OLSHighlights Fall 2010

WINTER 2011

Mind, Body and Spirit

CREDITS Editor-in-chief Elizabeth A. Santillo Editor Cheryl Karashin Writers Taylor Duncan '03 Jason Gawaldo '03 Jamie Jarvis Cheryl Karashin Rick Karashin Rebecca Mulvay '91 Elizabeth A. Santillo Peter Wojtechko '11 Contributors Christina Brooks Jessica Cerchiaro Valerie Harrison Heather Schmuck Designer Heather Schmuck Photography Harry Gigilio Joseph Goltz '13 Jamie Jarvis OLSH Archives OLSH Yearbook Printing Multi Print Media SPECIAL THANKS OLSH School Archives OLSH Yearbook Committee OLSHighlights is published by the Advancement Office of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School and mailed free of charge to alumni, faculty, staff, students, families, and friends of OLSH. Contributions to Class Notes and address changes may be sent to: OLSH Advancement Office 1504 Woodcrest Avenue Coraopolis, PA 15108-3054 Phone: (412) 264-5140 Fax: (412) 264-4143 E-mail: alumni@olsh.org

OLSHighlights Winter 2011

In This Issue mind, body and spirit OLSH Students Participate in CMU Summer Internship..... 2 OLSH Alumnae in Higher Education................................. 4 AAC Dedication................................................................ 9 OLSH Football's Excellent Adventure.............................. 10 Felician Five Core Values.................................................. 6 Role of the Mission Leader................................................ 7 Students at OLSH Keep Scouting Tradition Alive............. 14

Features New OLSH Logos............................................................. 8 OLSH Students Perform at Carnegie Hall........................ 14

In Every Issue Letter from the President................................................... 1 From the Principal's Desk................................................. 1 What’s Happening Around OLSH................................... 16 Alumni News & Notes.................................................... 18 In Memoriam.................................................................. 20

ON THE COVER: OLSH Football Coach, Bill Daniels prays with the OLSH Football Team before their first home game on September 11th. Photography by Harry Giglio Productions, Inc.

Mind, Body and Spirit Dear Friend of OLSH, On July 19, 2010, OLSH welcomed Christina Pinchotti Brooks as our first lay principal. A native of Monaca, Beaver County, Mrs. Brooks earned her B.S. in secondary education in English from the University of Pittsburgh. She returned to western Pennsylvania this summer after serving for 12 years as teacher, dean of students, and administrator in the Clark County School District in Las Vegas. She earned her master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She and her husband, Jay, have four young children. OLSH is thrilled to welcome Mrs. Brooks to our family.

In educational leadership, Mrs. Brooks’ focus is to prepare students in mind, body, and spirit for a life of service to God’s people. The mind, body, spirit focus has long been the hallmark of an OLSH education, and we are excited to spotlight it for you in this issue of OLSHighlights.

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, pray for us!

Elizabeth Santillo President

From the Principal's Desk Here we are nearly six months into the school year and I know that I, along with many of you, are wondering where this time has gone. I began the position of principal with many plans, ideas, and philosophies, but there is one theme that continues in my reflection even six months later: my hope for our young people.

Whenever I speak to students and parents, and always when I pray for our school community, I express my hope that the young men and women at OLSH will become the young people that we so desperately need in society—people strong in mind, body, and spirit who love unconditionally, and smile and pray often. I express my hope that our OLSH young people will become the people that God wants them to be. Sure our journeys might take us in many directions, or sometimes in a direction that is unclear, but one thing remains true: God is always there helping us.

Daily, I have the wonderful opportunity to be surrounded by our 355 young people. I often look around and wonder what God has in store for each one of them. I have the pleasure of watching freshmen come in at the young age of 14 and leave just entering adulthood. I have the chance to watch successes and failures, and help students learn from both.

As adults, we watch our children grow. We wait to see what the next bend in the road of their journey will be.

We wait, yet at times, we forget to remind them that God is there waiting with them and if we remind them to love unconditionally, and smile and pray often, they will be surrounded by God’s unconditional love.

So as we continue to move forward this school year, I am going to continue to pray that our young people at OLSH will grow strong in mind, body, and spirit, fulfilling God’s dream for them.

OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL • 1

OLSH Students Participate

in CMU Summer Internship

by Cheryl Karashin Director of advancement

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s is customary for students in t h e i r j u n i o r ye a r of high school, last April Danielle Auth ‘11 and Annie Kayser ‘11 began to explore their options for higher education.

More specifically Auth and Kayser were interested in ways to fund their college education. They sat down with Mrs. Cerchiaro, the advisor to the Youthtowne Young Scholars, and they began to look for scholarship opportunities. Their online research uncovered scholarship opportunities for students that completed significant scientific research. Because both young ladies were interested in science, they felt they would give research a try and next visited Miss Karen Runtich, OLSH science teacher, for advice.

At the time Miss Runtich was teaching a pilot bioinformatics course, which she started under the guidance of Dr. Pallavi Ishwad and Dr. Hugh Nicholas from Carnegie Mellon University. Because of Runtich’s involvement in the pilot course, students from OLSH were invited to participate in a summer internship that is typically reserved for college students. Confident in the abilities of these two young ladies, Runtich quickly recommended them to represent OLSH. Uncertain of what lay ahead, Auth and Kayser accepted the invitation to participate in the Carnegie Mellon University Summer Internship Program.

The pilot bioinformatics course at OLSH was taught from the viewpoint of the students being (or becoming) practicing biologists learning to use bioinformatics techniques and tools in a biology career.

The internship would provided them a

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second viewpoint, that of a computer scientist learning to apply problem solving and programming skills to biological sequence data. For six weeks, an average of eight hours a day, the young women worked at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, being immersed in a world completely new to them – computer programming in modern biological sciences.

symposium at CMU. Auth created the PowerPoint presentation and Kayser took the lead on presenting the findings.

Kayser said, “It was a little intimidating talking in front of such an esteemed group, but between the four of us, I knew we could answer any questions they had.”

The girls admit that the experience was

For the first two weeks Auth and Kayser received intense instruction in Python, a high-level computer programming language. They learned how to use Python to achieve simple tasks such as: calculating simple arithmetic problems, creating functions, sorting characters, opening and reading files, and using BioPython. The students then worked to increase their mastery of Python by applying it to develop a program to work on biological sequence data. Auth explained, “We made a program to break a set of sequences into a set of words, called “n-mers”. The goal of this program was to make a file containing the “n-mers” found, the sequence ID, and the position in the sequence where “n-mer ” was found.” Kayser added, “After completing this initial program, we progressed onto making a more complex code that matched consensus motifs to sequences.” The culmination of their summer long research project was a functioning program used by scientists on specific data set in their study of liver functions.

Auth, Kayser, and their research partners from Frazier High School, Shilo Crook and Creg Milko, presented their research findings to an audience of college undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral candidates, high school teachers, professors, research scientists, and medical doctors from around the world during a

These are just a few examples of the programming that Annie and Danielle developed during the summer internship

much more intense than they expected, never anticipating spending their entire summer doing research. However, they both found the experience worthwhile.

Kayser is unsure whether or not she will pursue a career in biology, but feels

that, “with these newly acquired skills I will be better adapted for the challenges of the 21st century global job market.”

Auth said, “I plan to pursue biology and may even work to increase my skills in the field of computer programming to

answer unsolved biological questions.”

But for now the girls both continue their original quest -- investigating their options for higher education and scholarship dollars.

OLSH Senior Wins International Competition Our Lady of the Sacred Heart is proud to announce that Peter Wojtechko ’11 was chosen as the global winner of Franciscans International’s “Human Rights Competition” in the high school category. The international competition posed the question: “Why do human rights matter to me?” To secure the basis of the answer, contestants were to write about one of the human rights for which Franciscans International (FI) works at the United Nations. The questions could be addressed by an essay, poem, persuasive speech, artwork or photography. Peter’s essay, “The Right of the Human Person,” was chosen by the organization’s International Board of Directors for its poignant answer to the question.

As the winner, Peter will travel to New York City in March to visit Franciscans International and will spend a day experiencing the ministry of FI at the United Nations.

It is our honor to share with you Peter’s work.

The Right of the Human Person

by Peter Wojtechko '11 Every human being is born with basic needs and rights, simply by merit of their being human. Simple logic proves this true. Certain elements such as food, water, shelter, knowledge, ideas and religion all constitute as basic rights of a human, because they are all necessary to exist, develop and thrive as a properly functioning human being.

The reason for the first two elements is clear: without nourishment, the human body will physically cease to function after a period. As for shelter, every person deserves and needs a place where they feel and can be safe. In this place, they can feel free to live and work, producing the good that they must. Environment affects a person’s outlook, because it affects their perception with which they see the world. This perception forms a person’s reality, because it feeds into what they know and what they see, either expanding their visual, physical, mental and spiritual horizons, or constricting them.

