SPECIAL RECOGNITION Ranotta Ahrensfield has recently joined he ranks of MCA girls basketball players who have netted over 1000 points during her career. Ahrensfield achieved the mark in a career-high 31 point effort in a win over Lewisburg 81-44. She becomes only the 9th female in MCA history to surpass this mark, joining teammate Kim Andruscavage. Notta has helped restore the MCA program to prominence ever since she emerged as a freshman starter during the 2008-09 season, a season in which the girls would go 11-11 and qualify for District play for the first time since 2000. During her sophomore year, the MCA girls would improve to 17-10 overall and a third place finish in District IV, qualifying for their first state playoff game since 1998. She would average 11.9 points per game and was named to the second team of the Heartland Conference. As a junior, Ahrensfield would help lead the Tornadoes to a terrific 22-4 record and their first District IV championship since the 1985 Maria Fantanarosa-led team. The girls would post a 14-game win streak along the way before losing in the state quarter finals to Mid Valley. The 2011-12 season saw the Tornadoes go 22-0 during the regular season and the number 1 seed in District IV. In the opening round of District IV play against Lewisburg, Ranotta moved past Shannon Guinan’s 1181 points into 7th place on the all time list at MCA with 1182 points. The girls went on to win their second consecutive District IV Championship in a 63-36 win over Wyalusing. Ranotta would finish her career with a terrific 22 point effort in the Eastern semi-final loss to York Catholic and concluded her career with 1255 points (6th all time). Ahrensfield was named to the first team by the Heartland Conference. Ranotta was also recognized as the News-Item Soccer All-Area Player of the Year by virtue of her 29 goals and career total of 99 – second only to Holly Ibanez (2006-07). She has been chosen the Athlete of the Month for January by the Ed Romance Chapter. Ranotta is the daughter of Mike and Tammy Ahrensfield of Mount Carmel.

RUSS AND JO ANN CESARI SCHOLASHIP Lucas Amarose was recently named the first-ever recipient of the Russ and Jo Ann Cesari Scholarship. The Cesari’s are 1962 graduates of Mount Carmel Catholic High School, where Russ excelled at football for the Rams. The award goes to an interior lineman who plans to continue his education and football playing career in college. Lucas first earned a starting position with the Red Tornadoes during the pre-season of the 2010 season. The 6’0 280 lb tackle would hold down the right tackle position for the nest two years. The most amazing part is that he did it with a severe shoulder injury sustained at the end of doubles in 2010. He had to persevere through a tremendous amount of pain in order to be productive. It took yards and yards of tape by the Star Physical Therapy group to keep Lucas on the field in 2010. His play would help the Tornadoes and Coach Carmen DeFrancesco to a fine 8-4 season and a spot in the District IV semi-finals. As a senior, Lucas again manned the right tackle spot and helped the Tornadoes run for 3179 yards; a number that ranks as the 7th best rushing season in MCA history. He often lead the way for Myerick Lamb and Cody Shustack, who became the first set of running backs since 1970 to rush for over 1000 yards in a season. The 2011 Tornadoes rushed for over 200 yards in 10 of their games and went over the 300 yard mark against West Perry and Montoursville. Only 5 Tornado elevens would score more than the 38 TD’s rushing in 2011. The 5.7 yards per rush ranks 12th out of 50 modern era teams. Lucas helped the Tornadoes win the Heartland Conference Division II Title and their 8th District Championship in a 28-0 shutout over the Bloomsburg Panthers. Amarose was also on the field when the Tornadoes recorded their 800th career victory in the 35-14 win over the Shikellamy Braves. Lucas was given the Star Physical Therapy Comeback Player Award after the 2010 season and the Mattucci Chef’s Award following the 2011 campaign. His shoulder injury precluded his playing basketball and baseball, but he plans to return to the baseball diamond this spring. Lucas is also very active at MCA as a member of the Interact Club, Science Club, Chemistry Club, and the Tech Ed Club. He has given back to his community as a volunteer for the Relay for Life since fourth grade. He has also participated and worked at the Nate’s Mates Tournament since 7th grade. Luke is an active worker for the Divine Redeemer Church Picnic and has taken part in the Oak Street Clean-Up and Special Olympics along with his Red Tornado teammates. Lucas is the son of Ed and Lisa Amarose of Atlas and plans to play for Mount Carmel graduate Frank Sheptock and the Wilkes Colonels in the fall. He will major in criminal justice.

