SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT Expectations entering the 1994 football season at MCA were obviously high. The Tornadoes, under second year head coach Whitey Williams, were returning 20 lettermen, no less than 12 starters at 17 positions, record-breaking pass-catch combo Mike Higgins and Joel Gonzalo, and an attitude and mindset to succeed. They had lost the District XI AAA championship game to Allentown Central Catholic and were going to compete at the AA level for the first time. They began their season with three consecutive wins through the “Valley Tour” in wins over Tamaqua, Panther Valley and Marian Catholic by a combined scored of 132-14. The Tornadoes then got by traditional rival Shamokin by a score of 21-18 for their first win over the Indians in 5 seasons. What happened next came as a total surprise, but may have been the catalyst to the rest of their season. The Tornadoes lost a slugfest to Montoursville by a 13-12 score in a hot, misty, cramp-filled night. That lead to a meeting organized by the seniors that continued to be known as “Pride Night” – where the players vowed to not lose another game. Big Red followed it up with a 34-7 shellacking of Hanover Area and set up the meeting with rival North Schuylkill. The Spartans entered the game at 6-0 and had only given up 33 points in the season. The Tornadoes took care of business and had scored 29 by halftime on the way to a 42-0 rout. The Tornado defense, upstaged most of the season by the Spartans, held North Schuylkill to minus 54 total yards and prompted Coach Rick Geist to say that they were ‘just beat up physically.’ The Tornadoes then dismantled Shikellamy by a 24-7 score and set up one of the closest wins of the season, a 14-10 win over Blue Mountain highlighted by a Mike Higgins to Brett Veach 70 yard touchdown pass late in the game. A six-turnover, 11-penalty sleep-walk win over Townada set up the District Championship game with Catasauqua., The Rough Riders had only allowed 64 point during their 10-0 season and were playing at home The Big Red defense again paved the way, holding Catty to 78 total yards, including -7 rushing, as the Tornadoes prevailed by a 19-0 score. It was the first Mount Carmel Area Championship since the 1973 15-8 win over Dunmore( the Tornado in the sky game). The Tornadoes would then win their first-ever state playoff game with a 41-22 win over the District I champion Lansdale Catholic. That set up what is often considered the most pivotal game in MCA history against Dallas, They were the defending AA state champions and were riding a 24 game winning streak. The Mountaineers had only given up 29 points all season, but ended up giving up 21 in the first half as Higgins hit Gonzalo with a 38 TD on the opening series. Then came one of the most famous plays in Tornado lore as Higgins ht his brother Eric with a 15 yard touchdown toss on a fake field goal with one second on the clock in the half. It was set up with Brett Veach’s 34 yard gain on a shuffle pass and stepping out of bounds with one second on the clock. All of the elation came to and end as Cocalico jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the Eastern final at North Schuylkill. The defense, led by linebackers Shawn Sheptock and Joey Costello, down linemen Gratti, Rohrbach, Hepler, Burns and Pultynovich shut down 1000 yard rushers Brubaker and Hall the rest of the way and the Tornado offense went on to score 35 points on 20 plays in 7:08. Altoona was the destination for 1000’s of fans, including 20 bus loads of loyal followers and the Tornadoes in their first-ever modern-day state championship game with Forrest Hills. Coach Williams and his staff finally came to the conclusion that they were watching themselves in studying game film of the Rangers. Tailback #22, wide receiver #88, multiple formations, trips, motion. The weather changed everything for both teams, but in the end – a 7 yards run by QB Mike Higgins in the second overtime – gave MCA its state championship by a 20-14 score. The offensive line of Ryan Geary, John Yastishak, Jamie Rowland, Dave Baksi and Bill Anderson hepled the Tornadoes to 286 yards in offense while the secondary of Joe Wargo, Dave Evans, Veach and Gonzalo set a state championship record with 5 interceptions. Burns, Sheptock, Higgins and Gonzalo earned first team all state honors and Williams was named PIAA coach of the year, as the Tornadoes joined Southern Columbia and Berwick in winning state championships for the “Coal Region” More than anything else, the 94 team would lay down the blue print for future state champions. They did it all on the road, most of the time as underdogs. They did it with balance, running, passing and defense. The defense only allowed 616 rushing in their first 12 games, surpassing the 784 given up by the 1970 championship team. 24 interceptions was the 3rd best ever. Offensively, the 117 completions ranked as the best ever and the 449 points scored was second only to the 1969 team. The 1994 team established many firsts, many memorable games, and a host of iconic plays which will forever go down as one the Tornadoes finest teams to wear the red and white.

