Seven local incoming seniors have been awarded their certification for successfully completing the Junior Leadership of Greater Hazleton program as Edgar L. Dessen Community Service Award recipients. The students graduated from the Junior Leadership 2014-15 program and are now recognized as “Dessen scholars.”

The students are:

Jody Landis, daughter of Jeff and Yvonne Landis of Sugarloaf, who attends Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences.

Angela LaRose, daughter of John and Diane LaRose of Sugarloaf, who attends Hazleton Area High School.

Meghan Moon, daughter of Dave and Cathy Moon of Weatherly, who attends Weatherly Area High School.

Juliana Oberto, daughter of Vince and Susan Oberto of Hazleton, who attends Marian Catholic High School.

Justin Olander, son of Greg and Lisa Olander of Sugarloaf, who attends Hazleton Area High School.

Ana Ortiz, daughter of Luis and Blanca Ortiz of Hazleton, who attends Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences.

Lindsey Walko, daughter of Larry and Debbie Walko of Drums, who attends MMI Preparatory School.

Sponsored by the CAN DO Community Foundation, the scholarship recognizes students’ interest and participation in community and school volunteering activities.

The CAN DO Community Foundation established the award named for Dr. Edgar Dessen to honor him as the founder of CAN DO. The award recognizes Dessen’s vision and leadership, his determination and dedication to community service and his inspiration to future generations to be involved in giving back to their community and making a positive difference in Greater Hazleton.

The Dessen award is a scholarship that allows community-minded juniors from high schools located in the CAN DO service area the opportunity to enroll in the Junior Leadership of Greater Hazleton program.

Throughout the year, Junior Leadership students experience firsthand how volunteer service can make their community a better place to live and work.

With this knowledge and experience, the Dessen scholars are better equipped to make a difference through community service. Junior Leadership is under the direction of Melissa Miller.

This is the 14th year that the foundation is presenting the Dessen Community Service Award, reinforcing local graduates’ interest in community service through experience.

Founded in 1992, the CAN DO Community Foundation has been funded through the generous contributions of money, stock, real estate, memorial donations as well as investment income from individuals, businesses, foundations and CAN DO, Inc.

Scholarship programs have become an objective of the foundation, augmenting projects that focus on improving the quality of life in the Greater Hazleton community through the Foundation’s mission of Conservation, Preservation and Reclamation: “CPR, breathing new life into the community.”

For further information, contact Nancy Stasko at 570-455-1508 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..