby Brown, who placed third in long jump in the Douglas W. Wesner Memorial Invitational held at Kutztown University. Amazing work to all Lehighton track and field athletes who attended and competed.

We look forward to bringing you more news next week. Stay tuned.

Panther Valley High School

Mikayla Yuricheck

Here at Panther Valley we are thinking of spring, because spring sports are quickly approaching. Spring Media/Picture Day will be held on March 11 for our spring sports athletes. Spring Meet the Panthers will be held on March 13. Our Panther Valley boys baseball team will be holding their 2nd Annual Egg My Yard Fundraiser. With this fundraiser, you have until March 15 to request candy filled eggs and a letter from the Easter bunny to be put in your yard on Easter morning. More information about the fundraiser can be found on the PV Sports Facebook page. We cannot skip ahead to spring without remembering the fantastic accomplishments of our winter sports athletes. Brenda Banks placed first at 235 pound. weight class in wrestling, and she will be competing in regionals today. Kyla McQuillen took home fifth place and Haylee Fessler took home sixth place in their respective weight classes at the District 11 Tournament. We wish our girls and boys basketball teams, the boys wrestling team, as well as our independent swimmer, Michael Williams good luck as they compete in districts.

As the school year is nearing the end, the seniors are reminded to continually check their grades to ensure that they can participate in the end of year activities, and graduate on time. The senior class is also selling Krispy Kreme donuts until Feb. 29, so you can see any member of the senior class to purchase these. Thanks for reading, and I look forward to checking in again next week.

Jim Thorpe High School

Gabriella Cerra

To commence the final week of February, there is much on the agenda. First off, the Future Business Leaders of America are concluding lottery ticket sales for the month of March on Thursday, Feb. 29, and then beginning to call winners the following day. The State Leadership Conference is only approaching faster and faster, so there will likely be more in store in the way of FBLA fundraising. The LifeSmarts competition, which previously took place in the fall, is a two-person team competition, consisting of an individual test each and a team assessment regarding topics relating to business and real-world skills, such as personal finance. The Spring competition is now active. Teams that participated in the fall now have Spring tests and are encouraged to begin studying. There will be an 8:30 a.m. presentation for the Future Business Leaders on Wednesday, Feb. 28, in the high school auditorium. On Friday, March 1, members who signed up to attend the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins vs. the Charlotte Checkers game, at Mohegan Sun Arena, will depart at 3:30 p.m. and arrive back approximately seven hours later. The business leaders will receive a behind-the-scenes tour and gain cherishable memories. Lastly for business matters, any junior or senior interested in applying for National Business Honors Society is to submit his or her application by Saturday, March 2.

Once again, Mr. Holub and Mr. Ellison will host a history club meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 27 from 2:45-4 p.m.

Scholastic Scrimmage practice has officially been moved from 2:30-3:30 p.m. after school on Wednesdays, to PODS on Thursdays, for the sake of member convenience. Anyone interested in trivia is still encouraged to join Ms. Maccorkle’s classroom Feb. 29 at 7:45 a.m.

On the subject of activities run by Ms. Maccorkle, Jim Thorpe’s The Flame is also hosting a meeting on Feb. 28, beginning at 7:45 a.m. The Flame is currently running a St. Patrick’s Day program, which you can see promoted on the Literary and Arts Magazine’s website, theflamejtasd.com, alongside other works previously contributed by students. Any member of the student body who is interested in contributing a piece to be published, whether anonymously or not, can share via email with the-flame-staff@jtasd.org.

Despite having taken losses, Jim Thorpe’s mock trial teams, both defense and prosecution, were acknowledged for an impressive performance while competing. Congratulations to everyone who participated. The year may not yet be over for the groups, due to the upcoming Law Day, currently set for May 2.

Once again, to the students considering applying this autumn to become a member of the National Honors Society, it is highly recommended that you tally up community service hours from available opportunities and become involved in leadership positions. FBLA officer elections are coming up in the spring, and most other extra-curricular groups will be electing their 2024-2025 officers at the beginning of the upcoming school year, so those in consideration as to whether to apply for NHS or not, become more involved in your interests. Determine whether leadership and National Honor Society are factors that your high school career will include.

Weatherly High School

Mellanie Marshman

Weatherly Wreckers are having a blood drive this week that the National Honor Society is running. High school chorus is going to county chorus on Thursday at Jim Thorpe. There will be a show later that night. We are finally halfway through our third marking period.

For seniors, the Weatherly Area High School Alumni Association is awarding a $15,000, four-year scholarship to a worthy Weatherly senior this coming May. Criteria for this scholarship include, but are not limited to: grades, extracurricular activities, financial need and character. The six runners-up for this scholarship will receive one-time financial awards, including the $4,000 Tim Frable Scholarship and the $1,000 Hugo Paul Family Memorial award. For seniors planning to attend a two-year degree program or technical school, the $2,500 Harry and Loretta Allison Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to the best candidate.

Those choosing to study medical sciences, especially interested in Nursing are encouraged to apply for the $1,000 Anna Raynock Memorial Scholarship.

All eligible seniors are encouraged to apply. All forms have been sent directly to all seniors and must be submitted to Mrs. Minnick by April 5, 2024. If you have any questions, please see Mrs. Minnick or contact Sue Ann Gerhard, 570-582-0021.