Congratulations to PROSPER team youth member, Olivia Manarchuck, who recently graduated from Carbondale Area Junior/Senior High School as Valedictorian! Olivia was an active member of the Carbondale PROSPER team for six years. As a youth member, Olivia attended team meetings and conferences, participated in community service activities and PROSPER-sponsored events, and took an active role in encouraging other younger students to participate in the Strengthening Families Program: for Parents and Youth 10-14 (SFP 10-14).
“Being a PROSPER Team member was a very exciting, impactful, and rewarding experience,” Olivia said. “I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a member of the PROSPER Team.”
Olivia’s involvement with PROSPER began during middle school when she and her family participated in SFP 10-14. SFP 10-14 is a 7-week program for parents and youth which incorporates many activities and skill-building exercises to help support all families become stronger. “These activities really helped us to discover what we are passionate about and confirm what our family morals and beliefs are,” Olivia said. “[SFP 10-14] taught me skills to overcome peer pressure and how to avoid destructive decisions and situations, which helped me to approach my transition to high school with confidence.” After participating in the program herself, Olivia joined the PROSPER team and has been encouraging other youth to participate in SFP 10-14 with their families, too.
Olivia advises other students who aspire for academic success to “Be diligent about learning; the time and effort that you put in will be worth it in the end. It is always too soon to quit, so make every opportunity count. There is never a limit to what you can learn or obtain.” Olivia will be attending the University of Scranton in the Fall, where she will major in Neuroscience on the pre-medical track, with hopes to become a neurosurgeon. Best of luck to Olivia!
