The Pittsburgh Steelers and The Mentoring Partnership are teaming up with The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Giant Eagle and Spread Group to build its inaugural Steelers Girls’ Flag All-Peer Team featuring seven high school girls’ flag football players from around the region who go above and beyond in providing mentor-like support to their teammates.
The seven special winners will attend an exclusive event with Steelers players, and they’ll receive a $1,000 donation to their school’s athletic program.
Eligibility: Please note, to be considered for the Steelers Girls’ Flag All-Peer Team, nominees must be in grade 9-12 and play for a school within the WPIAL or City League (Districts 7 and 8 in PIAA). Nominees must be nominated by their school’s flag football coach, athletic director or principal. Nominations not meeting these criteria are not eligible.
Click here to nominate
Below are the weekly winners:
Week 1 – Zoey Cieslak, Shaler Area HS
Meet our first 2025 #Steelers Girls Flag All-Peer Team member Zoey Cieslak!
— Steelers Youth Football (@SteelersYouthFB) April 4, 2025
Zoey is a 3-year starter and captain for @ShalerAthletics, a GATE member, student tutor, and dedicated volunteer. She also excels academically, ranking among the top in her class.
Discover More ➡️… pic.twitter.com/iNBCUAOdub
Zoey is a three-year starter and captain for Shaler’s girls flag football team and a two-year captain for the girls soccer team. Zoey is a dedicated leader in the Shaler community, an active member of the GATE program, a student tutor, and consistently volunteers at community middle and elementary schools. Zoey also ranks amongst the top of her class academically.
Week 2 – Carmen Pietro, Seneca Valley HS
Meet 2025 #Steelers Girls Flag All-Peer Team member Carmen Pietro!
— Steelers Youth Football (@SteelersYouthFB) April 11, 2025
Carmen is the captain for @SV_Sports, helping to build bonds with her teammates. Off the field, she is active in her community, volunteering at her church's summer camp and with less fortunate families in the… pic.twitter.com/t6geeM8aZ1
Carmen is the team captain for Seneca Valley’s flag football team. In her leadership role, Carmen has consistently demonstrated her ability to foster strong relationships and help her teammates build valuable life skills outside of athletics. Carmen led the efforts in organizing and designing the Seneca Valley Flag Football homecoming float. Carmen is also active in her community, volunteering at her church’s summer camp, where she cares for preschool students ensuring their safety and enjoyment. Additionally, Carmen volunteers at the Pittsburgh Holiday Banquet to serve less fortunate families in the Pittsburgh area during the holiday season.
Week 3 – Ava Chizmar, South Allegheny HS
Meet 2025 #Steelers Girls Flag All-Peer Team member Ava Chizmar!
— Steelers Youth Football (@SteelersYouthFB) April 21, 2025
Ava is a dedicated leader for @southallegheny's flag football team and serves as captain of the varsity volleyball team. Ava is deeply involved in her community through her volunteer work, yearbook and her… pic.twitter.com/5aXXgwYVhy
Ava is a dedicated leader for the South Allegheny flag football team and serves as captain of the varsity volleyball team, where her compassion and leadership have made a profound impact on the student body. Ava is deeply involved in her community through volunteering at local churches and animal shelters, and participates in Yearbook, the Hospitality Club, National Honor Society, and the FBI Teen Academy. Ava plans to attend Montana State University to study chemistry.
Week 4 – Margaret Mary Sweeney, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart HS
Margaret is a standout team captain of the (OLSH handles) flag football team and co-captain for the cross-country team. A dedicated leader on and off the field, she is an active member of National Honors Society, student government, campus ministry and serves as a student ambassador. Margaret is also active in her community, accumulating 700+ volunteer hours throughout high school, a 12-year Girl Scout, and volunteers with the Mary’s Gate Grab & Go lunch program, providing meals to families in need.
Week 5 – Meredith Huzjak, Upper St. Clair HS
Meredith is a three-sport team captain, AP Scholar, National Honor Society Secretary, active member of Kids Helping Kids Club and on track to be valedictorian.
Meredith played a key role in launching the girls flag football team at Upper St. Clair, leading recruitment efforts and organizing logistics. Widely praised for her leadership and positivity, she is a driving force behind her team’s success on and off the field.
She plans to attend Wake Forest University in the fall to study Biomedical Engineering.
Week 6 – Javylah Macon, Sto-Rox HS
Javylah is a dedicated leader and exemplifies leadership and sportsmanship as the captain of the flag football team. She has built a culture and environment of trust, encouragement and respect amongst the Sto-Rox flag football team by helping every teammate, making sure they feel included. She is also dedicated member in her school and community. Her dedication and perseverance inspire younger girls to get involved in sports and do so with a smile on their face. Javylah is an honor roll student and actively gives back by volunteering at school and community events.
Week 7 – Shayla Washington, Brashear HS
Shayla is a proven leader both on and off the field through her strong work ethic and sportsmanship. She is always the first to celebrate and congratulate her teammates’ successes, leading to a positive team environment that others follow.
She is also a dedicated mentor, making positive impacts on her peers in school, at home, and in her community through her positive attitude and commitment to growth. Shayla proudly serves as captain of the girl’s flag football, basketball, and volleyball teams.
Shayla plans to attend Duquesne University in the fall to study Pre-Law.
