WEEU is highlighting recent high school graduates to showcase the exceptional accomplishments of our local youth. Our “Outstanding Students of Berks and Beyond” program aims to recognize students from Berks and nearby counties for their outstanding achievements in academics, sports, arts, and community service.
As one of the few remaining local media platforms, WEEU sees it as our duty to uplift and spotlight our community. We have partnered with local high school leaders who nominated two students who have given back to their community and have excelled inside and outside the classroom. We hope that you join us in congratulating these outstanding students.
We extend our gratitude to all the participating schools and to the students for their valuable contributions to the local community.
Our Outstanding Students
Berks Catholic High School
Paisley Lutz
Paisley Lutz is a Senior at Berks Catholic High School. She serves as the Student Body President after serving last year as Junior Class President.
She is actively involved with the Berks Catholic DECA Business Club and serves as Activity Chair for the club. As a member of DECA, Paisley qualified for the State Competition and won a Gold medal for the Quiz Bowl DECA Competition.
Athletically, Paisley is captain of both the Field Hockey and Lacrosse teams.
Next year, she will attend Georgetown University where she will study Nursing.
Listen to the full interview:
Nathan Orient
Nathan Orient is a Senior at Berks Catholic High School. He is a 3-time Cross Country District Qualifier, and is Captain of the Cross Country and Track teams.
Nathan is very involved with the arts. He played Shrek in Shrek the Musical, and played the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz. He plays the Alto Saxophone, is Vice President of Tri-M Honors Music Society, and has been a part of Diocesan Choir and Band for the past three years.
He is a member of the National Honors Society, and has consistently made Distinguished Honors. He is a Boy Scout who is currently earning the rank of Eagle Scout, and is a staff member for the National Youth Leadership Training program.
He was selected as the Student Rector of Berks Catholic’s Kairos retreat in the spring, works at his church, St. Ignatius of Loyola, as a Sacristan, and has completed over 200 hours of service for his community.
He will be attending Kutztown University in the fall as a Biology/Pre-Medicine major in their Honors Program with the goal of working in Pediatric Medicine.
Listen to the full interview:
Brandywine Heights
Area School District
Angelina DeChristopher
I’m Angelina DeChristopher, a senior at Brandywine Heights High School.
I play the trumpet in our jazz, concert, and marching bands. I recently completed my AP Drawing & Painting portfolio, Planet Hiraeth, which won a Gold Key at the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.
I plan to pursue Fine Arts in college while continuing to be involved in musical ensembles including jazz, rock, and marching band.
If you’d like to view my portfolio and other works, please visit: artofangelinadechristopher.weebly.com
Listen to the full interview:
Elyse Stufflet
My name is Elyse Stufflet and I am a senior at Brandywine Heights.
My favorite thing to do is play my instrument! Some things I am involved in here at the high school are Juggling Club, Spanish Club, Eco-Action Club, Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, National Honors Society, and Tri-M Honors Society. My favorite part about doing all of these things is that it has allowed me to meet new people, and I have made some very close friends.
In the future, I plan to attend Kutztown University for a degree in Music Education. While I’m there, I plan to participate in the marching band!
My favorite memories from high school have come from marching band. These past two years, I have had the opportunity to serve as a drum major. It has taught me leadership skills, and helped me discover my passion for music!
Listen to the full interview:
Governor Mifflin School District
Kyra Geisler
I’m Kyra Geisler and I’m a senior at Governor Mifflin High School and I am art intern at the Amos Lemon Burkhart Foundation.
Ever since the age of 3, I’ve been active with art, thanks to my parents for supporting me. I’ve created my very own children’s book this year called Finger Painter, which highlights my love for art, as well as my family.
I’ve also accomplished creating a community collaboration statue that includes artwork from every grade level across the district.
I’m an activist against sexual violence and hope to bring more awareness to the issue.
My dream career is to get into the world of tattooing, as well as continue selling my art as a business. My lifelong goal is to make others feel apart, appreciated, and seen for who they are.
Listen to the full interview:
Ryan Hafer
I am Ryan Hafer and I am currently a graduating senior at Governor Mifflin High School.
Throughout my high school career here at Governor Mifflin, I was the manager of both our football and wrestling teams. While being the manager of our high school football team, I was an assistant coach for our middle school football team for 2 seasons as well.
