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The Times Leader, Best and Brightest Award winners, back row: Mary Jeanne Brenholts, foreign language; John Lisman, civics; Brian Miller, mathematics; Jacqueline Nowakowski, art; David Waskie, computers and technology; Joseph O’Hara, athletics; Jennifer Naro, journalism. Front row: Amy Malishcak, vocational and technical; Kayla Costello, service to the community; Bhumi Patel, science; Linnae Marita Aufiere, business; Gina Sabatini, English, Alexis Kuzma, performing arts.
ASHLEY – Most high school seniors learn about other cultures through the Internet or books.
Kayla Costello has learned about other cultures by volunteering in foreign countries across the globe. Costello, a Pittston Area High School senior, won the 2009 Best and Brightest Award for Service to the Community during the 15th annual Best and Brightest Award ceremony Tuesday night at Bentley’s, presented by The Times Leader.
Costello visited all seven continents by the time she was 17 years old. Some of the traveling she’s embarked on with her parents and other times as a member of the People to People student ambassador program. She has assisted a sea turtle rescue center in Greece, helped students improve their English in China and planted trees in an Australian rainforest.
She encouraged other students to travel abroad and help people if they get a chance.
“When you go somewhere else you learn how other people live in different parts of the world, and it makes you more aware of others’ needs and other things you can do to help others,” she said, adding there is nothing better than to help make someone a better person by helping them.
Costello, 18, plans to continue to help others by becoming a doctor, She will attend the University of Pennsylvania this fall.
She was one of 14 seniors from across the Wyoming Valley who won top honors for their achievements. The other 2009 Best and Brightest winners are: Timothy Accurso of Nanticoke Area – music; Brian Miller of Coughlin – math; Joseph O’Hara of Wyoming Valley West – athletics; Bhumi Patel of Crestwood – science; Linnae Aufiere of Wyoming Area – business; Jacqueline Nowakowski of Wyoming Area – art; Jennifer Naro of Wyoming Valley West – journalism; David Waskie of Crestwood – computer; Alexis Kuzma of Dallas – performing arts; Mary Jeanne Brenholts of Holy Redeemer – foreign languages; Amy Malishchak of Northwest Area – vocational and technical; John Lisman of Meyers – civics and Gina Sabatini of Wyoming Area – English. There were 45 other finalists in the 14 categories.
“This event, which our company inherited when we bought the Times Leader, is among the finest recognition programs anywhere-here or anyplace else in the country,” said Richard L. Connor, Times Leader editor and publisher. “It’s the night when we give back to our constituents and their children. We get to rub shoulders with young people who truly are the best and brightest future leaders in our county. They make us all proud.”
Best and Brightest project coordinator Rachel Pugh said there is not a better way to honor students who’ve demonstrated their commitment to improving the world
“In this area we have students who not only excel in the classroom, but excel in the community. I think it is really important to see not only what a great job our parents and our school districts are doing,” Pugh said.
All Best and Brightest winners received a $1,000 scholarship, glass trophy and other prizes.
