Youth name peers they most admire

The Evangelist attended the recent High School Youth Conference, sponsored by St. Mary's Church in Hudson, and asked teens to tell us about peers they admire:

* Danielle Valenchis, a member of St. Patrick's, Catskill, and a student at Catskill High School: "Dan Fenaughty is a freshman at Geneseo College. While he was at Catskill High, he made many contributions to our school and community. Dan was an active member of a club that helps the needy. He was also in chorus and band, and has great musical talent. Dan is a very respectful and mature young man -- the thing I love most about him."

* Kayla Sieburg, 14, a member of St. Patrick's parish in Catskill and a student at Catskill High: "I admire my friend Danielle. She is involved in many activities. She's in almost every single club we have in school. She gets really good grades, works hard and always tries to strive for the best."

* Haley Leach, from Immaculate Conception Church, Haines Falls, and a student at Hunter-Tannersville High: "My brother, Patrick, because he has come very far from where he has started. In the past, he had always complained about getting an education and obeying the Lord. This interfered with my family's lives. Now, he is an A student and doing extremely well."

* Amber Law from St. Patrick's parish in Cairo and Cairo-Durham Central School: "My friend Kayla, because she doesn't care what anyone thinks of her. She's an individual. She is very friendly and knows her Lord."

* Sinead Lavery, a parishioner at St. Theresa's Church in Windham and a student at Windham-Ashland-Jewett Schools: "I admire my sister Sadhbh the most. She is 17 and outgoing, and has lots of friends, and is pretty and very smart. She knows what she wants to be and is trying really hard to be the best she can."

* Cassandra Long, 15, from St. Patrick's Church, Catskill, and Catskill High: "I admire my brother. He always comes to the games that I have. When I say something about myself that's not good, he always brings me back up. He helps me a lot and watches out for me."

* Justin Ferraioli, 15, from Sacred Heart parish in Cairo: "I'm a soccer player, so I admire Freddy Adu. He inspires me to play soccer better. He's a professional and plays with the older adults, and is only 15."

* Katie LeSuer, 14, of Sacred Heart Church in Cairo: "I admire my brother because he gets along with everybody and really sticks to what he believes in. He's really talented about music. He's in college and a music education major, and is hoping to become a band and chorus teacher."

(Reports and photos by Karen Dietlein)

(11/11/04)