Luzerne County Community College student athletes are showing they excel both athletically and academically. The Eastern Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (EPAC) recently recognized the students by naming them to the EPAC All-Academic Team. To be eligible, the students had to participate in a spring sport, achieve a minimum of a 3.25 grade point average and be enrolled in 12 credits.

EPAC named the following students to the All-American Team.
William 'Gabriel' Preston, LCCC Men's Basketball and Baseball;
Ousmane Diallo, LCCC Men's Basketball;
Matthew Panchura, LCCC Men's Basketball;
Christopher Johnson, LCCC Men's Basketball and Baseball;
Elijah Samuel, LCCC Men's Baseball;
Ayden Everett, LCCC Men's Baseball; and
Bruce Leatherman, LCCC Men's Baseball.

The Luzerne County Community College Trailblazers baseball team will return to the field Sunday, April 21 for their home opener of the season. The men's team will play at noon against Bergen Community College at the LCCC's baseball field, weather permitting.

"Our baseball team is back and better than ever," LCCC President Thomas P. Leary said. "We have an excellent group of dedicated students who are ready to carry on the tradition of LCCC sports. We are proud and lucky to have these fine student athletes representing the College as they compete this season. We know our team will definitely show the competition we mean business. But no matter what happens this season, this group of student athletes are all winners to us, and we are so proud of them."

LCCC's team started its season in early March and has played two double-header away games against top-ranked teams from New Jersey, Brookdale Community College and Rowen College of South Jersey. Although the Trailblazers lost those teams, the matchups gave the LCCC players the chance to hone their skills by playing against tough teams.

"Our team scored four runs in the last two innings," said Ross Turetsky, LCCC head baseball coach, of the matchup against RCSJ. "We rallied at the end of game two. Our guys showed a lot of heart and showed they weren't going to quit. When you play against a top-rated team, you can learn something. Our guys showed us they weren't going to give up and remained in the game and gave everything they got. We are so proud of their effort."

With the spirit the team showed during the first few games, Turetsky said he is excited to see how the players will perform against the other teams during the rest of the season, which is expected to wrap up on May 4.

"We're going to face some tough opponents this season, but this will be good because this will show us where we're at," Turetsky said.

Although the season is currently underway, College officials are always looking for interested players. When Turetsky isn't coaching team members, he is looking for potential players ready to wear the Trailblazers jersey.

Tyler Russell, LCCC director of Student Life and Athletics, said participating in sports at the collegiate level enhances students' experiences while attending college.

"Being involved in an extracurricular activity like joining a sports team can help students improve academically because those experiences teach them problem solving, time management and critical thinking skills," Russell said. "They also teach soft skills like teamwork and emotional intelligence because they are learning to work together. They can then use those skills to help them succeed in life and be well prepared in their future careers."

Luzerne County Community College dental alumni and professionals from the local community will learn more about the latest dental topics during the College's 25th annual Dental Health Alumni Day.

The event, which is sponsored by Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Enova Illuminations, will be held on Friday, May 10 at LCCC's Educational Conference Center, 916 Conference Drive, in Nanticoke.

The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will feature Tom Viola, R.P.h., C.C.P., who has more than 30 years of experience as a board-certified pharmacist, clinical educator, professional speaker, and published author.

Viola has earned his national and international reputation as the go-to specialist for making pharmacology practical and useful for all members of the dental team.
During the morning session, Viola will hold the "Make it Stick" presentation, which will provide an overview of the pharmacology and therapeutics of the injectable and topical anesthetic agents commonly used in dental practices.

For the afternoon session, Violate will hold the "Phantom of the Opera-tory" presentation. The program will present an overview of dental pharmacology for the whole dental team. Special emphasis will be given to those medications prescribed or administered in the practice of dentistry whose actions, effects or interactions with other drugs may impact treatment of system disease.

For more information, contact the Alumni Office at (570) 740-0734.

Luzerne County Community College will host its annual Race for a Cause 5K Run or Fun Walk at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 26 at the Nanticoke campus to help students in need.

There will be a registration fee of $20 per person. Swag will be given to the first 60 registered participants. The race is sponsored by the LCCC Health, Physical Education & Exercise Science Department.

