oodland Hills oodland Hills
SUMMER 2012
COMMUNITY MAGAZINE
The Heart of a Lion–
Braddock Lions Club Works in the Community Old Hannatown School Students Remember
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PLUS Woodland Hills School District News
Summertime
is a Good Time
for Seniors to Exercise
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recent survey by the Surgeon General concludes that older adults can obtain significant health benefits with a moderate amount of physical activity.” Although exercise of any type is good for us, as we age, staying active on a daily basis has been shown to: ■ Improve your overall physical strength so you can stay independent in your own home. ■ Have more energy on a daily basis so you can do more of the things that you want to do. ■ Improve your balance and reduce your risk of injuries and falls. Prevent or delay the onset of some diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer. ■ And, perk up your mood and reduce the incidence of depression. Most everyone, regardless of their age can exercise. You don’t need to buy special clothes or belong to a gym to become more active. But regardless of what you do, physical activity can and should be a part of your everyday life. It is much easier to incorporate things you already do such as walking, riding a bike, swimming, or gardening rather than learn a new sport.
To get the best benefit from exercise you need to incorporate the four aspects of exercise: Endurance, Strength, Balance and Flexibility. The best way to accomplish these benefits you need to: ■ Get at least 30 minutes of activity that makes you breath heavily on most or everyday of the week. ■ Incorporate strength building exercises into your routine. Strong muscles will help to prevent falls by keeping your hip and leg muscles strong. ■ Do things to help you with your balance. Practice standing on one foot, try getting up from a chair without using your arms, walk heel-to-toe every now and then. ■ Daily stretching can help you become more flexible and moving more freely. Making it easier to tie your shoes, or look over your shoulder when backing out of the driveway. Summertime and warm weather can be an inspiration for increased exercise. However, seniors not used to exercising should visit their doctor for approval before starting any exercise program. Safety equipment such as goggles and helmets should be worn while exercising, and seniors should always remember to drink plenty of fluids before, during and after exercising to avoid dehydration.
For more information on the benefits of exercise or to receive a free pamphlet by the National Institute on Aging about the benefits of exercise for seniors, contact Juniper Village at Forest Hills at 412.244.9901. Woodland Hills | Summer 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 1
Battle the Effects of Cancer with
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eather is a 32-year old stay at home mom with two children, who was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following a mastectomy with lymph nodes removed, she underwent radiation treatment. During radiation, Heather started feeling very tired and run down, but assumed that fatigue was a normal part of the treatment and disease. She suffered through the process, struggling to handle her children and her normal household responsibilities. Heather said she felt overwhelmed, incredibly tired, and a bit fearful. She also assumed the swelling in her arm was a “normal” side effect. Gretchen’s story is similar to Heather’s. At 38 years old, Gretchen was also diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. Gretchen started having the same complaints as Heather; she was incredible tired, felt out of control and fearful. When she noticed swelling in her arm, a good friend suggested that she have someone look at it. Gretchen’s physician diagnosed lymphedema and suggested that she see a specialized physical therapist. Her physical therapist helped to control the swelling and also incorporated a gentle exercise program to deal with chronic cancer-related fatigue. As a result, Gretchen felt more in control, less fearful and was able to manage her cancer treatments much more effectively. Research suggests that exercise is more effective at combating cancer related fatigue than the usual care provided. Are you or is someone you know going through a similar experience? While it is true that at least 70% of patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment or radiation suffer from cancer-related-fatigue, patients are seldom told of current research which suggests that exercise is more effective at combating cancer-related-fatigue than the usual care provided. Current studies suggest that physical activity not only has a positive effect on physical performance and musculoskeletal health, but it can also increase feelings of control, independence and self-esteem, and reduce anxiety and fear. Physical therapists evaluate movement potential and help establish agreed-upon goals to reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore physical function. Depending on the condition, a physical therapist may focus on flexibility, strength, endurance, coordination and/or balance. Lymphedema is swelling in a body part or extremity, caused by the lymphatic system’s inability to function properly. Often times, lymphedema symptoms surface after some type of trauma to the lymph nodes. Most cancer surgeries involve some level of lymph node dissection or removal, in order to determine the stage of the disease and the most effective treatment. Although necessary, lymph node removal or dissection can cause
Allegheny Chesapeake Physical Therapy is a privately owned practice, with three Pittsburgh locations. All therapists hold doctorates of physical therapy and practice using the latest research techniques. ACPT has experts in musculoskeletal disorders and lymphedema management. Now, they have added pelvic floor rehab to their areas of expertise! For more information visit www.AlleghenyChesapeake.com or call 1-800-NEW-SELF. 2
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permanent damage to the lymphatic system and its function. Radiation can also cause damage to this delicate system. Lymphedema can occur one week or several years after a patient undergoes these procedures. There are specialized physical therapists trained to screen patients for the risk of developing lymphedema, as well as to provide treatment once lymphedema has developed. Lymphedema rehabilitation (complete decongestive therapy) can include manual lymph drainage, compression, therapeutic exercise, skin care, assessment/evaluation of compression garments, and education in self-management. When diagnosed quickly, lymphedema is manageable and even curable. diagWhen someone you know is diag nosed with cancer, take the initiative and call Allegheny Chesapeake Physical Therapy. The doctors at ACPT are experts at treating the side effects of cancer.
INSIDE
IN Woodland Hills is a non-partisan community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Woodland Hills area by focusing on the talents and gifts of the people who live and work here. Our goal is to provide readers with the most informative and professional regional publication in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
IN Woodland Hills | SUMMER 2012 |
26 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Grandview Golf Club Golf and so much more! ..........................
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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Allegheny Chesapeake Physical Therapy Battle the effects of cancer with exercise .. | 2 HearWell Center ON THE COVER |
Stately mansion in the heart of Woodland Hills School District encompasses the best in today’s building trends. Cover photo by Gary Yon
UPMC TODAY
Health and Wellness News You Can Use | Summer 2012
Here Comes the Sun It’s definitely summer, and you’re ready to enjoy every minute of it. Before you grab your sunglasses and head outdoors, check out our skin protection tips on page 4.
What’s Inside 2 3 4
The Need for Speed Exhausted and Sleepy? Pamper the Skin You’re In Goodbye Spider and Varicose Veins
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Your Health Care Goes Mobile Talent + Imagination + Learning = Events You Won’t Want to Miss Meet Our Physicians What’s Happening at UPMC McKeesport
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COMMUNITY INTEREST
Pressley Ridge School for Autism The Path to Full Potential ..............................................................
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Old Hannatown School Reunion .....................................
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Woodland Hills School District News ...........................
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UPMC Today | Health and Wellness News You Can Use ........
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New Braddock Hills Playground .....................................
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Braddock Lions Club Serves the Community ............
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Protect your hearing this summer ..............
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FEATURES
View from the Front Porch ...........
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Home Trends .....................................
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oodland Hills Welcome to the Summer issue of Woodland Hills Magazine! This year, it seems summer started in early March. However, the warm days have given people a reason to get outside early and often. Bulbs are blooming earlier and joggers are out in force. So I hope you’ve had a chance to get out there and take advantage of the early summer, and while you’re at it, let us know what you’re up to. We try to feature as much local content as we can in each issue and hope that you enjoy that content. Now, we want to get even more local and ask you directly for your stories in each issue. These features don’t have to be about you or someone you know doing something extraordinary like climbing Mt. Everest or swimming the English Channel. We want to know what makes our readers tick. It could be that you’ve always wanted a classic Thunderbird and have been restoring one for the past few years. We’d like to see it, and I’m sure others would too. So let’s start off with that, since we’re coming into car cruise season: If you or someone you know has a pretty interesting restoration project going on in the garage, let us know! Email our editor, Pamela Palongue, at p.palongue@incommunitymagazines.com or call us at 724.942.0940. We’ll be happy to hear your story and may even send one of our photographers out to capture your work for the next issue. Keep in mind that the the project doesn’t necessarily need to be current – if you’ve been cruising in your restoration project for some time now, that’s OK, too. But we’d like to know what you did at the nuts-and-bolts level to get your baby roadworthy. If you’re just not sure one way or the other whether you have a good story, call Pamela and she’ll be happy to help you out! Looking forward to seeing some whitewalls and chrome in the fall issue! Have a great summer! Do you have a classic car that you’ve restored? If so, we’d like to hear about it. Email your name and contact information to p.palongue@incommunitymagazines.com
oodland Hills
Wayne Dollard Publisher
Fall Content Deadline: July 18
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By Pamela Palongue The 100th Anniversary of the Old Hannatown School will be held Saturday, July 14, at the field adjacent to the Braddock Hills Municipal Building on Brinton Road. There are already approximately 186 people scheduled to attend the picnic, with some participants coming from as far away as Arizona and Utah. “We hope to have a former student who is 96 years old in attendance and will give her a prize for being the oldest. Also, we are giving a prize for the alumnus who travels the farthest distance,” says organizer Harrison Bradford. The school, which is currently operating as the Braddock Hills Municipal Building, opened in 1912 and closed in 1966 when it was sold to Swissvale School District before becoming the municipal building. There were classes for students in grades 1 through 8 at the school, with each grade meeting in a different classroom. What is currently used as the council chambers, located in the basement of the building, was once the school lunchroom. Bradford added that the school, prior to the brick structure, was originally a one-room log cabin built in the 1800s. Bradford got the idea for organizing the reunion while talking to former classmates at Giant Eagle. “There was just something very special about that school,” he says. Individuals interested in attending the anniversary celebration should contact Harrison Bradford at 412.271.3053. Tickets are $20 per person.
