2024 Outstanding Young Citizens
will be announced Thursday, April 25!
Congratulations to our 2024 Outstanding Young Citizens.
Mikaela Shine
Derry Area Senior High School, 12
Parent(s)/Guardian(s):
Judy Shine
Academic Achievement
Academic Excellence Society (class rank first), Member – 4 Years
Pittsburgh Music Educators Association District and Region Chorus, Member – 2 Years
Letterman’s Club, Member – 2 Years
Science, Math, and Spanish Honor Societies, Member – 2 Years
Saint Vincent College & Latrobe Bulletin: Teen of the Week, Member – 1 Year
Extracurricular Activities
Future Educators Association, President – 1 Year
Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy, Member – 3 Years
Girls Varsity Tennis, Member – 1 Year
Trojan Role Models, Member – 1 Year
Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Member – 1 Year
Community Involvement
Pittsburgh Region International Student Ministries (PRISM), Volunteer at Garage Giveaways, holiday parties, overnight outings; set up, clean up, lead table discussions and games for international students at Open Houses – 4 Years
Kind (Kids In Need at Derry) Closet, Organizing and sorting donations as well as helping people find items during open houses – 3 Years
Tutoring, Teach a Chinese first grade student math and create lesson plans and activities – 1 Year
Teach 6th graders Spanish, Teach 6th graders simple Spanish words or conversation with activities, coloring, and games – 1 Year
Special Needs Awareness, Rehearsed and performed for a special needs event during the summer – 1 Year
Plans
In first grade, I was extremely discouraged by my lack of ability in math, but my teacher patiently helped me, believing in me. At home, I would confidently mimic her encouragement as I taught my stuffed animals, unknowingly reinforcing learning. Looking back, my first grade self could not imagine excelling in AP Calculus 11 years later. Thus, as numerous teachers have inspired me, I aspire to become a creative and compassionate elementary teacher who ignites passionate learning in my students.