Nickolas Tessitore Samoleski, Albrightsville, graduated May 14, 2010 from Penn State University with a bachelor of science degree in (ME) mechanical engineering.

Nickolas attended the University (main) campus for four years. While there, he was on the dean's list and was a member of Thon (fundraiser for pediatric cancer), American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Lions Performance Auto Club, Relay for Life 5K Runs and Engineers without Border clubs.Graduating in 2006 from Jim Thorpe School District, he was a National Honor Society student, ranking in the top 10 percent of his class.Nickolas is the son of Scot and Gina (Tessitore) Samoleski of Albrightsville. and the grandson of the late Robert (Peanuts) Tessitore and Lucy Tessitore, Jim Thorpe and of the late Gerard and Theresa Samoleski of Queens, New York and Albrightsville. He also has a sister, Sophia, 7, a student at St. Joseph Regional Academy.Nick accepted a federal government position with the Department of Defense in Tobyhanna, Pa.