By Steve Svetovich

Dunmore graduate Julia Walsh has a strong intellect for math and science and wants to use those smarts to become a chemical engineer.

Daughter of Jeff and Maureen Walsh, the recent Dunmore High School graduate will study chemical engineering at Penn State University main campus in the fall. 

Well versed, Julia finished sixth in her class with a 3.8 grade point average and played four years of both basketball and cross country at Dunmore. She was a member of the Spanish club, TACT, SADD, Service Club, Earth Club and National Honor Society.

Julia was Vice President of her senior class at Dunmore.

Her hobbies include running, going to the gym and playing pickup basketball. She enjoys listening to music, especially pop artist Shawn Mendez.

A strong leader, Julia was a captain on both the basketball and cross country teams at Dunmore. She played on a Lady Bucks basketball team that finished as a state runner up this past season and was a part of two district title teams. 

Julia said her favorite academic subjects are chemistry and math. And that made chemical engineering an easier choice as a college major.

“I always leaned towards math and chemistry as my favorite subjects,” she said. “I talked to my academic advisors and counselors and they directed me towards the path of chemical engineering. At Penn State you can easily change a major, but I feel it is the right choice for me.

“I love the college. I know Penn State is in the middle of nowhere, but it is going to be a great place to be for me. I want to study hard, do well in school and eventually get a job in a big city like Boston or Philadelphia.”

Julia said she will never forget Dunmore High School.

“I loved it all there, especially the teachers. It was the best decision my parents ever made for me. I went to a private grade school until the third grade when my parents sent me to Dunmore Elementary. Dunmore High School was the best four years of my life. Going to Dunmore from the third grade on was such a great experience.”

Julia, who has a younger brother Jeffrey, 15, credits her parents for a lot of her success.

“Our mom and dad always taught my brother and I to always work hard and do our best. They helped make us competitive in a good way.”

Julia is keeping busy this summer working for her uncle, Dr. Scott McKenna, a plastic surgeon. His office is located on Sanderson Avenue in Scranton.

She was also involved recently in a cross country race alumni fund raiser in which money was raised for “Jog for Jude” research and the Dunmore cross country team.

“It was a fun event, with a great turnout for a good cause,” she said.

Kind and gentle in her manner, Julia received a college scholarship from Feel Good Motors for “kindness.” She also received a scholarship for finishing in the top 10 percent of her class.

She looks forward to Penn State and her future. “It is going to take a lot of hard work and determination,” she said. “These classes are not going to be easy by any means.”