Penn College Youth Leadership Program Holds First Graduation

Published 05.17.2011

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Graduation ceremonies were held recently for a group of 29 area high school students completing the Penn College Youth Leadership Program. More than two dozen high school sophomores and juniors graduated recently from the Pennsylvania College of Technology Youth Leadership Program, a series of team-building exercises and other activities designed to improve communication and build character among select area teenagers.

"Even in the relatively short time we shared, the personal growth of these young men and women was phenomenal," said Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour, one of the program facilitators. "Whether it was gaining a greater awareness of the needs and neighborhoods around them, feeling firsthand the satisfaction of helping others, or simply making new friends from an unfamiliar school, something about this program sparked the spirit within each one of them."

Among the highlights of the initiative, which formerly was offered as Youth Leadership Lycoming under the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, were service projects in the community.

Each of four breakout groups completed outreach work with a local nonprofit agency the American Rescue Workers, the Sojourner Truth and Saving Grace ministries, Hope Enterprises, and the Williamsport YWCA before returning to campus to sum up their experience for their classmates.

Two of the students Nuria S. Hunter, of Williamsport Area High School, and Bronwen C. Klem, of South Williamsport Area High School presented at a meeting of the college's Board of Directors shortly before graduation.

President Davie Jane Gilmour looks at a plaque prepared by graduating students, joined (from left) by Elliott Strickland, interim chief student affairs officer%3B William J. Martin, senior vice president%3B Dennis L. Correll, associate dean of admissions and financial aid%3B and Valerie A. Baier, administrative assistant to the president.The 29 graduates and their schools are:

Matthew C. Dill, Tyler A. Smith and Alicia A. Zook, Hughesville High School; Gabrielle E. Chappel, Elizabeth L. Christian and Kierstin E. Kemmerer, Jersey Shore Area Senior High School; Michael J. Dougherty, Alison A. Malee and Sarah E. Miller, Loyalsock Township High School; Jesse J. Baker II, Alesha M. Glass and Kaitlyn M. Reedy, Montgomery Area High School; Lauren E. Hall, Rachael M. Lander and Jake M. Russo, Montoursville Area High School; Courtney E. Ebner, Clayton B. Good and Rebecca A. Smith, Muncy Junior-Senior High School; Alana S. Androvette, Andrew D. Cheatle and John M. Mattiace, St. John Neumann Regional Academy High School; Brandon L. Johnson, Bronwen C. Klem and Michael J. Miele, South Williamsport Area High School; Shawn P. Rogan and Brian Smith, Sullivan County High School; and Sharif A. Coleman, Nuria S. Hunter and Sam J. Person, Williamsport Area High School.

Gilmour, who presided over the May 4 graduation in the college's Le Jeune Chef Restaurant, was presented with a plaque carrying each student's signature and respective school logo.

Other facilitators for the program were William J. Martin, the college's senior vice president; Dennis L. Correll, associate dean of admissions and financial aid; Elizabeth G. Verbos, coordinator of admissions and enrollment event services; and Elliott Strickland, interim chief student affairs officer.

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