JAMES M. BACH SCHOLAR ATHLETE The 2012 recipient of the James M. Bach Scholar Athlete Award is Molly Loftus. Molly is currently a senior at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School, where she has been a member of the volleyball and basketball teams. She has served as the captain for both sports during her senior season. Molly has been a member of the varsity cheerleading squad for four years and was recently voted this year’s Homecoming Queen. Molly’s hard work and superb play has helped the volleyball team to the District playoffs in each of the last three years. She has been named to the Schuylkill League All-League First Team for the past two years, the Twin Valley Conference First Team for the past three years, and has led the Twin Valley Conference in “Spikes” and “Total Put Aways” for two consecutive years. The 2011 Volleyball season saw Loftus selected as the Schuylkill League, Division II, Player of the Year. On September 26, 2011, Molly established a new record for Most Career Kills at Lourdes Regional. In addition to volleyball, Molly has been a member of the Lady Red Raiders basketball team throughout her years in high school. The Raiders have captured the District IV Single A Championship for 4 consecutive years, and did it this year with a big win over an undefeated Line Mountain team. This year, Molly led the Red Raiders as they captured the Knights of Columbus Championship and was the tournament MVP. Molly also exceeds in the classroom, where she has been a member of the National Honor Society for four years. She is a Student Ambassador, a class officer and student council officer. She is a member of the Girl’s Action League, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Respect Life Club, Yearbook Committee, French Club, Pep Club, and has appeared in the school musical. She volunteers as an instructor at the annual Lourdes Cheerleading Camp and basketball camp. Molly is also a Relay for Life participant and an active member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish. Molly is the daughter of Sharon and Jack Loftus of Mount Carmel and has plans to major in Physical Therapy at either The University of Scranton, Misercordia University, Lebanon Valley College, Arcadia University and Mount Aloysius College.

SAINT PAULINE VISINTAINER SCHOLARSHIP This year’s recipient of the St. Pauline Visintainer Scholarship is Rachel M. Davis, a senior at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School. Rachel attended St. Monica Catholic School in Sunbury from Pre-school through eighth grade. She was able to continue her Catholic education by attending Lourdes Regional. Davis is a four-year letter winner for the Lourdes Red Raider Volleyball team under head coach Sara Shroyer. They participated in the Twin Valley Conference. As a student athlete, Rachel was able to successfully balance her time as an athlete and student, well enough to rank #1 in her class. Rachel has maintained distinguished honors during all four years at Lourdes. Rachel is involved in many community, school, and church activities. She is the President of the Respect Life Club, Vice-president of the National Honor Society, and President of the French Club. She is also a member of the French National Honor Society, Students against Destructive Decisions, Girls Action League and the Ski Club. She is also a very active volunteer with ARC Susquehanna Valley. Rachel also finds time to be actively involved with her church Youth Group and participates as a lector and altar server. She had the wonderful opportunity during the summer of 2011 to attend the World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain, participating in activities with Pope Benedict XVI. Along with her father, Annie Self, and Elizabeth Korbich, Rachel presented Our Lady of Lourdes with a framed photograph of the grotto at Lourdes, France. Rachel resides in Sunbury with her parents Kerry and Judy Davis, and her brother Kristopher, a senior at Lock Haven University. She is the granddaughter of Frank Sam Chesney and the late Theresa Pupo Chesney of Kulpmont. Davis plans to continue her education and major in Speech and Language Pathology at either Misercordia University or Duquesne.

