Howland High School senior Christopher Mijavec claims top honor during 12th annual Twenty Under 20 dinner

Howland High School senior Christopher Mijavec claims top honor during 12th annual dinner

WARREN -- Trumbull County students were recognized for their selfless contributions to their communities during the 12th annual Twenty Under 20 awards dinner Wednesday, which honors leadership among the county's youth.

The event, co-sponsored by the Tribune Chronicle, Akron Children's and its newest sponsor, AVI Foodsystems, honored and celebrated 20 students who have gone into their communities to make a difference in the lives of others.

Tracie Mavrogianis, executive vice president for human resources at AVI Foodsystems, said she was honored to be among what she considered "the most impressive" young leaders in the county.

"Your contributions to your community through volunteering success and extracurricular activities, and academic achievements should be seen as a beacon to your peers," Mavrogianis said. "AVI is very proud of you, and we are proud to be a supporter of the young premier talent in Trumbull County."

The committee weighted 50% of the students' overall score as leadership, 25% as extracurricular activities and 25% as academic achievement when they chose the winners out of more than 50 nominations. Each of the honorees received a flame award and a one-year digital subscription to the Tribune Chronicle.

The top five students received a portion of $1,000 to be donated to a charity of their choice, and a total of $500 went to the winner's charity.

Howland High School senior Christopher Mijavec was selected as the winner of this year's event.

"I'll just thank everyone that helped there -- my teachers, my mom, dad, my family -- everyone's help, big support in my life," Mijavec said. "They've always taught me what to do and how to do right; follow my faith and trust in who I am."

Mijavec said he plans to donate his $500 to provide food for those who need it, adding he was grateful to be gifted with the opportunities he's had.

Mijavec admitted he didn't expect to win.

"I honestly didn't expect to be in the top five, so I was very surprised to be called up there; it was a very big shock to me," Mijavec said.

Mijavec, who boasts a 3.97 GPA while taking mostly honors classes and college courses, is also on the football, wrestling, and track and field teams. He credited his involvement in sports for showing him how to maximize his usage of time and honing his leadership skills, especially after being selected as a captain on the wrestling team his junior year and on Howland's football team as a senior.

"Being in three sports year round, time management is very important, especially with AP honors and college classes," he said. "It's taught me you have to be dedicated to what you're doing. You can't waste time."

This year's five finalists included Hayley Flinner of Maplewood High School, Madelyn Gassman of Girard High School, Kennedy Howard of Newton Falls High School and Courtney Wilcox of Warren G. Harding High School.

Ted Snyder, general manager of the Tribune Chronicle, said the students were an inspiration for all that they do on a daily basis, joking that he didn't think any of them slept.

"These 20 young adults that we honored tonight, they really do make the future look brighter," Snyder said. "Everyone in this room can feel better when they walk out of here knowing that the future is good, because these aren't the only 20 that are like this; there's many more."

The 15 other recipients recognized were Tasso Anastasiades of Howland High School; Grace Anderson of Warren John F. Kennedy High School; Samantha Barkley of Warren G. Harding High School; Nicolette Cochran of Girard High School; Ellie Falb of Newton Falls High School; Jane Faulk, Sophie Gardner, Sarah Herko, Yurielis Navarro Jimenez and Sonia Pitts, all of Warren G. Harding; Samantha Plott of Champion High School; Julia Ragozzino of Girard High School; Nicole Ruckman of Warren G. Harding; Addison Williams of Bristol High School; and Isabella Williams of Brookfield High School.