 
|
|||||||||||||
              
|
Post-Gazette's All-Star Achievers for South
Wednesday, April 04, 2001
It was another banner year for the Post-Gazette's annual all-star Achievers competition honoring extraordinary high school seniors who have posted significant achievements in school and community.
They also earned exceptional test scores and grades. Seventy students from the Pittsburgh region were chosen. Each submitted an essay about an educator he or she found particularly inspiring. In South, 43 nominees from 15 schools were submitted. Here are the 10 winning South students and their honored teachers.
Kala Cordero
Kala credits JROTC for giving her the self-confidence she needed to overcome obstacles in her life. A high-honors student throughout high school, this superior cadet is second in her class and already has a semester of college credits under her belt.
Joe Cordier
A JROTC instructor, Chief Warrant Officer Joe Cordier has been a mentor for Kala since her freshman year, helping her with a "new way of thinking," Kala says. "I went from an old me to a new me." The confidence he instilled "is the reason for my overall success and will be the cause of my accomplishments to come."
Gabriel Doyle
Technology and math hold no fear for this National Merit finalist and senior class president, who plans on studying theoretical computer science in college. His high school resume is crowded with academic honors and numerous competition awards.
Hal Graff
Gabriel credits this teacher with expanding his academic world. "I consider Mr. Graff to be one of the most important influences in my life. Although I focus on science and mathematics in my studies, Mr. Graff has taught me to appreciate literature. This appreciation of literature has correlated to a greater appreciation of all forms of art."
Walker Hamilton IV
While academically in the top 5 percent of his class, Walker is also a soccer star who believes in sharing his talents through community service. He is active in Special Olympics soccer competitions, Rotary fund-raisers and tutoring programs.
Bonnie Milanak
Walker dips back into his elementary school years to select Milanak as his most inspirational teacher. She taught him that manners are important. "Every day, she stressed the importance of being courteous, kind and respectful to every person I met. People would think more highly of me if I showed good manners."
Henry Richard Johnston IV
The hallmark of Richard's high school career is his national ranking in academic competitions. He has been a member of three national championship teams and has an individual national championship at World Card. He is a National Merit finalist.
Greg Holdan
Holdan has been Richard's academics game sponsor throughout high school as well as his teacher. "Dr. Holdan has taught me many important lessons about the values of strong leadership and commitment. He has gone far beyond the point of just being a teacher. He has been a good friend."
Rebecca Labancz
Rebecca displays the wide range of interests of an achiever. Despite asthma, she is captain of the cross-country team and lettered in track. She plays the clarinet and takes guitar lessons. She was a State Police youth cadet and volunteers at nursing homes.
Rebecca Fest
More than a teacher, she is a friend, Rebecca writes about Fest. "As a teacher, she is always willing to help and she never gets frustrated with anyone if they do not understand something or cannot get something right. As a friend, she will always listen to any problems anyone is having and give her advice if needed."
Matthew Lawniczak
Matthew believes in involvement. He has served as class president or vice president and is student council president this year. He lettered in cross-country and volleyball and is active in United Way, Special Olympics and community youth organizations.
Harold Ohm
Matthew credits this history teacher with helping him through one of the toughest challenges of his high school career. "He focused and guided my chairmanship and planning activities of the high school senior/junior prom. This experience taught me how to lead others and accomplish tasks without sacrificing my educational goals."
Jacqueline Peebly
With academic and sports awards aside, Jacki's star hangs on community service through school and church. Her activities range from volunteering at Jefferson Hospital to organizing senior citizens events to cleaning up roadways.
Audrey Harvey
Becoming a leader takes encouragement, Jacki writes. Mrs. Harvey, she says, is a teacher with an upbeat attitude. "She is a great role model who loves to see her students excel as leaders. Her inspiration encouraged me to develop as a leader who coordinates programs and commits to lifelong community service."
Brandon Thompson
Although he plans to be an orthodontist, music has been Brandon's passion in school. Along with numerous band awards and titles, he has been a member of a saxophone quartet that plays at community events and at nursing homes.
Ted Jeannette
Jeannette is Brandon's private saxophone teacher. "Throughout years of study, Mr. Jeannette has had such a strong influence on me because he demonstrates a desire to continually achieve," Brandon says. His goals and high standards "can be applied not only to playing the saxophone, but in every aspect of life."
Joseph Wildfire
Scouting has played a key role in Joseph's high school career, leading him into a range of community service projects that includes volunteer services with the blind and deaf and coordinating a house address lettering project in Mt. Lebanon.
Daniel Petrich
Joseph believes this teacher is responsible for leading him to the world of creative writing. "Mr. Petrich transformed me as a writer and greatly increased my love for literature and composition. He helped to develop my unique style and urged me to explore creative aspects. He taught in an interesting, entertaining manner."
Atalie Young
Atalie was a national finalist in the prestigious Intel Science Talent Search. She's also a forensics champion and Odyssey of the Mind competitor. She finds time for the marching band and organizing food and shoe drives for the needy.
Carol King
Atalie selected King because she has been a writing mentor "helping me to transcribe my ideas into lyrical poetry and fluid essays. More importantly, she's encouraged me to combine the arts, sciences and humanities in my education so that one day I can be a doctor drawing on an array of experiences."
|
||||||||||||