"We hold this annual race as a way for the College and surrounding communities to come together to help our students," said Miranda Costa, LCCC fitness center staff/Associate Professor for HPE/Head Cross Country Coach. "This is one of the many ways we show our students that we support them. College is a time for students to study and prepare for their futures. For those who are struggling financially, fundraisers like this can help them worry less and focus on college."

Awards will be given to the first overall male and female finishers in the race. Awards will also be given to the top three finishers in the following age groups for both males and females - 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and over.

For more information or to register, email mcosta@luzerne.edu or call (570) 740-0237.

Luzerne County Community College will hold a Culinary Arts Open House from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24. The event will be held at the Joseph A. Paglianite Culinary Arts Institute, 6 N. Main Street in Nanticoke.

Students will have the chance to explore the College's programs. Faculty will be on hand to discuss learning and career opportunities. Admissions and financial aid officers will be available to assist with questions and provide tours.

To register, visit https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/yshgqqy

Luzerne County Community College is showing support for survivors of sexual assault. The College community recently came together to wear teal to show everyone LCCC cares. Additionally, the College is planning several activities designed to raise awareness. Those activities include:

Throughout April: College officials will have t-shirts from the Clothesline Project displayed on the third floor of the Campus Center in Nanticoke. The t-shirts were created by survivors of violence or in honor of those who experienced violence. The color of the shirts represents the type of violence the person experienced.

Wednesday, April 17: LCCC will also host the Red Sand Project at 11 a.m. outside the rotunda at the Campus Center. Victim Resources Center will have a brief presentation about human trafficking. Students will place red sand in the cracks of the sidewalk outside to represent no one ever falling through the cracks.

Wednesday, April 24: The College will also hold a Day of Awareness from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the third floor of the Campus Center. Organizers will hand out information on sexual assault. The event will include music, Esports free play day and a visit from Pleasure of Your Company therapy dogs. There will also be free ice cream, French fries, and students can enter to win a raffle basket.

The Luzerne County Community College Wellness Committee will hold its Wellness Fair from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16 at the College's Campus Center, third floor.

The LCCC HPE 151 Health Promotion, Fitness and Sport Programing will demonstrate grip strength, perform body composition analysis, and blood pressure screenings.

The LCCC Student Life and Athletic's office will provide a healthy snack. Additional information will be provided about recycling, caring communities, pathway to recovery, and CEO Food Bank.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call LCCC at 570-740-0237 or (800) 377-LCCC, extension 7237.

Luzerne County Community College's AllOne Recovery Educational Institute (AREI) will host a Collegiate Recovery Day starting at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 15. The event will be held on the second floor of the College's Campus Center in Nanticoke. It is part of national Collegiate Recovery Week.

The AREI program was created in 2019 through a $1.19 million private grant. The program has served more than 300 students in recovery.

During the April 15 event, participants will be able to make their own tie-dyed t-shirts. Organizers will also give out Collegiate Recovery Bracelets and attendees can fill out inspirational cards that will be displayed. There will also be free popcorn.

The event is designed to take the stigma out of recovery and show students that they can succeed.

Area children can get a free dental cleaning and checkup at Luzerne County Community College's Kids' Dental Day. The College will hold the event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 6 at the Benco Dental Clinic at 38 E. Main St. in Nanticoke. Parents can call (570) 740-0446 to book their appointments. Appointments are preferred for the cleanings but LCCC officials will take some walk-ins.

"Our second-year dental hygiene students will be performing free dental hygiene care for children three to 17 years old," said Julie Cleary, professor of LCCC's Dental Hygiene Program. "Dental health is so important and we need to start educating children at a young age about taking care of their teeth. By making sure you get regular checkups and cleanings, and ensuring you care for your teeth properly each and every day, you can help prevent tooth decay."

LCCC second-year students will be performing free exams, x-rays, cleanings and other work based on a patient's needs. The results will be sent to the child's regular dentist. The College will have 10 stations set up where children can visit to learn more about dental topics in a fun way. No appointments are needed to visit those stations. At each one, children will receive a prize. At the end of their visit, each child will get a spin toothbrush to help them continue to care for their teeth. LCCC's first-year dental hygiene students will be manning the information stations.

"Luzerne County Community College is committed to educating not only the students we serve but also the local communities," said LCCC President Thomas P. Leary. "By offering the Kids' Dental Day annual event, we are creating a real-world learning experience for our students, which makes them better prepared when they enter the workforce. Our students are also helping to educate young children about the benefits of good dental hygiene, which can help prevent illnesses and keep them healthy."

