Meet our 20 Honor Roll students

by Plain Dealer staff

Tuesday May 06, 2008, 8:57 PM

Elizabeth Bailey | Keerthana Bolisetty | Joseph Boyle

Cady Bruce | Carol Foster | Marissa Glynias

Ahmad Hamad | Daniel Humphrey | Ingold Huang

Rachael Kominsky | Lauren McMichael | Eric Michel

Janel Montfort | Raymond Nelson | Leeann Pavlek

Kyle Resnick | Mokorobondo Salukombo | Nicholas Szczecinski

Daniel Strassfeld | Justin Wolfe

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Columbia High School's Elizabeth Bailey wraps cancer patients in warmth

About two years ago Elizabeth Bailey took her love of quilting and began making quilts to donate to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at Fairview Hospital. With the help of friends, Elizabeth has completed 34 care quilts to date.

The 18-year-old says she hasn't heard from patients directly, but their family members have told her how much the quilts have meant.

"It's a real nice feeling to hear that," says Elizabeth, who completed her first quilt at age 9.

Elizabeth, the daughter of Jean and John Bailey, also is an entrepreneur of sorts. She and her mom run Wildcat Studio, a design pattern business, out of their home. The patterns are sold at local quilt shops.

Aside from her artistic abilities, the National Merit Commended Student shines academically. Elizabeth will graduate high school with an associate of science degree -- with honors -- from Lorain County Community College. She also is the recipient of numerous science fair awards and was an Intel Science Talent Search Semifinalist in 2008.

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Hudson High School's Keerthana Bolisetty has faith in herself


Keerthana Bolisetty has been building bridges for a while.

A member of the Civil Engineering Club, she crafted a scale model of a bridge for a national competition at the University of Akron.

But connecting different platforms is a talent the National Merit finalist exudes in everyday life.

As a volunteer, tutor and scholar, she has linked with the elderly, the young and the challenged. President of the Spanish Club and vice president of the National Honor Society, she's also involved in Key Club and student government.

During an internship at University Hospitals, Keerthana assisted with a research project on bipolar patients. She has volunteered at Akron City Hospital and Laurel Lake Retirement, bouncing from assisting the elderly to aiding harried nurses.

Since a first-grade busing clash, Keerthana says racism has affected her life because of her Indian heritage, but she says she has learned tolerance.

"It changed my outlook on life and inspired me to trust myself. I will use this self-confidence to help others," Keerthana wrote.

The daughter of Rama and Bhaskara Bolisetty has been accepted into Ohio State University's early admission program for medical school.

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Lake Catholic High School's Joseph Boyle excels in music, language

It seems fitting that Joseph Boyle is a clarinet section leader in Lake Catholic's marching band.

A kind of modern-day pied piper.

Skilled in clarinet, guitar and piano, Joseph has attracted admirers while in the marching band, concert band, swing band and music ministry.

But it is his performance in academic activities and as a community volunteer that has teachers and students looking up to him, says one teacher.

At Buckeye Boys State and National Leadership Conferences, Joseph debated politics and learned about lobbying on a national level. He has excelled in German, as vice president of the German Language Club and in competing in the annual Foreign Language Olympics.

The son of Florence and Joe Boyle, he also has been a Big Brother, counseling boys in an after-school mentoring program.

"He immediately demonstrated that he was going to be a leader both academically and personally," wrote German teacher Nancy Germaine.

He's even led children down the library path. As a teen adviser at Morley Library in Painesville, Joseph helped stock and decorate the new teen section.

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Cuyahoga Falls High School's Cady Bruce loves to turn ideas into reality

For as long as she can remember, Cady Bruce, 18, has designed and built things.

Using those skills, she won a Miniature Bridge Building Competition Aesthetics Award in 2006 at the University of Akron.

When Cady noticed that gossiping, taunting and backstabbing had become the norm at her school, she applied her problem-solving talent and started the Cookies for Kindness program: Students who perform good deeds receive tokens they can use to purchase cookies in the cafeteria.

