Multiple Quaker Valley School District students were recognized this month for their athletic and academic achievements.
It is customary to hand out awards at the final school board meeting before graduation.
That tradition continued with many family members in attendance for a special ceremony led by district communications director Michelle Dietz on May 20.
First up was the high school hockey team, which delivered a championship-caliber performance this season, finishing 23-1-1.
Led by coach Kevin Quinn, the team took home the PIHL Penguins Cup and became state Class A champs.
Officials said the team’s dedication, sportsmanship and commitment to one another made the 2025-26 season one to remember for the entire school community.
Their recognition took place later than expected, as many of the players also play lacrosse and were unavailable at previous board meetings.
The boys tennis team took home its fifth WPIAL Class 2A title earlier this year in a close 3-2 match with North Catholic.
Coach Christi Hays told attendees it was a thrilling season with a lot of competitive play.
Senior standout Will Meagher earned a shot at the PIAA Class 2A individual tennis championship on May 22 m(this issue of The Sewickley Herald went to press on May 21).
The coed varsity track and field team was recognized for its outstanding season. Several Quakers qualified for WPIAL and PIAA competitions.
Some of its athletes could not make the presentation because they were training for the state championships, set for May 22-23 at Seth Grove Stadium on the campus of Shippensburg University.
“We celebrate the accomplishments of our athletes and look forward to building on this momentum in the seasons ahead,” said Dietz.
Superintendent awards
Each year, students in grades 5, 8 and 12 are nominated by their respective principals for the Superintendent Citizenship Award.
Principals make recommendations who are standouts in the schools, volunteer in the community and make a positive impact on others. Awardees are ultimately approved by Superintendent Tammy Adreyko.
“Their drive to give back to their community or to excel is overwhelming,” Andreyko said after the ceremony. “We take those suggestions and we, as a leadership team, make a decision, and that brings us to tonight. These are truly young people that we see will do great things beyond Quaker Valley because they’ve done great things here.”
This school year’s honorees were Edgeworth Elementary fifth grader Mila Rasmussen, Osborne Elementary fifth grader Espen Stunda, eighth grader Tharli Karto and senior Levi Carver.
Officials said Mila is an actively engaged and well-rounded student who participates in a wide range of academic, artistic and extracurricular activities, including the Edgeworth morning announcements, musical, science and history bowls. She is involved in the Odyssey of the Mind program as well as Best Buddies and the Girl Scouts.
Officials said Espen is an exemplary student who consistently demonstrates leadership, integrity and a strong work ethic.
He was a top scorer in the Math Olympiad contest, represented the school in the STEM Design competition and took part in Battles of the Books. He also participated in the musical and plays baseball.
Officials said Tharli is a hard worker who is genuinely interested in learning and growing as a student. He is a three-year participant in middle school musicals, a founding member of the inaugural unified bocce team and participates in track and field.
Tharli also earned a perfect score at a Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science competition.
Officials called Levi a student with strong self-awareness and self-direction. He demonstrated initiative and technical problem-solving skills in the Community College of Beaver County’s aviation program.
He also led a sustainability project with the Sewickley Community Center that integrated solar energy planning, community engagement and AI-supported environmental research.
Levi also served as a soccer referee for many years and helped youngsters learn the game.
The superintendent also gives out a Graduating Senior Award to a pending graduate who demonstrates a commitment and dedication to public service, community spirit and the pursuit of educational excellence.
Ceci Holte earned that honor.
Officials said she is a dynamic and driven individual who leads with responsibility, compassion and integrity.
She is an active member of QV Voice, where she helps promote mental health awareness and positive school culture.
She was instrumental in school-wide awareness campaigns and student publications, an editor for the Quaker Quill and a special event coordinator for QV’s MiniTHON, organizing fundraising events for pediatric cancer patients.
Many more of the students’ accomplishments were mentioned in the program.
Officials also thanked student school board representatives Emma Currier and Charlotte Liao for their service and ensuring students had a voice at school board meetings.
Andreyko said she and other educators continue to be impressed by the students and they deserve to be recognized.
“There’s an energy in the room when the kids are here, when we get to celebrate their achievements,” the superintendent said. “It’s a special night for us. When we see great things happening in school, it’s a celebration for us.”