Athlete of the Month: Jack Davis

Posted on February 5, 2025 by The Dunmorean

***Jack Davis is shown after being awarded with the Freach-Keen in memory of P.J. Freach and Buddy Keen, two Moosic Little League baseball players who tragically died in 1973.***

Saint Mary’s student honored with Freach-Keen Memorial Award

By Steve Svetovich

Jack Davis, 12, a four-sport athlete and student at Saint Mary’s of Mount Carmel Elementary School, Dunmore, was honored recently with the Freach-Keen Memorial Award.

The District award is in memory of P.J. Freach and Buddy Keen, two former Moosic Little League baseball players, who tragically died in 1973.

A member of the Dunmore Little League this past summer, Jack was chosen as the recipient of the Freach-Keen Award by the individual leagues. He was chosen due to his dedication to Little League baseball and his sportsmanship throughout his Little League career.

He was an all-star second baseman in the Dunmore Little League where he graduated last summer. Jack is a three-time Little League all-star. He plans on playing Teener League this summer.

Jack is also a point guard and leading scorer on the Saint Mary’s basketball team. In addition, he excels as a cross country runner.

Son of Robert and Abbey Davis, Jack is in the sixth grade at Saint Mary’s of Mount Carmel Elementary School, Dunmore.

“It felt really nice to win the Freach-Keen Award,” the humble sixth grader said. “I’m thankful for getting it. It’s a really cool honor.”

Jack also plays soccer in the Green Ridge/Dunmore soccer league at Dunmore’s Sherwood Park.

Jack played for Lenahan and Dempsey in the Dunmore Little League. His coach was Mike Schulte. “He taught me to trust myself.”

***Jack Davis was an all-star second baseman in the Dunmore Little League where he graduated last summer. A three-time Little League all-star, Jack plans on playing Teener League this summer.***

The standout student-athlete said he enjoyed playing on the Dunmore Little League all-star baseball team. “We were pretty good. We went pretty far and it was fun.”

Jack’s basketball coach at Saint Mary’s is Pat Burke. “He tells us to hustle all the time and have a good attitude.”

The Freach-Keen award winner said his favorite sports teams are the Philadelphia Phillies, Eagles, and 76ers.

He likes Eagles running back Saquon Barkley and is a big fan of Phillies shortstop Trea Turner.

Jack’s favorite sports are baseball, basketball and soccer.

Jack said it takes “a lot of hard work” to excel as a second baseman in baseball.

He said his parents teach him to “be nice to people.”

Jack said he is enjoying running the point guard position for Saint Mary’s biddy basketball team and running cross country for the school.

“With grades in the mid 90s, Jack is on the honor roll at Saint Mary’s of Mount Carmel.

His future goals reflect his personality. “I want to keep my grades up and just be a good person,” he said.

Student birthday bags

Posted on June 7, 2023 by The Dunmorean

For many young people, their birthday is cause for celebration. Due to high inflation and financial challenges, however, not every family is able to afford the ‘extras’ associated with a big bash.

Catholic school students from five elementary schools in Lackawanna County recently came together to make sure no local child will be without a proper celebration for their big day.

During different retreat days this spring, students at each school brought in items to create 188 “birthday bags” filled with boxed cake mix, icing, sprinkles, candles, balloons and a disposable cake pan.

“Each grade brought in something small to contribute and created the completed bags that we then donated to local food pantries,” Liz Devine, elementary school guidance counselor, explained. “The students also created personalized birthday cards to go in the bags.”

Second through eighth grade students, 811 in all, participated in the retreats and helped to create the birthday bags. The schools involved in the project were Saint Mary of Mount Carmel School in Dunmore, La Salle Academy in Jessup, Our Lady of Peace School in Clarks Green, All Saints Academy in Scranton, and St. Clare/St. Paul School in Scranton.

“Our retreat was based on the passage from the Bible of Jesus feeding the 5,000,” Devine said. “We read the Bible passage and reflected on it. It was pointed out to the students how the boy in the story only gave a meager little meal to Jesus and Jesus created His miracle and even had extra left over.”

The day also included small group team building activities, prayerful introspection and guided imagery reflection.

Devine says many of the students recognize there are people in their own community who do not have enough money for regular meals, never mind a special birthday celebration.