The event also gives LCCC second-year dental students the chance to use what they've learned in the classroom in a real-life setting under the supervision of a dentist.

"We have several stations in our clinic that are set up just like you would find in a real dental clinic," Cleary said. "By having all of our students participate, our first-year students learn the importance of interacting with clients while our second-year students get the hands-on experience of actually doing the work."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website indicated that one in six children between the ages of 6 and 11 have had at least one cavity. Additionally, more than half of adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 have had a cavity with about one in six having untreated cavities. Nationwide, about 34 million school hours are lost because of unplanned, emergency dental care, the CDC indicated.

We are excited to invite you to our Open House on April 13, 2024, 9:30 am to 12 pm. This is a great opportunity to meet our faculty members and learn about the programs we offer. You will also be able to speak with our admissions and financial aid staff to get any questions you may have answered.

In addition to these informative sessions, we will also be hosting a breakfast in the Trailblazer Cafe at 9:30 am. This is a great chance to connect with other prospective students and get a feel for the campus community.Join the LCCC staff and faculty for a day of exploration on our main campus in Nanticoke, PA. After breakfast in our Trailblazer Café you will be able to chat with faculty, tour our facilities and have your admissions and financial aid questions answered. You can even apply and be admitted on the spot!

If there's one thing in common for everyone in the world, no matter your race, gender, ethnicity, it's that we are all people. Going about our days, doing normal human tasks and the days of Ancient Greece weren't any different. Luzerne County Community College History Club and club President Olivia Kishbaugh will be hosting an Ancient Greece lecture on Thursday, March 21 at 12:30 p.m. in Room 917 at the Main Campus.

Of all the countries and cultures in the world, why Ancient Greece? Club President Olivia Kishabugh said coming up with one mutual topic was difficult but eventually, the club agreed on Ancient Greece. "We were debating what we were going to do, and we narrowed it down to what is something big that can cover everyone's interests within one big umbrella and eventually, we all settled on Ancient Greece," said Kishbaugh.

The club decided on lighter topics to discuss instead of the traditional dark war and politics. Mostly because those topics weren't what they were interested in. They were interested in the kind of jobs they had, the types of clothing they wore, the homes they lived in, what they were built out of, what they used for beds, hygiene, etc.

"When everyone talks about history, they always talk about war from the Vietnam War to Civil War to World War II, but we wanted to make it lighter and say, 'yeah there was war and heavy events that happened, but they were people,'" said Kishbaugh. "They bathed together, they ate together, they had lives, they were people. That was my focus in doing this [lecture], just a reminder that we're all people."

Kishbaugh said that the history club is always accepting new members whether you're a history buff or just wanting to make new friends. "Come hang out and nerd out with us, even if you're not doing anything. We talk about random history facts from Napoleon to the Civil War to World War II, we're just nerds hanging out."

Luzerne County Community College is hosting a campus-wide food drive. The food drive runs from March 11 through 22.

People can drop off their donations at the following LCCC locations:
- Main campus in Nanticoke at 521 Trailblazer Drive
- Wilkes-Barre Center at 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre
- Berwick Center at the Eagles Building, 107 S. Market St., Berwick
- Hazleton Center at 100 W. Broad St., Suite 108, Hazleton
- Pittston Center at Education Center, 13 S. Main St., Pittston
- Scranton Center at the Marketplace at Steamtown, 300 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton
- Shamokin Center at the Northumberland Regional Higher Education Center, 2 E. Arch St., Shamokin
- Watsontown Center at the Greater Susquehanna Center, 1100 Main St., Watsontown

People can also donate through LCCC's Food Bank Amazon Wish List by calling (570) 740-0735.

Luzerne County Community College is working toward ending hunger among its students. From March 11 through 22, the campus and its seven centers will be collecting food donations from the community that will be used at its student food banks the College has at each location.

People who are interested in donating can drop off items at LCCC's Campus Center at the main campus in Nanticoke at 521 Trailblazer Drive and at the College's seven centers, see list below. They can also donate through LCCC's Food Bank Amazon Wish List by calling (570) 740-0735.

"We're urging the public to donate to this important cause, which helps students who are facing food insecurity," said LCCC President Thomas P. Leary. "Our students are always our top priority, so we want to make sure they have the necessary resources to succeed. Research shows there's a connection between hunger and negative school performance. Our food banks and the generous donations we receive ensure our students can succeed in the classroom so they can get their education and be successful in their local job markets."