"When students take the time to be kind, they are less likely to gossip and hurt people," she says. "Hopefully, that means more students will start connecting with each other."

The Bausch & Lomb and Academic Challenge winner also is an accomplished trombone and violin player. Through her church's ministry, she has played the violin for shut-ins, hospital patients and nursing-home residents.

Cady, the daughter of Cheryl and Kirk Bruce, plans to study mechanical engineering at the University of Akron.

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Bay High School's Carol Foster is 'True Blue' to beach cleanup


Carol Foster scooped up litter on an isolated beach along Lake Erie and created an all-volunteer crew of Bay Village teens that became known as True Blue.

After 67 yard-size bags of candy wrappers, picnic scraps, drink cans and shoreline trash, the youths asked a local foundation to help improve the beach.

"I saw something that was not how I wanted it to be," says Carol. "Doing something about it seemed logical."

The loosely organized group has grown to 30 teens who collect debris about twice monthly during the summer.

Carol, who will study political science at American University in Washington, D.C., was a member of the undefeated Bay High School golf team, a choir soloist, a viola player in the Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra and a student teacher in a program in elementary grades.

She appeared as the fiddler in the school play "Fiddler on the Roof" in March.

Carol is the daughter of Teresa and Mark Foster.

"Carol is interesting and involved," says James H. Cahoon, Bay principal. "She is a leader. She is a role model."

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Laurel School's Marissa Glynias hits the right a cappella notes

Marissa Glynias is one Bad girl. And she's Mean, too. But it's all in the good spirit of a cappella.

Despite her many academic achievements, Marissa is most proud of her musical talents, especially in arrangement.

Three years ago she co-founded Bad in Plaid -- a Laurel School a capella group that draws its name from their school uniforms.

"Starting Bad in Plaid is probably my biggest success story," says Marissa, the group's music director.

Bad in Plaid, which soon will record a professional CD, has been a big hit in Cleveland, prompting Marissa to help form a second a capella group: Mean in Green.

"If we listen to anything we recorded at the beginning, we cringe," Marissa says, adding that now "we make beautiful music."

Along with her numerous awards and recognition for musical performance and composition, the daughter of Linda and Manuel Glynias of Westlake is an AP Scholar With Distinction and a Northeastern Ohio Science and Engineering Fair award winner.

Marissa will continue her education at Harvard University. She's undecided on a major.

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John Marshall High School's Ahmad Hamad works to cultivate cultural understanding

Ahmad Hamad is proud of his academic accomplishments and recognition, physical prowess on the gridiron and endurance as a long-distance runner.

Ahmad also is proud of his Arab-American heritage. That has not always been the case, especially after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

"Trying to adapt to my surroundings and trying to be accepted, I was basically living a lie," Ahmad says. "I was telling people after 9/11 I was Hispanic, or I wasn't Muslim, I was Christian."

But Ahmad, described by educators as an outstanding student and leader at school and in the community, was empowered and not embittered.

"This experience has taught me that turning the other cheek, speaking truthfully, and ignoring hateful speech will make me a stronger person," says the class valedictorian and son of Kifaya and Mamoud Hamad.

Ahmad says he remains committed to working with others in the Arab community to help bridge cultural gaps and foster understanding.

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Garfield Heights High School's Daniel Humphrey likes testing his knowledge

Daniel Humphrey is not a guy you want to challenge to a game of Trivial Pursuit or an evening of paper folding.

The National Merit finalist spent his spring break reading an online encyclopedia to cram for an Academic Challenge competition in Pittsburgh.

For four years, Daniel has been a member of his school's Academic Team. It won state championships in 2006 and 2007.

Daniel says he is sure the memory skills he's honed will serve him well at an Ivy League college. He has not settled on a school and doesn't know what his major will be, but he says he will continue to compete in the knowledge competitions at the university level.

When Daniel is not studying or organizing a school blood drive, you might find him stocking shelves at Dave's Supermarket.

