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Diamonds to Brian Bradshaw, principal of Wycallis Elementary School in Dallas Township, and all of the area educators who do what it takes to motivate students. Bradshaw on Thursday went to the wall, literally, to encourage good reading skills. Students who successfully had completed a month-long reading challenge received an unusual reward: permission to duct-tape the school boss to a cinder-block, gym wall, where he dangled and seemingly delighted in the moment. Congrats to the dedicated students for their, uh … stick-to-itiveness.

Coal to Leo A. Glodzik III, whose guilty plea in federal court this week solidifies his reputation around Wilkes-Barre as a thief and conniver. The city’s former towing contractor had claimed zero taxable income in 2008 while actually hauling in more than $400,000, prosecutors said. The ill-gotten gains supposedly resulted, in part, from a scheme in which he took ownership of people’s vehicles that he had put in storage. Glodzik, 45, is expected to be sentenced in August.

Diamonds to people with Wyoming Valley ties who perform inspiring acts. Two examples – one demonstrating grit, the other mercy – were spotlighted Wednesday in the Times Leader. John Schooley, 67, arrived at his 50th high school reunion at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston in golden form, atop a bicycle he had pedaled here from Maine. The retired physician assistant’s ride took about two weeks and covered some 500 miles, he told a reporter. Meanwhile, off the coast of Madagascar, former Fairview Township resident Scott Reed, 34, continues to serve aboard a Mercy Ship – part of a faith-based organization’s effort to deliver health care to Africans. He works as the floating hospital’s supply coordinator. Reed’s initial commitment to serve for three months, he told the Times Leader, has continued for three years, and counting. The men’s stories make lesser aspirations – for instance, to mow the grass this weekend – seem insufficient.

Coal to the West Side Career and Technology Center committee members’ apparent rejection of a training program for people who previously had been incarcerated. A proposal by a representative of the PathStone program to use the building after school hours and on weekends went nowhere at Monday’s meeting. Asked one committee member, “What if (PathStone participants) leave drugs in the hallway and the students find them?” For a school official, that doesn’t sound like a very enlightened attitude.

Diamonds to White Haven resident and pageant contestant Courtney Dornheim. Current holder of the title of USA National Miss Pennsylvania Teen, she expects to vie in Florida this summer to be crowned USA National Teen. Dornheim, 18, touts an anti-bullying platform. Here’s hoping her message will reach a wider audience.

Principal Brian Bradshaw went to the wall, literally, to encourage good reading skills among students at Wycallis Elementary School in Dallas Township.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Principal.jpg.optimal.jpgPrincipal Brian Bradshaw went to the wall, literally, to encourage good reading skills among students at Wycallis Elementary School in Dallas Township. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader