Student of the Month

This award is sponsored each month by EASTERN’s faculty, Joint Operating Committee, and the Willow Grove Rotary Club to highlight student excellence, success, and service. This month, Karley Bunkin was selected. She is a senior at Springfield Township High School and is being honored for her work in EASTERN’s Culinary Arts program. 

About Karley:

·         When Karley visited EASTERN in 10th grade, she was torn between Culinary Arts, Collision Repair Technology, and Welding Technology. After some thought, she realized Culinary Arts was the best fit for her. Learning about the SkillsUSA leadership organization and the competitions available to students confirmed that EASTERN was the right place for her.

·         At Springfield Township High School, she is a member of the Ski and Snowboard Club and the National Art Honor Society.

·         Outside of school, Karley volunteers with Whosoever Gospel Mission in Philadelphia and works part-time as a food prep at the William Penn Inn in Gwynedd.

·         “Karley is deeply dedicated to both the culinary field and to EASTERN,” said Chef Ben Vozzo, EASTERN’s Culinary Arts Instructor. “She’s always ready to volunteer for school events and never hesitates to lend a hand to her peers in the kitchen. I’m proud of her drive and ambition, and I look forward to seeing all that she will accomplish in the future.”

·         After graduating from EASTERN and Springfield Township High School, she plans to attend the Culinary Institute of America to study Food Business, with the goal of eventually owning her own small business or working in international food export.

 

Karley’s accomplishments:

·         This year, Karley was elected by her peers as the SkillsUSA AM Session President .

·         As a junior, she received the prestigious Director’s Award, the Culinary Arts Junior Award, and the Straight A Award at EASTERN’s Awards Night in May 2025.

·         She earned the silver medal in the Job Skill Demonstration competition at the SkillsUSA State Conference in April 2025, where she impressed judges with her signature chocolate chip cookies.

·         Over the summer, Karley returned to EASTERN to deliver an impressive presentation on implementing a hydroponics system for the Culinary Arts program. Her presentation highlighted the educational benefits of the system, its potential to provide fresh, sustainable ingredients for classroom use, and the long-term cost savings it could bring to the school. Implementation of this system is something that is now being seriously considered by EASTERN’s Administrative team.

 

This award is sponsored each month by EASTERN’s faculty, Joint Operating Committee, and the Willow Grove Rotary Club to highlight student excellence, success, and service. This month, Amira Banks was selected. She is a senior at Cheltenham High School and is being honored for her work in EASTERN’s Exercise Science and Rehabilitation program. 

About Amira:

 

·         Amira has had a passion for sports since the age of six, participating in track, volleyball, and soccer. As a dedicated athlete competing in Varsity Track and Field for Cheltenham High School and participating in Club Track and Field, she has gained a deep understanding of the vital role physical therapy plays in helping athletes recover and reach peak performance. With aspirations of becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Amira attended EASTERN’s Open House after learning about the Exercise Science and Rehabilitation program. She found the program to be a strong fit for her interests and a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience and strengthen her resume.

 

·         At Cheltenham High School, she is part of the Black Scholars Program and is a member of the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) program, which helps students develop business skills and leadership qualities. 

·         “Amira is a leader in the classroom and is always willing to support her classmates whenever needed,” said Mrs. Shelley Helm, EASTERN’s Exercise Science and Rehabilitation Instructor. “Her patience and strong communication skills are valuable assets, and I look forward to seeing all she will accomplish during her senior year.”

·         After graduating from EASTERN and Cheltenham High School, Amira plans to attend the University of Delaware to pursue a six-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. She hopes to work with athletes in both clinical settings and sports environments, with a particular interest in helping younger athletes reach their full potential.

 

Amira’s accomplishments:

·         As a junior at EASTERN, Amira was selected by her instructor for a Black History Month Student Spotlight.

·         She has obtained industry-standard certifications through her Exercise Science and Rehabilitation program such as CPR and OSHA-10.

·         At Cheltenham High School, in addition to being an honor roll student and outstanding athlete, Amira volunteered at Cedarbrook Middle School during volleyball and track seasons to assist the middle school athletes in developing their skills. This experience helped her strengthen her communication and coaching abilities while sharing positive sports experiences with younger students.

This award is sponsored each month by EASTERN’s faculty, Joint Operating Committee, and the Willow Grove Rotary Club to highlight student excellence, success, and service. This month, Anthony Ginaldi was selected. He is a senior at Upper Dublin High School and is being honored for his work in EASTERN’s Automotive Technology program. 