The last several elements of an individual’s proper existence are a bit more amorphous, but for good reason; the human being is

more than just the crude physical matter visible to the eye. When a human life ends, the entity once animating it is no longer found; whatever spark of life once giving the remaining clump of matter sentient existence has vanished, whatever it once had been. This entity, commonly referred to as the soul, is the source of a person’s will. Their true intelligence, their true ingenuity, in essence their true being is this very soul, and not the earthbound skeleton it abides in.

Here, in the soul and in the mind, is where the ‘human being’ has its greatest being. It follows that the greatest wrong done to a person is that which inhibits their ability to make use of these highest human faculties.

These faculties include religious choice and voice, the search for true knowledge in its various forms, and the need to mentally sift through that knowledge and expand upon that knowledge. They resound from the core of humanity, and are our true inner voice, our true inner conscience. Therefore, restriction of these rights, specifically the right to learn, not only inhibits the life and very humanity of an individual person -but also those of humanity as a whole.

I do not mean to say that one person’s voice represents that of humanity; but instead that humanity’s voice encompasses all individual voices. Each person’s voice contributes to that of humanity as a whole; each person is like a note in a song, or a patch on a quilt; without each person, the picture is not complete, and the story is not wholly true. Each member of humanity should be concerned with the squelching of another human person for this very reason, if not for the fact that they are a fellow human being who simply deserves the help they need. Every person has a purpose on this journey of life we share.

Because of his or her intrinsic value and our human solidarity, every person on this planet deserves our help, to the best ability we can give it. We are called to reach out to the oppressed in places such as Afghanistan or Kenya, where education is deterred by prejudice or lack of resources.

No matter what age, race or any other thinkable label, longstanding or yet to come, every person deserves the right to be free to learn and grow, for their good and for the good of all.

OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL • 3

OLSH Alumnae in Higher Education by taylor duncan '03

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LSH’s Philosophy: Pursuit of Academic Excellence, Wisdom and Truth - By endowing students with a cultural literacy commensurate with current educational standards, and by nurturing and disciplining and intellectual curiosity, this program will guide them toward becoming life-long learners. Knowledge, and the ability to think critically, advances both the students and the world in which they live. Particular attention is paid to the reconciliation of current trends with the enduring principles of the faith.

For many, high school is a time of rapid change and growth, a time for confusion and decisive action. Four years fly by and you are faced with the world at large.

What path should you pursue? For most, continuing education is the key. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School prepares students to become life-long learners, to seek knowledge and enlightenment beyond grades 9 through 12. An OLSH education has led many to pursue the path to higher education. Some alumni have chosen to become leaders themselves—attaining successful careers in higher education and encouraging others to be life-long learners.

Dr. Joan McDermott 66, Dr. Felicia Cianciarulo '80, and Dr. Carla Lucente '65 are three shining examples of OLSH alumni pursuing active and celebrated careers in higher education.

D r. J o a n M c D e r m o t t grew up in Kennedy Township and graduated from OLSH in 1966. She earned her B.A. in Sociology from Wheeling Jesuit University (1970), an M.A. in Sociology from Boston College (1973), and a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from the State University of New York at Albany.

She obtained a teaching position at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) in the Criminology and Criminal Justice Department in 1991. In 2004, Dr. McDermott became the Director of Women’s Studies at SIUC. She has retired

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from this position as of August 2010.

Dr. McDermott describes her career in higher education as highly rewarding. At SIUC, she had the opportunity to teach many first generation college students who come from low and middle income households: “These students have unique problems and challenges which have only enriched and diversified my teaching experience.”

Our next life-long l e a r n e r, D r. F e l i c i a Cianciarulo, grew up in Stowe and Kennedy Townships.

She states that when her parents asked her where she wanted to attend high school “there was never any doubt in my mind—OLSH!” Dr. Cianciarulo graduated from OLSH in 1980. She then attended Wilson College and obtained her B.S. in Physical and Life Sciences with an emphasis in Biology in three years. At age 20, she began her doctoral studies at the University of Pennsylvania and currently holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Genetics and Microbiology. Dr. Cianciarulo also holds a secondary teaching certificate from Carlow University, where she currently teaches as a full-time, tenured associate professor. Additionally, Dr. Cianciarulo is the Division Coordinator for Natural Science and Mathematics at Carlow University and also teaches for Mercy Hospital School of Nursing and Duquesne University’s Mylan School of Pharmacy, Post Baccalaureate Doctor of Pharmacy Weekend Program.

Dr. Cianciarulo was first given the chance to teach as a 19-year-old teaching assistant in college. She immediately was hooked.

After graduate school, her research moved her into government work for the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Defense. She travelled extensively and established her own laboratory, but it was during this time that she realized she missed teaching.

She then made the decision to obtain her teaching certification and immediately began teaching 6-12th graders: “Whether I am teaching 6th grade astronomy or graduate level microbiology and immunology, I love to teach!”

Dr. Carla Lucente, a 1965 OLSH graduate, is another product of OLSH’s lifelong learning philosophy.

Born in Italy and raised in Venezuela, she came to the United States and to OLSH in order to learn in English all of the subjects she had mastered while attending private Italian schools. After graduating from OLSH, she obtained two degrees in five years—a B.A. in three languages, English, French, and Spanish, and an M.A. in Spanish from Duquesne University. Dr. Lucente then continued on to the University of Pittsburgh, obtaining an additional M.A. and Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literatures.

Upon finishing her B.A. from Duquesne University, Dr. Lucente was granted a teaching assistantship which gave her the opportunity to have complete control of the classroom. Following her TA position, she moved on to Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and then Full Professor. She has also taught at Point Park University and guest lectured abroad in Comparative Literature.

Despite her time abroad and her teaching experiences at various universities and colleges, Dr. Lucente truly feels at home teaching at Duquesne University: “My academic career has been a source of joy and fulfillment thanks to the great environment at Duquesne and the marvelous students I have been fortunate enough to encounter. Every day, I look forward to going to school and teaching.”

As testimony to her teaching excellence, Dr. Lucente was the first woman to receive a Presidential Faculty Award in Excellence at Duquesne, an award that she claims to cherish the most out of her many achievements.

In addition to blazing a successful career path through higher education, these OLSH alums hold many roles outside of teaching.

Dr. Carla Lucente serves as an official r e p r e s e n t a t i ve of Italy through her position as Honorary Consul of Italy, a title she has held since 1999. As Honorary Consul, Dr. Lucente facilitates the acquisition of passports and visas, authenticates signatures on a power of attorney, confirms the validity and accuracy of the translation of documents, and works as liaison in commercial transactions. In addition to her honorary consulate title, she also holds titles as Pittsburgh’s first female chair for the Order of Malta—the oldest lay religious order of the Catholic Church—and the first female president of the American Association for Italian Studies—an organization founded in North America for university professors and independent scholars, but with members on all continents.

Dr. Cianciarulo channels her energies outside of the classroom into research and writing.

She is currently composing a book—a memoir detailing her family’s history: “I am writing a story about my entire family with all of my cousins’ help. We talk almost daily—it’s a wonderful way to live!” Her research projects center on developing a synthetic sludge for use as a national testing standard for events such as hurricanes Katrina and Ivan and also examining the prevalence, treatment and remediation of mold species in construction materials after natural disasters. Both projects have national interest.

Dr. McDermott likewise pursues creative avenues when she is not teaching. Her hobbies include outdoor activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and hiking. Her latest pursuit is taking salsa and meringue lessons, but she chides, “Don’t look for me on Dancing with the Stars!” Dr. McDermott is most proud though of her many years of volunteer service in the community in efforts to eliminate violence against women and children.

Such celebrated and successful women are the product of a disciplined yet nurturing education which truly began at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School. All look back fondly on their high school years and can even remember specific teachers who greatly impacted them.

Dr. Lucente warmly recalls her time at OLSH as the “special foreign” student who was there to learn subjects in English: “Everyone at OLSH was wonderful to me… Sr. David, Sr. Roberta, Sr. Jane, and Sr. Pulcheria played an important role in my life.”

Dr. McDermott also remembers teachers who profoundly impacted her; Sr. Pulcheria was one of them, inspiring a love of scientific inquiry. She also recalls Sr. Roberta who she will be forever grateful to for inspiring a love of literature, and Sr. David for inspiring a love of writing.

Dr. Cianciarulo likewise recalls three teachers who left a strong impression on her: Sr. Mary Melanie who taught her history and perfected Dr. Cianciarulo’s handwriting by having her rewrite quizzes and exams, and Sr. Chrysantha, the library science teacher. Dr. Cianciarulo recalls both teachers being “tough, but isn’t that what education is about, not hand holding?” The third teacher to inspire Dr. Cianciarulo’s love for teaching

and her faith was Sr. Mary Emmanuel, her religion teacher.

And inspiring faith is the concomitant mission of OLSH alongside preparing students for life-long learning. This mission has succeeded for many OLSH alumni, most particularly the OLSH alumni highlighted within these pages.