Woodland Hills | Summer 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 7
Woodland Hills SCHOOL DISTRICT
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news
Message from the Deputy Superintendent
Dear Members of the Woodland Hills School District,
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ver the past five years, you have grown accustomed to seeing a message from the superintendent of the Woodland Hills School District on this page. As the recently appointed deputy superintendent, responsible for the overall operation and management of the district, I am delighted to have this opportunity to communicate with you and re-introduce myself. It has been less than a year since I came to Woodland Hills as your assistant superintendent. The school year is rapidly coming to a close and I feel as if it has sped by incredibly fast. I see in my mind’s eye a collage of faces; persons I have met and worked with this year: employees, students, parents, community leaders, local business owners, and residents. Due to the extended leave of Superintendent Walter Calinger, I have been entrusted with the important responsibility of creating the budget for the 2012-13 school year that the School Board will approve as our district’s final budget. This budget will shape our district not only in the coming year but its impact will be felt for years to come. There is no denying that difficult choices have to be made due to the severe budget constraints we are working under. I believe that the budget making process must be a collaboration between the administrators who will implement it and the board members who must fund it. I would like everyone in our district community, you, our parents and residents who fund our public schools with your taxes, to understand exactly how the budget process works. The Public School Code of Pennsylvania requires that each local school district in the state develop and pass a budget for the coming school year. The first step in this process is for the School Board to accept
and approve a “working” budget that must be submitted to the state no later than May 31, 2012. Once the working budget is approved, it is posted for public review, and then revisions can and will be made by the administration and the school board over a period of 30 days, to arrive at a final budget that must be adopted no later than June 30, 2012. In Pennsylvania the fiscal year for school districts begins on July 1st. The final budget, as well as the “working” budget proposal MUST be balanced before they can be submitted to the state. Public school districts may not operate on a deficit budget. We find ourselves in critical budgetary deficit situation in the Woodland Hills School District this year. Our budgetary distress is due primarily to two causes: significant cuts to our funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the inequities in the process whereby charter school tuitions are withheld from our district monies. This double loss of revenues has put us in the difficult position of needing to make significant budget cuts in order to achieve a final, balanced budget by June 30th. In order to have a balanced working budget, as school district administrators we are sometimes forced to propose very severe budget cuts knowing that program or personnel eliminations can be modified before the final budget is passed. In order to modify some of the more drastic proposed measures, the school board aided by administrative support, are doing the hard work of digging deeper and finding alternatives for cost savings that still allows us to produce a balanced final budget. This year some of the proposed reductions that are in the working budget are very severe indeed. The initial proposal to suspend Kindergarten classes has been reversed and the board is committed to maintain-
All written material and photographs are by Maria McCool, Director of Communications for the WHSD, unless otherwise attributed. 8
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ing that vital program for the 2012-13 year. But the working budget that the board adopted on April 30, 2012 currently contains a significant reduction in transportation, school hours and several other programs. It is important to understand that these options can be modified as we continue to work toward a final budget. Finding the right balance of expenditures and reductions needed to achieve a final balanced budget is always difficult and, this year, is especially painful. I want to assure everyone involved in the Woodland Hills community that the school board and the administration are working non-stop to find a budget formula that will allow us to continue to provide the quality service that our community deserves while also making sure that we operate within our fiscal means. I simply ask that each and every one concerned about the Woodland Hills School District take the time to understand that the budget process is fluid and subject to changes and alterations as conditions and circumstances evolve. Simply because something is in the working budget, or out of it, does not mean that it will remain that way in the final budget. We will continue to update the district web site to keep you informed of the budget progress through this difficult time. Above all, I want to thank you for your continued support of the Woodland Hills School District. The Wolverine spirit and determination will prevail! Sincerely,
Alan N. Johnson Deputy Superintendent
Why you ask? What does a Certified School Nurse do? There is never a dull moment in a School Health office. The role of the Certified School Nurse has expanded beyond Band-Aids and ice packs because the needs of our student population have changed dramatically. Recent advances in medical diagnosing, plus the inclusion of medically fragile students in the classroom, have made the responsibilities of the Certified School Nurse more challenging than ever. The Woodland Hills School District Certified School Nurses would like to share a snapshot of “A Day in the Life of a School Nurse”. In addition to the State mandated health programs, here are some highlights of the expanded responsibilities of the Woodland Hills School District Nurses as they support the health and academic success of every student: ■ Grant writing that awards the district funding to implement healthy lifestyle programs ■ Promoting our profession through mentoring student nurses from the University of Pittsburgh and Chatham University during their community health rotation ■ Utilizing advanced Health Education Degrees to inform students and their families regarding disease prevention and health promotion ■ Collaborating as the medical consultant on various educational teams such as the Student Assistance Program; IEP and 504 teams; Building Emergency Response Team ■ Developing and implementing health and wellness programs for faculty and staff ■ Initiating public health protocols to minimize the spread of communicable diseases ■ Multitasking daily to meet the ever changing needs of our school population. The Certified School Nurses feel very fortunate to care for the children in the Woodland Hills School District. They strive to keep our children healthy, safe, and successful in the school environment.
Woodland Hills | Summer 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 9
SCHOOL DISTRICT
May 1, 2012 was a “night of stars in the Woodland Hills School District – academic stars that is. The annual Senior Honors Banquet was held that evening and scholarship award winners were announced and Distinguished Scholars with 4.0+ QPA and High Honor students with QPA’s in the range of 3.5-3.9 were recognized. Pictured are the student scholarship winners and the presenters.
Don Wukich Scholarship Madeline Marcelle
School Nurse Scholarship Taniqua Ramsey
Leaders of Tomorrow Award Mario Scaramouche
Jewish War Veterans Shadayia Bandy Churchill/Wilkins Rotary Interact Scholarship Hope McCullough, Angela Ricci Dalal Ghanem
Patti Fedishen Zollner Scholarship Vincent LeDonne
Darcy Lynne Herman Scholarship Vincent LeDonne, Eileen Wu
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Woodland Hills Education Association Scholarship Erminia Spinelli, Mitchell Hutt
Braddock Senior High School Class of 1958 Scholarship Fund Deandra Hunter, Lee Prosser
Pamela Bergamasco Memorial Scholarship Erminia Spinelli
Jeff Wagner Memorial Scholarship John Gorol Woodland Hills Foundation 2012 Senior Scholarship Jacqueline Zollner
Woodland Hills Junior High School Scholarship Rebecca Love (not pictured), Sam Scifo
Woodland Hills Foundation & Class of 1990, Debbie Spahr Thames Memorial Scholarship Derrickius Poston
Slava Silan Mohler Scholarship Mark Ayitey Judge William G. Hawkins Scholarship, Jakub Kelly
Julia Anne McCool Memorial Scholarship Janelle DeChancie Anthony DePaulo Memorial Scholarship Dalal Ghanem
Raymond Calfo Memorial Scholarship Alexander Howell
Woodland Hills School Board Memorial Scholarship Eileen Wu
International Students Recognized at Dinner Woodland Hills | Summer 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 11
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SCHOOL DISTRICT
It’s True What They Say...April Showers Do Bring May Flowers By Beth Wagner
n Saturday April 21, 2012, Dickson Elementary hosted its first ever Comcast Cares Day. Over 25 Comcast employees as well as volunteers from a local Swissvale church and Dickson parents and students totaled about 170 people who came to work on our outdoor garden. Even some of our High School AP Environmental Science students, accompanied by their teacher, Mr. Schuller, came to help. Although the rain was a damper, it didn’t keep our volunteers from working in the garden and completing the tasks we set out to accomplish. Families, teachers and community volunteers came together to paint wooden fence pickets, build picnic tables, weed and plant, build garden boxes and complete the overall beautification of our garden. Because of this wonderful day, Dickson Elementary now has an outdoor classroom/ garden. The outdoor classroom will be a resource that allows our students to think outside the box. Here in a beautiful tranquil setting, students will experience that “school and learning” doesn’t have to take place within four walls. The garden is a space where students will learn, grow and become familiar with nature. It also serves as a testament to our living school community and the community outside our walls.
March 2012: Wilkins Elementary Chance Smeltzer (left) and Lavar Crumbley (right) 12
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he marching band took a trip to Disney World during Spring break to march in the Disney Parade. They traveled by a coach bus to Orlando Florida and stayed at the Buena Vista Resort for five days. The trip began with an after school departure on Tuesday, April 3 and they arrived in Orlando at 12:30 pm on Wednesday. The group left for Disney Epcot at 9:00 am on Thursday, attended a performance by the Blue Man Group and then the Epcot Center closing ceremony at 9:00 pm, ending their first day. On Friday, students, chaperones and guests departed for the Disney Hollywood Studios and spent the day there. The highlight of the trip was visiting the Disney Magic Kingdom on Saturday morning where the band participated in the Disney Parade. Dennis Carpenter, a sophomore saxophone player said, the parade route was “very crowded but exciting.” On Sunday, April 8, the group checked out of the Buena Vista Resort and went to Disney Animal Kingdom for their last day. After spending the afternoon there, they began the trip home in the early evening. Casey Wilson, sophomore Image, stated that the Blue Man Group was the best performance she had ever seen, while Sarah Kennedy, sophomore flute player, said she enjoyed the warm, sunny weather. Most of the band members were very excited about not having to wait in long winding lines with their Disney park hopper pass. Melissa Gregor, sophomore image, said “This was a trip I know I’ll never forget.”
