National Constitution Center Thursday, March 30, 2023 — 7:30–9:30 am
Dear Honored Students,
Welcome to the Widener University High School Leadership Awards ceremony. I would like to extend my warmest congratulations on behalf of Widener University, NBC10, and Telemundo62 as we honor you, the winners of the 2023 High School Leadership Awards.
As you know, this awards program was designed to recognize high school students in the region who embody Widener’s focus on leadership, academic excellence, overall character, hard work, and dedication. The quality of your nominations reaffirms my strong belief that the Widener mission is critical to our future. Each of you were selected for your ability to stand up for what you believe in, speak out on behalf of others and make an impact in your communities. Among the award recipients here today, there are students who have launched inclusivity initiatives to foster safe and welcoming school environments for all, organized volunteer programs to support those in need, provided companionship to the elderly, mentored young people in their communities and more — all wonderful acts of leadership and volunteerism.
You are undoubtedly the next generation of leaders. I truly thank you for your enormous contributions to both your high schools and local communities and look forward to personally congratulating you all during today’s award presentation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Stacey M. Robertson President, Widener University
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High School Leadership Awards Ceremony
Registration ......................... National Constitution Center
Grand Hall Overlook
Welcome Remarks ....................
Mrs. Tracy Davidson
Anchor, NBC10
Opening Remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dr. Stacey Robertson
President, Widener University
Impact Remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kyle Schaeffer
Apogee Scholar, Widener University
Keynote ............................
Dr. Richard Cooper
Director, BSW Program and Co-Coordinator, African American Studies, Widener University
Presentation of Certificates .............
Elizabeth Lynch
President of the Apogee Scholar Program, Widener University
Closing Remarks .....................
Dr. Stacey Robertson
President, Widener University
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The High School Leadership Awards
In partnership with NBC10 and Telemundo62, Widener University launched the High School Leadership Awards program in 2011 to identify regional high school students who embody the university’s commitment to develop and inspire leaders who affect positive change. The program recognizes local high school students for their outstanding civic contributions, leadership, and commitment to their communities. Each year, principals and counselors in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware are encouraged to identify one current high school junior who exhibits the ability to stand up for what is right, address a wrong, and make a difference in his or her community or school. After a rigorous nomination and selection process, Widener University selected 104 students to receive the High School Leadership Award this year.
Widener aspires to be a dynamic, inclusive academic community, transforming students into scholars, leaders, and globally engaged citizens. The university embraces a culture of leadership that inspires students, faculty, and staff to have a positive influence on their workplaces, professions, communities, and the world. Consequently, Widener is proud to co-sponsor the High School Leadership Awards program that calls attention to the next generation of local leaders.
In addition to being recognized as young leaders in the region, the recipients will also receive a scholarship of $20,000 over four years should they enroll at Widener University as a freshman for undergraduate studies and be named an Apogee Scholar. As an Apogee Scholar, students will participate in a leadership development program, which will include earning a Widener Leadership Certificate and participating in a variety of on-campus leadership development activities.
