Riverset's 1st ever Star Student Awards

Danielle Lynn Paez - Senior

Pittsburgh Brashear High School

She may be our last Riverset Star Student Award winner this season but she is first in her class!  Congratulations to Miss Danielle Lynn Paez, a senior at Pittsburgh Brashear High School.  Danielle has a 4.647 G.P.A., is a member of the National Honor Society, Softball and Soccer Teams and has participated in Think A Thon, Chemistry Olympics and Carnegie Museum of Art's Art Connection Program. 

Danielle enjoys volunteering at UPMC Mercy Hospital each summer and has spent time in the Early Childhood Center.  She has also job shadowed at Allegheny General.

Her class schedule is full of advanced placement classes and she was Brashear's only Carson Scholar in 2010. Danielle is a true leader - congratulations!  Learn more about Danielle on our blog.

Cory Demino - Senior

Keystone Oaks High School

Congratulations to Cory Demino, the eighth and most recent winner of a Riverset Star Student Award. Cory is a senior at Keystone Oaks High School and maintains a very impressive 4.28 GPA, not to mention logging over 235 hours of community service. 

Cory's extracurricular activities include Science Club, Calcu-Solve Competition, National Honor Society, Basketball, Volleyball and Westinghouse Science Honors Institute. In addition, he does A Lot for the community:

• St. Pamphilus Church Carnival
• Castle Shannon Day Camp Counselor
• Freshman Tour Guide
• Dormont Flower Planting
• KO Basketball Boosters

Thanks for all that you do!  Cory was nominated by his guidance counselor Ms. Jennifer Chambers, who says "Cory is not only a dedicated student, but an active member of the community as well. I give him my highest level of recommendation." Congrats Cory!  Read more on our blog.

Cory with his parents

Veronica Cheng - Senior

Pittsburgh CAPA High School

We don't know how she does it! But one thing is for sure -- Veronica Cheng is more than deserving and is our most recent Riverset Star Student Award Winner. As a senior at Pittsburgh CAPA (Creative and Performing Arts), Veronica is the perfect example of hard work, dedication and responsibility. She's involved with: 

• Yearbook (editor-in-chief)
• National Art Honor Society (VP/Secretary)
• Fashion Club
• Environmental club
• Savannah College of Art and Design

Yeah, that's right -- she's taking two college courses! And on top of that, she's majorly involved as a volunteer with several organizations. Veronica teaches Sunday School, is the donation organizer for Women's Choice crisis pregnancy center, a craft teacher and helps refugees learn English! There's more, but we'd run out of room.

Veronica was nominated by her teacher Mr. Brendan Coyne, who says "Veronica more than qualifies for the Star Student Award for all her hard work and responsibilities." Congrats Veronica!

Learn more about her on our blog.

Megan Sayles - Senior

Serra Catholic High School

Making a difference through volunteerism is only one of the many reasons Ms. Megan Sayles, a Senior at Serra Cathoic High School, is the winner of our most recent Riverset Star Student Award.

Megan is President of her Senior Class; President of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society; a four year letter in Soccer; three year letter in Basketball, a member of Cirle of Friends which makes all students welcome; and Fuel Up to Play 60 a program to promote healthy eating and exercise for students.

Megan's mother tells us that she asked if she could work in the local hospital to help people.  Well she did.  She worked very hard at her first volunteerism position and has recruited others to help as well.  She is a McKeesport Hospital Teen Aid and volunteers at Queen of the Rosary Parish. 

Congratulations to Megan.  Learn more about her on our blog.

