Latest news with #HazletonAreaAcademyofSciences
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Teenager SHINEs through at local after-school program
HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A local teenager is drawing on his experience from his days in an after-school program to help other students. His volunteer work encourages other children to expand their minds and put them on a path for career success. Meet Angel Sandoval, a junior at Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences, but that's not where he is on a late afternoon. He is navigating a second-floor classroom at Maple Manor Middle School in Hazleton. It serves as home to the after-school program called SHINE, which stands for Schools and Homes in Education. Angel is a SHINE volunteer passing out posters, giving advice, and lending a hand wherever the after-school students may need one. 'Usually I help them with, if they have math problems, social studies, I usually help them with their homework,' explained Angel. Teenager using music and positivity to make an impact He says he finds it personally rewarding. 'It's always really exciting to see the students get involved, get engaged with the activities, and it's always fun just doing anything that they do here,' said Angel. SHINE is familiar territory for Angel. He was enrolled in the program for several years, including as a third grader when he and a couple of other students collaborated on writing a book called The Three Lost Dinosaurs. 'So they worked together as a team, and they tried to show a lot of leadership skills. It works on their grammar, their spelling, and they also do get to draw a little bit,' said Katie Lykon-Bond, director at SHINE. Lykon-Bond worked with Angel for several years, serving as a mentor to him. 'So throughout the years, I've seen him grow through leadership skills, his volunteer skills. He's dedicated, and then he promotes a lot of positive energy for the students as a role model. They look up to him,' stated Lykon-Bond. She is not the only one to take notice of how far Angel has come. 'I've just seen him grow as a person, you know. Just, you know, be able to you know speak up for himself and you know help others, and it's been great to see him, watch him grow,' said Kelly Cook, lead teacher at SHINE. 'The SHINE program has really shaped who I've become. It's helped me be more extroverted more, it's really helped me broaden my horizons,' said Angel. And now Angel wants others to have the same results. It is why he is serving as a SHINE volunteer and helping in any way he can. 'He's a wonderful kid. He is such a great role model for the students here, and he's just a wonderful representation of what we want our students to become,' explained Cook. 'I would really like to set an example to other students, to give back to their community, give back to the people who have given so much to them,' said Angel. SHINE has nine centers and six participating school districts. Roughly 450 students are enrolled in the grant-funded program. Here's to you, Angel. 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.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Eagle Scout dedicating time to uplift others
HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — It has been said 'Children are the promise of our present and architects of the future'. Someone who embodies that quote is a 17-year-old Luzerne County girl. 28/22 News explains what makes her someone on track to help change the world in this week's 'Here's To You Kid'. Paige Greco seems right at home at Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences, even though it's the senior's first year attending the stem school. She had an epiphany of sorts before enrolling in the academy to take tougher science-based classes. 'I just felt like I was going to end up in a job that was more science-involved. I was heavily interested in engineering and this school had more programs that were interesting to me in the moment,' Paige explained. Paige excels in and out of the classroom. She earned her Eagle Scout with Girl Scout Troop 32935 in Hazleton by renovating a women's church restroom. And she earned the Girl Scouts of the USA Gold Award by bringing music therapy to nursing home patients with dementia. 'So, I would take my trumpet and play, like, 'You are My Sunshine' and sometimes we'd have involvement. I'd have a PowerPoint with the lyrics on it to really just jog the memories of the residents there and bring them a little joy and some memories,' said Paige. Paige is also a member of 'Friends of Rachel,' a high school club that encourages treating others with compassion. Hitting the big stage at a young age 'We would write post-it notes, like, 'You've got this' or 'Keep on going' on everyone's locker, hand out candy in the beginning of school days with like little messages like a smarty that's like 'You're a smarty.' Just little positive things that make school feel more like a home,' explained Paige. Paige was also elected by fellow Hazleton Area students as homecoming queen. 'I never expected that for myself but it meant a lot to me because it showed that I have a positive impact on people and it was. I had no idea it was that many people,' Paige continued. 'Paige is just a natural-born leader,' said Hazleton Area School District Chemistry Teacher Ken Moss. Moss has gotten to know Paige during her senior year. 'She sets very, very high standards for herself and that shows. It shows to the teachers, it shows to her fellow students,' Moss explained. 'I really focus on having a good influence on my peers and making sure that they feel like I'm really someone they can come to and help out. Definitely,' Paige said. Paige will attend Wilkes University where she plans to major in earth and environmental science and play field hockey, too. Here's to you, Paige. 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.
