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Outstanding Young Citizens 2004

Tribune-Review
| Sunday, April 18, 2004 4:00 a.m.
Gregory John Adamczyk

School, grade: Plum Senior High School, 12 Age: 18 Parents: Gary and Janet Adamcyzk Academic achievements: Choir, student government treasurer, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Pittsburgh Club. School activities: Leadership presenter for incoming freshmen, student classroom awards, Spanish I, American History, computer application. Community activities: Make-A-Wish Foundation fund-raiser M.C., bowler of the week, member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, plays piano. Goals: "I plan to attend the University of Pittsburgh to major in chemistry education in the fall. I hope to follow in my mother's footsteps and to teach high school chemistry. I'm sure I will find teaching to be a very rewarding profession as she has for the many years that she has taught." Andrew Addressi

School, grade: Woodland Hills High School, 12 Age: 17 Parents: Vince and Cathy Addressi Academic achievements: Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences, National Merit finalist, AP scholar with honors, gifted program, Hometown High-Q Team, Science Olympiad. School activities: Golf letterman, volleyball letterman, spring musical, jazz band. Community activities: Algebra tutor, local soup kitchen volunteer. Goals: "I plan to attend either Penn State University or Washington University in St. Louis to pursue a degree in biology. This summer I hope to participate in an internship at the University of Pittsburgh." Julie Danae Andrekanic

School, grade: Francis McClure Middle School, 8 Age: 14 Parents: Ronald and Danae Andrekanic Academic achievements: Student Council representative, honor roll, Cultural Arts Reflection winner, science fair winner, U.S. Achievement Academy Award for Science. School activities: Orchestra violinist, PMEA Junior District Orchestra, drama club, high school productions "Music Man" and "Sound of Music." Community activities: Member of St. Angela Merici Parish and Christian Formation student, Ken and Jean Dance Studio student, violin soloist for various occasions, vocalist for family occasions and musicals. Goals: "My future plans are to definitely attend a university. I plan to choose a career path, by helping others through volunteer work. I'm hoping to be accepted as a volunteer in a children's center or hospital this summer. I'm sure I would enjoy working with children, since I enjoy the summer camp program in my community." Jarred Scott Barnes

School, grade: South Allegheny Middle School, 7 Age: 13 Parents: Cindy L. Barnes Academic achievements: High honor roll, student of the month (November 2003), second-place Visual Arts Award Mon Yough Council of PTAs, Reflections Award winner -- fine arts. School activities: Accelerated academics (GATE program), tutored second-graders, participate in Creative Convention, Geography Bowl and Science Bowl competitions, selected to speak with sixth-graders about the middle school and selecting classes. Community activities: Troop 54 Boy Scouts, local library volunteer and Honor Roll Clean Up, community service projects with Cub Scouts, received all merit pins and accomplished the highest rank in Cub Scouts. Goals: "Right now, I plan to attend Penn State University to study engineering, which will help me accomplish my dream of being a part of NASCAR auto racing." Alicia Bey

School, grade: Woodland Hills High School, 9 Age: 14 Parents: Kelvin and Nancy Bey Academic achievements: Ninth-grade president, student council, high honor roll, freshmen chorus, Woodland Hills girls' softball, student board of directors. School activities: American Legion Award, Principal's Award. Community activities: Mon Valley Youth ambassador, Pittsburgh All-Star City cheerleader captain, Kool Kids program summer volunteer, University of Pittsburgh Medical Explorers member, second runner-up Miss Black Teenage Pageant. Goals: "My future plans include graduation from high school. I would also like to become a member of the National Honor Society. Upon completion of high school, I would like to attend the University of Miami to study law enforcement. I would like to further my education to ultimately become a Secret Service agent. I am interested in criminal investigation." Casey L. Bieda

School, grade: Francis McClure Middle School, 8 Age: 13 Parents: Gary and Cathy Jo Bieda Academic achievements: Science fair winner, first place engineering; PTA Cultural Arts winner; art fair winner; yearly honor roll School activities: Drama club, newspaper staff, library aide, orchestra. Community activities: Girl Scouts, community softball league, Wesley United Methodist Church youth group member and past secretary and treasurer, community food bank volunteer. Goals: "I plan to attend a college of my choice to study art, theater and history. I hope to study in Europe."

