TOTAL TRIBIMEDIA OUTSTANDING YOUNG CITIZEN Eshal Ahmad Achievements & Activities: Sewickley Academy G11 2025 OUTSTANDING YOUNG CITIZENS 2025 Carson Scholar, Awardee, Highest Honor Roll, Global Studies Certificate Program. Founder of Pink Dragonfly nonprofit organization for Refugee Resettlement, Congressional Award Gold Medalist, Youth Move PA Advisory Council for mental health, Co-chair on Board of Directors, Ephemera Editor-in-Chief, Guiding Stars Productions Dance school, PRYSE Academy Summer Camp for Refugee youth. Future Plans: When I am older, the job that I want to pursue is a lawyer. In many case studies, I saw the fate of asylum seekers being determined by nonrepresentative immigration courts. Over time, there has been a great scarcity of affordable legal representation. With the increase in restrictive and complex immigration laws, seeking asylum in the US has become a considerable challenge for refugees. Deportation becomes a possibility. Therefore, as a lawyer, I hope to facilitate this immigration process. Nathan Radkowski Central Catholic High School G12 Achievements & Activities: National Merit Commended Scholar; AP Scholar of Distinction, Advanced Placement Board, National Honor Society, Member, Academic Excellence Awards (CCHS, CCHS hockey, and PA Interscholastic Hockey League), Excellence in Life Science, National Association of Biology Teachers; Biology Department Award, CCHS; PA Junior Academy of Sciences, Central Catholic High School Lasallian Ministry Executive Board, Central Catholic High School Investment Club, Central Catholic High School Baseball, Team All-American Baseball, Central Catholic High School Hockey, Positive Player Award, Central Catholic Viking Ambassador. Miracle League Baseball League, Murrysville, Mother of Sorrows Church Food Pantry, Westmoreland Food Bank, PA Lutheran Church Dinner for the Blind, STEM and Tutoring Outreach Program, The Childrens' Institute, Pittsburgh; Play it Forward program; Pittsburgh Penguins Try Hockey for Free Clinics. Future Plans: I plan to study biomedical engineering at a four-year university. Through research and collaboration, I hope to improve peoples' lives and health in a variety of ways, from regenerative tissue engineering to targeted drug therapies. I also intend to continue my commitment to service and volunteerism. I will utilize my time and talents to have a positive impact on my community, and hopefully a larger scale as well. Eshal Ahmad Sewickley Academy Divye Arora-Jain Montour High School Nicholas Bailon Hampton High School Kendal Ballas West Allegheny High School Logan Bash Agora Cyber Charter School Renton Biondich Riverview Junior/Senior High School Michayla Booth Oakland Catholic High School Ella Bounos Avonworth High School Grant Brewer TOP 10 GOLD MEDALISTS Sophia Doherty Derry Area Senior High School G12 Achievements & Activities: 2025 Carson Scholar, Awardee, Highest Honor Roll, Global Studies Certificate Program. Founder of Pink Dragonfly nonprofit organization for Refugee Resettlement, Congressional Award Gold Medalist, Youth Move PA Advisory Council for mental health, Co-chair on Board of Directors, Ephemera Editor-in-Chief, Guiding Stars Productions Dance school, PRYSE Academy Summer Camp for Refugee youth. Future Plans: In the fall I will be attending Carnegie Mellon University to major in mechanical engineering, and I also plan to minor in French. I will be playing on the Tartan softball team while I'm there, and I'm very excited. I hope to partake in many opportunities presented to Carnegie Mellon students, including study abroad programs, honors societies, research groups, internships, and music groups not limited to music majors, such as the campus orchestra and their musical theater club. Orli Trumbull Pittsburgh Obama - G11 (The Barack Obama Academy of International Studies) Achievements & Activities: U.S.Senate Youth Program Finalist, Harvard Book Award, Challenge Program Award, High School Achievement Award, Governor's Civic Engagement Gold Award, Research for Pitt Global Health Case Competition: Student researcher. School Newspaper (The Eagle Times): Editor-in-Chief, Purple Eagle:President, Varsity Soccer: Captain. Most Valuable Player