58th Hewitt Scholar/Athlete Awards set for May 4

Board of associates of Mount St. Mary’s Hospital to hold event at Niagara Frontier Golf Club; program presented by Mount St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation

Submitted by the Mount St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation/Board of Associates

The board of associates of Mount St. Mary’s Hospital will present the 58th Thomas E. Hewitt Scholar/Athlete Awards at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 4, at the Niagara Frontier Golf Club. The program is presented by the Mount St Mary’s Hospital Foundation.

Sixteen scholar athletes from eight area high schools have been nominated for the honor. The award is based on scholarship, athletic achievement, community service and a face-to-face interview with a panel of judges.

The presentation will be made at a brunch at the Niagara Frontier Golf Club. John Hurley, president emeritus of Canisius University, will be the guest speaker. Tickets for the brunch are $20.

Female nominees include: Natalie Kopf, Grand Island High School; Casey Fetzner, Lewiston-Porter High School; Gianna Pasceri, Lockport High School; Jhonnea Harris, Niagara Falls High School; Ava Devald, Niagara Wheatfield High School; Ella Smith, North Tonawanda High School;
Sophia Wisnewski, Starpoint High School; and Stephanie Atlas, Wilson High School.

Male nominees include: Evan Pickering, Grand Island High School; Leo Clark, Lewiston-Porter High School; Lucas Pynn, Lockport High School; Anthony Savino, Niagara Falls High School;
Ethan Osetkowski, Niagara Wheatfield High School; Christian Earnst, North Tonawanda High School; Timothy Lukasik, Starpoint High School; and Keegan Herrmann, Wilson High School.

For tickets, contact event coordinator Fred Caso at 716-870-7997 or fredcaso54@gmail.com.

Grand Island High School – Natalie Kopf

Natalie Kopf has earned a 97.66 weighted grade-point average. She has earned high honor roll recognition throughout high school and has been named a NYS Scholar Athlete 12 times. Natalie is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Academy of Finance, is editor of the school yearbook and state qualified for DECA for three years. She is a volunteer with the Cystic Fibrosis Society and traveled to Washington, D.C., to testify before Congress on behalf of legislation. she was captain of the tennis team, captain of the softball team and member of the hockey team. Natalie plans to attend the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where she plans to major in business analytics and was recruited to play softball. Her goal is to earn her MBA and work in the area of analytics and operations. Natalie is the daughter of Jennifer and Robert Kopf.

Lewiston-Porter High School – Casey Fetzner

 Casey Fetzner has earned a 100.44 weighted grade-point average. She is a member of the National Honor Society, National Science Honor Society and French National Honor Society. She has earned Scholar-athlete recognition for 2024 and 2025. Casey is a member of the student-athlete advisory council, the superintendent student advisory council, the French Club, orchestra, chorus, vocal jazz and Notoriety acapella group. She is also a volunteer at the SPCA and crocheted blankets for Project Linus. She was co-captain of the soccer team and co-captain of the basketball team (named 1st Team WNY), and also a member of the track and field team. Casey plans to attend SUNY Fredonia and major in biochemistry, while playing soccer and being a member of the track and field team. Her goal is to pursue a career in biochemical research. She is the daughter of Anika and Jeremy Fetzner.

Lockport High School – Gianna Pasceri

Gianna Pasceri has earned a 97.9 weighted grade average and is ranked in the top 10% of her class. She is vice president of the National Honor Society and member of the French, math and science honor societies. She has earned high honor roll and an academic “L.” Gianna is the class president and is a member of Sources of Strength and the wilderness club. She is also a member of Junior Achievement and volunteer with the youth mentoring program. She took part in the TALAT Club (Take a Look at Teaching). She was co-captain of the soccer team where she was NFL 1st and 2nd Team All-League. She earned a Sportsmanship Award and is a Heart of the Lion Award recipient. Gianna volunteered at the Lockport Soccer Day and participated in Unified bowling and Unified basketball. Gianna plans to attend SUNY Geneseo and major in early childhood education while playing Division III Soccer. Her career goal is to become an elementary school teacher. She is the daughter of Richelle and Nicholas Pasceri.

