This year's 18 Under Eighteen helping to shape the future

Deer Lakes senior Zier Williams has earned a reputation for his toughness on the football field, rushing for nearly 2,900 yards as a Lancer.

Off the field, the teen has become known for compassion and promoting positive change.

Williams, 18, has made it a mission to fight for the underdog through multiple school clubs that include the anti-bullying initiatives Stand Together, Team Upstanders and Hope Squad.

“It’s about social inclusion,” he said. “You have to try to understand where people are coming from.

“You don’t know what’s happening in their home.”

Williams is among several Alle-Kiski Valley students selected for Junior Achievement of Western PA’s 18 Under Eighteen honoree class. The award is presented by the EQT Foundation.

Others receiving the honor include Kaley Bastine from Highlands, Laila Golla from Fox Chapel Area and Kiran Tevar and Özge Ada Uzman from Shady Side Academy.

In its fourth year, the program highlights young people who are breaking barriers and driving innovation while showcasing what it takes to be the next generation of leaders.

“Influence isn’t just about being seen,” Junior Achievement President Patrice Matamoros said. “It’s about creating a ripple effect that inspires action and change.”

Matamoros said the honorees exemplify the power of purpose-driven leadership, showing that their voices and actions can shape the future in meaningful ways.

Founded in 1919, Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to teaching students of all ages the skills for economic success, such as financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship.

Nominations for 18 Under Eighteen were submitted from across Western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia.

EQT Foundation President Ellen Rossi said this year’s class of students is impressive.

“They exemplify what young adults across this region are working to build — a place where they can make an impact and a change in their communities,” Rossi said.

The honorees will be featured on billboards around Pittsburgh and will be recognized during a ceremony Tuesday at Acrisure Stadium.

That’s exciting for Williams, a four-sport athlete at Deer Lakes. He’s a standout on the football field, plays volleyball, runs track and is a newbie on the bowling team, where he’s already rolled a high score of 255.

The West Deer resident has been a member of student council since middle school, has won the Charismatic Leader Award and been selected for the competitive Rotary Youth Leadership Award.

Williams plans to attend a four-year college where he will pursue a degree in exercise science and play football. Williams has studied sports medicine for three years through the district’s partnership with A.W. Beattie Career Center.

“Zier is a role model student and great ambassador of Deer Lakes,” high school Principal Ryan Aleski said. “Zier is a leader and mentor in the classroom, athletics and several of our student organizations. We are proud of his accomplishments and everything that he will achieve in the future.”

For Bastine, the thrill is knowing she is the youngest of the honorees, who range from 12 to 18.

“It’s crazy to think about,” said Kaley, a seventh grader. “I wasn’t sure I’d get it, but I think I’ve accomplished a lot.”

Kaley’s fundraising efforts for local police started at a young age, when she sold cookies and lemonade and hosted car washes.

Over the years, volunteers through her Kaley’s Kops group have brought in more than $76,000 for police departments in Harrison, Lower Burrell, Tarentum and elsewhere.

“My biggest thing was when (singer) Brian Kelley got me a police dog for Coraopolis,” Kaley said. “That was the best day ever because I finally got a K-9.”

On Monday, Kaley announced on Facebook her shift away from police to concentrate on helping firefighters.

She’s partnered with Highland Hose in Tarentum. She will launch her efforts with an April 26 concert at the Brackenridge American Legion featuring singer Frank Vieira.

“With this new chapter, I’ll also be changing my group name to Kaley Kops & Heroes,” she said.

“I chose Highland Hose because my great-grandpap, Robert Sims, has been a member there for 77 years. It means a lot to my family.”