Meet Miss Buck: Danielle Decker

Posted on August 25, 2021 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Dunmore senior Danielle Decker looks forward to taking on the role as Miss Buck this coming school year.

“I look forward to representing Dunmore High School as Miss Buck,” she said.

“I will respect the honor of being Miss Buck by helping the kids in the community, my classmates, and being there for everyone in the school.”

Daughter of Joseph and Evelyn Decker, Danielle, 17, has a 3.2 academic average. Her best subject is math. She hopes to study nursing at Wilkes University in the fall of 2022.

“I was honestly shocked, honored, and excited all at the same time when I heard the news about being named Miss Buck,” said Danielle. “To me this is a huge honor to represent my class and Dunmore High School as Miss Buck. It is going to be great to be a role model for younger kids.”

Danielle keeps busy with a variety of clubs at Dunmore High School. She is a member of the marching band, art club, book club, chorus, drama club, health careers club, and yearbook staff.

She has three older sisters are Mary, Jessica and Amy and a brother, Christopher.

The aspiring nurse talked about her goals as a Dunmore senior. “I want to live my senior life to the fullest and do as much as I can,” she said. “I p recruit more twirlers to get into the district band. I want to be kind to and enjoy my friends and family. And I want to represent and honor the title of Miss Buck and be a strong role model to the younger kids.

“I am so honored and cannot wait for this senior year. Dunmore High School is amazing, especially the teachers and students.”

The new Miss Buck talked about her future aspirations. “I want to become a registered nurse and help people with health problems like my dad who has a heart condition, diabetes, and an amputated foot. That is my future goal. I would love to be able to help someone like my dad.”

Danielle said she enjoys music and would like to see Avirl Levine, an alternative rock artist, in concert.

She said her parents taught her so much. “My parents told me you cannot judge a book by its cover. Always respect people. They told me to always respect people’s boundaries. Be kind to everyone because you don’t know what they are going through.”

Dunmore Senior Kam Reyes Exudes Confidence in Team

Posted on August 25, 2021 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Dunmore senior running back-safety Kam Reyes always looks at the bottle as half full.

And it is that kind of confidence that helps make him a leader on the football field for the Dunmore Bucks.

“Coach Kevin McHale expects confidence from his players,” said the talented senior. “A district championship and run at a state title is always expected. That is how we do things here at Dunmore.”

Son of Tahnee Brown, Kam, 17, is a three year member of the Dunmore football team. He played wide receiver in the COVID-19 shortened season of 2020 when the Bucks were 3-2. He did carry the football one time for 22 yards.

Kam is a four-year member of the Dunmore baseball team. He also played basketball in his freshman and junior years and will perform as a senior this year.

Kam said his best subject is history. He hopes to study history and education at West Chester University in the fall of 2022.

Despite his great talents, Kam remains humble. “My mom taught me that,” he said. “She believes it is important to always be humble.”

Kam talked about what it takes to excel at safety in high school football. “You need to be able to know how to read an offense and what kind of plays they come out with,” he said.

He expects to make a smooth transition from wide receiver to running back this season. “To be a good running back,” he said, “you need to be confident in yourself. You don’t have to be the biggest back to hit a hole. I do not expect any problems at all.”

The hard-working senior said he has learned so much from coach McHale. “He teaches us how to do things in a specific way, the right way. He wants us to always work hard and show confidence.”

Kam said he enjoys listening to rap music and would like to see rapper AAP Rotke in concert.

He is looking forward to his senior year at Dunmore.

“I love it here at Dunmore,” he said. “It is super fun to be on the field with all your buddies and do what you love to do.”

The three-sport athlete talked about his future. “I expect to do big things in Dunmore’s name,” he said. “I will always say I am from Dunmore. I am very proud of that.

“I want to become a teacher. I want to help kids learn and become better people in this world.”

First Year Coach Giorgio Looking to Win Games for Holy Cross

Posted on August 25, 2021 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Holy Cross first year head football coach Joe Giorgio is looking to create a winning attitude for the Crusaders.

Giorgio, a 1979 Dunmore graduate where he played basketball and baseball, knows a lot about the Holy Cross football program already. He was the Holy Cross freshman football coach in 2011-12. He served as an assistant football coach for the Crusaders from 2017 until he was named the new head coach this season.

Giorgio received an associate degree from Keystone Junior College and attended the University of Scranton. He is married to the former Lynn Kamora. The couple has two children: Michael, 28, of Virginia, and Nicole, 32, of Maryland.

Giorgio said Holy Cross has a good turnout for football this season and his players are enthusiastic, excited and expecting to win games.

“I really didn’t expect a turnout of 28 kids when we started practice,” he said. “But the kids are really into it. They are buying into the program. They are excited and looking to create a winning culture.

Holy Cross Head Football Coach Joe Giorgio

“We had no seniors last year, so everyone who played for us is returning. We started four freshmen last year. They are all returning. Plus we have a few new players.”

Holy Cross was 0-5 last year in the COVID-19 shortened season.

Giorgio is assisted at Holy Cross by Vince Coviello, Chris Coviello, Corey Coviello, Jim Talarico, Dom Possanza and Jake Gatto.

“We expect to get a few wins this year,” said coach Giorgio. “We were on the field for a few games and got some experience last year. And now it’s paying dividends. We are hoping to be at least a .500 team this year. We are going to win some games and be much more competitive.”

Giorgio, 60, said the entire Holy Cross offensive line will be back. The line includes senior right guard Nick Cabets, junior left guard Cody Schnoover, junior center Pio Tanana, sophomore right tackle Chris Petrucci, and senior left tackle Matt Tucker.

Wide receiver Connor Art returns as a sophomore.

Nate Cobley, a senior transfer from Scranton High School, will be the starting quarterback. Sean Herbert, a senior and the quarterback last season, will be a starting wide receiver. Logan Tierney, a junior, will be the starting tailback. Tierney started four games at tailback last season.

Cabets will be the kicker. Cobley will handle the punting duties.

Key defensive players will be Tierney at linebacker and Cabets at defensive end. Senior stalwart Tucker returns at tackle on the defensive line.

“Our guys are putting in the time and effort,” coach Giorgio said. “The best thing is that we played five games last year and we got to practice. So the kids have some time on the playing field. Having those five games during COVID helped us a lot.

“Most of the kids last year never played football before. Now they have the experience. And it is now showing during practice. These kids are excited and hungry. They are all going to play and win some games. We will be highly competitive.”

Coach Giorgio says, “We are all very much looking forward to the start of the season. The kids are excited and working hard in summer practices.”