HONESDALE - The Wayne-Pike Adult Literacy Program (WPALP) named Jiehua Zhai, a freshman at the University of Scranton, as student of the year. He will be honored on Thursday, October 5 at the Awards Dinner at The Waterfront at Ehrhardt's.

Zhai came to this country from China last year with the goal of attending college in the United States. In China he had not been able to pursue his choice of major (science) but was given a major to pursue (international trade.) Although it is an honor to be chosen to attend college in China and only three percent of high school graduates are selected for four-year colleges, Zhai was determined to follow his first choice.

Zhai says that his lifetime dream will be fulfilled when he finishes college and becomes a professional in the field of computer science and application science.

Reservations to the dinner are $20 and can be made by calling WPALP at 570/253-3221.

UNIONDALE - Two young environmentalists, Kerri Pratt, of Kingsley, and Braddley Swetter, of Uniondale, members of Mountain View High Schools 2000 graduating class, head off to college this fall to pursue studies in a field in which they have already received recognition.

Last spring, both students were chosen as recipients of the Cronlund Conservation Fund Award, presented to graduating high school seniors who have shown an exceptional interest in natural history or environmental studies and who plan a career in a conservation-related field.

Pratt will attend Pennsylvania State University at University Park in the Schreyer Honors College, where she will major in environmental resource management. Swetter is enrolling at Keystone College, La Plume, PA, as a forestry and wildlife major.

The Cronlund Conservation Fund was established in 1993 in honor of Corinne Cronlund and the late Murray Cronlund of Susquehanna, who were active members of the Florence Shelly Preserve in Thompson.

LIBERTY - Child and adolescent psychiatrist, Dr. Antonio Blanco, will discuss "Identification and Intervention Strategies" with area school personnel on Tuesday, October 3 from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. The workshop will give school counselors, nurses, psychologists, social workers and others interested in children and teens an opportunity to explore the serious emotional challenges among youth and to discuss strategies for better meeting the needs of these students. Pre-registration is required for the seminar, please call Lorraine Welch at 845/292-0082, extension 136 to make a reservation. Light refreshments will be served.

Dr. Blanco serves as the Medical Director of the Child Study Center and is affiliated with Arden Hill Hospital and Four Winds Hospital.

HONESDALE - Honesdale High School will be a test center for the college entrance exams (SAT's) on the following dates:

October 14, 2000 - deadline September 12, 2000

November 4, 2000 - deadline September 29, 2000

March 31, 2001 - deadline February 23, 2001

June 2, 2001 - deadline April 27, 2001

Students must mail an application prior to the registration deadline. Applications are available at Honesdale High School guidance office. College bound seniors should register for the October or November test dates.

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Test (ASVAB) will be given only on Wednesday, October 18, 2000 to any interested juniors and seniors. There is no charge and no military obligation. All branches of the armed services require this test. Interested students must register with a counselor by Friday, October 6, 2000.

The PSAT (a short version of the SAT used for practice and for scholarship competition for juniors) will be given on Tuesday, October 17, 2000. Interested sophomores, juniors and seniors may register by submitting $9.50 to a counselor before Friday, October 6, 2000.

HONESDALE - Jeff Yalden of Nashua, NH will give an informative presentation on how to motivate your children at the Honesdale High School auditorium on Wednesday, October 4. Parents, teachers and community leaders are invited to this program, which will focus on love, discipline and expectations. Yalden will also share basic principles of creating a winning family.

Yalden will also give the keynote address for the Together for Health Kickoff Assemblies for Juniors at three local high schools. He will speak on self-image and self-esteem with his message focused on touching hearts and changing lives. He will speak at the Wayne Highlands and Western Wayne School Districts on Tuesday, October 3 and at the Wallenpaupack Area School District on Wednesday, October 4.

For more information on the Together for Health School Program or Jeff Yalden's presentation, call 570/253-8422 or 570/251-6540.

LIBERTY - The Sibling Support Group, co-sponsored by the BOCES Special Education Training and Resource Center and the Sullivan County Department of Community Services, will hold a Support Group meeting on Tuesday, October 3 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required. To register call Debbie O'Malley at 845/292-0082, extension 140.

The goal of the support group is to offer siblings of a person struggling with emotional or behavioral challenges a forum to ask questions as well as receive support from others experiencing similar circumstances. Parents can refer siblings to the group by contacting the Sullivan County BOCES Special Education and Training Resource Center (SETRC).

The Sibling Support Group will also meet on October 17 and November 21.