Class of 2028 Presidential Scholars Announced

The University of Scranton has awarded eleven students from its class of 2028 four-year, full-tuition Presidential Scholarships.

Presidential Scholarships are awarded to incoming first-year students with outstanding records in high school and notable community involvement. The scholarship covers four years of full tuition provided that the student maintains at least a 3.25 grade point average.

Adrian Agnello, Waymart, graduated as valedictorian of Western Wayne High School. Named Scholar of the Year at his high school, he was a member of the National Honor Society, Scholastic Team, Future Business Leaders of America and the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science. Agnello, who was named Athlete of the Year at Western Wayne, was captain and president of the men's varsity soccer team, captain of the men's swimming team and a member of the men's tennis team. He was a member of the Student Ambassador Program at his high school and graduated from Leadership Lackawanna's Tomorrow's Leaders Today Program. Agnello will major in biochemistry. His parents are Jessica and Joseph Agnello.

Rosalie Avalos, Massapequa, New York, graduated from Massapequa High School. An AP Scholar, she is a member of the National Honor Society. She received the College Board's National Hispanic Achievement Award and is a New York Seal of Biliteracy recipient. She received the Peter J. Schmitt Memorial Scholarship and the Massapequa Hall of Fame Scholarship. At her high school, she was president and treasurer of the Chief's Challenge community service club, treasurer of the National Art Honor Society, a founding member of the Varsity badminton team, and an ensemble member of school musicals. She served as a student teacher and was a volunteer at her local church. A member of the University's Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, Avalos will major in journalism with a concentration in legal studies. Her parents are George and Mary Avalos.

Paige Barnett, East Meadow, New York, graduated from East Meadow High School. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Science Honor Society, ASL Honor Society and Social Studies Honor Society. A scholar athlete, she received the AP Scholar with Distinction Award as well as a certificate of recognition in the New York State High School Mock Trial Tournament from the New York Bar Foundation. Barnett was captain of the track and varsity cross country teams. In her community, she served as a Peer Division Youth Court volunteer and volunteered with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society. Barnett will major in mathematics. Her parents are Kim and Guy Barnett.

Lainey Conway, Mountaintop, graduated as valedictorian from Holy Redeemer High School. A member of the National Honor Society, she received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award and the American Legion Auxiliary Youth Hero Award. She was student director of the Luzerne County Youth Advisory Committee. She was named a scholastic superstar by the Citizens' Voice and received the "Key to the City" from the City of Wilkes-Barre for her lifesaving efforts involving a bus and its driver. She was also an active member of the Geisinger Youth Volunteer Program. A member of the University's Magis Honors Program in STEM, Conway will major in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology. She is the daughter of Joseph and Stacy Conway.

Samantha Horsnall, Huntingdon Valley, graduated from Lower Moreland High School. A member of the National Honor Society, she was an AP Scholar with Distinction, received the PHEAA Certificate of Merit and was a National Merit Scholar finalist. In high school, she was a member of the varsity swimming team, debate club and chamber strings and section leader of the school orchestra. Within her community, she volunteered as an assistant dance teacher for students with disabilities, was a math and science tutor, and volunteered for the local public library. A member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program, Horsnall will major in psychology. Her parents are Cindy and Eric Horsnall.

Christopher Monda, Northport, New York, graduated magna cum laude from Northport High School. Monda was a thrower on his high school's track and field teams and an active member of various club sports outside of school. A scholar athlete, he was a member of the National Honor Society and the World Language Honor Society. An accomplished musician, he was a rank leader in the school's Northport Tiger Marching Band. Monda was chief squire for the Columbian Squires in East Northport, working at breakfasts for children with cerebral palsy and cooking dinners to take to the local VA for veterans. He is an Eagle Scout from Troop 474 in East Northport and was an altar server at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Northport. Monda will major in kinesiology with a guaranteed seat in Scranton's Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. He is the son of Maria and Robert Monda.

Juliana Monforte, Lenoxville, graduated from Scranton Preparatory School. An AP Scholar, she was active in several clubs at high school, including the German Club, Cancer Awareness Club and the Society of Influential Women. Monforte has been an active volunteer at her church and at a local cemetery, volunteered with Scranton Prep's tutoring program and was a counselor at St. Xenia Camp. She will major in English. Her parents are Gregory and Christa Monforte.

Connor Peters, Jessup, graduated as valedictorian from Valley View High School. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Math Honor Society and Scholastic Team. An AP Scholar with Distinction, Peters received the College Board National Rural and Small-Town Award and was named NEIU-19 Scholar of the Year and a Times-Tribune Scholastic Superstar. He received the PHEAA Certificate of Merit and graduated from Leadership Lackawanna's Tomorrow's Leaders Today Program. Peters was captain of his high school's varsity tennis team, and was a member of the Mock Trial Team, Yearbook Club, Student Council and Leo Club. A member of the University's Magis Honors Program in STEM, he will major in computer science. His parents are Matthew Peters and Carrie Williams.

Samantha Roerig, Tunkhannock, graduated as valedictorian from Tunkhannock Area High School. A member of the National Honor Society, she received the College Board National Rural and Small-Town Award and was recognized as a scholastic superstar by the Citizens' Voice. Roerig served as president of the Class of 2024 Steering Committee, was president and vice president of Student Council and captain of the swimming and diving team. She was a member of the track and field, cross country, tennis and swimming and diving teams at her high school, was a Quiz Bowl State champion and national qualifier and a member of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (the national honor society for Spanish and Portuguese). Active in her community, Roerig volunteered with Adopt a Family, Special Olympics and the CYC. A member of the Magis Honors Program in STEM at Scranton, she will major in chemistry. She is the daughter of Adam and Kelly Roerig.

Lucas Veneziale, Doylestown, graduated from Central Bucks East High School. He was a member of the National Honor Society, played high school soccer, and was a member of the Alzheimer's and Dementia Awareness Club, and the Ski and Snowboard Club. In his community, Veneziale was an instructor's assistant for coaching young soccer players at Buckingham United Soccer Club. He will major in business analytics. His parents are John and Cathryn Veneziale.

Meghan Wong, Scranton, graduated as valedictorian from Scranton High School. She was a member of the National Honor Society, received an AP Scholar award, attended the Pennsylvania Governor's School and presented research at a scientific symposium. She was named a Times-Tribune Scholastic Superstar. At her high school, Wong was Scholastic Bowl team captain, a member of the Creative Writing Club, Spanish Club and Pennsylvania Physician's Program. She participated in PennSERVE, the Pennsylvania Governor's Office of Citizen Service responsible for the administration of AmeriCorps programs, and REACH-HEI (Regional Education Academy for Careers in Health). She also served as a peer tutor in the community. A member of the Magis Honors Program in STEM at Scranton, she will major in neuroscience. Her parents are Fery Wong and Lia Tjhin.

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