MMI awarded $500 ExxonMobil grant to enhance its science and technology departments

MMI Preparatory School received a $500 grant from the ExxonMobil Foundation that will be used toward the purchase an X-Carve machine for the school’s science department. Liberty Petroleum Distributors nominated the school for the grant.

The X-Carve is a multi-axis milling machine that can automatically carve very detailed pieces from a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, acrylic, and aluminum. Michael Mele, MMI Science Department chair, said many students will have an opportunity to use the device.

Fifty MMI students advance to PA FBLA State Leadership Conference

Fifty of MMI Preparatory School’s 75 student competitors qualified for the Pennsylvania FBLA State Leadership Conference during the recent Regional Leadership Conference competition.

The top five students in each test event advance to states and the top two students or teams in each performance event advance to the state competition, which will be held April 8-10 in Hershey. MMI Social Sciences instructor Katherine Zucco is the FBLA advisor and Flashback Cinema sponsors MMI’s FBLA chapter. 

MMI Interact Club collects relief items for California wildlife victims

The MMI Interact Club collected disaster relief items that will be sent to California wildfire victims through the Faith Assembly Church.

MMI sophomore captures first place in district VFW Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay Scholarship Competition

MMI Preparatory School sophomore Katherine Lewandowski captured first place in the District 11 Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Voice of Democracy Audio-Essay Scholarship Competition for her essay on this year’s theme, “Why My Vote Matters.” Lewandowski is the daughter of Nancy and James Lewandowski of Mountaintop.

Shergalis appointed Acting Head of School at MMI

The Board of Directors of MMI Preparatory School has announced the appointment of MMI President Emeritus William A. Shergalis, Ph.D as Acting Head of School, effective immediately, to succeed D. Scott Wiggins, who over the holidays stepped down for personal reasons.

A long-time member of the MMI community, Dr. Shergalis is an alumnus of the school and served as President (Head of School) from 2001 to 2008, after serving as Chairman of the Board from 1996 to 2000. In 2008, he was named President Emeritus of MMI and was inducted into the MMI Wall of Fame in honor of his service to the school.

MMI students tour the British Isles

By T.R. Laputka
Director of Technology

Over spring break, sixteen MMI students, four parents and three faculty members traveled to the British Isles for an incredible educational tour. Coordinated by Education First Tours, the trip took them through Dublin, Belfast, Derry, Edinburgh, London, and many other locales. For most of the students this had been the first time they had traveled to Europe. T.R. Laputka, MMI technology director; Michael Mele, Science Department Chair and Science instructor; Christina Spencer, Chinese Language teacher; and Jaime of Education First Tours led the private group.

PA School for Global Entrepreneurship, a Student Perspective.

By Sydney Karpowich
MMI Senior

The Pennsylvania School of Global Entrepreneurship (PSGE) has ignited my entrepreneurial spirit and helped me expand on business ventures I am involved in, as well as sparked creativity to develop other business ideas.  I have been working on an idea to develop a free women’s self-defense organization to combat rising abuse rates against local women.  Additionally, I am currently working with a team of four girls on an iDeX pitch, featuring an app that allows users to more effectively medically diagnose themselves at home. 

For my company project at PSGE, I was on a team with six other students to work for Soltech Solutions. The company produces grow lights that not only allow plants to flourish indoors, but also increases the ambiance of one's space. Our job was to create a new marketing campaign for the company and increase sales to other businesses.

MMI students tour Italy 2017

By T.R. Laputka
Director of Technology

Eleven MMI students, three parents and two faculty members traveled to Italy during spring break 2017 for an educational tour. Arranged by EF Education Tours, the tour took them through Milan, Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre, and many other towns. For most of the students this had been the first time they had traveled to Europe. T.R. Laputka, MMI technology director, and Michael Mele, Science Department Chair and Science instructor, led the private group.