COAL TOWNSHIP - Shamokin-Coal-Township Girls Youth Softball Organization was commended Wednesday night by officials at Northumberland County Career and Technology Center (NCCTC) for raising thousands of dollars through various fund-raising activities to make extensive improvements to the Vo-Tech Field.
The school's operating agency approved the organization's proposed improvements for the 2013 season and entered into a lease agreement with the group for 10 years at a cost of $1 per year to use the field from Feb. 1 to July 31.
The field improvements include $2,700 for a scoreboard, $1,500 for bleacher repairs, $1,500 for dugouts, $2,000 for an additional shed for storage, $800 for new concession stand shelves and a door, continued drainage improvements, $200 to install a flagpole and $1,750 for five tri-axle loads of 2B stone.
Board members praised the leaders of the organization for their outstanding efforts in maintaining and improving the field. League officials in attendance at the meeting, who noted the fund-raising efforts require a lot of work, expressed its appreciation to the board for their cooperation.
Approximately 140 girls participate in the organization.
Approving the lease agreement and proposed improvements were operating agency president Ronald McElwee, Donna James, Brian Persing, Dennis Erdman, Michael Rovito, Charles Shuey and David Scott Bartholomew.
The board also entered into a lease agreement with the Shamokin Bears Youth Football Organization for 10 years at a cost of $1 per year to use the Vo-Tech Field from Aug. 1 to Jan. 31.
The operating agency granted permission to Faith Neiter (basic health care), Devon Sullivan (customer service) and Kiesha Foulds (medical math) of Shamokin Area, Jordan Klimas (firefighting) and Ashley Evans (nurse assistant) from Mount Carmel Area, and Joseph Katalinas (first aid/CPR) of Line Mountain to compete in the Pennsylvania State Skills USA Leadership and Skill Competition April 3 to 5 in Hershey.
The costs of the competition are covered by the NCCTC Skills USA Club.
James Monaghan, administrative director at NCCTC, said school officials are continuing to apply a "full-court press" in its recruiting efforts.
An executive session to discuss contract negotiations involving instructors was held after the brief meeting.