Students and educators honored at annual celebration

Jersey Shore High School student Maxwell Ferguson was honored as the Outstanding Senior of the Year at the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce's 19th annual Education Celebration Thursday night at the Williamsport Country Club.

Ferguson received a $250 cash award and a $500 college textbook scholarship to offset the cost of textbooks for his first semester in college for the honor.

Professionals who deliver education to students at schools in the county as well as the students and area industries who play a part in the delivery system of education were all honored at the event.

In accepting the award, Ferguson noted that "many people have doubts about handing the future of our country to the next generation."

"But, I would like them to have a conversation with any of the students up here," he said, referring to the other seniors who were recognized. "I believe they will immediately change their minds. I have no doubt that our country is in good hands with the best and brightest young people in our country. These students are just amazing."

Alumni of the Year awards, which recognize those who have attended college in the area, have made a significant contribution to the quality of life in Lycoming County and excelled in their profession in the community, also were presented at the event.

This year's awards went to Mark Sitler, Lycoming College class of 1986, and Christopher Gayman, Pennsylvania College of Technology class of 2010.

Gayman, OEM sales manager of Lycoming Engines, encouraged students at the event to consider exploring a career in the trades.

"In the past few years, there seems to be stigma put on the people who are good at the trades, good with their hands," Gayman said.

"They're somehow sold as not being as smart or as well-paid as some of our academic friends. But the reality, in my opinion, is that those people are often the smartest people that you could interact with. They are the ones that can fix the things that are broken and they can create things from scratch," he stated.

Outstanding educators honored and their districts were: Ron Lorson, East Lycoming; Heather Zimmerman, Muncy; Jill Flook, Jersey Shore Area; Tara McGlensey and Tina Pulver, South Williamsport Area; Karen Fox, Loyalsock Township; Brenda Kremser, St. John Neumann Regional Academy; Pam Martzall, Montgomery Area; Kristiann McQuown, Williamsport Area and Rich DeLong, Montoursville Area.

Other students recognized at the event were: Rachel Bitler, Hughesville High School; Madesyn Brelsford, Muncy High School; Samantha Branton, South Williamsport Area High School; Alexander Reed, Loyalsock Township High School; Josiah Reid, St. John Neumann Regional Academy; Dylan Ring, Montgomery High School; Zoe Wagner, Williamsport Area High School; and Julia Mertes, Montoursville Area High School.

High Steel Structures Inc. received the Business Partner in Education Award, for donating time, expertise and resources to area schools.