PNC Achievers

Scroll down to nominate a high school lacrosse player
The 2025 selected winners are listed past the entry form

The PNC Achievers program identifies and recognizes outstanding student-athletes across the state of Maryland.  Every Tuesday from March 4 to May 20, a PNC Achiever will be highlighted on air for their leadership in the classroom, on the field and in their community. The program aims to highlight students who not only dominate the game, and excel in the classroom, but also those who impact their community by volunteering for youth groups, leading a school club, or shoveling an elderly neighbor's driveway. If they are a good-deed-doer in your community, we want to hear about them!

Nominate a Maryland High School lacrosse player by completing the entry form below.

The PNC Achievers program is sponsored by PNC Bank.

Contest dates:
February 3, 2025 at 12:00am ET through May 11, 2025 at 11:59pm ET
Contest rules: Click here for complete rules

2025 Videos below:

PNC's Market Manager Leader John Massie interview about the PNC Achievers program.

Let's catch up with London James-Golas, a 2022 PNC Achiever Winner

2025 Nominee Winners:

PNC Achiever Week of 05/20/25: Maura Rigley a Senior at Maryvale Preparatory School. Maura is a member of the National Arts Honor Society which does a lot of service work including the International Memory Project and locally helping to organize annual Day 1 Drive. She is also a member of the National Science Honor Society. Maura is a senior committed to play lacrosse at Army West Point next season. She is a 2 year starter and a leader of one of the top defenses in the country. She is the Varsity field hockey captain (2x) and team chaplain, Varsity lacrosse team captain (2x), Pickleball club founder & vice president Gym Meet Captain - elected by classmates. Maura also organizes, choreographs and directs classmates in a grade-level, school-wide annual marching competition

PNC Achiever Week of 05/13/25: Doreyen Jackson a Sophomore at Calvert Hall College High School. Doreyen Jackson is a standout sophomore at Calvert Hall, known for his leadership, academic excellence, and community involvement. He currently holds a 4.0 GPA while managing the demanding schedule of a student-athlete, playing face-off midfielder on the varsity lacrosse team. Doreyen's dedication and drive have quickly made him a key contributor on the field, demonstrating focus, discipline, and teamwork. Off the field, Doreyen is equally committed to making a positive impact. He serves as the Vice President of the Baltimore Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., a leadership role that allows him to help organize service projects and mentorship programs for youth in the community. His involvement reflects a deep commitment to uplifting others and being a positive role model for his peers.

PNC Achiever Week of 05/06/25: Oscar Escobar a Senior at Parkville High School. Oscar is instrumental in organizing and participating in various school-based community service volunteer opportunities with the boys lacrosse team. He has organized a 'campus beautification' project in which he and other members of the lacrosse team picked up trash and cleaned the school grounds to make our school more scenic and welcoming. He also has helped in "freshman early entry days" in the beginning of the school year, where he assists in helping incoming students find their way around the building and welcomes them to the school. Oscar also gives back to the Parkville community at large and has participated in several events outside of school including volunteering with the Parkville/Carney festival. Oscar's academic achievements are numerous. He has enrolled in a variety of courses that peak his interests, including weight training, photography, guitar, and orchestra to name a few. He also challenges himself with intense courses such as AP computer science and AP Spanish and several GT and Honors level courses. He has manage to maintain a 3.8 weighted GPA while challenging himself with this course load. Oscar had never played lacrosse before his freshman year and immediately fell in love with the sport. He chose to pursue one of the most challenging positions by becoming a goalie, and has been the varsity starter for the last 2 years. This year, he has earned a position as a team captain. Oscar has emerged as not only one of the best players on the team, but a dominant force in the division and county, racking up 326 saves in just one and a half seasons so far as a starter and 1 season as a back up. Oscar has chosen to continue his lacrosse career and attend Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania.

