By AMELIA MILLER

Lissi Przybys is the face of Bellefonte Area High School. Although she’s best known for being awarded the title of “Miss Bellefonte” in 2018, Lissi has achieved various other things throughout her high school career.

“Lissi is a student who goes above and beyond for her peers. Her achievements do not center around what is best for her, but rather what she can do to help others succeed. She is a great role model because she works tremendously hard for everything she has and never backs down from a challenge. She shows those around her what it truly means to be a well-rounded and kind individual,” science teacher and Twirling Coach Mrs. Arimani Davy said.

In addition to wearing the title of Miss Bellefonte, Lissi is involved in Key Club, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Marching Band, the Bellefonte Majorette Team, Girl Scout Troop 41411, the M Twirling Team, Operation Christmas Child and the softball team. She also acts as the vice president of the Class of 2019, meaning she takes on the responsibility of creating the class float for the Homecoming Parade every year, and creating a meaningful experience for the Class of 2019. With all of these activities, she might spend the most of her time with twirling.

“I started competing at the National Level 3 years ago, and every year surprises me with something different,” she said.

Lissi has been twirling for 12 years. She was inspired to join when a teaching assistant brought in her baton during kindergarten recess. This year, her passion led her to represent the Mid Atlantic region in the National Pageant. At the National Pageant she competed in the solo category.

“ I met Lissi when she was just little. We both were still twirling for American Raiders Baton Corps. She was just starting out and I was getting ready to head to college to twirl for Penn State. I remember a timid little girl that was so  naturally talented. She has grown into such a wonderful young woman that excels in everything she does,” Mrs. Davy said.

She twirled against 28 other twirlers from around the United States by performing her solo routine in front of a panel of judges. Her hard work and diligence showed, and she was awarded the title of  Sr. Beg. North Atlantic Pageant Winner.

“It is always a great honor to place Top 10 at Nationals because of how much competition there was in Notre Dame, but seeing your name at the top of the list with your state placed beside is so surreal that there is no other option to jump up and down in excitement,” Lissi said.

But in order to earn the title, Lissi didn’t only have to prove her twirling skills; she also had to prove her determination and poise. And these skills transfer into her day-to-day life at Bellefonte High School.

“…it gave me and many amazing role models throughout the years who I looked up to as incredible twirlers inspired me,” she said.

Members of the school community often describe Lissi as a leader in the school community. What makes her stick out? Her bubbling personality, and willingness to participate.

“I’ve known Lissi since I was six years old, and she is the most funny, charismatic, always open-minded person I know. She’s so willing to have fun,” senior Emily Pugh said.

She is also involved in challenging AP and Honors classes and is a member of National Honor Society. So how does she manage to juggle her extracurriculars, excel in academics, and maintain her positive attitude? She says the secret is remembering her goals.

“With being involved in so much, and maintaining a high GPA, it can be very stressful and overwhelming to make sure everything gets done and done to the best of my ability, but I keep a positive attitude by remembering the endpoint and seeing the impact on others…everything is worth all the stress because of the ultimate reward,” Lissi said.