Woodland Hills Marching Band Performs At Disney World By Marina Nolla
May 2012: Woodland Hills Junior High School Tessa Douglas and Javon Spell
April 2012: Woodland Hills High School Mario Scaramouche (left) and Maddie Marcelle (right)
Woodland Hills | Summer 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 13
SCHOOL DISTRICT
Battle of the Books
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ifty students from the Junior High staged a Battle of the Books at CC Mellor Library ballroom on May 8 from 10am to 12:30pm. This was the 7th Annual Battle of the Books that the library has hosted. This program is made possible every year by funding from the JH PTO, the Woodland Hills Foundation, and C C Mellor Library. Junior High students read a series of book selections during the school year and get together in lunch bunches to discuss the books. Several faculty members lead the discussions and oversee the year-long program. The coaches this year were: Ms. Nestico, Ms. Matesic, Ms. Walters, Ms. Kilber, Ms. Krett, Ms. Kowalski, Ms. Liput, and Mr. Erickson. The CC Mellor librarians who also help with the Battle of the Books are Ms. Sally Bogie and Ms. Lauren Miller. On the day of the battle, the students donned battle
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gear, dressing in matching t-shirts, or wearing headgear to exemplify their team spirit. The team names chosen were: The Biggest Losers, Rabbit Readers, Reading Rainbow Trout, Red Panda Readers 1 and 2, In-Krettibles, Team E-Dog Or Die, Team Crush, and Brainy Brontosauruses. The championship team based on several rounds that included a paper test and the exciting buzzer rounds, was the Brainy Brontosauruses with team members: Andrew Caruso, Kaylum Nolden, Richard Harris, Jeremy Pike, Saterah Hampton, and Chyanne Sapien. Win or not, the students enjoy the day, the competition, the camaraderie, the chance to display their knowledge, and most important, the books and reading. After a year spent reading and preparing for the Battle, many student participants take away a life-long love of reading that makes everyone a real winner in the end.
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Scholars more – and have a greater impact on their personal and intercultural growth – than the time they will spend living with local host families, many of whom speak little or no English. “The homestay portion of the program is of greatest concern to the Scholars each year,” explains Murdoch. “They are worried about the language barrier and about adjusting to the family’s daily routine. Yet, when they return, the Scholars single out the homestay as the highlight of the entire summer,” he says with a smile. Upon return, Danielle and her peers will be responsible for writing a reflective essay; sharing their experiences with friends, family, teachers, staff, and funders at the Welcome Home Session; conducting at least two school or community presentations; and designing a globally-themed project to engage their peers in international affairs issues. Many of the Global Scholars have gone on to choose college majors based on their foreign exchange experiences. The scholarships awarded by the Council cover the full cost of The Experiment’s programs. The Council also pays for each student to obtain a passport. Spending money is the student’s or their family’s responsibility. In addition to a competitive application process, students who advance to the final round are interviewed by the Council’s Selection Committee. Woodland Hills has had excellent representation over the years with our students being awarded Global Travel Scholarships. To Danielle, we say, “Que tenga un viaje seguro y productivo. Nos vemos en el otoño.”
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anielle Yushinski, a rising senior at Woodland Hills High School has been selected as a Global Travel Scholar by the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh. This summer, she will leave behind friends, family, and the familiar comforts of Western Pennsylvania to immerse herself in the joys and challenges of living in a foreign country. She will be traveling to Belize, located on the north eastern coast of Central America and the only country in the area where English is the official language, although Kriol and Spanish are more commonly spoken. This marks the ninth year that the Council, in partnership with The Experiment in International Living, has provided this unique opportunity to local students. Through the generous financial support of regional foundations, corporations, and individuals, Danielle is among the largest group of Scholars ever chosen, representing sixteen different high schools, to seventeen different countries. Providing international travel experiences for students who would not otherwise have the opportunity is the guiding principle behind the Council’s Global Travel Scholarship Program. “Today’s students will enter a globally diverse workforce in which it will be essential to communicate cross-culturally,” notes Dr. Steven E. Sokol, President and CEO of the Council. “Providing young people with an opportunity to develop intercultural skills at such a critical age is a key benefit of our Program,” says Sokol. “Our Scholars return to Pittsburgh as true ‘global citizens,’ with a much greater capacity to understand and think critically about their world.” In addition to the lifelong connections the Scholars will make this summer, they will also learn quite a bit about themselves. David A. Murdoch, former Chair of the Council’s Board of Directors and Chair Emeritus of World Learning (the parent organization of The Experiment in International Living), was a driving force behind the implementation of the Global Travel Scholarship Program in Pittsburgh. “The Experiment provides a true understanding of the world in which we live, and provides the necessary tools to cope with adversity,” notes Mr. Murdoch. “Experimenters come back with a confidence and maturity that only an opportunity like this could provide.” Perhaps no aspect of their time abroad will challenge the
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outstanding young citizens
SCHOOL DISTRICT
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very year Trib Total Media hosts the Outstanding Young Citizens program to recognize and encourage young people to give back to their communities. The nominated students have all demonstrated exemplary character and academic achievement. This year, Woodland Hills had three students recognized for their efforts and commitment: Emily Scifo, Colin Letson and Nicole Wilson. We offer our congratulations to them and their families. The Outstanding Young Citizen program is now in its 18th year and we look forward to having the good work and character of our students recognized in such a well-know and highly regarded forum.
Sixth Graders Place Second in Math League Competition Recently, 6th grade students from Fairless, Shaffer, and the Woodland Hills Academy competed in the Pennsylvania Math League Competition. The top five scores from these three schools were submitted as a team score for the state competition. The Woodland Hills team placed SECOND in Allegheny County finishing ahead of teams from Shadyside Academy and North Allegheny School District. The students on the Woodland Hills team were: Fairless: Vanessa Buschek Shaffer: Benjamin Pike, Tyquay Wilson, Sabrina Yushinski Woodland Hills Academy: Liam Reinert Additionally, Benjamin Pike tied for Fourth place in Allegheny County in the individual competition. Congratulations to our Math Scholars and to their teachers. We are so proud of you!
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UPMC TODAY
Health and Wellness News You Can Use | Summer 2012
Here Comes the Sun It’s definitely summer, and you’re ready to enjoy every minute of it. Before you grab your sunglasses and head outdoors, check out our skin protection tips on page 4.
What’s Inside 2 3 4
The Need for Speed Exhausted and Sleepy? Pamper the Skin You’re In Goodbye Spider and Varicose Veins
5 6 7
Your Health Care Goes Mobile Talent + Imagination + Learning = Events You Won’t Want to Miss Meet Our Physicians What’s Happening at UPMC McKeesport
© 2012 UPMC
Woodland Hills | Summer 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 17
The Need for Speed New UPMC McKeesport Cardiac Catheterization Lab improves critical “door-to-balloon” care for heart attacks.
Nell Cupps was just 39 when she had her first heart attack. The McKeesport resident never felt the “classic” crushing chest pain — just a burning sensation in the base of her neck and right shoulder. She even refused to take an ambulance to the hospital. When an EKG revealed she was having a heart attack, Nell was airlifted to UPMC Shadyside where doctors restored blood flow with a balloon angioplasty and stent.
“Reducing that wait time is extremely important,” says Stephen Bowser, MD, medical director of the UPMC McKeesport Cardiac Catheterization Lab. “The faster we can restore blood supply, the better the chances of survival and with less damage to the heart muscle.”
New cath lab The hospital will soon open a new catheterization lab with state-of-the-art technology that will enable the staff to make better, quicker diagnoses, says Dr. Bowser. The new technology offers “amazing image quality” that allows doctors to see more clearly if stents are deployed properly to open blockages and increase blood flow. “The better we can see, the better the decisions we can make,” he says. “Having a dedicated cath lab with door-to-balloon teams on call 24/7 in McKeesport is vitally important for the community,” adds Dr. Bowser. But nothing is more important than knowing the warning signs of a heart attack and calling 911 immediately.
Heart attack warning signs Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Signs that can mean a heart attack is happening include: • Breaking out in a cold sweat, • Upper body discomfort in one nausea, or lightheadedness or both arms, back, neck, jaw, • Chest pain or discomfort or upper stomach • Shortness of breath Six years later, a pulling sensation in her chest prompted Nell to go for a stress test at UPMC McKeesport where doctors discovered another blockage. This time, the stent procedure was performed at the hospital’s catheterization lab — just five minutes from her home and family. “If you’re having a heart attack, you don’t want to have to go to a hospital 30 minutes or an hour away,” Nell says. “Quicker treatment means less damage.”
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Calling 911 is the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out. Fast action can save your life and limit damage to your heart. Visit UPMCMcKeesport.com to learn more about cardiovascular services at UPMC McKeesport.
Door-to-balloon time
Did You Know?
