Widener honors area high school student leaders

CHESTER >> Widener University, one of the nation’s premier universities for civic engagement and applied leadership, in partnership with WCAU-TV NBC10, is proud to recognize 174 area students who are winners of the Widener University High School Leadership Awards. In its sixth year, the program is recognizing students from high schools throughout the region for their abilities to stand up for what is right, address a wrong and make a difference in their communities or schools. Students from Delaware County and neighboring areas recognized are:

ARDMORE: Elizabeth Paul, Lower Merion High School. Paul has made a difference by actively leading the school’s Build On program, where she was selected as one of 13 students to build a school in a third world country.

ASTON: Nicole Brown, Padua Academy. Brown has made a difference by being a selfless young woman who is prepared for any situation that is presented to her. She volunteers countless hours to her local fire company and is studying to become an EMT; Carly Williams, Sun Valley High School. Williams has made a difference by serving as a dedicated Peer Buddy to a student with disabilities.

BERWYN: Mikayla Renwick, Conestoga High School. Renwick has made a difference by leading the school’s African American Student Union and motivating students to participate and debate in their classes.

BOOTHWYN: Angela Coleman, Chichester High School. Coleman has made a difference by organizing a local American Red Cross Blood Drive and dedicating herself to a variety of community service activities.

BROOOMALL: Emily Carroll, Academy of Notre Dame de Namur. Carroll has made a difference by dedicating herself to service projects at a therapeutic riding facility. She was recently selected to represent Notre Dame at the ADL Annual Youth Leadership Summit; Christian DiCicco, Malvern Preparatory School. DiCicco has made a difference by displaying leadership during school service assignments by making sure other students stay on task and the needs of the service are being met. He is an exemplary sports participant and an athletic manager.

DARBY: Ixchele Ortiz, Penn Wood High School. Ortiz has made a difference by regularly volunteering with the Red Cross and her community food pantry. She also serves as a member of the Student Council.

DREXEL HILL: Kayla McLaughlin, Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School. McLaughlin has made a difference by launching Care Cures, a group that fundraises for childhood cancer research. She grew the club to 60 members in one year, and is a leader on the soccer and swim teams.

FOLSOM: Gianna Volpone, Ridley High School. Volpone has made a difference by serving as a peer mentor and student ambassador, as well as a dedicated member of the school soccer team.

GLEN MILLS: Thomas Robertson, Garnet Valley High School. Robertson has made a difference by serving as a mentor and tutor to other students. He is also a member of many clubs and local organizations that benefit the school and community.

HAVERTOWN: Drew Fuentes, Haverford High School. Fuentes has made a difference by organizing a group of students to teach Spanish at a local elementary school. She is also a member of the lacrosse and volleyball teams and National Honor Society, and participates in Best Buddies, the Student Senate, and Spanish Club.

MEDIA: Mary Linvill, Penncrest High School. Linvill has made a difference by working with her peers to create and model a strong, positive class culture.

NEWTOWN SQUARE: Shannon McCarthy, Marple Newtown High School. McCarthy has made a difference by assuming leadership responsibilites within the school. She participates in the Student Council, National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society, and has received the Positive On People Award; Anaya Cherry, The Episcopal Academy. Cherry has made a difference by starting the school’s Black Student Union in hopes to connect current students with alumni. She also works to bring issues to the table at the Diversity Awareness Club.

RIDLEY PARK: Juliana Wallgren, Archbishop John Carroll High School. Wallgren has made a difference by volunteering her time and effort to promote the school to current and prospective students and encouraging her peers to do the same.

SPRINGFIELD: Daniel Devaney, Cardinal O’Hara High School. Devaney has made a difference by coaching youth sports teams and serving as a leader within his school community; Kerry McCann, Springfield High School. McCann has made a difference by dedicating herself to the Steve Stefani Dance Marathon, the largest high school fundraiser in the country for pediatric cancer.

UPPER DARBY: Vamuya Fofana, Upper Darby High School. Fofana has made a difference by founding a group to promote unity, education and awareness about the West African Ebola epidemic.

WAYNE: Macie Plotkin, Radnor High School. Plotkin has made a difference by joining the leadership committee of SpeakUp!, an evening program that brings parents, students and educators together to discuss difficult topics affecting teens and their mental health.

WEST CHESTER: Haley Domzalski, Rustin High School. Domzalski has made a difference by sparking a school-wide dialogue on creating a more positive school climate in the wake of the presidential election.

For information on Widener University High School Leadership Awards, visit the High School Leadership Awards page at www. widener.edu