The Pottsville Rotary Club has recognized six high school seniors from Minersville Area, Pottsville Area and Nativity BVM as its October 2026 Students of the Month.
The students were selected for their academic achievement, leadership, school involvement, community service and future goals.
This month’s honorees are Alexis Hummel and Pierce Eichenberg of Minersville Area High School; Colin McGinley and Jo Barnhart of Pottsville Area High School; and Samantha Krusinsky and Layne Pasker of Nativity BVM High School.
The following student biographies were provided by the Pottsville Rotary Club:
Minersville Area High School
Alexis Hummel
Alexis Hummel, daughter of Russell and Carol Hummel of Minersville, serves as President of the National Honor Society and is involved in Aevidum, Spanish Club, Student Council, Academic League and Debate Club, which she founded. She is also a member of the Varsity Volleyball team.
Outside of school, Alexis belongs to the Schuylkill Eclipse Volleyball Club and has assisted with seventh-grade orientation. Her community service includes volunteering at SPCA events and St. Luke’s Hospital in Orwigsburg, participating in the HOBY Leadership Seminar and taking part in Wreaths Across America. Following graduation, she plans to continue her education and major in Biology.
Pierce Eichenberg
Pierce Eichenberg, son of Jason and Kristie Eichenberg of Branchdale, is involved in Aevidum, National Honor Society, where he serves as Secretary, Spanish Club, where he serves as Secretary, Diversity Club, Academic League and Student Council. He also participates in Boys’ Varsity Soccer, Track & Field and Bocce Ball and attended the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Seminar.
Pierce volunteers with Minersville Fire-Rescue and has participated in Wreaths Across America and the placement of flags on local veterans’ graves. After graduation, he plans to continue his education and pursue a major in Occupational Therapy.
Pottsville Area High School
Colin McGinley
Colin McGinley, son of Ryan and Mary McGinley of Pottsville, is active in Football, Cross Country, Basketball and Track and Field. His school activities also include Junior Advisory Board, Student Council, Key Club, TKD, Tide TV, Aevidum, the PBIS Student Committee and Big Impact.
Colin’s community involvement includes serving as a Pennsylvania Youth Ambassador, a Red Cross International Humanitarian Law Advocate, a Meals on Wheels volunteer, a Schuylkill United Way Stuff the Bus volunteer and an altar server. After graduation, he plans to attend a four-year college and then continue to law school, with the goal of becoming a lawyer.
Jo Barnhart
Jo Barnhart, daughter of Matthew and Caroline Barnhart of Pottsville, participates in Basketball, Softball, Aevidum, Alpha Iota Delta, Student Council and National Honor Society.
Jo volunteers by walking dogs for the SPCA. After graduation, she plans to continue both her academic and basketball careers in college while majoring in the sciences. She has not yet selected a specific career path.
Nativity BVM High School
Samantha Krusinsky
Samantha Krusinsky, daughter of Michele and Dave Krusinsky of Lost Creek, is involved in Student Council, the Evangelization Team, Interact Club and Student Ambassadors. She also participates in Soccer and Cheerleading.
Her community service includes babysitting, assisting with blood drives, participating in Easter egg hunts with partner schools and helping with school clean-up activities. After graduation, Samantha plans to attend college and major in Early Childhood Education, with the goal of becoming a kindergarten teacher.
Layne Pasker
Layne Pasker, son of Colleen and Gene Pasker of Frackville, participates in Varsity Basketball and Varsity Golf and is a member of Math Club, National Honor Society and Ski Club. He also serves as Vice President of the Central Office Student Council and was selected for the Homecoming Court.
Layne has volunteered at the Frackville Elks. After graduation, he plans to attend Embry-Riddle University and major in Aeronautical Science. The long-term goal is to become a professional pilot and eventually fly for a major airline.