As Dr. Cianciarulo so reverentially proclaims, “Faith is an individualistic, tailor-made reflection of who you are and what God intends for you…and I know that God has guided me through my OLSH education to think clearly and reverently through God!”

OLSH on Facebook If you’re into social networking and want to find out more about what’s going on at OLSH, then join us on Facebook. OLSH has a growing alumni group page which currently has more than 500 members.

The group’s page was created by two alumni – Craig Kwasniewski ’93 and Jill Ammon ‘92. Kwasniewski says, “Facebook gives you the opportunity to reconnect with people who you might not have otherwise been able to. We started the group as another outlet to help promote communications between the school and the alumni.” Ammon adds, “When we created the page, we sent it to our friends and it just took off.

Now we’re working on growing it.”

Kwasniewski and Ammon recently partnered with Cheryl Karashin from OLSH’s Advancement Office on the project. And the vision moving forward is to offer visitors to the alumni page everything from news and information to the chance to reconnect with each other.

If you have a Facebook profile, simply type Our Lady of the Sacred Heart into the search box and look for the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Alumni Group option. Once there, you have the opportunity to join.

•5

Felician Core Values

by JASON GAWALDO '03 MISSION LEADER

Respect for Human Dignity

Solidarity with the Poor

Compassion

Justice & Peace

our reverence for and commitment to promoting and protecting the dignity of persons. an empathetic consciousness of others expressed in caring service.

Transformation

ensuring the needs of the poor and vulnerable are met through advocacy and action.

forging right relationships...re-creating a sustainable environment...promoting the common good in pursuit of peace.

the process that encourages an open mind and heart, leading to continuous improvement of the person and ministry

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n November 21, 2009, the Felician Sisters consolidated eight former provinces into a single North American province, Our Lady of Hope. In doing so, they also adopted five Felician Core Values for Ministry, values that all their sponsored ministries across the continent in turn have adopted. The Core Values represent the common goals of all Felician sponsored ministries and help promote a community spirit in those ministries.

While the Core Values at OLSH may seem like something new, they are in fact an expression of the Felician Mission which has inspired OLSH life from the beginning. They can be easily recognized in many of the school’s features and ordinary activities.

The inherent dignity of every human life from conception to natural death is the centerpiece of Catholic social teaching, and it was the guiding principle for Blessed Mary Angela’s ministry to the poor and the sick in her native Poland.

The Value of Respect for Human Dignity is the foundational value from which all others flow. This Value is expressed in our reverence for and commitment to promoting and protecting the dignity of every human life and in celebrating life. Like Blessed Mary Angela, the OLSH Community celebrates the achievements of our members through pep assemblies, the honors convocation, and OLSHighlights. We also celebrate the Value of Respect for Human Dignity in the third floor Hall of Life, which is often adorned with student art. The Hall is overlooked by a large picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness

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of life and icon of the culture of love.

Additionally, each year, our Pro-Life Activity coordinates various pro-life events including the Day of Silence for the Unborn and the March for Life.

Blessed Mary Angela once said, “It is important that we are there for one another; bearing one another’s burdens.”

The Value of Compassion requires that we show an empathetic consciousness of others that results in caring service.

As a Catholic high school, our service is primarily student-centered. Many OLSH students are touched by the compassion of our dedicated faculty and staff.

Among this larger group, the members of support groups like the Core Team, the Ministry Team, and the Guidance Office often reach out to students to help address their social, spiritual, and academic needs. Students also participate in some of the support groups as a way to share the compassion that they have received with their fellow students. The Guidance Suite on the second floor serves as a physical reminder of the Value of Compassion.

Blessed Mary Angela challenged her Sisters saying, “We have a need for a radical conversion, a total change in thinking patterns, a complete modification of conduct, and a wholly new spiritual outlook.” The Value o f Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n e n c o u r a g e s a n open mind and heart, which leads to continuous improvement of the person and the ministry. Our openness to continuous improvement is evident in our participation in the Middle States accreditation process, which monitors

the school for continuous improvement in student performance. Our openness to change and to a better way of doing things is embodied in our building, renovated in 2003 as a certified green building. Furthermore, our openness to personal change and conversion is shown through our school spirituality involving liturgies and prayer services, daily prayers including the Angelus, and the religious art around the building. Lastly, the Value of Transformation is expressed clearly in the closing lines of our Mission Statement: “We challenge our graduates to transform society by cooperating with Christ in the spiritual renewal of the world.”

A dedicated advocate of the poor, Blessed Mary Angela’s approach was simple: “I will serve you willingly in whatever manner I can. I am always at your service; there is no sacrifice I would not make for you […] Even from a distance my heart will watch over you.” The Value of Solidarity with the Poor is expressed in our commitment to meeting the needs of the poor and vulnerable through advocacy and action. Our solidarity with those who are less fortunate can be seen in the numerous service hours logged

by OLSH students every year. Last year, our students completed more than 10,300 hours of service in their communities.

Our Lady’s Food Pantry, established in the 1980’s, is a physical reminder of our commitment to the economically poor.

Poverty also extends beyond a lack of material possessions and includes mental poverty and social poverty. To address these needs, OLSH students act as tutors and Peer Helpers to their fellow students,

and they participate in Intergenerational Gatherings with the Sisters. These expressions of our Value of Solidarity with the Poor help to build a sense of community at OLSH, a sense that is concretized in the ground floor Hall of Community through which every student and teacher enters the building each day.

Blessed Mary Angela advised her congregation, “Preserve among yourselves a u n i t y, p e a c e , l o v e a n d k i n d n e s s .

Practice toward one another gentleness, unde r s t a n d i n g a n d c o o p e r a t i o n . ” I n this spirit, the Value of Justice and Peace encourages forging right relationships, recreating a sustainable environment, and promoting the common good, all in the pursuit of peace. Class retreats and teacher in-service days provide opportunities for students and teachers to develop good relationships; the green design of the school and convent helps to re-create a

sustainable environment; and the Peace Pole in honor of Sister Johnna Ciezobka stands in front of the school as a visible reminder of our pursuit of peace. The Value of Justice and Peace is enshrined in the first floor Hall of Social Justice and in the second floor Hall of Peace.

Even though several aspects of OLSH life already exhibit the Felician Core Values for Ministry, we will continue to look for new ways to live them out more clearly.

According to Blessed Mary Angela, “A community spirit does not just happen of itself. It flows from people who share a common tradition and strive for a common goal that lies outside themselves.” These Core Values express our common goals.

They are both familiar and new, and they serve as the impetus for enhancing the spirit Mission Leader Jason Gawaldo of OLSH, a spirit that is deeply rooted in the '03 teaching students in the OLSH Chapel Felician tradition.

Hope for the Future: The Role of the Mission Leader

BY JASON GAWALDO '03

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hen the Felician Sisters first opened OLSH in the fall of 1932, the school was staffed entirely by Felicians. Their foundress, Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska, saw it as her mission to educate the poor and neglected children in her native Poland.

Her mission evolved into a long history of Felician ministry in education reaching all the way from Poland to Coraopolis. By the very presence of the Felician Sisters, OLSH was infused with the Felician Mission and Values.

However, over the years since the school first opened, the number of new vocations to religious orders have declined throughout the Church, and the Felicians also are feeling the effects. By the mid 1980’s, the Sisters’ presence in the classroom was shrinking.

Since 1995, the Felician spirit has been visible in the person and ministry of Sr. Mary Francine Horos '68, Principal. However, after Sr. Francine stepped down to return to the classroom, the school was unable to find a Felician Sister to replace her. This summer OLSH hired the first lay Principal in the school’s 78-year history.

Only two Sisters remain active in an OLSH staffed almost entirely by lay persons. The visible presence of the Felician Mission and Values at OLSH can no longer be seen exclusively in the active ministry of the Sisters.

Despite the less-visible presence of the Sisters in the school, the Felician Mission and Values are alive and well at OLSH. Our President, Ms. Elizabeth Santillo, is dedicated to preserving the Mission and Values. Our new Principal, Mrs. Christina Brooks,

is excited about being a part of the Felician legacy at OLSH. With the goal of safeguarding the spirit of their order, the Felician Sisters have implemented a new Administrative position in all of their ministries so that the Felician spirit will be present regardless of the number of active Sisters. This newest position is that of Mission Leader.

In short, my role as the Mission Leader is to ensure the viability and sustainability of the Felician Mission and Core Values at OLSH. This will be achieved primarily through initial and on-going education and formation of the Board of Directors, Administration, Faculty and Staff. In consultation with our President and Principal, my task will be to ensure that the Mission and Core Values permeate all aspects of OLSH life, from our decision-making processes down to the placement of religious art and symbols throughout the school. Additionally, I will be overseeing the school liturgies and all other aspects of campus ministry.

