Lackawanna Trail senior Kayla Wood, center, with her father Bob and mother Kathy.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
A class video made by senior Ethan Ankoff was shown at Lackawanna Trail’s senior class night.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
Lackawanna Trail seniors are recognized at senior night for having more than 100 wins over their careers in wrestling. From left, are Deegan Ross, Jonah Houser, Seth Ross, Ethan Lee, Max Bluhm and Robert Schneider.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
FACTORYVILLE – Lackawanna Trail seniors were recognized a few days before graduation during the annual Class Night held at the high school’s auditorium on Wednesday, June 7.
Trail’s athletic director Ed Gaidula kicked off the event with presenting the Male Athlete of the Year Award and Female Athlete of the Year Award. Deegan Ross became this year’s male recipient of this honor. He and his brother Seth were on the wrestling team. They were both recognized later that evening, along with four other wrestling students, for each having 100 wins over their wrestling career. Deegan and Seth earlier this year signed the NCAA letter of intent to wrestle at Clarion University next fall.
Senior Frankie Cocchini earned the District II Scholar Athlete Award for his accomplishments in varsity football and baseball teams. He was later recognized by Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Hedrick, commander of the Air Force ROTC at Wilkes University, for being appointed to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO.
“I’m really excited I’ll be able to serve my country while getting an education,” he said.
Frankie will major in physics and minor in Spanish. He became this year’s salutatorian during graduation.
Senior Matthew Rakauskas, who became this year’s valedictorian, was one of the first students at Lackawanna Trail to earn a prestigious AP Capstone Diploma for passing four exams to complete the two-year program. The courses he passed were Calculus BC, AP World History, AP English Literature and AP American History.
“I feel like all my efforts throughout my entire school year paid off,” he said.
Kayla Wood, who became this year’s commended student, received many awards on Class Night. She received the Trail Rotary’s Service and Leadership Scholarship for serving in the Dalton Fire Company as a junior firefighter. She also earned the Scott Laird Small Town Soldiers Scholarship by filling an application based on service to the community.
“It’s definitely a proud feeling,” she said about receiving this recognition. “I’m grateful for the businesses and associations that supported me.”
