Staff photo / R. Michael Semple Ted Snyder, general manager of the Tribune Chronicle, left, presents a check to Ellie Falb of Newton Falls High School at Wednesday’s Twenty Under 20 awards dinner. Falb was the top winner of all the honorees. The Twenty Under 20 program is sponsored by the Tribune Chronicle, AVI Food Systems and Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley.

WARREN — Twenty youth from area high schools and colleges were praised for their dedicated service to others and their communities at the 13th annual Twenty Under 20 awards dinner Wednesday at DiVieste’s Banquet Center.

The annual event was attended by more than 230 people and was hosted by the Tribune Chronicle, AVI Food Systems and Akron’s Children Mahoning Valley to recognize the many achievements and honors of those age 20 and under.

This year’s top winner was Newton Falls High School senior Ellie Falb, who also was a member of the Twenty Under 20 Class last year.

“I am so surprised. Thank you so much for this incredible honor,” Falb said.

Ted Snyder, general manager of the Tribune Chronicle, said the Twenty Under 20 award was designed as a flame to represent the burning desire of the recipients who lead in their schools, places of worship and communities.

“They have succeeded at being assets in their communities by leading productive, ethical, honorable and inspirational lives. We hope this award will encourage these remarkable young people to keep the fire inside burning,” Snyder said.

He said this year’s top five winners were Falb, Micaiah Capers of Warren G. Harding High School, Liam Fiest of LaBrae, Rayna Lambert of Hiram College (a 2025 Bristol graduate) and Lacie Lamm of Girard.

The top five received a portion of $1,000, with Falb receiving $500 for her chosen charity and the other top four earning $125 each for their charities.

Falb said she is donating the $500 to the Friends of the Newton Falls Public Library, a nonprofit organization, who will be able to use the money to support youth programming.

The other 15 honorees were Jia Allen of Champion, Michael Anastasiadis of Warren G. Harding, Anna Brown of Champion, Wyatt Clisby of Bristol, Ameera Coleman of Warren Harding, Santino Esposito of Warren John F. Kennedy, Jane Faulk of Warren Harding, Abigayle Grimm of Southington, Alaina Haroulakis of Niles McKinley, Sophia Kren of Girard, Travis LaNeve of TCTC / McDonald, Vincenzo Laprocina of Warren Harding, Gianna Magazine of Warren Harding, Kameron Marlowe of Champion and Henry Phillips of JFK.

“These young people are all amazing and lead inspirational lives. We have heard 20 amazing stories of young adults who have done more in their lives than most of the rest of us have done our whole lives,” Snyder said.

He said in the 13 years the awards banquet has been held, 260 young adults have been honored.

“I use the word amazing a lot because it is the only word that continues to fit after reading all the things these 20 individuals have done,” he said.

Snyder said the Tribune Chronicle received more than 60 nominations to consider for the awards, which was a record number.

Snyder said parents, grandparents, teachers, mentors and others helped mold the young people to be “the kind and caring and respectful young adults that they have become.”

“You all have many reasons to be very proud of them,” Snyder said.

He said the 20 honorees have done many good things for their communities, churches, schools and different organizations.

Each recipient received the flame award and commendations from county and state officials.

Tracie Mavrogianis, executive vice president of human resources for AVI Food Systems, said she felt honored to be present among “20 of the most impressive young leaders under the age of 20 in Trumbull County.”

“Your contributions to your community through volunteering, success in extracurricular activities and academic achievement should be seen as a beacon to your peers. You have so much talent and proven leadership. You will all continue to be great and do great things,” Mavrogianis said.

Falb said she goes to Newton Falls Elementary School to read to and tutor the younger students after school. She serves as National Honor Society president and Student Council president and through those roles leads and takes part in many community service events and initiatives, such as food drives.

Falb also volunteers at the Newton Falls Public Library youth programs.

“There is no one single thing that motivates me to get involved in the community. I just started volunteering and felt like I was doing the right thing,” Falb said.

She is also the first student representative to the school board, meaning she reports to the board at meetings on what the student body has been doing and any questions or concerns they have.

She is the daughter of Ryan and Alayna Falb and plans to attend college to study medicine.

Newton Falls Superintendent Andreas Johansson said he is proud of all Falb has accomplished as a student at Newton Falls.

“She attended the November board meeting and did a great job. She gave an overview from the students’ perspectives,” Johansson said.