Monthly Archives: November 2018

Students Tag Along for Annual Dunmore Cemetery Tour

Posted on by
Reply

cemetery tour 3Braving brisk autumn temperatures, on Friday, October 20, 120 eighth grade students of Dunmore Middle School made a field trip to the Dunmore Cemetery.  The students were greeted at the cemetery gates by members of the Dearly Departed Players who present the annual, award-winning Dunmore Cemetery Tour.  

While touring through the cemetery,  Julie Esty, Director of the Players and historian enlightened  students on the rich history and heritage that lies within the confines of the cemetery gates.  

Former Dunmorean, Retired Colonel James W. Patterson explained military markers to the students. Colonel Patterson also touched on the military career of Pfc. Robert Nicholson, a member of Merrill’s Marauders, who is at rest in the cemetery.   

Wendy Belaski shared her vast knowledge of stained glass and cemetery symbolism with the students.

During the tour the students were also shown examples of cemetery preservation and restoration  that have taken place in the cemetery in recent years. Customs of cemeteries surrounding the Dunmore Cemetery were also explained to the students.  Cemetery Superintendent Sam Quinn also spoke briefly with the students.

cemetery tour 1One stop on the tour was especially important to the history of the Dunmore School District.  Former Dunmore Music Supervisor Martha Matthews Owens was spotlighted. Matthews-Owens began her teaching career with the school district in 1897 and was employed with them until her death in 1922.  Under her direction, musical education thrived. The curriculum and educational standards Matthews-Owens established ranked among the highest in the country.

The students will continue their study of the cemetery by following up with an English assignment.

Attending the event with the students were teachers Kevin McHale, Sary Worozbyt, Celine Carlier, Kim Bochicchio, Stacie Telnock, Peggy Hart, Mary Lynn Benefonte, Ryan Ehnot,  and Kimberly Ahern. The teachers plan to make a field trip to the Dunmore Cemetery an annual event.

Dunmore Swimmers Look to Make Great Strides This Season

Posted on by
Reply

By Steve SvetovichDHS swim team

Dunmore High School second year girls’ swimming coach John Andreoli is looking for his team to increase its roster and make an impact this year. Andreoli, Aquatics Director at the Greater Scranton YMCA, Dunmore, said practice begins this coming Friday, November 16.

“We had 11 girls on the team last year and are hoping for 15 to 20 this season,” said coach Andreoli.

“We’ve taken great strides in gaining some respectability in our league. It’s been a tall task getting the program on its feet, but I think we are looking real strong going forward. We plan to make some waves in the near future.

“I just need to get some more swimmers on board. And we are planning to do that.

swim“We have two of the best swimmers in the area, senior Colleen Brown and sophomore Maddie Healey, on our squad.

Both girls already garnered quite a bit of attention last season as they each broke three school records.

“We have some returning young swimmers who are going to surprise a lot of people this year. We also have some freshmen who look very promising.

“I would like to see more public interest in our team. We want to build the program and get off to a good start. Swimming is not always on the radar, but our story could be a compelling one this year. Our program should be getting a little boost with more girls coming out to swim.”

Coach Andreoli, who was a star swimmer at Valley View High School, said both Brown and Healey broke multiple school records and placed high in districts last season.

He said junior Mia Chiaro just started swimming for Dunmore last year and placed in districts. “We expect big things from her this year. And she never swam until last year.”

Dunmore’s first swim meet will be Dec. 13.

“Dunmore has not been a traditional powerhouse in swimming. We are trying to change all that. We are taking steps to gain relevance in the program.

“We have a lot of returning swimmers and a lot more depth. We are returning more than half of last year’s team and adding more to the roster.”

Andreoli is in his second year as Aquatics Director at the YMCA. He has coached the Greater Scranton Stingrays swimming team for the past seven years.

bucksBrown is in her fourth year as a member of Dunmore’s swimming team. Healey, in her second year, has had lots of success as a swimmer. Both performed well in districts last season. Both came up in local swimming programs and swim at Blue Dolphin Aquatics.

