TRR photo by Chris Conroy Roberto Gallo accepts his certificate of completion from Cobalt Studios owner and co-founder Rachel Keebler. (Click for larger image)

Picture perfect

By CHRIS CONROY

WHITE LAKE — The 2002 class of students graduated from the scenic artist-training program at Cobalt Studios on May 11.

On display at the annual student exhibit was work from three of the program’s four students. Roberto Gallo, the only returning student from last year and one of the 2002 graduates, showed a variety of work from his two years in the program. Dawn Baker, who completed the two-year program in a single year, also had work on the exhibit. Mie Ono, a first-year student, was the third artist on display. Tracy Crim, the program’s other first year student, did not appear at the showing. Instead, Crim was already involved in the summer work session of the program.

This year’s exhibit added the chance for spectators to purchase their favorite art through a silent auction. Many visitors took advantage of the chance to take home their favorite pieces. Former Monticello High School principal Robert Harding was particularly taken by a portrait done by Baker. “It looks like my niece,” he said. “She’s going to flip when I give it to her.”

All the students almost immediately headed out into the working world. Baker said she’s waiting to hear back about a job in her home state of Texas, but is also looking for work in New York City. Ono caught an early plane back to Japan where she will work for the next year or two. Gallo, who had most of his family show up for his graduation, was off to Texas for a 10-week job. “After that,” he said, “I don’t know. I’ll go wherever the wind takes me.”

For more information about the programs and workshops offered by Cobalt Studios, visit their web site at www.fcc.net/cobaltstudios or call Rachel Keebler at 845/583-4281.

Commencement exercises at SCCC

LOCH SHELDRAKE — Sullivan County Community College (SCCC) will hold its 38th commencement exercises on Saturday, May 18, beginning at 1:00 p.m. in the Paul Gerry Field House at the Loch Sheldrake campus. There are 230 students eligible for graduation.

The program will include presentations of five Chancellor’s Awards, one for Excellence in Teaching, one for Excellence in Professional Service, one for Excellence in Librarianship and two for Student Excellence; the Trustees’ Award for Civic Achievement; and the Award for General Excellence. SCCC President Dr. Mamie Howard Golladay, SCCC Board of Trustees Chairman Kenneth Klein, Sullivan County Legislator Leni Binder, and Class Speaker Andrew Schauer, a Liberal Arts and Sciences major from Roscoe, NY, who will be graduating with a 4.0 GPA, will all address the graduates.

During the ceremonies, the College will also recognize its retiring faculty and staff members. They are: Dr. Paul Goldstein—Professor in the Division of Natural and Health Sciences, Mathematics and Physical Education; Rhoda Epstein—Assistant Professor/Computer Support Specialist in the Division of Information Sciences and Technology; Friedrich Klostermeier—Professor in the Division of Business and Culinary Arts; and Rosemary Rosenberger—Assistant Director of Financial Aid. The ceremony concludes with the conferring of degrees.

A reception for the graduates and their guests immediately follows the commencement exercises.

Call the College’s Public Relations Office for more information and to set up interviews.

	Photo by Lisa Lander (Click for larger image)

“Music In The Parks” Festival

HERSHEY — On May 10 and 11, the Sullivan West Concert Bands and Jazz Band PA participated in a music festival, “Music In The Parks.” There were 172 musicians accompanied by 13 chaperones and two teachers. They had the wonderful opportunity of performing in Hershey High School’s new, state-of-the-arts auditorium and a neighboring school’s fine concert hall Friday evening.

The Junior High Band and Senior High Band from the Jeffersonville campus (including students from Narrowsburg) were under the direction of Patricia Ellmauer and they received the distinguished rating of “Superior” for their performances. The Junior High Band also was honored with a trophy for the “Best Overall Young Concert Band” for receiving the highest numerical score at the festival.

The Senior Band from Delaware Valley Campus and Jazz Band were under the Direction of Ross Reynolds. The Jazz Band received a rating of “Excellent” and the Concert Band received the distinguished rating of “Superior” for their performances, won second place for High School Concert Bands.

They joined 2,000 school musicians at Hershey Park on Saturday. An awards ceremony was held in the arena later that day, at which the Sullivan West Bands received their five trophies awarded for their fine job the previous evening.

Historic school open

INDIAN ORCHARD — Bethel School, the circa 1872 one-room school near Beach Lake, will be open for visitors on Sunday June 2 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Clayton Crum of Beach Lake will do the teacher reenactment at 2:00 p.m. Mimi Steffen of the Wayne County Historical Society will be happy to hear recollections of early school days.

