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Student Star


 2020 Student Star Character Awards Dinner

Each year we team up with our local schools and businesses to celebrate local students who actively demonstrate some of the following qualities:

Citizenship | Communication Courage | Fairness | Generosity | Honesty | Leadership | Respect | Responsibility | Patriotism | Volunteerism

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Student Star 2021 will offer students gift cards from our local businesses in lieu of a dinner gathering this year. 

Sign up to become a sponsor for the 2021 Student Star Dinner

Your sponsorship allows the honored students gift cards from our local businesses!

Thank you in advance for your support and commitment to our next generation of professionals!

Congratulations to Our 2020 Student Star Dinner Winners

Dana Bacher
Hamburg High School

Dana Bacher is an All American lacrosse player and an all-conference volleyball player. In addition to being a captain for 2 years, she was also chosen as Hamburg’s Character Player during the Fall season. Her academic success is equally impressive. Her course work includes AP Chem, AP Calc, HAS, NHS, and an office in Varsity H with an overall GPA of 96.8%. She consistently demonstrates maturity, intellect, integrity, and commitment to her school community. Dana leads by example and makes those around her better.

 

Sienna Becker
Hamburg High School

Sienna is an extremely caring young lady. She is giving, kind, and empathetic. Sienna constantly volunteers her time to helping others. She is admired by all for her compassion to those less fortunate. Sienna is a true Student Star

Lucas Bell
Saint Francis High School

Lucas is a high achieving, hardworking individual who is dedicated to his academics and to his school community. He is definitely a well-rounded St. Francis gentleman. Lucas is a member of the National Honor Society, Paduan Scholar’s Honors program, the select Jazz Messengers group, the K-OS percussion group and the Concert Band. He is also a talented athlete in the Varsity lacrosse program and is a Prep Hockey player. Lucas is always kind and respectful.

Noah J. Blarr
Global Concepts Charter High School

Noah’s character, as exemplified in his attitude and actions, distinguishes him from his peers at school and elsewhere. His diligent commitment and dedication to leadership and service in his school and his community speaks to his character, as well as his academic success as President of the NHS, ministry worship leader, member services supervisor for a large retailer, and many of his other numerous contributions. His ability to achieve so much respectfully with a sense of humor makes you appreciate him even more.

Alexander Bohosian
Frontier High School

Alex is a top-10 student who really shows himself as a Student Star with his qualities of courage, leadership, teamwork, and generosity. Alex will go above and beyond to tutor other students in his class, help them write complicated computer programing, and even teaches mini lessons to prepare classmates for the AP exam. He has turned a classroom of students into a team, intending to make sure everyone gets to the finish line together.

Alaina Brinkerhoff
Hamburg High School

Alaina is an individual of exceptional character and integrity. She is respectful, responsible, and reliable. Alaina spends countless hours volunteering and giving to others. She is a leader, a mentor, and genuinely cares about her school and community. Alaina is a true Student Star.

Phillip Ceccarelli
Frontier High School

Phillip has demonstrated his passion for FHS with his involvement as a class officer for 3 years, Student Government VP, captain of both the JV and Varsity Soccer teams, Jazz Band, Choir, Acapella group, the Wind Ensemble, section leader of Symphonic Orchestra, ECMEA All-County Band and Chorus, and has participated in NYSSMA Area All-State Band and Chorus. Also, he is involved in school musicals and plays. Phil organized the school’s dodge ball tournaments to raise money for Roswell Park, and volunteers at the Color Beach 5K to benefit Wings of Hope and Holy Angels Food Pantry.

Elizabeth Dunford
Hamburg High School

Elizabeth is a wonderful young lady who has shown the courage to overcome obstacles in order to be the best person possible. Her honesty and generosity to others has earned her the respect of the many adults she has worked with on a daily basis, leading her to leadership roles throughout the school. Elizabeth is completing her second year at the Bulldog Corner Store, and can always be counted on to take the self initiative to be a mentor to her younger peers working with her and showing leadership skills.

Madeline Ferro
Hamburg High School

Madeline has exemplified leadership and responsibility in her English 12 AP class. She steps up on a regular basis, takes risks in class in order to push herself and her classmates to learn more, and thinks about concepts on a deeper level. She is an excellent student who treats her peers and teachers with respect. Madeline conducts herself with great integrity.

Nicolas Gelyon
Frontier High School

Nicolas is a wonderful student with a very positive demeanor. He is an avid reader, thorough researcher, outstanding writer, contributes to In-Flight newspaper, and is a member of Mock Trail team. Nicolas organized a fundraiser featuring the Frontier food truck taking the lead organizing staff, sales, and advertising the event. He is honest, trustworthy and has excellent teamwork skills

Kayla Guarisco
Lackawanna High School

A conscientious student and member of the band, Kayla always works hard to complete any challenge in her way. Kayla is member of the NHS and spent part of her high school career involved in serving her community with the local chapter of the Girl Scouts. Kayla is going to continue her education studying computer science in college. Another Star Student to watch, Kayla has left an indelible mark on her school community.

