Busy teenager getting it all done at Hazleton Area
HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A local teenager is making an impact both in and out of the classroom. He's not only trying to make himself a better student, but he's also working on improving the lives of those around him.
28/22 introduces to the impressive high school junior in this week's Here's To You Kid.
Mateo Feola has called Hazleton Area High School his educational home since 2022. If you asked him if he has a favorite subject, he would tell you the following.
'Yes, history. I took AP history last year and I have competed in the U.S. History Bowl,' said Mateo.
Hitting the books is not all Mateo is doing at Hazleton Area. He is the president of his school's Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Club.
Tamaqua Area students 'manufacturing' skills
'My main goal has been to increase membership. Since my freshman year, FBLA has tripled in numbers going from 50 members to over 150,' Mateo stated.
Hazleton Area Computer Science, Business Teacher, and his FBLA advisor Victoria Cozlek credits Mateo with helping club members on such projects as power points and public speaking events.
'So he'll work with them individually, and it's not only about his success in the club, but making sure that each of the members have the opportunities they need to succeed, and he builds them up,' Cozlek said.
Mateo's role in FBLA led him to get involved in various community service projects.
One is called 'Smiles For Abby,' a non-profit formed in 2024 that donates care packages to young adults newly diagnosed with cancer.
'And we feel that the cause is an amazing cause, and we are just trying to spread a little good in our community,' Mateo added.
Another way Mateo is trying to spread a little good is by serving on the student council.
'The big thing about Mateo is everything he does is genuine,' said Jason Turri, a Hazleton Area Biology Teacher and Student Council Advisor.
Turri says Mateo has been an active Student Council member since freshman year.
'He's been involved in many of our projects, our service projects always volunteering ideas and brainstorming ideas with all of our members,' Turri continued.
Mateo has also volunteered in Hazleton Area's after-school tutoring program to help students in need succeed. He has also gained a reputation for spreading positive vibes.
'He acknowledges those people that make a difference whether it's his classmates, whether it's his teachers. You can always expect Mateo to point out the positive,' Turri added.
'We do have a lot of good people here in the Hazleton Area and they're what makes the Hazleton area community so special,' Mateo explained.
As for what the future holds in store, Turri says 'The possibilities are endless for Mateo.'
Mateo was also elected president of Hazleton Area's class of 2026 when he is a senior.
He is also a member of the school's tennis and golf teams and serves on the City of Hazleton's Junior Council.
Here's to you, Mateo.
If you have a kid you think should be featured on Heres To You Kid!, send in a nomination online.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Yahoo
Man City midfielder Kovacic has Achilles surgery and is out of Club World Cup
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic was ruled out of the Club World Cup after undergoing surgery on an Achilles injury, the English team said Monday. 'Mateo will spend the summer rehabilitating from the operation,' City said, 'and everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery.' Advertisement The expanded 32-team Club World Cup starts on June 14, with City in the same group as Juventus, Al Ain and Wydad Casablanca. City's first match is on June 18. Kovacic will also miss Croatia's World Cup qualifiers against Gibraltar and the Czech Republic over the next week. City has Ballon d'Or winner Rodri back to fitness to add to manager Pep Guardiola's midfield options for the Club World Cup. ___ AP soccer: The Associated Press
Associated Press
02-06-2025
- Associated Press
Man City midfielder Kovacic has Achilles surgery and is out of Club World Cup
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic was ruled out of the Club World Cup after undergoing surgery on an Achilles injury, the English team said Monday. 'Mateo will spend the summer rehabilitating from the operation,' City said, 'and everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery.' The expanded 32-team Club World Cup starts on June 14, with City in the same group as Juventus, Al Ain and Wydad Casablanca. City's first match is on June 18. Kovacic will also miss Croatia's World Cup qualifiers against Gibraltar and the Czech Republic over the next week. City has Ballon d'Or winner Rodri back to fitness to add to manager Pep Guardiola's midfield options for the Club World Cup. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Girl Scout helping a dying bat population with bat boxes
DELAWARE WATER GAP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Girl Scouts are known for helping the community and selling cookies, but embracing bats? That is exactly what is behind a local Girl Scout's mission in the Poconos. Kendra Collins is not supervising a major construction project, but she hopes what she is teaching girls to build brings major benefits. 'It really goes back to loving the unloved, you know, because people don't like bats. They're scary, you know,' said Kendra. But those wing-thinged, flying mammals are beneficial to the environment. Bats consume large amounts of insects, including many agricultural pests. They are also considered crucial in pollination and spreading seeds. 'There used to be, like, millions upon millions of bats,' Kendra explained. But that was before a virus called 'white nose syndrome' emerged nearly two decades decimated the bat population, especially in Pennsylvania. 'It went down to 15,000. There used to be way more, and that's a big issue, I feel that I want to combat myself,' said Kendra. 12-year-old shares his talent in and out of the pool That's why Kendra learned to build bat boxes to give the nocturnal creatures a safe place to multiply. 'It's just a flat box, you drill some holes for them to breathe. You've got to waterproof it. You know, that bad fungus, and it's just drilling little lines for them to hold onto. Easy peasy. Anyone can make one,' Kendra explained. Kendra has turned protecting bats and other critters into a Girl Scout Gold Award project in hopes of achieving the highest honor given to a Girl Scout. Her advisor says Kendra's effort checks a lot of boxes. 'It had to make a difference in the community, then had to have longevity in the ecosystem. It had to be well thought out and planned, and who their target audience was. It had to show leadership qualities,' Ann Summa, Kendra's advisor and adjunct educator at Kettle Creek Environmental Center, said. She says Kendra exhibits those qualities every time she focuses on nature. 'You can just tell she takes a closer look at everything she finds,' Summa said. While earning a Girl Scout Gold Award would be quite a personal accomplishment, it is pretty clear that it is not Kendra's only motivation. 'Nature is important. You've got to take care of it. If you're not stepping your foot in to take care of them, who's going to do it?' Kendra said. Kendra says she plans to share with others her passion for nature after graduating from high school. Here's to you, Kendra. If you have a kid you think should be featured on Here's To You Kid!, send in a nomination online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
