A night of reflections

MONTDALE — Awards and scholarships were given to Abington Heights High School students during a Reflections Ceremony, which was held at the Montdale Country Club on May 23.

The students were recognized for their accomplishments in academics and athletics.

Superintendent Dr. Christopher Shaffer lauded the students, school board, faculty and staff members in his opening remarks.

“What I would tell you is a culmination of all your hard work,” he said. “However, what got you here will be way more important in the future. All of your hard work and dedication to your studies and extracurricular activities will make you excellent in the future. To all our parents and family members out there, I want to extend a big thank you as well.”

In his “Reflections” speech, senior class president Nicholas Booth told his fellow students that the ceremony is not only a time to celebrate their accomplishments, but also a time to be thankful to everyone who supported them along the way.

“Our friends, parents, teachers, mentors, neighbors and maybe even our idols, without them, success to the same degree would not be possible,” he said.

Nicholas later received the R. Matthew Burne Excellence Award given by president of Burne Honda in Scranton, Denise Burne. This award is in memory of Denise’s late brother Matt Burne. Denise recited in her speech that Matt was a Top Ten graduate of Abington Heights High School. She said that after his graduation from John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Matt returned home to join his family’s automobile business while earning his MBA at the University of Scranton. She mentioned that he became one of the recipients of the prestigious Frank O’Hara Award.

“But Matt was more than his academic achievements and intellect,” said Denise. “Known for his intense gym workouts and ability to write and hack computer code, he was a visionary (and) renaissance man. His passion for Halloween and commitment to the community led him to imagine, create and host one of the first Halloween Extravaganzas.”

Denise also said that Matt raised money for various charities and took over for Matt Burne Honda in Scranton. After his passing, his family honored Matt’s life including this award.

Nicholas received this award by filling out an application through the Abington Heights Student Aid Fund. His profile matched with Matt’s, which qualified him for the award. Like Matt did at John Hopkins University, Nicholas will also major in economics but at Dartmouth College. Nicholas and Matt also share their involvement in sports and the arts as well as their dedication to the community.

Aside from the R. Matt Burne Honda Excellence Award, Nicholas also earned the Waverly PTA Leadership Scholarship. For that, he wrote a short essay elaborating on his experiences as a leader. He also received the Abington Sportsman’s Club – J. Owens Burkhart Memorial Scholarship for his success on the track team and cross country. He won the district medal for coming in first place at the 4×800 relay. He also won third place in the 4×300.

Nicholas hopes to give back to the community in the same capacity.

“It’s really great that we have such a strong and dedicated community that gives back,” he said. “They helped me so much to have such dedicated teachers who helped me succeed in every level. To be able to have a community that provides and offers scholarships like that, it’s truly amazing.”

Patt Taylor presented her 33rd annual Lea D. Taylor Outstanding Cheerleading Scholarship, which is in memory of her late daughter. Leah was a 1991 graduate of Abington Heights High School. She was a cheerleading captain for four years, a class officer for three years, and a student council president during her sophomore year. The recipient of this scholarship was senior Hannah Sottile. A cheerleader since fourth grade and a captain during her senior year, she wrote an essay about how she identifies herself with cheerleading.

“Being able to win this huge memorial scholarship for a beautiful woman (Lea), who was taken from us too soon, is such an honor,” she said.

Hannah also wrote an essay to earn the Abington Football Cheer Scholarship. The Abington Memorial Post Auxiliary Scholarship was also awarded to Hannah that night for keeping military values since her father was in the U.S. Air Force.

Other scholarships given were the Thomas J. Roberts Memorial Scholarship given to seniors Madelyn Pardue and Mary Brennan by Steve Sherman on behalf of Waverly Lodge No. 301 Freemasons. Abington Heights seniors and siblings James and Gineva Reese were presented a $180,000-check for each of them for the ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) scholarships by members of the US Navy. They will both attend Penn State University. James will major in engineering and Gineva will study aerospace engineering.