Niagara Falls High School – Jhonnea Harris

Jhonnea Harris has earned a 109.95 weighted grade-point average and is the Class salutatorian. She has earned high honors throughout high school and will graduate with 21 college credits. She is a member of Black Excellence, Students with Academic Goals (SWAG) and Leadership Youth of Niagara County (LYNC). She is also a volunteer with the Unified sports program and the Community Missions Christmas program. Jhonnea was captain of the basketball team and the indoor and outdoor track teams. She is a five-time school recordholder in track and field and a two-time state medalist. She is also a youth cheerleading volunteer coach and a Red Cross blood bank volunteer. She plans to attend Howard University and major in business while participating in track and field. She hopes to become a real estate agent. Jhonnea is the daughter of Rasalynne Hilson.

Niagara Wheatfield – Ava Devald

Ava Devald has earned a 100.10 weighted grade-point average. She is member of the National Honor Society, has earned high honor roll recognition throughout high school, and was named an Academic All-American in lacrosse. Ava has been her class president throughout high school and is a volunteer lacrosse coach. She was captain of the soccer team, captain of the basketball team, captain of the lacrosse team and member of flag football. She plans to attend Youngstown State University and major in psychology while playing lacrosse. Her career goal is to become a psychiatrist. Ava is the daughter of Melonie and Jason Devald.

North Tonawanda – Ella Smith

Ella Smith has earned a 100.59 weighted grade-point average. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has earned high honor roll and scholar athlete recognition. She has also been named a student of the month and a quality student. Ella is an officer of the senior class and member of the YAC club, outdoor awareness club and Academy of Health Sciences. She volunteers with Unified basketball and bowling, as well as with the North Tonawanda Recreation Center. She was captain of the soccer team and captain of the lacrosse team. Ella plans to attend SUNY Cortland and major in speech therapy. Her goal is to become a speech pathologist and work with young people. Ella is the daughter of Amanda and Jeffrey Smith

Starpoint High School – Sophia Waliszewski

Sophia Waliszewski has earned a 102.17 weighted grade-point average. She is the class valedictorian and has earned a Starpoint Scholar Athlete Award. Sophia is president of the National Honor Society, treasurer of the senior class, treasurer of the social studies honor society and member of the math honor society and science honor society. Sophia is a volunteer youth basketball coach. She was co-captain of the basketball team, co-captain of the track and field team and member of the cross-country team. She plans to attend Niagara University and major in finance, while being a member of the track and field team. Her goal is to become a financial adviser. Sophia is the daughter of Lisa and John Waliszewski.

Wilson High School – Stephanie Atlas

Stephanie Atlas has earned a 100.72 weighted grade-point average. Stephanie is the class valedictorian and has earned high honor roll recognition throughout high school. She has participated in the Harvard University Academic on-campus program and SUNY Buffalo gifted mathematics program. She is a member of the National Honor Society, president of the student council, treasurer of the senior class and treasurer of Students Against Destructive Decisions. Stephanie is a volunteer Wilson Youth Cheer coach and volunteer at “Wilson Family Night.” She is captain of the game day and competitive cheerleading teams, and member of the softball team. She plans to attend college and enter into a pre-law or political science program. Her career goal is to become a sports agent. Stephanie is the daughter of Kerry and William Atlas

Grand Island High School – Evan Pickering

Evan Pickering has earned a 99.38 weighted grade average and is ranked No. 5 in his class. He has earned high honor roll and taken multiple AP courses throughout high school. He will receive the Seal of Civic Readiness upon graduation. He is a member of the National Honor Society, has earned scholar athlete recognition six times, and the Clarkson High School Achievement Award. He is a member of the orchestra and first chair violist, member of the musical pit, and has been selected to All-County Orchestra. He is also a member of student government, mock trial team, and president of the student athlete advisory committee. He has volunteered with Friends of the Night People and with youth soccer. Evan is a two-time All-NFL soccer player on his NFL and Section VI championship teams. He has also been named 1st team All-Division in football and earned All-State Honorable Mention as the team’s kicker. He has also participated in track and field and rugby. He plans to attend college and go into a STEM field. Evan is the son of Jill and Tim Pickering.