Award Sophomore Year. Pittsburgh Girls Chamber Choir and Concentio. Superintendent Student Advisory Council. Allegheny Youth Vote Huddle. NextGen:PGH and Civic Stage: Program Director. Democracy Incubators Lead. PA Youth Vote Ambassador for Allegheny County. The Civics Center: Summer Intern. Pittsburgh Public Schools Student and Government Council. Future Plans: After high school, I plan to attend a four year college. Currently, I am looking to study political science, international relations, or something similar. Before I take that leap, I am considering taking a year after high school to continue expanding the work I do in Pittsburgh and advocating for the voices of my peers. 2025 AWARDEES Greensburg Central Catholic High School Delia Brown Winchester Thurston Melanie Brown Deer Lakes High School Ariana Caltagarone Springdale Junior/Senior High School Michael Costello Fox Chapel Area High School Derk Cox Jeannette Senior High School Richard Crawford Upper St. Clair High School Gabriel Daugherty Leechburg Area High School Brayden Davin Montour High School Brody Deem Riverview Junior/Senior High School Sophia Doherty Derry Area Senior High School Savanna Duckett Pittsburgh Obama Elise Duckworth Pine-Richland High School Kayla Enos Derry Area Senior High School Ava Ferretti Leechburg Area High School Tyler Fitzgerald Hampton High School Ivy Freshwater Montour High School Kennedy Gilliard Pittsburgh Obama Sophia Gombos Shady Side Academy Kriti Gupta Upper St. Clair High School Tim Ha Pine-Richland High School Abby Hagen Mars High School Charles Hahl Fox Chapel Area High School Himani Harrell Freeport Senior High School Loyal Heverly Greensburg Salem High School Justin Horne Fox Chapel Area High School Molly Hurley Springdale Junior/Senior High School Reese Janeda Montour High School Khiyah Johnson Springdale Junior/Senior High School Havisha Kalpatthi North Allegheny Senior High School Emma Kelley Oakland Catholic High School Sophia Gombos Shady Side Academy G12 Achievements & Activities: 2025 Coca-Cola Scholars Regional Finalist, Science Olympiad: Nationals, Chinese Bridge Competition for Eastern United States, Student Council Senior Class Vice President, Distinguished Young Woman of Allegheny; Distinguished Young Women Pennsylvania and West Virginia Be Your Best Self Video Essay Winner. Neveryone Neverywhere co-founder, Leaders Across the World Executive Director of Resources, Saturday Light Brigade Radio Youth Advisory Council, Dance, Mendelssohn Choir, Asian Student Union, Junior Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh Violins of Hope, NextGen DCNR Council Future Plans: In autumn 2025, I will be attending the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School to study business. This will be a brand new chapter in my life. During my four years, I plan to study abroad for one semester, gaining skills to continue my work in international exchange. I aim to bridge this dichotomy â" the international and the hyperlocal â" to help connect individuals and increase intercultural understanding and learning. Carissa Walsh Springdale Junior/Senior High School G12 Achievements & Activities: National Honor Society, Future Ready Leaders, Carnegie Mellon University Creative Writing Contest Mahatma Gandhi Celebration First Place Winner, Future Business Leaders of America First Place Banking and Financial Systems & Second Place Online Publications, The Future Is Mine Club, President, SHS Cheerleader, Captain, Junior Class Committee, President, Springdale Girls Varsity Soccer (All Section Award and All WPIAL Award 12th Grade). Creator of Bath Bombs for the Soul Company, Project Coordinator -Allegheny Valley Multiple Community Food Drive Souper Bowl, Camp Counselor for Fun and Freedom Day Camp, Springdale Library Volunteer. Future Plans: I have been accepted into the University of Pittsburgh's Honors College, where I plan to earn a bachelor's degree in biochemistry. With a strong passion for medicine, I have applied to the University's Guaranteed Physician Assistant Program and look forward to exploring new experiences while engaging in research opportunities. Committed to improving patient outcomes and advancing healthcare, I aspire to