First Posted: 4/11/2012

SOUTH ABINGTON TWP. – April 19 marks the day that 34 students will graduate from Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, a program organized through Leadership Lackawanna. The program encompasses junior students from 15 high schools inLackawanna County, including public schools, private school and parochial schools, according to Nicole Barber, 31, Administrator for Leadership Lackawanna and Community Relations Director for the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. The Tunkhannock resident said it includes Lackawanna Trail and Western Wayne, which are on the borders of Lackawanna County.

Since October, members of the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today class participated in a variety of educational sessions, including a trip to the Lackawanna County courthouse, a class on business etiquette and an interpersonal communications class.

“It’s a great experience, it really is,” said Lackawanna Trail junior Morgan Curran, 17, Factoryville. Curran is member of the graduating class.

From the start of the program in October, students have been organizing a Waffles & Wishes community fundraiser that is set for April 19 from 8 – 9:30 a.m. at the Nichols Village Hotel & Spa, 1101 Northern Boulevard, Clarks Summit. The fundraiser will be hosted in the Commons Room. Proceeds from the breakfast will benefit Make a Wish, and Barber said the money donated will be “restricted to Lackawanna County Wishes…” She added that proceeds will go to a child who lives in Lackawanna County and is awaiting a wish.

North Pocono High School junior and member of the graduating class of Tomorrow’s Leaders Today 2012, Brianna Alunni, 16, said, “We put brochures in community centers, like doctor’s offices and churches.”

Each school involved in the program hosted fundraisers. Alunni said North Pocono participated in a pajama dress- down day. Students at Lackawanna Trail hosted a coin drop, according to Curran. The class that donated the most was the recipient of a doughnut party, Curran said.

Barber said that they raised approximately $1,300, but their goal is to raise $5,000 because the average cost of a wish is $3,500. “…That’s why it’s so important to raise funds restricted to Wishes to help the children.”

There is no monetary donation set for the fundraising breakfast, and those interested in attending Waffles & Wishes are requested to RSVP to Barber by April 15 at 570.342.7711.

For details, visit www.leadershiplackawanna.com.