BERWYN – The North Berwyn Park District recently recognized the city's top eighth-grade students as part of its Best of Berwyn program.

The students, nominated by educators, community leaders and elected officials, are individually interviewed and go through a judging process that narrows the candidates down to first, second and third place winners.

Mickla Dees from Lincoln Middle School was awarded the top honor as the Best of Berwyn, Emily Bittorf from Heritage Middle School was awarded second place, and Mia Coronado from Heritage Middle School was awarded third place.

“These students are an example of the future leaders that reside in the city of Berwyn. The city is very proud of all the candidates recognized in the North Berwyn Park District’s Best of Berwyn program,” Mayor Robert Lovero said in a Park District news release.

The awards banquet, attended by more than 300 guests from the community, was May 4 in Berwyn.

The North Berwyn Park District has conducted the Best of Berwyn program since 2002, recognizing about 400 outstanding students during that time, according to the release.