I am currently the president of our senior class.
I will be attending East Stroudsburg University in the fall where I will be studying physical education, and I will also be helping out with their football team as a student assistant.
Listen to the full interview:
Kutztown Area School District
Samantha Furst
My name is Samantha Furst and my future plans after high school include going to college at Kutztown University and majoring in Biology -Allied Health.
After graduating with my Bachelor’s degree, I plan to attend Alvemia University and participate in the DPT program which is a 3 year clinical post-graduate doctoral program to ensure employment as a physical therapist. While I plan on working in a rehabilitation center and/or a PT facility, it is my all time goal to work with a professional sports team when I am older.
Some of my academic accomplishments include: National Honor Society (2 years), Nominated for Berks Best in Mathematics, High Honor Roll (Throughout All of High School), and an Educational Internship.
My athletic accomplishments include: All Division for Varsity Soccer (2 Years), All Division and Team Captain for Varsity Softball ( 4 Years), and Captain for Varsity Cheerleading.
I also did competitive dance for 12 years which included: performing various dance routines in Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry, the Delaware Sea Witch Parade, Cruise Ships for Entertainment, and the Phantoms Ice Hockey Arena in between periods of the game.
I also was a professional cheerleader for the Steelhawks for 2 years.
Listen to the full interview:
Colin Hamm
I am Colin Hamm, a senior at Kutztown Area Senior High School.
I was a 4 year varsity athlete in golf and baseball, and captain in my senior year.
In addition to my regular high school, I also attend Berks Career and Technology Center and am in the Carpentry shop. At BCTC, I am a student ambassador, the PBA club treasurer, and a 2-year member of the National Technical Honor Society.
My activities at KAHS include being a senior mentor, a student council member, and also the Class of 2024 class president.
Outside of school, I am a volunteer firefighter for Topton Fire Company of Topton, PA.
After School I plan to further my education at Pennsylvania College of Technology, majoring in Construction Management.
In the long term, I hope to run my own construction company and build the future of America.
Listen to the full interview:
Muhlenberg School District
Kayla Yoder
Kayla Yoder is a class of 2024 senior from Muhlenberg High School where she is involved in many activities and extracurriculars at the school. She played soccer on the Muhlenberg Girls Varsity team for four years and was captain her senior year. Along with this she coached a U8 club team in the spring of 2024 and helped with a U11 club team in the previous years.
Kayla was also heavily involved in Muhlenberg’s stage crew in her years at the high school, and in her senior year she was Booth Manager. She has been in Leo Club, a volunteer club, for three years and was the club President in the 2023-2024 school year. She also is participates in the music program with her involvement in Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Chorus, Mallet Ensemble and Steel Drums. In her senior she was a section leader in Marching Band.
Kayla plans to continue her education at Binghamton University to study Geoscience.
Listen to the full interview:
Mason Zona
Mason Zona is a graduating senior from Muhlenberg High School.
He is highly involved in both the music and athletic departments. His dedication to music includes learning new instruments ( switching from saxophone to euphonium and trombone), arranging music for and organizing ensembles. In addition Mason led the marching band as an all brass captain.
Counterbalancing this is his leadership on the Muhlenberg Wrestling Team, organizing offseason training and constructing a lifting program as a two year team captain. This commitment during the off season would guide him to success on the mat becoming, among his many awards, a district qualifier.
While balancing academic pursuits and extracurriculars is daunting, Mason‘s passion for the outdoors has become an equally important piece of his identity, providing both an escape to a serene and thoughtful environment as well as a meaningful way to connect with others.
In the future Mason is attending the University of Pennsylvania planning to major in neuroscience with a minor in psychology. He plans to then continue his education by studying genetic counseling.
Listen to the full interview:
Wilson School District
Jason Kauffman
After graduating from Wilson, Jason Kauffman will be studying Biology at Penn State University as part of their Schreyer Honors College.
Jason was a four-year varsity tennis player and was also an active member in the school’s Mental Health Council, Future Business Leaders of America Club, Science Olympiad, and Ambassador Program.
In addition to working as a cashier at Giant, Jason had two internships this year: one in the Reading Hospital Laboratory and another in the school’s Multiple Disabilities Classroom.
In his free time Jason enjoys playing tennis and pickleball, cutting lawns in his neighborhood, and watching the Steelers!