make a meaningful impact on my community by enhancing the quality of care for those in need. Eve Kilgore The Ellis School Annabelle Kirk Upper St. Clair High School Hunter Kronk Quaker Valley High School Elena Krummert Oakland Catholic High School Nora Kudis Thomas Jefferson High School Jenna Landsbaugh New Brighton High School Sienna Lasek Hampton High School Riley Lecker Bishop Canevin Catholic High School Andrew Li North Allegheny Senior High School Gavin Lynch Fox Chapel Area High School Danica Marsh Blairsville School District Luke Martin Hampton High School Kesahi Mathanachan- dran Upper St. Clair High School Kaleb Mathieu Pine-Richland High School Chloe McDevitt Oakland Catholic High School Erik Miklavic Montour High School Opal Miller Upper St. Clair High School Aditi Motha North Allegheny Senior High School Caelyn Murray Agora Cyber Charter School Grace Myers Upper St. Clair High School Garrett Myers Springdale Junior/Senior High School Shriya Narasimhan Upper St. Clair High School Sydney Nguyen Franklin Regional High School Will Nury Shady Side Academy Rory O'Connell Oakland Catholic High School Zehra Ozkaya Fox Chapel Area High School Sritej Padmanabhan North Allegheny Senior High School Evan Park Winchester Thurston Andrew Li North Allegheny Senior High School G12 Achievements & Activities: 2024 DECA International Career Development Conference, Congressional Award Gold Medalist, 1st at 2024 Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair, 4th Overall at 2024 PA Junior Science and Humanities Symposium (JSHS), AMIA 2024 Annual Symposium High School Scholar, Chen Lab at University of Pittsburgh researcher, 1st author publication in SCIEPublish's Journal of Respiratory Biology and Translational Medicine, DECA Chapter President. HOSA Club Officer, CMU Preparatory School of Music, Honorable Mention at Carmel Klavier International Piano Competition, North Allegheny Varsity Swim Team, curingwithCARE, Pittsburgh Chinese American (PCA) Youth Center, UPMC Passavant Hospital Volunteer. Pittsburgh Chinese School Teaching Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator, North Park Pool Lifeguard & Swim Instructor. Future Plans: I will be attending the University of Pennsylvania and studying biology on a pre-med track. In the future, I hope to blend research and medicine into a career as a physician scientist. I really enjoy interacting with people and being able to care for them, but also want to help find permanent solutions to their problems through research, specifically computational biology and bioinformatics. I will continue to play the piano and involve myself in the community. Pat Weldon Seton-LaSalle High School G12 Achievements & Activities: National Merit Finalist, JA Eighteen Under 18, Awardee, Carson Scholar, Coca-Cola Scholars Semifinalist, Valedictorian. Art for Heart Founder/ Director, Varsity Basketball, Captain, Seton LaSalle Ambassador, Varsity Golf, Captain, National Honor Society, Meals on Wheels, St. John XXIII Parish volunteer, Youth Basketball Camp Volunteer, Jesse Games Volunteer, South Hills Interfaith Ministry Garden (Finleyville) Future Plans: I plan to major in Biology/Neuroscience in the pre-med track, then attend medical school to become a physician. My goal is to develop the skills necessary to provide compassionate, effective care to as many people as possible. As a future physician, I am committed to a lifetime of service, using my God-given gifts to continually seek ways to improve lives, strengthen my community, and make a lasting impact on those in need. Samuel Pellegrino Pittsburgh Obama Ali Pencak Kiski Area High School Ava Persichetti Fox Chapel Area High School Luca Poli Fox Chapel Area High School Anthony Poole Franklin Regional High School Nathan Radkowski Central Catholic High School Rachel Reinke Leechburg Area High School Regan Repak Derry Area Senior High School Zoe Roberts Upper St. Clair High School Briana Ross Springdale Junior/Senior High School Joshua Runas Deer Lakes High School Maria Safranyos Kiski Area High School Joseph Shin Luke Martin Hampton High School G11 Achievements & Activities: Golden Heart Award, Official Recognition by Mayor Ed Gainey for contributing to the