Pathfinders at West Boca

Written by Cindy Castillo, Staff Writer

Every year, the Pathfinder High School Scholarship is presented to high school seniors in the Palm Beach and Martin counties. Each year Pathfinder Scholarships reward seventy two students with more than $135,000. This scholarship is for students who have demonstrated excellence in one of the eighteen academic, vocational, or athletic categories. The Pathfinder Scholarship is sponsored by Palm Beach Newspapers, Inc., publisher of The Palm Beach Post, Palm Beach Daily News, and La Palma. First-place winners receive college scholarships of $3,000, second-place winners receive college scholarships of $2,000, third-place winners receive scholarships of 1,500, and fourth-place winners receive college scholarships of $1,000. There is one first, second, third, and fourth winner in each Category. First-place winners in each category also receive the “astrolabe” trophy. The “astrolabe” was chosen as a symbol by the Palm Beach Post because just as the device was used to help sailors navigate by using the stars it is believed that a good education will help students navigate the course of their lives. First teachers and guidance counselors nominate students they believe have excelled in each category. Students are then interviewed by a panel of judges who choose one student for each category to represent West Boca Raton Community High School.
The 2009-2010 pathfinder nominees for West Boca Raton Community High school are Lauren Izaak for Academic Excellence, Sarah Jezierny for art, Joe Lerro for business, Rachel Alford for communications, Samantha Block for community involvement, Christian Carboni for computer science, Stefanie Anarumo for drama, Marissa Goldberg for foreign language, Jordan Lewis for history/political science, Daniel Balva for Literature, Alexander Anderson for mathematics, Adam Roberts for music/instrumental, Christie Getejanc for music/vocal, Chris Wagner for reach for excellence, Rachel Silverberg for science, Catherine Staszak for sports, and Kristen Wiley for technical/vocational/agricultural. Once these students have been nominated they are to fill out a nomination form and attach it to their nomination packets which must be turned in by January 12, 2010. All nominees will meet again on March 11, 2010 at Palm Beach Atlantic University. They will be interviewed by three select judges who have been selected for each category based on their expertise in the subject. A ceremony will be held May 12, 2010 at the Raymond F Kravis Center for the Performing Arts where the names of the winners will be announced.