I am deeply honored and blessed to be entrusted with this responsibility. As a member of the Class of 2003, I am very much aware of the truth of Blessed Angela’s words: “A Felician school […] was and is something special, an apostolic force that nudges earth a little closer to heaven.” I am excited to help ensure the future of the Felician Mission and Values at OLSH so that we can continue to challenge our students to cooperate with Christ in the spiritual renewal of society.

OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL • 7

Everywhere Signs

OLSH introduces new logos

by Peter Wojtechko '11

C

hances are, you’ve already met OLSH’s two newest representatives: the new school logo, and the new athletics emblem.

After going so many years without a major change in insignias, the recent unveiling of the fresh faces may have surprised some.

But the sudden appearances did not come about overnight; they had been in the works for about two years before their release.

Sr. Mary Christopher Moore '63, OLSH’s principal prior to Sr. Mary Francine Horos '68 and current Provincial Minister of the North American Felician province, started the ball rolling. She felt that although our past logos looked nice, it was time they were modernized. They were full of symbolism, but felt a little crowded, which seemed to drown out some of what they stood for.

It was decided: time for a change.

A committee was put together to work with the advertising firm Giant Ideas. The

company helped guide the brainstorming process, then churned out many possible logos based on the ideas generated. The school committee pointed out aspects they liked or disliked from each, and eventually reached an end product they were satisfied with.

From conceptualization to selection, the process took about six months. “We think the new logo is a very succinct way of defining us,” says OLSH President, Elizabeth. Santillo. “Not that we didn’t like the old one, but it had so many components… we tried to make this [new] one simpler, easy to understand and identify our school.”

While the last logo, based on the Felician Sister ’s emblem, was more literal in its symbolism, the new one is more abstract.

The new logo's cross, for example, also represents the sword piercing Mary’s Immaculate Heart. The flame was moved from the top of the heart to its base, and the pierced hands of Christ and St. Francis of Assisi were removed.

The athletics logo was designed to look more like NFL logos, Ms. Santillo e x p l a i n e d . I t ’s t h i c k e r, w i t h m o r e outstanding coloring, and a more cartoonish look. True to the school, a heart is the basic shape of the mascot.

The new athletic logo has already appeared on school merchandise, and will replace the old mascot on the AAC’s floor, when the court is refinished in the future.

As for the new school logo, it has already been showing up on school papers and documents; but some time in the future, there is the possibility of it becoming the new school uniform crest.

A plan for a tagline that will give a short, direct summary of our mission statement is also in the works. These recent changes are intended to strengthen the school’s outside image, to create a recognizable face and clear representation of our beliefs and purpose.

OLSH Advancement News...

OLSH Fund strives for $100,000 This year our first commitment to the OLSH Fund, our annual fund, came from an alumni family, wishing to remain anonymous, 4 color process in the form of a challenge gift. Knowing firsthand the benefits of an OLSH education, the family partnered with us to build this fund which ultimately functions to maintain a level of tuition affordability for OLSH families. The donors committed to match dollar-for-dollar, up to $25,000, all new and increased gifts to the OLSH Fund. Current donors were ‘challenged’ to increase giving, and others were ‘challenged’ to make first time gifts. We are pleased to announce that the OLSH Fund has earned the entire $25,000 in matching gifts. To those who accepted the donors’ challenge, and 8 • WWW.OLSH.ORG

to the anonymous donors we are eternally grateful.

As we work to achieve the first-ever $100,000 annual fund in the school history, we still need the help of all of our constituents.

Achieving and maintaining annual giving at this level is crucial to ensuring that we can keep an OLSH education accessible through tuition rates much lower than the cost to educate a student and through student scholarship and financial aid. Please make your commitment to the OLSH Fund today! For more information, contact Cheryl Karashin, Director of Advancement, at ckarashin@ olsh.org.

AAC Renovations Complete

OLSH Holds Dedication

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pproximately 300 people gathered on Sunday, November 21, 2010 for the blessing of the newly renovated Angela Activities Center on the campus of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School.

On that day, the 155th anniversary of the founding of the Felician Sisters, Msgr.

William Ogrodowski, Regional Vicar for Bishop David Zubik, celebrated mass in the OLSH chapel. He was joined by two OLSH alumni priests, Fr. Harry Bielewicz '78 and Fr. Michael Yaksick '86; the Felician Sisters’ Chaplin, Fr. Richard Conboy; an alumnus deacon, Michael Roche '96, and a deacon from the Board of Directors, Jim Grab. During the mass, Msgr. Ogrodowski blessed a commissioned painting entitled,

The Artist Behind the Painting T

ara Zalewsky-Nease '98 was surprised to receive the phone call from OLSH in August about producing a painting of Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska. Having recently moved back to the area from New Mexico, where she earned her Masters of Fine Art in painting, and struggling to find an art community in this area, it had been a while since Tara painted. Unsure of what exactly the project would involve, Tara sat down and began sketching. She had some experience with the subject, having been asked to create a black and white portrait of Blessed Angela as a junior at OLSH. She remembered referencing the same photos for the earlier project. Feeling that the Blessed Angela was too often portrayed as rather solemn, Tara

“Blessed Mary Angela.” The art piece was created and donated by Tara Zalewsky-Nease '98. After communion, the Felician Sisters led the singing of The Magnificat. As mass ended, the entire group joined in procession from the chapel to the Angela Activities Center.

OLSH students and brothers Patrick '11 and Vincent '13 Michael served as painting bearers, carrying the new painting of Blessed Mary Angela in procession.

At the AAC, Sandy Cahalan '11 led the group in the recitation of the Blessed Mary Angela Litany. Msgr. Ogrodowski blessed the new facility, and school president Elizabeth Santillo thanked

decided to spend some time in reflection on Blessed Angela’s life. Tara said, “one of the things that I admire the most about Blessed Mary Angela was her strength and leadership during a time that was most likely hard for women like herself.” Because of this, she chose to depict Blessed Angela’s strength as well as her good-natured personality.

Tara feels that Blessed Angela greatly inspired her throughout the process of this painting.

Tara commented, “not only did OLSH need an artist to do the painting, I needed a project to paint. It was an amazing experience that I attribute to her (Blessed Angela).” From spending summer days painting on her front porch, the only space large enough to do the painting, to watching the Knights of Columbus process behind her painting at the Mass of Blessing, the entire experience was one that Tara will never forget. Reflecting on the day of the dedication and blessing, Tara said, “It was a thrill. Unlike anything that had ever happened with one of my paintings

those who worked on the construction project and those who organized the day of celebration.

The new Angela Activities Center is a $5.3 million renovation and expansion project which enlarged the main gym to seat 625 people. Newly constructed spaces include a fitness center; weight room; locker rooms; two classrooms, one named the Rev. Michael A. Bienia Classroom in honor of Sr. Mary Anita Bienia’s '60 late brother; a concession stand; and the Sister Mary Christopher Moore Café.

before. I truly appreciated the experience.”

To see more of Tara’s work, you can visit her current exhibition entitled “Traveling Creatures: A Painting Exhibition by Tara ZalewskyNease” at Gallery 30, located inside the office of The Sewickley Herald at 533 Beaver Street in Sewickley. The exhibit runs through February 28, 2011.

Artist, Tara, with Sr. Mary Christopher Moore '63 poses by her Blessed Mary Angela painting

OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL • 9

OLSH Football's Excellent Adventure

BY Rick Karashin

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memorable scene in the pop-culture classic Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure shows a football player named Ox ending his oral history report with the statement: “San Dimas High School Football Rules!” Finishing his sub-par academic attempt with this proclamation sent the auditorium full of students into an uproar. This feeling of excitement and support for a home football team is something that has been missing from the halls of OLSH simply because there has never been a football team… until now.

More than two years of planning went into the inception of the OLSH Football program. Former University of Pittsburgh coach Foge Fazio, a Coraopolis native, was instrumental in the process. Fazio served as a mentor, advisor and friend to the OLSH football program.

After much hard work, history was made on Friday, September 3, 2010 when the Chargers took the field at Northgate Stadium in Bellevue. The OLSH Chargers became the first new WPIAL football program from an already-established school in 45 years. The Chargers play in the Class A Eastern Conference.

The Chargers were led into battle by former University of Pittsburgh quarterback, Bill Daniels. Daniels was the starting quarterback for the Panthers during the 1973 and 1974 seasons, and was recruited by Foge Fazio both to play at Pitt and to coach at OLSH. The Chargers played three of their home

games at Robert Morris’ Joe Walton Stadium and a fourth at West Allegheny.

The school’s student body rallied around their football team and quickly embraced the high school football tradition.

Patrick Michael '11, a mascot in knight attire, strolled the OLSH sidelines and encouraged the purple and gold student section to their feet. The cheerleading squad got the rest of the fans pumped up with their cheers, stunts, and acrobatics.

There was no lack of support for this team!

As would be expected from their first season, the Chargers had a rough start.

