May 12, 2007 By The 3 min read

Tessa Markle of Connellsville is one talented musician. A top-notch singer, the Geibel Catholic High School senior is also an outstanding drummer and flute player. And she puts her to talent all types of use, performing mainly for her school and church.

“Tessa has a beautiful voice which is welcome in the folk group,’ said Jeffrey Brooks, Folk Group director for St. Rita’s Roman Catholic Church in Connellsville. “She is also called upon to play the flue. Tessa is very willing to serve and often gives freely of her time and talents. Her warm smile reflects her humble personality and cooperative spirit,’

“Tessa has been a member of the annual spring musical for four years,’ said Nick Bell, music teacher at Geibel Catholic High School. “This past year she played the leading role of Millie in our production of “Thoroughly Modern Millie’ and was outstanding.

“Whenever I needed a singer, a flute player or a percussionist, Tessa stepped up to the plate,’ added Bell. “Tessa is one of the most respectful, hard-working and dedicated students I have ever worked with. It has been an honor to be her teacher. Her service to Geibel will not soon be forgotten,’ added Bell.

And for that service, Markle has been selected to receive a Fayette County Community Service All-Star Award. She is among 10 local students being honored for putting forth an extra effort to make a difference in their communities. The students come from Fayette County’s seven high schools as well as the West Virginia Career Institute, the Laurel Business Institute and Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.

The students were nominated on the basis of their grade-point average and community service. The students will receive a $500 check to help them with their college costs. The students will be honored at a breakfast at the 30 East Main restaurant in Uniontown on Thursday, May 17.

Members of the organizing committee for the event – Jes Hutson, John Evans, Bob Garrett, Leda Gismondi, Alyssa Trynock, Dave Meredith and Melanie Thomas – will select a captain, who will receive an extra $100.

Alyssa Trynock of Big Brothers/Big Sisters will be the master of ceremonies. Uniontown banker Ben Wright will be the guest speaker.

Sponsors for the program include the Herald-Standard, Jes Hutson, Dave and Linda Meredith, Shelly and Paul Songer, Community Foundation of Fayette County, National City Bank Foundation, Joe Hardy, Cherokee Fur and Recycling, Jimmy Gismondi, John Gismondi and Associates, National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 520, Jim Gismondi, Russ Blaho, Harry Brownfield, Dan Evans, John Evans, Elouise Eberly, First National Bank, Hartsek Catering, Leda Gismondi, Bill Hutson, Kisiel and Rudnik, PC, Laurel Business Institute, Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus Alumni Society.

Ford Business Machines, Phil Michael, Debbie Seeger, Ron Sheba, Dicey Simon Basketball Officials, Slavik’s, George Smalley Co., Fayette Holdings Limited, Larry George, Bev Hurley, Joseph Nepa, Sepic Orthopedics, Joe Price, Alyssa Trynock, Upper Room, George Von Benko, Doug Wood, the Chestnut Ridge Rotary Club and Lizzy Gismondi.

Markle, the daughter of Howard and Roxanne Markle, is ranked 10th in her class and has a 3.98 grade-point average. She plans to major in English education at Washington and Jefferson College.

Markle said she believes that community service is its own reward.

“I am involved in community service because I find it rewarding, enjoyable and fulfilling,’ said Markle. “One should become involved in community service because it is beneficial to their academic career, helps them feel better about themselves, and may even be more enjoyable than one would imagine.’