Elizabeth Bitler

School, grade: Woodland Hills High School, 12 Age: 17 Parents: Beverly Bitler Academic achievements: Presidential Scholar Award, AP Scholar Award, Who's Who Among American High School Students, Allegheny County Conservation District Award, Westinghouse Science Honors Institute participant. School activities: Marching band section leader, varsity rifle team letter winner, varsity field hockey letter winner, Interact Club, National Honor Society. Community activities: Girl Scouts Silver Award recipient and troop moderator, student ambassador, worked at Community Fun in the Park program, Relay for Life participant, Race for the Cure participant. Goals: "I plan to attend a four-year college or university where I can prepare for medical school while studying environmental science, philosophy and psychology. By becoming a doctor, I hope to help my community on a professional level in addition to my volunteer efforts."

Amber Blon

School, grade: East Allegheny High School, 12 Age: 17 Parents: Bruce and Patricia Blon Academic achievements: National Honor Society, highest honor roll, student of the month, President's Award for Excellence, National Honor Roll. School activities: Visual Ensemble featured twirler, captain and head majorette; symphony orchestra section leader; pit orchestra; class cabinet homeroom representative; peer mentor. Community activities: UPMC volunteer, Change for Children's Hospital volunteer, Crop Walk volunteer, Drug Awareness and Red Ribbon Week, Green Valley Primary School volunteer. Goals: "I plan to attend either Penn State University, main campus, or Allegheny College in the fall to major in political science and economics. I then will attend law school after college. I hope to start a political career in Washington, D.C. As I have learned through my leadership responsibilities in high school, I dream of some day continuing my love for leadership in the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives. I thoroughly plan to achieve these goals by living up to my potential in college and beyond." Erica Brettschneider

School, grade: Steel Valley High School, 12 Age: 18 Parents: Mark and Lynda Brettschneider Academic achievements: French Club president, drum major varsity marching band, National Honors Society, honor roll. School activities: Marching band, environmental club, student council, French club, faculty secretary. Community activities: Kindergarten "French Olympics," March of Dimes. Goals: "I plan to attend Bethany College in the fall and major in secondary education, emphasis in French. I hope to help high school students mold themselves into outstanding young citizens."

David George Burge

School, grade: McKeesport Area School District North Hall, 8 Age: 15 Parents: Richard and Elizabeth Burge Academic achievements: Honor roll student, compressed studies student, Penn State Educational Partnership Program Academy student, Penn State McKeesport Winter Robot Camp. School activities: North Hall Student Council, chorus/chambers, book club, North Hall newspaper staff, North Hall yearbook staff. Community activities: White Oak Animal Safe Haven volunteer; McKeesport Evangelical Free Church choir, Junior High Ministry Team and Children's Ministry volunteer; City of McKeesport Special Programs International Village volunteer. Goals: "I would like to attend college and become a minister and serve here in my home community. I will continue to volunteer with animals and any other opportunities to help my community. I also wish to learn and experience different things to make me a better person."

Sarah Busch

School, grade: Elizabeth Forward Middle School, 7 Age: 13 Parents: Gary and Donna Busch Academic achievements: Invention Convention Triple Crown, student of the month, perfect attendance, GPA of 4.0 all semesters except one, play flute in school band. School activities: Seventh-grade swim team, decoration committee for Learnball Tournament, performed Learnball theme song on piano for tournament, performed in school plays. Community activities: Volunteer for church functions, lector and greeter at local church, periodically perform piano at senior citizen home, supported Walk-athon for Animal Safe Haven shelter, participant in summer reading program at local library. Goals: "Next year I would like to be on the student council and maybe the school newspaper. I would like to become more active in animal shelters. Also I'm considering being a lawyer when I grow up."