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT The Ed Romance Chapter is conferring special achievement honors to The Anthracite Steam Fire Company No 1 of Mount Carmel. The Anthracite was one of the original sponsors when the Mount Carmel Area Junior Baseball League played its first baseball game in 1948. Since that time, Anthracite is the only organization to sponsor a team every year since the inaugural season. Other original sponsors were Clover Hose Company, Elks Club, Holy Cross Church, Maurer’s Dairy, Moose, Social Civic Club and Star Lane. The Firemen had the honor of playing in the league’s first game on June 14, 1948 at the Silver Bowl and posted its first league victory in a win over the Social Civic Club by a 6 to 5 score. Anthracite was crowned as the first ever League Champions following its 5 to 4 victory over the Moose in a post season playoff game before an estimated 2500 fans. Since that first season, the junior firemen have won titles in 1950, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1960, 1972, 1982 and 1991. They were silver medalists in 1957, 1967, 1968, 1973, 1996, 2005 and 2006. On March 17, 1950 the Northumberland County Board of Commissioners leased a parcel of land to the Company to be used for recreational purposes. A baseball field and picnic sheds were erected in the northern end of the borough between Market and Oak streets. The first ever game on that field was won by the Anthracite on June 9, 1950 with a win over Beck and Beck. The land was donated to the Borough to be used for recreational purposes in January of 1971. Still known as the Anthracite Field, it is the only ballpark in the borough and is still used today for league games and tournaments. Each year, the Anthracite sponsors offensive and defensive MVP’s of both teams playing in the Junior League Championship Series. The award is named in honor of the Company’s long-time manager Harold “Ducky” Dettrey. Members of the Romance Chapter who have played for the Anthracite include Judge Robert Sacavage, Charles Sacavage, James Bush and the late Dr. Thomas Revak. Coach Dettrey, Paul Semicek and Michael Marlow were honored with special achievement awards. 2014 will mark the 67th year of sponsorship by the Anthracite and that type of commitment is rare and special.

MICHAEL FRANCIS MYCHAK TORNADO HERITAGE AWARD The first-ever recipient of the Michael Francis Mychak Tornado Heritage Award is Lauren Hause of Den Mar Gardens. Lauren is currently a senior student at Mount Carmel Area High School and is positioned in the top ten of her class of 2014. Lauren, not surprisingly, used athletics as a means to challenge herself and to give her the confidence to become more involved in school activities she may have avoided. Lauren first became a member of the cross country team as a freshman and found something that she really enjoyed – running. For Lauren, running was an escape from reality, but it also taught her a lot about herself. She discovered self-motivation and a drive that would carry over to other aspects of her life. As with other athletes, Lauren experienced the failures and hard times, but found that perseverance would pay off, as she became one of the best runners in the area. After missing qualifying for the state meet as a junior by two places, Lauren realized that with a little more work, she could reach a goal she had thought about for 3 years. It was very gratifying as a senior to finally qualify for the state championship meet as a result of her 7th place finish in the District IV meet. She did manage a116th place finish at the 2013 State Cross Country Championship. She credits coach Ben McConnell for the work he put in to allow her to become the competitor she is. Lauren also attributes her time at Mount Carmel Area for giving her the opportunities to learn about herself and helping her to become the individual she is now. Lauren also runs with the Red Tornado track team for Team-Farronato and Ana Ditchey. She participates in the 800, 1600 and 3200 meter runs as well as the 4 x 800 meter relay. She was a district qualifier for three years with a 9th place finish in the 1600 as a junior. Lauren also medaled at District’s in the 200 free relay for the MCA swim team and Coach John Backes. With all of the drive, determination and sacrifices that she made as a cross country athlete, it is no surprise that she is an excellent student and a distinguished honor roll student. She also is involved with the Art Club, Interact Club, Future Nurses of America, Future Teaches of America, Students Against Destructive Decisions, the Chemistry Club and the Latin Club. Lauren was also chosen as MCA’s Homecoming Queen during the 2013 football season. In addition, Lauren serves as the senior class Secretary, as well as, the secretary of the Future Nurses of America. Her future plans are to attend Misericordia University to major in nursing. Not surprisingly, Lauren will continue to run cross country and track for very successful Coach Chris Wadas and his Cougars. The Cougars are annually in the run for the MAC Championships. She is the daughter of Mike and Susan Hause.

