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Lackawanna County honors students in 2025 Commission for Women bookmark contest
Summary
Commissioner Gahan and members of the Lackawanna County Commission for Women presented certificates to four student winners of the county's 2025 Bookmark Contest during a Women's History Month observance in Scranton. Mayor Paige Cognetti and local community leaders attended; ECTV and the Scranton Times are expected to cover the event.
Commissioner Gahan presented certificates and the Lackawanna County Commission for Women announced the winners of its 2025 Bookmark Contest during a public event in Scranton that recognized student projects for Women's History Month.
The contest named four student winners from local schools: first-place winner Trey Sottile (St. Mary’s), second-place Sabine Marie Kauderer, and third-place winners Quinn Kelly and Lizzie Marks; another fourth-place winner was noted as not present. Trey Sottile read his entry about local civic leader Jane Cali during the event: "Jane Cali was an active community member. And her extensive civic involvement included officership and membership in the St. Joseph Center, La Festa Italiana, and the Broadway Theatre League, among many others," Sottile said.
The event included remarks by Mayor Paige Cognetti of Scranton, who reflected on the visibility of women in public life. "It's no longer a shock that I'm a woman," Mayor Cognetti said, adding that she considers Scranton "a great place to grow up" and praised the students' work.
Dr. Tagg, identified at the event as a pediatrician who practices locally, thanked the students and the commission for recognizing women in the community. Sister Mary Persico spoke as a representative for Sister Coleman Nee during the presentation for Quinn Kelly's entry about Sister Coleman Nee.
Commissioners and members of the Commission for Women described the bookmark project as part of the commission's annual programming. The commission said it was reconstituted last year and noted increased participation: four schools took part in this year’s contest and the printed bookmarks were produced without edits to the students' entries, according to remarks at the event.
Organizers said ECTV filmed the presentation and that the Scranton Times planned to publish a photo and story; the commission also said it was exploring a post-event billboard display of the bookmarks through Lamar Advertising. County staff and local media were present for photos and coverage.
The ceremony was primarily an awards presentation and public recognition; no formal votes or policy actions were taken during this item.
Less critical details from the event include names of commission executive committee members mentioned at the ceremony and thanks to teachers and volunteers who supported student participation. Organizers said a missing winner’s materials would be delivered later to the absent student.
