MALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE & SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT What do George Reeves, Christopher Reeves, Dean Cain and Nick Sebes all have in common? They all portrayed SUPERMAN at one time in their lives. Sebes, this year’s male scholar athlete, picked up the moniker after his performance at the 1998 State Track and Field Championships. That weekend, Nick ran 9 races in 2 days, winning a silver medal in the 200 meters, an 8th place medal in the 100 meters and a silver in the 4 x 400 meter relay and led Mount Carmel Area to its first ever team State Championship. During his first 3 years as a member of the Tornado thinclads, Sebes has earned 5 state medals in the 100, 200, 400 (gold), 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 meter relays as well as 8 District IV gold medals as his team has won three consecutive District IV AA titles. He holds school records in the 100, 200, 400, 4 x 1, 4 x 4 and all time regional records in the 100 (10.7), 200 (21,7) and 4 x 400 (3:23.9). With all of his track success, it may come as a surprise to know that Nick has achieved his greatest success as a football player. He has been named to the AP All-State first team in 1998 as a QB and in 1999 as a defensive back as well as Pennsylvania’s Player of the Year in 1998. Due to an injury during the 1999 season, Nick played flanker, split end, tailback, QB and free safety in helping his team to the state championship game in Hershey for the 2nd consecutive year. His versatility, as well as athletic ability, has earned him a full scholarship to Stanford University after turning down offers from Penn State, Virginia, Georgia, Syracuse, Notre Dame and others. Sebes finished his career at MCA with a number of top ten rankings including total yards – 5,149 (4th), total offense – 4, 114 (5th), kick return yards – 833 (10th), points – 236 (8th), TDs – 38 (7th), punt return yds – 415 (8th), passing yards – 2,129 (6th), completions – 156 (5th), INTs – 11 (10th). As if his athletic prowess wasn’t enough, Nick ranks 6th in his class with a 96.8 average and has scored near 1200 on his SAT’s. He is a member of the National Honor Society, SADD, Student Council, and Interact Club. Nick’s travels to the west coast will be followed by many in the Anthracite Region and will be assured that his SUPER efforts on the field and in the classroom will always make us proud. Nick is the son of Fran and M (Butch) Sebes of Mount Carmel Estates.

FEMALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE This year’s female scholar athlete is Ana Ditchey, Mount Carmel Area’s outstanding track and field and basketball athlete. Ana has been a four year letter winner and starter for coach Steve Lapotsky’s Lady Tornado basketball team. During the 1998 season, Ana helped the girls team to a 3rd place finish in the Dist. IV basketball tourney, the highest finish since the 1985 District Championship. During this past season, Ana became only the 7th girl in school history to surpass the 1000 point scoring plateau. As the only senior and Captain of this year’s squad, Ana has led the team into Dist. IV playoff competition once again by averaging 17 points per game and shooting over 70% from the foul line. In the spring Ana takes her talents to the Silver Bowl as a member of the Lady Tornado track and field team. She has won the Dist. IV javelin Championship in both her sophomore and junior campaigns and has finished 11th and 1oth at the State Track and Field Meets in 1998 and 1999. As a sophomore Ditchey broke the 20 year old Javelin mark held by Cheryl Kent and has since upped the marl to 138’9”, noted by Track and Field Magazine as the 6th best throw in the country in 1999. She is most proud of the fact that her teams have won three consecutive Schuylkill League Championships and have gone 24-0 during the past three season. Ana has extended her athletic versatility as the first ever female of the golf team at MCA, winning a letter in the sport in 1999. Ditchey has qualified for this honor by ranking 11th in her class and posting a 95.1 GPA. She has attained a 1070 in her SAT’s and has been recognized in Who’s Who Among High School Students. She presently serves as Senior Class Secretary, President of the Pep Club, and is a member of Student Council, SADD, Future Teachers of America and Interact Club. Ana is the daughter of Tootsie and Bill Ditchey, Mount Carmel and plans to attend either Susquehanna University or Penn State University.