Lucas Guzzino
Frontier High School

Lucas is an amazing, intelligent young man. Academics have not always been easy for him, for when was born, he was diagnosed with Autism and was non verbal. He is honest, reliable, hardworking, and most of all, kind. The smile that radiates from his face on a daily basis makes all those around him join in smiling. Lucas is part of the Cross Country Team, a diver for the Swim Team, skates with Gliding Stars, and attends Cradle Beach Camp where he is the Pioneer Camper and works with younger campers as a mentor.

Grace Hennigan
Frontier High School

Grace is a member of the NHS pursuing a career as a Physician’s Assistant. She volunteers at Elderwood Nursing Facility, Great Skate Youth Skating Club, and shadows Physicians Assistants. Her kind, compassionate, and amiable disposition makes everyone around her feel warm and welcomed. Grace is also a member of the Cross Country team, the Southtowns FLOP Ice Hockey Team, and the Girls Track and Field Team. She is a great teammate with supportive energy and words. She is an asset to our school and community.

Brianna Hummell
Randolph Academy

Brianna has been an exemplary student, classmate, and school citizen. She has maintained a part time job for 2 years, achieved a near perfect average, won the Environmental Awards and Honorable Mention at the WNY Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Brianna’s outstanding qualities, both personal and academic, will serve her as she enters the Honors Program Hilbert College this Fall.

Anjulyn Hvisdak
Hamburg High School

Anjulyn is a student who always goes above and beyond and thinks of others first. She is VP of the Academy of Finance, and always there to help when a hand is needed. She led the Student Government Kindness Tree Committee this year, and was a leader during the Thanksgiving Drive. She is a Student Star in every way!

Kelci Kolodziej
Lackawanna High School

Kelci exemplifies all the ideals of a Star Student. Her levels of respect and responsibility are evident in her academic and sports career. She began playing soccer her junior year of high school and quickly became both a team captain and an ECIC All Star goalkeeper. She has been taking a rigorous course of study in the high school PTECH program which had her taking college level courses since her freshman year. Her academic and extracurricular activities have helped mold Kelci into a Star Student.

Drew Kowalski
Lackawanna High School

Through hard work, determination, and strength of character, Drew has proven himself a hard working young man focused on his goals of graduating high school and attending college. A constant fixture on the LHS Honor Roll, Drew recently was awarded the All-Western New York Scholar-Athlete award and was named to the WNY All-Academic team for Fall sports. Throughout high school, Drew has always challenged himself academically taking college level courses. He is always respectful and hardworking.

Blake Logel
Saint Francis High School

Blake is a Student Star every day at St. Francis High School. He is a kind, mature, and motivated individual who is dedicated to his academics and to his school community. He is a member of the Concert Band, Spanish Club, Franciscan Youth Ministry group, as well as a part of the Varsity Lacrosse Program. Blake is up for a challenge, and has deep determination to reach his future goals. There is no doubt that he will be very successful in his future endeavors. He definitely deserves to be named a Student Star.

Ella Nasca
Hamburg High School

Ella is a special young lady, mature, reflective. and a lover of learning. She chooses commitments wisely and remains dedicated. She is a member of The Arts Society, Character Club, Key Club, works at Wegmans, and volunteers for Hamburg YES. She is also the service coordinator for NHS and has further developed her leadership and mentoring skills as a DASA Ambassador. Ella is an outstanding young woman.

 

Olivia Novack
Hamburg High School

Olivia is a natural leader with an exceptional ability to work with others. She’s skilled at identifying what needs to be done and following through or delegting. She is Student Government President, a DASA ambassador, reads the daily morning announcements, and has spoken at parent night. Her people and communication skills are beyond her years. She is competent and poised, yet down to Earth, and always makes a point to acknowledge adults and peers by name.

Daniel Novak
Frontier High School

Dan is a member of the NHS, active in the Music Department participating in Band, Jazz, Chorus, and Select Chorus. Dan has been a part of several musicals, as well as the Soccer Team. He volunteers in the community and at Church as a cantor lector, altar boy, and vacation Bible studies teacher. He was invited to attend World Youth Day in Portugal in 2022. Dan is the Senior Class President, organizes many events during the year, and invited to participate in the American Legion’s Boy’s State and speak at a luncheon.

Hunter Oliver
Saint Francis High School

Hunter is an ideal candidate to be named a Student Star. Not only is he a hard worker academically, but he is dedicated and committed to being part of the school community. Hunter is a NHS member and has been in the Paduan Scholar’s Honors Program. He is also been a part of our Concert Band, Ski Club, Lacrosse, and Hockey programs. He balances all of these things while taking pride in his schoolwork and is always there to help others, especially as part of our select campus ministry group.