“Both girls are very dedicated.”

Coach Andreoli can’t wait to get started. “We are going to get the community excited about our program this year. This is an upstart year. And we are trying to get the program out there to the public’s attention.

“We will definitely improve this year. This has always been a small program at Dunmore, but with 15 to 20 girls coming out this year it is expanding. We will make a name for ourselves.”

Andreoli has been coaching swimming for various local teams over the past decade. He has served as a lifeguard and swimming instructor.

Fundraising events have also started for the Dunmore swimming team. Money needs to be raised for warm up suites and equipment.

Athlete of the Month: Frankie Ruggiero

Posted on by
Reply
Athlete of the Month - Frankie Ruggiero golf

A multi-talented athlete at Dunmore High School, sophomore Frankie Ruggiero excels on the golf course.

By Steve Svetovich

Dunmore High School sophomore Frankie Ruggiero is multi talented.

Son of Vito and Christine Ruggiero, Dunmore, Frankie is a three-sport athlete and sophomore class president.

He was a starting second baseman as a freshman for the Dunmore baseball team under coach Mike “Sid” Hallinan.

He was the backup point guard as a freshman on the varsity basketball team. And his best sport is golf where he was superb as a freshman and sophomore.

His coach for basketball and golf is Tony Lacertoso.

As a freshman golfer last year, he won the Jackman tournament in the freshman division and was team MVP.

He has 30 individual wins in match play in two years.

He is the seventh golfer in the last nine years to make it to the Regional Tournament.

The scholar-athlete, an honor student with a 90 academic average, qualified in districts (top six scores in District AA) and made the Regional Tournament this year. That took place at Golden Oak golf course in Fleetwood, PA. He missed the cut by one stroke to go to the states.

For this past season, he was named to the first team small school division all stars.

The talented sophomore talked about what it takes to excel in golf. “You need to practice a lot on your own,” he said. “You need the time to practice. It’s an individual sport.

Athlete of the Month - Frankie Ruggiero & Coach Lac

Frankie Ruggiero poses with his golf coach, Tony Lacertoso, during this past season.

“When I was a kid, I watched my dad and uncle playing golf. I thought it would be fun. So I took it up and practiced and practiced.”

Frankie said he has learned a lot from his golf coach at Dunmore, Tony Lacertoso.

“He is real good on the course. He gets me into a zone and calms everyone down. He is a very good coach.”

The three-sport star made sure to mention his baseball coach at Dunmore, Sid Hallinan.

“He makes it fun to be there every single day. We have a good time, but also work hard at it.”

Frankie, whose best academic subject is math, said his parents teach him “to always be respectful.”

He talked about his future goals. “I want to go to college and see where the road takes me. I would like to play golf or baseball in college if possible. But eventually, I want to become a doctor.”

He mentioned an interest in orthopedics.

Humble in nature, Frankie is well versed in school. Besides playing three varsity sports and being sophomore class president, he is a member of the Health Careers Club, the French Club and is a sophomore Class Officer.

Athlete of the Month - Frankie Ruggiero baseball

Frankie Ruggiero is second baseman for the Dunmore High School’s baseball team.

He plays Legion baseball in the summer and played several years of travel baseball with The Sandlot under Chris Davis and Frank Cwalinski.

As a golfer, he made Regionals last year and missed by a stroke to go to States.

“My goal as a golfer is to make it further and go as far as possible in States. I want to continue improving my golf game. And I want to continue having a good time playing.”

Frankie said he loves playing the three sports and his hobbies are fishing and hunting.

“I also like hanging out with my friends.”

He talked about what it is like going to Dunmore High School. “It’s a great school. I like it a lot. We get the job done with our work in the classroom. It’s a great school and the teachers are great to talk to.

“I would not want to go anywhere else.”