For heart attack patients, every second counts. But the clock doesn’t stop ticking at the Emergency Department door. For doctors and nurses, the race is on to perform the artery-opening angioplasty procedure within 90 minutes of arrival — a national standard known as “door-to-balloon” time. At the UPMC McKeesport Cardiac Catheterization Lab, which began offering emergency heart catheterization services two years ago, the door-to-balloon time now averages less than 70 minutes.
UPMC McKeesport is part of the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, which means we offer patients in need of more complex cardiovascular care easy access to a broad range of high quality services. U.S. News and World Report ranks UPMC as one of America’s best hospitals for heart care and heart surgery.
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Exhausted and Sleepy? At UPMC’s Sleep Medicine Center, doctors can diagnose and treat sleep apnea, often with surprisingly fast results.
Overweight and diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes, and an irregular heartbeat, Robert Guthrie underwent a sleep study at UPMC’s Sleep Medicine Center to evaluate his pulmonary function and suitability for gastric bypass surgery. He was shocked to discover he had sleep apnea so severe he actually stopped breathing 147 times per hour. Affecting 12 million Americans, sleep apnea doesn’t just disrupt sleep. Untreated, it can cause serious health problems and lead to deadly accidents due to exhaustion. “I was totally clueless. It was serendipity that took me to a sleep expert, and it probably saved my life,” says Robert, 65, who immediately began using a nighttime breathing apparatus known as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. Within a week, he was sleeping soundly for the first time in six years. “It was life changing,” says the Hopwood, Pa., resident. “I feel 20 years younger.” Most people don’t know they have obstructive sleep apnea, usually caused when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep. People with sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly. With each interruption, the drop in oxygen levels prompts the brain to send a surge of adrenaline to kick-start breathing, which also leads to a spike in blood pressure. “This can happen 600 times a night. It’s a burden on the cardiovascular system and affects the quality of sleep,” says Patrick J. Strollo Jr., MD, medical director of the UPMC Sleep Medicine Center. According to Dr. Strollo, if you snore loudly, wake up exhausted despite a “good night’s sleep,” or feel tired or sleepy during the day, you should talk to your primary care physician. Since sleep apnea cannot be detected while you’re awake, your doctor may ask you to participate in an overnight sleep study.
At UPMC’s Sleep Medicine Center, patients stay in a private bedroom where a sleep technician applies sensors that measure breathing, heart rate, brain activity, and other body functions during sleep. A team of specialists diagnose sleep apnea by looking at the test results and reviewing medical history. Treatment options may include a CPAP machine like Robert uses, which blows air through a special mask worn over the nose. “I wasn’t wild about wearing the mask. But staying on it was a no-brainer — it’s worth it for a good night’s sleep,” says Robert. For information about the UPMC Sleep Medicine Center, visit UPMC.com and click Our Services for an alphabetical listing of departments and services.
Other health consequences of sleep apnea According to Euhan John Lee, MD, a pulmonologist and sleep specialist at UPMC McKeesport, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, memory problems, weight gain, and daytime sleepiness. “Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea — but almost everyone with sleep apnea snores,” notes Dr. Lee. “This is not a problem to keep from your family doctor. Sleep apnea can have significant health and safety consequences, but it usually can be treated effectively and inexpensively.” For information about the UPMC Sleep Disorders Clinic at UPMC McKeesport and its services, or to schedule a sleep study, call 412-664-2790.
1-800-533-UPMC 193 Woodland Hills | Summer 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com
Pamper the Skin You’re In Your skin is a multitasking marvel. Soft, pliable, and strong, it protects your organs, regulates body temperature, detects and fights off infection, and even repairs itself.
Goodbye Spider and Varicose Veins
But most of us take our hard-working skin for granted. A little TLC will help keep it healthy and looking good from the inside out.
They’re more common — and easier to treat — than you think.
Keep it clean Daily cleansing can take a toll on your skin, so be gentle. Take shorter baths or showers using warm water, choose a mild cleanser, pat or blot skin dry, and apply a moisturizer that’s appropriate for your skin type.
Eat, drink, and be healthy Feed your skin from the inside for a healthy glow on the outside. Experts recommend a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Drinking plenty of water keeps skin hydrated.
Get moving Regular exercise promotes circulation that energizes skin cells and carries away waste products. It also promotes the restful sleep that’s needed to rejuvenate skin.
Be sun smart Small amounts of daily sun exposure add up, so protect skin from the sun’s rays whenever you’re outdoors — even in wintertime. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, and apply it liberally and often. Wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants provide even more protection.
Check it out Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. More than 90 percent of all skin cancers occur on parts of the body exposed to the sun, including the face, neck, and hands. Mohs micrographic surgery has proven to be an effective treatment for most skin cancers. This type of surgery removes as little normal tissue as possible and is often used to remove skin cancer on the face. Regularly checking your own skin can help find cancers early, when they are easier to treat. You’ll find the American Cancer Society’s skin self-examination guide and other sun safety tips at cancer.org. Sources: American Cancer Society, National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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They can be tiny or bulging, painless or throbbing. But nearly half of us can expect to get spider or varicose veins, especially after age 50. “The good news is that many techniques now make vein treatments more safe, comfortable, and effective,” says Ellen D. Dillavou, MD, a vascular surgeon at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC.
What new treatments are available? Among the newest is the injection of polidocanol for the treatment of spider veins. “It’s a cosmetic procedure that works much better than saline to collapse surface veins,” says Dr. Dillavou. “Spider veins do reoccur, though, so expect to do ‘touch ups’ periodically.” Injections also are used for larger veins and may replace older procedures like a “vein stripping.” For treating varicose veins, radiofrequency ablation (a minimally invasive procedure in which radiofrequency energy seals the vein closed) is a popular treatment among her patients, says Dr. Dillavou, “because it’s comfortable and effective.”
Are varicose veins dangerous? “Varicose and spider veins typically don’t pose a health risk, but they can point to chronic venous insufficiency (CVI),” says Madhusudanan Nair, MD, a vascular surgeon at UPMC McKeesport. “It’s a visual cue that blood may not be optimally flowing to and from the feet and legs to the heart, which can lead to more serious problems.” Other CVI symptoms include painful, tired, restless, achy, itchy, or swollen legs or ankles. In more advanced cases, skin changes and ulcers can develop. “The problem becomes more difficult to treat as it advances, so it’s important to always share your symptoms with your doctor,” says Dr. Nair. To learn more about all the vascular services at UPMC McKeesport, visit UPMCMcKeesport.com.
Your Health Care Goes Mobile It’s now easy to manage your medical records or get automatic access to select test results — because HealthTrak has an app for that.
Need to keep track of your elderly parents’ appointments and test results? Want instant access to your children’s immunization records? Run out of medicine while traveling and need a refill? Have a follow-up question for your doctor after office hours? All are available with a click of your mouse — and most with a tap on your iPhone®, iPad®, or Android™ — via UPMC HealthTrak, an Internet-based service that allows patients, and approved family members, to receive and manage information about their health. Recent upgrades include a new mobile HealthTrak application that provides patients with secure access anytime and anywhere.
HealthTrak also provides patients with automatic access to certain test results, including x-rays, lab, and pathology tests, with links they can use to help interpret information. This makes it easier for patients to keep track of their cholesterol, blood pressure, sugar levels, and other important health numbers. UPMC hopes to add cardiology test results in the near future. Also on the horizon are plans to use photos to identify some skin conditions or diseases.
“We’re giving people what they want — even when they’re on the go. It’s a convenient, safe, and free way to manage their own health,” says G. Daniel Martich, MD, UPMC chief medical information officer.
Going mobile is fast and easy To access HealthTrak data using a mobile device, you must first secure a HealthTrak account through UPMCHealthTrak.com. You should then download the free “MyChart app” from the App Store, iTunes Store, or Google Play (formerly Android Market). The mobile app provides access to everything except eVisits, or online doctor visits. According to Dr. Martich, more than 100,000 patients have signed up for HealthTrak — and nearly 6,000 are mobile app users. Online medical care is seen as the wave of the future. The number of HealthTrak users is expected to increase dramatically once word spreads about its overall convenience and newest features — including access for authorized family members.
More patient-centered solutions HealthTrak gives users immediate access to a wide range of personal medical information, which allows them to take a more active role in managing their health.
Sign up today!
Adults juggling the health care of their children and aging parents can use the “proxy access” feature to keep track of health records and appointments, refill prescriptions, communicate with doctors, and ask billing questions.
Easy, direct signup for HealthTrak is available online by going to UPMCHealthTrak.com and clicking “Sign up now” under New User. Follow the steps to complete an online application and answer personal questions designed to ensure that you, and not another person, are creating the account.
Parents will especially appreciate having instant access to a child’s immunization record when they need it. Approved caregivers find eVisit, the online doctor visit service, very useful for the diagnosis of common, non-urgent ailments in their elderly relatives.
If you have difficulties, email healthtrak@upmc.edu or call the UPMC HealthTrak Support Line at 1-866-884-8579.
Woodland Hills | Summer 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 1-800-533-UPMC 21 5
Talent + Imagination + Learning =
Events You Won’t Want to Miss UPMC Senior Communities’ year-long calendar of entertainment, movies, and educational seminars aims to enrich the lives of seniors — and delight the public, too.
