Outstanding Young Citizen Awardees

Shrishrimal, Diya

Shady Side Academy, 11

I hope to attend university and pursue for a career in law that includes my love for medicine. I plan to continue to write, contributing to the university’s newspaper and any English assistance programs. As for in the near future, I will be doing research this summer at the Gau Lab where I will be researching the role of the mitochondria’s structure and how it regulates different diseases and health issues, specifically cancer.

Stauffer, Anna

Ligonier Valley High School, 11

After graduating High School with an Associate’s Degree, I plan to pursue higher education and earn a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in astronomy/physics. I hope to one day conduct research at NASA.

Vunora, Elliot

Highlands High School, 12

I want to pursue a degree in Music Education, a Bachelor’s for now and then when I get established hopefully a Master’s and hopefully a Ph. D. I want to learn everything that I can about music and how to move others through music. Helping students the way that I have been helped is my goal and I want to help everyone to realize that their goals are never too far out of reach. I want to continue to help in my community and volunteer my time when I can back to the community however I can.

Werner, Isaac

Pittsburgh Obama (The Barack Obama Academy of International Studies), 11

I am currently working on starting a coding club at my school, which will start by the end of this month. I am also working on writing a grant to get the wrestling team a new room/equipment. After high school I hope to study mechanical or aerospace engineering.

Wheeler, Noah

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 12

I will be attending St. Vincent College where I will pursue a degree in History and a 7-12 Secondary Educaion Certificate. I will also be continuing to play volleyball for St. Vincent. Becoming a teacher has always been my biggest goal and I look forward to what it brings.

White, Kaitlyn

Oakland Catholic High School, 12

I plan to attend the University of Pittsburgh to study nursing and pursue an advanced degree to be either a nurse practitioner or a DNP.

Arora-Jain, Divye

Montour High School, 12

I plan on attending a 4-year accredited university to major in computer science as I have always been passionate about technology. I want to develop my coding skills along with gaining hands-on experience through various projects. Eventually, I hope to obtain a leadership position in the tech field and stay ahead of the ever-evolving digital world.

Bailon, Nicholas

Hampton High School, 11

I plan on attending the 3+3 program at Duquesne University in the fall of 2026. This is three years of business school followed by another three years of law school. I hope to play for the club soccer team there while I study as well. I plan to specialize in real estate law after college; I hope to protect property ownership rights and promote organized community development by means of zoning and environmental regulations.

Ballas, Kendal

West Allegheny High School, 12

My future plans are to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania to major in Human Development and Family Science with the goal of becoming a Child Life Specialist. I recently had the opportunity to shadow a Child Life Specialist at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, and it helped solidify my future career path.

Biondich, Renton

Riverview Junior/Senior High School, 12

In the immediate future, my plans are to attend a four-year university, exploring interests in both science and law/international affairs, while pursuing a bachelor’s degree. I believe focusing my career path utilizing both fields, will be a great fit for me along a possible route towards environmental law. During my time at the university, I plan to stay active and involved in the college community including the collegiate band, to keep my love of music ongoing through my educational career. I

Booth, Michayla

Oakland Catholic High School, 11

After graduating from Oakland Catholic next year, I plan on attending a 4-year university and majoring in something within the science field. I want to follow a pre-med track and become a dermatologist after college. I hope to have my own practice that specializes in helping young adults with their skin issues.

Bounos, Ella

Avonworth High School, 12

– Plans to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in college, with the goal of earning a master’s degree.
– Passionate about art and dedicated to building a successful career in the art world.
– Aspires to become an art director or work in a prestigious art museum.
– Focused on developing a unique artistic style through experience and exploration.
– Aims to have their art recognized and shared with a wider audience.
– Committed to making a lasting impact in the creative industry.

Brown, Melanie

Deer Lakes High School, 11

After graduating from Deer Lakes, I plan to attend a four-year university. I want to major in Political Science on a Pre-Law track and minor in either International Studies or Spanish. I also hope to continue my athletic career throwing shot put and discus in college, as well as continuing to play either clarinet or tenor saxophone in a college ensemble. My dream is to eventually earn a degree in either international or constitutional law and become a politician.

Brown, Delia

Winchester Thurston, 12

I aspire to be a humanitarian mathematician, bridging academic disciplines to apply mathematics to pressing problems facing society. In college I plan to major in a quantitative subject, such as mathematics, pursuing research as an undergraduate and then a Ph.D..

Caltagarone, Ariana

Springdale Junior/Senior High School, 11

I believe the most valuable human skill is our ability to adapt and invent. My whole life I have always had a creative mind, and I hope to use my passions to help nurture and protect innovation. I plan to study Engineering at a 4 year university to foster my creativity and develop my own complex problem solving. I then will attend law school to become a patent attorney, where I will ensure the security of original ideas.

Costello, Michael

Fox Chapel Area High School, 11

I plan on attending a four-year college on a pre-med track, but finding a way to work in my interest in business as well. I also hope to continue playing instruments and running at the next level, as well as growing my impact in community emergency services.

Cox, Derk

Jeannette Senior High School, 12

I am attending West Virginia University to study mathematics. I will be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree, hoping for a Master’s degree. I plan to have a career in something financial.

Crawford, Richard

Upper St. Clair High School, 12

I plan to major in law or computer science and hopefully become a criminal defense lawyer one day so that I can protect the innocent from being trapped in an unfair system.

Daugherty, Gabriel

Leechburg Area High School, 12

I plan to attend Thiel College for its Biology and Environmental Science program. With my degree, I plan to apply for a job through the U.S. Forest Service and become a field botanist.

Davin, Brayden

Montour High School, 12

I will be attending St. John Fisher University in the fall to study sports management and continue my athletic career in soccer.

Deem, Brody

Riverview Junior/Senior High School, 12

To attend Penn State University and major in Biomedical and Veterinary Studies, followed by Veterinary School.

Duckett, Savanna

Pittsburgh Obama (The Barack Obama Academy of International Studies), 11

Greater community involvement such as volunteering at my local Children’s Hospital, and becoming a louder advocate for those in my community without resources are some of the things I am working toward.

Duckworth, Elise

Pine-Richland High School, 11

I hope to double major in college for political science and likely music. I hope I can spread my love of music but also speak out about the social issues I believe in. I hope to defend against book bans in communities other than ours, and reiterate the importance of literature to young minds.

Ferretti, Ava

Leechburg Area High School, 12

After graduation, I will attend Pennsylvania State University with the intended major of mechanical engineering with a minor in environmental engineering. I aim to pursue a career that will change current systems to make them become better suited for our environment. I have always planned to pursue a career that will create positive changes in our world. Upon my graduation, I will be taking the first step to making this plan become a reality.

Fitzgerald, Tyler

Hampton High School, 12

I will earn a BSN in Nursing from either the University of Pittsburgh or Duquesne University.