Anthony P. Caggiano

School, grade: John A. Brashear High School, 12 Age: 17 Parents: Anthony and Patricia Caggiano Academic achievements: Golden B Award, perfect attendance award, sportsmanship in swimming award. School activities: Varsity tennis letter winner and co-captain, varsity swimming letter winner and co-captain, varsity soccer letter winner, bocce club, ski club, C.H.A.N.G.E.S. Community activities: Member of St. Mary the Mount Church, volunteer to help elderly in community, cashier at Kuhn's supermarket, volunteer coach at Olympia Park Soccer Camp. Goals: "My future plans are to major in secondary education at California University of Pennsylvania in the fall. Since I have two grandparents and one aunt and both parents who are teachers, I have seen first-hand what a rewarding career teaching can be."

Marissa Leigh Calfe

School, grade: Riverview High School, 12 Age: 18 Parents: Joseph and Janeice Calfe Academic achievements: Pennsylvania Governor's School of Excellence, National Honor Society, Skidmore College book award, University of Rochester scholarship award for humanities and social studies, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science first-place regional. School activities: Marching band drum major, concert band and school orchestra, Pennsylvania Music Educator's Association District and Regional Band, Allegheny Valley Honors Band, Riverview spring musicals. Community activities: St. Irenaeus Church choir, Lion's Club Show pit orchestra and skit, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Race for the Cure, Special Olympics volunteer. Goals: "I have been accepted to Dickinson College and awarded the Benjamin Rush merit scholarship. Although I am undecided regarding my future, I would like to pursue writing and music while in college. My participation in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science has also helped me to develop an interest in science and research and has made me aware of the opportunities for scientific study in our world."

Ryan P. Cleary

School, grade: Steel Valley High School, 12 Age: 18 Parents: Timothy and Mary Jane Cleary Academic achievements: Junior class president, highest honor roll with distinction, French Club, Environmental Club, Student Council. School activities: Varsity golf four-year letterman and three-year captain, varsity volleyball letterman, Adelphia Athlete of the Week, GATE, AP courses. Community activities: Weed and Seed, blood drive. Goals: "I plan to attend Penn State University in the fall. I am entering college undecided, but have an interest in engineering."

Allison Coleman

School, grade: Penn Hills High School, 12 Age: 17 Parents: Nancy Hines Academic achievements: National Honor Society, Rachel Carson Award, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps commanding officer, four-year Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Nurse Corps scholarship to Duquesne University School of Nursing. School activities: Spanish Club, Camp Shining Arrow volunteer, American Legion School Award, CPR and first-aid certification through American Red Cross, completion of state nurse's aide course through Community College of Allegheny County. Community activities: Nominee for Joseph C. Gilliam Award, volunteer at veteran's hospital through ROTC, NJROTC awards. regular Central Blood Bank donor. Goals: Allison will attend Duquesne University on a full scholarship from the Navy and hopes to become a nurse in the Navy.

Amy Coleman

School, grade: Penn Hills High School, 10 Age: 16 Parents: Nancy Hines Academic achievements: High honor roll, perfect attendance, Lamp of Knowledge Award, Penn Hills Indian Award, selected for Junior Achievement's Job Shadow Day at UPMC Braddock. School activities: Varsity and junior varsity basketball, varsity track, SADD, Spanish Club secretary, Interact Club. Community activities: Camp Shining Arrow volunteer, West Penn Hospital volunteer, Spanish Club Shenendoah Elementary School teaching. Goals: "I plan to attend a college and, after receiving a bachelor's degree in science, attend a medical school to become a certified pediatrician. I want to continue volunteering every summer for Camp Shining Arrow so I can help make a difference for those with special needs. I want to be a pediatrician so I can help children around the world and put to practical use my love for children."

