I am pleased to nominate Gage Nalepka for THS Student of the Month for January. In my Economics class and supervising the After-School Weight Lifting program, I have had the opportunity to observe and interact with Gage. Through those experiences, I have been impressed with his character, attitude, and abilities. He has challenged himself academically and athletically and excelled. He has expanded his world by diversifying his studies and activities. He has served as a role model in being selected for positions of responsibility and volunteering to do community service. In doing so, Gage has demonstrated the qualities of a student-athlete and leader.

As a student, Gage has been a fixture on the district’s High Honor Roll, while enrolling in Honors and AP courses. This consistency of excellence has merited his membership in Trinity’s Chapter of the National Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars. Gage’s choice of Junior ROTC, Spanish, Honors Debate, Drone Tech, Personal Finance, and playing trumpet in the Concert Band as electives have broadened his knowledge, skills, and social contacts. Gage’s performance in my class was indicative of his high standards. His work was consistently excellent and his questions and answers contributed to the class’s learning experience.

Athletically at Trinity, Gage has played soccer, hockey, and weightlifting. Additionally, he has played hockey in the Pittsburgh Amateur Hockey League for 13 years. Currently playing for the Artic Foxes, he serves as the team captain. As well as having played with the Southpointe Rinkrats, playing on their championship team in 9th grade. He has received the PAHL’s Academic All-Star Award every year he has played.

In terms of leadership and service, Gage has been devoted to helping others. In addition to his service projects with the NHS and JROTC, for which he received the Hiller’s Take the High Ground Award for leadership, service, and citizenship, he has also worked in the Trinity High School Food Pantry. He has also been elected to the Student Council by his peers every year since middle school. In the community, Gage has volunteered at the Alpine Lanes Spud Night for Washington County Senior Citizens, Arden Trolley Museum, Washington Crown Center Mall’s Train Gang’s Model Railroad Station, Southpointe Ice Rink’s special needs Grizzlies Hockey Team, Operation Christmas Child wrapping shoe boxes, and at Sycamore Reserve cleaning up trash.

In everything he has been involved with at Trinity and in the community, Gage has demonstrated integrity and responsibility, a positive and humble attitude, and a willing work ethic. In doing so, he has earned the respect and confidence of the adults he has worked with, as well as his peers. For his achievements over his career at Trinity, Gage Nalepka is worthy of the honor of being recognized as the Trinity High School Student of the Month.

Nominated by Mr. Thomas Lee