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Wednesday, April 10, 2002

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 North 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 their teachers:

Student: Eric Anthony Anderson
Sewickley Academy

Volunteer at Suburban General Hospital. Member of Peer Counselors. Percussionist in concert band and jazz ensemble; recorded a fund-raiser CD. Member of varsity soccer and track teams. Member of Cum Laude. Plans to be a doctor.

Teacher: Michael Krueger

"My most influential academic teacher has been Mr. Michael Krueger. Before he was my biology teacher he was my track coach. The great emphasis that he places on the value of work ethic is evident on the track, but even more so in the classroom. It was the genuine enthusiasm with which he taught that inspired me to learn."

Student: Erin Beasley
Quaker Valley

Member of National Honor Society, attended governor's school for agriculture. Won the Wellsley Book Award for Service and Leadership. Organized a garden-planting project in the city. Active in school blood drives, World Vision and Red Cross fund-raisers. Will major in international studies.

Teacher: Cynthia Goldbach

"Mrs. Goldbach encouraged my development in the area of foreign languages. At her motivation, I not only continued to AP Spanish, but also took three years of French. Last summer, I went on the French trip and plan to incorporate foreign languages into my future profession."

Student: Alexander Michael Brodsky
Pine-Richland

Member of Student Council, forensics, Key Club, SADD and National Honor Society. Peer tutor and actor in school plays. Won first place in 2002 American Legion Oratorical Contest. Directs volunteer recreation program with the elderly. Will study political science at the University of Pennsylvania.

Teacher: Jeff Byko

"Mr. Byko was my 10th grade Honors English teacher and is currently my forensics coach. He helped me realize my love for public speaking. His wit, intelligence, and benevolence, coupled with his dynamic teaching style, encouraged me."

Student: Erica Dollhopf
Butler Area

Lettered in Academic Decathlon and Model United Nations. Founder of Stock Market Club. Accomplished pianist and vocalist who began a dressmaking business at age 14. Editor of Butler County Literary Magazine. Plans to study economics.

Teacher: James Russell

"Whether teaching or coaching, Mr. Russell displays unwavering commitment to his students. In the classroom, his exceptional depth of knowledge sparks insightful discussion and inspires his students to perform to their potential."

Student: Caitlin Jones
North Allegheny

Cross-country team captain, lettered in winter and spring track. Member of school orchestra. Organized project that sends used books to a Hopi Indian reservation. Plans to attend Princeton and pursue a career in medicine.

Teacher: John Yanzek

"Mr. Yanzek's class taught me how broad my learning horizon could be. He was the first teacher to challenge my abilities and subsequently showed me how time consuming, yet truly enlightening, learning could be. The exacting standards Mr. Yanzek expected of his students helped me to reach new academic heights."

Student: Michael Mitnick
Fox Chapel Area

President of the National Honor Society, student council secretary and co-editor-in chief of school newspaper. Professional magician who wrote, directed and acted in three musicals; also performed in school plays. Plans to major in English at Harvard.

Teacher: Loren Holt

"Mr. Holt's passion is in educating his classes to the wonders of the English language. There are teachers who inspire, interest, educate, illuminate, enlighten, enthrall, discipline, and focus their students. He has done them for all."

Student: Drew Raab
Quaker Valley

Raised money for juvenile diabetes and organized an environmental recycling program. Senior editor of school literary magazine and reporter for school paper. Captain of track team. Will major in international studies at Harvard.

Teacher: Shirley Stevens

"Ms. Stevens is the kind of teacher who takes her greatest joy in life from giving herself to others. She fully dedicated her life to English and teaching, and gave so much of her time, effort, and life to her students, that it inspired me to excel."

Student: Cara Santillo
Mars Area

Ranked first in class of 208. Placed first in Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science competition. Lettered in cross country, track and basketball. Will study political science and biochemistry at the University of Michigan.

Teacher: Bonnie Botti

"Mrs. Botti is a very charismatic, hard-working, and dynamic teacher who has brought the subject of English to life for me. Every day I look forward to her class with excitement because she takes the subject matter that we are learning to the next level."

Student: Julienne Shaw
North Allegheny

National Honor Society president and student tutor. Coordinated a letter-writing campaign for NYC firefighters following Sept. 11. Reigning Miss Pennsylvania Teen. Plans a career in international law.

Teacher: Andy Maddix

"As my American Government and Honors East Asian Studies teacher, Mr. Maddix has influenced me greatly. He motivates and inspires students to promote diversity and to learn how to appreciate different cultures."

Student: Yinmeng Zhang
Pine-Richland

Will graduate at age 14 and is considered the "most academically advanced student" in district history. Plays flute in the Allegheny Valley Honors Band. Plans to study computer science and math at CMU and become a university professor.

Teacher: Michelle Switala

"Ms. Switala is an amazing teacher, capable of making even the most difficult mathematical concepts seem easy. She is unbelievably committed to her students, willing to help out in anything and everything they do, inside and outside the classroom."