JOSEPH D. WASILEWSKI FEMALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE The competition for this year’s female scholar athlete was probably the stiffest that it has been in a number of years. At least 5 girls were considered to be outstanding athletically and academically. In the end, it was Heather Bolick who had the greatest body of work and is this year’s Joseph D. Wasilewski Female Scholar Athlete. Heather was a four year letter winner in three different sports for a total of 12 varsity letters. As a defender for Coaches Rich Miller and Chris Kozlowski, Bolick helped the Lady Tornadoes through one of the most successful periods in soccer history. The girls qualified for District IV competition in each of her years, capped by the first-ever State Tournament victory in school history during her senior year. The girls would win 48 games during her 4 years with the team. Bolick served as a team captain and earned Heartland Conference honors and News Item all area honors as a senior. On the hardwood, Bo was the point guard for 4 years in undoubtedly the most successful era in girls basketball history. As a sophomore, Heather would lead the Tornadoes to a third place finish in District IV play. As a junior, the girls continued right where they left off, posting only the second District IV Championship in girls history. During the past season, the girls would go through the regular season with a 22-0 record before entering District IV play. They would win MCA’s second consecutive District IV championship in their 63-36 win over Wyalusing. Heather’s ball handling skills are thought second-to-none by those who have seen her play. Additionally, she has registered over 800 points in her career, including 90 three-point goals. Chants of “MVP” were consistently heard from the MCA students during the District IV Championship run, recognizing her irreplaceable value to the team. Her consistent play helped the Tornadoes win 77 games during her 4-year career and 41 out of the last 43 games played. She was recognized with a second team spot by the Heartland Conference. As a track athlete, Heather has established a new school record in the javelin with a throw of 128’4 and won the District IV title in 2011. She was named to the Heartland Conference First Team as a sophomore and junior and was recognized by the Press Enterprise and News Item all area teams. She becomes only the second female in MCA history to participate at the state level in three different sports. Heather has done equally well in the classroom, where she has been a Distinguished Honor Student for 4 years and is currently a member of the National Honor Society and Athletic Honor Society. A reflection of her commitment and dedication in all that she does, Heather has had perfect attendance during all four high school years. Bolick has also been involved in the Interact Club, SADD, Pep Club, Future Teachers of America, Spanish Club and is a Peer Mediator. Heather has also given back to her community as a volunteer for American Cancer Society, Relay for Life, Toys for Tots, American Heart Association Hoops for Heart, S.P.C.A. Drive, School Clothes Collection, Breast Cancer Awareness, Interact Food/Supplies Collection for PA flood victims and as a Red Cross Volunteer for PA flood victims. Heather is a member of Divine Redeemer Church and is the daughter of Sue and Frank Bolick of Kulpmont. Heather plans to attend a 4-year university to major in Exercise Science/Physical Therapy and would like tyo continue her participation in track.

JOSEPH “JAZZ” DIMINICK MALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE This year’s Joseph Jazz Diminick Scholar is Cody Shistack. Cody certainly fits within the blue print established by previous winners of the award. Cody has excelled on the playing fields for Mount Carmel Area and is currently ranked #3 in his graduating class and also the highest ranking male. Shustack has made his biggest impression as a football player for the Red Tornadoes. He has been a four-year letter winner for the Tornadoes and has been tutored by 3 coaches; Mike Brennan, Bob Chesney, and Carmen DeFrancesco. Cody became a starter at linebacker as a sophomore and has lead the team in tackles for three consecutive years. He has registered over 100 in each of those years and recently completed his career with 358, fifth all time in MCA history. He has registered over 10 tackles in 7 of our 14 games in 2011 and has recovered 5 enemy fumbles to tie the all time season record. Cody was also the starting fullback for the Tornadoes and was able to go over the century mark on 5 occasions, highlighted with a terrific 31 carry 202 yard performance in a 33-24 win over Central Columbia. Against West Perry, Cody toted the football 7 times for 124 yards for a 17.71 yard average. He finished the season with 1092 yards on 143 carries for a 7.64 yard average. He added 12 receptions for 165 yards and would tie Meyrick Lamb for the team lead with 188 points scored. He and Lamb would both amass 1000 yards, becoming the first set of backs to accomplish the feat since Henry Hynoski and Carm DeFrancesco did it in 1970. He was part of 2 District Championship teams in 2008 and 2011 and one Eastern Conference Crown in 2009. For his efforts, Cody was named to the WNEP TV Dream Team. He was also recognized as their Scholar Athlete. In addition to serving as the captain for the “11” edition of the Red Tornadoes, Cody has also lettered in baseball for 3 years and is one of the leading hitters for the MCA nine. As a student, Cody was recently inducted into the SAT 700 Club at MCA for achieving a 760 on the Math portion. He has been a four-year member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Chemistry Club, and Future Teachers of America. Cody has served as a volunteer for four years for the Relay for Life, the Special Olympics, and the Dance for Hope. Shustack was recognized as the Elks Student of the Month for March, 2011 and was named the Ed Romance Chapter’s Athlete of the Month for September 2011. Cody was also an integral part of the MCA team competing in the Mathematics Competition at Lock Haven that placed third. Cody plans to continue his playing career at a four year institution and major in engineering. He is the son of Erika and John Shustack of Kulpmont.

