Support Our Troops: Wreaths Across America and VA Video Connect

Celebrate the ’60 World Series Win

By Janice Lane Palko

You could say Wayne Stewart has sports in his blood. Born in Pittsburgh and raised in Donora, the hometown of Stan Musial, he was also a high school classmate and baseball teammate of Ken Griffey Sr. He began writing magazine and newspaper stories in 1978 for local papers and national magazines such as Baseball Digest, Beckett Publications, and USA Today/Baseball Weekly and has sold about 500 stories to magazines.

In 1988, he turned his attention to writing books. “I have now written 35 books for publishers such as McGraw-Hill, Triumph, and Rowman & Littlefield on baseball, football, and basketball, including a book which focused on great football players (especially quarterbacks) from western Pennsylvania,” said Wayne, who resides in Cleveland.

A prolific writer, Wayne has three new books out: 1960 When the Pirates Had Them All the Way, The Colorful Characters of Baseball: Wits, Flakes and Clown and Name that Ballplayer: The Ultimate Baseball Quiz Book. This Pirates book commemorates the 1960 World Series. “The Pirates book marks the 60th anniversary of that fantastic season. I got to interview most of the living Pirates who shared great stories and insights about that magical season and the wildest, most lopsided World Series ever. So the book has exclusive material (some controversial such as the issue of the season’s MVP voting) from Cy Young winner Vern Law, MVP Dick Groat, Roy Face, Bill Virdon, Bob Skinner, Hal Smith, Dick Schofield, Bob Oldis, and Bob Friend not long before he passed away. Plus, the book contains material from many other players of the day including Ralph Terry who gave up the Maz home run and Series MVP Bobby Richardson.

The book can be purchased on Amazon. n Ken Griffey, Sr. & Wayne Stewart

Wreaths Across America Rolls Into a Local Middle School & Butler VA Connects With Vets Via Their Video Connect By Paula Green

Wreaths Across America (WAA) was founded in 1992 by an enthusiastic group of volunteers. With a trailer full of wreaths, the crew decorated the gravesites of fallen soldiers in Arlington National Cemetery. Since its inception, WAA has now become a national organization with over 1,200 participating locations. The volunteers are all focused on the mission to Remember – Honor and – Teach.

WAA is committed to teaching younger generations about the value of their freedoms. They also demonstrate the importance of honoring those who sacrificed so much to protect those freedoms. The organization offers learning tools, interactive media projects and opportunities for youth groups to participate in the events. One of those educational tools is a mobile education exhibit.

A Ryan Glover Middle School student (RGMS) Elise Ketler was instrumental in having the WWA unit visit her school, which is part of the Seneca Valley School District. The eighthgrader has been fundraising with this military organization for the past two years. The WWA unit rolled into the secondary elementary campus on March 10, thanks to Elise’s perseverance. For more information on WWA, visit https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/.

Another military service that is being lauded is video technology, which can be found at the Butler VA Health Care System in Butler. This health system’s primary care providers and mental health professionals are trained to deliver telehealth services to a Veteran’s home. If the vets cannot attend an appointment in person, they are given the option to utilize VA Video Connect (VVA) to provide virtual care. What makes this system even more unique is any Veteran who lives in the United States is eligible to use virtual care. VA Video Connect can be used on almost any computer, tablet or mobile phone with an internet connection, a web camera and a microphone. VA Video Connect uses encryption to ensure privacy in each session. Virtual care is personalized, safe and effective, and there are no co-payments associated with VVC appointments. For more information on VVC or to download the app, visit the VA mobile app store: https://mobile. va.gov/app/va-video-connect. n

2020 Summer Camp Guide

Technology to Aid People with Autism and their Caregivers

Personally, I believe that the best technology is the type of technology that helps people. The following technology focuses on helping people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the incredible caregivers who

By Marianne Reid Anderson

dedicate their lives to helping those with special needs. This technology is known as “assistive devices” or “assistive technology” (AT), it can be “high-tech” or “low-tech” and can range from specialized hardware and medical equipment to software services such as help with communication skills, social skills, daily living skills, job skills and more:

ABLEDATA – This website gives people the ability to search for impar- (Continued on page 24)

24 APRIL 2020 | www.northernconnectionmag.com tial information about assistive technology. You can search by product name, product maker or by category such as communication. In the case of communication skills, AbleData has a plethora of products to assist writing and speech and includes devices designed for “augmentative and alternative communication” (ACC). To learn more, visit https://abledata.acl.gov/products-bycategory.

