For Tom Talamo, hard work is the way to stay on the cutting edge, whether it's the edge of a hockey skate or the upper limit of scholastic achievement.
When he decided to try ice hockey in eighth grade, after four years of roller hockey, he had to get used to moving on the ice under the bulk of his hockey equipment.
"It was difficult at first, learning to control the puck while keeping your head up," he said. He played on the junior varsity team and went to hockey camp to improve his skills.
He worked his way into a spot on the varsity team and will get his fourth varsity letter in the sport this year. He's now one of two assistant captains on the team, the Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions.
Talamo usually plays as the center for the first line, though he'll play defense on a power play as well.
During his sophomore year, he played in three hockey leagues. Last year, he was in two leagues. The only element of the sport he doesn't like is the tendency for some teams to bring fighting into the game.
The Greensburg Central Catholic High School senior said playing hockey has been one of the most rewarding things he's done. "I like it because it's real fast, it's a contact sport and you need to use a lot of teamwork," he said. "I'm in it to win."
Talamo, the 18-year-old son of Barbara and Thomas Talamo of Export, takes the same winning approach to his school work.
Ranked first in his class academically, the scholar-athlete is president of the math league at his school. The math league team competes with teams from other schools by taking math tests throughout the year. Talamo has been the team's high scorer for the past three years and hopes to earn that title again this year.
"I try to set goals that are beyond what I think I can do," he said, explaining that even when he doesn't reach his goals, he goes farther than he thought he could.
For Talamo, the secret to success is hard work."That's what gets me there,'" he said."It's not all brains. As long as you're willing to work hard, you can go anywhere you want to go and do anything you want to do."
Talamo's skills playing the drums and piano come from many years of study and practice. He began playing the drums in fourth grade and now plays drums and other percussion instruments in the school's band and marching band. He also took piano lessons from kindergarten until ninth grade.
Talamo serves as president of the National Honor Society chapter at his school. Through this role, he leads service projects such as a food drive, a school dance to raise money for charity and an Easter party at a school for youngsters with disabilities.
"When you see the looks on the littlest kids' faces, it's really rewarding,'" he said.
In addition to leading service projects, Talamo volunteers his time at the thrift shop in Export during the summer. He also has served as a group leader for vacation Bible school at St. Mary's Church in Export every summer since eighth grade.
Playing hockey, playing drums in the band and organizing civic projects for National Honor Society while maintaining his outstanding scholastic record can be a challenge.
"I just take things one step at a time, and I have a really organized mother," he said.
Among his fondest memories from his high school days are memories of chemistry parties, when the students eat snacks and have a party while taking notes.
"We have a really nice sister teaching it," he said, adding that the parties inspire students to want to learn.
The sciences have brought him more than fond memories of parties in class. Talamo earned a Bausch & Lomb Science Award for his academic work.
After graduation, Talamo hopes to go to the University of Notre Dame to study science in the pre-professional/pre-medicine track.
