"An example of all that is good in teens today" is how one guidance counselor described her nominee for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s 11th annual All-Star Achievers Award.

That accolade could describe any of the dozens of students nominated for this year’s program.

With interests ranging from microbiology and technology to music and sports, these students plan to be the scientists, educators, lawyers and other professionals of the new millennium.

School officials were invited to nominate three students from each school, and winners were selected by teams of editors and reporters for the Post-Gazette.

Criteria included academic achievement, extracurricular and community activities and volunteer work.

In all, 71 seniors from the seven areas of the region were named winners, and all of them will be recognized at a reception May 4.

Here are profiles of the Alle-Kiski region winners:

Adams, who is student council president and a member of National Honor Society, plans on becoming an elementary schoolteacher and possibly even a school superintendent. He has received many academic prizes, including the President’s Education Award, National Science Olympiad Award of Excellence and several Future Business Leaders of America awards. A member of the varsity tennis team for the past three years, Adams has volunteered with the American Red Cross and served as a student representative to the Armstrong School District. He plans to study elementary education at Elizabethtown College.

Bieranoski, ranked No. 2 in his class, has been class president since he was a freshman, as well as being a member of the varsity tennis team. He is the president of National Honor Society and Key Club and vice president of student council. The New Kensington resident served as chairman for the Salvation Army Telethon, helping to raise more than $15,000. He also volunteers for Meals on Wheels, West Arm Therapy and Union Presbyterian Church’s vacation Bible school. He plans to major in physical therapy at St. Francis College.

Danison, ranked No. 1 in her class, has won many academic awards, including a Xerox Award for Humanities and Social Sciences, the National Merit Science Award and Rotary Scholar. A member of student council and vice president of the French Club, she also is a four-year member of the boys’ varsity soccer team and co-captain of the Tri-City Soccer club team. She also is a peer tutor. Danison, a resident of New Kensington, plans to major in information and technology sciences or biology.

Doyle, seventh in his class, is a music and theater enthusiast. A member of the symphonic band and drama club, he has performed in school and community musicals and plays, been selected to PMEA District I and Regional I choirs and participated in the Allegheny Intermediate Unit opera apprenticeship program with the Pittsburgh Opera. A member of the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh, Doyle also participated in the Junior Statesman summer school program at Yale University and volunteers as a teen counselor for Greater Works Outreach Church. The Cheswick resident plans to study political science at Grove City College.

Geffel, who would like to become a pathologist, has a 4.04 average and is fifth in her class. A member of National Honor Society, the Apollo resident was named to the Gifted Science and History forums and the Academic Quiz Team. She is captain of Kiski’s award-winning marching band auxiliary unit and a three-year member of the softball team. A Merit Scholarship commended student, Geffel plans to major in biology at Allegheny College.

Lauffer is team captain of the Mathematics Council of Western PA Mathematics League, the Strongland Chamber of Commerce Interscholastic Mathematics League and Westmoreland County Environthon. The National Honor Society member is president of Students Against Drunk Driving and secretary of the Environmental Club. A resident of Vandergrift, Lauffer was committee chairwoman and producer for the Kiski Area Telethon and has for the past four years served as an Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup volunteer. She also volunteers for Meals on Wheels and West Haven Nursing Home. She plans to major in electrical engineering.

Pampena is a scholar-athlete who is ranked No. 1 in her class with a 4.29 grade point average while lettering in basketball and softball, and holding down a part-time job. She has participated in Carnegie Mellon University’s Benjamin Franklin Young Entrepreneurs program and Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Summer Honors program in genetic engineering. The National Honor Society member is vice president of the Ambassador’s Club, co-editor of the yearbook and student council secretary. A resident of Spring Church, Pampena has volunteered for Relay for Life/Cancer Walk and coached youth sports in her community. She plans to pursue a law degree.

Relich, who has a 4.067 GPA and is ranked No. 7 in his class, wants to become a microbiologist. A student member of the American Society for Microbiology, he has participated in a mentorship project in molecular biology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and received two National Science Merit Awards. Relich is National Honor Society president, vice president of student government and a member of the yearbook staff. The Kittanning resident volunteers at the Cowansville Area Health Center and Armstrong County Memorial Hospital. He plans to study molecular biology/biotechnology at Clarion University.

Safranyos, who has a 4.04 average, is secretary of National Honor Society as well as a member of Students Against Drunk Driving, Key Club and the PRIDE Club. A dedicated volunteer for Meals on Wheels, he has also served 10 years as an altar server for his church, helping to train new acolytes. He lettered in golf and baseball and is a member of the Kiski Area Symphonic Band and the Instrumental Jazz Ensemble. Safranyos, who lives in Leechburg, plans to major in pharmacy at Duquesne University.

With a GPA of 4.267, Schultz is ranked No. 1 in her class. Her many academic awards include the President’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Bausch and Lomb Science Award. She also won the local Vocational-Industrial Clubs of America competition for architectural drafting and design this year. She is a talented artist, with one of her works -- a drawing of scenic Armstrong County -- displayed at the Kittanning Courthouse. The Vandergrift teen volunteers at West Haven Nursing Home and has participated in the Relay for Life, which raises money for American Cancer Society. She wants to become a lawyer.