Names and Faces

Michael Novrocki, social studies teacher and National History Day coordinator at Lake-Lehman High School, recently received the Centennial Medal Award for Excellence in Education from Philadelphia University. The award is presented to educators for their dedication in preparing students for college. Novrocki received the award at the university's recent academic convocation. Award recipients are nominated by former students entering the university's freshman class, who believe that the educator they nominate had a special and distinct positive impact on their high school career. Novrocki was nominated by Sean Fertal, Lehman, 2012 Lake-Lehman graduate. Fertal's essay nominating Novrocki for the award was one of four selected by the university out of 600 received from members of this year's incoming freshman class. Novrocki has been a member of the Social Studies Department at Lake-Lehman High School for the past 10 years. Prior to that, he was a member of the Social Studies Department at Abington Heights High School.

Jake Stamatis, Tunkhannock, was a winner in the senior men category at the annual singing competition of the National Association of Teachers of Singing's Allegheny Mountain chapter recently held at Lebanon Valley College. A senior music performance major, Stamatis is a 2009 graduate of Tunkhannock High School and the son of Barbara and Paul Stamatis.

Julie Mercadante, Wilkes-Barre, was recently inducted into the University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA Kappa Chapter of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society. The honor society is open to the top 10 percent of the junior and senior class. Mercadante is a biochemistry student.