City of Pittsburgh, Western PA Junior Achievement 18 under 1 Town Hall Presentation McKees Rocks community and Sto-Rox school district, National Honor Society, Member, Intern to VP Program Professional Branding & Leadership Training Program, Moments of Focus LLC Student Ambassador, Junior Achievement High School Heroes Program, Improv at Batavia Studios, Member, North Hills Dek Hockey, Defensive captain, National Honor Society, Hampton High School Rotary Club, The Queens Gambit Non Profit, Lead chess instructor of Next Move Leaders Program, Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church Youth Group, Hampton Township Library, Children's Theater Festival & 3 Rivers Arts Festival volunteer chess instructor. Future Plans: I hope to continue to empower people through chess in the future, as chess teaches about persistence when things get hard. I would like to go to a four-year university where I can learn about business and marketing, in order to eventually run my own business. I have interest in a lot of things, perhaps running my own chess non-profit in the future. I also have considered careers in teaching since I enjoy it so much. Athena Zhang North Allegheny Senior High School G12 Achievements & Activities: Technology Student Association (TSA) Engineering Design National Qualifier, HOSA State Leadership Conference Veterinary Science 4th Place, Medical Innovation State Top 20, PMEA All-State Concert Band, President's Volunteer Service Award Gold, Tri-M Music Honors Society Vice President, National Science Honors Society, AP Scholar with Distinction, Developed 3D-printed noninvasive glucose detectors leveraging polarized light technology to measure blood sugar levels. Research Intem at BOILab, Duquesne University, Co-Founder and President of Animaleer (Animal Welfare School Organization), youth animal and environmental advocacy committee, Youth Steering Committee Internship at Humane Action Pennsylvania, Authored and illustrated a Evolution: A Dog's Perspective children's book, Carnegie Science Center STEM, Chinese School Teaching Assistant Volunteer, Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra and North Pittsburgh Youth Flute Ensemble Member, (Critter, Humane Educator, Animal Handler, and 3x Summer Camp Counselor at Animal Friends Animal Shelter, Part-Time Job at Crumbl. Future Plans: I hope to combine my love for science and animal welfare in the future, pursuing a career that advocates for better veterinary healthcare access through studying engineering or public health. My goal is to give back to the animal community by promoting equity in veterinary care, ensuring that all animals receive the treatment they deserve. Additionally, I hope to continue my love for music in college by playing in a symphony orchestra. Rodrigo Silva Fox Chapel Area High School Allyson Smith Pine-Richland High School Elliana Smith Oakland Catholic High School Anna Stauffer Ligonier Valley High School Matthew Stelitano Shaler Area High School Madeline Tabay New Brighton High School Brooke Taliani Springdale Junior/Senior High School Theodore Tedesco Fox Chapel Area High School Orli Trumbull Pittsburgh Obama Isabella Ulery Norwin High School Darcy Vilkner Upper St. Clair High School Olivia Virgin Thomas Jefferson High School Elliot Vunora Fox Chapel Area High School Highlands High School Diya Shrishrimal Shady Side Academy Carissa Walsh Springdale Junior/Senior High School Pat Weldon Seton-LaSalle High School Isaac Werner Pittsburgh Obama Noah Wheeler Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Kaitlyn White Oakland Catholic High School Owen Wilson Fox Chapel Area High School Emma Winkler Oakland Catholic High School Mackenzie Wray Norwin High School Natalie Wyant Derry Area Senior High School Gavin Yeasted Bishop Canevin Catholic High School Casie Yonker West Allegheny High School Athena Zhang North Allegheny Senior High School TRIB OUTSTANDING YOUNG CITIZEN VISIT OYC.TRIBLIVE.COM FOR FULL STUDENT BIOGRAPHIES AND ADDITIONAL PROGRAM INFORMATION! TOTAL TRIBIMEDIA OUTSTANDING YOUNG CITIZEN Eshal Ahmad Achievements & Activities : Sewickley Academy G11 2025 OUTSTANDING YOUNG CITIZENS 2025 Carson Scholar , Awardee , Highest Honor Roll , Global