Whitney Stiffler

The year: 2023. The event: Nobel Prize Presentation. The winner: one of Alle-Kiski's finest. "This year's Nobel Prize goes to Whitney Stiffler for her work in creating an inexpensive and non-polluting form of energy which ended the world's energy crisis." The idea is not too far fetched considering the gifts that lay within the children of the Alle-Kiski Valley. Maybe this isn't really what ninth grader Whitney will do with her talents but you never know; the potential is definitely there.

Proudly holding her award certificate from the United States Achievement Academy, Whitney explained that she was nominated for this national award by Mrs. Tracy Richards, a science teacher at Saltsburg Middle High School where she attends. Besides receiving a certificate, Whitney's name will appear in the United States Achievement Academy Official Yearbook, which is published nationally. This award acknowledged her overall success in the area of science.

Winners are selected using strict guidelines set up by the Academy and based on the exclusive recommendations of teachers, coaches, counselors, and other qualified sponsors. The criteria for this honor include the student's academic performance, interest and aptitude, leadership qualities, responsibility, enthusiasm, motivation to learn and improve, citizenship, attitude and cooperative spirit, dependability, and recommendation from a teacher or a director. Being recognized nationally for such high standards in character and work ethic is certainly an honor Whitney can be proud of for the rest of her life. Although Whitney does very well in science, her favorite subject is English.

A proven musician and athlete, Whitney has played sports a total of seven years, the piano for six, and the trumpet in marching band for several years. Whitney also participates in the school's musicals and held the position of feature dancer in past performances of Anything Goes and Guys and Dolls. She has been a member of the school volleyball team for three years and the basketball team for seven. Although she has more experience on the basketball court, she is finding that she prefers the challenges of volleyball. In addition, she will be working as a member of the school yearbook staff this year.

When Whitney isn't studying or participating in sports, she devotes much of her time to the church youth group at Hebron Lutheran Church in Blairsville. She participates in monthly activities, helps with fundraisers, picks up garbage around the area, and helps collect and donate food to the food bank. She also enjoys spending time with her family watching NASCAR racing.

Whether it be academics, sports, music, or volunteering, Whitney has placed importance on executing all her activities with excellence. She is just one of those talented youth whose future is full of endless possibilities.