What do Jimmy Beaumont and the Skyliners, a Meryl Streep movie, and acupuncture have in common? All are among UPMC Senior Communities’ upcoming 2012 Legacy Lineup. “We’re committed to providing residents at all our senior communities with activities that will capture their interests, generate conversation, and stimulate their minds,” says Nanci Case, vice president for sales, marketing, and activities for UPMC Senior Communities. “Through The Legacy Lineup and other programs, we’re bringing seniors — and people of all ages — together to relax, laugh, and learn.” Open to the public, The Legacy Lineup programs are offered at UPMC Passavant Hospital Foundation’s Legacy Theatre at Cumberland Woods Village, UPMC Senior Communities’ independent living facility located on the UPMC Passavant campus. “You can attend a Legacy Lineup event every week of the month, with many events offered at no charge,” says Greta Ceranic, marketing director for Cumberland Woods Village. The Legacy Theatre is part of a state-of-the-art conference center and 247-seat amphitheatre funded through a generous $16.5 million grant by the Passavant Hospital Foundation. One of the Foundation’s primary goals is public education and outreach. UPMC physicians, nurses, and other medical staff members also use the facility for professional development training. “And funds raised through The Legacy Lineup support UPMC Senior Communities Benevolent Care Fund,” adds Ms. Case, “providing financial assistance and other support services to residents in need at all 17 UPMC retirement communities.”
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Productions showcase local and national talent “Each month, The Legacy Lineup features at least one major production featuring a band, soloist, or performance troupe,” says Ms. Ceranic. “Earlier this year, the Tamburitzans appeared to a sell-out crowd. Later this year, Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand impersonators will perform with a full orchestra.” The 2012 lineup also includes the Jaggerz and the Fabulous Hubcaps, as well as a major holiday production in December. Because seating is limited, advance tickets are recommended. Group discounts and ticket packages are available.
Spend Mondays at the movies From cinematic classics like Citizen Kane to recent blockbusters like Iron Lady with Meryl Streep, seniors can enjoy free matinee movies every Monday at 2 p.m. at the Legacy Theatre.
Explore your interests at learning seminars On alternating Tuesdays at 11 a.m., The Legacy Lineup offers educational programming that covers a wide range of subjects, from tips on aging, caregiver support, health and nutrition, history, and local topics of interest. The seminars are free and open to the public, but advance reservations are requested. For the full 2012 calendar of activities, or to make reservations, call 412-635-8080 or visit TheLegacyLineup.com.
To learn about the independent living, personal care, assisted living, and skilled nursing options offered by UPMC Senior Communities, call 1-800-324-5523 to schedule a tour. Locations include Allison Park, Cranberry, Fox Chapel, Greensburg, Lawrenceville, McCandless, Monroeville, Penn Hills, Scott Township, and Washington, Pa.
Woodland Hills
Meet Our Physicians Please visit UPMC.com/FindADoctor or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762) for more information about any of our physicians. To contact the UPMC McKeesport physicians listed below, please use the office phone number provided.
UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute Cardiologists at UPMC McKeesport
UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute Ihsan H. Awan, MD Chief, Division of Cardiology Board Certification: Cardiovascular Diseases Medical School: Liaquat Medical School, Pakistan Residency: UPMC McKeesport Fellowship: Cleveland Clinic 412-664-4124 Stephen A. Bowser, MD Board Certification: Cardiovascular Diseases Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Residency: UPMC Shadyside Fellowship: UPMC Shadyside 724-258-3966 Simon H. Chough, MD Board Certification: Cardiovascular Diseases Medical School: Hahnemann University Medical School, Philadelphia Residency: UPMC Mercy Fellowship: UPMC Shadyside 724-258-3966 Francis Ergina, MD Board Certification: Cardiovascular Diseases Medical School: Northwestern Ohio University Residency: Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh Fellowship: Montreal Heart Institute and McGill University, Montreal, Canada 412-664-4124
Matthew E. Harinstein, MD Starting July 1, 2012 Board Certification: Internal Medicine Medical School: Loyola University, Chicago Residency: McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, Chicago Fellowship: UPMC 412-664-4124
Joseph J. Secosky, MD Board Certification: Cardiovascular Diseases Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Residency: UPMC Montefiore Fellowship: UPMC 412-672-9781 Stuart G. Tauberg, MD Board Certification: Cardiovascular Diseases Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Residency: Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh Fellowship: Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh 412-469-0600
Avinash Linganna, MD Board Certification: Cardiovascular Diseases Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine Residency: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Fellowship: UPMC 412-664-4124 Jan Nemec, MD Board Certification: Cardiovascular Diseases Medical School: Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic Residency: Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, Rochester, Minn. Fellowship: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. 412-664-4124
Horacio S. Aure, MD Medical School: University of Santo Thomas, Manila, Philippines Residency: UPMC McKeesport Fellowship: St. Francis General Hospital, Pittsburgh 412-672-9782
Heart of Pittsburgh, PC
Alliance Cardiology Group
Jerome M. Itzkoff, MD Board Certification: Cardiovascular Diseases Medical School: New York University School of Medicine Residency: UPMC Fellowship: UPMC 412-621-3131
Ramesh R. Chandra, MD Board Certification: Cardiovascular Diseases Medical School: Bangalore Medical College, Bangalore, India Residency: UPMC Shadyside Fellowship: UPMC Shadyside 412-823-3113 Vasantha C. Madhavan, MD Board Certification: Cardiovascular Diseases Medical School: Government Medical College, Mysore, India Residency: Jewish Hospital and Medical Center, Brooklyn, N.Y. Fellowship: Good Samaritan Hospital, Dayton, Ohio 412-469-0600
What’s Happening at UPMC McKeesport Lions Auction for Diabetes Friday, June 15 6 to 10 p.m. Youghiogheny Country Club 1901 Greenock-Buena Vista Road, McKeesport, PA 15135 For more information about the auction or the invitational, call 412-664-2590.
The 35th Annual UPMC McKeesport Invitational Youghiogheny Country Club 1901 Greenock-Buena Vista Road, McKeesport, PA 15135 Tennis Event Saturday, July 14 11:30 a.m.
Fashion Show Sunday, July 29 Noon
Golf Outing Monday, July 30 Tee Times: 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
1-800-533-UPMC 237 Woodland Hills | Summer 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com
UPMC McKeesport 1500 Fifth Ave. McKeesport, PA 15132
UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC. This publication is for information purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physician’s medical assessment. Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health.
Follow UPMC on Facebook.
To get world-class care, your heart’s in the right place. The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute is one network of Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery, and Vascular professionals right here in western Pennsylvania. With experts who are internationally renowned. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks UPMC among the best hospitals in the country for cardiology and heart surgery. But more important than these accolades is the trust thousands of people place in UPMC every year, for everything from simple screenings to highly advanced heart care. Put your heart in the hands of the experts. Call 1-855-UPMC-HVI for information or to make an appointment, or visit UPMC.com/HVI to learn more.
Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC is ranked among the nation’s best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.
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PART OF THE UPMC HEART AND VASCULAR INSTITUTE UPMC.com/HVI
SCHOOL
F
DISTRICT
o ur participants from the Woodland Hills Academy won an “Honorable Recognition” after participating in the 16th annual Shakespeare Monologue and Scene Competition at the Pittsburgh Public Theater. Congratulations to Stephanie Lauble and Devaun Herzog who played Titania and Bottom from “A Midsummer’s Nights Dream”. Their portrayal of these two characters brought laughs throughout the theatre. When asked what it was like playing a man who was transformed into a donkey, Devaun stated, “It was a fun experience, and I felt comfortable expressing myself as the character.” Also receiving an “Honorable Recognition” were Kris Benjamin and Joy Simpson who performed a scene from “The Taming of the Shrew.” Kris gave a great portrayal of Grumino, while Joy outdid herself playing the part of Katharina. Again, the audience was delighted with the representation of these characters. When asked about her experience playing Katharina, Joy explained, “To really become the character, I had to act like a shrew, become a mean person who told Grumino what to do and how to do it. It came to me naturally--I boss him (Kris is her brother) around the house all the time.” The Academy and the District are proud of all the participants who worked so hard for this year’s competition. Under the directions of Mrs. Dolly Heineman and Mrs. Kelly Moreno, students worked with their teachers to choose, practice, and perform a 5-minute monologue or scene from a Shakespearian play. The students performed on stage in front of judges at the O’Reilly Theater. Students’ performances were scored on their delivery, emotional connection to the character, diction, and overall performance. Chris Joseph, the Director of the competition, came to the Academy for two coaching sessions with our students. The following students practiced and perfected their parts in order to represent the Woodland Hills Academy: Cameron May - 7th grade - Puck from Midsummer’s Nights Dream James Thomas - 7th grade - Hamlet from Hamlet Greta Brooks - 7th grade - Hero and Avery Calloway - 7th grade Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing
“ The
Play’s The Thing” Jaymond Dunn - 8th grade - Speed in Two Gentlemen from Verona Kris Benjamin - 8th grade and Joy Simpson - 6th grade as Katharina in The Taming of the Shrew Keaura Brooks- 6th grade - Demetrius from A Midsummer’s Night Dream Chloe Thomas - 6th grade - Helena from A Midsummer’s Night Dream Lily Miara - 8th grade - Helena from A Midsummer’s Nights Dream Stephanie Lauble - 8th grade - Titania from A Midsummer’s Nights Dream. She also played Hermia from A Midsummer’s Nights Dream Devaun Herzog - 7th grade - Bottom from A Midsummer’s Nights Dream Woodland Hills | Summer 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 25
SCHOOL DISTRICT
“Curtains”
Receives 7 Kelly Nominations The WHHS musical Curtains received seven nominations for the Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater. The nominations were announced by the Pittsburgh CLO on May 7. Woodland Hills was nominated in the categories of Best Musical – Budget Level III, Best Lighting, Best Set Design, Best Costumes, Best Crew, Best Choreography, and Best Direction. The Gene Kelly Awards were created in 1991 to recognize high schools for their performances and emphasis on musical theater and arts education. WHHS musicals have been nominated 10 times for Best Musical. Last year, the High School’s production of Phantom of the Opera received 11 nominations and won six. The winners of the Gene Kelly Awards this year will be announced on stage at the Benedum Center on May 26, 2012. In addition to the more than 20 Kelly Awards presented at the ceremony, several cash and university scholarships will be awarded by donors and colleges. Patricia Ward Kelly will once again participate in the awards show. More information can be found at pittsburghCLO.org or by calling 412.456.6666.