For more information call 570/253-3240.

Peloquin awarded scholarship

LOUDONVILLE — Siena College has awarded 564 students with endowed scholarships, which are based on financial need, academic achievement and participation in extracurricular activities. Jennifer Peloquin of Narrowsburg, a sophomore at Siena College, was one of the scholarship recipients.

ESU students achieve honors

EAST STROUDSBURG — East Stroudsburg University gave 255 awards to honor students who achieved a 3.0 grade point average or better for the fall 2001 academic semester.

Special award winners from our area include Micah Ash of Beach Lake, Holly Bunting of Honesdale, James Duvall of Milford, Faith Glosenger of Honesdale, Thomas Bower of Hawley, Amie Norris of Milford and Marion A. Licato of Hawley.

Innovative degree program at ESU

EAST STROUDSBURG — A unique new Bachelor of Science degree program in Industrial Physics and the only one of its kind in the nation will be offered at East Stroudsburg University (ESU) of Pennsylvania. The Board of Governors approved the new program this month for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

“This new and exciting major is designed to prepare students to enter the workplace with the theoretical, generalist training of a traditional physicist and the practical, hands-on skills of an engineer so they can be easily trained for industrial jobs in related fields. This is the second new ESU undergraduate program to have been approved within the past year that is the first of its kind in the nation,” said Dr. Robert J. Dillman, university president. Last August, ESU announced approval of a new undergraduate degree program in Computer Security, also the first in the country.

The new Industrial Physics program, developed in part with the assistance of a $101,000 venture capital loan from the State System, will emphasize practical skills immediately applicable to the industrial workplace.

ESU’s admission office is currently considering late applications for the fall 2002 semester. Interested prospective applicants should also consider spring 2003 or fall 2003 application.

To request an application, go to www.esu.edu/admission and click on the “Send Me Information” link, or call the Office of Admission at 570/4223542 or toll-free 877/230-5547 and ask to be placed on the 2003 inquiry list.

	Contributed photo Four area students will attend the Hog Island, Maine Youth Ecology Camp this summer. Another, Kyle Box, will attend “Kayaking for Teens” off the coast of Maine, all with the help of the Northeast PA Audubon Society, which presented the students with scholarship certificates at the Society’s April meeting. From left to right are Nathan Stunkard, Ryan Miller, Dustin Liptak, Michael W. Van Orden and Kyle Box. (Click for larger image)

It’s off to Maine they go

REGION — The Northeast PA Audubon Society has named its Maine Audubon Camp scholarship recipients for 2002. This year, all applicants were from the Wayne Highlands School District. Dustin Liptak, a sixth grade student, Ryan Miller, a ninth grade student, and Nathan Stunkard and Michael W. Van Orden, both eighth grade students, will attend the Hog Island Youth Ecology Camp. Kyle Box, an eighth grader from Wayne Highlands, will attend a new Audubon program called “Kayaking for Teens,” combining sea kayaking, backcountry camping and investigation of the natural world.

The Hog Island camp is situated on an island in Muscongus Bay, a stone’s throw from the coast of Maine. Led by dedicated science and environmental educators and naturalists, the students will learn about marine biology, oceanography, geology, forest ecology, ornithology and insect life. They will explore estuaries and visit tide pools found in the rocky outcroppings along Maine’s rugged coast. “It is also a real journey of self-discovery, of how each of us fits in the natural world,” said Katharine Dodge, Education Chair of Audubon. “We are thrilled that we can help these children go to this marvelous camp. We have sent numerous area students to this camp over the course of many years and most of them cry when it is time to come home. That helps to demonstrate what a positive impact it has on the children, a number of whom have gone on to careers in environmental studies.”

The students will spend about 10 days on the island, sleeping in the beautiful old buildings and taking meals in the communal dining room overlooking the water. Boats take the campers on excursions to adjacent islands and to significant natural areas.

“We offer scholarships to area youth every year,” said scholarship chair Cheryl Celeskey, “not only for the Hog Island camp, but also for other Audubon camps. We send teens to study with scientists in Vermont, and we send teachers to camps in Connecticut, Maine, Pennsylvania and even Minnesota.”

The Audubon chapter, which covers Wayne County and parts of Pike, Lackawanna and Susquehanna Counties, also awards an annual college scholarship to a student entering environmental studies. Applications are available each year in school guidance offices. For further information about scholarship opportunities or other activities and programs of the Northeast PA Audubon Society, call 570/253-9250.