Jacob Petricca
Frontier High School

Jacob is currently a Senior Captain on the wrestling team. He leads by example on and off the mat and is an exceptional student. Jake helps run an offseason youth wrestling club and is always at the youth practices helping with next-generation wrestlers. Jacob is always positive and has always been the first person to practice to help set up, and the last to leave. Jacob consistently helps his teammates learn new techniques and is always kind, caring, and respectful. Jacob plans to join the Army upon graduation and pursue a specialty to parlay into a career.

Benjamin Piwko
Saint Francis High School

Benjamin is not only a hard worker academically, but he is dedicated and committed to the school community. Ben is a member of NHS, the Paduan Scholar’s Honors program, Men’s Choir, and school musical productions. He is also a Varsity soccer player and part of our select campus ministry group. He also has a part-time job and helps his grandparents regularly. Ben is always kind and has a smile. He is truly a model Star Student at SFHS every day

Kerri Rauschelbach
Frontier High School

Kerri plays Tenor Saxophone in Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Pit Orchestra. Kerri is a member of NHS and Tri-M Music Society. She has been selected for
All-County Band, Area All-State Band, and conference All-State. These accomplishments distinguish Kerri as an excellent musician and an outstanding academic student. Kerri is a very kind leader who steps up to help our music department whenever the need arises. Her Tae Kwon Do achievements are remarkable as well.


Mary Stockman
Frontier High School

Mary has shown she is a student leader for years, both within her classes, as well as her school involvements. Mary is a secretary of the student bookstore, a member of In-Flight school newspaper and the Foreign Language Mentoring Club. Mary is a cause-oriented student, willing to debate and passionately argue for what she believes in. She is involved in local political issues and has been writing about them for In-Flight. Mary is very detailed, and organized, and has overcome some very tough personal obstacles to maintain a great focus on her goals. She also has a strong set of personal values.

Adam Tarnowski
Lackawanna High School

Adam is an ideal candidate for Student Star as he is a true scholar athlete and exemplary student and citizen. He excels in the classroom, taking college level courses through NU during his senior year. Always on the High Honor Roll, Adam balances his academics with both athletics and as a member of the High School Stage Crew. Adam was a valuable member of both the Varsity Football and Soccer teams. Balancing school life with community involvement, Adam also achieved an Eagle Scout status after volunteering many hours to his community and school.

Anthony Zogaib
Hamburg High School

Anthony demonstrates outstanding character, citizenship, generosity, and leadership daily. He is also one of the kindest and most respectable students at Hamburg High School. Anthony is dedicated to both his academics and school community. He is a member of our Music Program, Wind Ensemble, Concert Choral, and has played lead roles in musical productions. He does this all while participating in other clubs and activities. Anthony is a leader among his peers, a true shining star.

2020 Student Star Sponsors

 

A Special Thank You to our Premier Sponsor of
The Student Star Dinner

WNY Heroes, Inc

Thank You to all our generous community sponsors
for supporting the 2020 Student Stars!

3 To Be Fit
ACCESS of WNY
City of Lackawanna Mayor, Annette Iafallo
APEX
Attea & Attea
Bank on Buffalo
Benderson
Bliss Bridal
Bryant & Stratton College
Buffalo Healthy Living
Cellino Plumbing
Century 21, Mike Kaney
Community Services for Every1
Constellation Energy, Mike Farrell
Corto’s Salon
Davis Financial Services, Joe Gunning
EBC
Edward Jones, Sonja Jensen
Elderwood at Hamburg
Erie County Agricultural Society
Evans Bank
Explore New York
Financial Trust Federal Credit Union
Frontier High School Superintendent
Gaughan & Friedman Attorneys
Grace House
Great Clips
Hamburg Accounting and Tax Service
Hamburg High School Superintendent
Hamburg Music Fest
Hamburg Overhead Door
Hamburg Rotary
Hamburg Sunrise Rotary
Harold Johnson
Higher Ed Hustle
Hilbert College
HJ Management Co.
Horizon Performance Solutions
Janney, Montgomery, Scott
Jennifer Nahrebeski, LMHC
Johnson Controls
La Galleria
Lake Shore Savings Bank
Lardon Construction
Lockwood’s Greenhouse
LuGia’s On Wheels of Buffalo
Lutz’s Market & Car Wash
Mathnasium of the Southtowns
MEL’s School of Music
Metalico
Pace Management
Parent Child Connection of Hamburg
Peg’s Place Restaurant
Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve
Performing Arts Dance Academy
Picture Your Walls
Rane Management/Clifton Heights
Robert J Los Insurance Agency
Route 75 Imprints
Skate Great
Silo City IT
Southtown Audio Video
Southtowns Radiology
Southtown Salt Cave and Spa
Spot Coffee, Hamburg
St. Francis High School
Stahlka Agency
Switzer Manufacturing
The Wolf Agency, Jeff Leyonmark
The Hamburg Sun
Tops Market
Town of Hamburg, Youth, Recreation, and Senior Services Department
Young & Wright Architectural

 

 

Special thank you to Creative Photography

 


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