WHHS Musical Alumni Surprise Mr. Crone
During the break between the afternoon matinee and evening performance of Curtains on Saturday, May 5, hundreds of musical alumni crowded into the High School Gymnasium to surprise their director and conductor, Thomas Crone. Former students came from out of state and locally to put one over on their “old boss.” Many people worked very hard to pull off this surprise, but an emotional Mr. Crone thanked everyone for their best wishes, their hard work, and most of all he wanted to say “thanks for the memories. . .”
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Within the last few months, an enormous amount of literature has been released involving the significance of arts education in preparing students to succeed not only academically but as job seekers and wage earners. The Education Policy & Leadership Center (EPLC) and the Arts and Education Initiative’s report, “Creating Pennsylvania’s Future Through the Arts in Education” states that over 80% of Americans believe the arts are an integral part to a wellrounded education and the arts are seen as a vital component for addressing 21st century workforce skills by key business leaders. The question for educational leaders is why are fewer than 50% of children studying the arts? To read the entire report, visit the following website: http://tinyurl. com/75r5tlo. From the just released “Arts Education in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools 1999-2000 and 2009-2010” from the National Center for Educational Statistics at the U.S. Department of Education, it appears that fewer students across the board are studying an art area and that the decline is even larger for lower-income students. Here in the Woodland Hills School District, students at Wilkins Elementary enjoyed a visit from an “artist in residence” during the month of April. Katy DeMent, a nationally recognized artist, was the artist in residence working with Wilkins Elementary art teacher Laurie Shea from April 10 through April 24. The “artist in residence” program was made possible by a grant to Pittsburgh Filmmakers/Pittsburgh Center for the
Fairless Sixth Graders Learn About
Arts from the McSwigan Family Foundation combined with funding from the PA Council on the Arts. Ms. DeMent has made her living as a full-time papermaker and teacher for over 20 years. Her work is found in galleries and museums worldwide and she has been featured on HGTV’s “Crafters Coast to Coast.” She worked with all of the students at Wilkins Elementary making a variety of recycled paper. They produced over 450 sheets. The paper was used in a variety of creative ways, for drawing, writing, creating nature collages, embossing prints, creating dry point prints and for planting. A core group of sixth grade students worked on more in-depth projects with Ms. DeMent. This core group spent over 10 hours working closely with Ms. Shea and Ms. DeMent to create a complex collaborative piece at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. At the Center, the students studied fibers and paper recycling, developed their drawing skills, learned new and “old” printing processes, collaborated on new ideas, and helped pre-schoolers plant their own seeded paper to celebrate Earth Day. The core group then had a chance to share what they had learned with parents during a presentation on April 23. On April 24, the students traveled to PCA to tour the facilities and use the printing studio. While they were at the Center, Wilkins student Brandon Nowikowski was presented with a scholarship sponsored by the Wilkins PTO to attend summer arts camp at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.
Italy
Veronica Dristas, from the Global Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh, visited Fairless Elementary to speak with sixth graders about Italy. The students are participating in the Student Ambassador Program sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh. Ms. Dristas taught them about different regions of Italy including Milan, Venice, Bologna, and Rome. They enjoyed learning about Italian food, language, culture, architecture, and inventions. The students will participate in the Student Ambassador Conference which will be held at the University of Pittsburgh in May.
Woodland Hills | Summer 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 27
SCHOOL DISTRICT
Woodland Hills School District Teachers Experience
Yoga In Schools Training
By Monica F. Gaydos
The Yoga In Schools (YIS) program offers professional development and wellness training for teachers in the Woodland Hills School District. By teaching yoga and mindfulness tools for teachers to use for their own wellbeing as well as with children in the classroom, YIS helps change the behavioral climate in the classroom. The founder of the program, Joanne Spence, received grant monies to bring the yoga training to Woodland Hills teachers. When first presented with the idea of yoga training, many teachers are understandably skeptical. The image of yoga as “exotic” or only for extremely athletic types is one that has unfortunately been promoted by advertisements in the media. However, when I walked into the teacher training for WHSD teachers I received a very different reaction. Teachers and behavioral specialists of all ages, men and women, at varying levels of fitness, were smiling and laughing as they joined together in learning simple and fun relaxation and breathing exercises to be used for their own wellness, as well as that of their students. Exercises ranged from teachers working in small groups to practice teaching each other simple poses to working as teams building sculptures with yoga blocks that showed a growing understanding of and appreciation for what yoga could do for them. Words such as “flexibility,” “openness,” “trust,” “peace,” and “working together” appeared throughout each team’s creation. After trying some simple yoga exercises with her students, one teacher said: “It was well worth the time spent, because there are some students who never talk to other students and complain about being lonely, but 28
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they became deeply involved in the yoga exercises with other students and enjoyed themselves. There were other kids who never spoke to their partners, but they worked together, and worked well. I am REALLY glad we took the time we did, because I think it created a greater environment for my class.” One reason that this training program is so useful is because of the relaxed, friendly approach used by Joanne Spence, the Executive Director of Yoga In Schools, and a former social worker turned yoga teacher. Joanne Spence’s friendly and direct approach and warm Australian accent seem to put people at ease right away. Her mission is to rescue yoga from the realm of exclusivity and bring it back to the real world of individuals in everyday settings and situations. She is able to strip away the “mystique” surrounding yoga and break the practice down to its most basic and vital elements: honoring the body and connecting movement with the breath. Spence’s prior experience as a social worker and her current work using yoga-healing in schools, hospitals, and detention centers, as well as at her private yoga studio, all contribute to her talent for working with diverse groups of students, teachers, and professionals. The goal of Yoga In Schools is to empower students and teachers with yoga-inspired exercises to promote lifetime wellness by developing a body-mind awareness and the ability to nurture their own well-being. YIS successfully achieved its goals in the Woodland Hills School District. The next time you hear someone say, “Yoga’s not my thing,” you’ll know they are probably not a WH teacher or haven’t been lucky enough to participate in a Yoga In Schools program yet.
The Wolverine Rifle Team, A Family Affair By Matthew Rodrigues
T
he Wolverine Rifle team has always prided itself on the family bond that its members build each season. At the beginning of the 2011-2012 season, the students on the team made a goal: to grow together as a team family. To the team members this goal was just as important as winning the WPIAL title. To help achieve that goal, over the course of the year the team held many events to allow them to bond outside the realm of athletic practice. On Fridays during the season, the team enjoyed pizza for supper. There was also a Christmas party, summer picnic, ice skating and bowling. The team completed building and mental relaxation activities that helped break down barriers between team members. Through participation in these events and being on the team, the students truly feel a family bond that supersedes seasons, years, and even distances. Every year the team hosts an annual alumni competition where past team members have a chance to compete and socialize. Alumni who graduated as long ago as Churchill (1972) and who traveled from as far away as North Carolina participate in the annual competitions. Whenever the Rifle alumni gather together it is truly like a family reunion. Over the years when one sibling has participated in Rifle, it has almost become a tradition that younger siblings follow in their steps. Coach Matt Rodrigues is an alumnus of such a Wolverine family with 4 of his 5 siblings participating on the Rifle Team. This is just one of the many examples of the Rifle Team family tradition. Currently, there are two upcoming sophomores on the team whose fathers are WHHS graduates. Michael Krivi is the son of Chris and Kelly Krivi of Swissvale and Anthony Klimko is the son of Tony and Lorraine Klimko of Turtle Creek. Tony was also a former team captain. This past season there were two sets of siblings on the team, Miranda and Merrick Johnston. They are siblings to former captain and state champion runner-up Martina Johnston (2010). They are the children of Dane and
Georgine Johnston of Forest Hills. This year’s senior captain Mario Scaramouche (2012) will be coming back next year to help with the coaching duties as an assistant and his younger brother Anthony will be on the team. Mario and Anthony are the sons of Bill and Michele Scaramouche of Forest Hills. Mario is one of the most decorated Wolverines in the team’s 48 year history. He placed 11th overall in the WPIAL Individual Tournament, 16th in the State of Pennsylvania, and 1st in the Annual WPIAL Senior Competition. Mario earned a perfect section award and was named to the WPIAL All Tournament team. As a captain, Mario served his team well by helping to lead them to a WPIAL Championship. Mario completed high school as a high honor student with a 3.5 overall QPA. He will be attending Duquesne University in the fall to pursue a degree in Business and Information Technology. Mario’s return as a coach will continue the strong sense of family and pride that is the tradition of the Woodland Hills Rifle team.
