University of Scranton Awards Presidential Scholarships

The University has awarded 13 freshmen full-tuition Presidential Scholarships for 2008-2009.

Presidential Scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen with exemplary high records in both their schools and community involvement. The scholarships cover the full cost of tuition for four years of study as long as the recipient maintains at least a 3.25 grade point average. In addition, Presidential scholars are invited to participate in a Presidential Colloquy, which includes academic discussions led by the president, discussions with the provost and faculty about topics raised by speakers making invited presentations on campus, and a seminar on leadership and civic responsibility.

The following students were awarded Presidential Scholarships.

A graduate of Riverbend High School, Mary Alling, Fredericksburg, Va., will major in biology. She is a College Board AP Scholar with Honors and Distinction, and a National AP Scholar. She received the Festival Gold Cup in piano solo, hymn playing and patriotic songs, and the Governor’s School Interdisciplinary Award, as well as awards for outstanding performance in health, Spanish I, Spanish III, AP world history and AP biology. She was a member of the National Honor Society.

Nicholas Caselli, Peckville, was the valedictorian of his graduating class at Valley View Junior/Senior High School. He was a member of the Mock Trial team, Spanish club, Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD), Leo Club, National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, and peer tutoring at Valley View Junior/Senior High School. In addition to performing community service, he coached his community’s recreational league youth soccer team every year while in high school. Caselli plans to major in finance.

A graduate of Kellenberg Memorial High School, Alex Chiodo, Westbury, N.Y., plans to major in computer information systems. While in high school, he participated in intramural and club baseball. He was also a member of SADD, Christians Reaching Out and Spreading Spirituality, the History Club and the National Honor Society.

Brittany Esbin, East Stroudsburg, is a graduate of East Stroudsburg Senior High School (North). She was chosen to attend the Pennsylvania Governor’s School of Excellence, and was named to the high honor roll. Esbin also received awards in math and social studies. While attending high school, she was a member of the varsity and non-varsity volleyball teams, and a member of the National Honor Society, Leo Club and Chess Team. Esbin has not yet declared a major.

A graduate of Villa Joseph Marie High School, Molly Hritzo, Holland, will major in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology. She was a member of the National Honor Society and was an International Science and Engineering Fair finalist. Hritzo was also a member of the Tri-M Music Honors Society, the Science National Honor Society, and the cross-country and track and field teams.

Kathleen Lavelle, Avoca, is a graduate of Scranton Preparatory School. She plans to major in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology. Lavelle was a National Latin Exam Gold Medal winner in ninth and tenth grade, and received Honorable Mention in her junior year. A member of the National Honor Society, she placed 24th in the National Spanish Exam for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Region. She was also a peer tutor, and was active in the art society and intramural bowling.

The salutatorian of her graduating class at Seton Catholic Central High School, Paulina Maida, Hallstead, plans to major in biology. She was a 2006 winner of the Certificate of Merit in American Mathematics Contests, received the U.S. Achievement Academy National Science Merit Award, was named a U.S. Achievement Academy All-American Scholar, was a National Merit Scholarship Finalist and won first place in the Broome County Right to Life Oratorical Contest. She was a member of the National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars, and was listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students.

Brian Musto, Pittston, was the valedictorian of his graduating class at Pittston Area Senior High School. He plans to major in finance. Musto was a National Merit Commended Scholar; a member of the National Honor Society, for which he served as vice president; president of the Math Club; and a member of Student Council. He was listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students. Musto was an American Chemical Society Contest winner, a Creative Communications Poetry Contest winner and an International Library of Poetry semifinalist. He was also a member of the basketball and soccer teams.

A graduate of Delone Catholic High School, Sarah Neitz, Gettysburg, received the National School Choral Award, Economics for Leaders Award, Msgr. William R. Lyons Volunteer Service Award, Gettysburg College Phi Beta Kappa Book Award, American Citizenship Award, YAIAA Academic All-League Award, and the U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award. Neitz plans to major in international studies.

Marianne Patterson, Furlong, a graduate of Archbishop Wood High School, will major in nursing. She was a member of the National Honor Society, the drama club and the high school newspaper staff. Patterson was a National Merit Finalist, received a Certificate of Merit for High Honor in Science and Mathematics from the Society of Women Engineers (Philadelphia chapter), and received two first awards at regional and state levels from the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science. Additionally, she has been active in community service.

A graduate of St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School, Jessica Wagner, Lindenhurst, N.Y., was a member of the Math Honor Society, Science Honor Society, English Honor Society, French Honor Society, and the National Honor Society, for which she served as president. She was also a National Merit Commended Scholar and an AP Scholar. Wagner has not yet declared a major.

Rose Marie Wong, Henryville, was salutatorian of her graduating class at Pocono Mountain East High School. While in high school, she was a member of the National Honor Society and the National Art Honor Society. Wong received the award for Acaemic Excellence in AP English. She was a member of the Debate Club, for which she served as co-president; and the student newspaper staff. She also volunteered at Allied Services. Wong plans to major in English.

Valedictorian of his graduating class at Holy Cross High School (formerly Bishop Hannan), Alexander Zygmunt, Moscow, plans to major in biochemistry. A National Merit Commended Scholar, Zygmunt was a Diocesan Scholar, co-president of the National Honor Society, co-captain of the cross-country team and a member of the track and field team. He was among the region’s 25 Scholastic Superstars named by the Scranton Times-Tribune in 2008. Zygmunt also interned at the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute for two summers and volunteered at St. Stanislaus Polish National Catholic Elementary School.