Superintendent Jerry Longo honored four students with the Superintendent's Award for Citizenship before May's school board meeting.

He selected one student from each of the four Quaker Valley buildings after reviewing each school's recommendations.

Longo emphasized that "citizenship" was the most im-portant component of the award's criteria.

He personalized each presentation, highlighting the characteristics, comments and achievements that had distinguished each recipient according to his or her building principal and staff.

Edgeworth fifth grade student Dante Piccolo, son of Paul and Tamra Piccolo of Sewickley, was praised for his enthusiasm for learning, his participation in school sports, representation in the Calcu-Solve Bowl and Geography Bees.

But most of all, he was honored for his exemplary re-spectful behavior toward his teachers, his praise for peers, his strong beliefs and his desire to help others to achieve their best.

Osborne fifth grader Mer-icka McCabe was cited for her commitment to academics: qualifying for C-mites; being named "Very Important Person" several times; participating in Odyssey of the Mind and the Shakespeare festival; and demonstrating a positive attitude and willingness to help others.

Mericka, daughter of Mer-rick (Rick) and Alexandra McCabe of Leet Township, was commended for volunteering with Mrs. Wilson's preschool enrichment programs and tutoring struggling first graders.

Middle School student Aaron Pollon was acknowledged as a very hard worker, going above and beyond in all projects while enjoying learning in the process.

Aaron, son of Neal and Dorothy Pollon of Aleppo Township, was responsible for the daily live digital broadcast, Xpress and lent his expertise to the school play, talent show, assemblies and sporting events. Aaron was described as "consistently reliable and helpful to others."

QV Senior James Thompson, the son of David and Belinda Thompson of Sewickley Heights, was credited for his 4.4 GPA and outstanding SAT scores, along with his leadership on the cross country team, medaling in the 2005 WPIAL Championships.

Playing tuba, he led his section in the band as well as playing in the Jazz and pep bands.

James' voluntarism has been ongoing through the St. James Church Music Ministry. He is a lifetime scout, working toward Eagle Scout status.

n School Board member Gianni Floro presented Dana Lundquist the School Board Graduating Senior Award, acknowledging her GPA of 4.2, participation in four advanced placement courses balanced by her arts participation; winning a Gene Kelly Award, serving as chorus president and having placed first in the National Association of teachers of Singing regional competition.

Dana is the daughter of Michael and Nancy Lundquist of Bell Acres Borough.

Floro lauded her volunteer efforts assisting in YMCA swimming instruction, tutoring at QV Middle School, mentoring QVHS freshmen and teaming up with Habitat for Humanity and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

The intimate ceremony, created in part by the small invited audience of awardees' families and school board members, seemed fitting for acknowledging these students for their humility, which Longo cited as a characteristic that every recipient embodied.

As each student received their award, they introduced their family members who attended to share this special moment with them.