Avella will graduate 57 seniors today
Pauline Kay Clarchick, valedictorian
Drew Hodgkiss
Brennon Wood
Catherine Fox
Krystal Dellapina
Sylvia Nicole Dreistadt
Patricia Conn
Jacob Graham
Cassandra Hamilton
Joseph DePetro
Amber Kirschner
Avella High School will graduate 57 seniors today at 7 p.m. at the football stadium.
Pauline Kay Clarchick was named valedictorian.
The top 10 seniors are Drew Hodgkiss, Brennon Wood, Catherine Fox, Krystal Dellapina, Sylvia Nicole Dreistadt, Patricia Conn, Jacob Graham, Cassandra Hamilton, Joseph DePetro and Amber Kirschner.
Clarchick is a daughter of John and Lynn Maidment Clarchick of Avella. She will attend Marietta College to study petroleum engineering and leadership studies.
Her academic awards are the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute Summer Academy scholar, University of Pittsburgh Gene Team researcher, Westinghouse Honors Science Institute, Amelia Earhart Honoree, Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award, Challenge Program Academic Excellence Award, math award, English award, science award and Spanish award.
She was a member of the math team, concert band, National Honors Society president, debate team, Model United Nations, Brain Drain, dance, academic team captain, steel drum band, theater, art club, science club president, mock trial and marching band commanding officer.
She was captain of Hometown High Q Team, a peer educator, facilitator of the middle school science club, facilitator of the elementary school science club, Avella science corps president, sophomore class treasurer, District Honors Band, Washington County PMEA Honors Band, Wheeling, W.Va., art show grand award, scholastic art awards, Rep. Tim Murphy Artistic Discovery Program and the Pittsburgh Technical Institute art show.
She also was a member of the track and tennis teams and volunteered in many areas of the community, winning the Challenge Program Community Service Award.
Drew Hodgkiss, ranked second, is a son of Doug and Reta Lorraine Hodgkiss of Avella. He will attend Allegheny College and study organic chemistry.
He won the Trustee Scholarship at Allegheny College, is a member of the National Honor Society, 4-H, science club, Envirothon, Model United Nations, Science Quiz Bowl, marching band, concert band and the community service club.
A winner of the Kiwanis Scholarship, he also was a member of the cross country team and rifle team, being named a distinguished athlete through the U.S. Marine Corps.
Brennon Wood, ranked third, is a son of Betsy and Kerry Kennedy and Eugene Wood. He will attend Waynesburg University to study computer science.
He has been listed on the high honors list with distinction, and was a member of the science club and National Honor Society. He also participated in cross country and track.
Catherine Fox, ranked fourth, is a daughter of David and Rebecca Fox of Washington. She will attend California University of Pennsylvania and study elementary and special education.
She has been named to the high honor roll and high honors with distinction. She was a member of the National Honor Society and was a member of the school newspaper staff, editor-and-chief her senior year. She also was a member of the marching band, rifle team and tutored and mentored younger students.
Krystal Dellapina, ranked fifth, is a daughter of Pete and Kari Dellapina of Avella. She will attend California University of Pennsylvania and study physical therapy assisting. A member of the high honor roll with distinction, she was also a member of the art club, community service club and the National Honor Society. She volunteered at Washington Hospital and was a member of the tennis team and color guard.
Sylvia Nicole Dreistadt, ranked sixth, is a daughter of William and Judith Dreistadt of Washington. She will attend the University of Pittsburgh and major in architectural studies.
She has been awarded perfect attendance, honors with distinction, Spanish, American history and English awards. She was a member of the yearbook staff, academic team, Brain Drain, Model United Nations, Science Olympiad, National Honor Society, Envirothon, science club, community service club and Frazier Simplex rifle club.
She also was a member of the volleyball team and rifle team captain in her senior year.
Patricia Conn, ranked seventh, is a daughter of Jack and Lisa Conn of Avella. She will attend the University of Pittsburgh and study biomedical engineering.
She has been awarded student of the month, Zia Rosa scholarship, Ashley Bruce scholarship, AEA scholarship and was named to the high honor roll and high honors with distinction.
She was a member of the community service club, science club, newspaper, concert band, steel drum band, National Honor Society, mock trial, Model United Nations, academic team, senior class treasurer and student council.
Winner of the WPIAL sportsmanship summit, Conn was also a member of the volleyball team, captain in her senior year, and was a member of the marching band.
Jacob Graham, ranked eighth, is a son of Larry and Marla Graham of Avella. He will study to become an electrician.
He was a member of the high honor roll and the football and baseball teams.
Cassandra Hamilton, ranked ninth, is a daughter of Juanita Hamilton of Avella. She will attend Waynesburg University and study nursing.
She won the Presidential Scholarship at Waynesburg, American Legion scholarship, Central Blood Bank scholarhip and the Live Laugh Love scholarship. She also was a member of the newspaper, SADD, 4-H and the rifle and volleyball teams.
Joseph DePetro, ranked 10th, is a son of Joe and Rachelle DePetro of Independence. He will attend West Virginia University and study chemical engineering.
He has won the Algebra I award and is a member of the National Honor Society and Academic World Quest. He was a member of the cross country and track teams.
Amber Kirschner, ranked 11th, is a daughter of Doug Kirschner and Robin King. She will attend California University of Pennsylvania and study art education. She was May student of the month and a member of the honor roll and high honors with distinction. She also was a member of the marching band, choir, newspaper staff, yearbook staff, SADD, vice president of the class of 2013 and the school musical. She is also a member of the Washington County choir.