Meet the Class of 2029 Presidential Scholars

Ten members of The University of Scranton's Class of 2029 have received Presidential Scholarships, recognizing their outstanding efforts in and out of the classroom.

Presidential Scholarships are awarded annually to first-year students who achieved outstanding grades and notable community involvement during high school. The scholarship covers four years of full tuition, provided that the student maintains a minimum 3.25 grade point average.

This year's group of Presidential Scholars includes:

Peyton Fox, of Waymart, graduated as salutatorian from Scranton Preparatory School. She was a National Honor Society mentor and was awarded the Francis P. Long Classical Languages Award for Latin. Fox was a District 2 champion and PIAA state-qualifying discus thrower who captained the track and field team. She was also vice president of mock trial and a student council representative. She was a member of the varsity swimming team, school choir, Spanish club and Kiva microfinancing club. She volunteered for the SPARK program through Scranton Prep, was a tutor for underclassmen and participated in various food drives and park clean-ups through the park conservation club. Fox, whose parents are Eric and Julia Fox, is majoring in nursing with a minor in psychology.

Juliann Goodwin, of Massapequa, New York, graduated from Kellenberg Memorial High School. Goodwin was a member of the National Honor Society and numerous clubs, including forensic science, French, blue and gold, Adele and the general student organization. She volunteered by helping her elderly neighbors with household chores. Goodwin, whose parents are Thomas and Allison Goodwin, is a nursing major.

Megan Kretschmer, of Honesdale, graduated as salutatorian from Honesdale High School. She was an AP Scholar with Distinction and earned numerous awards, including NEIU-19 Scholar of the Year; Honesdale High School LIAA Scholar-Athlete; College Board National Rural and Small-Town; NMSQT Commended Student; Honesdale Jaycees Ruth McGinnis Female Student Athlete of the Year; and Edward Balanovich, Jr., Memorial Cross Country. Kretschmer competed in varsity cross country and track and field. She participated in the Aevidum club, the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and served as assistant treasurer of Friends of Graceful Academy. Kretschmer has participated in mission trips to Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Navajo Nation, New Mexico, and has volunteered for the technology team and children's ministry at her local church. She is an occupational therapy major. She is the daughter of Bob and Heather Kretschmer.

Rehaan Mansuri, of Moosic, graduated from Scranton Preparatory School. He was a member of the National Honor Society. During high school, he was a member of the Science Olympiad team and Spanish club. He volunteered with the Department of Veterans Affairs for hospital summer service and the Muslim Association of Wyoming Valley to help with pantry deliveries and health screenings. Mansuri is a member of the Magis Honors Program in STEM. Mansuri, whose parents are Faiz and Tarannum Mansuri, is a neuroscience major and will study on the pre-med track.

Patrick McKenna, of Jamison, graduated summa cum laude from Central Bucks High School East. McKenna was a National Merit Commended Scholar who served as co-president of the philosophy club and participated in the investment club. His community involvement has included volunteering at the St. Cyril's Vacation Bible School camp, serving as a team lead at the nonprofit youth sports company Penn Athletics and waiting tables at nonprofit senior independent living facility The Manor at Yorktown. McKenna, who is majoring in finance, is a member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and the Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program. He is the son of Kevin and Kathleen McKenna.

Declan Moran, of Scranton, graduated as valedictorian from Scranton High School. He was a Times-Tribune Scholastic Superstar and an NEIU Scholar of the Year. He was his vice president of his graduating class, vice president of the National Honor Society and secretary of Students Against Destructive Decisions. Additionally, he was a member of the art, spirit and Spanish clubs. He volunteered annually with Coaches vs. Cancer and the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. With Lackawanna Tomorrow, he collected school supplies for the Scranton Outreach Center and volunteered at the Ice Festival. A member of both the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and the Magis Honors Program in STEM, he will major in biology on the pre-med track. His parents are Patrick and Leslie Moran.

Kali Piczon, of Forty Fort, graduated as salutatorian from Wyoming Valley West High School. She was an AP Scholar with Honor and a Citizens' Voice Scholastic Superstar. Piczon captained the varsity cross country and swimming teams and also participated in chamber orchestra, district and regional orchestra, Spanish club, student council, National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society and ran track. Piczon has been involved as a leader with both the Geisinger Junior Volunteer Program and the Dorranceton United Methodist Church Youth Group. Piczon, who is majoring in biology, is a member of the Magis Honors Program in STEM. Piczon is the daughter of Alexander Piczon and Jennifer Gabriel.

Maura Pivirotto, of Clarks Summit, graduated as valedictorian from Abington Heights High School. She was an NEIU Scholar of the Year, a Times-Tribune Scholastic Superstar and served as co-president of the honors orchestra and captain of the soccer team. She also played lacrosse and participated in honors choir, Spanish club, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and Students Against Destructive Decisions. Pivirotto has volunteered at local soccer and lacrosse clinics, middle and elementary school orchestra performances, park cleanups and her high school's back-to-school carnival. She participated in a service trip to Guatemala. Pivirotto, who is a neuroscience major on a pre-med track, is a member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and the Magis Honors Program in STEM. Pivirotto is the daughter of James and Patty Pivirotto.

Madelyn Raimann, of Toms River, New Jersey, graduated from Toms River High School South. Raimann was the student council president of her class, editor-in-chief of the yearbook, captain and most valuable player of the varsity tennis team and grade leader of the kindness club. She was also a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, peer leadership, T.E.A.M. and served as morning announcer and as social media head of student council and tennis. Raimann's community involvement has included volunteering with the Ocean County Library, the Toms River Field of Dreams and the Survivors Day 5K. Raimann, whose parents are Andrea and Christopher Raimann, is a kinesiology major with a guaranteed seat in The University of Scranton's doctor of physical therapy program.

Samantha Solar, of West Hempstead, New York, is a graduate of West Hempstead Secondary School. She was a silver cord recipient for performing 120-plus volunteer hours, an AP Scholar and an Achievement Award winner from the New York State Comptroller. Solar was also a record-setting track and field standout who broke her school's 100-meter and 4x100-meter marks. She participated in National Honor Society, National STEM Honor Society, National Foreign Language Honor Society, Athletes Helping Athletes, Mathletes, Students Against Destructive Decisions and varsity soccer. Among Solar's community service activities, she organized book drives for Book Fairies, donating 2,500 books for the underprivileged; volunteered at TOPSoccer for children with intellectual and physical disabilities; and served as assistant trainer for the intramural soccer program. Solar, who is an occupational therapy major, is the daughter of Patricio and Denise Solar.