EXETER — Wyoming Area celebrated 55 graduating seniors receiving scholarships during a ceremony held Thursday evening at the junior/senior high school. Approximately 90 scholarships, totaling over $196,000, were awarded.

This was the ninth year for the Community Outreach and Scholarship & Awards Celebration that has previously been held in the school’s cafeteria but was moved to the gymnasium this year. It is estimated over 500 donors, recipients and their families, administrators and school board members were in attendance.

Former Wyoming Area faculty staff and guidance counselor Rosella Fedor has co-chaired the Outreach program, along with Juel Anne Klepadlo, since its inception in 2009. Fedor does not take all the credit for success of the program.

“I am so grateful to all those volunteers that have helped get this program this far and it’s a lot of people doing a lot,” Fedor said. In-house staffers Teddy Rabel, Leo Lulewicz and Klepadlo were personally thanked during the evening’s ceremony.

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The scholarship program is supported by a team of community members, along with current and former school staff.

Eleven new scholarships were awarded this year, bringing the total to near 90. Since 1967, Wyoming Area, through donors, has handed out approximately $2 million in scholarships.

“Many of the donors were especially generous this year, giving more money than previously and more awards than previously,” Fedor added. “This truly has been a community effort and I’m not only grateful, but I’m humbled.”

Upcoming 2018 graduate Julia Kopetchny will benefit by the scholarship program as the recipient of nine awards that will aid her her college effort.

“Thank you so much to all the donors who gave awards to the senior class and myself,” Kopetchny said. “Words cannot begin to describe how grateful we are. Your generosity and selflessness truly inspires us and will significantly impact our futures.”

Senior Shane Sonday will join the military as he has enlisted in the Marines.

“Upon my enlistment into the Marine Corps, I never expected any sort of thank you or to be viewed as any different of a person but to be thanked in a manner of this sort is outstanding and leaves me at a loss for words,” he said.

Sonday is the recipient of the West Pittston American Legion Post 542-1st Lt. Jeffrey DePrimo Memorial Award and the West Wyoming American Legion Award Morning Star Post #904.

Eight-time scholarship recipient Genevieve Federici also expressed her gratitude. “We are blessed to have received these scholarships to financially support our education,” she said.

Fedor works aggressively for the students looking toward the future to help the Outreach Program grow.

“I already have three new potential scholarships for next year,” she said.

Wyoming Area school photographer Bob Dellarte, right, gives instructions to a group of scholarship recipients before taking a photo prior to the banquet ceremonies.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/web1_WA1-1.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Area school photographer Bob Dellarte, right, gives instructions to a group of scholarship recipients before taking a photo prior to the banquet ceremonies.

Wyoming Area senior Julia Kopetchny was the recipient of eight scholarships during the 2018 Community Outreach and Scholarship & Awards Celebration at the Wyoming Area gym Thursday evening.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/web1_WA2-1.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Area senior Julia Kopetchny was the recipient of eight scholarships during the 2018 Community Outreach and Scholarship & Awards Celebration at the Wyoming Area gym Thursday evening.

Paula Minichello, widow of Marc Minichello, is acknowledged as a representative of the memorial award in her husband’s name. The Minichellos donated three scholarships for 2018.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/web1_WA3-1.jpg.optimal.jpgPaula Minichello, widow of Marc Minichello, is acknowledged as a representative of the memorial award in her husband’s name. The Minichellos donated three scholarships for 2018.

Aaron Zezza congratulates his fellow classmates after he received the Wyoming Area Student Council scholarship.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/web1_WA4-1.jpg.optimal.jpgAaron Zezza congratulates his fellow classmates after he received the Wyoming Area Student Council scholarship.

Wyoming Area class of 1990 valedictorian and Exeter native Mark Butchko, Ph.D. was the featured speaker at the 2018 Wyoming Area Community Outreach and Scholarship & Awards Celebration.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/web1_WA5-1.jpg.optimal.jpgWyoming Area class of 1990 valedictorian and Exeter native Mark Butchko, Ph.D. was the featured speaker at the 2018 Wyoming Area Community Outreach and Scholarship & Awards Celebration.
More than $196,000 award in ceremony at school

By Tony Callaio

For Sunday Dispatch

Reach the Sunday Dispatch newsroom at 570-655-1418 or by email at sd@psdispatch.com.