iS 2 The Dallas Post 7 Sl al Dallas, PA Wednesday, May 10, 1995 Valerie Wolfe's essay earns a scholarship By GRACE R. DOVE Post Staff LEHMAN TOWNSHIP - Having a conveniently placed locker helped Lake-Lehman junior Val- erie Wolfe win a scholarship in an essay contest. Her assignment: “Imagine you have just written your autobiog- raphy. Turn to page 128 and see what it says.” In her entry in an Open House Essay Contest sponsored by Eliza- bethtown College, Valerie pre- dicted her life in her mid-20'sas a news reporter interviewing a can- didate with a controversial past, portraying her work and her feel- Ings about it. “It's hard to tell what will hap- pen so far ahead in my life,” she said. “It's hard to picture what page 128 would look like. I settled for about 26 years old, single and living in California.” - She found out about the con- test from the guidance office bul- letin board, directly across the hall from her locker. “At first I didn't think I would win, but a friend's sister told me to try entering it anyway,” she said. : ~ Valerie, a student correspon- dent for The Dallas Post, has been writing for the school newspaper, KnightLife., for a year. As its news editor, she writes her own news stories, suggests story ideas and makes sure all the other reporters meet their deadlines. ‘Next year she plans to apply for the school paper's positions of features editor and managing editor, one step down from the editor-in-chief. face and overcome challenges. Her favorite topics are human interest stories in which people Her advice to young students: Take school seriously “I don't like writing about myself,” she said. She also enjoys writing poetry and has been named a finalist in the National Library of Poetry contest. “I also love to write short sto- ries and share them with my best friend, Amy Shoemaker,” Valerie said. “Sometimes I just get crea- tive ideas and I write about them. I don't know where they come from.” She plans to attend Elizabe- thtown, majoring in communica- tions and minoring in writing, with an eye toward going into public relations work. The $1,000 schol- arship she won will be applied towards her tuition for her fresh- man year. Valerie has studied college prep writing and all of Lake-Lehman's accelerated English courses. She is considering applying for a schol- arship to study journalism and creative writing next year at Penn State. When she isn't writing, Valerie plays clarinet in the Marching Knights band, is a member of the National Honor Society, works as a cashier at McDonald's and en- joys going to the movies and hanging out with friends Jaime Elston, Jen Dinger and Erica Conrad. “I thought working at McDonald's might enhance my writing, but so far it hasn't,” she said. “Imeet lots of different people - and always try to treat them the Bureau of Aging to hold dinner dance VALERIE WOLFE way I'd want to be treated. That's why 1 think I'd like working in public relations.” Her favorite subjects are Eng- lish (of course) and American studies. She doesn't like science or math. Her friends didn't know about the scholarship until May 5. “It's neat!” said Jaime Elston. “I have no idea of what I want to do or where I want to go to school.” The daughter of Bing and Ruth Wolfe of Lehman Township, Val- erie has a brother, Ben, 13, who is in eighth grade. Attending Lake-Lehman is sort of a family tradition — Bing Wolfe is a Lake-Lehman graduate. “I have some of the same teach- ers who taught my Dad,” Valerie said. “He had Mrs. Finn, Ms. Purcell and Mrs. Oliver, but she wasn't married then. Ben will have them starting next year, too.” Valerie has some advice for junior high students coming into the high school: Take school seri- ously. “We have so many very tal- ented students who don’t apply themselves, she said. “Take ad- vantage of every opportunity the school offers you.” Valerie Wolff's award- winning essay: Lake-Lehman junior Valerie Wolfe wrote this prize-winning essay for Elizabethtown College's April 8 Open House Essay Compe- tition. She won a $1,000 scholar- ship. Her assignment was to write what she would find on page 128 from her autobiography . 1 sat and stared at the bold printed letters which seemed to stand out from the paper my edi- tor handed me. “Pick a candidate who is running for governor and write a background story on them. Due this Wednesday...” Picturing my hectic schedule for the week, I decided 1 would keep a good attitude toward conquering the journey that lay ahead. There were several candidates who chose to run for governor and choosing only one to write about was a difficult task. After looking over all of the selections, I decided to concentrate on a relatively unknown candidate. This way, the readers could be introduced to a new political figure and pos- sibly their number one choice for governor. ' A name that looked unfamiliar was Mr. Mark Sandel, a former lawyer. “He will be disappointed to hear that he missed this great oppor- tunity, but I'm afraid, he is much too busy,” answered his campaign manager when I requested an interview later that afternoon. Hoping he would change his mind about the interview, I left