Led on the field by Brandon Adams ‘11, Matt DiSanto ‘11, Jullian Falascino ‘11, Bryce Gerboc ‘12 and Isiah Neely ‘13, it was looking like the team would possibly end their season without a win as they headed to West Greene MiddleSenior High School for their final game on October 29th. Up until this point in the season the OLSH games were well attended by parents, faculty, staff and students; however, the threat of bad weather and the 65 mile commute from OLSH to West Green resulted in a low turn-out. After a slow first half, the Chargers took to the locker room at halftime with a 3-0 lead. By the end of the third quarter the Chargers expanded their lead to 10-0, thanks to a touchdown pass to Neely. West Greene responded early in the fourth and narrowed the Charger lead to 10-6. After a game saving 45-yard run by Neely and an interception in the end zone by Greg Ott ’12, the Chargers experienced the euphoria of their first ever win.

According to assistant coach Dave Parks, “You’d have thought we won the Super Bowl.”

The Charger Mascot, Patrick Michael '11 pumps up the crowd at the first game of the season.

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While a hard road still lies ahead for the OLSH football program, the first season will always be looked upon as a great start for the Chargers. The team will have to continue to work hard, and every yard they gain will not come easy.

The overwhelming support from the

Coach Bill Daniels gives the players a quick pep talk before the game starts.

OLSH community will undoubtedly aid the Charger Footballers as they establish themselves. Soon enough though, I predict, another story will be written of an OLSH senior who will end his history report with the conclusion: OLSH HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RULES!

go chargers!

OLSH Celebrates First Homecoming Along with the new football team came another new tradition – Homecoming. This marked the first year in school history for Homecoming festivities such as the crowing of a court, spirit week and a dance.

Juniors Gregory Ott and Noble Churovia were crowned Prince and Princess, and Seniors Timothy McNally and Bianca DeMino were crowned King and Queen.

OLSH Homecoming Court

Brandon Duerr '11 and Michelle Mazza '12 on "Pajama Day"

OLSH Student dress up for "Decade Day"

OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL • 11

OLSH Students Perform at Carnegie Hall

Celebrating the Spirit of the Season

BY JAMIE JARVIS ADMISSIONS COORDINATOR

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umor is that one day a pedestrian on Fifty-seventh Street, Manhattan, stopped Jascha Heifetz, a violin virtuoso, and inquired, "Could you tell me how to get to Carnegie Hall?" "Yes," said Heifetz.

"Practice!"

This was truly the case for the OLSH Honors Chorus. The thirty-three young men and women that comprise the Honors Chorus at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School have proven that practice, practice, and more practice is a small price to pay for the opportunity that was given to them this year. The Honors Chorus, under the direction of Mrs. Karie Jarvis, received an invitation that opened the door to the opportunity of a lifetime.

In October of 2009, the Honors Chorus was invited to participate in a PBS television special by Composer and Conductor Tim Janis entitled “Celebrate America.” The choir was given one number, “When the Saints Go Marching In”, and asked to travel to PBS Affiliate, WQED to take part in a taping that would air in March of 2010. “It was this performance that opened the door for us to become part of an amazing legacy,” said Mrs. Jarvis “I received an email from Tim Janis thanking us for our participation in Celebrate America and it was the last line of the email that invited us to join him on December 2, 2010 at Carnegie Hall for his An American Christmas Carol concert”.

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Mrs. Jarvis, with the help of her husband Jamie, did not waste any time in organizing and planning what would become a week long educational experience that no one would ever forget.

"I am grateful that I was asked to be a chaperone. The entire trip was well planned and it was a pleasure to spend the week with this group of students.

For me, it was a week of excitement and I loved every minute of it," said Sister Mary Francine Horos '68.

The students departed OLSH on Monday, November 29th, traveled to New York City and enjoyed a pizza party at their hotel in New Jersey while they prepared for the fun that would begin the next morning. It was on Tuesday morning that the events began in full swing. The day started with a trip to Battery Park and a ferry ride to Liberty Island for a tour of the Statue of Liberty and then on to Ellis Island where some students were even able to find family names on the Wall of Honor. The day concluded with the students changing into formal attire and attending a performance of Bizet’s Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera located in the Lincoln Center for the Arts. Wednesday brought a new day along with some rain and fog, but that did not put a damper on the spirits of the students or the chaperones. The day started with a trip to the Empire State Building. It seemed that Mother Nature had different planes as the Observation Deck on the 86th Floor was closed due to zero visibility. The group was then given

a guided tour of New York City by a Tour Guide that boarded the bus and pointed out interesting and amazing sights. The tour ended at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral where the students had a private tour and attended Mass. The time had finally arrived for the choir to get a taste of New York City, and what better way to do that than to walk into the heart of Times Square where the final event of the evening awaited, a performance of the acclaimed revival of West Side Story at the Palace Theatre.

Thursday was the day that had brought about the entire trip. The students traveled to Carnegie Hall to combine their voices with the other students that had been invited in a day-long rehearsal that culminated in their performance that evening. I felt that the day was long and grueling, but the students represented themselves and OLSH with amazing respect and professionalism. The time for the concert had arrived and the excitement and anticipation in the choir room could barely be contained. At last the time came to file on stage. The moment proved to be overwhelming.

As Conductor Janis raised his baton, the music from the orchestra began. All 255 choir members joined their voices in harmony. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Honors Chorus had now joined their voices with history. Sister Mary Naomi Suba '63, who was in the audience and was a chaperone on the trip, said, “It was wonderful to see and hear our students perform on stage at Carnegie Hall with

some 200+ other high school students, various vocalists and the Symphony Orchestra. I was so happy and proud to be a part of OLSH that Thursday evening!”

When the concert had ended the emotions of students ran high. While some were quiet and reflective others expressed their joy and feelings of accomplishment.

When Mrs. Jarvis was asked to reflect on the evening she said, “I cannot begin to count the number of hugs and thank yous throughout the entire trip, but the most memorable were those that came on Thursday afternoon. Even after a long day of practice, many students expressed their thanks before the concert began. They were thankful for the opportunity and for the practices and instruction before as well.

Words cannot express the joy that I felt and the memories from that day will be with me forever. “ Friday ushered in the last day of activities for the students. The day began with a surprise that the seven chaperones kept closely guarded. The students were surprised with a private work shop with a Broadway composer who taught them a medley of music from West Side Story. The students were then given the opportunity to sing with and meet one on the actresses that they had seen perform in West Side Story on Wednesday evening. The group then traveled to the Empire State Building and was able to travel to the 86th floor to see New York City at sunset. The group departed the Empire State Building and returned to Times Square one last time to have dinner at Planet Hollywood and to cap off their week with a performance of Disney’s Tony Award Winning show Mary Poppins. The group returned home on Saturday after an eventful week, but not before one last stop at Hershey’s Chocolate World for a late lunch and dessert! The perfectly sweet ending to an amazing and unforgettable adventure!

Voices from the Choir: The students reflect on the trip to New York Lauren McDonald '12 "The Honors Chorus trip to New York was a once in a lifetime experience. The opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall is one that few people can ever dream of and we had a great time. The whole group enjoyed the Broadway shows, sightseeing, and the quality time that made us closer every day."

Kathleen Stewart '11 “The New York Trip wasn’t just a ton of fun, but a really eye-opening experience as well. I think that it was also a bonding experience for all of us. I feel like we’re so much closer now and that’s really essential if we’re to blend well.”

Karina Tucker '12 “Performing on the stage in Carnegie Hall was indescribable. Having the opportunity to sing there was something I will never forget.”

Jon Lach '11 “It was the time of my life so far! We went to the top of the Statue of Liberty and to the Empire State Building, of course there were a few stops in the bright and busy Times Square! We also saw probably the best musical on Broadway, Mary Poppins! It was full of awesome effects and was just an all out exciting show. If I had the chance I would definitely live it over and over!”

Sophia Olson '12 “Being able to see shows on Broadway was so much fun, but actually standing on that stage [Carnegie Hall] was such an amazing feeling, no words could describe it. When I walked on that stage, I teared up because it was such an incredible feeling.”

Maura Gergerich '12 “Going to New York was a great experience, not only did we get to see a number of Broadway shows, but we also got to be a part of something similar at Carnegie Hall.”

Sierra Hooge '11 “What really stood out to me was that the audience was not merely comprised of friends and relatives of the performers, but some New Yorkers actually attended.

It made the performances much more meaningful to us all.”

OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL • 13

Students at OLSH

Keep Scouting Tradition Alive

by rebecca mulvay '91

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n e h u n d r e d ye a r s a g o , C h i c a g o publisher William Boyce incorporated the Boy Scouts of America. Based upon the original ideas of Boy Scout founder General Robert Baden-Powell of England, the aim of the Boy Scouts of America is to help boys and young men make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them values including service, faith and patriotism. Two years after the incorporation of the Boy Scouts, in 1912, Juliette Gordon Low thought a similar organization would benefit girls and young women, and founded the first Girl Scout Troop in Savannah, Georgia. A full century later, both of these organizations touch the OLSH community through students who are involved in Scouting.