The 17-year-old doesn't even sit still while watching TV with his parents, Ann and Frank Humphrey. He'll pick up a piece of paper and begin folding it into an origami bird.

"I just feel the need to be doing something all the time," he says.

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St. Edward High School's Ingold Huang makes big strides in class, on track

Ingold Huang runs and runs and runs.

"Running has taught me that I can do almost anything if I challenge myself to work hard and believe in myself," says Ingold, who has six varsity letters in track and cross country.

The Westlake teen excels in the classroom in history, calculus and science, including biology and chemistry. He also speaks Chinese and Spanish and volunteers at Fairview Hospital.

During a student-orientation program at the Cleveland Clinic, Ingold rotated through biomedical-engineering experiments. One measured the impact of zero gravity on humans. Another sought to speed bone growth in fractures.

"I like studying engineering and learning about health," says Ingold, whose parents are Mei Wah Huang and Tao Zhi Huang. He thinks he may find a career in bio-med, largely because the field has many options. Some that interest him include genetic engineering, prosthetics, pharmaceuticals and stem-cell research.

School counselor Tom Splawski calls Ingold constructive, energetic, helpful and humble.

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Mayfield High School's Rachel Kominsky toils away in and out of the water

Rachel Kominsky has worked hard since her freshman year to be the best in her class. So the National Merit Commended Student wasn't afraid to apply the same diligence in the water to master the moves and motions a synchronized swimmer has to make.

"It's not easy, but . . . I found this passion and excitement for the sport," says Rachel, who helps create swimming routines.

While not in the water, the 17-year-old still is deciding on what college to attend. She has narrowed it down to three schools: University of Pennsylvania, Penn State and Cornell.

Rachel, who plans to major in biology and eventually study medicine, says she wants to be able to give back to the community.

This past summer, she worked as an independent research intern at the Cleveland Clinic and assisted with a clinical analysis of patient compliance when taking Coumadin, a blood-thinning medication.

Rachel, the daughter of Suzanne and Alan Kominsky, also was part of a mock trial team at Mayfield High that won a district championship, and she earned national recognition for her participation in Model United Nations.

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Cleveland School of the Arts' Lauren McMichael shares her passion for dance

Lauren McMichael loves dance.

It takes up 10 to 20 hours -- or more -- of her time each week, but she has excelled in the art while achieving academic excellence. She is the class salutatorian and a National Honor Society member.

At the annual conference of the International Association for Blacks in Dance held last year in Toronto, Lauren caught the eye of several professional companies during a multicompany audition. They will track her progress until she finishes her studies.

Last month, Lauren wrapped up a challenging stint as choreographer for a dance workshop for kids ages 9 through 13.

"Everybody learns differently," Lauren, 18, says. "You have to learn about the children and their personalities."

Lauren will enroll in Ohio University this fall and dreams of traveling, studying different cultures and teaching dance to children around the world.

Until then, her energy is spent on youngsters close to home.

"I want to teach them how to believe in themselves," says Lauren, whose biggest cheerleader is her mother, Kathy Boyd. "You may not be in the best situation, but there is someone who cares."

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Solon High School's Eric Michel has sights set on his own business

Eric Michel knows plenty about making the grade.

But the National Merit finalist and AP Scholar is undecided about college.

"It's tough," says Eric, who is choosing between Harvard and Duke universities.

Wherever the 18-year-old decides to go, he wants to study engineering or business and one day open his own company in Cleveland.

This year, Eric, the student body president and state president for Ohio at the National Association of Student Councils National Conference, helped organized a school formal that raised $6,500 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The son of Lisa and David Michel is also a member of the National Honor Society, a delegate for Look Up To Cleveland, and a participant in Cleveland Brain Gain, a group that educates local high school students about opportunities in the region and encourages them to settle in Northeast Ohio once they complete college.

He holds computer clinics at an assisted living community and also volunteers as director of programs for a community TV station.

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John Hay High School's Janel Montfort moves forward by taking risks

Breaking beyond bounds might well be Janel Montfort's philosophy.

