The Quality Students of the Tonawandas Program has announced its outstanding students from the Tonawanda High School Class of 2021.
Sponsored by the Exchange and Kiwanis clubs of the Tonawandas, the Quality Student Program recognizes and honors the achievements of high-quality young men and women who would someday become future leaders in the area.
Congratulations goes out to the following students (in alphabetical order by last name):
Alyssa Aceti
Daughter of Linda & Sam Aceti
Activities: Varsity Soccer, Travel Soccer, PT associate at Walmart
Honors: MVP award, Ultimate Warrior, Scholar Athlete, NHS, NCCC Scholarship, Warrior Way recognition
Future Plans: Attend NCCC and transfer to Canisius to study Liberal Arts/Math & Science
Jessica Aceti
Daughter of Linda & Sam Aceti
Activities: Varsity Track & Soccer, Travel Soccer, Works at Kid to Kid PT
Honors: Ultimate Warrior, Rising Star and Most Improved award for Track, Scholar Athlete, NHS, NCCC scholarship
Future Plans: Attend NCCC and Trocaire for Radiologic Tech & Diagnostic Sonography
Nikolas Balling
Son of Jason &; Kristine Balling
Activities: Football, Lacrosse, Golf, Chorale, Musical Theater, Youth Court, Christmas for Kids
Honors: National Technical Honor Society, Outstanding Senior Award, BOCES Student of the Month
Future Plans: Electrical apprenticeship for Local 41
Henry Caso
Son of Lisa & Henry Caso
Activities: Musical Theater, Christmas for Kids, played the saxophone
Honors: Honor Roll all MP’s
Future Plans: SUNY Fredonia for Engineering
Kyla Chirayath
Daughter of Jessica Demers & Daniel Chirayath
Activities: President of the NHS, Treasurer of the senior class, VP of Student Council, Active blood donor, Judge for Youth Court, Student representative at COC meetings, Performer at Royal Receptions Princess & Superhero Company
Honors: Warrior Way, Youth Court Award, High Honor Roll, Girls State nominee, PE , Living Environment & English department awards
Future Plans: Attend Trocaire College for Radiologic Technology & Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Kylie Derrett
Daughter of Justine & Ron Derrett
Activities: Cross Country, French Club, Mentor Club, Bible Study, Church Youth Group
Honors: Warrior Way, High Honor Roll, Student of the Month (BOCES), BOCES National Technical Honor Society
Future Plans: Study Fine Arts at Erie Community College
Lucy Dietrich
Daughter of Jennifer Schoembs
Activities: NHS, Albright Knox Future Curator’s Program, Musical Theater stage crew, THS Gay-Straight Alliance, Plays Clarinet, Competetive Gymnast, Jump Start Program at Buffalo Art Studio, Kenny Awards Workshops, Cleveland Institute of Art Pre-College Program
Honors: High Honor Roll, AAUW scholarship, Graffiti Heart Full Scholarship, 4 year scholarship to Cleveland Institute of Art, exhibited artwork in many shows and galleries.
Future Plans: Attend Cleveland Institute of Art to study Fine Arts/Painting
Jackson Mysliwy
Son of Jen & Brian Mysliwy
Activities: Band, Jazz Band, Capt. of the Golf team, Lacrosse, Pit Band, Youth Court, NHS, Plays in a band outside of school, Works at Get Air
Honors: Warrior Way, Scholar Athlete, Matt’s Music Scholarship
Future Plans: Attend University at Buffalo for Media Studies / Production
Andrew Nicosia
Son of Norma Nicosia
Activities: Lacrosse, plays drums, Musical Theater
Honors: NHS, Scholar Athlete, Best pit member award
Future Plans: Attend University at Buffalo for Medical Technology
Richard Nicosia
Son of Norma Nicosia
Activities: Lacrosse, Musical Theater, Band, Teaching Piano
Honors: NHS, Best Pit Member Award, Scholar Athlete, Music is Art “rising star" recognition
Future Plans: Study Psychology at University at Buffalo
Ava Scholz
Daughter of Andrea Pantel & Dan Scholz
Activities: Girl Scouts, Theatre Club, Book Club, GSA, Piano/Guitar, Just Buffalo writing center
Honors: Awards for Photo, Studio Art, Algebra II and Global Studies. Girl Scout Bronze Award
Future Plans: Attend Canton University to study Funeral Services
Baylin Tighe
Daughter of Christine Tighe & Stephen Tighe
Activities: Rochester Girls Elite Soccer Academy, Class President, Leadership Club & President of Student Council, NHS secretary, Internships at Buffalo General/Roswell Park Hospitals, server at Red Robin
Honors: NHS, 100 career goals for soccer, High Honor Roll and Scholar Athlete all 4 years, Spanish and Chemistry Dept. awards, All-WNY girls soccer team, ECIC div IV all league first team, Captain of Girls Varsity Soccer Team (3 years)
Future Plans: Attend Daemen College in the Physician’s Assistant Program
Marcell Wittmann
Son of Cynthia & Ed Wittmann
Activities: Football, Lacrosse, Youth Court, Altar-Server with church, Musical Theater
Honors: Warrior Way, Shining-Star award thru church
Future Plans: University at Buffalo to study Business Administration/Management
Mary Zastrow
Daughter of Eric & Kimberly Zastrow
Activities: Track, Cheer, Bowling, Cheer coach at St Amelia, Concert Chorale, Musical Theater, Christmas for Kids, Altar-server at St. Francis Church, employed at Clothes Mentor
Honors: Buffalo Diocese Bishop Award for Altar Service, Warrior Away, BOCES student of the month, Honor Roll
Future Plans: attend NCCC for Medical Asst. / Phlebotomy
Andrew Zirnheld
Son of Rita & Bob Zirnheld
Activities: NHS, FBLA, Book Club, Youth Group, Piano Lessons, DND Adventure League
Honors: Salutatorian, Honor Roll 15/15 marking periods, NHS
Future Plans: Attend University at Buffalo for Computer Sciences
About Quality Students of the Tonawandas:
Quality Students of the Tonawandas began in 1966 when a group of businessman in the area met to discuss how they may call attention to the high-quality of the young men and women who attended and graduated from Tonawanda, North Tonawanda and Bishop Gibbons High School (now Cardinal O’Hara), and who would someday assume positions of trust and responsibility in the communities.
The Quality Student Program has melded business and education in a program which honors these young men and women. The program, once solely sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas, has evolved over the years so that now it is arranged with the assistance of the Exchange and Kiwanis clubs of the Tonawandas.
The 65 students are selected by teachers and a selection committee at each school. The honored students represent 8% of their class who reside in the Tonawandas.