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First Posted: 11/18/2014
PITTSTON — Rewards for their academic achievements and extra curricular activities were never on the minds of Tiffany Newell and Eric Sklanka, but the judges in the Youth Salute program had other ideas.
Sklanka, 17, and Newell, 17, both seniors at Pittston Area High School, were among 400 students in the Greater Wyoming Valley to take part in the Youth Salute program which is created to recognize youth and their achievements both in their community and academics.
To take part in the Youth Salute program, students first apply during their junior years, but after that the work really begins.
“Initially, we have our application packet and that will include our personal statement essays regarding our commitment to leadership and service to our greater community,” said Sklanka. “It also includes a very wide ranging application that has an overview of different involvement activities that you can be apart of, so you have a chance to show what your interests are and where your strengths lie within your community. It really gives you a broad perspective.”
Applicants had to have a minimum grade point average of 3.0. and once the application was completed they were then chosen to be accepted into the program based on an essay about leadership positions, community service, extra-curricular involvement and other categories.
Community-related involvements for Newell include her volunteering at Geisinger Wyoming Valley while Sklanka volunteers at the Care and Concern Free Health Clinic in Pittston.
Pittston Area High School guidance counselor of 17 years Tina Kaden said the counselors are there to help the students anyway they can.
“We nominate them and then they do most of the work,” said Kaden. “They have to follow through, do the applications. We help them. We assist them by giving them the applications, we talk about what the program is and then they take the initiative. They take all the credit.”
Another part of the application process was students getting their pictures taken with Photography by Andy, which according to Sklanka, the students were able to express themselves through something other than their words.
“He is the representative from our region for Youth Salute,” said Sklanka. “Part of the application is your own photo portfolio expressing you through something other than your essay.”
When all was said and done, students were judged based strictly on their essays and Newell took first place in the regional competition and got an all expense paid trip to St. Louis, Mo. for the National competition called, “Town Meeting of Tomorrow” from Oct. 18 to 22.
Sklanka placed fourth in regionals, but went onto win first place overall at nationals based on his essay, photo portfolio, an interview process and a re-submission of his application.
“It was remarkable,” said Sklanka. “It was something I would have never expected because there were students that really exhibited such excellence throughout the whole country. You knew you were among the best of the best and just ranking among them, it was beyond my imagination.”
Sklanka’s award will be a scholarship to a college of his choice, but he said the amount of it has not yet released.
Although Sklanka took home nationals honors and Newell won regionals, their time meeting people in St. Louis was the reward they both really enjoyed.
“A lot of it was everyone from all different states,” said Newell. “There were a couple of instances where we talked about different issues in everyone’s part of the world and we learned a lot about each other and different solution to things. Just because something is happening in Kentucky and I’m here, doesn’t make it unimportant.”
Kaden said this was the first time since she’s been helping out with the Youth Salute program that students have gone to nationals under her guidance, but the students being Newell and Sklanka came as no surprise to her.
“Eric is a phenomenal student,” said Kaden. “He’s first in his class, he’s involved in many activities and he’s just a very good student. Tiffany is also very involved. She heads the Relay for Life and she’s in the top of her class, so she has very good grades… I was amazed. I’m very proud of them.”