MMI News

Students in eighth, 10th and 12th grades delivered presentations as part of MMI Preparatory School’s annual “Best of the Best” program during an assembly held at the school. Sophomore Alyssa Sweda, the daughter of John and Jacqueline Sweda of Hazle Township, was the overall “Best of the Best” winner for the first semester for her presentation on Charleston, South Carolina. The assembly program is designed to help MMI students improve and enhance their communication skills, which are important as they progress through high school, college, and beyond. Additional “Best of the Best” presenters were senior Joshua Narrow, the son of...

A team of four MMI Preparatory School students placed third in all three categories in the annual Bloomsburg University Math Contest. The team of Ali Aijaz, Anirban Chowdhury, Allison McGeehan and Nicholas Young placed third in Brain Teasers, Quiz Bowl and the Game of 24 card challenge. Ali Aijaz is the son of Fakhruddin and Dr. Naghma Aijaz, Mountaintop; Anirban Chowdhury is the son of Bhaskar and Saumitri Chowdhury, Hazle Township; Allison McGeehan is the daughter of Thomas and Sandra McGeehan, Drums; and Nicholas Young is the son of Christian and Nicole Young, Freeland.

Four MMI Preparatory School students qualified to compete in the Pennsylvania School Press Association 2016-17 State Journalism Contest during a regional competition at Penn State University’s Berks Campus. Joshua Narrow, Danielle Pileggi, Julia Snyder and Chava Kornblatt earned the right to travel to Penn State’s University Park campus on March 29, 2017, to vie for the state championship in their respective categories. Danielle Pileggi and Julia Snyder both qualified in the Literary Magazine Art category, Joshua Narrow qualified in the Literary Magazine Poetry category and Chava Kornblatt qualified in the Yearbook Caption Writing category.

MMI Preparatory School sophomores Desiree Petrick and Elizabeth Eckhart were selected to represent MMI at the 2017 Central Pennsylvania Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) seminar, which will be held May 18-21 at Shippensburg University. Desiree Petrick is the granddaughter of John Petrick, Freeland and Elizabeth Eckhart is the daughter of Charles and Kim Eckhart, Lehighton. The four-day HOBY seminar focuses on the theme “Empower. Lead. Excel” while encouraging the young leaders to display responsible citizenship, including community service and volunteerism. Each September, HOBY sophomore registration kits are sent to more than 22,000 public, private, and charter high schools in the...

Six MMI student-athletes were honored for their performance during the fall sports season. Senior Dana Carrato was named to the Wyoming Valley Coaches Association Second Team and juniors Madison Perchak and Lauryn Banyas were honorable mention selections. The Citizens’ Voice selected junior George Palermo (golf), sophomore Jessica McClellan (golf), senior Elizabeth Pinto (tennis) and senior Dana Carrato (volleyball) to its All Star teams in their respective sports.

MMI Preparatory School sophomore Andrew Decker captured the regional Poetry Out Loud competition against students from parts of six counties and will advance to the state finals March 5-6, 2017 in Harrisburg. The winner of the state competition advances to the national championship in Washington, D.C. Andrew Decker is the son of Aaron Decker, Kingston, and Elizabeth and Troy Topolski, Sugarloaf. Jennifer Novotney, MMI English instructor and Poetry Out Loud adviser, said, “Andrew did a fantastic job and we are all very proud of him. It is an honor to have him represent MMI Preparatory School at the state finals.”

MMI Preparatory School English instructor Jennifer Novotney was one of only 13 teachers from across the country to receive the National High School Teacher of Excellence Award from the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). The NCTE honors recipients with the High School Teacher of Excellence Award to recognize and celebrate exceptional high school classroom teachers. Novotney accepted her award during the annual conference in Atlanta in November where she was also a general session presenter during the second day of the four-day convention. In his nomination remarks, MMI Assistant Head of School Charles Seidel said Novotney “is an...

MMI Preparatory School’s Upper School Drama Club will present an evening of one-act comedies December 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. in the MMI cafeteria.  All tickets are general admission only and seating is limited. Tickets are just $5 and are available at the door the night of the show or any time before the performance at the MMI Main Office.