Studies Certificate Program . Founder of Pink Dragonfly nonprofit organization for Refugee Resettlement , Congressional Award Gold Medalist , Youth Move PA Advisory Council for mental health , Co - chair on Board of Directors , Ephemera Editor - in - Chief , Guiding Stars Productions Dance school , PRYSE Academy Summer Camp for Refugee youth . Future Plans : When I am older , the job that I want to pursue is a lawyer . In many case studies , I saw the fate of asylum seekers being determined by nonrepresentative immigration courts . Over time , there has been a great scarcity of affordable legal representation . With the increase in restrictive and complex immigration laws , seeking asylum in the US has become a considerable challenge for refugees . Deportation becomes a possibility . Therefore , as a lawyer , I hope to facilitate this immigration process . Nathan Radkowski Central Catholic High School G12 Achievements & Activities : National Merit Commended Scholar ; AP Scholar of Distinction , Advanced Placement Board , National Honor Society , Member , Academic Excellence Awards ( CCHS , CCHS hockey , and PA Interscholastic Hockey League ) , Excellence in Life Science , National Association of Biology Teachers ; Biology Department Award , CCHS ; PA Junior Academy of Sciences , Central Catholic High School Lasallian Ministry Executive Board , Central Catholic High School Investment Club , Central Catholic High School Baseball , Team All - American Baseball , Central Catholic High School Hockey , Positive Player Award , Central Catholic Viking Ambassador . Miracle League Baseball League , Murrysville , Mother of Sorrows Church Food Pantry , Westmoreland Food Bank , PA Lutheran Church Dinner for the Blind , STEM and Tutoring Outreach Program , The Childrens ' Institute , Pittsburgh ; Play it Forward program ; Pittsburgh Penguins Try Hockey for Free Clinics . Future Plans : I plan to study biomedical engineering at a four - year university . Through research and collaboration , I hope to improve peoples ' lives and health in a variety of ways , from regenerative tissue engineering to targeted drug therapies . I also intend to continue my commitment to service and volunteerism . I will utilize my time and talents to have a positive impact on my community , and hopefully a larger scale as well . Eshal Ahmad Sewickley Academy Divye Arora - Jain Montour High School Nicholas Bailon Hampton High School Kendal Ballas West Allegheny High School Logan Bash Agora Cyber Charter School Renton Biondich Riverview Junior / Senior High School Michayla Booth Oakland Catholic High School Ella Bounos Avonworth High School Grant Brewer TOP 10 GOLD MEDALISTS Sophia Doherty Derry Area Senior High School G12 Achievements & Activities : 2025 Carson Scholar , Awardee , Highest Honor Roll , Global Studies Certificate Program . Founder of Pink Dragonfly nonprofit organization for Refugee Resettlement , Congressional Award Gold Medalist , Youth Move PA Advisory Council for mental health , Co - chair on Board of Directors , Ephemera Editor - in - Chief , Guiding Stars Productions Dance school , PRYSE Academy Summer Camp for Refugee youth . Future Plans : In the fall I will be attending Carnegie Mellon University to major in mechanical engineering , and I also plan to minor in French . I will be playing on the Tartan softball team while I'm there , and I'm very excited . I hope to partake in many opportunities presented to Carnegie Mellon students , including study abroad programs , honors societies , research groups , internships , and music groups not limited to music majors , such as the campus orchestra and their musical theater club . Orli Trumbull Pittsburgh Obama - G11 ( The Barack Obama Academy of International Studies ) Achievements & Activities : U.S.Senate Youth Program Finalist , Harvard Book Award , Challenge Program Award , High School Achievement Award , Governor's Civic Engagement Gold Award , Research for Pitt Global Health Case Competition : Student researcher . School Newspaper ( The Eagle Times ) : Editor - in - Chief , Purple Eagle : President , Varsity Soccer : Captain . Most Valuable Player Award Sophomore Year . Pittsburgh Girls Chamber Choir and