Ashland Rotary
Maura Gownley, a senior at North Schuylkill High School, was chosen as student of the month for November by the Ashland Area Rotary Club.
Maura is student council president and is also involved in peer mediation, school newspaper, yearbook committee, forensics and debate team, simulations, investments and technology club, DARE, Teens Against Tobacco, Students Against Destructive Decisions, diversity club, chorus, Spanish Club, the annual Powder Puff game, Halloween window painting in Ashland, theater arts, varsity track and field, volleyball and cross country. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Math, English, Social Studies and Science National Honor societies.
Maura's community activities include Schuylkill Keep It Pretty and the annual Applefest event in Ashland. She won Schuylkill County Junior Idol in 2010 and Schuylkill County Idol in 2012. She has managed since 2010 a YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/maura3g) that has 1,819 subscribers and she performs at weddings and special events.
A daughter of Michael and Mary Alice Gownley, Ashland, she plans to attend a four-year college to study advertising and marketing while pursuing an interest in music.
T-V Lions
The Tri-Valley Lions opened the 2013-14 school year student in the arts recognition program by recognizing Elizabeth Smallwood as the award recipient for the month of October. Accompanying Elizabeth at the meeting of the Lions club were her parents, Larry and Jimmie Lu, as she exhibited her varied music talent playing guitar and singing, "Yours to Hold."
While Elizabeth played the guitar for the meeting, she plays the flute for marching and concert bands as well as serving as drum major. She serves as secretary for Tri-Valley High School chorus, sings in her church choir and has composed some of her own songs. She has also been active in graphic arts (drawing), drama, yearbook, SWAT and was recognized by being named to the Schuylkill County Chorus and distinguished honor roll.
Elizabeth's plans beyond high school are to attend Houghton College, Houghton, N.Y., and major in mathematics.