Published: October 03, 2008 01:54 pm      

SUCCESS STORIES | Siblings attending medical schools

Sean and Caitlin Cavanaugh, son and daughter of Dr. Francis J. Cavanaugh and Dr. Lillian Ochoco-Cavanaugh of Pittsburgh, are attending medical schools.

They are the grandchildren of Aurora A. Ochoco of Richland Township and the late Severino M. Ochoco.

Sean Cavanaugh is a first-year student at St. Louis University School of Medicine in Missouri.

He graduated cum laude from Allegheny College in Meadville, Crawford County, where he received a bachelor’s degree in biology and Spanish. He also earned a master’s degree in biological science from Drexel University.

Caitlin Cavanaugh is a first-year student at North Carolina State University School of Veterinary Medicine.

She graduated summa cum laude from the University of New Hampshire, where she received a bachelor’s degree in animal science.

She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and International Golden Key honor societies.

Richland resident receives degrees

Megan E. Loftis of Richland Township has graduated with duel majors in business and political science from Washington & Jefferson College.

She also was named to the spring semester dean’s list.

Loftis is attending the Duquesne University School of Law, Pittsburgh.

Collegian participates in urban program

Maggie Nokes of Johnstown has participated in the Urban Action program at Providence College.

Nokes worked with the city of Providence to clean Corliss Park and Neutaconkanut Park.

Richland student receives honor

Elizabeth Bausher, a student at Richland Senior High School, has been named a commended student in the 2009 National Merit Scholarship program.

Laurel Valley names students of the month

Laurel Valley High School has named September students of the month. They are:

Honor Athlete Award: Patrick Hall, son of Paul and Tracy Hall of Seward, is a senior.

Hall is president of the National Honor Society.

He is a member of SADD, Boys Varsity Club, student council, Big Brother-Big Sister, German-Exchange Program and varsity football, basketball and baseball teams.

Independent Award: Taylor Solich, daughter of Allen and Carol Solich of New Florence, is a senior.

Solich is an officer for SADD, treasurer of Future Teachers Club and a mentor in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

Solich is a member of the yearbook staff.

Citizenship Award: Heather Miller, daughter of Clarence Miller of Seward, is a senior.

Miller is a member of student council, American Field Study Club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Marching Band Silk Squad and vice president of the senior class.

Lions Club Award: Justin Tantlinger, son of Vaughn and Michelle Tantlinger of Bolivar, is a senior.

Tantlinger is senior class treasurer, National Honor Society vice president, SADD officer, Ski Club vice president and ROTC squadron commander.

He is a member of Leo Club, Big Brother/Big Sister and Varsity Boys Club.

Academic Award: Neal Nanassy, son of Charles and Jami Nanassy of New Florence, is a senior.

Nanassy is senior class president, ROTC group commander of Ligonier and Laurel Valley, Big Brother/Big Sister coordinator and National Honor Society treasurer.

He is a member of student council, SADD, Leo Club, Boys Varsity Club and football, wrestling and track and field teams.

Art Award: Ashley McAllister, daughter of Carole and Tom McAllister of Seward, is a junior.

McAllister is a drum major with the LV Marching Band.

She is a member of SADD, Leo Club, American Field Study, musicals and volleyball, basketball and track teams.

Vocational Arts Award: Dylan Burkett, son of Tina Shetler and Tim Burkett of New Florence, is a senior.

Burkett is a member of the National Technical Honor Society and Skill USA vice president.

Laurel Valley honors students

Laurel Valley Middle School has recognized students during September for citizenship, leadership, academics and sportsmanship.

Nicholas Boring and Stephanie Heming, both seventh-graders, and Rachel Smetak and Josh Gindlesperger, both eighth-graders.

Johnstown students receive certificates

The following students at Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center have received state skills certificates:

Justin Czyrnik and William Smith, diesel engine technology program; Crystal Berkebile, advertising and design program; and Joshua Sturtz, protective services program.

Johnstown graduate earns master’s degree

Matthew Gost, son of Florence Gost of Johnstown and the late Michael Gost, has earned a master’s degree in industrial and labor relations from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

He has a 4.0 grade-point average.

He is a 1986 graduate of Greater Johnstown High School and a graduate of IUP, where he received a bachelor’s degree.

McCort graduate to present research

Jim Salvia, son of Jim Salvia of Johnstown and Christine Berg of Middle Taylor Township, has been chosen to present his research on temperature compensation for silicon resonators to the International Electronic Device Manufacturers (IEDM) annual convention in San Francisco in November.

His research, titled “Exploring the Limits and Practicality of Q-based Temperature Compensation for Silicon Resonators,” is the first in a series of projects he will present to an international audience.

A subsequent research project, titled “Phase Lock Loop Based Temperature Compensation for Silicon Resonators,” is to be presented at the Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) conference in Sorrento, Italy, in January.

Salvia is a 2001 graduate of Bishop McCort High School and a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, where he received a bachelor’s degree.

Pitt student receives scholarship

Brittany Genday, daughter of Rick and Patty Genday of Westmont, has received the Ann Visnovsky Minor Nursing Scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh.

Genday, a graduate of Bishop McCort High School, was a Top 10 scholar and athlete.

She is majoring in nursing at Pitt.

UPJ student receives commuter scholarship

Douglas J. Zubal, son of John and Judith Zubal of Johnstown, has received the REB Commuter Scholarship from Pitt-Johnstown.

Zubal, a 2007 graduate of Richland Senior High School, is majoring in mathematics and civil engineering technology.

Vintondale resident becomes Fellow

Elizabeth S. Helsel of Vintondale has become a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the nation’s leading professional society for health-care leaders.

Helsel is access/care coordination program manager, VA Healthcare Network, VISN 4, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Pittsburgh.

She is a graduate of Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, where she received a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

She earned a master’s degree in business administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Siblings complete graduate degrees

James Michael and Stacy Lynn Hughes, son and daughter of Patrick and Marilyn Hughes of Upper Yoder Township, have completed graduate degrees.

James Hughes earned a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from John Hopkins University G.W.C. Whitting School of Engineering.

He is a 1998 graduate of Westmont Hilltop High School and a graduate of Penn State, where he received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

He is employed by the Department of Army at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.

Stacy Hughes graduated cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law with a Juris Doctor.

She is a 2001 graduate of Westmont Hilltop High School and a graduate of Temple University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

She is employed by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office.

Ebensburg resident earns doctorate

Parisha Shah, daughter of Ila and Pradip Shah of Ebensburg, has earned a doctorate in molecular genetics and cell biology from the University of Chicago.

Shah is a 1997 graduate of Central Cambria High School and a 2001 graduate of Juniata College in Huntingdon.

In 2008, she publicly defended her thesis, titled “Characterization of in vivo Recombinase Dynamics in S. cerevisiae, and E. coli.

Shah received a doctoral hood from the University of Chicago biological sciences division in June.

In November, she will continue scientific training in a post-doctoral research fellowship at Wistar Institute at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Shippensburg student receives scholarship

Jamie McNulty, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ricky J. McNulty of Johnstown,

has received the Nancy Kelley Ashton & Mildred Jarrett Kelley Memorial Music Scholarship from Shippensburg University.

She is studying abroad for the fall semester at Grenoble, France.

McNulty, a 2006 graduate of Richland Senior High School, is a junior majoring in French/secondary education.