Concentio . Superintendent Student Advisory Council . Allegheny Youth Vote Huddle . NextGen : PGH and Civic Stage : Program Director . Democracy Incubators Lead . PA Youth Vote Ambassador for Allegheny County . The Civics Center : Summer Intern . Pittsburgh Public Schools Student and Government Council . Future Plans : After high school , I plan to attend a four year college . Currently , I am looking to study political science , international relations , or something similar . Before I take that leap , I am considering taking a year after high school to continue expanding the work I do in Pittsburgh and advocating for the voices of my peers . 2025 AWARDEES Greensburg Central Catholic High School Delia Brown Winchester Thurston Melanie Brown Deer Lakes High School Ariana Caltagarone Springdale Junior / Senior High School Michael Costello Fox Chapel Area High School Derk Cox Jeannette Senior High School Richard Crawford Upper St. Clair High School Gabriel Daugherty Leechburg Area High School Brayden Davin Montour High School Brody Deem Riverview Junior / Senior High School Sophia Doherty Derry Area Senior High School Savanna Duckett Pittsburgh Obama Elise Duckworth Pine - Richland High School Kayla Enos Derry Area Senior High School Ava Ferretti Leechburg Area High School Tyler Fitzgerald Hampton High School Ivy Freshwater Montour High School Kennedy Gilliard Pittsburgh Obama Sophia Gombos Shady Side Academy Kriti Gupta Upper St. Clair High School Tim Ha Pine - Richland High School Abby Hagen Mars High School Charles Hahl Fox Chapel Area High School Himani Harrell Freeport Senior High School Loyal Heverly Greensburg Salem High School Justin Horne Fox Chapel Area High School Molly Hurley Springdale Junior / Senior High School Reese Janeda Montour High School Khiyah Johnson Springdale Junior / Senior High School Havisha Kalpatthi North Allegheny Senior High School Emma Kelley Oakland Catholic High School Sophia Gombos Shady Side Academy G12 Achievements & Activities : 2025 Coca - Cola Scholars Regional Finalist , Science Olympiad : Nationals , Chinese Bridge Competition for Eastern United States , Student Council Senior Class Vice President , Distinguished Young Woman of Allegheny ; Distinguished Young Women Pennsylvania and West Virginia Be Your Best Self Video Essay Winner . Neveryone Neverywhere co - founder , Leaders Across the World Executive Director of Resources , Saturday Light Brigade Radio Youth Advisory Council , Dance , Mendelssohn Choir , Asian Student Union , Junior Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh Violins of Hope , NextGen DCNR Council Future Plans : In autumn 2025 , I will be attending the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School to study business . This will be a brand new chapter in my life . During my four years , I plan to study abroad for one semester , gaining skills to continue my work in international exchange . I aim to bridge this dichotomy â " the international and the hyperlocal â " to help connect individuals and increase intercultural understanding and learning . Carissa Walsh Springdale Junior / Senior High School G12 Achievements & Activities : National Honor Society , Future Ready Leaders , Carnegie Mellon University Creative Writing Contest Mahatma Gandhi Celebration First Place Winner , Future Business Leaders of America First Place Banking and Financial Systems & Second Place Online Publications , The Future Is Mine Club , President , SHS Cheerleader , Captain , Junior Class Committee , President , Springdale Girls Varsity Soccer ( All Section Award and All WPIAL Award 12th Grade ) . Creator of Bath Bombs for the Soul Company , Project Coordinator -Allegheny Valley Multiple Community Food Drive Souper Bowl , Camp Counselor for Fun and Freedom Day Camp , Springdale Library Volunteer . Future Plans : I have been accepted into the University of Pittsburgh's Honors College , where I plan to earn a bachelor's degree in biochemistry . With a strong passion for medicine , I have applied to the University's Guaranteed Physician Assistant Program and look forward to exploring new experiences while engaging in research opportunities . Committed to improving patient outcomes and advancing