The values of Scouting mesh neatly with the OLSH mission and values. Faith development, stewardship and service are evident in the Girl Scout Promise: “On my honor, I will try to serve God and my country, to help people at all times and to live by the Girl Scout Law.” The Boy Scout Oath also mirrors these tenets: “On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.”

The projects and activities that the Scouts participate in put these values into action.

Liz Tumpa '11 recently completed her Gold Award Project, which was to start a knitting club at OLSH. The club’s goal is to teach its members to knit and as they learn, to make scarves to donate to homeless people. “The main objective of the Gold Award, which is the highest honor in Girl Scouting, is to identify a problem in your community, come up with a solution, and demonstrate leadership” says Liz. The process toward the final project took about two years, and produced a club membership which included OLSH students, faculty and administration members who together crafted approximately 80 scarves for donation last year.

L i k e t h e G i r l S c o u t G o l d Awa r d ,

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achieving the rank of Eagle Scout is the highest honor of Boy Scouting, and the main requirements of Eagle Scout projects are the demonstration of leadership and the benefit of the greater community.

OLSH is home to several current and aspiring Eagle Scouts, including Senior Patrick Michael '11. For his Eagle project, Patrick built a patio for the brick oven at the historic Vicary Mansion in Freedom, Pennsylvania, which now allows the area to be used for cooking classes and historical reenactments. Patrick has been involved in Scouting since first grade, and says, “It just becomes part of who you are. I really like everything about it.” Patrick’s brother, Vincent Michael '13, agrees, saying, “I enjoy the whole experience. Scouting has given me sound principles and a greater sense of responsibility.”

proud!” For his project, Vincent rebuilt the jungle gym for the child care center at St. Margaret Mary parish in Moon, and made it safer for the children to use. He also enjoys the activities he has participated in, especially camping, which, he says, is the “number one reason he has stayed involved in Scouting.”

The impact of Scouting reaches far beyond the walls of OLSH, both in terms of the experience Scouting offers and the nature of the service that Scouts are encouraged to perform. “One of the best things about Scouting,” says Peter Lockovich '12, “is the interesting and exciting events that you get to participate in.” One of Peter’s favorite experiences was when he got to stay on the battleship, the USS Massachusetts in Boston with his Troop.

Emily Tumpa '13 has her sights set high on an ambitious project with a farreaching impact for her Gold Award - she is considering coordinating a fundraising event to benefit a country in Africa.

“Ultimately,” she says, “I would even like to go visit the people that I help.”

Alex Vallejo '11 standing in the computer lab he built at Angel's Place on the North Side.

Alex Vallejo '11 has also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. For his project, he built a computer lab for the clients of Angel’s Place, located on the North Side of Pittsburgh, including building all of the computers. “Working up to the rank of Eagle Scout has given me some challenging and dynamic leadership opportunities,” says Alex. He puts his leadership skills to good use as Senior Patrol Leader of his Troop, where he is responsible for overseeing the activities of about 50 of his fellow Scouts.

Vi n c e n t D e C h e l l i s ' 1 2 va l u e s t h e experience of reaching the rank of Eagle Scout, saying, “It really makes you feel

Alexandra George '13 and Erika Pentland '11 both earned their Silver Award by reaching around the world without ever leaving home. “We put on a Thinking Day for younger Scouts, which featured presentations on the Girl Scout Centers around the World,” says Alexandra. “It was a real cultural experience,” says Erika, who focused her research on Sangam, India. Last year, Erika also participated in raising funds for members of her Troop to visit Pax Lodge, the Girl Scout Center located in London.

With all of the demands placed on teens today, from school work to jobs to family responsibilities, along with other extracurricular activity opportunities, what keeps Scouts committed to the additional demands of the program?

Emphasis on goals and achievement helps. “Working toward the rank of Eagle Scout is what has kept me involved,” says Nicholas DiCicco '14. “It’s a big honor, and I know it will be a benefit to

me in the future.” Family influence plays an important role for the Tumpas. “Our mom was a leader, and encouraged us to stay involved, even as our original Troop membership was declining,” says Liz. Emily agrees, saying, “Our mom always encouraged us and reminded us that

Some OLSH Scouts participating in the September 11th memorial service on campus.

Scouting looks impressive on college and job applications.”

a broader circle of friends because of her involvement in Scouts.

“Scouting is a real confidence builder,” says Nicholas Mulvay '13. “It offers challenges beyond everyday experiences.

During summer camp, I’ve gone on overnight hiking expeditions, built my own sleeping shelter from sticks and logs, and learned water rescue techniques.

Working through challenges like these really helps me face the everyday challenges that come up throughout life.”

Mary McPhail '13 says, “Scouting has given me many opportunities to develop better leadership skills.”

The future of Scouting is important to current Scouts. Blaze Campbell '13 says, “I belong to a small troop. It would be nice to see more people join to take advantage of all of the opportunities, like service projects and learning to be a better citizen.” Mollie Renk '13 worked to pass along a love of Scouting to the youngest members of her Troop when she earned her Silver Award by helping the Daisies to work on badges so they could advance to the Brownie level. Liz Tumpa makes a point to pass along her enjoyment of Scouting to younger girls. “When I see girls come into work in their Girl Scout uniforms, I always mention that I am a Girl Scout and tell them how great it is that they are involved!”

Personal connections also help to keep the Scouts involved. Mary enjoys the opportunity to stay in touch with friends from her old school. When Alexandra joined Girl Scouts in second grade, she did not attend school with many of the other girls, and says she enjoys having

KD Turkey Fund This past November, OLSH sophomores once again pitched in to raise money for the KD Turkey Fund, a fundraising effort that provides Thanksgiving turkeys to needy families in the KDKA viewing area each year. KDKA-TV, PNC Bank and Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank team up for the turkey fund drive which is in its 28th year.

The sophomore students at OLSH have been raising money for the fund since the early 1990s. OLSH Assistant Principal, Mr. Timothy Plocinik said, “I remember watching the KDKA evening news one evening and saw an editorial by Al Julius about how important it was to help the less fortunate at that time of year (Thanksgiving), and that if you could donate just $10 it would provide a family with a Thanksgiving dinner. I thought that this would be a wonderful opportunity for my students to share in helping others. I spoke with Sr. Chris to get her permission and began asking my sophomores to donate whatever they could. I chose sophomores because it was who I taught, for the most part.

That first year we raised about $250.”

The money is raised throughout the month of November, and is strictly in the form of cash donations from students, faculty and staff. The money raised by OLSH is matched by PNC Bank. Mr.

Plocinik is usually the main “solicitor,” asking the students to pitch in to help a family at Thanksgiving. However he remembers one year, “a girl in the class of 2006, Siemone Cerase, took over and was able to rally her classmates to far exceed the $700 raised the year before. It was the first time we went over $1,000.”

Mr. Plocinik said, “This year was a really good year.” The sophomore class presented the KD Turkey Fund with a check for $1,000, enough money to provide 67 families with a Thanksgiving dinner.

Sophomore Class Moderator, Nicole Hoegerl, Maria DiSanto, KDKA TV News Anchor, Rick Dayton, Nick Luchini, Briana Gonsar, and Dominic DeSalle

OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL • 15

What’s Happening Around OLSH OLSH Welcomes New Faculty and Staff

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t is truly an exciting time in the OLSH Family. With the start of the new year well behind us new faces have become familiar.

OLSH welcomed new members into the family that is Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School this year.

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my Turnbull joins the OLSH Faculty in our Foreign Language department. Amy is a graduate of Slippery Rock University where she earned a B.S. in Spanish specializing in secondary education. Prior to her position at OLSH, Amy was on the Faculty at Mount Alvernia High School. “OLSH's reputation is well known throughout the Diocese and I always admired the mission of OLSH and their focus on developing the student both spiritually and academically.” said Turnbull. Amy and her husband Greg reside in Brentwood with their 7 year old daughter Emma.

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amie Jarvis joins the OLSH Advancement Office as Admissions Coordinator. Jamie is a graduate of Alderson Broaddus College with a degree in Liberal Arts and General Studies and is currently working toward a degree in Photography from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online. Jamie brings a working knowledge of OLSH to this appointment as he was a substitute teacher and volunteer at OLSH for the past three years. Jamie and his wife, OLSH music teacher Karie, reside in Coraopolis.

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auren Buzonas joined OLSH in August as our new Athletic Trainer. She is responsible for injury prevention, management, evaluation and rehabilitation for all Charger athletes. In addition to attending all OLSH athletic contests, Lauren attends all football practices and is available after school to meet with athletes. A recent graduate of Waynesburg University with a

B.S. in Athletic Training, Lauren plans to focus her attention on getting OLSH athletes on proper injury prevention programs.

Lauren and her fiancé, Jimmy Girvin are planning a 2013 wedding.

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his school year OLSH began receiving outreach support from the Allegheny Intermediate Unit.

