Two Westminster High School Students Recognized as “Unsung Heroes”

Westminster High School students Andrew DiDio (a senior) and Alexis Ross (a junior) were selected from hundreds of nominees from high schools in Carroll, Howard, and Montgomery Counties for the Northrop Real Estate Team's Unsung Hero program.

Westminster High School was the only school to have two students selected as finalists. There were 12 finalists, according to a news release.

The Unsung Hero program recognizes students who stand out for their personal character demonstrated through selflessness, strength and resilience during difficult times, according to a release. 

Andrew DiDio was nominated for the award by social studies teacher Clay Matthews.

DiDio is active in school as a member of the National Honor Society and as historian for the National Art Honor Society. He also works as a peer tutor in the NHS peer tutoring program.  

Outside of school, DiDio has accumulated well over 1,000 hours of volunteer service through his church, both in the community and abroad. He has traveled to such diverse countries as the Ukraine and Haiti and states that this has been the activity that has had the most meaning for him, according to a news release.

DiDio plans to major in business and perhaps combine a career in business with his mission work later in life.

According to Matthews, “Andrew is an exceptional student who shows a high degree of character, leadership, and scholarship and who has made significant contributions through his community service.”

Alexis Ross was nominated by school nurse Amanda Griffin-Zonin.

According to Griffin-Zonin, “Alexis is the most accomplished and compassionate young lady I have ever met.”

Ross successfully which benefits teens and children in Carroll County who are affected by chronic illnesses. She runs the organization with the help of her family and volunteers.

Ross and her organization provide special wishes to sick children, as well as pajama party packages to kids in the hospital to make their stay a little more comfortable. She also provides them with new pajamas, teddy bears, movies, and a special pillow. She visits each child personally to deliver the packages and writes letters to sick children each week, according to a release.

At Christmas time, each child in the hospital receives a small tree to light up his or her room with an angel on top to watch over them while they are hospitalized. Ross also holds special events and activities to bring fun and entertainment to these children, according to a release.

The Unsung Hero awards were presented during a special ceremony in April.