After graduating from MMI, Nina went on to earn a dual Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Media Studies from The Catholic University of America. The Freeland native then completed her Master’s in Public Administration from Marywood University and began giving back to the community through her nonprofit career and volunteer service.

As the Executive Director of the Wyoming Valley Children’s Association (WVCA), Nina oversees the organization’s administration, finances, programs, and strategic plan. The WVCA works to provide high-quality early childhood education and therapeutic services to both typically developing children and children with developmental delays and disabilities. By serving ALL children, WVCA creates an inclusive environment for children to discover and develop into curious learners and compassionate citizens. Through its Together We Grow Preschool, WVCA aims to help children develop to the fullest of their ability in preparation for Kindergarten, grade school, and beyond.

In 2024, WVCA celebrated its 100th anniversary. Nina took this opportunity to launch a multi-million dollar centennial campaign in which she strategically raised over $3 million to support campus expansion, building improvements, and program growth, which is set to include the development of outpatient services for therapeutic services. This undertaking has made WVCA the first nonprofit, independent school within tens of thousands of miles of northeastern Pennsylvania to launch billing insurance for outpatient services.

Nina’s 20 years of devotion to serving nonprofits have included roles such as the Vice President of Resource Development at the United Way of Wyoming Valley, the Director of Development and Alumni Affairs for the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, and a Counselor/Advocate for the Victims Resource Center. She has also served on the Board of Directors of CASA of Luzerne County, Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, The Kirby Library, Luzerne County Community College Advisory Board, Luzerne County SPCA, and Marley’s Mission. Nina has directly raised over $50 million in philanthropic support for multiple nonprofit organizations, changing lives for the better right here in our local community.

From 2009 to 2012, Nina served as MMI’s Director of Alumni Affairs. During this time, she also coached the Boys and Girls Tennis teams, demonstrating her dedication to student development and school spirit.

In 2017, Nina was honored as a “Top Professional” by The Times Leader and was included in the “20 Under 40 in NEPA” list, acknowledging her professional achievements and community impact. She is also a 2015 graduate of the Leadership Northeast (formerly Leadership Wilkes-Barre) Core Program, reflecting her commitment to personal and professional growth.

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Mr. Edward Sharp, Valedictorian of Class of 1936, has contributed to the MMI community as well as his local and global communities for decades. Following his graduation from MMI, Mr. Sharp received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Leigh University and his Master’s Degree from Harvard School of Business Administration. He served in the United States Army in World War II and was awarded the Legion of Merit for his “exceptional meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements”. In the community, Mr. Sharp served as chair of Freeland’s “Jobs for Men” fund campaign, first vice president and treasurer of the Freeland Industrial Development Corporation, several times chair of the Freeland United Way, member and former president of the Freeland Rotary Club as well as member, director and trustee of the Freeland YMCA. He was a managing partner at Sharp’s Bakery and served as vice president of Citterio, U.S.A., Inc. Mr. Sharp was elected to the MMI Board of Directors for two decades of service and filled the role of Board Chair for three years. He has also played a leadership role in several capital and annual fund campaigns at MMI. Mr. Sharpe is a member of the MMI Honorary Board and established the Edward and Lorraine Sharp Endowed Scholarship along with his wife, Lorraine.

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Bill graduated from MMI, obtained his Bachelor
of Science degree in Pharmacy from the
Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science,
and his two-year post-graduate degree from the
Clinical Nutrition Certification Board.

Bill is the CEO and Pharmacist at Hazle Drugs,
America’s Oldest Compounding Pharmacy since 1868.
Their natural and holistic approach is why physicians and
patients near and far rely on his company for their customized medications.

Bill has extensive training from the Professional Compounding Centers of
America (PCAA) and is a member of PCAA’s Concierge Group, which is a
specially selected group that networks nationally with other experts in the
field of compounding. He was named the PCAA Pharmacist of the Month in
2005 for his constant commitment to his community and patients.

Bill lectures to many health service organizations across the country. His
topics include Nutritional Supplements, Male “Andropause” Therapy, Natural
Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women, Down’s Syndrome,
Fibromyalgia, and Anti-Aging. He is also featured on the “Your Life” TV
show as the natural medicine expert for his knowledge of natural
bio-identical hormone replacement and nutritional counseling.

He currently serves as a Board Member of the Downtown Hazleton Alliance
for Progress (DHAP); the Chairman of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of
Commerce Downtown committee and an Executive Committee Member of
the Chamber Board; a Board Member of Greater Hazleton CAN DO, and a
member of the BOC (Board of Certification).