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Award Winners
ATLANTIC COUNTY
Buena Regional High School, Kshema Patel
Holy Spirit High School, Thomas Farren
Atlantic Christian School, Evangelina Kim
St. Joseph Academy, Angelina Bill
Egg Harbor Township High School, Samantha Reed
Absegami High School, Jatin Punjabi
BERKS COUNTY
Daniel Boone Area High School, Hannah Huddleson
Boyertown Area Senior High School, Sabrina Falzone
Oley Valley High School, Sean Hoffman
Exeter Township Senior High School, Charlotte Rismiller
BUCKS COUNTY
William Tennent High School, Savannah Zeaman
Pennsbury High School – West, Samarth Mannikeri
Villa Joseph Marie High School, Nora Fleming
Archbishop Wood High School, Enzo Petruzzelli
Conwell-Egen Catholic High School, Molly Milewski
Council Rock High School – South, Sean Klein
New Hope-Solebury High School, Caroline Berman
BURLINGTON COUNTY
Burlington City High School, Ashley Cabrera
Cinnaminson High School, Joseph Shepherd
Northern Burlington County Regional High School, Frankie Luna
Delran High School, Gwyneth Fyke
Cherokee High School, Daniel Leonard
Bordentown Regional High School, Isabella Basile
Shawnee High School, Meredith Bandomer
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Award Winners
CAMDEN COUNTY
Camden County Technical School – Gloucester, Amanda Tague
Collingswood High School, Amylia Tra
Gloucester City High School, Maya Beringer
Haddon Township High School, Brady Eagan
Haddonfield Memorial High School, Sydney Rudder
Overbrook High School, Madeline Himes
Timber Creek Regional High School, Elisabeth Gallagher
Camden Catholic High School, Averi LaPata
Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, Jordan Roessler
Triton Regional High School, Daejah Purnell
CARBON COUNTY
Carbon Career and Technical Institute, Haley Kuehner
CHESTER COUNTY
Avon Grove Charter School, Julia Bishop
Delaware Valley Friends School, Matthew Byrne
Downingtown STEM Academy, Maycie Kulp
Great Valley High School, William Curtis
Owen J. Roberts High School, Asya Price
Unionville High School, Felicity Chen
Woodlynde School, Kaitlyn Gammon
Collegium Charter School, Shawn Sims
Downingtown High School East, Preethi Bhaskar
Downingtown High School West, Rainey Smith
Oxford Area High School, Ryan Owens
Bayard Rustin High School, Jake DeMarco
Valley Forge Military Academy, William Quealy
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Award Winners
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Cumberland Regional High School, Sumeyye Bicer
Millville Senior High School, Zaiya Loatman
DELAWARE COUNTY
Marple Newtown High School, Gurneet Pabla
Penn Wood High School, Gianna Bryson-Gamble
Ridley High School, Mu’Nairah Saleem
Springfield High School, Claire Lynch
Strath Haven High School, Carolyn Eskenazi
Cardinal O’Hara High School, Mariana Pagano
GLOUCESTER COUNTY
Glassboro High School, Samantha Tranz
Gateway Regional High School, Jacob Garrett
Our Lady of Mercy Academy, Ellie McDonough
Clearview Regional High School, Annabelle Scott
LEHIGH COUNTY
Northern Lehigh High School, Delaney Szwast
Salisbury High School, Laurans Trinh
Emmaus High School, Teagen McCourt
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Jenkintown High School, Xavier Hackett
Perkiomen Valley High School, Andrew Kenworthy
Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School, Parker Powley
Springfield Township High School, Kayla Hamlin
Spring-Ford High School, Madison D’Annunzio
Upper Dublin High School, Jonathan Beamer
Lansdale Catholic High School, Robert Lombardo
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Award Winners
Abington Senior High School, Nazariy Kostyuk
The Baldwin School, Chloe Watson
Pottsgrove High School, Nduati Michuki
Upper Merion Area High School, Ari Milligan
Upper Moreland High School, Brooke Lobban
NEW CASTLE COUNTY
Cab Calloway School of the Arts, Irwin Wang
Thomas McKean High School, Gionna Flemming
Caravel Academy, Sonya Pathania
Red Lion Christian Academy, Josiah Farinacci
William Penn High School, Anthony Ayala
Concord High School, Elliot Roseo
St. Marks High School, Jose Abreu
Appoquinimink High School, Sophie Douglas
Conrad Schools of Science, Emily Rodriguez
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY
Nazareth Area High School, Mena Kazista
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY
Franklin Towne Charter High School, Daniel Nogowski
Lankenau Environmental Science Magnet High School, Josephine Schirling
Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School, Anthony Diaz Amparo
Paul Robeson High School, Precious Thompson
Philadelphia Academy Charter High School, Emily Boothman
Universal Audenried Charter High School, Nasir Senior
Nazareth Academy High School, Channing Hughston
Archbishop Ryan High School, Christopher Yengbeh
Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School, Jemima Oduwole
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Award Winners
West Catholic Preparatory High School, Robert Campbell Jr.
John Bartram High School, Ramir Wise
Horace Furness High School, Sylvain Farrel
Philadelphia High School for Girls, Maniyah Nash
Martin Luther King High School, Lakayla Lewis
Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School, Oyewumi Oyeniyi
Thomas A. Edison High School, Jessica Soto
Friends Select School, Nandi Bayard
Saint Joseph’s Preparatory School, Isaiah Littlejohn
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
Pottsville Area High School, Kylie Morris
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