Pottsville Rotary Honors April Students of the Month
Pottsville, PA — The Pottsville Rotary Club recognized its April Students of the Month at the Club’s weekly meeting on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Vito’s Coal Fired Restaurant in St. Clair.
Congratulations to the following students:
Minersville Area High School (MAHS): Emma Josephine Leonard
Nativity BVM High School: Lily Baran and Madison Thompson
Pottsville Area High School (PAHS): Brody F. Herndon and Autumn Fermaintt
MINERSVILLE AREA HIGH SCHOOL
Emma Josephine Leonard
Emma Josephine Leonard, daughter of Heather Leonard and James Leonard of Minersville, is involved in National Honor Society, Band (Officer), Drama Tech Crew, Art Club, Yearbook Committee, Youth Summit, MAHS TV Studio, and serves as Varsity Cheerleading Captain.
In the community, Emma has volunteered at the MAHS Trunk or Treat and Minersville Community Haunted House. After graduation, Emma plans to attend Kutztown University to major in Psychology.
NATIVITY BVM HIGH SCHOOL
Lily Baran
Lily Baran, daughter of Kelly Baran and Mark Gonzalez of Orwigsburg, participates in Volleyball (All-District Honorable Mention; All-Star Senior Game), Cheerleading (three-year captain; three-time All-American), Track & Field, and serves as a Student Ambassador. She is also active in International Club, Interact Club, Prom Committee, National Honor Society, Student Council, and the Evangelization Team, where she is a religious retreat leader.
Lily volunteers as a Volleyball and Basketball Kids Camp Leader, Open House Tour Guide, and organized events for younger students. As co-founder of St. Patrick’s Youth Group, she has led park cleanups, a clothing drive, and a gift drive for children at Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center’s Pediatric Oncology Center. After graduation, Lily plans to attend Saint Joseph’s University to earn her doctorate in physical therapy, with the goal of becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Madison Thompson
Madison Thompson, daughter of Ashley and Scott Forney of Pottsville, is actively involved in Drama Club, Aevidum (Board Member), Diversity Club (Board Member), Interact (Officer), Music Ministry, Band, Choir, National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Envirothon, and the Academic Team.
She volunteers by assisting at the Sabo School of Irish Dance, helping with Pottsville Stars and Stripes stations, and participating in the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership program. Madison plans to attend Drexel University in the four-year co-op program to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), with the goal of becoming a Pediatric Oncology Registered Nurse.
POTTSVILLE AREA HIGH SCHOOL
Brody F. Herndon
Brody F. Herndon, son of Frank and Cheryl Herndon of Port Carbon, is involved in numerous leadership and extracurricular activities, including Class of 2026 Vice President, TKD President, National Honor Society, German National Honor Society, Key Club (Secretary), Schuylkill County Junior Advisory Board, Prom Committee, SADD Club, and serves as Captain of the Football Team and a member of the Basketball Team.
He is also active in the community as a Little League umpire and officiates the Barefield Summer Basketball League. After graduation, Brody plans to attend the United States Air Force Academy or a four-year college to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering.
Autumn Fermaintt
Autumn Fermaintt, daughter of Alexis Johnson and PJ Fermaintt of Pottsville, is actively involved in Cheerleading (Co-Captain), Marching Band, Concert Band, Track & Field, Sketch Club, Foreign Language Club, Aevidum, Student Council (Vice President), Mini-THON, PBIS Committee, National Honor Society, and Spanish National Honor Society.
She participates in the community through the Pottsville Third Brigade Band. After graduation, Autumn plans to attend the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa to major in Marine Biology with a minor in Music, with the goal of helping conserve and protect ocean life.