Latest news with #WestScrantonHighSchool
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Shapiro delivers commencement address at West Scranton High School
Jun. 12—SCRANTON — Gov. Josh Shapiro on Wednesday told the West Scranton High School Class of 2025 graduating class that there are many different paths that their journey can take them down. "And hear me on this — there's no wrong path," Shapiro said. "There's only your path. There are many avenues to success. And we've got to respect — and support — all of them." Shapiro spoke directly to the 338 West Scranton High School graduates, their parents and teachers and staff, reminding the graduates that they represent the opportunity to chart their own course and succeed in Pennsylvania. The ceremony was held at the Lackawanna College Student Union building in Scranton. Since day one, Shapiro said he has worked to open doors of opportunity for all Pennsylvanians, no matter their path. On his first day in office, the governor said he signed an executive order announcing that 92% of state government jobs are open to Pennsylvanians without a college degree — and since then, nearly 60% of the Commonwealth's new hires do not have a four-year degree. Shapiro said he also made historic investments in public education — creating real opportunity for students, supporting teachers and school staff and delivering results across the Commonwealth. The governor said he has secured more than $2 billion in additional funding for K-12 public education — the largest investment in Pennsylvania history. And just two days earlier, the governor was in Berwick to announce that Amazon is planning to invest at least $20 billion to establish multiple high-tech cloud computing and artificial intelligence innovation campuses across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He said this initial investment from Amazon will create thousands of good-paying, stable jobs as Pennsylvania workers build, maintain, and operate the first two data center campuses — one in Luzerne County and another in Bucks County. Shapiro said this marks the largest private sector investment in the history of Pennsylvania. In his address, Shapiro said the students are key to Pennsylvania's future. "We have literally invested in your success," Shapiro said. "That is money very well spent. And you more than held up your end of the deal — you studied hard, tried new things, and accomplished a ton. And now, you're about to set out on your journey through life, stronger because of your West Scranton education." Shapiro said his administration has increased funding for vo-tech, career and technical education and apprenticeships, while investing in making college more affordable. "Consider this — right here at West, nearly 60 students from your graduating class completed classes at the Scranton-Lackawanna CTC," Shapiro said. "They studied everything from automotive and culinary arts to nursing and robotics. And 22% of your classmates here today — nearly 80 students — are going to take the skills they learned and go straight into the workforce. Another 10% are going to trade school; 8 of you are going into the military to serve our nation; and about half of you are going to college." Shapiro told the graduates that they are a great representation of the diversity of opportunities available here in Pennsylvania. "Each of you — no matter what path you choose — has the opportunity to be successful," he said. "And so if you remember only one thing from our time here today — remember that your governor showed up at your graduation because he gives a damn about you and asked you to blaze your own path. Chart your own course and follow your own gut. Live your own failures and find your own success." The Governor shares his story "When I graduated high school, my dream was to go to college, play on the basketball team, study pre-med, and then become a doctor — or maybe even be good enough to play professional basketball," Shapiro said. "You see how that turned out. I am none of those things. Instead, I flunked out of pre-med and got cut from the basketball team — on the very same day. "But I didn't give up. Instead, I found a passion for service that's guided my life's work ever since." Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Shapiro delivers commencement address at West Scranton High School
Jun. 12—SCRANTON — Gov. Josh Shapiro on Wednesday told the West Scranton High School Class of 2025 graduating class that there are many different paths that their journey can take them down. "And hear me on this — there's no wrong path," Shapiro said. "There's only your path. There are many avenues to success. And we've got to respect — and support — all of them." Shapiro spoke directly to the 338 West Scranton High School graduates, their parents and teachers and staff, reminding the graduates that they represent the opportunity to chart their own course and succeed in Pennsylvania. The ceremony was held at the Lackawanna College Student Union building in Scranton. Since day one, Shapiro said he has worked to open doors of opportunity for all Pennsylvanians, no matter their path. On his first day in office, the governor said he signed an executive order announcing that 92% of state government jobs are open to