It's certainly been her blueprint.

"Great discoveries are made when we choose to take risks and move forward into new areas and experiences," Janel says.

It's pretty clear she heeded her own advice.

While enrolled in high school, she completed early college courses at Cleveland State University and was recognized as a finalist for the National Achievement Scholarship. Teachers say her work ethic off campus is as impressive.

The daughter of Marilyn Montfort is a volunteer for the Earth Day Coalition and helped plant a garden for Dike 14 Nature Preserve, a place to showcase the environmental awareness she preached for three years in the Environment Club.

A volunteer tutor at her church, she also sings in the choir and praise team. Volunteering with MetroHealth Medical Center's spinal-cord patients helped her meet new people and appreciate new cultures.

"The experiences I gained pushed me beyond my comfort zone and better prepared me for future endeavors," says Janel, who plans to attend Ohio State University.

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St. Ignatius' Raymond Nelson promotes acceptance among classmates

Raymond Nelson never gives up on himself -- or others.

Teachers praise the Cleveland resident for being diligent and tenacious in his studies. They say he also is patient and supportive of classmates.

Those qualities merge in his efforts to promote acceptance of other races and cultures.

As president of St. Ignatius' Multicultural Student Union, Ray tries to break down barriers. He helped organize his school's celebration of Black History Month and Mix It Up Day, when students left their customary seats in the cafeteria.

"If anyone can get different groups to cooperate, Ray can," wrote counselor Grace Caliguire.

Ray, who also serves as senior class vice president, was selected for a multicultural leadership program last summer at Miami University of Ohio. He strives to be a role model and hopes to become a lawyer.

The son of Ivonne Feliciano and Eric Nelson doesn't limit his activities to school. He is a church lector and delivers meals to the elderly and needy.

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North Olmsted High School's Leeann Pavlek on path to a medical career


The prognosis is pretty good that Leeann Pavlek one day will be a fine surgeon.

She already has cut a swath of success with a variety of medical experiences -- working as a pharmacy-service associate at CVS and volunteering at local hospitals.

"Leeann is the type of student who goes beyond the call of duty," says guidance counselor Joanne Grady, adding that Leeann has done medical research, read medical books and pursued medical programs on her own to enrich her education.

A volunteer at Fairview Hospital for several years, Leeann participated in the Cleveland Clinic's Junior Ambassador Program, comforting children awaiting surgery and assisting visitors. She shadowed a local surgeon to see firsthand the skills required.

She already is enrolled in Northeastern Ohio University's College of Medicine, taking classes in an accelerated program at the high school level.

Teachers say the National Merit finalist demonstrated leadership with the Supplies for Scholastics program and an award from the Cleveland Technical Societies Council.

The daughter of Linda and Richard Pavlek also is a peer tutor, plays the cello and was on the varsity tennis team.

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Hudson High School's Kyle Resnick prefers to quietly make his mark

YouTube fans might recognize Kyle Resnick as the gnome smitten with a neighbor's flamingo in the short film Lawn Love. He would prefer to go unnoticed.

Kyle, a National Merit finalist, is nominated for the United States Presidential Scholars Program, which annually honors up to 141 top students from across the country. Last year, he scored the maximum 36 on the ACT and represented Hudson at a statewide summer program for gifted students.

But he loathes the limelight -- the film project helped a friend apply for college. Teachers and head guidance counselor John Frahlich describe Kyle as humble and say he motivates by example.

"He shuns any attention and derives fulfillment in quietly working behind the scenes to help his peers and school organizations succeed," Frahlich wrote.

Kyle, the son of Janice and Craig Resnick, tutors classmates. He also has helped raise money for charities, including a foundation devoted to pancreatic-cancer research.

He plans to major in a science, probably biology, but has not settled on a college.

This is Kyle Resnik's Lawn Love YouTube video:

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Lakewood High School's Makorobondo Salukombo's life in Africa influences his actions

Seven years ago, Makorobondo Salukombo was a refugee living in Uganda after civil war forced his family to flee from their native country of Congo.

