FREELAND - MMI Preparatory School started the school year on Aug. 30 by welcoming new and returning students and introducing Theresa Long as the new Head of School.

Seniors marked their first last day at MMI with a sunrise ceremony. Members of the board of directors were on hand to greet students at an all school assembly.

Board Chair, Richard A. DiLiberto, class of 1979, addressed students and told them, “You can be whatever you dream to be. Stay away from people who tell you that you can’t. With MMI you will have the opportunity to think great thoughts, learn vast things, and change the world. So many of our alumni have achieved monumental achievements. You can, too.”

Members of the board in attendance were Vice Chair John H. Hersker, ’76, Gloria Galante, Nick DeiTos ’71, and Christopher Orozco.

After a brief introduction, Long welcomed the students to MMI and encouraged them to “dream big and have a great year.”

Some new initiatives for the school year include the resurfacing of the school’s tennis courts, improved lighting in the library, and new projectors throughout the building.

Upper school students have access to online elective courses in AP Psychology, American Sign Language, AP Computer Science, and Cyber Security Essentials.

The school also welcomed two new full-time faculty members.

Susan Baggs joined the English faculty, having worked in independent schools for the last 10 years as English instructor and speech and debate coach.

Michele Tyburski, who was at MMI as a long-term sub last year and served as a middle school softball coach, will join the faculty full-time as the new chemistry teacher and brings experience in both middle and high school chemistry as well as physical science instruction.

All students were greeted by MMI banners and flags, a welcome back balloon arch, and as an extra treat, all students were given a free cookie at break time.

For this school year the school has 4 students that live in Schuylkill County, 8 that live in Monroe County, 10 that live in Carbon County, 29 from Mountain Top, and the rest live in Luzerne County with 5 coming from the Wyoming Valley.