healthcare , I aspire to make a meaningful impact on my community by enhancing the quality of care for those in need . Eve Kilgore The Ellis School Annabelle Kirk Upper St. Clair High School Hunter Kronk Quaker Valley High School Elena Krummert Oakland Catholic High School Nora Kudis Thomas Jefferson High School Jenna Landsbaugh New Brighton High School Sienna Lasek Hampton High School Riley Lecker Bishop Canevin Catholic High School Andrew Li North Allegheny Senior High School Gavin Lynch Fox Chapel Area High School Danica Marsh Blairsville School District Luke Martin Hampton High School Kesahi Mathanachan- dran Upper St. Clair High School Kaleb Mathieu Pine - Richland High School Chloe McDevitt Oakland Catholic High School Erik Miklavic Montour High School Opal Miller Upper St. Clair High School Aditi Motha North Allegheny Senior High School Caelyn Murray Agora Cyber Charter School Grace Myers Upper St. Clair High School Garrett Myers Springdale Junior / Senior High School Shriya Narasimhan Upper St. Clair High School Sydney Nguyen Franklin Regional High School Will Nury Shady Side Academy Rory O'Connell Oakland Catholic High School Zehra Ozkaya Fox Chapel Area High School Sritej Padmanabhan North Allegheny Senior High School Evan Park Winchester Thurston Andrew Li North Allegheny Senior High School G12 Achievements & Activities : 2024 DECA International Career Development Conference , Congressional Award Gold Medalist , 1st at 2024 Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair , 4th Overall at 2024 PA Junior Science and Humanities Symposium ( JSHS ) , AMIA 2024 Annual Symposium High School Scholar , Chen Lab at University of Pittsburgh researcher , 1st author publication in SCIEPublish's Journal of Respiratory Biology and Translational Medicine , DECA Chapter President . HOSA Club Officer , CMU Preparatory School of Music , Honorable Mention at Carmel Klavier International Piano Competition , North Allegheny Varsity Swim Team , curingwithCARE , Pittsburgh Chinese American ( PCA ) Youth Center , UPMC Passavant Hospital Volunteer . Pittsburgh Chinese School Teaching Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator , North Park Pool Lifeguard & Swim Instructor . Future Plans : I will be attending the University of Pennsylvania and studying biology on a pre - med track . In the future , I hope to blend research and medicine into a career as a physician scientist . I really enjoy interacting with people and being able to care for them , but also want to help find permanent solutions to their problems through research , specifically computational biology and bioinformatics . I will continue to play the piano and involve myself in the community . Pat Weldon Seton - LaSalle High School G12 Achievements & Activities : National Merit Finalist , JA Eighteen Under 18 , Awardee , Carson Scholar , Coca - Cola Scholars Semifinalist , Valedictorian . Art for Heart Founder / Director , Varsity Basketball , Captain , Seton LaSalle Ambassador , Varsity Golf , Captain , National Honor Society , Meals on Wheels , St. John XXIII Parish volunteer , Youth Basketball Camp Volunteer , Jesse Games Volunteer , South Hills Interfaith Ministry Garden ( Finleyville ) Future Plans : I plan to major in Biology / Neuroscience in the pre - med track , then attend medical school to become a physician . My goal is to develop the skills necessary to provide compassionate , effective care to as many people as possible . As a future physician , I am committed to a lifetime of service , using my God - given gifts to continually seek ways to improve lives , strengthen my community , and make a lasting impact on those in need . Samuel Pellegrino Pittsburgh Obama Ali Pencak Kiski Area High School Ava Persichetti Fox Chapel Area High School Luca Poli Fox Chapel Area High School Anthony Poole Franklin Regional High School Nathan Radkowski Central Catholic High School Rachel Reinke Leechburg Area High School Regan Repak Derry Area Senior High School Zoe Roberts Upper St. Clair High School Briana Ross Springdale Junior / Senior High School Joshua Runas Deer Lakes High School Maria Safranyos Kiski Area High School Joseph Shin Luke Martin Hampton High School G11 