Star Students 2015
These students are not only standouts in their individual classrooms; they're also excellent athletes, performers and role models.
How they fit all these extracurricular activities and achievements into a 24-hour-day – and still have time to be teenagers – we'll never know, but we're proud to feature them here and can't wait to see what the future holds for them, within our community and to the world beyond.
Kate Friess - Senior, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School
Few high school seniors are as goal-oriented as Kate Friess. This 17-year-old has life plans, and sheﾕs on the road to achieve them.
"I'm very interested in naturopathic medicine. I believe that to achieve overall wellness, there must be a focus in treating the whole person,"she says. "I'm also a firm believer that healing involves the integration of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of our lives."
She plans to get medical and naturopathy degrees so she can combine knowledge from traditional and Western medicine to design integrative and effective treatments for her patients.
Friess is the daughter of Molly and Jim Friess.
Who in your school inspires you to get a good education?
I vividly remember having a conversation with my calculus teacher, Mrs. Korllos, about the importance of education. She mentioned how many of her students strive just to get the "A." She continued to say that education is not simply maintaining straight As; education is about committing oneself to the learning process to fulfill the desire to attain knowledge. This idea has remained with me ever since our conversation.
What kind of extracurricular activities do you do?
I was a member of Girl's Soccer Team for three years and am involved in National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. Through my school's STEM Program, I've had the opportunity to conduct research at The University of Akron's Department of Polymer Science. Also, I'm a Peer Minister, school tour guide and 4th-year member in Chinese Club.
Trevor J. Levin - Senior, Western Reserve Academy
Next to the word "well-rounded" in the dictionary, there should be a photo of 18-year-old Trevor J. Levin.
Levin is the co-editor-in-chief of the Reserve Record, Hudson's longest-running newspaper. He's been in four musicals and is rehearsing for his second play. He sings in the school choir, is vice president of the Young Democrats Club and plays junior varsity baseball.
He's a prefect in his dorm, captain of WRA's Academic Challenge team and plans to pursue a career in politics, education or journalism.
Levin is the son of James and Jill Levin.
What’s your favorite subject, and why?
Economics. I've only been in the class for three months, but it's already answered so many questions I've had about the world, in part due to Mr. Ong, my fantastic, dynamic teacher.
What one place in the world do you plan to visit, and why?
I've always wanted to visit London. I love British politics, I'm fascinated with cities, and I have a few friends in Britain I'd love to see again.
Which cultural icon do you respect the most, and why?
The more I learn about Martin Luther King Jr., the more I respect and admire him. He transformed the country with not only his words but with his amazing organizational abilities, creativity and persistence. He risked – and ultimately lost – his life by fighting so hard for justice and human dignity.
Who in your school inspires you to get a good education?
My choir director, Ms. Karam, encourages us to do our best in everything but also to keep things in perspective and to remember to prioritize friendship and compassion.
Zain Stiffler -8th grade, Old Trail School
Life is busy for 14-year-old Zain Stiffler. In addition to earning good grades in school, his calendar is jam-packed with extracurricular activities.
Stiffler studies piano, takes foreign language lessons, plays soccer and tennis, and likes to ski. He recently completed his third-degree black belt at Asian Sun in Hudson. In the summer, he participates in his neighborhoods' swim team.
As a member of People to People, Stiffler has traveled to Western Canada with a student delegation and hopes to visit Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia with the group this summer.
Stiffler is the son of Dr. Saira Ismail and Dr. Kirk Stiffler.
What’s your favorite subject, and why?
Science is very interesting and helps me understand the physical world around me. My teacher, Mr. Brown, is very fun and knowledgeable. Chemistry labs are fun, and we perform exciting experiments.
What do your friendships say about you?
I am a loyal person who is genuinely interested in what others have to say. I also enjoy hanging out with "brainiacs."
Which cultural icon do you respect the most, and why?
History is filled with influential people, such as Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., Amelia Earhart and Nikola Tesla, who have changed the world for the better in some way. I admire people who are willing to take risks, hoping to raise the condition of those around them or explore new concepts.
What career path do you plan to pursue?
I plan to pursue an engineering degree. I hope to use my love of science to create or build something useful for future generations.
Marissa Cerreto - 8th grade, Holy Family School
13-year-old Marissa Cerreto is a young woman with a bright future. Having attended Holy Family School since kindergarten, Cerreto is a scholar, athlete and student leader.
A member of student council for the past three years, Cerreto served as vice president last year and currently as president. She plans to attend St. Vincent-St. Mary High School next year.
"All of the faculty that I have come in contact with throughout my nine years at Holy Family School have inspired me to learn and have pushed me to strive for better grades," she says.
Cerreto is the daughter of Tom and Jen Cerreto.
What’s your favorite subject, and why?
Math and science. I love the challenge in math, and I enjoy learning the reasons behind why everything is the way it is or (why it) works the way it does through science.
What kind of extracurricular activities do you do?
I have been dancing for 10 years and involved in volleyball for the past three years.
What one place in the world do you plan to visit, and why?
Paris, France. I plan to study the French language in high school, and I have always dreamed about visiting Paris.
Which cultural icon do you respect the most, and why?
I admire Malala Yousafzaiís courage and strength to stand up for what she believed in at such a very young age. I too believe that everyone should be able to receive an education.
What career path do you plan to pursue?
I would like to become either a dentist or an orthodontist.
Dominic Falcione - Senior, Lawrence School
Being a teenager is tough enough, but also having Tourette syndrome is a challenge that 17-year-old Dominic Falcione tackles every day.
"It would surprise most people because it is not very noticeable, and it does not impede me much in anything," he says.
Falcione serves as the captain of the soccer team and assistant stage manager of theater productions. He participates in science, art, bowling, engineering and science-fiction movie clubs and collaborates with a fellow student to advertise many school events via large cardboard sculptures.
He is the son of Al and Sandy Falcione.
What’s your favorite subject, and why?
I really enjoy most of my classes. My Calculus class has three students in it, and we've had the same teacher for three years now so we all get along great. My AP Physics class is a lot of fun, especially since I'm going into a field of engineering. Lastly, I enjoy every art class and every class taught by Mr. Deal that I've ever taken.
What one place in the world do you plan to visit, and why?
I would like to visit the Amazon rainforest because I think it would be really cool, and I've always enjoyed learning about all the plant and animal life in that climate.
Who in your school inspires you to get a good education?
One of my best friends, Jarrett, inspires me because he is always up-to-date on the latest and greatest science technology, and our combined knowledge lets us overcome a vast amount of obstacles.