Alexa Guzzy - Junior

Greensburg Central Catholic High School

Congratulations to our first high school Junior to win a Riverset Star Student Award - Alexa Guzzy from Greensburg Central Catholic High School. Alexa has a 4.2 GPA and her list of activiites are extensive.  She is a:

• Varsity Cheerleader
• Student Council Representative
• Member of the GCCHS Track Team
• Lector
• Westmoreland Youth Cheerleading junior coach
• Volunteer for St. Agnes Bazaar
• Member of the Interact Club

All that and she works at Panera Bread.  Alexa was nominated by Mrs. Debra Welch who writes "Alexa is an excellent candidate for the Star Student Award.  She was named as an UCA all-American Cheerleader and a Trib Total Media Outstanding Young Citizen for two years. She is an All American Scholar, National Youth Leadership Nominee and is very conscientious about her academics.She is as sweet as she is smart and possesses exemplary character in all facets of life". Congratulations Alexa!

Learn more about Alexa in our fun video clip on our blog.

Jamie Linderman-Senior

Springdale Jr./Sr. High School

We were having a blast!

Congratulations to Springdale's Jamie Linderman on winning a Riverset Star Student Award!  Jamie is a straight A student, Cheerleading Captain, member of the Marching Band and Concert Band, Secretary of the National Honor Society and Charter Member of the Leo Club which works with the local Lion's Club on numerous community and volunteerism initiatives.  As if that weren't enough, Jamie also works two jobs at JC Penney and Trinity Gymnastics.

Jamie was nominated by her mother, Lynn Linderman who received information on the program from Springdale's guidance department.  Jamie's mother writes "Teachers have very high expectations for her work and projects.  Jamie cheers at the football games and marches in the band during the halftime show - she possesses great organizational skills.  At work, supervisors have been quick to rely on her and view her as an asset.  When they schedule her to be there, they know she will have a smile on her face.  I am her mother and can brag all I want.  Very often is is validated by those around us."

 Congratulations Jamie!  Read more and watch Jamie's video on our blog.

Steven Ho- Senior

Fox Chapel Area High School

The third time is a charm!  Congrats to Steven Ho, a Senior at Fox Chapel Area School District with a GPA of 4.53 on winning a Riverset Star Student Award!

Steven's activities include:

• Forensics Club
• Physics Club
• Swim Team Co-Captain; Swimming instructor
• Undergraduate Researcher of the University of Pittsburgh Department of Biological Sciences and Gene Team Scholar for the Department of Biological Sciences
• PA Junior Academy of Science
• AP National Scholar
• Volunteer at UPMC St. Margaret Hospital
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Mentor
• just to name a few

Steven was nominated by Ms. Yacamelli who tells us that "Steven is an exceptional student and person with the necessary qualities to achieve academic excellence and the character of strengths that will allow him great success. He finished Advanced Placement Calculus BC his junior year with an overall grade of 97% - one of the highest in twelve years.  He has always been an exemplary student in class, during school functions and in the community.  Therefore, it is quite easy for me to give my highest recommendation to Steven."

Check out our blog!

Congratulations to Jessica Coulter, our second Riverset Star Student Award Winner.  She is a Senior at Gateway High School and has a cumulative GPA of 4.0 on an unweighted scale.  Jessica is the President of Class Council, the VP of the National Honor Society, a member of the Student Government Association, an integral part of the Right Start Freshman Orientation Program and a member of the Varsity Girl's Golf Team.  Her community involvement includes Community Clean Up Days, Rotary Pancake Breakfast and the Walk Now for Autism Speaks.  She is also seeking a postion as a volunteer at a local animal shelter where she can apply her experience from two apprenticeships as the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium.

More on our blog.

Clarissa Kimmey - Senior

Moniteau School District

Clarissa Kimmey is our first ever Riverset Star Student Award winner.  She is a senior at Moniteau High School and has a cumulative GPA of 4.0 on an unweighted scale.  Clarissa's list of activities and volunteerism efforts include:

• United States Academic Decathalon - State Champion
• Student Council Officer - 4 years
• Senior Class Treasurer
• Concert Band
• Hoby
• Peer Mentor
• Tutor
• National Honor Society Officer
• KDKA Hometown High Q Team
• Track and Field
• Candy Striper - Butler Hospital
• After School Tutor

Read more on our blog!