HHS Senior Honored with PAGE's 2024 Distinguished Student Award

HTSD congratulates HHS senior Abby Hall, who was honored with the 2024 Distinguished Student Award by the Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education (PAGE). Hall was recognized on Nov. 8 at the PAGE conference and awards ceremony in Pittsburgh.

“We nominated Abby for her independent inquiry work in the areas of STEM, literacy, and elementary education over the past three years,” said Dr. Melissa Survinski, Enrichment Facilitator.

Hall worked with HHS enrichment facilitators Dr. Survinski and Mr. Stickney to create literature-based activity kits filled with STEAM activities for various levels of elementary students. In addition to choosing a book as the starting point and planning the activities to align with PA State Standards, Hall also created each piece of the activities and worksheets herself. She also created a child-friendly learning guide, instructional videos, and packaging for each kit. These kits have been shared with Hampton’s elementary enrichment students and Urban Impact.

“We are proud of Abby for the hard work, care, and thought that she put into these activities, outside of any of her classes, and we are excited for her to receive this recognition,” said Dr. Survinski. “Abby intends to be an elementary teacher, and so we were able to tailor her work to fit the lens of elementary education, adding a layer of career development into her enrichment.”

The Distinguished Student Award is designed to recognize achievement in academics, the arts, innovation, leadership, and/or service for students across the Commonwealth. PAGE believes that this award inspires students to achieve their fullest potential, highlights high-ability students, and draws attention to the merit of addressing the educational needs of Pennsylvania’s gifted and talented children.