SHINE After School Program of Luzerne County at Wilkes University

06/01/2026

Greater Nanticoke Area School District had so much fun competing at the SHINE STEM Olympiad on Saturday. They were proud of their masterpieces on display in our art exhibit and were fierce competitors in all events! Well done!

06/01/2026

Our Hanover Lee Park SHINE students had an excellent day at the STEM Olympiad on Saturday. TheY represented Hanover Area School District with pride! Well done.

05/31/2026

The 2026 SHINE STEM Olympiad took
place yesterday at Wilkes University! Thank you to everyone who donated funds and prizes to make this such a wonderful experience for our students and families. Our celebrity judges worked hard running each event and our amazing volunteers ran our activity tables, making this an exciting celebration of another great year of SHINE! So much work goes into organizing and preparing for this event. Well done Team SHINE! None of this is possible without all of your hard work. We are so proud of our SHINE students. They represented their districts with pride! 🏆🥇👍🏻😃👏🏼

05/30/2026

05/28/2026

The Maple Manor Elementary SHINE Center celebrated the end of an amazing year with a special award ceremony and ice cream party! 🍦🎉 We are so proud of all of our students and their accomplishments throughout the year. It was a wonderful day filled with smiles, celebrations, and sweet treats!

05/28/2026

It was the last day of State Street SHINE, and we are just bubbling over with joy! 🫧 Our students had so much fun creating bubbles in all shapes and sizes while making wonderful memories together. What a fun way to celebrate an amazing year at SHINE! 💙

05/28/2026

The Kistler SHINE students wrapped up their last full week with lots of fun and games! 🎉 From team activities to laughter-filled moments, students enjoyed celebrating all of the memories and friendships made throughout the year. Wishing all of our students a safe, happy, and fun summer! ☀️💙

05/22/2026

🇺🇸 This Memorial Day, the SHINE Afterschool Program honors and remembers the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

As we head into the holiday weekend, we encourage our SHINE families to take a moment to reflect, remember, and appreciate those who served our country with courage and dedication.

Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day weekend. ❤️🤍💙

05/16/2026

From 2nd grade SHINE student to SHINE mentor/Shine staff…what an incredible journey! 🌟

Angel has been part of the SHINE family since 2nd grade and is now preparing to graduate as a senior. Over the last 3 years, Angel has dedicated his time volunteering with SHINE while being mentored by the SHINE Hazleton staff and Director.

This past year made his journey even more special as he officially became employed by SHINE during his senior year. Through his hard work, leadership, and dedication, Angel became a role model and mentor for younger SHINE students while also building valuable experience for his future career.

We are beyond proud of everything Angel has accomplished and the positive impact he has made on our program and students. Congratulations on receiving a well-deserved scholarship from Head Start! 🎓👏

Your SHINE family is cheering you on every step of the way, Angel! Hazleton Area School District

💫 Head Start Alumni Scholarships 🎓

Angel Sandoval, a senior at Hazleton Area High School, will receive the PNC Bank Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. He participated in Wilkes-Barre Early Head Start, and Sherri was his family educator. Angel plans to study civil engineering and physics at King’s College with the goal of becoming an architect.

Angel attended the SHINE after-school program through Wilkes University in elementary and middle school. Now as a former SHINE student, he guides and inspires younger students in the program as a volunteer teacher’s assistant. He is enrolled in the Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences and has also participated in the Art Club.

Jennifer Curcio, who teaches at SHINE, said Angel’s involvement in the program’s initiatives like STEM Olympiad and College for a Day showcases his passion for enriching the educational experiences of his peers.

“Angel stands out not only for his accomplishments but also for his selfless nature and articulate demeanor, making a significant positive impact on those around him,” she said. “He possesses a genuine desire to help others, and his contributions reflect his character and leadership skills.”

Angel said his experience at Luzerne County Head Start set the foundation for his belief that education is one of the building blocks for a successful life. Head Start helped him develop the skills of collaboration, communication and time management. It also gave him the confidence to try new things and help others while giving back to his community.

“Last year, I had a SHINE student who wanted to follow in my footsteps and become a student volunteer. Head Start inspired me to become a better student and person, and through other programs similar to Head Start, I was able to inspire others like me and share my love of education,” Angel said.

05/15/2026

Some of our Kistler SHINE staff had the opportunity to support their students by attending the Multicultural Night at Kistler. It was a wonderful evening filled with culture, community, and student engagement. We are proud to see our staff continuing to build meaningful connections with students and families outside of the classroom while celebrating the many diverse cultures within the Kistler community.