PNC Achiever Week of 04/29/25: Maddie Raynes a Senior at Northeast High School. Madelyn is not your typical teenager. She goes out of her way to make others feel welcome and valued, whether they are new students, students with special needs, or anyone who needs a friend. What truly sets Madelyn apart from others is her involvement in Unified Physical Education and Leadership. In these classes, she has worked as a leader and buddy to students with special needs, a role in which she truly excels. Madelyn has an extraordinary ability to connect with these students, making them feel seen, valued, and respected. She is a leader among leaders, and she not only helps other students understand how to engage with their peers but also leads by example with her compassion and kindness. Madelyn is actively involved in several clubs, including National Honor Society, Northeast Elite, Best Buddies, and Captain Club, further demonstrating her commitment to personal growth and community engagement. Her positive attitude, maturity, and genuine care for others make her a standout individual. Maddie was in clubs that academic matters. Examples Northeast Elite and National Honor Society. She carried a 4.31. Maddie had at least 10 honor classes and 4 AP classes. She was student of the month. Madelyn is a well-rounded student who balances academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities with ease. She plays varsity soccer and lacrosse and serves as a captain for both teams. She also manages the wrestling team, where she organizes weigh-ins and ensures that the equipment is clean and well-maintained. She will be playing soccer at Anne Arundel community college.

PNC Achiever Week of 04/22/25: Gordan Griffin a Senior at Northeast High School. As a member of the One Love Club and Captains Club, as well as the National Honor Society, Gordan has proven himself as a leader among his peers. His 124 hours of community service further reflect his dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in his community. Gordan goes above and beyond on how he treats his classmates and peers. Gordan is a leader in my unified and leadership physical education class. Gordan is a peer buddy to special need students. He naturally connects and makes the students feel important. He is a leader among leaders. Gordan has a 3.98 Gordan is in two clubs that academic matters. He is in captain club and National Honor Society. He took 2 honor classes and 1 AP class. Gordan's athletic achievement are more then just on the field. He is leader on and off the field. He work ethic shows commitment and perseverance no matter his team or situation. Gordan is a playmaker and a key leader to the team. He is caption and a role model to his team mates. His technique and lax IQ make him a game changer for Northeast. His awards and recognition are all county honorable mentions for two years.

PNC Achiever Week of 04/15/25: Naomi Klein a Junior at Roland Park Country School. Naomi is a part of the Red Key program and helps encourage prospective students to join Roland Park Country School. She does a great job explaining all that RPCS has to offer and helps bring in many new students. She also helps with lacrosse camps and helping at the clinics for younger players. Naomi has received honor roll every semester at Roland Park. She has been able to maintain great grades while working hard on the field too. She is a great leader for the RPCS lacrosse team and has really stepped up this year as a junior on the team. She is an incredible defender and was selected for the All America team this summer.

PNC Achiever Week of 04/08/25: Grace Holthaus a Junior at Roland Park Country School. Grace has maintained a 4.3 GPA taking honors and AP classes and has been on the honor roll every semester at RPCS. She is a member of the Model UN and various other clubs. Grace has volunteered for the Baltimore Tree Trust by planting trees in Baltimore City to enhance the green spaces, provide shade, and beautify the communities. She also volunteers at RPCS giving admissions tours and speaking at panels to groups of students about her experiences at the school. Grace also volunteers her time by helping to run clinics for younger lacrosse players for both her school and club teams. Grace has played 3 varsity sports since her freshman year and into her current junior year. She has been chosen to play lacrosse at many elite tournaments each summer. She recently recovered from an ACL tear and has worked hard and consistently to get back to the sports she loves. Grace also took on a new sport this year and made the varsity swim team.

PNC Achiever Week of 04/01/25: Ellianna Zour a Sophomore at Manchester Valley High School. Ellianna loves volunteering for the local lacrosse and field hockey rec programs to help grow the love of the 2 sports she loves the most. She is also known for making cards just and distributing them to a local nursing home to help cheer up the residents. She is always there to lend a helping hand and loves to help whomever whenever both mentally and physically. Ellianna has taking AP and honors classes her entire High School career. She currently has a 4.1 GPA, and has straight A's currently. She takes her academics very seriously and can be found studying or doing mounds of homework in her room most evenings after her sports training has finished for the day. She was just invited to become part of the 2024-2025 National Honor Society for the Class of 2027 at her High School! Ellianna is part of the #1 club lacrosse team in the nation in the 2027 age group, she has been a member of her club team since the inception when she and her teammates were in 4th grade. She battled back from a season ending injury in the summer of 2023 that took her out of lacrosse and field hockey for over 9 months. This coming summer, she has been selected as a member of 2 highly competitive personal tournaments. She has been selected to the UA150 tournament, which selects the top 150 applicants to play against top lacrosse player from all over the country. Watch Ellianna's interview below.