JAMES M. BACH SCHOLAR ATHLETE The 2014 recipient of the James M. Bach Scholar Athlete Award is Rachel Schultz. Rachael is a senior at Our Lady Of Lourdes Regional School, where she has been a member and captain of both the soccer and basketball teams. She has also been an integral member of the track and field program at Mount Carmel Area High School through the very successful cooperative sports program. Rachel has been a mainstay for the last for years for Coach Mike Klembara’s girls basketball program, which has won four of the last 5 District IV championships. She has led the Red Raiders in scoring for the last two years. She was a recipient of the Black Diamond Award and was named to the News-Item All Area Basketball Team. Rachel ended her career just shy of the 1000 point mark with 968 points. Rachel has also been a member of the OLOL Red Raider Soccer Team under the tutelage of Coach Jessica Trell, where she has placed herself as the leading scorer in school history with 51 career goals. She was named to the News Item All Area soccer team for 4 years. Also among her athletic credits, Rachel is a member of the Mount Carmel Area Tornado Track and Field team for Coach Angela Farronato and Ana Ditchey. She has qualified for District competition in each of the last three seasons, medaling in the 4 x 400 in her sophomore and junior years and in the 200 M during her junior year. Aside from athletics, Rachel is an exemplary student, maintaining honors status throughout her high school academic career. At Lourdes, she currently ranks second in her class and is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society. Her other extracurricular activities include being class treasurer during 10th and eleventh grade, Student Ambassador, Math and Science Clubs, Respect Life and involved in Students Against Destructive Decisions. Rachel is a member of Holy Angels Parish, where she assists with church picnics, breakfasts, and dinners, She also volunteers with the Mount Carmel Area Youth Track Camp as an instructor. She is employed by the Valley Gun and Country Club, Elysburg, where she is a scorekeeper. She is the daughter of Thomas and Michelle Schultz of Mount Carmel. Her plans are to attend Elizabethtown College to major in accounting and to participate with the NCAA Division III Blue Jay Women’s Basketball Program.

SAINT PAULINE VISINTAINER SCHOLAR The Saint Pauline Visintainer Scholar for 2014 is Bryce Fiamoncini, son of James and Justine Fiamoncini of Mount Carmel. Bryce is currently a senior at Mount Carmel Area and plans to attend Bloomsburg University and enroll in its’ nursing program and eventually becoming a nurse anesthetist. Bryce currently ranks second in his class of 112 students and maintains a 102.6984 average. Bryce has enrolled in a rigorous but rewarding academic path including Advanced Placement Courses, Honors Courses and Luzerne County Community College Courses. Fiamoncini has been chosen annually since his freshman year to be a speaker at the Veteran’s Day Program and has represented MCA in The Scholastic Scrimmage and the Lock Haven University Math Competition. Bryce was also chosen the treasurer of the senior class and has received multiple perfect attendance awards. He was selected as the Junior High Pride Award winner, the Elks Junior Teen of the Month, the Elks Teenager of the Month, the Rotary Student of the Month, and most proudly, the Elks Teenager of the Year. He has also been a member of the Junior High National Honor Society and the National Honor Society and was chosen as MCA’s representative to the National Youth Leadership Program in his junior year. Most of his community service stems around his church, Sts Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church and their sister parish Assumption of the Blesses Virgin Mary. He is a weekly lector and altar server and volunteers at all of the church fundraisers. He also serves every Lenten service during the week and teaches religion classes on a weekly basis to the youth of the parish. Athletically, Bryce has been a member of the golf team at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional through the cooperative program with MCA. He has qualified for the District Tournament in each of the last two years, placing 13th and 10th respectively and missed moving on to the state meet by four places. It was a very unique and rewarding experience as a senior as he was the only golfer on the team. Since he didn’t have to worry about winning, he and coach William Chesney worked to become the best golfer that he could be. He posted a low score of 74 and maintains a 12 handicap. Bryce also participated in baseball and basketball earlier in his career and is currently a basketball referee and baseball umpire for youth sports in the Mount Carmel Area. He is also the statistician for the very successful Mount Carmel Area girls basketball team. Fiamoncini’s character and work ethic make him a perfect choice for the St Pauline Visitainer Award, as does his spiritual character.

