All-Star Achievers are selected on the basis of academic standing, extracurricular achievements and volunteerism.

Each of the Post-Gazette’s five regional editions selected 10 high school seniors from its circulation area and the public service staff chose 10 each from Pittsburgh city schools and the Alle-Kiski Valley area. The 70 students and their parents will be recognized at a reception May 4.

PG West All-Stars include  Ruby Kiamari Jain  from Chartiers-Valley,   Teresa Bernaciak  from South Fayette and  Mike Rizzi  of Bethel Park who attends Canevin. Washington All-Stars include  Joshua Kaplan  and   Kaitlin Young  from Peters Township.

Other South suburban nominees were:  Rebecca Babjak , West Mifflin;  Amy Bobuk,  Duquesne;  Kimberly Branch,  McKeesport;  Jeffrey Braum,   Serra Catholic;  Elizabeth Brosky,  South Park;  Jonathan Comstock,   Thomas Jefferson;  Cynthia Davis,  Brentwood;  Michelle Dembiski,   Elizabeth Forward;  Nicole Fekety,  Clairton;  Dara Hawes,   Duquesne;  Gillian Jacobs,  Mt. Lebanon;  Thomas Kaminski,   Brentwood;  Faith Kieler,  Steel Valley;  Katherine Koontz,   Keystone Oaks; and  Ashley Kunsa,  Thomas Jefferson.

Also  Jay Miller,  Mt. Lebanon;  Christopher Morgan,  McKeesport;   Daniel O’Brien,  Bethel Park;  Tara Papson,  Clairton;   Shannon Phillips,  McKeesport;  Zachary Phillips,  Brentwood;   Caitlin Polley,  Bethel Park;  Brandon Reilly,  McKeesport;   Toni Rowan,  Clairton;  Robin Sampogna,  Keystone Oaks;   Saurabh Sanghvi,  Mt. Lebanon;  Carrie Smith,  South Allegheny;   Natalie Thompson,  West Mifflin;  Brandis Toth,  Elizabeth Forward;   Kelley Vitale,  Elizabeth Forward;  Steve Voit,  Jefferson Hills;   Nathan Whetsell,  Upper St. Clair; and  Felix Yerace,  South Park.

Seton-LaSalle did not participate.

Accumulating more than 240 hours of community service and a 4.2 grade point average, Dara has maintained a blistering pace through her high school career. She is a four-year letter winner in varsity soccer, and led the team in goals and assists last year. She is active in theater, Student Senate, prom and graduation committees, Show Choir and National Honor Society.

Despite an accident that crushed his hand and left him with partial mobility in his thumb, Sam hopes to become a musician. An honor roll student and treasurer of the National Honor Society, Sam performs with the jazz, concert and marching bands, and is the school’s drum major. He’s working toward a certificate in machining at Steel Center Area Vo-Tech school.

With all the academic credentials and awards of a top student, her guidance counselor particularly noted Laura’s dedication this year to improving school spirit. She played a key role in assemblies and Student Council projects, and found the time to maintain a 4.8 GPA. She volunteers with her church, Baldwin Library and as a Special Olympics helper.

His teachers call him a "Renaissance Man." William is a free-lance cartoonist and sculptor, captains the football team, is a second-degree black belt in martial arts, tutors, volunteers for the elderly, and maintains an academic pace that puts him fourth in a class of 461 seniors. He plans to pursue a career in medicine and studies Latin, which is not offered at his school.

A class valedictorian, Ben has been a faculty-nominated Student of the Year each year through high school. Since age 11, he has been involved with the peace organization CISV and is active with SAVE, an anti-violence organization. He also is active in Student Council, the marching band, church musicals and youth group, and CHANGES, a volunteer organization.

Ranked first in her class, Wendy, her teachers proudly note, has never received a grade lower than 96 percent at Serra. She is a member of the Electric Friars, a school liturgical music group; volunteers for the elderly, plays trumpet in the marching band, is a member of the soccer and bowling teams, is an altar server, and takes part in school campus ministry.

Juliette will be leaving high school with 11 varsity letters on her jacket in soccer, swimming and track. She also holds one of the highest academic records in her school and competes in the Mon-Valley Academic Bowl, Calcu-Solve and Chemistry Olympics. She serves on Student Council, volunteers for the Cancer Society and assists at a nursery school.

This valedictorian has a gift for more than academics. She designs and sculpts clay, paints ornaments, and makes jewelry she sells at shows and flea markets. Sarah also tailors original doll clothes when she’s not organizing programs and parties for the elderly or baking cookies for Meals on Wheels. She is a three-year letter winner in track and field, and tutors math.

Heather will be graduating at the top 5 percent of her class, but she may be better remembered as a thespian than an honor student. She has performed or provided technical help for numerous productions at school and local theater, and is in the Pennsylvania State Thespian Society Hall of Fame. She also plays in the school symphonic and marching bands.

Katherine is a combination scholar-volunteer with musical talent thrown in. A classical piano student for 11 years, she has won a wide range of awards. Meanwhile, she has raised money for Toys For Tots, is involved in youth ministry, has done mission work in the Dominican Republic, and this summer will repair and paint homes for the poor in Denver.