LCCC is holding the food drive in conjunction with National Nutrition Month. A recent study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health showed that food-insecure students were more than 40 percent less likely to graduate college.

The College created the Peter J. Lello Student Food Bank at the main campus in Nanticoke in 2016 and has opened other food banks at all other centers over the years to help fight food insecurity. The food bank was named after the late Lello, who devoted his life to charitable causes including addressing hunger issues. Lello joined the staff at LCCC in 2006 as a major gifts officer and planning giving specialist and was instrumental in raising money for the Public Safety Training Institute, the Joseph A. Paglianite Culinary Institute, and the Francis and Mary Gill Carrozza, RN, Health Science Center.

"The mission of the College's Student Food Banks is to work to eliminate hunger and food insecurities among our students and their families," said Rebecca Brominski, Executive Director, LCCC Foundation. "Food drives like this one will support and feed hundreds of LCCC students and their families throughout the year."

Students use LCCC's food banks regularly and can get ready-made, to-go items or take-home food that they can make later. Kevin Lloyd, LCCC student, said the food bank is vital to the student community because it ensures there is food for those who may need it.

"Having something to eat helps us focus in class so we can do well academically," Lloyd said. "It's hard to focus when you're hungry. For students who may not be able to afford a lot of food, our food bank ensures that you have access to something nutritious to eat instead of going hungry."

The following are the drop off locations for the food drive:
- Main campus in Nanticoke at 521 Trailblazer Drive
- Wilkes-Barre Center at 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre
- Berwick Center at the Eagles Building, 107 S. Market St., Berwick
- Hazleton Center at 100 W. Broad St., Suite 108, Hazleton
- Pittston Center at Education Center, 13 S. Main St., Pittston
- Scranton Center at the Marketplace at Steamtown, 300 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton
- Shamokin Center at the Northumberland Regional Higher Education Center, 2 E. Arch St., Shamokin
- Watsontown Center at the Greater Susquehanna Center, 1100 Main St., Watsontown

As the music quieted for a moment, students, faculty, and staff listened intently as Joseph Patterson spoke about Martin Luther King Jr. The imagines that played on the three large screens in Luzerne County Community College's cafeteria provided attendees with a glimpse into King's life as a Civil Rights leader.

"He was one of the greatest men in our history," Patterson said as the iconic and powerful words of King's "I Have a Dream" speech showed on the screens.

Patterson, along with Nathan Harman and Joy Massie, sang in the Totally Awesome Traveling Black History Show at LCCC on Feb. 19 as part of the College's Black History Month activities. The College's Office of Student Life & Athletics sponsored the event to help teach students and the College community about Black history.

"We're honored to offer events like the Totally Awesome Traveling Black History Show at Luzerne County Community College because it gives our students an additional opportunity to learn beyond the classroom," said LCCC President Thomas P. Leary. "At Luzerne, our faculty and staff are always looking for ways to enrich the lives of our students. This show teaches our campus community about the men and women who have played a vital role in societal changes throughout the years."

Patterson, who owns Key Arts Productions, puts on the show for colleges, universities, high schools, middle schools and elementary schools.

"We want to highlight Black History and honor all the work that has been done throughout the years," said Patterson, who is based out of Philadelphia and has brought his show to LCCC for 10 years. "We can all learn from each other. Our shows are meant to show how it's beautiful to be different and we should embrace that."

Throughout the show, participants were able to sing along and clap to popular songs like "Respect" by Aretha Franklin, songs of faith like "This Little Light of Mine," and music from blues artists and Black composers like John Legend.

"This group does a wonderful job portraying events throughout history," said Teddi Janosov, secretary of Student Life and who has coordinated the event at LCCC for the past 14 years. "Every event they have done for us is different and gives our students an in-depth look at the different genres of Black History."

In between the music, attendees learned more about historic figures such as King, Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman and Ruby Bridges. Bridges attended a desegrated elementary school in New Orleans in 1960 and had to be escorted by federal marshals to school when she was 6 years old.

"People would throw things at her as she entered her school," Patterson explained as the singers sang in the background. "She had said she thought it was part of Mardi Gras and didn't realize what people were actually doing to her. She was instrumental in making big steps in the Civil Rights movement."