INDUCTEE Anthony “Tony” Paskevich began his athletic career as a football player for Coach Walter Levine and his Mount Carmel High School Red Tornadoes in the fall of 1932. Actually, Tony was part of the first team to ever play in the new Silver Bowl in a 0-0 tie vs Porter Township. The Tornadoes would then win their first game at their new digs in a game with St. Clair by a 13-0 score. Paskevich would play for three years, mostly as a center, completing his senior year for coach Albert Jones. He was described as having “fight, grit, will, and determination”. He also competed as a basketball player for Coach Jones during his junior and senior seasons. Following graduation in 1935, Tony was originally slated to attend Gettysburg College, but somehow found himself at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, Pa. He then made his way to the Orangemen of Syracuse University. He became a three-year player and two-year letterman for Coach Ossie Solem, who was assisted by the great Bud Wilkinson. Syracuse managed a 13-8-2 record during Tony’s time there, including wins over Penn State and Maryland. One of Tony’s teammates and friend was future Michigan State Coach Duffy Dougherty. Both Dougherty and Wilkinson have been inducted into the collegiate Hall of Fame. Tony was chosen to captain the ‘39 team at Syracuse. Paskevich also managed to earn a varsity letter as a boxer and one with the track team while at Syracuse. Tony graduated in 1942 with a degree in electrical engineering. He then enlisted in the Navy and served as an Ensign in the Philippines during World War II. After the war, Tony and his wife, Carolyn, returned to the area and settled in Hazelton, where he took a position with PPL. He then moved back to Syracuse and was the principal electrical engineer for Allied Chemical. After a short move to New Jersey, Tony retired in North Carolina, where he was an avid golfer and played almost daily. After returning to Syracuse, Tony died in 1999. Tony joins his brother Joseph, a 1991 inductee in the the Romance Chapter, as honorees of the organization. Joe played at Fordham with Vince Lombardi and Len Eshmont. Paskevich had three children, Tony Jr (Syracuse University), Penny (Syracuse, and Linda (Michigan State) and 8 grandchildren.

INDUCTEE Billy O’Brien’s induction today is something that has long been overdue. During his high school career at Mount Carmel Catholic High School, O’Brien was recognized as one of the best basketball players to play in the area up until that time. Bill starred for four years with the Rams, finishing his career with 1,068 points, and is believed to be the first local player to register 1000 points in his career. Tom Vershinski did it at Mount Carmel in 1955, while Charlie Griscavage concluded his Catholic High career in 1957 surpassing the 1000 point mark. O’Brien and Griscavage remain as the only two players to surpass the mark in Catholic High history, while both still reside in the top 20 of St. Ed’s, Lourdes and MC Catholic combined. Catholic High played in the always tough Central Penn Catholic League at the time, but Billy still managed to lead the league in scoring as a senior. Following his graduation in 1954, Billy would spend six years working for the Public Utility Commission in Harrisburg, PA. During his time O’Brien played basketball for the legendary Locust Gap Apollos, a semi pro team in the 50’s and 60’s. Billy would then spend two years with the United States Army Counter Intelligence Corps. In 1962, Billy was approached by John Barr, the head basketball coach at Susquehanna University, and was offered a full scholarship to play for him and the Crusaders. (Barr is an inductee in the inaugural class of the Ed Romance Chapter in 1978). Bill would go on to letter for four years with the Crusaders and was named a captain in both his junior and senior seasons. Billy would rank third in scoring for Susquehanna in each of his three years as a starter. He would go on to score 892 points, averaging 12.9 pts per game in his three years as a starter. He would lead his team, shooting 85% from the foul line and 52% from the field during the 1966 campaign. Two of his teammates: Rick Eppenheimer and Clark Moiser, still rank as the 2 highest scorers in SU history. After graduating from Susquehanna in 1966, Bill was employed as an accountant for Weis Markets, Inc. in Sunbury, PA. During his first two years at Weis, he served as the JV coach at Susquehanna. O’Brien remained with Weis Markets for 34 years, retiring as Controller in March of 2000. Bill married the former Mary Louis Todorowski in 1961. They currently reside in Lewisburg and are the parents of three sons: William Jr, James, and Stephen.