Patricia Garritan, a Math and Reading Specialist, meets individually with students whom require additional support. Patricia graduated from Point Park College with a B.S. in secondary education mathematics, and earned a Master’s degree with reading specialist certification from California University of PA. She has worked for the AIU for 14 years as a Math/Reading Specialist, mostly in a full-time position at Seton-La Salle. Two years ago her assignment extended to Mt. Lebanon Montessori, and this year she added OLSH. Pat is married with four children, four step-children, eleven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

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ith the expansion of the Angela Activities Center, came the addition of David Lee to the maintenance department. Dave works the night shift at the AAC, because he is responsible for maintaining the facility which not only hosts after-school practices, games, and events, but also houses two classrooms. “I like working that shift because I have more time to spend with my children and am able to attend their various school events,” Lee commented. David resides on Neville Island where he is a member of the Neville Island Volunteer Fire Department.

The OLSH community extends a warm and heartfelt welcome to all of our new colleagues.

Charger Athletics Update

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he OLSH Girl's Volleyball Team continued their successful legacy this season as the Varsity team qualified for the WPIAL Playoffs for the 10th Season in a row. The Chargers were defeated in the first round of play against Greensburg Central Catholic.

Danielle Auth '11, Mary Kate Gallagher '12 and Lauren McDonald '12 were named to All-Section First Team. Kristi Chenarides '14 was selected to the All-Section Second Team. The Lady Chargers, led by Coach Michael McDonald and Assistant Coach Kristi Vent, finished 3rd in the section with a 6-4 record. Coach Vent and the JV Team had a dream season with a 12-1 record. Congratulations on an outstanding season.

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he OLSH Boys Soccer Team and Coach Kip Michel '98 put together an amazing season of dedication and team work as they brought the Chargers Soccer Team into the WPIAL Playoffs for the first time in 10 years. The boys fell short in a hard-fought first round of play against Seaton LaSalle. Matt Sangermano '12 led the team in scoring with 16 goals and 5 assists. Alex Riley '11 led the team in assists with 8. Congratulations, team on a great season!

What’s Happening Around OLSH OLSH Senior Travels to China oman Jani ’11 had a unique travel opportunity to visit China and experience Chinese R culture firsthand by staying with a host family

through the People to People Ambassadors Program. She was chosen, along with 32 other high school students from throughout the United States, to take on the challenge of crossing borders and language barriers to promote student ambassadorship. Jani said, “It was a life changing trip. I went into a country with certain beliefs about the Chinese culture, but was given a whole new viewpoint when I actually experienced it. I feel culturally educated now about a country that not many people get to travel to.” While in China she visited Beijing, Shanghai, Xian and Hong Kong, and learned about history and architecture of Chinese dynasties; Chinese government; and the blending of technology and traditional values.

OLSH Students Receive Honors

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ongratulations to Swati Rajprohat ’12 for being accepted into the Westinghouse Science Honors Institute. Acceptance is based on high scholastic standings particularly in science.

Participants attend a series of Saturday morning lectures to gain a broader understanding and appreciation of science and engineering, while networking with professionals. Swati will also have the opportunity to tour Penn State’s Breazeale nuclear reactor.

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ongratulations to Jessica LaBuda '11 for her second place finish in the Pittsburgh Section of the American Chemical Society’s annual poster contest. The poster contest is held on both a local and national level in celebration of National Chemistry Week (October 17th-23rd). This year’s theme was “Behind the Scenes with Chemistry.”

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ongratulations to Swati Rajprohat ’12 and Tim Johnson’11 for taking first place in public forum debate at the Oakland Catholic Forensics Tournament on December 11th. Swati and Tim won all four of their debates on the topic of cyberbullying. Also, congratulations to Anthony Smith’11 for his first place finish in student congress at the North Allegheny Forensics Tournament on January 8th. All three OLSH students have earned enough competition points to become official members of the National Forensic League - the nationally recognized speech and debate honor society. Congratulations!

Catch the Chargers anytime anywhere with MSA Sports

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or Charger fans across the country, following your favorite OLSH team just got a little easier. The OLSH Sports Network presented by MSA Sports broadcasts many of OLSH’s athletic contests. This year the network will present every Football, Boy’s Basketball, Girls Basketball, Baseball, and select Boys and Girls Volleyball matches. Each broadcast will be aired fifteen minutes prior to the start of the game with the pre game show.

Athletic Director Bud Beatty brought MSA to OLSH and the partnership has blossomed ever since. The opportunity for student involvement is growing as well. Shaughn McDonald '14 broadcasted girls volleyball matches for the network. Additional broadcasters include OLSH parents, Terry Neary and Don Seeds.

To access broadcasts visit www.msasportsnetwork.com

OLSH Students Appear on Hometown HighQ

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LSH was invited to compete in the Westfield Insurance Hometown High-Q show on KDKATV. Hometown High-Q is a quiz show that has teams from Pittsburgh area high schools compete against each other answering triviatype questions. Competing for OLSH were Tim Johnson '11, Jessica LaBuda '11, and Sierra Welsh '11. They were selected, along with alternates Luke Iyengar '11 and Hannah Devlin '11,

by OLSH teacher and coach, Mr. Bob Brasko. The team met with Mr. Brasko for some study sessions where they reviewed class notes and watched past episodes of the game show online. OLSH competed against teams from Valley High School and Hampton High School (the two-time season champion). With four rounds of competition, the contestants were challenged to answer questions relating to literature, language, math, history and more. An audience of parents, friends, and even the Charger mascot cheered on the team during the taping. Although the team finished in second place, Tim, Jess, and Sierra showed their intelligence and remained poised throughout the competition.

OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL • 17

Alumni News & Notes 1959

1968

2000

rita finn was presented with the 2010 Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) Heritage Award on July 24, 2010, in Kansas City, KS. Rita taught at St. Mary of the Assumption School and received the Golden Apple Award in 1995. She and her husband, Jim, live in Glenshaw.

rosemary jacqueline cain graduated from LaRoche College in 1985 with a degree in Interior Design. She then continued her studies at LaRoche for a Master's of Science in Human Resource Management. She moved to San Antonio, TX and is currently teaching Architectural Computer Aided Drafting and Design at Palo Alto College.

erin jane bonner announced her engagement to David Kennedy, of Findlay, OH. The couple plans to wed on October 1, 2011 at St. Joseph Church.

OLSH Alumna Publishes Motivational Book Jeanne McNulty '59, a secular Franciscan, recently published her first book, Voice for the Hollers: A Journey into Solitude and Solidarity in Appalachia detailing her experiences living in near-solitude in a secluded h o l l o w a l o n g C o l t R u n i n We s t Virginia.

McNulty’s work took her from Pittsburgh, to Chicago, and then to Sedona, and then to Colt Run. In Colt Run, she can eschew the noise and commotion of big cities, and in the quietness, be with God. She left behind the trappings of the modern world and found time and space simply to be. Listening to God’s call, discerning His purpose for her, and recognizing His hand in her life is her recipe for happiness in Appalachia.

McNulty’s Franciscan spirit draws the reader into the awesome beauty of the mountains in all seasons. Even when she is battling termites or flying squirrels, McNulty exudes a love of God’s earth and its creatures.

The book is available from all major booksellers.

18 • WWW.OLSH.ORG

1977 John Falbo has been employed at US Airways for 31 years. He has been married to his wife Lisa for 26 years and they have two children, Kaitlyn, 21, and Ryan, 19. The family resides in Moon Township.

1983 patrick bosetti and kimberly (logue) bosetti celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on June 22. They have two childreen, Bradley ‘08, who attends Robert Morris University, and Rebecca, who will graduate from OLSH in 2011.

1986 Kris (girty) yarussi is currently a counselor for the Pittsburgh Public School District. Kris graduated with her Masters in Elementary and Secondary Education from Duquesne University in 1994. Kris now has two sons, Steven, 12 and Shane, 9.

1996 mIchael roche was ordained to the transitional diaconate on June 12, 2010, by Bishop David Zubik at St. Paul's Cathedral.

Michael continues his studies at The Catholic University of America and is set for priestly ordination this summer. rainah (ruckert) tremel married Dave Tremel in San Francisco's Shakespeare Garden in Golden Gate Park on November 14, 2009. Their first child was born in October 2010.

sally jarocki married Francesco Turnu at Sacred Heart Church in Shadyside on August 13, 2010. The couple is currently living in Rome, Italy.

Danielle (stuart) Lodanosky wed Joseph Lodanosky on June 12, 2010 at St. Joseph Church

2001 Sarah (Okraszewski) Matko '01 married Marty Matko, Jr. on April 24, 2010 at St. Philip Church in Crafton. They had a Pittsburgh Penguins and Pitt Panthers themed wedding.

Bridget Okraszewski '05 served as one of the bridesmaids. The happy couple resides in New Eagle, PA.

2002 catherine sexton married Joseph Yurchak on June 12, 2010.

