They are the rare teen-agers admired by their teachers, their peers and members of their community. They excel in academics but find time for community service and extracurricular activities. The All-Star Achievers are high school students nominated by their schools and selected by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette staff members.

Sixty other students from the region also were selected, and all 70 will be honored at a dinner May 12 at the University of Pittsburgh, which co-sponsors the event. The parents and teachers of the All-Stars also will be honored.

Below are brief profiles of the 10 winners.

Other city students nominated were: Ericka Azzarello, Oliver High School; Rachel Carse, Brashear High School; Darryl Haymon, Oliver; Susan Ondrejco, Oakland Catholic High School; Jennifer Phillips, Brashear; Diana Pietri, Schenley High School; Jocelyn Ricasa, Ellis School; Cynthia Ruglovsky, Oakland Catholic; Regina Wilson, Ellis; Genia Wright, Schenley.

Marissa has been at or near the top of her class since the ninth grade. She has volunteered at Suburban General Hospital for four years and been active in Girl Scouts more than 13 years. At the Carnegie Science Center, she has been a mentor and an exhibit presenter. She is termed "extremely competent" and poised beyond her years by her guidance counselor. Marissa is earning college credit at Robert Morris College.

One of his teachers describes him as "one of the most intelligent and aware students I have encountered in 33 years of teaching. … He is amazing!" Jason has had a perfect record in high school and is graduating early. He has won awards for fiction and oratory and Web page design. He created a King Arthur Web site and one on German culture. He helped create a history festival for elementary pupils from Carrick.

Lori is a talented photographer and also a topnotch academic achiever. She is first in her class and was chosen to attend the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts. She set up her own photography business and has had exhibits at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, Carnegie Mellon and other venues. She has pursued an interest in Egyptology. She has been a varsity soccer player and has volunteered at local museums.

Kathryn is tied for first in her class of 256 with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. She is working in an internship at Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute. She tutors mathematics daily at Allderdice and is a member of SAJS Players, a Jewish folk music group that entertains in nursing homes. She "embodies all the attributes of a perfect student, and yet remains caring and realistic," the gifted program facilitator said of Kathryn.

A high honor roll student, Erica has been a leader in many areas. She is editor in chief of the school newspaper; she started and ran a small business; she organized a World Vision 30 Hour Famine; she serves as an assistant minister at her church and directs a music program there. She lettered in volleyball. One of her teachers attested to the "strong personal convictions" of Erica, who plans to become a minister.

Peter is tied for first in his class, the captain of the soccer team and the captain of the hockey team. He was chosen for the all-city soccer team and the WPIHL All-Star Hockey Team. He is an active member of Amnesty International and is a math tutor at Allderdice. Peter, who plans to become a physician, is described by the gifted education facilitator as exhibiting "the finest character in athletic competition and in the classroom."

Sadina has been on the high honor roll and the citizenship honor roll. She interned for a law firm and has been involved in varsity cheerleading. She volunteers at Magee-Womens Hospital. She wants to pursue engineering and law degrees and is a member of the Society of Women Engineers. She has been involved in her church youth group and is a winner of the Outstanding Student Award at Allderdice.

Kelly has maintained a 4.0 average throughout her high school career. She has been a member of the soccer team and also is a shot putter. She is involved with the school’s drama club. She visits nursing homes on a biweekly basis and works in a soup kitchen. His counselor said that Kelly is "academically gifted, but equally endowed with a social conscience, a magnetic personality and a healthy enthusiasm for life."

Donita is No. 3 in a class of 243 with a QPA of 3.975. She has lettered in soccer, basketball and softball all through high school. She has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, Pioneer School for mentally and physically disabled students, and CHANGES, a community service collaborative between Brashear and Upper St. Clair high schools. She was chosen by KDKA-TV as an Extra Effort Award winner this year.

Ann is first in her class and has won several academic awards. She lettered in tennis and swimming, and was team captain in tennis. She has worked as a camp counselor and volunteered at the Children’s Institute in Squirrel Hill. Ann has been a student council representative and member of several school clubs. She is described as mature, intelligent, and displaying leadership capabilities and a high moral character.