About Anthony:

·         Growing up, Anthony developed a strong bond with his dad through their shared passion for working on cars—a passion that began with his love for Hot Wheels. In tenth grade, he learned about the career and technical programs at EASTERN during a presentation at Upper Dublin High School. Encouraged by some of his peers, he decided to visit the Automotive Technology program to explore it further.

·         Before attending EASTERN, Anthony completed two years of engineering courses at Upper Dublin High School, which helped prepare him for the Automotive Technology program. “In those engineering classes, I was able to develop my hands-on skills before coming here,” said Anthony. “I learned to use various computer programs and even designed layouts for cabins and houses.”

·         During the 2024–2025 school year, he was selected to attend the SkillsUSA Leadership Conference in the Poconos and serves as the student representative for the Automotive Technology Occupational Advisory Committee.

·         At Upper Dublin High School, Anthony plays Club Soccer and is also a member of the School Bowling Team.

·         After graduating from EASTERN and Upper Dublin High School, Anthony plans to attend a postsecondary trade school to study both welding and automotive technology, with the possibility of exploring aeronautics as well. “I want to diversify my skills and career options,” said Anthony.

 

Anthony’s accomplishments:

·         Through the Automotive Technology program at EASTERN, Anthony has gained hands-on experience performing oil changes, tire changes, wheel balancing, wheel alignments, brake service and safely lifting and jacking several types of vehicles.

·         He has completed full engine and brake teardowns and assemblies. Anthony is always willing to work with other students to complete live work in the shop and often takes on a lead role.

·         Anthony has earned several industry-standard certifications, including Lift Institute Certification, S/P2 certifications in Electric Vehicle Safety, Automotive Service Safety, Automotive Service Pollution Prevention, and Valvoline Motor Oil 101.

·         At EASTERN’s May 2025 Awards Night, he was honored with the Straight A Award.

·         Anthony was selected as the 2025 – 2026 SkillsUSA student representative for the AM Automotive Technology Class.

 

This award is sponsored each month by EASTERN’s faculty, Joint Operating Committee, and the Willow Grove Rotary Club to highlight student excellence, success, and service. This month Paul Bilotta was selected. He is a senior at Upper Moreland High School and is being honored for his work in the Automotive Technology program.

About Paul:

·         Before attending EASTERN, Paul was already familiar with its opportunities through his sister, a 2024 graduate of the Cosmetology program. He learned more about EASTERN at the 10th Grade Career Expo presentation at Upper Moreland High School and took part in the visit. After exploring several programs, he found Automotive Technology the most compelling and chose to pursue it.

·         At Upper Moreland High School, Paul was a member of the lacrosse team.

·         Outside of school, Paul works as a Detailer at Thompson Lexus in Willow Grove, where he cleans and details vehicles to ensure showroom readiness and assists with valet operations as needed. Before this role, he worked at Jacksonville Auto in Hatboro, performing routine maintenance tasks, setting car lifts, driving vehicles, and supporting the team with troubleshooting issues.

·         He works for a nonprofit organization founded by his sister, The ChrisSanthemum Project, created in memory of their Aunt Sandy, who passed away from leukemia, and their cousin Christian, who died by suicide—both in 2017. The organization holds fundraisers to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and The Peyton Heart Project. The Peyton Heart Project raises awareness about suicide and bullying by distributing handcrafted hearts, aiming to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

·         Paul has already been accepted to the Pennsylvania College of Technology for Heavy Equipment and Power Generation. This three-year program emphasizes hands-on training in the maintenance, diagnostics, and repair of heavy machinery, including construction and power generation equipment.

Paul’s accomplishments:

·         At EASTERN, he serves as a student ambassador for the Automotive Technology program, speaking at recruitment events and fundraisers to promote the school.  He has participated in events such as 10^th Grade Career Expo, 8^th Grade Career Expo, Designer Bag Bingo, and the Craft Fair fundraiser.

 ·         Through the Automotive Technology program, he has earned industry-recognized certifications, including multiple S/P2 (Safety and Pollution Prevention) certifications, which focus on workplace safety and environmental responsibility, as well as the Valvoline Motor Oil 101 certification.

·         ​In 2023, Paul, along with two teammates, participated in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Student Visionaries of the Year campaign as part of the "Cure Hunters" team. This philanthropic leadership program engages high school students in a seven-week fundraising competition to support LLS's mission of combating blood cancers. The campaign encourages students to develop leadership and fundraising skills while making a meaningful impact in their communities.

·         At EASTERN’s May 2025 Awards Night, Paul received the Attendance Award, the Colony Club of Ambler Scholarship, the Straight A Award, and the Willow Grove Rotary Scholarship (Service Above Self).