He previously served on MMI’s Board of Directors from 2008-2022 and was
Secretary from 2020-2022. He was a Board Member of the American Red
Cross, Hazleton Rotary Club, Hazleton Healthcare Foundation, and United
Way. He was also the past Chairman of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of
Commerce, and a Past President and Board Member of the American
Cancer Society Hazleton Unit.

Bill lives in the Hazleton Area with his wife, Marylynne, and their three sons,
Billy ’15, Evan ’17, and Zander ’21.

The post Mr. William L. Spear R.Ph ’79 first appeared on MMI Preparatory School.

Mr. William “Rover” Schaub ’48 guided the Freeland Little League program for more than 30 years. Rover served the Little League wherever he was needed – as coach, league officer, groundskeeper, concession stand operator and player agent conducting tryouts and setting up teams. He was a teacher, mentor and friend to hundreds of area baseball players (many of whom were MMI students), instilling in his players the importance of teamwork, respect for authority and putting forth the maximum effort in all aspects of life. Rover was a coach and volunteer for the Freeland YMCA for many years and also served as a Director for the Freeland Area School System. In honor of his dedicated commitment to the Freeland community, Rover was the recipient of the Freeland VFW Community Service Award and the Freeland Area Jaycees Outstanding Citizen Award.

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In addition to his successful career in finance, James M. Makuch ’60 has an extensive background in community service. He has continued to support MMI since graduating in 1960. Mr. Makuch was the commencement speaker in 1998 and served as a committee member of the last Capital Campaign.

He graduated with honors from the University of Connecticut and assisted his alma mater as a charitable drive coordinator, a board member, the president of the Professional Employees Association and the first non-faculty member appointed to University Senate.

Mr. Makuch lives in Willington, Connecticut, and founded Willington Financial, Inc., in 1986. His public service in the town included serving as secretary of the zoning board of appeals, a member of the board of education and board of finance, selectman, and town moderator and parliamentarian.

He has also volunteered his time in the medical field as president of the board of directors of Windham Region Homemaker/Home Health Aide Services. He currently serves as vice chairman of the board of directors at Johnson Memorial Medical Center and chairs the finance committee.

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Mr. Paul D. Lesser ’73 has been a firefighter for nearly 40 years and has dedicated his life to the safety of firefighters. In his many roles as a firefighter and a fire protection advocate, he has consistently sought to educate others and help keep firefighters safe. He operated PPL’s industrial fire training facility for 32 years, retiring in 2011. As PPL’s fire protection trainer, he instructed more than 500 PPL employees annually. Mr. Lesser serves as Luzerne County Community College’s public safety training coordinator and is an instructor for the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy. He earned an associate’s degree in fire science technology from Luzerne County Community College and has attended numerous Pennsylvania State Fire Academy local level and resident programs, as well as many training programs throughout the country. He is the deputy chief of the Fearnots Volunteer Fire Company, former assistant chief of the Freeland Fire Department and a member of many other fire companies throughout the area. He has served on the Fire Service Certification Advisory Committee since 1987.

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Andrea Kosko has made an effort to give back
to her community since she graduated in 1974.
As a freshman, Andrea was part of the first
group of girls to be accepted at our school. She
credits MMI with helping her develop the tools to
succeed, saying, “My MMI education is the foundation
on which I have built my life. At MMI, I learned the importance of
persevering in order to achieve success.”

After high school, she graduated magna cum laude from Marywood
College. Andrea continued on to business success, serving as a partner and
chief financial officer at Fellin’s Jewelers, her family’s business. She holds
memberships with the American Gem Society, Jewelers of America, and
the Pennsylvania Retail Jewelers Association.

In 2005, Andrea was the Commencement Speaker, where she stressed the
importance of making a difference at home, saying “There has been a
serious out-migration of well-educated young people just like you. And the
fact of the matter is, your hometowns need you right here. They need your
intellect, your energy, and your creativity.”

That advice came from someone who is, herself, dedicated to improving
the Greater Hazleton community. From 2005-2011, she served on MMI’s
Board of Directors, with a run as Chair from 2008-2010 and Vice Chair
from 2007-2008. In addition to her involvement with MMI, she also served
on the Board of Directors of the Hazleton Area Public Library, the Hazleton
chapter of the American Red Cross, Meals on Wheels of Greater Hazleton,
the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA), the Alliance to Rebuild
Center-City Hazleton (ARCH), and the Business Advisory Committee at
Penn State Hazleton. Andrea also served a term as Secretary of the
Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce.

