MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area School Board Merit Award winner for March is sixth-grade student Lauren Shedleski, a daughter of Brian and Carisa Shedleski, of Den-Mar Gardens, and a granddaughter of John and Angela Michalowski and Antoinette Shedleski.
Lauren was nominated by her math and homeroom teacher, Jolene Scicchitano, and gym teacher Amanda Stepenaski.
Scicchitano said, "Lauren is an exceptional student and strives to do her best at all times. She is extremely helpful and kind to teachers and other students. She has a great work ethic and always goes above and beyond what is expected."
Lauren plays for the Land Sharks club soccer team, the Shamokin Youth Basketball League and travel basketball team the Lourdes Vipers. She is a member of the USA track and field association where she throws the javelin and was chosen as the 2013 Mid-Atlantic female athlete of the year. She participated in the 2015 K'nex STEM challenge, helps raise money for pediatric cancer through the THINK BIG organization, and attends Holy Angels Church in Kulpmont. In her free time, she likes to draw, read and travel on family vacations.