Quincy Damian Coles

School, grade: Greater Works Academy, 12 Age: 17 Parents: Jean L. Coles and Melvin H. Coles Academic achievements: Highest and high honor rolls, Who's Who Among American High School Students, class vice president, math club. School activities: Junior varsity and varsity basketball, worship team, Geneva Basketball Camp, Ed Hartman Spirit Award, youth group. Community activities: Vintage Adult Care Center, Fountain of Healing Food Bank, assist with the home care of handicapped sibling daily. Goals: "I plan to attend the University of Pittsburgh and major in pre-med. I was born at 23 weeks weighing 1 1/2 pounds, my prognosis poor for the future. Medical science saved me. I hope to be able to help others as I was."

Jennifer Conti

School, grade: McKeesport Area High School, 12 Age: 17 Parents: Frank and Darlene Conti Academic achievements: The Red and Blue school newspaper, Vision Club, Interact Club, Bowling Club, school musicals. School activities: Freshman chorus, a cappella choir, girls ensemble, McKeesport Symphony Orchestra, church choir, National Honor Society. Community activities: Second-grade Sunday School teacher, slow pitch softball, fast pitch softball, studio dance class, International Village volunteer. Goals: "I have been accepted to Slippery Rock University. I would like my major to be music education (voice) with a minor in dance. My goal is to bring music to under-privileged children to guide and inspire their delicate lives. We create our own future."

Malamo Countouris

School, grade: Woodland Hills High School, 11 Age: 16 Parents: Jerry and M.E. Countouris Academic achievements: Woodland Hills High School School Spirit Award, Wallops Island Marine Science scholarship, Clarion University Summer Honors Academy scholarship, Westinghouse Science Honors Institute lecture series, University of Pittsburgh Medical School Medical Explorers Program. School activities: Orchestra and jazz band, chamber group, musicals, women's soccer team, French Club. Community activities: Interact Club, church youth group treasurer, Amber Glenn Assisted Living Facility volunteer, University of Pittsburgh Women's Chorale Group, Grecian Odyssey Dancers. Goals: "In the fall of 2005, I plan to major in a science or engineering field in college, while continuing to play music. After college, I plan to attend graduate school or medical school."

Ryan Coyle

School, grade: Penn Hills High School, 12 Age: 17 Parents: James and Joni Coyle Academic achievements: National Honor Society, honor roll or high honor roll every grading period, Academic Achievement Award -- Excellence in Metal Shop, Linton Warrior Spirit Award -- Outstanding Citizenship School activities: Penn Hills Big Red Football Directors Award recipient, East Suburban Sports Magazine Character Scholarship Award recipient, varsity football, letter winner, ninth grade football team captain, ninth grade track team captain Community activities: Peer mediator, peer tutor, Penn Hills Football Youth Camp volunteer, National Honor Society food drives, 40+ hours of community service over the last two years Goals: "I plan to study secondary education at a local school/college. This is in order to fulfill a possible coaching position at the high school level. My goal is to obtain a bachelor's as well as a master's degree in the education field and hopefully some day obtain a head coaching position at a local high school. My goal is to not only prepare young students and athletes for the game of football, but for the game of life. If I can make a positive impact on one student's life, it will all be worthwhile.

Austin Davis

School, grade: McKeesport North Hall Junior High, 8 Age: 14 Parents: Kathy Davis Academic achievements: Student liaison for McKeesport North Hall Student Council, assistant managing editor of the North Hall newspaper. School activities: Yearly honor roll, chorus, Book Club. Community activities: Volunteer at Kane Regional Center, Penn State Sport Camp, Camper of the Year 2003. Goals: "My plans for the future are to run for vice president my ninth-grade year, continue to do volunteer work in my community, to join the senior high newspaper. My long-term goal is to go to college. My interests are government studies and political science."

Cassandra Delp

School, grade: Franklin Regional High School, 12 Age: 18 Parents: Sharon L. Delp and William A. Delp Academic achievements: National Honor Society, member of Seminar for Advanced Learning, highest honor roll, student leadership award School activities: Chamber Choir, Caring Team member, 2003 spring muscial supporting lead, 2004 spring musical lead role, Presidential Physical Fitness awards. Community activities: Murrysville Lions Club student of the month, member of Smithfield United Church, Junior Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, choreographer for Franklin Regional Middle School show choir, certified scuba diver. Goals: "I plan to attend the University of Pittsburgh to major in chemistry and minor in foreign language. I hope to study abroad in Central or South America or perhaps Scotland."

