It wasn't enough for Jessica Idiculla to be at the top of her class. Or to be a soccer coach, dance teacher and chemistry and biology tutor.

Jessica, a senior at Cooper City High, also spent hundreds of hours raising money for poor families in India after being struck by the poverty she saw during a visit to the northern part of that country.

"When you're passionate about something, you find the time . . . even if it means staying up an extra hour at night," said Jessica, 18, who plans to one day be chief of surgery at a hospital. Jessica was one of 60 extraordinary high school seniors honored Tuesday night at The Miami Herald-El Nuevo Herald 2007 Silver Knight Awards. She was the winner in the general scholarship category.

Fifteen students, out of 371 nominees, received the top prize, a Silver Knight Award, a medallion and $1,500. The students won for their achievements in categories including art, music, athletics, foreign language, new media and science.

In addition, 45 students who received honorable mentions were awarded $500 and an engraved plaque.

At the ceremony,at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, honorees got the Academy Awards treatment, from a live band, to the reaction shots shown on a large screen, to the long walk to the stage.

Several winners were inspired by personal challenges.

Laura Teisch, whose mother, Allison Teisch, was diagnosed with cancer five years ago, started a club called Cowboys Against Cancer at her school, Cooper City High. Her mother is now free of cancer and, was excited about Laura's success.

"I think she's probably crying in the stands right now and freaking out more than I am," Laura said.

The athletics Silver Knight winner, Laura wants to one day become a neurosurgeon.

"This is the only way I could pay her back, to try to cure some other mother," she said.

While many students have volunteered for organizations in South Florida, their efforts aren't restricted to South Florida.

Mark Huang, of Cypress Bay High, and Alisa Tao, who attends Nova High, have both collected books to send to students in China.

Christine Pao, of Cooper City High, has taught music to kids with disabilities at a school in Taiwan.

And George Aumoithe Jr., a senior at Deerfield Beach High, has spent weeks in Tunisia helping out at retirement homes, children's hospitals and community centers, and in Japan teaching kids about Florida as part of an exchange program.

"I did not expect this at all," said George, 18. "It kind of validates everything that I've been doing for four years."

He said he wishes that more teens knew about opportunities to experience the world.

"After you come back, you really have a sense of purpose," he said.

John S. Knight, the late publisher of The Miami Herald, started the Silver Knight Awards in Dade County in 1959 to recognize students who were outstanding in both academics and service. The program started in Broward in 1984.

The awards are sponsored by American Airlines and The Blank Family Foundation.

Miami Herald staff writers Nirvi Shah and Ani Martinez contributed to this report.

SOCIAL SCIENCE

BRANDON BUTTERWORTH

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS

Since he was in fifth grade, Brandon has volunteered for the Broward Outreach Center in Hollywood, starting from working in the kitchen to running its Thanksgiving feast for the homeless. This past Thanksgiving, he helped feed and clothe more than 300 people.