Students at MMI Preparatory School honored their school’s founders, Eckley Brinton Coxe, and his wife, Sophia Georgianna Coxe, during an assembly at the school and graveside service on Wednesday, giving thanks for the Coxes’ contributions to the school and the area. Students were treated to a Thanksgiving lunch, with the Parents Association providing pies and drinks, and an all-school assembly. Senior class officers presented a history of Eckley Coxe’s life, including the mining industry and the beginning days of the Mining and Mechanical Institute, the school he founded that is now known as MMI Preparatory School. They also spoke about...

Sophomore Andrew Decker won MMI Preparatory School’s Poetry Out Loud competition for the second consecutive year and will represent MMI in the televised regional Poetry Out Loud competition on December 7 at the WVIA-TV studios in Pittston. Senior Gabriella DeMelfi placed second and junior Chava Kornblatt finished third. Andrew Decker is the son of Aaron Decker, Kingston, and Elizabeth and Troy Topolski, Sugarloaf. Gabriella DeMelfi is the daughter of Daniel and Esme DeMelfi of Hazleton, and Chava Kornblatt is the daughter of Joseph and Georgia Kornblatt of Kingston.  Jennifer Novotney, Katherine Zucco and Madison Below served as judges and Novotney...

MMI Preparatory School recently inducted 43 new members of the Andrew J. Stofan Chapter of the National Honor Society during a ceremony at the school. MMI Interim Head of School D. Scott Wiggins welcomed guests and adviser and faculty member Donna Titus gave opening remarks and introduced the guest speaker, Captain Charles Stoffa ’88. During the induction ceremony, chapter officers gave presentations on the criteria of the National Honor Society for its membership. Historian Gabriella Kupsho presented the history of the National Honor Society, Secretary Stephanie Zellner spoke about service, Treasurer Nicholas Young talked about scholarship, Vice President Lois Polashenski...

MMI Preparatory School crowned Lacee Gera and Kisan Patel, pictured at center in the first row, its 2016 Harvest Queen and King during MMI’s annual Harvest Dance on Nov. 5. Additional court members were Elizabeth Pinto (first row far left), Erin Sari (first row far right), Garrett Kost (second row far left) and Keenan Overa (second row far right). Also pictured in the second row are MMI Interim Head of School D. Scott Wiggins and Parent Association representative Andrea Putnam.

The Freeland American Legion honored MMI Preparatory School senior Garrett Kost following his attendance at the Pennsylvania American Legion’s Keystone Boys State program this past summer. Garrett Kost is the son of Joseph and Natalie Kost of Freeland. Keystone Boys’ State is a week-long program held at Shippensburg University where rising high school senior boys from across the state gather to learn about Pennsylvania’s system of government. The 250 participants were divided into eight simulated cities, two simulated counties, and one simulated state. The students learned how to draft city laws and ordinances as well as the process of attempting...

MMI student-athletes Dana Carrato and Garrett Kost were recently named the school’s winners for the prestigious Wendy’s High School Heisman award which highlights exceptional high school seniors and their achievements in the classroom, on the field, and in the community.

MMI Preparatory School inducted 23 new members into the Science National Honor Society and 16 new members into the Mathematics National Honor Society during a ceremony at the school. During the ceremony, Assistant Head of School Charles Seidel welcomed guests, and National Science Honor Society Advisor Michael Mele introduced the officers of the two honor societies. Jonathan Smith, president of MMI’s Mathematics National Honor Society chapter, and Ali Aijaz, president of the MMI’s Science National Honor Society chapter, each gave a speech. National Math Honor Society Advisor Susan Moyer introduced the guest speaker, William Van Horn ’98. MMI Interim Head...

MMI Preparatory School seniors Garrett Kost and Danielle Pileggi will be featured on WVIA-TV Artist of the Week segments and are among the finalists for the WVIA Artist of the Year Award. Garrett Kost and Danielle Pileggi visited the WVIA studios in Pittston to record a one-minute Artist of the Week piece that will appear on WVIA-TV the week of Jan. 15-21 and online at wvia.org for a year.

The Wister Quartet, a nationally-renowned and Grammy-nominated chamber ensemble, opened their 2016-2017 season with a premiere performance of a song composed by students from MMI Preparatory School. The Wister Quartet, along with guitarist Allen Krantz, performed “Song for Peace,” which MMI students composed last fall, on October 17 for the 1807 & Friends Concert series at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. The concert featured music of famous composers such as Boccherini, Barrios and Brahms, as well as a world premiere from Frank James Staneck, in addition to the professional premiere of “Song for Peace.”