Ellis Senior Houston Curtis wins KDKA Award
The Ellis School turned out in force on February 18, 2015 for a special assembly with KDKA-TV in honor of Ellis scholar and athlete Houston Curtis. A senior who has attended Ellis since kindergarten, Houston was chosen for the Extra Effort Award for her outstanding achievements in academics, athletics and service to the community. KDKA-TV’s Bob Pompeani and Allegheny Health Network presented the award and a donation of $200 to Ellis in Houston’s honor. The presentation will be broadcast on KDKA-TV on Thursday, February 26, 2015 in the 6 to 7 p.m. hour.
“Houston is the kind of student who makes teachers excited to teach every day. Engaged, hard-working, personable, sincere, positive, curious, and amazing are the adjectives most frequently used to describe her,” stated Ellis Director of College Counseling Lauren Lieberman in the nomination. “Houston has taken one of the most challenging programs available to her at Ellis and has earned top grades throughout… While she has been a strong student since the beginning, as her courses have increased in rigor, her grades have only improved—a true testament to the dedication this young woman has to learning,” said Lieberman.
About Houston: Houston is Captain of the Varsity basketball team, which went to the WPIAL playoffs this year for the first time since 2003. She is a leading scorer and an integral part of the team’s success this year. She has also found ways to give to others at School, most notably through basketball and Sisterhood (our school’s Black Student Union equivalent). She is the go-to member of the group for advice, information, and friendship. Houston is a member of two Ellis community service clubs, Ronald McDonald House and Guild, where she has participated in coat, toy, and shoe drives. Outside of School, Houston is extremely active in Mount Ararat Baptist Church, where she started as a summer camp volunteer at age 12. She now spends the full eight weeks of her summers with her campers and still finds time to play on Ellis' summer league basketball team. She also spends countless hours working with her youth ministry locally and in neighboring states.
Houston was nominated for the award by Athletic Director Latonya Salley-Sharif, Upper School Director Lauren Laschon, and Director of College Counseling Lauren Lieberman.
Congratulations, Houston!
Click here to see the KDKA news report.
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About Houston: Houston is Captain of the Varsity basketball team, which went to the WPIAL playoffs this year for the first time since 2003. She is a leading scorer and an integral part of the team’s success this year. She has also found ways to give to others at School, most notably through basketball and Sisterhood (our school’s Black Student Union equivalent). She is the go-to member of the group for advice, information, and friendship. Houston is a member of two Ellis community service clubs, Ronald McDonald House and Guild, where she has participated in coat, toy, and shoe drives. Outside of School, Houston is extremely active in Mount Ararat Baptist Church, where she started as a summer camp volunteer at age 12. She now spends the full eight weeks of her summers with her campers and still finds time to play on Ellis' summer league basketball team. She also spends countless hours working with her youth ministry locally and in neighboring states.
Houston was nominated for the award by Athletic Director Latonya Salley-Sharif, Upper School Director Lauren Laschon, and Director of College Counseling Lauren Lieberman.
Congratulations, Houston!
Click here to see the KDKA news report.
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