Outstanding Young Citizens honored
While the 100 outstanding young citizens honored Tuesday by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review are different in many ways, they share a desire to succeed.
"The dedication of these youngsters to academics, community service and extracurricular activities is unfailing," said Ed Harrell, president of the Tribune-Review Publishing Co. "Their youthful energies seem endless. They are some of the best, brightest and the most giving group of individuals Western Pennsylvania has to offer."
Parents, school administrators and friends this year nominated 150 students representing 33 east suburban schools. One hundred were chosen to attend this week's awards banquet at the Radisson Hotel in Monroeville. An independent panel of judges chose 10 of the nominees as gold-medal winners for outstanding accomplishments academically and in the community.
The gold-medal winners are:
Marissa Calfe : The Riverview High School senior is president of the National Honor Society and was selected for the Pennsylvania Governor's School of Excellence in Agricultural Science. Calfe also is active in her high school marching, concert and jazz bands, orchestra and percussion ensemble.
Amy Dudash : The Serra Catholic senior is class president, secretary of the National Honor Society and captain of the Environmental Science Team. Dudash also is in the Spanish Honor Society and the Quill and Scroll Society.
Lauren Heidingsfelder : The Woodland Hills High School junior has a 4.48 grade point average. She is class valedictorian and has earned highest honors and all A's for the past four years. Heidingsfelder participates in her school's gifted program.
Daniel Kremer: The Woodland Hills High School senior was awarded the Presidential Academic Honor Award and high honors. Kremer also is the chief copy editor for his school's literary magazine and has been on the literary staff for 2 1/2 years.
Joshua Maszgay : The Kiski Area High School senior is a member of the National Honor Society and is included in Who's Who Among American High School Students. Maszgay also is a sousaphone section leader in the marching band.
Colin McLafferty: The Penn Hills High School sophomore scored in the 97 percentile nationally in the American Association of Teachers' German test for two years running. McLafferty also is a member of his school cross country team and German Club.
Beth Planiczki: The East Allegheny senior is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Honor Roll and takes part in the Gifted and Talented Education program. She also was named 2003 Student of the Year.
Rhajiv Ratnatunga : The Schenley High School senior is a member of the National Honor Society and the highest honor roll. He is a Howard Hughes Scholar in biological studies through the University of Pittsburgh and attended the Carnegie Mellon University Pre-College Advanced Placement Computer Program.
Leanna Stitt: The Plum Senior High School senior received the United States Achievement Academy's National Journalism Award. She is on the highest honor roll and a member of the National Honor Society.
Scott Wojciechowski : The South Allegheny junior is student council secretary and a member of the junior class Cabinet. He is on the highest honor roll and was an intern for Magee-Women's Research Institute.
Harrell also acknowledged the contributions of the parents, teachers, coaches and mentors who helped guide the students to their achievements.
"Those adults are often unrecognized for the many hours of loving assistance they have invested," Harrell said. "We salute you and thank you for guaranteeing all of us a better tomorrow by encouraging the development of our youth."
Joanna Haas, director of the Carnegie Science Center, North Side, was guest speaker at the recognition dinner.
The awards banquet for Outstanding Young Citizens in the southern and western suburbs will be May 12.
