Dunmorean of the Month: Julia Temperino

Photo by Tim Drewes

Temperino is first ever junior Miss Buck

By Steve Svetovich

Julia Temperino is making history in Dunmore.

Daughter of Jane and Jack Miles, Julia, 16, is the first junior to be selected as Miss Buck at Dunmore High School.

“I am very happy and proud to be selected as Miss Buck as a junior,” Julia said.

“It feels kind of magical. I wanted this for a very long time, so I feel like I’m living out my childhood dream.

“I dreamed about this ever since I was a little girl. I always looked up to Miss Buck.”

Well-spoken and humble, Julia said her parents were happy too.

“Yes, they were very proud,” she said. “I feel like I learned a lot of personality traits from them. They taught me about kindness and loyalty and are always supportive to me and my siblings.”

Julia is a member of the French Club and is a basketball cheerleader at Dunmore.

She is a twirler and member of Sherry’s Royalettes for the past 13 years under the direction of Sherry Rubino Nicolais.

“Sherry has been my biggest influence,” she said. “She pushes me to work my hardest and got me to where I am today.

“I am very grateful.”

Julia said she has been primarily a twirler for Sherry’s Royalettes. “I hope to twirl in college and hopefully start my own studio someday.

“Performing as a twirler is really fun. You get to show your audience what you can do. Hearing the crowd cheering for you is an amazing feeling. It gives you a sense of confidence,”

Julia talked about her goals as Miss Buck.

“I want to be a good role model who everyone looks up to,” she said. “I hope people look up to me just as I did with previous Miss Bucks. I want to be a role model to others just like them. I remember talking to Miss Buck as a little girl. I was always impressed. I always liked the way Miss Buck represented Dunmore. I want to be like that.”

The junior Miss Buck has a 3.7 academic average at Dunmore. Her best academic subject is English.

She is not sure where she wants to attend college yet. “It depends on where I can continue twirling,” she said. “I will probably go to a local college in the state, not at home yet not too far away from home. I am thinking about becoming a veterinarian.”

Julia said she enjoys listening to music in her spare time and is going to see her favorite singer Taylor Swift in Miami, Florida, this October.

“My aunt Judy Garrick got me the concert tickets for my birthday, I can’t wait to go. I love Taylor Swift.”

The young scholar is looking forward to representing Dunmore as Miss Buck in her junior year. “Dunmore is a great community,” she said. “Everyone is so close at Dunmore High School. You know everyone in town. We are just a really close community.

“I want to do a great job representing Dunmore High School.”

Mayor’s Message: September 2024

I had the distinct pleasure, along with our Borough Council, of promoting three of our police officers to the rank of Sergeant. 

Sgt. Stephon Burgette, Sgt. Thomas Richardson, and Sgt. Michael Igoe are not only dedicated to keeping Dunmore safe, but they are also actively involved in our community. I couldn’t be prouder to see them receive this well-deserved promotion. Congratulations!

Also it’s been a long time coming, but I am happy to report our Dunmore Police Body Cameras will soon be operational! We have the County’s best Police Department, and our brave men and women who serve Dunmore deserve top-of-the-line equipment to protect themselves and the community. 

Holy Cross looks to improve with experience

By Steve Svetovich

Members of the Holy Cross High School varsity football team include, kneeling, from left: Christian Novak, Kevin Vincent, Calder Lehman, Noah Davis, David Jennings, Matt Dickand Gavin Jones. Middle row, same order: Head Coach Joe Giorgio, Rockne O’Connor, Freddy Ceccacci, Austin Bicking, Leland Wudarski, Henry Chilewski, Jonathon Mills, Noah Karzenoski, Branden Fadl, Gregg Novak, and  Assistant Coach Mike Giorgio. Standing: Dean Mushow, Aiden Wudarski, John Elko, Simon Madore, Conor Farrell, Josh Lentowski, Matthew Liuzzo, Noah Propes, Vincent Sansone, and Tyler Kohut. (Photo by Rich Banick Photography)

The Holy Cross Crusaders football team brings back most of its starters, giving the team plenty of hope for a solid season.

Holy Cross football coach Joe Giorgio returns for his fifth season.

And if the team’s opening day home win over Montrose, 48-12, on Saturday, August 24, is any indication, then this could be a very successful season for the Crusaders.

A pair of brothers, backs Leland and Aiden Wudarski, combined to score four touchdowns in the opening day win over Montrose.

Fullback Leland Wudarski totaled 97 yards rushing and scored two touchdowns in the win over Montrose. His brother Aiden rushed for 83 yards, added 33 yards receiving and scored two touchdowns.

Holy Cross quarterback Josh Lentowski completed 3 of 5 passes for 102 yards and one touchdown.

“It was a nice win,” said coach Giorgio. “We are going to try to keep it going.”

Returning starters this season for Holy Cross include 5-11, 180-pound senior quarterback/safety Josh Lentowski; 5-10, 185-pound junior running back/linebacker Aiden Wudarsk; 5-10, 185-pound junior fullback/linebacker Leland Wudarsk; 5-10, 185-pound senior wide receiver/defensive back Freddy Ceccacci; 5-10, 170-pound senior wide receiver/defensive back Austin Bicking; 6-2, 290-pound junior offensive and defensive lineman Branden Fadl; 6-2, 225-pound junior offensive and defensive lineman Gregg Novak; 5-10, 245-pound senior offensive and defensive lineman Calder Lehman; 6-1, 190-pound junior offensive and defensive lineman Simon Madore; 5-9, 170-pound senior tight end/linebacker David Jennings; 6-0, 175-pound junior linebacker Kevin Vincent, and 5-10, 185-pound junior defensive back Henry Chilewski.

Senior members of the Holy Cross High School football team include, from left: Calder Lehman, Rockne O’Connor, Austin Bicking, John Elko, Freddy Ceccacci, Conor Farrell, Josh Lentowski and David Jennings. (Photo by Rich Banick Photography)

Vincent was a District 2 champion in track and field and honorable mention all-star in football.

The assistant coaches are Chris Coviello, Jake Gatto, Duncan Coolican, Mike Giorgio, Jim Tallarico, Gene Pane and Vince Coviello.

Coach Giorgio feels the team’s experience should lead to positive outcomes this season. The Crusaders were 3-7 last year.

“After playing all underclassmen last year,” he said, “we believe the experience the kids gained is going to make us more competitive and hopefully lead to some additional wins. We need to stay healthy and take each game one at a time.

“Josh Lentowski returns for his second season as our starting quarterback. Last year was his first season playing the position and he improved each week. We are expecting big things from him this year.

“Our running game should be the strength of our offense as we return Aiden Wudarski who rushed for over 800 yards and scored seven touchdowns last year. We also return four of our five linemen who now have a year of experience under their belt.

“Defensively, the leader of the defense is Leland Wudaraki who returns as middle linebacker. With the return of John Elko, who missed the 2023 season due to injury, we expect to be a much improved unit.”

Elko, a senior, is returning from a concussion he suffered two years ago. He sat out his junior year. He is excited about his return after overcoming several obstacles and receiving medical clearance to play.

Ceccacci returns as the team’s leading receiver with seven catches for 114 yards last season.

Lentowski threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns last season. He was an honorable mention all-star in the secondary last season.

“I think we are going to continue showing improvement this season,” said coach Giorgio. “These kids have experience now. We will try.”