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HANOVER TWP. — Lee Park Elementary School teacher Kellie Kuhl walked around a classroom with a vase of water.

She was teaching a group of six students how to make a cup from just a piece of paper.

First each student took a square piece of paper and made it into a triangle.

“It looks like a pizza,” one said proudly holding up her paper triangle. From the triangle the students moved two of the corners to a center line to create a cup. After opening the top, Kuhl allowed students to pour some water into the paper cups.

The demonstration, which was being done for Wilkes University President Patrick Leahy, was part of the opening ceremony for the eighth SHINE center in Luzerne County. SHINE — short for School and Homes in Education — is an after-school program that focuses on science, technology, engineering and math.

The program, which lasts for 32 weeks, is funded by government money and private donations. State Sen. John Yudichak, D-Nanticoke, and U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-Hazleton, teamed to help bring the program to Northeastern Pennsylvania, with Wilkes University agreeing to be a partner. Over $3 million has been spent on the program.

“We are a private institution for a public purpose,” Leahy said when asked why Wilkes University is a “host” to the SHINE program.

Yudichak also had a demonstration of paper cups, but his cups failed. The water wouldn’t hold in the cups because they were already wet, explained Carol Nicholas, director of the SHINE program in Luzerne County.

Hanover Area Superintendent Andy Kuhl said he has been involved with SHINE since the program was announced in 2015.

“I was aware of the positives,” Kuhl said. “It just needed funding and expansion.”

The funding came 10 weeks ago, and the expansion quickly followed, according to Nicholas.

“They’ve set the bar for other SHINE schools,” she said.

As far as bringing the program to the school, Kuhl said it was a matter of timing.

In the district, more than 60 students from pre-kindergarten to fourth grade are enrolled in the program, Yudichak said. In just more than 13 months, 360 students have joined in the county-wide program.

The students spend part of their time doing hands-on projects. They also get a free hot meal provided by the Commission on Economic Opportunity.

Hanover Area added three teachers, two aides and several substitutes to the program.

“When we invest time and resources to educate the next generation, it pays enormous dividends for the future well-being and vitality of the community,” Yudichak said.

“We, as educators, see the benefits our students gain,” Kuhl added.

State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, and Tyler Breznitsky, of Barletta’s office, were also in attendance for the opening of the program.

Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, talks with students at the Lee Park Elementary school SHINE programs kick off.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_TTL020317SHINE1.jpg.optimal.jpgRep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, talks with students at the Lee Park Elementary school SHINE programs kick off. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Third grade students Jolene Booth and Jaydon Skipalis clap for Senator John Yudichak at the opening of the Lee Park Elementary school SHINE program.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_TTL020317SHINE2.jpg.optimal.jpgThird grade students Jolene Booth and Jaydon Skipalis clap for Senator John Yudichak at the opening of the Lee Park Elementary school SHINE program. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

By Melanie Mizenko

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Reach Melanie Mizenko at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TL_MMizenko