Achievements & Activities : Golden Heart Award , Official Recognition by Mayor Ed Gainey for contributing to the City of Pittsburgh , Western PA Junior Achievement 18 under 1 Town Hall Presentation McKees Rocks community and Sto - Rox school district , National Honor Society , Member , Intern to VP Program Professional Branding & Leadership Training Program , Moments of Focus LLC Student Ambassador , Junior Achievement High School Heroes Program , Improv at Batavia Studios , Member , North Hills Dek Hockey , Defensive captain , National Honor Society , Hampton High School Rotary Club , The Queens Gambit Non Profit , Lead chess instructor of Next Move Leaders Program , Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church Youth Group , Hampton Township Library , Children's Theater Festival & 3 Rivers Arts Festival volunteer chess instructor . Future Plans : I hope to continue to empower people through chess in the future , as chess teaches about persistence when things get hard . I would like to go to a four - year university where I can learn about business and marketing , in order to eventually run my own business . I have interest in a lot of things , perhaps running my own chess non - profit in the future . I also have considered careers in teaching since I enjoy it so much . Athena Zhang North Allegheny Senior High School G12 Achievements & Activities : Technology Student Association ( TSA ) Engineering Design National Qualifier , HOSA State Leadership Conference Veterinary Science 4th Place , Medical Innovation State Top 20 , PMEA All - State Concert Band , President's Volunteer Service Award Gold , Tri - M Music Honors Society Vice President , National Science Honors Society , AP Scholar with Distinction , Developed 3D - printed noninvasive glucose detectors leveraging polarized light technology to measure blood sugar levels . Research Intem at BOILab , Duquesne University , Co - Founder and President of Animaleer ( Animal Welfare School Organization ) , youth animal and environmental advocacy committee , Youth Steering Committee Internship at Humane Action Pennsylvania , Authored and illustrated a Evolution : A Dog's Perspective children's book , Carnegie Science Center STEM , Chinese School Teaching Assistant Volunteer , Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra and North Pittsburgh Youth Flute Ensemble Member , ( Critter , Humane Educator , Animal Handler , and 3x Summer Camp Counselor at Animal Friends Animal Shelter , Part - Time Job at Crumbl . Future Plans : I hope to combine my love for science and animal welfare in the future , pursuing a career that advocates for better veterinary healthcare access through studying engineering or public health . My goal is to give back to the animal community by promoting equity in veterinary care , ensuring that all animals receive the treatment they deserve . Additionally , I hope to continue my love for music in college by playing in a symphony orchestra . Rodrigo Silva Fox Chapel Area High School Allyson Smith Pine - Richland High School Elliana Smith Oakland Catholic High School Anna Stauffer Ligonier Valley High School Matthew Stelitano Shaler Area High School Madeline Tabay New Brighton High School Brooke Taliani Springdale Junior / Senior High School Theodore Tedesco Fox Chapel Area High School Orli Trumbull Pittsburgh Obama Isabella Ulery Norwin High School Darcy Vilkner Upper St. Clair High School Olivia Virgin Thomas Jefferson High School Elliot Vunora Fox Chapel Area High School Highlands High School Diya Shrishrimal Shady Side Academy Carissa Walsh Springdale Junior / Senior High School Pat Weldon Seton - LaSalle High School Isaac Werner Pittsburgh Obama Noah Wheeler Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Kaitlyn White Oakland Catholic High School Owen Wilson Fox Chapel Area High School Emma Winkler Oakland Catholic High School Mackenzie Wray Norwin High School Natalie Wyant Derry Area Senior High School Gavin Yeasted Bishop Canevin Catholic High School Casie Yonker West Allegheny High School Athena Zhang North Allegheny Senior High School TRIB OUTSTANDING YOUNG CITIZEN VISIT OYC.TRIBLIVE.COM FOR FULL STUDENT BIOGRAPHIES AND ADDITIONAL PROGRAM INFORMATION !