This marks the 16th year that the International
Leadership Network has selected Young Achievers in the St.
Louis area. The program is made possible by a grant from
the Millstone Foundation of St. Louis.
This year, there were 522 nominations for
the YA awards.
From the nominations, 50 finalists were named
medallion winners. They received $50 gift certificates.
All were given personal interviews to determine the 10 Achievers.
Achievers receive a $1,000 savings bond and
are eligible for the national Young Achiever competition.
The 10 Achievers, their parents and their
sponsors will be honored at a breakfast on Friday, May 5,
at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac Hotel.
(Young Saint Louis.com is focused
primarily on activities and achievements of St. Louis area
kids 8 to 13. YSL.com has covered the YA program
for several years. In coming months, YSL.com will
profile the four elementary and four middle school Young
Achievers. The first profile will be in the June edition.)
The following are brief sketches for the 2006
elementary and middle school winners:
*
Leonardo Di Cera, of Ladue, a 5th grader at Conway Elementary
School.
Leonardo is in the Conway Elementary gifted
program. He has written poetry and a play and his artwork
has been displayed. A bilingual student, he enjoys advanced
math. His service includes Toys for Tots and Katrina and
Snowflake projects.
*
Luke Downen, of St. Charles, a 6th grader at Grace Christian
Academy.
Luke is an honor student and vice president
of the Student Council. He's received awards in science
and citizenship and is a member of the basketball team.
He plays the piano and drums and is a "techie" for school
productions. His volunteer activities include Children's
Church, Sunshine Mission Cereal Drive and Operation Christmas
Child.
*
Intisar Faulkner, of St. Louis, a 5th grader at Keeven Elementary
School.
She is bilingual and an honor roll student.
She's also vice president of the Student Council and has
been appointed a Keeven Student Ambassador and Peer Mediator.
She helped to initiate the school's new uniform policy,
"Dress for Success." Intisar has won numerous dance awards
and scholarships and has performed with the St. Louis Muny.
*
Jordan West of Chesterfield, a 5th grader at Chesterfield
Elementary School.
Jordan is a straight-A student and member
of the school's Character Counts Committee. He has won championships
in district cross-country and outdoor track meets. He is
a leading scorer on two soccer teams. He helped Hurricane
Katrina victims through his church's Community Outreach
Team.
*
Emily Adams of Festus, an 8th grader at Festus Middle School.
She is an honor roll student and a member
of Student Council, National Junior Honor Society, band
and journalism clubs. She has received a Do the Right Thing
award. Emily is a dancer and gymnast and in cheerleading
and pom-poms. Her volunteer efforts include Children's Hospital
and Head Start pre-school. She is a tutor and babysitter.
*
Ashley Beiser of Alton, Ill., a 7th grader at East Middle
School.
Ashley is a straight-A student and a Young
Author. She's won awards in math, science and art. She's
a Student Council member and participates in band and volleyball.
A Cadet Scout, she volunteers at a local food pantry, the
American Heart Association, Camp Skills Training Workshop
and Gardening for Elders. She's in her church puppet ministry.
*
Grant Hamill of St. Louis, an 8th grader at Hixson Middle
School.
Grant has received recognition as a Destination
Imagination team member. He's received a Prudential Spirit
of the Community award and a Physical Education award. He's
a member of the Kirkwood Children's Chorale and a soccer
and tennis player. He has started his own gourmet coffee
service, "Traveling Espresso."
*
Grace Salerno of Fenton, an 8th grader at Holy Infant School.
She is a recipient of the Presidential Excellence
in Academic Award. She's also a Bellarmine Speech Team member,
a Holy Infant Ambassador and 8th Grade Mentor. She's represented
her school in history and math competitions and Gateway
Academic Olympiad. She's competed in national Irish dance
meets and performed at the Muny.
(For more about Gateway Young Achievers,
visit www.ilnleadnet.com.)
The
2006 Gateway Young Achievers are: