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Monday, April 08, 2002

Correction/Clarification: (Published April 16, 2002) In an April 8 article on the Post-Gazette's All-Star Achievers, we misspelled the name of Barak Naveh, a history teacher at Schenley High School.

Some high school students excel in a sport, work with a favorite community service or focus on their academic studies. This year's All-Star Achievers, however, do it all.

They are skilled in the classroom, in music and other artistic endeavors, in sports, in helping to make the community a better place. Of the many nominees, 10 were chosen from the PG City circulation area by Post-Gazette reporters and editors. Each student also nominated and wrote an essay about a teacher who has been an inspiration. Here are the 2002 All-Star Achievers and teachers:

Student: Craig Alpert
Allderdice

Math and science bowl team captain; winner of several bowl awards. Captain of boys' tennis team. Tutors disadvantaged youths and Russian immigrants; coordinates school peer tutoring program. Plans to major in chemistry.

Teacher: Frank Casorio

"For the past two years, Mr. Casorio has strongly developed the humanities side of my math-science mind. Besides helping his students attain fluency in the French language, he leads thought-provoking discussions on French literature and philosophy."

Student: Scott Anderson
Central Catholic

Science Olympiad gold medal winner. Volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics and Race for the Cure. Active in LaSallian Youth and Campus Ministry. Accomplished trombonist. Will major in biomedical engineering.

Teacher: James Williamson

"Mr. Williamson displays a unique passion for teaching. The rigors of his classroom have instilled a great appreciation for the field of calculus in me. While extremely difficult at times, his class has also taught me many important lessons about learning and living in today's society."

Student: Andrea Cutruzzula
The Ellis School

Astronomy apprentice at Carnegie Science Center. Won the Bryn Mawr College Book Prize as a junior. Member of cross country, field hockey and lacrosse teams. A "born scientist" who volunteers with children and works for the environment. Will major in science writing.

Teacher: Eric Zahler

"Characterized by his intense passion for math and solid commitment to education, Mr. Zahler is the type of person whose very presence commands respect. 'Creating independent thinkers,' he once told me, 'is far more important than covering all the material in the book.'"

Student: Madeleine Elish
The Ellis School

National Latin exam award winner for three years. History paper published in the "Concord Review." Tutors disadvantaged children. Played field hockey and lacrosse, acted in school plays. Plans to major in sociology or psychology and pursue a journalism career.

Teacher: Victoria Jordan

"Throughout the three years I have had Dr. Jordan as my Latin teacher, she has taught me not just to think about what I learn, but to think about it with respect to my daily life. She made Latin, 'a dead language,' come alive for me. She has made me feel like a true scholar. She has inspired me to learn and to think."

Student: Lisa Harinstein
Allderdice

Attended governor's school for health care. Winner of several state journalism awards. Volunteers for the United Way and the Rehabilitation Institute. Student government vice president. Editorial editor of school paper, captain of volleyball team. Will major in pharmacy at the University of Michigan.

Teacher: Barry Fulks

"Dr. Barry Fulks epitomizes the notion of what a teacher ought to be. He is intellectually challenging but also nurturing and supportive. He particularly influenced me after we had visited the Holocaust Museum. I was motivated to write a poem describing my experience which was subsequently published."

Student: Adam Iddriss
Central Catholic

Harvard University Quest Scholar. Volunteered in the community more than 600 hours. Editor of school paper, president of forensics team, member of track and tennis teams. Will study biomedical engineering/business administration at the University of Pennsylvania.

Teacher: Brother James Muffley

"Brother Muffley always finds interesting ways of making our AP chemistry course come alive through integrative activities and opportunities that apply science to everyday life. His commitment to education inspired me to begin tutoring other students in science and a desire to pursue a science-related career."

Student: Benjamin Klein
Schenley

Class vice president. Captain of the soccer and volleyball teams. Fluent in Hebrew. Placed first three times in the PA Junior Academy of Science contest. Volunteers at the Pittsburgh Family House Organization. Plans to major in political science.

Teacher: Robert Dilts

"Dr. Robert Dilts, a man who has devoted 30-plus years of his life to education, is the individual most worthy of this nomination. As a mentor, debate coach, and friend, he has helped me discover myself. His compassion and commitment impacted hundreds of lives."

Student: Kim Painter
Schenley

Ranked first in her class. Traveled twice to Guatemala to work with abused children. Volunteers with an after-school program. Captain of the soccer team and accompanist for the school chorus. Will major in anthropology; plans a career in social work.

Teacher: Barak Naveh

"Mr. Naven, aside from being an excellent history teacher, always encourages his students to be great people. In many ways, he has taught me just as much about how to be a person of character as he has about history."

Student: Talia Rosenberg
Allderdice

National Merit Finalist and student council chair. Peer tutor and captain of swimming and volleyball teams. Raised funds for cancer research and AIDS-related charities. Volunteers at the Rehabilitation Institute. Will study chemistry at Harvard.

Teacher: Gina Pacitti

"Ms. Pacitti's enthusiasm and dedication is evident to every student who interacts with her. As both a sophomore and senior, I found her teaching style so interesting and exciting that it has prompted me to pursue chemistry both as a part-time tutor and as a future career."

Student: Kelly Salinetro
Langley

Vice president of National Honor Society. Member of the tennis team and flag corps. Volunteers at an outreach program and mentors children within her church. Acted in and choreographed school musicals. Will major in biology at Duquesne University.

Teacher: Karen Williamson

"Ms. Williamson is the teacher that students complain about while they have her, then praise her once out of the class. Her curriculum was intense, and the course was undoubtedly the hardest I've ever taken, yet it's been my favorite because I know she's prepared me for my next step."