Dunmore Lions honor high school graduates

The Dunmore Lions Club recently held its 42nd Annual Scholarship Award Dinner at Dunmore Community Center in Dunmore. This is the 72nd year the Dunmore Lions have been serving the community.

Honored with Penn State Scholarships were Carl Boone of Dunmore High School, and Vince Tanana of Holy Cross High School.

Also, honored with monetary gifts were: Dunmore High School Male Scholar/Athlete-Nico Ruggerio and Female Scholar/Athlete-Ciera Toomey, and Holy Cross High School Male Scholar/Athlete-Gabe Gonzales and Female Scholar/Athlete- Mary McHugh.  

Remarks were made by Mark Finan, Dunmore High School’s Athletic Director, and Al Callejas, Holy Cross High School‘s Athletic Director .

Further, Coaches Longevity Awards were presented to Dunmore’s Cross Country Coach Vince Fedor for 53 years of service, and Holy Cross High School Basketball Coach Al Callejas for 30 years of service. Presentations of awards were made by Lion President Sam Sebastianelli Sr., while Lion Gino Tempesta served as Dinner Chairman and Lion Michael Colangelo offered invocation. 

Lion Justin Patchcoski served as Toastmaster and congratulated all award recipients, “not only for the great honor they are about to receive, but to be at such an exciting time in their life.”

Further commenting, he added, ”I was thinking of a few remarks for this evening and I kept coming back to opportunity and perspective. As recent graduates, you’ve got the whole world at your fingertips. What an exciting point in your lives! With all the innovation in today’s world, I can’t imagine what opportunities the next 5 to 20 years will bring… Perspective helps us to understand situations from other positions, to consider other beliefs, experiences and viewpoints. Enjoy the months ahead, maintain perspective and make the most of your opportunities.”

Luke Dempsey is strong leader for Dunmore 11-year-old all-stars

Courtesy: Tim Drewes

By Steve Svetovich

Dunmore Elementary School student Luke Dempsey is proving to be a leader and key member of the Dunmore Little League 11-year-old all-star team.

Luke, who is actually still 10, went 2-for-2 with 4 RBIs to lead Dunmore to a 22-0 win over Old Forge/South Scranton in District 17, 9-11 all-star baseball action Friday, June 23.

He hit two singles driving in two runs on each base hit.

Ben Dempsey, his cousin, and Brady Schulte each had two hits and 3 RBIs for Dunmore.

Adam Grecco allowed only one hit and struck out five to earn the pitching win.

Son of Atty. Mike and Caressa Dempsey, Dunmore, Luke has an older brother Michael who is a former Dunmore Little League all-star and currently plays junior high school baseball at Dunmore.

Luke is the first baseman and cleanup hitter for his all-star team.

He talked about what it takes to be a good first baseman. “You need to be able to catch the ball and make a real good stretch,” he said. “And you need to talk on the field to your teammates.”

A serious and hard-working ball player, Luke had a robust .615 batting average during the regular Little League season. He hit two doubles, a triple and added 20 RBIs.

Hitting is not something he takes for granted. “You become a good hitter with a lot of hard work,” he said. “It’s also very important to always have fun.”

Amazingly, Luke did not strikeout in 40 at bats during the regular Little League season or in the first all-star game.

Courtesy: Tim Drewes

He plays travel ball for The Sandlot Baseball Academy.

His all-star coaches are Brian McCarthy, Ralph Steeves, and Pat Clark.

“My coaches always teach me to play hard and hustle,” he said.

Luke said he has learned a lot from his parents.

“They teach me to have fun and run hard all the time. Run everything out. And no crying.

“There is no crying in baseball.”

Polite and earnest, Luke said he enjoyed playing in the first all-star game of the season. “It was very exciting and a lot of fun,” he said. “We played under the lights.”

Luke said he also enjoys listening to music and likes rap artist “Da Baby.”

Luke is 5-1 and bats and throws right. A contact hitter all the way, Luke said he loves playing baseball and living in Dunmore.

“We have great coaches, great facilities and the best people.”