Makorobondo, 19, is now a volunteer at a Catholic Charities refugee services center, helping other African refugees settle into the Cleveland area.

"My life has been one of constant change, but the life I lived in Africa during the first 15 years of my life will always influence who I am," says Makorobondo, who, among other achievements, has 35 college credits at Cuyahoga Community College.

Fanchon Salukombo, Makorobondo's father, was forced to leave his wife, Aimee, and children in the Congo for a year. They sometimes went hungry but managed to make ends meet and reunite with their father in Uganda, says Makorobondo.

The Lakewood teen has received several awards for leadership and community volunteer work. In 2006, he won the STAIRS (Steps Toward Advancing in Resettlement Skills) Volunteering Award for tutoring refugees. "In 2004, I was being tutored at the same center," Makorobondo says. "Now, I am so glad that I am helping some other young adult to master what is being taught to them."

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St. Edward High School's Nicholas Szczecinski ready to face real-world challenges

Nicholas Szczecinski knows that the easy way is not always the best answer.

Consider water shortages across much of the nation. The easy answer might be to pump water from the Great Lakes to arid regions.

"But why don't we develop more sustainable solutions," says Nick, who dreams of a career in mechanical engineering. "We should learn how to desalinate ocean water first."

The National Merit finalist was captain of a team that built a robot that finished second among 22 teams in Case Western Reserve University's Lego Robotics. Equipped with sensors, including sonar to identify obstacles, the 8-inch-long car is hardly a toy. Without the aid of human touch, the unit navigates around a track, slips past hazards and turns tight corners.

"It's a real-world challenge," says Nick. "Whole manufacturing plants can run on robots."

He stocks groceries at a local store and participates in intramural football, softball and basketball, stage crew, Science and Engineering Fair and Habitat for Humanity.

That's an impressive combination of strengths, says school counselor Tom Splawski.

The son of Laura and Stephen Szczecinski of Rocky River, Nick will attend Case.

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Shaker Heights High School's Daniel Strassfeld wants to share his love of learning

Daniel Strassfeld plans to spend the rest of his life molding minds.

The 17-year-old, who is a Bausch & Lomb award winner in chemistry and a regional winner in the Science Olympiad, says he plans to major in chemistry and eventually become a professor.

"I guess I just like learning and being able to understand things," says the son of Anne and Robert Strassfeld.

Michael Dubson, a college professor who worked with Daniel at a math and science camp in New Mexico last year, wrote: "He is a natural leader. He loves physics and math, and he is a very dedicated student."

Daniel takes undergraduate classes at Case Western Reserve University and volunteers at the university's Macromolecular Engineering Department. He also is a fan of music and is a trained pianist and trumpet player.

"With a piano, there's so much beautiful music out there, and it is nice to be able to play it," says Daniel.

Daniel still is pondering what college to attend in the fall. His choices are Princeton and Stanford universities, the University of Chicago and Carlton College in Minnesota.

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North Olmsted High School's Justin Wolfe never looks for easy way out

If Justin Wolfe becomes a teacher, he won't have a hard time understanding students who wait until the night before to begin working on class projects.

"I do tend to procrastinate," Justin says.

His procrastination, however, has not stopped this National Merit Commended Student from building the second-best grade-point average in his class.

The 18-year-old says he learned to juggle responsibilities when his mother, Nancy, lost her eyesight. While his father, Arnold, worked, Justin cared for his mother, worked at Auntie Anne's Pretzels, maintained straight-A grades and started a computer company with friends.

He attributes his success in school to taking a broader view of his studies, to see how different subjects overlap and affect one another.

"I never want to find the easy way out," he says. "I just don't want to know how something works, but why it works."

Justin, who says he might become biology professor or high school teacher, finds time for books that have nothing to with science. He says it is not unusual to find his nose buried in a piece of classical literature or a modern mystery. (He had just finished "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley.)