Community

Tiffany Webb, a sixth-grade student at Appletree/Susquehanna Prep School, Forty Fort, received the Presidential Physical Fitness Award. This award is in recognition of outstanding physical achievement and exceptional dedication to the ideal of a sound mind in a strong body. Webb is the daughter of Dr. Philip and Karen Webb, Swoyersville.

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Mack

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Nogic

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Amanda Nogic, a Hunter College graduate student, was a finalist in the 2009 Presidential Management Fellow Program, which entitled her to apply for a position in a federal agency. Nogic, who recently earned her Master of Science degree in social research, will begin a position with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in August. The highly competitive program draws thousands of applicants from all over the country and only 15 percent are named as finalists. Applicants must all be master’s, doctoral or JD candidates who are near completion of their studies. They must take a rigorous examination and submit a resume and an explanation of their experience. Nogic’s fellowship will be with HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing, which manages state-level public housing, based in Los Angeles, Calif. Nogic, the daughter of Annette Nogic, Kingston, and Christopher Nogic, Alden, graduated as an honor student from Wyoming Valley West High School in 2002. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and sociology from Bucknell University in 2006. Nogic was also an intern for the New York City Public Advocate’s Office.

The University of Scranton inducted new members of Beta Beta Beta, the National Honor Society for Biology, at a ceremony held on campus. The following local students were inducted: Maria Dormans, Mountain Top; Nathan Carr, Plains Township; Victoria Lombardo, Exeter; Matthew Debo, Larksville; Michael Baloga, Exeter; Danielle Torres, Mountain Top; and Kira Wagner, Sugarloaf.

Connor Conley, the son of Kenneth and Joann Conley, Wilkes-Barre, has been recognized by the United States Achievement Academy as a student of Excellence in Honor Roll and Mathematics. The academy recognizes less than 10% of all American high school students. The standards for selection include academic performance, interest and aptitude, leadership qualities, responsibility, enthusiasm, motivation to learn and improve, attitude and cooperative spirit, dependability, and recommendation from a qualified sponsor. Conley, who attends Bear Creek Community Charter School, was nominated for the honor by Jerry Usher, a teacher at the school. He will appear in the United States Achievement Academy’s Official Yearbook. Conley is the grandson of Eugene and Susan Conley, Lanoka Harbor, N.J., and the late Fabian and Julia Maskinas.

Gary Mack, a Wyoming Valley West Middle School eighth-grade math teacher, has been awarded the PSEA 2009 Educational Leader Award for his continued leadership, commitment and dedication. The success of his students is derived from his unique ability in developing programs that address and exceed their needs and goals. His programs include anger management and school violence. They address issues of poverty, diversity, drug use, and a life threatening illness. Beneficiaries of his programs include over 300 families that have attended the CRAFT & TOPS programs, dealing with issues related to school violence and bullying; families in the holiday Feed A Friend program; and the Straight Up program, a program that brings inmates from the Lycoming County Correctional Facility to speak to students on drug and substance use. Mack also helped to raise over $15,000 for one of his students who was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s disease.