2003 jason gawaldo married Natalie (Rosenkranz) Gawaldo on October 2, 2010.

Jason is currently teaching Religion at OLSH and was recently hired as Mission Leader.

Clarisse Garcia was named head coach of the Palm Beach Atlantic University women’s basketball team. A former team captain as a player at Villanova University and most recently the top assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at NCAA Division I Stetson University, Clarisse began her new coaching duties in May 2010.

Alumni News & Notes 2004

2006

elizabeth (Dinunno) abbot married Brad Abbott of Wexford on June 19, 2010.

She graduated from LaRoche College in 2009 with a degree in Business Management. She and her husband reside in Coraopolis.

eric chimenti graduated in May 2010 from Washington and Jefferson College, Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in accounting. Eric is a member of Pi Gamma Mu Honorary and a three-time recipient of the President's Athletic Conference Honor Award.

erica flasco announced her engagement to Nicholas Hollagaugh. The couple plans to marry on May 7, 2011. Erica is a 7th grade teacher at St. Alphonsus School in Wexford. theresa (valenty) beutner married Matthew Beutner on May 22, 2010. The couple resides in Hopewell, PA corey wivell graduated with honors from Carlow University in May 2008 and obtained her Master's in Professional Counseling in August 2010. Corey is engaged to Peter Patsilevas, Jr. and is planning a September 17, 2011 wedding.

2005 d a v i d j . d i s a nto graduated from Robert Morris University in 2009 and completed the courses at Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. Ensign DiSanto is stationed at Pensacola NAS to begin pilot training. He is engaged to Lauren Funwela and is planning a July 2011 wedding. joshua smida earned his Masters in criminal justice from Point Park University.

He was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Award of 2010 for possessing the highest GPA in the program. Joshua is in the hiring process with the United States Secret Service. dan waruszewski graduated in May from St. Vincent College. Dan has entered into a one-year commitment traveling throughout the United States with National Evangelization Teams Ministries of Minnesota proclaiming the gospel to young adults ages 18-28.

Amy thimons accepted a position teaching Spanish at St. Sebastian School in Ross Township. She is also working on illustrations for the textbook Psychology of Child and Adolescent Development: A Catholic Perspective.

2007 jillian babish, a member of the Westminster College track team, placed third in the shot put and sixth in the discus at the 200 President's Athletic Conference Track and Field Championship on May 1, 2010. Jillian also earned all PAC Honorable Mention Honors.

2009 brianna flasco was accepted into Robert Morris University's Honors Program as well as the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. alexis jabour has performed in three Red Masquers plays at Duquesne University. marissa patton completed training in the U.S. Air Force in March 2010 where she received her National EMT Certificate. She returned home to McKees Rocks in August and attends college while working for the Air Force. emilee renk was inducted in the Phi Eta Sigma national Honor Society and also named to the freshman only Director's Circle for the first semester at Duquesne University.

UPCOMING EVENTS  FEBRUARY 1-4 Catholic Schools Week 26 Placement test for Class of 2015  mARCH 11-13, 18-19 OLSH Spring Musical Little Shop of Horrors 28 Middle States Visitation (All Week)  APRIL 9 OLSH Legacy Gala  MAY 5 Class of 2015 Orientation 21 Spring Concert & Art Show  JUNE 5 Commencement for Class of 2011

FOR MORE INFORMATION on these events or other upcoming events, contact the OLSH Advancement Office at (412) 4244610 or advancement@olsh.org.

Save the Date!

OLSH Legacy gala Saturday, april 9, 2011 hyatt regency pittsburgh International airport The Legacy Gala is OLSH's premiere fundraising event that celebrates the mission and vision of OLSH and honors individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the school. We hope you are able to join us for this special event.

OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL • 19

BIRTHS EDWARD MULHOLLAND, III '90 and his wife Beth welcomed their first child, Mia on April 21, 2010. Mia weighed 7lbs. 2oz. The family resides in Canonsburg, PA. brooke (maurer) aston-reese '98 and todd aston-reese '99 announced the

arrival of their second child, Reagan Olivia, born on July 11, 2010. Reagan weighed 7lbs., 14 oz. and was 20" long.

R.J. BRASKO '95 and his wife Jennifer welcomed twin boys, William Starke and John Maximilian on July 15, 2010. John weighed 6lbs. 1oz. and William weighed 6 lbs 11 oz. Big brother Reinhard happily

welcomed his brothers to the family. The family resides in Hellertown, PA. Dan Mangine '87 and his wife, Dawn, welcomed their third child, Michael Timothy, on December 1, 2010. Weighing 6 lbs, 10 oz., Michael joined big sisters Flora and Kate.

The family lives in Moon Township.

In Memoriam Joseph D'Alessandris January 27, 2010 Father of PAULA D'Alessandris '86

Joseph Goltz September 14, 2010 Grandfather of Joseph Goltz '13

JENNIFER K. (BALDESBERGER) MATTHEWS '91 June 12, 2010 Sister of EMILY BALDESBERGER '98

Maryann Fanelli October 3, 2010 Mother of DR. DREW FANELLI '75 and DR. NEAL FANELLI '77 Grandmother of Collin Fanelli '13

Dolores A. “Dolly” (Marion) Truskowski June 19, 2010 Mother of DIANE (TRUSKOWSKI) GRAF '78 Grandmother of JAMES GRAF IV '08, JUSTIN TRUSKOWSKI '10 and CHRISTIAN TRUSKOWSKI '10 Mark P. Soltez June 22, 2010 Father of PHILIP SOLTEZ '09 Henri Gerard “Dutch” Van Balen June 22, 2010 Father of GRETCHEN (VAN BALEN) SZAFARYN '73 Judy Wickline June 26, 2010 Mother of CAROL (WICKLINE) DeLOUIS '87 Margaret Marsilio July 6, 2010 Mother of EILEEN GOUIRAND '64 Paul Warnock, Jr. July 11, 2010 Father of HOLLY (WARNOCK) CASAMASSA '93 and JEFF WARNOCK '00 Sr. Mary Sophia Konchak July 14, 2010 FRANK STOFFELLA '78 September 3, 2010 Sr. Mary Evangeline Kwak September 4, 2010 20 • WWW.OLSH.ORG

MICHAEL FLASCO ’86 October 13, 2010 Brother of DANIEL FLASCO '81 and DIANE (FLASCO) PITTMAN '77 William Rodgers, Jr. October 18, 2010 Father of Erin '02, Jessica '06, Meaghan '10 and Rebecca '13 William H. Collister October 21, 2010 Father of MARIE (COLLISTER) MCDONOUGH '79 Regina L. Adams November 8, 2010 Grandmother of Rachael '07 and Brandon '11 Ron Ziegler November 18, 2010 Friend of OLSH Bernard C. Long November 20, 2010 Father of THERESA LONG '86 Grandfather of ARIANNA RUSSELL '05 Stella Cebula Tisch December 27, 2010 Grandmother of JASON TISCH '90, ANDREW TISCH '91 and TRACY (TISCH) POPE '96 Margaret Pellegrino January 9, 2011 Grandmother of Alyssa Pollo '11

Things have changed since 1932!

We’re sure you have too.

Why don’t you tell us about it? OLSHighlights is looking for class news from all OLSH alumni. Promotions, weddings, babies, get-togethers with other alumni, retirements – don’t be shy. We want to hear it all...and we want to see the pictures too!

ALUMNI NEWS

Send your news to alumni@olsh.org or cut out the alumni news form below and mail it to us!

Name:_ _______________________________________________________ Class of:____________________ Address:_ __________________________________________________________________________________ City:_______________________________________________ State:___________ Zip:____________________ Home Phone:_______________________________ Work Phone:_________________________________ E-Mail Address:_____________________________________________________________________________ Profession/Position:_ _____________________________________________________________________ Employer Name:____________________________________________________________________________ Spouse’s Name:_____________________________________________________________________________ Children’s names and ages:_______________________________________________________________ News Item:_ ________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ MAIL THIS COMPLETED FORM TO: OLSH Advancement Office, 1504 Woodcrest Avenue, Coraopolis, PA 15108.

Or send your news via e-mail to alumni@olsh.org or fax to (412) 264-4143.

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School 1504 Woodcrest Avenue • Coraopolis, PA 15108-3054

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Pittsburgh, PA Permit No. 1983

Where in the World O

LSHighlights magazine traveled across the globe from Honduras to Paris to New York City. The question is: where in the world can you take OLSHighlights? Our alumni live and travel across the country and around the world. Now it’s your chance to show us the places you live, work, and visit. Send a photo of yourself holding your OLSHighlights and a description of the location and why you are there to alumni@olsh.org. We can’t wait to see all the places you’ve been! 

Sr. M. Lee Przybylski '56 at the Our Lady of Suyapa Basilica in Tegucigalpa, Honduras; Becky Snowden '11 and Sierra Hooge '11 on the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty in New York, NY, and Frank DeChellis '10 in Paris, France.