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.

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 basketball team is showing everyone they have what it takes both on and off the court.

The Eastern Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (EPAC) recently named six Trailblazers to the All-Academic Team. For EPAC to name a player to the team, the person has to play in a fall sport and have a minimum grade point average of 3.25.

The players who made the All-Academic Team are Michael Crespo Ruiz, William Preston, Matthew Panchura, Ousmane Diallo, John Occhipinti, and Lane Haneef.

"We are so proud of the student athletes who made the All-Academic Team because it not only shows their commitment and dedication to the game but also to their academics," said LCCC President Thomas P. Leary. "These players are role models for our College community because they demonstrate how a person can excel in life through hard work and commitment. Additionally, our dedicated faculty and staff have played an important role in guiding them and others in their educational journeys by serving as educators, coaches, and mentors. At LCCC, we are committed to the betterment of each and every student. An education they receive here makes them well prepared when they enter the local workforce and participate in community leadership activities."

LCCC head basketball coach Ron Strothers said he is proud of his players and said their achievement shows their passion for the game and their studies.

"I'm pleased with their hard work on the court and their ability to take that passion and apply it to the classroom," said Strothers, who is also an associate professor at the College. "These players have shown us they have a strong work ethic because they have the ability to not only perform well on the court but also perform well academically. These players are laying the groundwork for their futures because they are showing themselves they can excel in multiple areas of their lives."

By offering students a chance to play at the collegiate level, LCCC is providing another learning opportunity the students can take with them throughout their lives.

"I?m really proud of all of our student athletes, especially those who received Eastern Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (EPAC) All-Academic Team honors," said Tyler Russell, director of Student Life and Athletics. "The Luzerne County Community College Athletic Programs strive to be a means to an education for students, giving students an additional way to engage with their college experience while working towards a degree. Studies show that participating in an extracurricular activity can help a student improve academically because it teaches them problem solving, time management and critical-thinking skills, and these students are proof."

The Head Start children hung on every word Luzerne County Community College President Thomas P. Leary read. With each rhyming set of words from Dr. Seuss' "The Eye Book," the children giggled, smiled or looked excitedly at Leary in anticipation of how the story would unfold next. Although the teachers had the children sit for the story, some stood because they couldn?t contain their enthusiasm over the playful yet educational story.

"Wink eye, wink eye. Pink eye, pink eye," Leary read turning the book around and showing the children a picture of a little boy winking opposite a furry rabbit with large red soulful eyes.

"Eww who would want that," Leary said playfully after reading the words 'pink eye.' The children erupted into laughter but remained focused as the President finished the story.
Leary read to the Head Start students at LCCC earlier this month as part of National Reading Month. He also visited classes at Kennedy Early Childhood Center in Nanticoke, and St. Nicholas-St. Mary's School in Wilkes-Barre.

"Having the opportunity to read to children in our communities is so important because it reinforces how important reading is," Leary said. "The books we read during National Reading Month are educational yet fun. They help engage children and get them interested in reading, so they become lifelong learners. It also helps me connect with them because they may hear the word 'college" at home. When I say I'm from a college, they can immediately relate to me, and we can get them to start thinking about college and their futures at an early age."

Ensuring children can read is important because it helps them succeed in life, information from Reading is Fundamental's (RIF) website indicated. With about 25 million children in the U.S. who can't read proficiently, RIF indicated that reading to children can show them that it's a fun activity while helping to tackle the literacy problem.

Before reading the books to the students, Leary asked them how they're doing, talked about LCCC and gave advice on how to be good citizens.

"Does anyone know what the president does," Leary asked Susan DeCinti's kindergarten class at Kennedy Early Childhood Center.

"Keeps everyone safe," one of the children said eagerly.

"Tells people what to do," another one said proudly.

"Excellent answers," Leary said smiling at those and the other answers the kindergarteners shouted out. "Keeping students safe is exactly what I do. But you know what you can do for me. The most important thing I want you to do is learn to be nice toward each other. Always be as kind as possible to each other. And remember, you are all stars in this world."
Over at St. Nicholas-St. Mary's, Leary visited the fourth, fifth and sixth grade classes, delivering his message of kindness before reading to the children. As a special treat, Leary was able to read at the classes of his great nephews Jameson, Connor, and Matthew.