“Catholic schools in the Diocese of Scranton distinguish themselves not only by their academic excellence but by how they incorporate a faith-filled duty to serve others,” she added.

Each school selected the local food pantry in which to donate the birthday bags created.

The recipients include Catherine McAuley Center in Scranton, Saint Ann Parish food pantry in Scranton, Saint Patrick Parish food pantry in Scranton, NEPA Youth Center in Scranton, Queen of Angels Parish in Jessup, and the Montdale food pantry.

In reflecting on the project, Devine considers it a big success because it “challenged the students to give of themselves to others, even in the smallest way!”

Dunmorean of the Month: Ann Marzolino

Posted on May 3, 2023 by The Dunmorean

Ann Marzolino retiring after 45 years teaching in Dunmore schools

By Steve Svetovich

Her vision as an elementary school teacher was to provide a joyful learning experience by using technology, hands-on activities and group projects.

And Ann Marzolino has been doing this to perfection for 45 years. She will retire next month from the Dunmore School District.

“I believe this way of teaching empowers children to reach their educational and personal potential while nurturing their self confidence and self esteem,” the retiring teacher said.

Ann spent her last 18 years teaching third grade at Dunmore Elementary after 27 years as a second grade and third to sixth grade science and social studies teacher at Saint Mary’s of Mount Carmel Grade School in Dunmore.

Daughter of the late William and Jeanne Walsh, the Dunmore native graduated from Bishop O’Hara in 1974. She received a bachelor science degree in elementary education from East Stroudsburg University in 1978. She went on to receive a master of science degree, and began her teaching career at Saint Mary’s of Mount Carmel in 1978.

“One of my greatest challenges as a teacher,” she said, “was teaching through the COVID-19 pandemic. I spent my whole summer learning Google Classroom and collaborating with my colleagues to ensure a successful school year for my students. It helped me grow as a teacher and moved my methodologies in a new direction that I continue to use even after the pandemic.

“I am blessed for having the opportunity to work with so many outstanding colleagues and administrations over the years. I feel especially grateful for being given the opportunity to have taught in my home town and watch my students and eventheir children grow up to become wonderful, successful adults.”

A very patient teacher, Ann said her most fond memories teaching at Saint Mary’s were her yearly science fairs and embryology and butterfly projects.

While teaching at Saint Mary’s, Ann was very active in the parish. She served on Parish Council for 20 years, was a Eucharistic Minister for 14 years, helped plan and worked at the church bazaar, and was involved with First Penance and First Communion for 14 years.

Ann was hired by the Dunmore School District in August 2005 and taught third grade there for the past 18 years. While at Dunmore, she was involved in the after-school and summer tutoring programs.

Her most fond memories teaching at Dunmore Elementary Center were working the football games and meeting the great fans, playing in the annual faculty vs. senior basketball games, and playing in the annual student golf tournament.

Ann continues to live in Dunmore with her husband Bob, who is retired. A former construction worker, her husband went on to own the Caddy Shack Golf Center, Scranton.

The couple has two children, Bryan and Eileen.

Bryan is a roll-off route manager for Waste Management, Dunmore. A 2006 Dunmore graduate, he is married to the former Kearson Crockenberg. The couple has two children, Norah and Lilah.

Eileen, a 2011 Holy Cross graduate, is administrator of Allied Terrace Personal Care Home.

Ann enjoys reading and belongs to a book club. She is a member of Elmhurst Country Club Women’s Golf Association and a past president. She enjoys long walks, yoga, gardening, and making memories with her grandchildren.

Her late grandmother, Elizabeth Walsh, and her sister, Alice Murray, were both teachers in the Dunmore School District.

Hard-working and conscientious, Ann always has a warm, genuine respect for the students in her class. She utilizes a hands-on approach through activities and technology.

Her final day in the classroom is June 8.

“I’m humbled,” she said. “I always loved what I do. I love teaching.

“I struggled with this decision to retire, but I want some time to live now and spend time with my grandchildren and family.

“I always tell children when people praise them for who they are, to keep those qualities. I see my former students as adults now and they have those same good qualities.

“Respect is very important in life. To do the right thing. That’s how I was raised and what I taught my students.

“I’ve been blessed with wonderful students, colleagues, teachers and administrators.

“I love teaching and I love people.”