Invest in your mind, Penn State Schuylkill chancellor tells Academic Achievement Award winners

PRIMROSE — The chancellor of Penn State Schuylkill advised students Tuesday at the Schuylkill County Academic Achievement Awards program in St. Nicholas Hall to expand their horizons.

Patrick M. Jones challenged students to silence their cellphones, get off social media and turn off cable news.

The nation is facing difficult times, he said, and they are its future.

“Invest in your minds, learn to think for yourselves,” Jones advised. “Go out into the world and experience something different, experience another culture.”

Jones, who is also retired from the military, was the keynote speaker at the 41st edition of the awards program.

With graduation only weeks away, more than 80 of the county’s brightest students were honored for outstanding academic achievement.

Heath W. Renninger, Pine Grove Area School District’s superintendent, stressed the importance of the program.

“Often, our students who achieve academically are not recognized,” he said, “It’s important that we celebrate their achievements and those of the parents who guided them.”

Sarah E. Yoder, Pottsville’s superintendent, also called attention to the role of parents and families in student academic success.

“Families have made sacrifices,” she said, “and we are thankful for their support.”

Ella Grace Frantz, a Nativity BVM High School student, sang the national anthem at opening ceremonies. The Pine Grove Area High School JROTC honor guard, in uniform, posted the colors.

Annie Milewski, Intermediate Unit 29 director of curriculum and instruction, moderated the program. The IU sponsors the event, which was initiated by the county’s superintendents of school.

One by one, a delegation from each school took center stage. District superintendents and school principals introduced each student with a short academic biography, and a district official presented them with a medallion.

Many of the students had achieved National Honor Society status, were scholar athletes or had been awarded scholarships.

Several students had earned college credits under dual enrollment programs. Among the schools others planned to attend were Harvard, Stanford University, Bucknell University, Penn State University’s main campus and the University of Scranton.

Medical careers seemed to attract a good number of students, who planned to become doctors, physician assistants or physical therapists.

Law, engineering and scientific research were also of considerable interest.

In closing remarks, Milewski commended students for their hard work and perseverance.

“Embrace learning and explore new horizons,” she said. “Approach every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow.”