JOSEPH D. WASILEWSKI FEMALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE In what may have been the most lopsided vote since Tom Seaver received 98.84% of the baseball writer’s Hall of Fame votes, Alison Varano has been chosen MCA’s Joseph Wasilewski Female Scholar Athlete. Ali has excelled at everything she has attempted, both on the athletic playing fields and in the class room. Ms. Varano ranks number one in her class and has earned 13 varsity letters in 4 different sports. As to which is her best, just pick the one that is in season. Ali, along with her mother Lisa, has been an integral part of the remarkable success of the Tornadoes basketball program over the last four years. The Tornadoes have won an unprecedented four consecutive District IV Championships and have gone 97-14 over that span. Her Tornadoes have won four consecutive PHAC Division II Championships and added the overall PHAC Championship this season. The 97 wins are the most ever in a four year period surpassing the 77 from 2009-2012. The 27 wins registered in 2012 are the most ever in school history as is the 27 game win streak. Ali recently became only the 11th female in school history to score 1000 points in her career while adding a more than 450 steals to go along with it. She was part of the schools 500th win in the thrilling OT win over Warrior Run in 2013 and had a career high 29 points in a win over Shikellamy. She was named to PHAC conference first team all star team the last two years. As the captain of the MCA soccer team, Ali became only the second athlete in MCA history to score over 100 goals during her career (101). In 2012, she helped her 8th seeded District IV team to a third place medal and a trip into the state tournament. They would make it to the 1/4 finals, the best finish ever for MCA girls soccer. She was also a PHAC first team performer for three years running. She also participates with the CSSC Legends and BTSC Teal Waver Soccer Clubs and has won numerous awards and championships. As a track athlete, Ali broke the school record in the 200 meters with a time of 26.34 and qualified for the state meet in the long jump. She has earned 8 District IV medals in a variety of events including the 100M, 200M, 400M, 4 x 100M relay, 4 x 400 M relay, long jump and 300 meter intermediate hurdles. It comes as no surprise that she may eventually compete in the women’s heptathlon on the collegiate level. Ali was also chosen as the Sunbury Daily Item Female Athlete of the Year in 2013. In the classroom, Ali is the senior class president, a member of the National Honor Society, National Athletic Honor Society, and Future Teachers of America, She also participates in the Spanish and Interact Clubs, and was the Rotary Student of the Month for October. She is a member of the Hope Community Church in Mount Carmel and is the daughter of Robert and Lisa Varano. Her future plans are to attend Bucknell University and major in Biology. Alison plans to run track for the Bison.

JOSEPH JAZZ DIMINICK MALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE Zach Wasilewski has earned the distinction of being 2014’s Joseph Jazz Diminick Male Scholar Athlete for the Ed Romance Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. Zach has been a three-sport athlete for four years at Mount Carmel Area, starring in football, basketball, and track. Zach’s greatest successes have been with the Red Tornado football program. Zach took over the quarterback duties midway through his sophomore season in 2011. He play helped the Tornadoes to their 8th District Championship with a 28-0 victory over Bloomsburg. In 2012, Zach again took the Tornadoes to the championship game before losing to eventual winner Danville. Wasilewski paced the young Tornadoes of 2013 into the District playoffs for the third consecutive year, losing in the quarter-finals. Zach has positioned himself throughout the Tornado record book as a result of his 262 completions for 3653 yards and 35 touchdowns. The completions rank 4th one the all-time list behind hus brother Marcus (408), Dave Shinskie (400) and Mike Higgins (355). The 3653 yards passing and 36 touchdowns rank 5th on the all-time list. Zach also set the single game mark of 315 yards passing in a game against North Schuylkill in 2012, surpassing the 309 by brother Marcus against Chichester in 2007. His 4 TD passes vs North Schuylkill ties as the second best game in MCA history. Zach’s toughness is born out with his 700 plus yards rushing, the most by a quarterback at MCA since Nick Sebes. Zach was the named the Mike Terry Award winner in the season’s finale with Shamokin, MCA’s 18th consecutive victory over its arch rival. Zach was also named the Len Eshmont Award winner, the Glenn “Bonesey” Adams Award winner, and the Joseph F. Greco Kiwanis Award winner. Zach was also a three-year letter-winner for Coach John Lazicki’s basketball team, appearing in playoffs the last two seasons. He is also a three-year letterman for MCA baseball. In the classroom, Zach is a member of the interact club and is the Vice President of the Spanish Club. He is a distinguished honor roll student and a member of the National Honor Society. In addition, he is an altar server at his church and enjoys outdoor activities including fishing, snowboarding, and golfing. He is the son of Mark Wasilewski and the late Lisa Wasilewski of Denmar Gardens. Zack will be attending Penn State University.  He has been accepted into the college of Health & Human Development as a Kinesiology major and currently has an interest in Physical Therapy