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WARREN -- Twenty of the most impressive young leaders in Trumbull County have been selected for the 2023 Class of Twenty Under 20.
Now in its 11th year, the program, co-sponsored by the Tribune Chronicle, Akron Children's Hospital and United Way of Trumbull County, honors 20 high-achieving individuals younger than 20 for their leadership skills through volunteerism, extracurricular activities and academic achievements.
Sue Shafer, community events coordinator for the Tribune Chronicle, said it was difficult for the judges to choose only 20 winners out of 54 nominations, which included several repeat nominees and one past winner -- Ava Kuntz of McDonald, who also made the cut last year as a freshman.
She also noted there is a wide variety of school districts represented, with 11. This year's class includes two high school freshmen, two sophomores, four juniors and 12 seniors. The class also includes 18 girls and two boys.
"Every year, I am still amazed at the accomplishments of these young men and women who surely have bright futures ahead," Shafer said.
The students, whose volunteer activities run the gamut from food pantries and church groups to Scouts and veterans organizations, were nominated by family members, teachers, club advisers and school guidance counselors.
Many of them have 4.0 grade point averages, have taken college credit courses and are on track to graduate at the top of their classes.
The winners were selected based on a calculation of 50% leadership and 25% each academic achievement and extracurricular activities.
The top five winners will be selected to split $1,000 to be donated to the local charity of their choice.
One overall winner will be picked from among the five. Those winners will be announced during a dinner Dec. 6 at DiVieste's.
This year's winners are:
• Christina Badurik, Hubbard
• Payton Borsic, Warren G. Harding
• Brooke Bosheff, McDonald
• Reagan Cantrell, Brookfield
• Kylie Carpenter, Girard
• Mariana Diana, Warren JFK
• Danielle Drake, Newton Falls
• Molly Durkin, Girard
• Channing Fox, Champion
• Francis Joseph Gajski III, Howland
• Olivia Gray, Champion/TCTC
• Kayla Haynie, Champion
• Katelyn Heinselman, Niles
• Ava Kuntz, McDonald
• Alaina Wagner, Warren G. Harding
• Daina Wagner, Warren G. Harding
• Ava Westenfelder, Southington Chalker
• Courtney Wilcox, Warren G. Harding
• Isabella Williams, Hubbard
• Hayes Yocum, Champion