- Last Updated on Friday, 31 May 2019 11:17
The Toast To Our Stars Club of North Charleroi recently hosted its 69th Annual Achievement Awards Banquet on Sunday, April 28th at the Charleroi Elks.
Founded in 1951 by a group of civic minded residents, the organization promotes and recognizes the participation, achievements and success of high school students from the community in academics, athletics and the arts.
This year’s featured guest speaker at the banquet was Belle Vernon Area and Penn State football standout Bill Contz. Mr. Contz was a three-year letterman and the starting offensive tackle on Penn State’s 1982 National Championship football team. He later went on to play professionally for seven seasons with the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints. Most recently, he has written the book “When The Lions Roared” detailing the 1982 season and the experience of playing for legendary coach, Joe Paterno.
This year’s list of student honorees included:
Freshman
Jehmal Jordan - Baseball
Eric Muchesko - Soccer
Chloe Pordash - Basketball (Serra Catholic)
Noah Weston - Baseball
Sophomores
Hunter Hyatt-Golf
Brianna Hartman - Band
Juniors
Amanda Cook - Track
Ryley Skibicki - Football
Emma Valla-Volleyball
Seniors
Kristen Cole - Band
Tristan Lantz - Band
Liz Muchesko - Band
Mary Sismondo - Band
Ian Williams - Football
In addition to the 14 honorees recognized for their participation in arts and athletics, 2 outstanding athletes and 1 outstanding scholar were recognized.
Outstanding Athletes:
Emma Valla - Volleyball All Conference Team
Ian Williams - Football All Conference Team
Outstanding Scholar:
Liz Muchesko - 4 year member of the Executive Committee, Show Choir, School Musical and Marching Band serving as Drum Major her Junior and Senior years. She was also on the Year Book Committee for 2 years and in the History Club for 1 year.
The evening’s festivities concluded with the presentation of nearly $5,000 in educational financial awards. For the first time ever, Liz Muchesko, this year’s Outstanding Student was presented with every award including the TTOS Brad Pelzer Memorial Award, TTOS Cliff Nickisher Memorial Award, John Buberniak Memorial Award, Dorothy & Emil Hyk Memorial Award, Alfred “Aggie” Agamedi Memorial Award and the Richard “Frenchy” Pireaux Citizenship Award.
The TTOS also announced that it will be hosting its 9th Annual Golf Outing on Sunday, August 11, 2019 at Riverview Golf Course in Bunola, PA (near Elizabeth). Information, registration and Tee Sponsorship opportunities are available attoasttoourstars.org.
** PHOTOS:
BillContz.jpg
Bill Contz, former Belle Vernon Area High School and Penn State Football standout was the guest speaker.
EmmaValla.jpg - AND -- IanWilliams.jpg
Outstanding Athlete Award recipients Emma Valla (left) and Ian Williams (right)
LizMuchesko.jpg
Liz Muchesko, this year’s Outstanding Scholar was also presented with every award available.
Click on gallery to see photos of our stars