my phone number with the campaign man- ager. From the way things started, it looked as if I was going to have to rely on other sources to get information about this mysteri- ous man. : I felt comparable to Sherlock Holmes, searching for clues to solve my case. I went to the local library to see if I could find back- ground on Mr. Sandel. Luckily, one of the older librarians helped me get started on the right track. She told me to look in old newspa- pers dating 20 years ago to see if he had been presented with re- wards or honors. Since our news- paper had been in operation for only 10 years, I had to rely on our competitors’ information. I found forgotten historical events and ads with new cars selling for areason- able price, but I could not locate anything on Mr. Sandel. Then, a subtitle caught my attention, “A young respected lawyer's license was suspended twice for drunk driving.” I read further and dis- covered that the man was Mr. Mark Sandel. Having my spirits dampened, I read and re-read wanting to make sure that the article was correct. Unfortunately, the statements were true....it was Mr. Sandel. Not knowing what to do next, I sat and looked into space. I could write a mudslinging article and ruin Mr. Sandel's chance of be- coming governor, or I could change my choice of candidate. Since the deadline was near, I chose to stay with Mr. Sandel, but I knew I couldn't write an article that would destroy him. I tried once more to get in contact with Mr, Sandel for an interview. This time when I called the office, he answered the phone. Without hesitation, he agreed to meet with me. Sici asa] ATRIA ES It was hard to keep my concen- tration while 1 asked Mr. Sandel simple political questions deahing with goals and morals and values. The information I knew was €at- ing my insides. I finally mustered my courage and asked him about the article that I saw in the niews> paper. Turning pale, he admitted to the offense and his past drink- ing problem. With desperate.eyes he said, “I didn't expect people tol find out about my past. Although: it is over and that is why:lL ant runnng for governor. I want to: make a difference in the drinking; problem society. In fact, I stafted drinking when I was a teenager and one of my goals if I bécome! governor is to stop underage drinks: ing.” Hearing those words inade! me realize that Mr. Sandel's:past did not need to be rehashed.« 1:4 Lint A month later, I received alovely note, “Miss Wolfe, I want to thank! you for the great story. J-was afraid if my past drinking probit lem came out into the open; kj would be destroyed, but you put: me into the race by focusing ony what I am able to do today. Even! though I did not win, I'm happyito tell you that I have established: myself with a profound speaking; career. Traveling to high schools] across the state, I address. ‘the dangers of alcohol.” J Y lian Style ~The Luzerne/Wyoming Counties Bureau for the Aging will host its 28th Annual Dinner Dance May 18, at Genetti's Best Western Inn, Market Street, Wilkes-Barre. Music will be provided by the Joe “I” Infantino Orchestra. Door prizes, a prime rib dinner, dancing and two special grand prizes donated by Pennsylvania Gas & Water will highlight the evening. This event is open to all residents 60 years of age or older and who are residents of Luzerne or Wyoming Counties. . For more information on this event contact the Bureau for the eAging, Senior Center Progrm at 822-1158. : 15468 Perennial Garden Le Raysville, Pennsylvania | Open for the season 8am -5 p.m. 7 days a week From Tunkhannock Rt. 6 to = Wyalusing. Atthe red light g\®.y turn right at 706 then left at | - Rt. 467 to Le Raysville 288-3500 Mark Plaza, Edwardsville, Rt. 11 586-6000 Rts. 6 & 11, Clarks Summit N.E. Penna's Renowned Spot For Great Food & Entertainment Steaks + Chops + Seafood Over 100 Entrees i Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. till Mother's Da 79 * After Mother's Day 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. i ENTERTAINMENT Fri., May 12 Sat., May 13 | Dave & Die ? John Hard Brien Mom's Day with a Jim Dandy's Gift Certificate By Sun., May 14 Karaoke w/Josette Miles Republicans and Democrats | | D3 9 D1 OF § Thomas Williams Martin McMahon Region 2 Lake Lehman School Director Paid for by Williams & McMahon I Creative Fun In Your Own Backyard We're In The i Si of Things BE oe ch 2 0 SR a i na EEE 5% a Ee re Ae 5 rs Distributor for Quality Wooden Play structures Large On Site Display Installation Available. Edward's Landscaping Service, Inc. 525 River St., Forty Fort, PA SR o 2 5 eee oc ele ET PETAR REC 287-132. The Dallas Post ; 675-5211 FAX: 675-3650 : E-mail: dallpost@epix.net ‘Mailing Address: P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 Shipping Address: 45 Main Road, Dallas PA 18612 . Office hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. WES e ¥ Coverage area: The Dallas Post covers the "Back Mountain" area of Luzerne County, including Dallas, Kingston, Lehman and Jackson townships, Dallas Borough, Harveys Lake and the Dallas and Lake-Lehman school districts. 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