PNC Achiever Week of 03/25/25: Gavin Sparzak a Junior at Archbishop Curley High School. Gavin is a currently a varsity athlete on the lacrosse and football teams. Prior to this year he played JV lacrosse and was captain and led them to their first MIAA title. He also played soccer his first to years and he was a captain his sophomore year. He has volunteered for first fruits throughout the summer which helps provide fresh produce and vegetables to low income areas. And he also, volunteers at happy helpers preparing food and passing out for low income and homeless families. Gavin participates in school collections such as food donations, toys for tots and other organizations. Gavin is a recent inductee in the National Honor society at school a recipient of the Mark Borowy scholarship and the E Wayne Scott Memorial scholarship. Watch Gavin's full interview below.

PNC Achiever Week of 03/18/25: James Lukish a Senior at Loyola Blakefield. James is the Vice President of Service at school. He spearheads service opportunities for all the students whether it be a can drive, soup kitchen, visiting an elderly house, or other opportunities. James is the one setting up and following through on these acts of service. He takes great pride in helping those in need and supporting the larger community. James also volunteers to work as a peer tutor for our middle school students. On top of that he volunteers as an alter server for his church on the weekends. James is an extremely bright young man. He is in the Ignatian Honors Program taking AP and Honors courses every year. He has taken 14 AP courses and 11 honors courses throughout his four years at Loyola and has received an A in every course he has taken maintaining a 4.45 GPA. This has also landed him on the First Honors list every term. James is a two-year varsity lacrosse player and is also one of the hardest workers on the field and in the weight room. Through his hard work he has become one of the strongest, if not the strongest player on the team. James is a teammate that will do whatever the team needs from him. His flexibility and ability to be a close defender, LSM, man-down guy, allows him and our team to be better. James is someone we tell our younger guys to emulate. James was recruited and has been accepted to MIT where he will be furthering his academic and athletic career.

PNC Achiever Week of 03/11/25: Charles Elendu Jr. a Senior at Owings Mills High School. Charles is a member of the AVID program and he always volunteers and is willing to help students who are struggling. Being a member of AVID means you put your community first by completing service learning projects. Charles has always strived to challenge himself in the classroom. He takes all upper level courses and succeeds earning mostly A's and a few B's. Currently, Charles ranks 12th out of 200 students and is currently enrolled in 2 Advanced Placement courses and 5 honors courses. Charles is an athlete with an amazing work ethic. His lacrosse ability has grown tremendously since his freshman year. He has been a contributing member on varsity since his sophomore year, leading the team in assists. He is a great set up guy who knows how to run the offense and put his teammates in a position to score. Charles will be a game day captain this year. While he is a great player, he also is a great leader and has earned the respect of his teammates.

PNC Achiever Week of 03/04/25: Isabel Insley a Junior at Roland Park Country School. Isabel exemplifies a deep commitment to community engagement through her multifaceted volunteer work at Roland Park. As an active member of the Reds admissions department, she plays a pivotal role in guiding prospective students and their families. Whether participating on student panels or engaging in one-on-one meetings, Isabel provides thoughtful, personalized insights into what makes Roland Park a unique and welcoming environment. Her genuine enthusiasm helps demystify the admissions process, ensuring that every prospective student and parent feels heard, informed, and confident in their choice. Isabel passionately shares her love for lacrosse with younger athletes. By volunteering her time and expertise, she not only teaches the fundamentals of the game but also instills values of teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship. Her mentorship on the lacrosse field creates a supportive space for young players to develop both their athletic skills and their character. Isabel is an exceptional scholar with a flawless 4.0 GPA, consistently pushing herself with multiple AP and honors courses. Her interview is below: