Eleven area high school students honored for volunteerism

The Parma Hospital Health Care Foundation has honored 11 area high school seniors for exemplifying the ideals of service and volunteerism in the community. The $1,000 Renaissance Service Awards were presented by Foundation Trustees Christine George, and Dr. Edward Cottle and his wife, Barbara Cottle.

“The Renaissance Scholarship Program has been an important element of the Parma Hospital Health Care Foundation's mission for many years,” says Executive Director Marcia Ferguson. “The Foundation is committed to honoring and encouraging young men and women in the community who demonstrate an above-and-beyond commitment to others through their volunteerism and service. We are privileged to be able to recognize such fine young men and women in our midst.”

Eleven students were honored for exceptional volunteerism:
• Stefani Beeke of Cuyahoga Heights High School is the daughter of Kyle and Kimberly Beeke of Brooklyn Heights. Stefani has taught confirmation classes, assisted with science camp and vacation Bible school at Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church and participated in a mission trip to repair homes for economically disadvantaged people in southern Ohio. She will major in education in college.
• Halle Buffington of Independence High School is the daughter of Gary and Tracy Buffington of Independence. Halle’s 286 hours of community service have far surpassed the high school’s graduation requirement of 40 hours. Last winter, she single-handedly raised over $1,000 to supply blankets to those less fortunate. She plans a career in speech pathology for high-risk preschoolers.
• Alexander Doksa of North Royalton High School is the son of Richard and Nancy Doksa of North Royalton. Active in numerous volunteer efforts through Boy Scouts and Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church, Alex supervised 40 volunteers and worked with civil engineers and surveyors over 18 months on construction of an Olympic-sized sand volleyball court for the Youth Sports Ministry at his church. He plans to study civil engineering in college “to build things to serve the people.”
• Thomas Galletta of Padua Franciscan High School is the son of John and Jennifer Galletta of Parma. Tom volunteers as an elementary school tutor at St. Francis and tutors a family friend in Algebra each week. He also volunteers at Sunrise Assisted Living, where he facilitates social activities and games. Tom plans to study pre-med, adding “Showing compassion must be top priority.”
• Tiana Grattan, a Parma Hospital junior volunteer who attends Valley Forge High School, is the daughter of Kirk and Sandy Grattan of Parma. Tiana escorts patients and family members in the hospital’s Emergency Department. She also volunteers at Mt. Alverna Nursing Home and coordinates activities for young children in the St. Bridget Youth Group. She will pursue a career in nursing.
• Sarah Hamski of Holy Name High School is the daughter of Thomas Hamski of North Olmsted. Sarah has been heavily involved with volunteer projects with the Westlake Area Youth Group for more than five years, including working in a soup kitchen and planning retreats for fellow high school students. Sarah will study art therapy in college.
• Connie Lee of Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School is the daughter of Soo Ho and Hee Ja Lee of Broadview Heights. President of the Key Club, she initiated Holiday Happiness, a program that donates gifts to terminally ill children at MetroHealth Medical Center. She also participated in a mission trip to work on a church in the Dominican Republic with the Korean American Presbyterian Church. She plans to major in political science and attend law school to become a prosecutor and judge.
• Nicole Peters of Valley Forge High School is the daughter of Kathy Peters of Parma Heights. A familiar face around the elementary schools in Parma and Parma Heights, Nicole has helped with festivals and Adopt-A-Family at Christmas, as well as volunteering to babysit during parent-teacher conferences. She also has tutored her peers at Valley Forge. Nicole plans to major in both philosophy and political science in college.
• Kristina Rakic, daughter of Robert and Milica Rakic of Seven Hills, represents Normandy High School. Inspired by her grandmother and mother to give back to the Serbian community, Kristina teaches Serbian dances to younger children at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church and cooks, serves and cleans up at church functions. She also served 832 hours as a camp counselor for St. Mark’s Monastery.
• Sylvia Sparks, representing Parma Senior High School, is the daughter of James and Laura Sparks of Parma. Sylvia, who is planning to pursue a degree in dental hygiene, volunteered to assist Case Western Reserve University dental students in preparation for state dental exams, taught preventive dentistry to first-grade students and assisted a local dentist with a senior citizen’s clinic.
• Kristyen Tomcik of Brooklyn High School is the son of Jerry and Vlastr Tomcik of Brooklyn. He volunteers as an assistant coach of a youth soccer team with the Parma Heights Recreation Program, as well as for Sunday School teaching with the Dr. Martin Luther Church. He was a youth group representative for the Ella Youth Organization at a national conference in San Antonio. Kristyen plans to become a physician specializing in sports medicine. 

About the Foundation:

Established in 1987 with a $1 million endowment grant from the Parma Community General Hospital Association and dedicated to supporting the health and well being of the Community, The Parma Hospital Health Care Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. From assuring access to physician care for the underserved and uninsured to contributing funds to the education of future nurses and service-oriented high seniors from local schools, The Parma Hospital Health Care Foundation has supported the greater Parma community in meeting a diverse range of health and human services needs for 20 years.

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