UPB to Honor 'Women of Promise'
The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will honor three high school students as “Women of Promise” for their achievements in athletics, community service, and the creative and performing arts at a luncheon on Monday, March 1.
Breea C. Willingham, a Pitt-Bradford alumna and visiting professor of journalism at St. Bonaventure University, will give the keynote address titled “I’m not Supposed to be Here.”
Being honored are Faith Benson of Allegany-Limestone (N.Y.) Central School for community service; Alyssa Bowser of Port Allegany High School for creative and performing arts; and Kimberly Telaak of Ellicottville (N.Y.) Central School for athletics.
Benson, the daughter of Don and Lucy Benson, is being honored for her social justice work raising money and awareness for victims of the war in Darfur and homeless Americans, among others.
As a freshman, Benson held three benefit concerts and sold bracelets to raise several thousand dollars for victims of the war in Darfur. This academic year she and a few classmates started a program to raise money for the homeless by sleeping outside in cardboard boxes in icy weather.
Benson also participates in several hands-on programs as a volunteer at church fundraisers, Waters Nursing Home, the Warming House soup kitchen in Allegany and at St. Luke’s Mission soup kitchen in Buffalo, N.Y.
She plans to attend Colgate University and purse a degree in international relations. She would also like to spend a year volunteering in Africa, earning a law degree and advocating for the women of the Sudan.
Bowser, the daughter of Scott and Kim Bowser, is a multi-talented student who simultaneously pursues Japanese animé, playing the clarinet, singing in various vocal groups and serving as editor of the school yearbook.
“My parents have been a big part of my inspiration,” Bowser wrote. “Their support and encouragement have allowed me to successfully pursue a variety of things throughout my life.”
Kathy A. Jeselnick, Bowser’s guidance counselor, wrote that Bowser “has much to offer musically, academically, athletically and as a kind-hearted young woman.”
Bowser plans to attend Clarion University and major in library science.
Telaak, the daughter of Dave and Joyce Telaak, is being recognized for her excellence in sports and leadership.
She is the captain of both the girls’ soccer and basketball teams and led her soccer team to achieve an academic excellence award given to teams that have a GPA of 90 percent or higher. Telaak is ranked first in her class.
In addition, she is student council president and played an integral part in coordinating a Students Against Destructive Decisions event in the fall that involved not only students, but also the state police, county legislators and the Cattaraugus County District Attorney’s office.
She volunteers with her church, the Salvation Army and 4-H, has chores on her family farm and works two part-time jobs.
Her guidance counselor, Tammy Eddy, wrote that Telaak “is a natural leader who is respected by her teammates as well as her coaches. … She has been a great role model for her peers by demonstrating excellent time management skills, a tremendous work ethic and an amazing personality.”
Telaak said that she draws inspiration from the people around her. “In my parents and the wonderful faculty I have had around me at Ellicottville Central School, I have observed hard work, dedication and passion in their everyday actions that push me to show them the best of my abilities as well.”
She plans to attend the State University of New York Brockport, majoring in nursing and playing on the women’s soccer team.
This is the 14th year that the Pitt-Bradford Staff Association and the Women’s History Celebration Committee have recognized area “Women of Promise.” Guidance counselors from local high schools are asked to nominate eligible seniors for the awards. A selection committee at Pitt-Bradford then reviews those nominations.
Other young women nominated by their counselor for the athletic award were Lindsay Stoddard of Allegany-Limestone, Filane Godding of Archbishop Walsh Academy, Brittni Wiseman of Bradford Area High School, Breanna Dunsmore of Cameron County High School, Anna Polaski of Johnsonburg Area High School, Jordan Tarr of North Clarion High School, Tristen Rounds of Northern Potter High School, Samantha Walker of Oswayo Valley High School, Taylor Thomas of Otto-Eldred High School, Kaitlyn Kio of Port Allegany High School, Devon Peace of Portville (N.Y.) Central School, Amanda Smith of Randolph (N.Y.) Central School, Lauren Dry of Salamanca (N.Y.) High School, Amber Morrison of Sheffield Area Junior/Senior High School, Danielle Nielson of Smethport Area Junior/Senior High School, Megan Herbstritt of St. Marys Area High School and Kerry Kane of Wellsville (N.Y.) High School.
Other young women nominated by their counselor for the creative and performing arts award were Erin Coatney of Allegany-Limestone, Zoie Presutti of Archbishop Walsh, Danielle Lewis of Bradford, Mallory Rodich of Cameron County, Courtney McNeight of Ellicottville Central, Ashlynn Beaker of Galeton, Brynne Deppas of Jamestown (N.Y.) High School, Nickie Oler of Johnsonburg, Naomi Wasserman of Linesville High School, Lori Dechant of North Clarion, Lucinda Motyka of Oswayo Valley, Rachel Wilcox of Otto-Eldred, Amanda Koniak of Salamanca, Shadoe Fowler of Smethport, Janice Bauer of St. Marys and Kayla Ford of Wellsville.
Other young women nominated by their counselor for the community service award were Amanda Whiteman, Archbishop Walsh; Chelsea Colosimo, Bradford; Kacie Brown, Cameron County; Rosemary Lanza, Ellicottville; Ashlynn Becker, Galeton; Kale Shillig, Northern Potter; Amanda Lasky, Olean (N.Y.) High School; Alexandria Lyman, Oswayo Valley; Allyson Rhinehart, Otto-Eldred; Sara Koehler, Port Allegany; Holly Wojtowicz, Salamanca; Samantha Penwell, Sheffield; Tori Menendez, Smethport; and Sarah Costello, Wellsville.