Steven V. DiTommaso

School, grade: Plum Senior High School, 12 Age: 17 Parents: Steve and Michele DiTommaso Academic achievements: National Honor Society, senior class president, student government representative, Plum Athletic Director's Scholars Athlete, Point Park College broadcast journalism apprenticeship. School activities: Peer mediator, basketball, football letterman, baseball letterman and varsity captain, orchestra. Community activities: Student representative to Plum Borough Council, studio host for Plum Make-A-Wish Telethon fund-raiser, high school voter registration drive coordinator, drug awareness program coordinator, Plum Community Days volunteer. Goals: "Becoming involved has always been my main focus in high school, and I plan to follow the same initiative in college. I will study business management at the University of Pittsburgh. Following a bachelor's, I plan to obtain a master's in business administration and make my way into the business world. Staying motivated to learn throughout my senior year in high school is what I am using to prepare me for college."

Michael Dolan

School, grade: Woodland Hills High School, 11 Age: 17 Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Earl Dolan Academic achievements: Science fair third place (St. Maurice), high to highest honor roll, successfully passed Cisco Networking Part I. School activities: Junior varsity basketball, college accreditation for Computer Science I, mentored other students with Type I Diabetes. Community activities: Juvenile Diabetes Foundation volunteer, participated in numerous research studies at Children's Hospital for Type I Diabetes. Goals: "I plan to attend college and major in computer science technology. I hope to be a successful business man who can make a contribution to society. Also I plan to continue to volunteer and be active with the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation because this group of dedicated workers strive to find a cure for Diabetes. In the meantime, I will face this illness and meet its challenges."

Amy Dudash

School, grade: Serra Catholic High School, 12 Age: 17 Parents: Patricia Dudash and Stephen Dudash Academic achievements: Student government, senior class president and former freshman president; National Honor Society secretary; Environmental Science Team captain; Spanish National Honor Society; Quill and Scroll Honor Society School activities: Varsity cheerleading, spring musicals, softball, newspaper staff, Future Business Leaders of America Community activities: UPMC Shadyside volunteer ambassador, Good Grief Center volunteer, Global Links volunteer, SID's gift wrap volunteer, food bank volunteer Goals: "I plan to attend college in the fall of 2004 and major in biology with an emphasis on pre-medicine. Ever since I was a child, I have dreamed of becoming a doctor. I feel it would be amazing to help save the lives of others. When I was 15, I was in a serious car accident and saw first hand the amazing work doctors do. The incredible compassion and knowledge they exhibited in saving my friend's life inspired me and reinforced my desire to pursue a career in medicine."

Gianna Englert

School, grade: St. Joseph High School, 12 Age: 17 Parents: Kathleen Englert and William Englert Academic achievements: Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science first-place regionals and states, National Merit commended student, Hugh O'Brian ambassador, Rachel Carson Book Award scholarship. School activities: Girl's Bowling Team captain, junior varsity basketball, student ambassador, STAFF Leadership Executive Board, Pro-Life Group president. Community activities: Alle-Kiski Medical Center volunteer, Children's Liturgy of the Word leader, St. Joseph Parish lector, Peer Leadership Retreat representative, recipient of Xavier Book award for service. Goals: "I plan to attend college in the fall, though I have not made a final college decision. I plan to double-major in political science and economics, with my career goals focused on government work. I hope to continue to stay active during college and to remain involved on the campus and in the community."

Amanda Feterik

School, grade: Serra Catholic High School, 12 Age: 17 Parents: Mary Louise Feterik and Ken Feterik Academic achievements: Quill and Scroll Society, honor roll, dean's list School activities: Homecoming court, Poetry Club, yearboo


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