North Hills Honors Students for 2010-11 Accomplishments

When North Hills School District graduating senior Rachel Dieterich finds herself stumped by a medical term or mathematics equation when studying toward her nursing degree at St. Francis University, she can fall back on her award-winning abilities.

Receiving subject awards for Latin and mathematics, Dieterich was one of 263 North Hills senior, junior and sophomore students honored during the Academic and Activity Achievement Award Recognition Night Monday in the senior high auditorium.

“It is a collage of the best and the brightest,” Senior High Principal John Kreider said. “We strive to recognize academic accomplishments as well as participation in activities.”

Honorees received scholarship and special recognition awards, merit and subject area awards in specific classes and programs and club awards for outstanding participation. A total of 75 different awards were given representing academics, music, athletics, extracurriculars and attendance sectors.

“I know they make us proud and they make their parents proud,” Kreider said. “But tonight also is about giving students a sense of pride in themselves.”

The ceremony melds what previously were numerous award ceremonies into one and also recognizes Distinguished Alumni Award winners in the district’s new program.

A few of the graduating seniors who stood out Monday night both because of their achievements and the number of their awards included:

* Alex Balzer - American Chemical Society Certificate of Achievement, North Hills Education Association World Language Award, World Language Department Subject Award for German and mathematics, German Club Award

* Anthony Chmura - National Merit Scholarship program finalist, Prudential Spirit of Community Award, President’s Volunteer Service Award, Pittsburgh History and Landmark Scholarship

* Demetri Danis - James E. Haug Memorial Scholarship 

* Nicholas Didycz - National Merit Scholarship Winner, Gannon University 2011 Programming Contest - second place, American Chemical Society Certificate of Achievement, North Hills Education Association Science Award, Subject Award for Mathematics, University of Pittsburgh “Integration Bee” - third place

* Felipe Gomez-Frittelli - National Merit scholarship winner, PMEA District Honors, District I, Region and All-State Orchestra  - Viola, Subject Awards for French and mathematics

* John Gordon - H.P. Smith Memorial Scholarship, Drama Club Award, German Club Award

* Shawn Gyke - American Field Service Scholarship Award, Lawrence C. Barnes Jr. Memorial Scholarship, North Hills High School Service Award, Subject Awards for mathematics and Spanish.

* Bryan Nicodemus - U.S. Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence, PMEA District I and Region Bands and All-State Wind Ensemble - Trumpet

* Regina Sencak - Pittsburgh Foundation’s Anonymous Donor Scholarship, Northern Athletic Directors Association Female Tri-athlete Award, Subject Award for mathematics

* Jeremiah Spear - National Merit Scholarship program finalist, Allegheny Valley High School Honors Band - Baritone

* Tyler Treser - Eleanor McGowan Smith and H.P. Smith Memorial Scholarship

* Samantha Waters - Eleanor McGowan Smith and H.P. Smith Memorial Scholarship, U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Female Athlete Award, Subject Award for family and consumer sciences, Hands for Service Club Award, CHANGES Club Award