Students graduate, make dean's lists, enroll in college

Students are area high schools continue to achieve academic success at their colleges and universities. Here are some of them: • Erin Distler of Monroe, a graduate of Monroe-Woodbury High School, was named to the spring 2005 Dean’s List at the Villanova University College of Commerce and Finance. • Danielle Stack of Monroe was named to the Marist College dean’s list for the Spring 2005 semester. A member of the Class of 2006, she is majoring in psychology and special education at the liberal arts college. • Lauren M. McCarron of Highland Mills graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in health studies from Boston University. • Justin G. DeFilippis, the son of Gary and Arlene DeFilippis, graduated from Pace University in May 2005. He received a combined bachelor’s degree in computer science and a master’s degree in telecommunications and networking. DeFilippis is a current part owner of PC Medical Center, a new computer store in the Village of Monroe. • Nicholar J. Baranowski, a graduate of Monroe-Woodbury High School and the son of John and Elise Baranowski of Central Valley, enrolled in Colby College in Waterville, Maine, this fall. • Matthew Alcide, a resident of Monroe, was among 150 students in Providence College’s class of 2009 who spent their first days in Providence participating in the college’s 15th annual Urban Action program. The freshmen and 25 upperclassmen leaders volunteered more than 3,000 hours to improve the Urban Edge Farm, located in Cranston, RI. Alcide cleared brush and prepared fields for a new organic gardening project at the farm and also helped prepare the site for an annual “hoe down” celebration and fund raiser to be held later in the month. The Urban Action program was initiated by Providence College students in 1991 with 17 students volunteering the first year. Since then, nearly 2,000 freshmen have participated. The goal is to provide incoming students with an opportunity to make a positive difference in the community that will be their “home away from home.”