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Post-Gazette's All-Star Achievers for Alle-Kiski
Sunday, April 01, 2001
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's annual All-Star Achievers competition honors students who've posted significant achievements. Some raised money, helped the needy and unfortunate, and did community work. They honed their skills in athletics and the arts and earned extraordinary grades. Seventy students from the region were chosen by Post-Gazette judges, and winners submitted essays about educators who had inspired them. Here are the 10 from school districts in the Alle-Kiski region.
Graham Bier
Carnegie Museum volunteer, accomplished singer, drum major, conducts adult choir at his church. Held lead role in three school musicals. Involved in Big Brother/Big Sister mentoring program. High school soccer player, employee at local vegetable farm.
Ellen Skradski
"Math has never been my strong subject, but ever since last year when I had Mrs. Skradski for a teacher in trigonometry, and this year again for calculus, it has taken on a new light. She has done the impossible by making math fun for me."
Nathan M. Crooks
Honor roll student throughout school career. Top debater and public speaker. Volunteer with school radio station and editor-in-chief of newspaper. Created a Web site for family business. Plans to attend University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business.
Jill Gough
"Calculus is a difficult subject to learn, but Ms. Gough not only made calculus fun, she made it easy to learn. Ms. Gough knew when to use her excellent sense of humor to lighten the class. I know I would not have received a five on the AP test without her help."
Stacy Demento
Ranked No. 2 in her class with a 4.96 QPA. Volunteer tutor. Plays trumpet in a community band; active in her church youth group. Captain of girls cross-country team, head majorette, member of Highlands Madrigals. Plans major in biomedical engineering.
Lorraine Smith
"Ms. Lorraine Smith, my chorus teacher, musical director, Variations show choir choreographer, and above all, friend, has greatly impacted my life. ... Her giving nature is a commendable one as she gives everything she has, love, commitment, into her work. As a performer, she has taught me how to make people happy."
Rachel DiCola
Ranked first in her class since ninth grade. Active in musicals and her church choir. Played clarinet for the Kiski Valley Community Band. Captain of basketball team. Active in newspaper and yearbook staffs. Senior class treasurer and homecoming queen.
David Ritzel
"Mr. Ritzel, who directs the annual spring musicals, has given me countless opportunities to express myself on stage. He showed confidence in my abilities even before I did. ... He spent many rehearsals teaching me both the basics of stage performance and its complex principles. ... I am eternally grateful."
Jonathan D. Lobb
Ranked first in his class, winner of regional and state computer science awards. Volunteer with Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Habitat for Humanity, ice hockey clinic and church activities. Three-year varsity hockey player.
Sara Ramey
"Ms. Ramey had a very big impact on my high school career. She made English class come alive with her wonderful lectures and dynamic teaching style. I learned many important things from her. Most important was how to develop my writing skills, a lesson I have carried with me throughout high school and will always carry with me."
Derek "Chad" Reed
National Merit Finalist, ranked No. 2 in class. Editor of school newspaper, publishes church bulletin. President of Pride Club, a community service club. Three-year letterman, cross-country. Sings in school chorus, church choir. Plans career in psychiatry.
Sara Ramey
"Ms. Ramey provided me with a wealth of English and American Literature knowledge and was the principal formative influence on my writing. Ms. Ramey worked tirelessly to continually challenge my abilities and skills. No other single academic instructor has had such a positive effect on my life and my educational career."
Heather Grace Smith
Will serve as valedictorian. High honor roll, grades nine-12. Sunday school teacher and homeless outreach volunteer; tutor and teacher's aide. Softball and basketball teams. Works part time at movie theater. Will major in nursing at Carlow College.
Todd Rosio
"Mr. Rosio has encouraged me academically, during basketball season, and in my relationship with God. He truly cares about the students and is faithful to help anyone in need. His diligence has taught me the importance of building character. His dedication to teaching has shown me to work at the tasks at hand wholeheartedly."
Tera Stewart
National Honor Society member and peer tutor, representative to World Affairs Council in Pittsburgh. Community service through Physics Club, church youth group, Girl Scouts. Basketball player, tournament MVP. State Police Camp Outstanding Cadet.
Deborah Ceraso
"Mrs. Ceraso has had a tremendous impact on my academic and personal life. Not only a strong influence since childhood, she has also been my Spanish teacher. 'Senora' has devoted much time and effort in Youth Group and Basketball Boosters. Utilizing activities and games, she has greatly increased my knowledge."
Christy Anne Thimons
Ranks first in her class; will have 20 college credits at graduation. Student ambassador and member of campus ministry; active in food, clothing and toy drives for area shelters. A swimmer and WPIAL qualifier. Will major in bioengineering at Penn State.
Anthony Sorrentino
"Mr. Sorrentino has had a strong influence on me throughout high school. He is not only a teacher but a friend. He has helped me in discovering my talents and was there to guide me through some rough times this year due to illness. He has also taught me to have confidence in myself."
Tabitha Waldrep
Ranked first in class with 4.3 GPA. Hospital volunteer, school tutor. Church volunteer, choir member. President of Quiz Bowl Team. Award winner in math competitions. Member of ROTC program; part-time cashier. Will major in biology at Duke University.
James Einsporn
"Mr. Einsporn has a unique teaching style. He takes physics topics and relates them to everyday situations, yet he makes the situations interesting with reoccurring physics characteristics. However, not only is he just a teacher, Mr. Einsporn genuinely cares about his students and he shows it through his teaching."
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