WHHS Swimmer Places at PIAA Finals WHHS Senior Maddie Marcelle finished 8th in the PIAA state finals last week at Bucknell University. She is pictured at the medals presentation ceremony. Maddie competed in the women’s 100 Women’s breaststroke.
Woodland Hills | Summer 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 29
SCHOOL DISTRICT
FREE PHYSICALS FOR STUDENT ATHLETES
T
he PIAA has mandated that all student athletes must have a Comprehensive Initial PreParticipation Physical Evaluation (CIPPE) completed by an authorized medical examiner, which includes a licensed physician of medicine or osteopathic medicine, a certified registered nurse practitioner, a certified physician’s assistant or a school nurse practitioner. All students interested in participating in athletics at Woodland Hills for the 2012-2013 school year are required to undergo a comprehensive physical evaluation for participation in his/her first sport of the school year. The CIPPE forms are available to download from our website at www.whsd.net, click on the “high school” page then go to “athletics” and click on “School Physical Information” link. Or you can obtain a form from the Athletics Office at the High School. To be eligible to play a sport during the 2012-2013 school year, the initial CIPPE physical evaluation must be completed no earlier than June 1, 2012. Any CIPPE physical turned in after that date will be valid for the entire 2012-2013 school year. Free physical dates at Woodland Hills High School: July 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25 Times: 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Students will be seen on a first come first served basis 30
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Summer Sports Camp Returns
Back for a third year is the ever popular Summer Sports Camp. This year, as in years past, campers will have the opportunity to participate in many sports including basketball, softball, baseball, swimming, tennis, football and cheerleading. Staff for the camp includes coaches and players from the various varsity teams represented. Dates for the camp this summer are June 11-14 and June 18-21. The camp is open to all students residing in the District who will enter 2nd thru 8th grades in the fall. The cost this year is $25 per camper. All activities take place at the High School. Registration materials are posted on the District website or can be picked up in the Athletics Office at the High School. Email Tori Zido at torizido@ gmail.com or call her at 412.417.1378 if you have questions or need further information.
FABULOUS FRIDAYS ARE COMING!!
Mark your calendar for June 15, 22 and 29. New this year, three mornings filled with fun for your Pre-k thru 1st grader (minimum age is 4yrs). Our mini-campers will enjoy gym time, story and craft time, swim lessons and a snack. Registration materials are posted on the district website or can be picked up at the Athletics Office at the High School. Email Tori Zido at torizido@gmail.com or call her at 412.417.1378 if you have questions or need additional information.
WHSD Alumni News
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ongratualtions to Robert “Bob” Pulcini (Class of 2003) on his induction into the East Sports Hall of Fame. Bob became an avid bowler at a very young age, with lots of support from his family. His parents, Cindy & Dan, both bowled and his older brother, Brad, was one of the founding members of the Woodland Hills High School Bowling Team. Bob joined the high school bowling squad as a freshman with a 179 average that year. He continued to perform well throughout his high school career, demonstrating consistency and dedication while continuing to lead through example and motivation of teammates. He earned the Section Co-MVP award in his junior year when he established his high season average of 197. During his senior year, Bob established a school record of 115 regular season games through his 4-year career, a school record that still stands today. He earned several awards at the league tournament that year, including the gold medal for high series with a 736. Bob captained the team to a berth in the newly-formatted Pennsylvania State High School Bowling Championships while also earning an opportunity to compete in the singles competition as well. For the entire tournament, he averaged 224 for 12
games, led the team to a 6th place finish in the state championships and earned the top seed in the stepladder singles competition. In his final game as a Wolverine, he bowled a 248, a game which included a string of 8 consecutive strikes, earning him the title of 2003 High School Singles State Bowling Champion. Bob went on to graduate from the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg and completed his Master’s of Education at Duquesne University. He is now a school counselor for the Pennsylvania Cyber-Charter School and resides in the West End of Pittsburgh with his wife, Erin, and his 9-month-old daughter Isabel. The District is interested in hearing from our alumni, tell us your news by emailing the Communications Department at mccoma@whsd.net, or use the District website www.whsd.net and complete the alumni information section.
Concussions Have An Impact On High School Athletes The Woodland Hills Athletics Program will begin using the ImPACT® (Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) Program for the 2012-13 school year. The ImPACT® program (1) is a computerized exam given to athletes before beginning sports practice or competition. This non-invasive test is set up in “video game” type format and takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. Essentially, the ImPACT® test is a preseason physical of the brain. It tracks information such as memory, reaction time, speed, and concentration. It is not an IQ test. The ImPACT® test will be given to Woodland Hills athletes participating in contact sports as defined by the American Academy of Pediatrics (2) after they have received a pre-participation physical and before beginning sports practice or competition. If a concussion is suspected to have occurred during practice or competition, the athlete will re-take the test. Both the preseason and the post-injury test data will be used by physicians to help evaluate the injury. The test data will enable health professionals to determine when return-to-play is appropriate and is safe for the injured athlete. ImPACT® assists doctors in making return-to-play decisions but should never be used as a stand-alone tool. Developed in the early 1990’s by Drs. Mark Lovell and Joseph Maroon, ImPACT ® has become a standard tool used in comprehensive clinical management of concussions for athletes of all ages. For more information on the ImPACT® program, see their website www.impacttest.com or call the Woodland Hills Athletics Office at 412.244.1100 x5141 Sources: 1. www.impacttest.com 2. Stephen G. Rice, MD, PhD, MPH, and the Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness Medical Conditions Affecting Sports Participation, Pediatrics 2008; Vol. 121, No. 4, 841-847 Woodland Hills | Summer 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 31
Braddock Hills
Playground Brings Children
Outdoors
By Ashley Connor
Have you ever wondered what kinds of positive things can be done when a whole community comes together? The residents in the Braddock Hills neighborhood along with KaBOOM!, Duquesne Light, and the Braddock Hills Propel schools have shown us one of those things. A once-empty parking lot is now the home of a playground, designed by kids and built by volunteers in only six hours. Ann D’Appolonia, the director of development at Propel, said there was a 10-week planning process to make this happen for the children in the Braddock Hills community. Propel Braddock Hills Elementary applied for a grant through KaBOOM!, there was a selection process, and fortunately a grant was awarded to the school. “The contribution is immeasurable, too big to capture in one
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amount when you think of all the volunteers and the work involved,” says Jen Leshnower, KaBOOM! project manager. “Every child in the area has a playground within walking distance. We want to make sure play is happening.” KaBOOM! is a national nonprofit organization that is dedicated to saving play. According to the organization, children today spend less time playing outdoors than any previous generation – a fact that is having disastrous consequences on their health, achievement levels, and overall well-being. The leaders at KaBOOM! have a vision of creating a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. Since its creation in 1996 in Washington, D.C., the organization has mapped over 89,000
places to play, built more than 2,000 playgrounds, and successfully advocated for play policies in hundreds of cities across the country. The atmosphere was full of laughter as there was music playing and the high school students from Propel completed service projects. “The kids are doing all of the work,” said Joe Oliphant, principal at Propel Braddock Hills High School. The students made mosaics, quilts, sunflower paintings and broadcasted a live podcast of the day’s events. Once the quilt and mosaic are finished by the students it will be put on display in the new playground. “It’s been a very smooth day with a lot of volunteers to keep the day on task,” said Mike Jeffrey from Jeffrey Associates, the local dealer for the playground equipment. With the 192 volunteers that showed up, the playground was completed a little bit sooner than planned. Duquesne Light, which also helped fund this project, had a total of 100 volunteers show up in support of the day’s event. “KaBOOM! was aware of Duquesne Light and its involvement with the community and asked if we could be a funding partner,” said Lisa Minor from Duquesne Light. “I think it is awesome our volunteers always step up to the plate and go above and beyond.” Rich Riazzi, the CEO of Duquesne Light said, “Wow! It’s a testament when companies, businesses, and communities come together and what we can achieve for our school.” Propel Braddock Hills Elementary had a student spokesperson for the day, Skylar Miller. She is an 8-year-old first grade student. She said, “I’m happy we are getting our playground and to everyone who helped us, thank you.” “I’m impressed with how much is accomplished in a day when people work together,” said Brian Knavish, senior communication spokesman for Duquesne Light. The Braddock Hills community now has something residents haven’t been able to enjoy, a play space that all of the children in the community can use. Woodland Hills | Summer 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 33
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View from the By Heather Holtschlag
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he front porch may rank near the bottom of the list when people talk about their homes, but it ranks near the top in terms of importance. Considered a home’s “welcome mat,” the front porch offers a home’s first – and oftentimes only – impression to family, friends, and passersby. The friendlier it looks, the more appealing the home. And if you’re selling your home, the front porch is a huge part of its curb appeal. So how can you dress up your front porch so that it contributes to the charm of your neighborhood? According to Dee Dee Adams of Northwood Realty, railings should be secure and even replaced if they are worn or damaged. “It’s a good idea to make sure that house numbers are large enough to be visible from the street for safety. When it comes to their appearance, there are many options in decorative house numbers, including tile and several finishes such as brass and brushed pewter that will be both functional and attractive.” Also important are the hardware, lighting and the front door. This is especially important if you are considering selling your home. Adams, who recently purchased a home for herself in Murrysville, admits that her own home has wonderful curb appeal and that it did figure in her decision to buy the house. If your goal is to add a front porch onto your home, it’s important to consider your home’s architectural style before making the addition. Also consider whether you want the porch area to be a simple transition into your home, or an entirely new living space. Also, determine how much space you will have to dedicate to a front porch area. If it’s a small, transitional area, you may not be able to give the area a complete overhaul, but rather enhance the space that is already there with charming accents. When it comes time to decorate the front porch, consider what room the porch leads to within the house. If it leads to a traditional living or dining room, for example, you likely will not want to decorate the porch in a tropical theme. Also, choose a type of paint for the front door that contains a high gloss and a color that will be noticeable. Consider changing the hardware as well. Go for house numbers that appear strong and bold, which could give your entire exterior a new look, and add a door knocker for a touch of elegance. Before adding furniture to a roomier porch, make sure to attend to the paint on the sides and floor. Repair any paint that is peeling and add a fresh coat to the sides and floor first. And when adding the furniture, look for a piece such as a loveseat that can hold two people, and an ottoman that can double as storage space. The
largest piece of furniture should face outward, with smaller pieces surrounding it. Artwork that is made to handle the elements of the outdoors can add attention and attractiveness if hung above the sitting area, and look for rugs and pillows that can finish off the space. Blinds or curtains can help prevent sun damage to the furniture and artwork, and can be of aid when people are sitting there. One final note to keep in mind when designing and decorating your porch is to decorate for the seasons. Add pumpkin décor during Halloween or floral accents during the spring and summer. A harvest wreath in the fall and an evergreen wreath in the winter also can add to the beauty of the season.
