Whiz Kids: Pierre Leconte and Steven Trezza

Names: Pierre Leconte, Steven Trezza

School: West Hempstead High School

Grade: 10

In high school, it's often much easier to follow the pack than to make your own path, but two West Hempstead sophomores have proven they're not afraid to lead.

Tenth graders Pierre Leconte and Steven Trezza from West Hempstead High School have been selected by the local Rotary Club for possessing the rare and honorable traits of leadership and service their communities.

Patch first met Trezza, an Eagle Scout, when he made waves with his storm drain project last fall. Trezza  has spent countless hours working to clean up Long Island's bays by working with an environmental group based in the Town of Hempstead called Operation Splash. Through the organization, which performs daily patrols to clean up pollution from local waterways and shorelines, Trezza was inspired to launch a community-wide project. You'll see his handiwork every time you pass by one of the hundreds of storm drains in West Hempstead, where he has placed medallions reminding people not to toss their waste inside because it will end up in the bays. for the full story to learn more.

Pierre Leconte has also sacrificed much of his time embodying the message of the Rotary, "Service above self." 

According to Rotary member and West Hempstead School Board Trustee Rudolf Schindler, Leconte has volunteered over 100 hours in a local hospital and serves as the pianist for .

"He's very much involved in the community," Schindler said.

Leconte was also recognized recently for winning an award for a paper he wrote about diversity.

Regarding both young men, Schindler said, "They have outstanding accomplishments."

Trezza and Leconte, and a third student from another school, also selected by the West Hempstead Rotary, will attend the Rotary Youth Service Leadership conference this March. They will join students from schools across Long Island at an overnight program sponsored by the Rotary, which aims to further develop their leadership skills in a service context.

"This is a world-wide program," said Rony Kessler, president of the West Hempstead Rotary Club, which foots the bill for the students to attend the conference.

This isn't the only way the West Hempstead Rotary Club honors the accomplishments of the young people in the community. Every month, guidance counselors at the local schools select two Students of the Month, which are then invited to a special breakfast with the Rotary at the .

"We recognize them and give them a small monetary award and certificate," Kessler said. "The critera is service above self. They're expected to do above and beyond education, and serve fellow students and their community.

"It's really fascinating when they come...to hear about all they have done."

To get involved with the West Hempstead Rotary Club, attend one of their meetings, held every Thursday at 8:30 a.m. at the Lantern Diner.

Do you know a young person in the community that should be featured in our Whiz Kid column? Nominate them by sending an e-mail to Tara.Conry@Patch.com with their name, school, grade, a recent accomplishment and what makes them so awesome!