Lewiston-Porter High School – Leo Clark

Leo Clark has earned a 100.53 weighted grade-point average. He scored 90%-plus on all his Regents exams and has earned high honor roll recognition throughout high school. He is a member of the National Honor Society, school band and jazz band. He is an Eagle Scout and senior patrol leader with the Boy Scouts of America. He has earned a World Conservation Award and volunteers with his church youth group. He is a member of the French club and ski club. Leo was captain of the track and field team and also a member of the cross-country team. He plans to attend college and major in accounting and pursue his master’s degree in business administration. Leo is the son of Charlotte and Paul Clark

Lockport High School – Lucas Pynn

Lucas Pynn has earned a 102.34 weighted grade-point average. Lucas is president of the National Honor Society and was the valedictorian of the junior class. He has been named an All-WNY Scholar Athlete and has earned high honor roll and scholar athlete recognition. He is a member of the Sources for Strength, the Green Club, Spanish club, Bible club, foreign exchange club and wind ensemble. He was captain of the volleyball team and tennis team, and member of the swim team and Unified bowling and basketball. Lucas plans to attend Daemen University and play Division I volleyball. He will major in biology with a goal of obtaining an Ph.D. and work in a hospital setting. Lucas is the son of Sara and Timothy Pynn.

Niagara Falls High School – Anthony Savino

Anthony Savino has earned a 115.1 weighted grade average. Anthony received high honors recognition throughout high school and is a member of the National Honor Society. He is also an AP scholar, has accumulated 21 credits toward his college degree, and has earned scholar athlete recognition all four years of high school. Anthony is a member of DECA, and a member of Leadership for Youth of Niagara (LYNC). He has volunteered with his church, and at the Niagara Falls clean sweep program. For two years, Anthony has served as captain of the baseball and golf teams, and spent eight years playing for national travel baseball teams. Anthony has also spent many hours assisting youth at volunteer baseball camps. He will attend Frostburg State University in Maryland, where he will play baseball and major in finance. His goal is to become a financial adviser. Anthony is the son of Alicia and Daniel Savino.

Niagara Wheatfield High School – Ethan Osetkowski

Ethan Osetkowski has earned a 90 weighted grade-point average. He has earned high honor roll recognition. Ethan has volunteered at the local soup kitchen, his church and with St. Jude Cancer Institute. He was a member of the baseball team where he was 1^st Team all area, soccer team and football team. He also volunteered with Unified bowling. Ethan plans to attend SUNY Niagara and major in sports management while playing baseball. He is the son of Kate and Joe Osetkowski.

North Tonawanda High School – Christian Earnst

Christian Earnst has earned a 92 grade-point average. He has earned scholar athlete and honor roll recognition. Christian has volunteered at the North Tonawanda Recreation Center and as a volunteer coach for football for players with special needs. He has volunteered at multiple community activities. He was captain of the football team and captain of the basketball team. He plans to attend SUNY Buffalo State and major in psychology with a minor in criminal justice while playing football. His goal is to become an FBI agent or police officer. Christian is the son of Christie and Jeff Earnst.

Starpoint High School – Timothy Lukasik

Timothy Lukasik has earned a 101.5 weighted grade average and is ranked 10th in his class of 256. He is a member of the National Honor Society, has earned honor roll recognition throughout high school, was named a Starpoint Scholar Athlete and an All-WNY Scholar Athlete. He is a member of the math, science, social studies and English honor societies, the digital media arts club and the Shakespeare Lives Club. He volunteered with “Lock In/Lock Out” cancer. Timothy was captain of the cross-country team and captain of the outdoor indoor and outdoor track teams. He is a six-time cross-country and track state qualifier. He also volunteered with Unified bowling, basketball and volleyball. He plans to attend Canisius University with a dual major in business and film production, while being a member of the cross-county and track teams. His goal is to pursue a career as an entrepreneur in business. Timothy is the son of Deborah and Timothy Lukasik.

Wilson High School – Keegan Herrmann

Keegan Herrmann has earned a 92.09 weighted grade-point average. Keegan has earned recognition as a scholar athlete three times and is two-time Wilson Champion. He has also earned honor roll recognition and a Lamp of Knowledge award. He has volunteered with the Challenger soccer program, is a volunteer youth soccer coach and with the local food pantry and Reading Buddies program. He was captain of the soccer team, member of the basketball team and captain for club soccer. Keegan plans to attend Daemen University and major in physical therapy while being a member of the school’s soccer team. He has been accepted into the university’s doctorate program in physical therapy. Keegan is the son of Sara and Paul Herrmann.