Woodland Hills | Summer 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 35
Home
Trends
Influence
Design & Construction By Dana Black McGrath
I
t used to be that a first-floor laundry or home office was among some of the hottest home construction trends. Now that those are a standard more than a luxury, building trends are emerging that reflect our changing needs as our lifestyle, culture and economy change with the times. Leslie Schupp of Re/Max Realty Centre has noticed a strong trend toward multi-generational dwellings, sometimes referred to as the mother-in-law suite. Aging parents are now much more likely to live with their children, partly because it’s more cost effective for everyone concerned. “Older adults are happier living in the home environment and they often help with child care and other household responsibilities,” explains Schupp. Although many homeowners elect to transform their basement into an “elder space,” Schupp has noticed more wing additions to homes for parents. “By having the addition on one level, the older individuals do not have mobility issues with stairs. Ideally though, there should be some separation for the privacy of everyone.” Also dominant in contemporary design is a trend toward classic architecture that blends modern and traditional elements to create timeless, elegant spaces with interiors that are light and simple rather than ornate and heavy. Outdoor living spaces are another design essential for all regions, not just for single-family homes but also for multi-family properties.
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In our area, many have embraced this trend by enhancing their outdoor space with comfortable outdoor furnishings and even outdoor kitchens. Consideration of cost-effectiveness in building is another new trend. For instance, many new homes are rectangular because they are less expensive to build. The trend is moving away from multiple odd roof lines that create unnecessary interior volumes, reducing construction and operating costs for homeowners. These principles can be seen in many of the new construction developments around the Pittsburgh region. Another trend is the elimination of the formal living room in favor of a more flexible space that is adjacent to the kitchen and family room. Many who build new homes opt for only one “formal” room – rather than a formal living room and separate dining room. Homeowners also frequently take out interior walls to open up the space that was once a formal dining room. Schupp agrees. “I talk to buyers every day who want to take out walls in order to maximize their space. People like multifunctionality. It’s a better use of space and generally there is better lighting to a room when an interior wall is removed.” Kitchens, long known to be the heart of the home and one of the most important design elements of any house, are also being impacted by new trends. Many designers are coming up with creative storage solutions to allow windows above the countertops rather than cabinets, thus keeping the kitchen light and bright. Another trend in newer homes is the man cave. Once referred to as the recreation room or game room, the man cave may take several different forms, but oftentimes functions as a room for the use of the whole family, despite the misnomer. Woodland Hills | Summer 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 37
Protect Your Hearing This Summer
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ummertime presents so many new opportunities for activity— especially for those of us who hail from cooler climates. Farmers markets, bustling parks, and neighborhoods full of children on break from school make summer a special time of year. Another common tradition of summertime is one that, while truly a treat of the season, can pose a threat to your hearing: The outdoor summer concert. Soak up the sun, but beat the blare. Whether you’re attending a day-long festival, an evening concert by the local symphony, or an open air performance by a rock legend, you’re putting your hearing at risk. Exposing yourself and loved ones to 105 decibels and more for just one hour can cause lasting damage. It is recommended that you take the proper precautions to make certain that you can continue to attend and enjoy these events year after year. Custom hearing protection is more affordable and effective than ever. And, unlike traditional foam earplugs, custom plugs can actually help filter out the frequencies that contribute to noise-induced hearing loss while allowing you to hear what you came for in the first place.
Declare your independence from hearing loss
Independence day is chock full of picnics, parades, and—most worrisome to your Audiologist and Hearing professionals—fireworks. Don’t get us wrong, fireworks can be exciting and beautiful, but what they most certainly are is loud. And too much of a loud thing, even a fun loud thing, can cause serious damage to your hearing in the form of noise-induced hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss, as defined by the American-Speech-Language Hearing Association is “hearing loss caused by exposure to loud sounds and usually occurs painlessly over a period of time, but may occur from one exposure to an extremely loud noise.” What’s more, the Mayo Clinic lists fireworks as “explosive noises that can cause immediate, permanent damage.”
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Quick Tips for Protecting Your Hearing this Summer ❋ Alternate noisy activities with periods of quiet ❋ Use earplugs or other hearing protectors ❋ Limit lengthy periods of loud noise exposure ❋ Be a smart consumer–when buying appliances (like a lawnmower), look for appliances with low noise levels
This Industry Insight was written by Dr. Suzanne Yoder at the HearWell Center. Contact her at 412.271.3002 or info@hearwellcenter.com
By Matthew J. Fascetti
The Braddock Lions Club is Working Hard to Serve the Community
I
n a society where selfishness and greed seem at the forefront more than ever before, it is refreshing to see an organization like the Braddock Lions Club working so unselfishly. The mission of the 20 men and women members of the Braddock Lions Club is the same as every Lions Club across the globe…to empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions Clubs. Longtime Braddock Lions Club member and current secretary Bob Cortese explained some of the ways the organization works to serve the community. “Our club works on a variety of projects locally. We provide eyeglasses to the disadvantaged, contribute to local schools and churches (Good Shepherd Summerfest), make contributions to the local Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts and sponsor the Little League,” he says. “The club supports the fire departments in the club service area and civic associations such as North Braddock Cares, Autism Speaks, North Braddock Community Days and Auberle Home,” Cortese continued. “We support the Braddock Public Library and respond to special requests such as equipment for the Braddock Police Department. Our club also supports the following Lions Charities: Leader Dog, which provides guide dogs to the blind; Pennsylvania Lions Sight Conservation; and the Western Pennsylvania Hearing Foundation Beacon Lodge, which provides a camping experience for the blind.” The Braddock Lions Club also donates to the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF), which supports Lions’ compassionate works by providing grant funding for their local and global humanitarian efforts. Cortese added that all this work is made possible through the support of the community with the club’s broom sales, Christmas nut sale, Salad Bar Bingo and other fundraising efforts. Recently the Braddock club’s focus has been the Woodland Hills School District Scholarship Fund. The club hosted a Salad Bar Bingo Night on May 20 at Sacred Heart Church on Brighton Road with all proceeds benefiting the scholarship fund. “This is a great opportunity for high school students in the Woodland Hills School District,” Cortese explained. “It is a multi-year scholarship. Whatever amount the scholarship is, if the student makes a certain grade point average in college that year, then they can receive the same amount of money the next year. There are currently three students participating.” Unlike most, the Braddock Lions Club does not have a clubhouse or a lodge building. The group meets twice a month, plus board
“The club supports the fire departments in the club service area and civic associations such as North Braddock Cares, Autism Speaks, North Braddock Community Days and Auberle Home...”
meetings, at various restaurants in the area. The club is open to all genders, races, religions and beliefs, by invitation only, with just one requirement…you must have a desire to help the community. The Braddock Lions Club has gone through several phases in its over 70-year history. In the 1940s Braddock was a robust business center. In fact, it was the third largest retail community in the Pittsburgh area and held that status until the early 1960s. Naturally during this time the Braddock Lions Club was more like a business club, with only high-ranking executives as members. In the second phase, it became a more community-based organization, and men of every background and vocation joined the club. The third phase, which began about 10 years ago, enabled women to join. Now the club has about a 50/50 male-to-female ratio and members are residents of Braddock, North Braddock and Rankin. The Lions Club motto is simply “We Serve.” It is amazing how much impact those two little words can have. The kindness of the 20 dedicated members of the Braddock Lions Club, along with the generous community donations, will make the district an even better place to live and work for years to come.
Woodland Hills | Summer 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 39
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