College news
John Allison graduated summa cum laude from Waynesburg University with a degree in biology in the pre-med track, with a minor in chemistry and exercise science. He was valedictorian. Allison was a member of the Gamma Sigma Epsilon Society, the American Medical Student Association and the cross country and track teams all four years. Allison plans to attend the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in the fall. He is a 2011 graduate of Fort Cherry High School. His parents are Tim Allison and Colleen Fasnacht-Allison of Hickory.
Kelly M. Blackhurst of Washington graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, where she earned a degree in early childhood education. She was president of the Blue & Gold Society, secretary and treasurer of the Gamma Phi Chapter of Pi Lambda Theta International Honor Society for Education and a member of Delta Epsilon Iota Academic Honor Society. Blackhurst was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges for 2015. She won the distinguished student teaching award on behalf of the UPJ Education Division Alumni Group. Blackhurst is a 2010 graduate of Trinity High School and is employed by Jimmy Johns. Her parents are Cara Blackhurst of Washington and the late Kenny Blackhurst.
Eleanor Lee, daughter of Kevin and Alice Lee of Washington, graduated with distinction from the Eastman School of Music with a bachelor of music in applied music in violin and cello. At Eastman, Lee was a student of Alan Harris and was employed as a baroque cellist with the Baroque Consort at Christ Episcopal Church and as a cellist at St. Marys Roman Catholic Church in Rochester, N.Y. She also played cello with the Christ Church Schola Cantorum, viola de gamba in the Eastman Viol Consort, and was a member of the Eastman Collegium Musicum, Eastman School and Philharmonia orchestras, Collegium Musicum and Cello Show. She frequently performed in recitals, concerts, gigs and events, and completed her senior-degree recital performing solo works by Tsintsade, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff. Lee’s summers have been spent at the Meadowmount School of Music, where she has studied cello and was employed as a counselor. This summer, she will attend the National Orchestral Institute at the University of Maryland to study orchestral repertoire, chamber music and professional development. She will spend next year in Rochester studying cello with Harris, playing chamber and baroque music, playing in regional orchestras and auditioning for graduate programs. Lee was the 2011 valedictorian at Trinity High School.
Morgan Maxwell graduate summa cum laude from Delaware State University, where she majored in zoo science with a minor in chemistry. She is a 2011 graduate of McGuffey High School and is employed by Ainsworth Pet Nutrition. Her parents are Keith and Mary Beth Maxwell of Prosperity.
Michael McCormick graduated from Purdue University with a degree in landscape architecture. He served as president of the student chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and received a student Merit Award from the Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. He also was a five-year member of the Purdue All-American marching band, serving two years as the baritone section leader and one year as a member of “The World’s Largest Drum” crew. McCormick also is a member of the honorary band fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi. He has accepted a job as project manager at Wagner Hodgson Landscape Architecture in Burlington, Vt. McCormick is a 2009 graduate of Washington High School, and his parents are Dr. William and Ann McCormick.
Ryan McDaniel was named to the dean’s list at Waynesburg University, where he is majoring in accounting. He is a 2014 graduate of Trinity High School, and will work in the accounting department at U.S. Corrugated Inc. and Consol Energy Park during the summer. His parents are Kurt and Denise McDaniel of Washington.
Mackenzie McElhaney was named to the dean’s list with a 4.0 grade-point average for the sixth consecutive semester at Slippery Rock University, where she is majoring in exercise science/physical therapy. In April, she received the college President’s Award for placing in the top 20 among students in the senior class. It is the same honor she received as a junior. McElhaney has been accepted into the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Slippery Rock for the fall semester. She is a 2012 graduate of McGuffey High School, and her parents are Jim and Sally McElhaney of Washington.
Lauren Moore of Washington was named to the dean’s list for the fourth consecutive semester at West Virginia University, where she is majoring in petroleum/natural gas engineering with a minor in geology. She is chairwoman of the Society of Women Engineers Corporate Relations, a member of the Student Conduct Board and received the Haliburton Award for 2015. Moore is a 2013 graduate of Washington High School. Her parents are James and Paula Moore of Washington.
Leeann Puglisi graduated magna cum laude from Clarion University of Pennsylvania with a degree in early childhood/special education. She was a member of Phi Eta Sigma, Kappa Delta Pi and Sigma Pi Epsilon Delta, treasurer of Student Council for Exceptional Children and a member of the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association and Clarion Students Educating Young Children. Puglisi was named to the dean’s list every semester and was assistant coach of the university’s women’s softball team. She is a 2011 graduate of Trinity High School, and her parents are Samuel and Ann Puglisi of Washington.
Amanda Spadaro of Washington graduated magna cum laude from Allegheny College in Meadville, where she earned a bachelor of science in biology, with a minor in English. She was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and was named an Alden Scholar all four years. As a junior, she was named a Distinguished Alden Scholar. Spadaro is a 2011 graduate of Trinity High School. Her mother is Sharon Spadaro.