INDUCTEE Little Kulpmont High School has produced many outstanding football players over the years, so it is not surprising that another takes his place in the Ed Romance Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. Fred was one of those hard-nosed, tough, do anything type of player so prevalent at the time. Fred was a four-year letter winner with the Wildcats at four different positions. He began as a defensive guard for Coach Bob Magalski during the 1948 season and would move to center in 1949. He took over the starting offensive guard position with the ‘50 Wildcats, a team that would go 8-2 with one of its losses to the great George Welsh Coaldale team by a 26-13 score. In a complete surprise, Magalski would leave Kulpmont for Larksville, leaving the team to Ed Stavinski and Bob Balant and assistants Joe Diminick and Joe Pezelski. Murdock would move to fullback in a backfield that included Sugar Lashendock and Harry Malock. “Fritz” ran for 175 yards against the Black Diamonds of Ashland, helping the team to an undefeated season. Only a canceled game with Tamaqua (and a loss of points for Kulpmont) would keep the Wildcats from the Eastern Conference Crown and a trip to the State Championship game. After graduating from Kulpmont in 1952, Fred would take his talents to Mansfield University where he started as a defensive guard and fullback as a freshman. Fred left to join the Navy as a flight crew member in a Neptune bomber squadron that patrolled the shore lines of Japan during the Korean conflict. Fred would continue playing and coaching football and baseball during his service career. Fred was eventually assigned to the USS Kitty Hawk, and aircraft carrier patrolling the coast of Vietnam in the South China Sea and did so for 6 years. He then left for Antarctica on the South Pole and is believed to have organized the first football ever in the Southern Hemisphere. They lined the ice with oil from their vehicles and played until the football burst from the frigid weather. Fred died a few years back but will always be recognized as one of those greats from little Kulpmont High School.

INDUCTEE Stephen Maciejewsji has earned his way into the Hall by virtue of his consistency and athletic abilities covering three sports – football, basketball, and baseball. Steve was a three-sport star at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional from 1981-1984. He was a four-year letter winner in football for coaches Ron Grzyboski and Bob Chesney. Although his first three years under Coach Ron were nit significant, they definitely set the groundwork for what happened in 1983. Stephen would be one of the co-captains on Chesney’s first team in 1983 that would go 9-1, with their only loss coming to Marian Catholic by a 9-6 score. For his efforts “Mash” was given honorable mention all-state by the Associated Press. Playing for coach John McKay, Maciejewski was again a four-year letter winner for the Raider basketball team. As a senior, Stephen was named the M.V.P. at the annual K of C Tournament and would average 8 points per game along with 10 rebounds per game. That year saw the Raiders go 21 and 3 in the regular season, posting a 13 game win streak along the way, before losing to Tamaqua in the League Championship by a 63-48 score. They would go on to defeat Athens 62-49 to again claim the District IV Championship. OLOL would eventually lose in the Eastern Final to Delone Catholic and conclude the campaign with a fine 27-5 record. The Raiders would win 82 games during the 4 years Mash was with the team (82-37). Mash also played baseball while at Lourdes for Coach Tom Ryan during his first three years and Frank Marcinek as a senior. He would earn the coveted “Bat” Award for having the highest batting average in both his junior and senior seasons. Steve then pursued his education at Bloomsburg University, where he played for the Huskies under coach Jim Landis, until a severe ankle injury shortened an otherwise promising career. He would graduate in 1988 with a B.S. degree in Elementary/Mathematics. He first took a position at Glen Mills school in Concordville, a private court-adjudicated school for troubled boys. It was then that he moved to Red Lion, Pennsylvania, accepting a teaching position for the South Eastern School District. During his time there, Steve has been actively involved in his school’s sports programs. He served as an assistant football coach for South Eastern in the 90’s and caoched JV girls basketball for 11 years. Currently, Steve is a youth league official for basketball and is the York Youth coordinator for Red Lion Youth Basketball Association and a PIAA basketball official. He has been active with the Red Lion Area High School Boy’s Basketball Booster Club and gives his time as a Eucharistic Minister for St. Joseph’s church in Dallastown, Pa. Maciejewski is married to Donna DeWitt, formerly of Towanda. Together, they have three children, Todd, Erica, and Amy.