"Remember everyone, the most important thing you can do is just be kind," Leary said. "It doesn't take a lot of effort. It makes you a better person and it builds character. At LCCC, we have signs that say, 'be kind.' It's such an important message and it gets you further in life."

When he visited with the Head Start children, they came to the rotunda at the Campus Center in Nanticoke, which is next door to the Head Start Center. Before he read to them, he also talked to them about being good citizens and the importance of reading.

At the LCCC event, Leary brought a special guest with him.

"Hey look. Who is that?," Leary said, excitedly as he pointed toward the rotunda door.

The children turned around quickly and immediately their faces lit up with smiles.

"A horsey!" one of the children yelled.

As soon as Blaze walked in, the children ran over to the LCCC mascot with some giving him a high five. As music played in the background, the children, Leary, the Head Start teachers and everyone else in attendance got to their feet and danced to the song with Blaze.

At the end of the event, Leary gave each child a coloring book, playdough, and crayons. Some of the children were so excited they gave Leary and others hugs as they left. But before the event ended, the children gave Leary a photo and certificate of appreciation.

"This certificate is presented to President Leary for your outstanding contributions to the academic and emotional growth of our students at Luzerne County Head Start LCCC," Leary read from the certificate. "Thank you so much for this. This is so nice and so special."

As soon as Willow walked into the classroom at Luzerne County Community College's Pittston Center, Sarah Minella couldn't contain her excitement. The LCCC student quickly walked over, threw her arms around her new canine friend's neck, and gave her a hug. Minella sat on the floor next to the light-colored English lab, gently patting the dog on the head as Willow leaned in to soak up the affection.

The therapy dog visit from Compassionate Canines of Dalton happens at the Pittston Center every fourth Monday of the month to give LCCC students a chance to relax in between classes.

"This gives the students at our center the chance to take a break from their studies and relax," said Samantha Patterson, director of the LCCC Pittston Center. "At our center, we offer activities like the therapy dog visit as a way to supplement our students? academic classes. Students learn better when they have activities like this, which is why we decided to offer therapy dogs."

Patterson contacted Compassionate Canines to set up the regularly scheduled visits for her students. Compassionate Canines was more than willing to accommodate the request because the non-profit was formed to provide happiness, healing, comfort, and compassion to those in the community, said Helenmae Newcomer of Compassionate Canines.

"Our teams enjoy providing a mood boost, a calming paw to hold, and comfort to those we visit," she said. "Since our inception, 33 therapy dog teams have been certified for therapy visits. In our first year, we have completed 77 visits in our community. We are always looking forward to meeting new friends, whether they are new therapy dog teams or community members."

Compassionate Canines began training their teams in their tailored training program in 2023. After training, their teams are then evaluated to see where they would be a good fit to visit, including schools, colleges, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and community events.

For the recent visit, Tracey Hall, a volunteer with Compassionate Canines, brought Willow and said the dog enjoys giving comfort to others.

"I like bringing Willow to places like Luzerne because she can provide comfort to the students," Hall said. "Sometimes it's just nice to be able to pet a dog like Willow and relax."

Leanne Pagnotti, another volunteer with Compassionate Canines, brought her dog, Amigo. As Minella petted the Bishon-Poodle mix dog, Amigo's tail swished from side to side.

"Oh, my goodness," Minella said as hugged the little dog. "I just love coming to the Pittston Center because of events like this."

Minella started taking classes at the Pittston Center and is now taking classes at LCCC's Joseph A. Paglianite Culinary Institute as part of the Culinary Arts program.

"One of the biggest reasons I came to LCCC's Pittston Center is because it's very accessible since I live close by," said Minella, who lives in Pittston. "I've had a lot of classes at this center, and everyone here has helped me a lot."

