Home >  Local News >  Neighborhoods

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

It's certainly a pleasure choosing the top 10 all-around student citizens of the north suburbs.

But it's not easy.

They are skilled in the classroom, in music and other artistic endeavors, in sports and in helping to make the community a better place. Of the many nominees, 10 were chosen from the PG Washington 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 2003 All-Star Achievers and their teachers:

Benjamin Copper Creo, Fox Chapel Area

National Merit semifinalist, Eastman Kodak Youth Leader Award winner. Forensics club president. Head host of Make-A-Wish telethon, host of school TV news magazine show. Designed mentoring program for eighth-grade boys. Will major in history.

Teacher: Mark Matusiak

"As a Latin teacher and forensics coach, Mr. Matusiak speaks boldly to engage his students' intellect. As he shows the relationship between Roman emperors and the American presidency, he places in each student the symbiotic values of passionate learning and an eagerness to instruct."

Nathan Lee Kilbert, North Allegheny

National Merit finalist, member of the track team and a Junior Olympic qualifier in fencing. Scored 800 on the verbal portion of the SAT as a seventh-grader. Coordinated elementary tutoring program. Will study anthropology at Yale.

Teacher: Sharon Given Volpe

"Mrs. Volpe teaches the most and the least advanced math courses at North Allegheny, but she brings dedication and imagination to both. As the sponsor of the official school newspaper, she has been an invaluable aid to my independent publishing projects and a friend."

Laura Ellen Kress, Hampton

Member of National Honor Society, fifth-year French and Latin student. "Hamptonian" junior and senior editor. Regional and chapter president of the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization. Jewish Chronicle "Teen Seen" columnist.

Teacher: Janet Konig

"Taking five years of two languages was always a personal goal, and having such a dynamic French teacher was so vital in my success. Mademoiselle takes French beyond a language, as she submerges us with French culture, tradition and history."

Bridget L. Nolan, Northgate

National Honor Society and member of Cum Laude. Member of student council and class officer. Captain of cross-country team and co-captain of swim team. Carnegie Library volunteer, active in church youth group.

Teacher: Donald Matthews

"Mr. Mat-thews has been a very positive influence on me throughout my high school career. He taught me self-discipline, time management and many other valuable skills that I will take with me throughout life. I enjoyed Mr. Matthew's teaching style and took every class he taught."

Rachel Orler, Pine-Richland

National Merit finalist. Captain of track team, co-captain of cross country team. Organized program for girls that incorporates running with social lessons. Volunteers at UPMC Passavant Hospital. Will study biology at Harvard.

Teacher: Brenda Sue Vrable

"Mrs. Vrable taught me two years of chemistry at the honors and advance placement levels. Chemistry can be a difficult class to make enjoyable; however, it became one of my favorite classes because of the clear way she explained and taught as well as her rapport with students."

Hilary Ilana Palevsky, Quaker Valley

Member of National Honor Society, editor of school literary magazine. Organized a districtwide recycling project. Manages the Science Olympiad team. Member of the soccer team. Will graduate at age 16. Plans to study liberal arts.

Teacher: Linda Conlon

"Since rescuing me from a mind-numbing sixth-grade history class, Mrs. Linda Conlon has been more than my teacher: Odyssey of the Mind coach, counselor, surrogate mother, and friend. Mrs. Conlon is the guardian angel who has made my education both feasible and enjoyable."

Paul Puskarich, Fox Chapel Area

National Merit finalist, attended governor's schools for sciences, information technology and agriculture. Member of ice hockey and baseball teams. Senior class president. Will major in electrical engineering/computer science at MIT.

Teacher: Jane Mather

"Caring, compassionate, and intellectually inspiring, Mrs. Jane Mather embodies all qualities appreciated in a great teacher. Mrs. Mather's passion for literature combined with her commitment to students is unparalleled. Mrs. Mather is a mentor and friend."

Andrea Lynne Smith, Quaker Valley

Attended governor's school for international studies. Spearheaded a program working with inner-city youths. Lettered in softball, tennis and swimming. Taught Bible school in Trinidad. Plans to become a psychologist.

Teacher: Jeffrey Andrews

"One hour in Mr. Andrews' class and it is apparent that he really is passionate about teaching. My [ad-vance placement] U.S. history class changed my perspective on history as well as the United States. Mr. Andrews' influence has sparked my interest in world affairs."

Joseph P. Ulerich, Shady Side Academy

National Merit semi-finalist, Princeton Alumni Award 2002, 2001, 2000. Captain of ice hockey, soccer and track and field teams. Vice president of concert band. Will study engineering at Princeton.

Teacher: Michael O'Neil

"In sixth and seventh grades, I looked forward to social studies class every day because of the energy and enthusiasm Dr. Michael O'Neil brought to the classroom. Six years later, after most teachers have been long forgotten, I still laugh at his jokes and sayings."

Rena Xu, North Allegheny

National Merit finalist who scored 1600 on SATs. World Piano Competition gold medalist and piano soloist at Carnegie Hall. Member of debate and forensics teams, editor of school literary magazine. Will attend Harvard.

Teacher: Matthew Davis

"Mr. Davis is one of the most influential teachers I have ever been privileged to have. His classes persuaded me to pursue chemistry in college and beyond. He has inspired all his students to use their minds actively and approach problems at a higher level of analysis."