Breea C. Willingham, a Pitt-Bradford alumna and visiting professor of journalism at St. Bonaventure University, will give the keynote address titled “I’m not Supposed to be Here.”
Being honored are Faith Benson of Allegany-Limestone (N.Y.) Central School for community service; Alyssa Bowser of Port Allegany High School for creative and performing arts; and Kimberly Telaak of Ellicottville (N.Y.) Central School for athletics.
Benson, the daughter of Don and Lucy Benson, is being honored for her social justice work raising money and awareness for victims of the war in Darfur and homeless Americans, among others.
As a freshman, Benson held three benefit concerts and sold bracelets to raise several thousand dollars for victims of the war in Darfur. This academic year she and a few classmates started a program to raise money for the homeless by sleeping outside in cardboard boxes in icy weather.
Benson also participates in several hands-on programs as a volunteer at church fundraisers, Waters Nursing Home, the Warming House soup kitchen in Allegany and at St. Luke’s Mission soup kitchen in Buffalo, N.Y.
She plans to attend Colgate University and purse a degree in international relations. She would also like to spend a year volunteering in Africa, earning a law degree and advocating for the women of the Sudan.
Bowser, the daughter of Scott and Kim Bowser, is a multi-talented student who simultaneously pursues Japanese animé, playing the clarinet, singing in various vocal groups and serving as editor of the school yearbook.
“My parents have been a big part of my inspiration,” Bowser wrote. “Their support and encouragement have allowed me to successfully pursue a variety of things throughout my life.”
Kathy A. Jeselnick, Bowser’s guidance counselor, wrote that Bowser “has much to offer musically, academically, athletically and as a kind-hearted young woman.”
Bowser plans to attend Clarion University and major in library science.
Telaak, the daughter of Dave and Joyce Telaak, is being recognized for her excellence in sports and leadership.
She is the captain of both the girls’ soccer and basketball teams and led her soccer team to achieve an academic excellence award given to teams that have a GPA of 90 percent or higher. Telaak is ranked first in her class.
In addition, she is student council president and played an integral part in coordinating a Students Against Destructive Decisions event in the fall that involved not only students, but also the state police, county legislators and the Cattaraugus County District Attorney’s office.
She volunteers with her church, the Salvation Army and 4-H, has chores on her family farm and works two part-time jobs.
Her guidance counselor, Tammy Eddy, wrote that Telaak “is a natural leader who is respected by her teammates as well as her coaches. … She has been a great role model for her peers by demonstrating excellent time management skills, a tremendous work ethic and an amazing personality.”
Telaak said that she draws inspiration from the people around her. “In my parents and the wonderful faculty I have had around me at Ellicottville Central School, I have observed hard work, dedication and passion in their everyday actions that push me to show them the best of my abilities as well.”
She plans to attend the State University of New York Brockport, majoring in nursing and playing on the women’s soccer team.
This is the 14th year that the Pitt-Bradford Staff Association and the Women’s History Celebration Committee have recognized area “Women of Promise.” Guidance counselors from local high schools are asked to nominate eligible seniors for the awards. A selection committee at Pitt-Bradford then reviews those nominations.
Other young women nominated by their counselor for the athletic award were Lindsay Stoddard of Allegany-Limestone, Filane Godding of Archbishop Walsh Academy, Brittni Wiseman of Bradford Area High School, Breanna Dunsmore of Cameron County High School, Anna Polaski of Johnsonburg Area High School, Jordan Tarr of North Clarion High School, Tristen Rounds of Northern Potter High School, Samantha Walker of Oswayo Valley High School, Taylor Thomas of Otto-Eldred High School, Kaitlyn Kio of Port Allegany High School, Devon Peace of Portville (N.Y.) Central School, Amanda Smith of Randolph (N.Y.) Central School, Lauren Dry of Salamanca (N.Y.) High School, Amber Morrison of Sheffield Area Junior/Senior High School, Danielle Nielson of Smethport Area Junior/Senior High School, Megan Herbstritt of St. Marys Area High School and Kerry Kane of Wellsville (N.Y.) High School.
Other young women nominated by their counselor for the creative and performing arts award were Erin Coatney of Allegany-Limestone, Zoie Presutti of Archbishop Walsh, Danielle Lewis of Bradford, Mallory Rodich of Cameron County, Courtney McNeight of Ellicottville Central, Ashlynn Beaker of Galeton, Brynne Deppas of Jamestown (N.Y.) High School, Nickie Oler of Johnsonburg, Naomi Wasserman of Linesville High School, Lori Dechant of North Clarion, Lucinda Motyka of Oswayo Valley, Rachel Wilcox of Otto-Eldred, Amanda Koniak of Salamanca, Shadoe Fowler of Smethport, Janice Bauer of St. Marys and Kayla Ford of Wellsville.
Other young women nominated by their counselor for the community service award were Amanda Whiteman, Archbishop Walsh; Chelsea Colosimo, Bradford; Kacie Brown, Cameron County; Rosemary Lanza, Ellicottville; Ashlynn Becker, Galeton; Kale Shillig, Northern Potter; Amanda Lasky, Olean (N.Y.) High School; Alexandria Lyman, Oswayo Valley; Allyson Rhinehart, Otto-Eldred; Sara Koehler, Port Allegany; Holly Wojtowicz, Salamanca; Samantha Penwell, Sheffield; Tori Menendez, Smethport; and Sarah Costello, Wellsville.
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