Minella said she also appreciates the supportive nature and small class sizes she experienced at the Pittston Center. Besides the Pittston Center, LCCC offers classes at its main campus in Nanticoke and six other centers throughout the region. The other centers include Berwick, Hazleton, Scranton, Shamokin, Watsontown and Wilkes-Barre.

As the employees of NEPA'rogi worked on the latest batches of perogies, Luzerne County Community College President Thomas P. Leary smiled and listened intently as Lauren Gorney gave him a tour of her business. As Gorney took him to the different pierogi-making stations, Leary learned how the LCCC alumni turned her dream into reality. Leary's visit to NEPA'rogi, along with other stops he's made over the years, gives him the chance to see how LCCC is helping graduates succeed in their local communities.

"Lauren is an excellent example of how Luzerne County Community College continues to prepare graduates to become successful in our communities," Leary said. "She took her dream of opening up her own business and did that locally, which helps communities like Nanticoke. The majority of our graduates stay in our area, which means LCCC is helping to prepare the next local workforce. I am proud of Lauren and other graduates like her for their hard work, dedication and commitment to Northeastern Pennsylvania."

At the recent visit to NEPA?rogi at 164 S. Market Street in Nanticoke, patrons were already waiting in line at the counter, only a few minutes after the store opened. The counter was steadily flowing with people ready to bring home potato and cheese, cabbage, farmer?s cheese, golden 'kraut and cabbage, or buffalo chicken wing perogies.

"I?ve been in business for the last three years," Gorney said. "I started off in a 300-foot-square facility and now I?m at a 3,000 square-foot facility. I?m so thankful to the local community for their support and to LCCC for my education. I was exposed to so many wonderful students and faculty members when I was going to school at Luzerne which has helped me in my career."

After graduating from LCCC with a degree in journalism, Gorney finished her bachelor?s degree and master?s degrees from Misericordia University.

When Leary arrived, Gorney explained what goes into the pierogi making progress by taking him to each station to see the dough-filled creations from start to finish. Leary said he was impressed with the work Gorney and her staff have done.

"Graduates like you can inspire others to follow their dreams," Leary told Gorney. "You are truly a people person and someone who is dedicated to your business, your employees and your community. What you told us about your experiences at LCCC makes me feel proud."

Gorney isn?t the only member of her family to be an LCCC alumni. Her father graduated from the criminal justice program and her mother from the medical office assistant program. Additionally, Gorney?s future sister-in-law Jasmyne Morgans and cousin Matt Panchura are both attending LCCC and work at NEPA?rogi. Morgans, manager and director of marketing for NEPA?rogi, and Panchura are both studying business. Gorney is also continuing to share her knowledge with LCCC students and is teaching BUS-201 Principles of Marketing.

"This is my first semester teaching at the College and I am so excited to be in the classroom, sharing my knowledge and helping future business leaders," Gorney said.

Area residents can learn more about a 1920s abandoned state-of-the-art concrete housing development in Nanticoke and other Northeast Pennsylvania landmarks during two community events in April.

As part of NEPA Appreciation Week, Luzerne County Community College is hosting a screening of NEPADOC from 6 to 8 p.m. on April 9 and holding the Concrete City and Abandoned Pennsylvania: A Community Symposium from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on April 11.

Both events will be held in the Education Conference Center's auditorium at the College's main campus in Nanticoke. Free refreshments will be offered at both events and the public is invited to attend.

"At LCCC, we are committed to serving our students and providing educational opportunities to the public," said LCCC President Thomas P. Leary. "The symposium gives our students the chance to work with other stakeholders and get real-world experience in event planning. We have students from different majors involved in the symposium who are using their areas of specialty to help make this event possible."

NEPADOC is a non-verbal documentary that highlights the history of northeast Pennsylvania.

The Concrete City and Abandoned Pennsylvania: A Community/Student Symposium will discuss the history of the once cutting-edge and innovative housing development that now sits abandoned.

LCCC students, faculty, the Nanticoke Historical Society, Luzerne County Historical Society, and the Nanticoke Conservation Club worked together to offer the two events as part of NEPA Appreciation Week.