Dominique Varra inspires her five-year-old daughter Hayden through her research and commitment to achieving her dreams. Together, they enjoy hiking, birding, and fossil hunting.
Tara Laubenstine comes from a long line of Penn Staters. When she began her college search, she knew exactly where she would apply and eagerly wait to be accepted. This week, she will graduate with her bachelor’s degree in business with a minor in psychology, after which she will pursue a career in human resource management. This born and bred Penn Stater made the most of her college experience by becoming involved, and with graduation on the horizon, Laubenstine sat down to speak about her college experience and offer advice to the incoming class.
Penn State Schuylkill biology student Eric Thompson will graduate with honors on May 9. After surviving pediatric cancer in his early teens, Thompson has transformed a tragic situation into a passion to help people. This fall, he will embark on a new academic journey at Thomas Jefferson University’s Sidney Kimmel Medical College, where he will commit himself to earning his M.D. and delivering medical expertise to underserved communities.
Senior Eric Thompson has been inspired by and heavily involved in THON. For the 2020 THON weekend, Eric was voted as one of Penn State Schuylkill's official dancers for the 46-hour dance marathon. Here, he poses with Schuylkill Benefitting THON kid Devon Pulaski, a cancer survivor.
Senior Steven Shalamanda began his education at Penn State Schuylkill knowing he was interested in becoming an optometrist. But it was this high-achieving biology student’s internship with a local practice that affirmed his vision for the future. In fall 2020, Shalamanda will begin his O.D. program at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Shalamanda exercised his great ambitions on campus with involvement in several clubs, and reflects upon how the leadership experience he gained at Penn State Schuylkill will help inform his graduate work.
Few students become more engaged in clubs, academics and student life activities than Raquele Amato. A prominent figure on Penn State Schuylkill’s campus, Amato has served as an officer in more than half a dozen student organizations, swept spring awards ceremonies, worked as a resident assistant, and helped her family run their pizza shop in Frackville, Pennsylvania, all while maintaining a full-time course load. Before she closes the book on her time at Penn State Schuylkill, Amato reflected on her time at the campus and considered what’s next.