Pennsylvanians without a college degree — and since then, nearly 60% of the Commonwealth's new hires do not have a four-year degree. Shapiro said he also made historic investments in public education — creating real opportunity for students, supporting teachers and school staff and delivering results across the Commonwealth. The governor said he has secured more than $2 billion in additional funding for K-12 public education — the largest investment in Pennsylvania history. And just two days earlier, the governor was in Berwick to announce that Amazon is planning to invest at least $20 billion to establish multiple high-tech cloud computing and artificial intelligence innovation campuses across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He said this initial investment from Amazon will create thousands of good-paying, stable jobs as Pennsylvania workers build, maintain, and operate the first two data center campuses — one in Luzerne County and another in Bucks County. Shapiro said this marks the largest private sector investment in the history of Pennsylvania. In his address, Shapiro said the students are key to Pennsylvania's future. "We have literally invested in your success," Shapiro said. "That is money very well spent. And you more than held up your end of the deal — you studied hard, tried new things, and accomplished a ton. And now, you're about to set out on your journey through life, stronger because of your West Scranton education." Shapiro said his administration has increased funding for vo-tech, career and technical education and apprenticeships, while investing in making college more affordable. "Consider this — right here at West, nearly 60 students from your graduating class completed classes at the Scranton-Lackawanna CTC," Shapiro said. "They studied everything from automotive and culinary arts to nursing and robotics. And 22% of your classmates here today — nearly 80 students — are going to take the skills they learned and go straight into the workforce. Another 10% are going to trade school; 8 of you are going into the military to serve our nation; and about half of you are going to college." Shapiro told the graduates that they are a great representation of the diversity of opportunities available here in Pennsylvania. "Each of you — no matter what path you choose — has the opportunity to be successful," he said. "And so if you remember only one thing from our time here today — remember that your governor showed up at your graduation because he gives a damn about you and asked you to blaze your own path. Chart your own course and follow your own gut. Live your own failures and find your own success." The Governor shares his story "When I graduated high school, my dream was to go to college, play on the basketball team, study pre-med, and then become a doctor — or maybe even be good enough to play professional basketball," Shapiro said. "You see how that turned out. I am none of those things. Instead, I flunked out of pre-med and got cut from the basketball team — on the very same day. "But I didn't give up. Instead, I found a passion for service that's guided my life's work ever since." Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Scranton School Board Director Katie Gilmartin resigns
Lame-duck Scranton School Board member Katie Gilmartin has resigned, according to an agenda for the board's work session Monday night. Reached Monday, Gilmartin declined to comment on why she stepped down in the final year of her second four-year term. She did not file paperwork to run for reelection in the May 20 primary election. Katie Gilmartin (File photo) Currently serving on the board's community relations and personnel committees, Gilmartin was the school board president in 2020 and 2021. Scranton School Superintendent Erin Keating, Ed.D., released a statement Monday afternoon announcing Gilmartin submitted a letter of resignation Friday. The school board will consider Gilmartin's resignation at the board's regular meeting on April 7, Keating said. One of the numerous items on the board's agenda for the work session Monday at 7 p.m. at the West Scranton High School auditorium is listed as a 'Motion to Accept – Resignation of Director Gilmartin.' Pursuant to board policies, the board 'will take the necessary steps to fill the resulting vacancy. Further information regarding the process and the timeline will be shared with the community as it becomes available,' Keating's announcement said. The four seats on the school board that are up for grabs this year are held by Gilmartin, board President Ty Holmes, Vice President Danielle Chesek and Director Sean McAndrew. Of those four, only Chesek seeks reelection to the board. The candidates in the 2025 primary for Scranton School Board and how they filed — as Democrats or Republicans, or cross-filed in both parties — include Joe Brazil (D/R), Danielle Chesek (D/R), John Howe (D/R), Jenna Strzelecki (D/R), Mary Walsh (D/R), Julien Wells (D/R) and Carol Cleary (D). McAndrew, who has served on the board since 2020, is seeking a Democratic nomination for one of three open seats on Scranton City Council. Holmes, who is ending his first term on the board, had said that instead of seeking reelection he wants to focus on his health and other community endeavors. Gilmartin was a political newcomer when first elected to the school board in 2017, when she was the top vote-getter in both the primary and general elections. In March 2021, Gilmartin briefly resigned as board president before colleagues urged her to stay in that role. At that time, Gilmartin cited prior recent events, including the delayed start of hybrid instruction and the response to comments made by the president of the teachers union, as not representing her goals as president devoted to policy, professionalism and process. Gilmartin won election in the 2021 general election to both a two-year and a four-year seat and chose to take the four-year term that ends this year. Gilmartin also serves on the Scranton's Historical Architecture Review Board.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Student going to D.C. for National Youth Leadership Forum
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A local 14-year-old ninth grader is about to take her education from northeastern Pennsylvania to our nation's capital. She will join other teens from across the country for a rare opportunity to learn about national security. West Scranton High School freshman Cailyn Manley is just months away from embarking on quite an educational experience. She has been chosen to participate in the national youth leadership forum on national security in Washington, D.C. 'I got a letter in the mail saying that somebody had nominated me to go. I don't know who, but it was an awesome gesture,' explained Cailyn. Cailyn is the only high school student nominated from more than 1,500 ninth through 12th graders in the Scranton School District. High school student graduating with two degrees 'I'm just honored to even be nominated for it because it's a huge deal so it's just amazing to be thought of for it,' added Cailyn. Cailyn will join other high school students nationwide to learn how America monitors potential threats, prepares for crisis, and plans for peace. 'National security is already very interesting to me, especially because some of my family members have served in the US Army and the Navy. So, getting this has just been great,' Cailyn explained. Stephanie Vasquez is Cailyn's English teacher who offers insight into what Cailyn will experience this summer. 'Our foreign attachés, our people who work, whether they are in the military or outside of the military, working in the Pentagon, in civil service, department of state. There's so much at so many different levels, and this program exposes them to so many different levels,' said Vazquez. What made Cailyn a good candidate for the opportunity in the first place is what she manages to achieve in and out of the classroom. Not only is she an honor student, but also a member of the school's basketball and track and field teams. Cailyn is on the right path to success and inspiring others every step of the way. 'I think she set the bar not just for freshmen but she set it for everyone in front of her and everyone who is coming after her, too. She's really setting that bar and that's really what we want to see. You know, start setting that bar not in your last year but start setting as soon as you go and keep raising that bar even higher and that's what she does every day,' Vasquez added. It will cost Cailyn roughly $5,000 to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum. She says she and her family are brainstorming on how to cover the cost. Here's to you, Cailyn. If you have a kid you think should be featured on Heres To You Kid!, send in a nomination online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Yahoo
Details released, alleged gang members charged with kidnapping child
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police released details after two alleged gang members were charged with kidnapping a child at a carwash and robbing him. On February 22, officers were called for a reported kidnapping at a carwash on Ash Street in Scranton, where two people took a juvenile. A friend of the victim called Scranton police and informed them the victim had gotten away from the suspects and was running through the woods near the Skyview apartment, police stated. A few days later, on February 25, the victim informed officers that he was cleaning his friend's car when he saw a vehicle approach him. Two men in ski masks got out and forced him into the car, as stated in the affidavit. Burglar allegedly assaults man while sleeping The victim told investigators that, after being taken, the suspects pointed a gun at him and ordered him to give them his clothing and sneakers. After they robbed the victim, the suspects told him to run, according to court documents. Video surveillance at the carwash captured the incident, confirming the victim's claims of kidnapping. Police were later informed that the suspects were allegedly associated with a Dominican gang that attended West Scranton High School. Eventually, both suspects were found, and on February 28, the Scranton Police Department arrested 20-year-old Cesar Rodriguez-Hernandez and a 17-year-old juvenile who has not been identified. Rodriguez-Hernandez has been charged with robbery threat, kidnapping, and other related offenses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