According to Andrea, ”The Hazleton area is, in a sense, our incubator.
We grew up and got our values here, learning from our parents and our
families the things we take with us all throughout life. And now, it’s
essential to consider our roots. As individuals, we have our own goals,
but we need to help our local communities achieve the goals they have
as well.”

The post Ms. Andrea A. Kosko ’74 first appeared on MMI Preparatory School.

Mr. Llewellyn F. Dryfoos III ’82 has served the residents of Greater Hazleton for decades through professional role as President of Dryfoos Insurance Group since 1991 and his involvement with a variety nonprofit and community organizations. Mr. Dryfoos was a member of the MMI Board of Directors from 1995-2004, from 2005-2013 and again beginning in 2016. He served two terms as chairman, two terms as vice chairman, and one term as secretary. He was a member of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from 2008-2014 and held the role of Chairman of the Board from 2010-2012. He has served as a member of the CAN DO Board of Directors since 2005, and was Chairman of the Board from 2012-2015. He’s been involved with the Boy Scouts of America since 2007 and currently serves as Minsi Trails Commissioner. He was a member of the Greater Hazleton United Way Board of Directors from 1995-2004 and served as Chairman of the Board from 2002-2004. Mr. Dryfoos is secretary of the Sophia G. Coxe Charitable Trust Fund, Inc. Board of Directors and president of the congregation of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church. He also served five years on the Conyngham Borough Council. A West Point graduate, he served five years in the military and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in 1991. He serviced as an Air Defense Artillery officer in the U.S. and overseas, including as a PATRIOT Fire Control Officer during the Persian Gulf War. Additionally, Mr. Dryfoos has served as a member of: Leadership Hazleton Board of Directors, Hazleton Chapter of the American Red Cross Board of Directors, Board of Trustees of The LWS Foundation, U.S. Military Academy Review Board, Federal Judicial Nominating Commission of the Middle District of PA, Board of Directors of Great Valley Technology Alliance, Assistant Coach in the Valley West Little League and Mountain View Cemetery Association Board of Directors.

The post Mr. Llewellyn F. Dryfoos III ’82 first appeared on MMI Preparatory School.

In addition to his accomplished medical career, Dr. Thomas J. Conahan ’26 was a dedicated supporter of many local, regional and national organizations, including serving on the MMI Board of Directors from 1955-81 and assuming the role of secretary from 1969-81. Dr. Conahan was president of Luzerne County Medical Society and VP of the PA Radiological Society. He served as president of the Heart Fund and head of the physician’s branch of two United Way Fund drives, and organized the physicians group for CAN DO fundraising efforts. He was a member of the American Cancer Society Board of Directors, Catholic Social Services Board of Directors, Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Peoples First National Bank Board of Directors, where he served as sectretary
He attended Lehigh on a scholarship and earned his M.D. at Jefferson Medical College in 1934. He completed certification in radiology and established a practice in Hazleton. He served as head of radiology at Hazleton State General Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital for his entire career, including two stints as Chief of the Medical Staff. Dr. Conahan’s father attended MMI when it was a night school and he was a mine foreman. Dr. Conahan’s brother, John ’22, and sons, Tim ’59 and
Jim ’68, are also MMI graduates. * – denotes posthumous honor

The post Dr. Thomas J. Conahan ’26 first appeared on MMI Preparatory School.

She serves as President of the Board of Directors at the Agudas Israel Synagogue (AIS) and was a former Vice President and Secretary. She is a Jewish Community Center Board Member, former Chairperson for Hebrew School for 15 years, Youth Group assistant coordinator and chaperone, and co-chairperson of the AIS Cemetery Committee. She also helped set up and cook lunches for the senior citizens at AIS’s Jewish Community Center. At Valley Country Club, Mrs. Walko served as a Pool Committee chairperson involved in swim races and all pool issues. She is also active with the VCC Woman’s Golf Association and served as representative for the Central Women’s Golf Association of Northeastern PA.

At MMI, Mrs. Walko organized her 35th MMI class reunion event for the centennial class of 1979 and initiated a memorial for four deceased classmates. She has worked at Butler Township as Machine Operator and then Judge of Elections for the Luzerne County Bureau of Elections, where she organized and ran election days for the past five years. Debbie, along with her now-deceased therapy dog Rocky, became certified as a Pet Therapy Team with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ADT) and visited the Alzheimer’s, Recreation, Psychiatric, and Drug and Alcohol units at the Veterans Hospital in Wilkes Barre, and worked with autistic children and families in the area with Supporting Autism & Families Everywhere, Inc. (S.A.F.E.)

The post Mrs. Debbie L. Brenner Walko ’79 first appeared on MMI Preparatory School.