ACCOMMODATION IDEAS FOR THOSE WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER – This website is published by the Job Accommodation Center. They include information to assist and provide guidance to employers who have personnel with an autism spectrum disorder and want or need to make the workplace more accommodating for these employees. To learn more, visit https://askjan.org/disabilities/Autism-Spectrum.cfm.

APPYAUTISM – This website enables people to search through over 400 applications and software that are available for Windows and Mac computers and iOS and Androids phones. The search function enables users of the site to search based on various criteria such as category, age and more. This site is an excellent way to begin finding out what apps and software are available and even contains a tutorial on the best way to use their search engine for particular needs, such as communication or social skills. To learn more, visit http://www.appyautism.com/en/. One such application that they list is “Life Skills Winner” that helps teach 10 different life skills such as hand washing, brushing teeth and making a sandwich. To learn more, visit http://www.appyautism.com/en/app/life-skills-winner/.

It is my hope that the above information is only a beginning to help create awareness of the technological tools available. To learn more about these and other assistive technologies, visit the Illinois University Library at https://guides.library.illinois.edu/ autismspectrumdisorders. n

Marianne Reid Anderson is a freelance, high-tech writer. Her background and published works can be found on LinkedIn or through her website at www.maritom.com.

School Movers & Shakers

Holy Cross Academy Holy Cross Academy eighth grader David Thomas won First Place in the Biology section and was the overall competition winner at the North Catholic Science Competition for Middle School Students. As the overall winner, he won a $3500 scholarship for his freshman year. He also received the Robert Alan Williams award for scientific exploration and design. David Thomas

Holy Cross Academy eighth grader Caileigh Duffy has been named an Outstanding Student in Catholic Schools by the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Seventh and eighth grade Holy Cross Academy students participated in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science regionals. First place winners were - Ricky Harless, Emily Koman, Ethan Lu, Olivia Marche, Anna Simmons, David Thomas, and Brady Wolf. Second place winners were - Caileigh Duffy, Alexander Maletestenic, Jack Ryan, Ian Stanton, and Joanie Zilaitis. First place winners will compete at the state level in May.

Sixth, seventh and eighth grade Holy Cross Academy students participated in the 2019-2020 Forensics finals: John Giunta and Rory O’Connell: first place each; Sara Daeschner, Alexandra Meissner and Jenna Nastal: second place each. David Cobbey, Ricky Harless, Veronika Harless, Robert Joyce, Ben Sibenac and Joanie Zilaitis were selected by audition for the Diocesan Honors Band.

Holy Cross Academy fifth graders participated in the Annual Fuzzy Slipper campaign that benefits the kids at Children’s Hospital. Fourth grade students made “treat bags” and care packages for the families of Hearth, a support service for women and children in Shaler. First grade students made valentines for Meals on Wheels clients. Students in Kindergarten through fifth grade enjoyed a “Night in Paris” at the Father daughter, Grandfathergranddaughter dance.

Blessed Francis Seelos

State Representative and Speaker of the PA House Mike Turzai visited Blessed Francis Seelos Academy on Feb. 20 to present “How a Bill Becomes a Law” to social studies classes. He explained the different chambers of the state legislature and how a bill passes through each legislative branch to the fourth grade. He guided the students to try and pass their own “law” in the classroom as an example.

The first grade students at Blessed Francis Seelos Academy in Wexford practiced their reading skills with Clair, a four-year-old border collie and canine pet of the school’s Reading Specialist, Patricia Hirsh. Clair is part of the Therapy Dogs International Program, “Tail Waggin Tutors.”

Aquinas Academy The Aquinas Academy High School Girls› Basketball team, #9 seed, won their first-round game on Feb. 18 over #8 seed Monessen in a game for the ages, to advance to the second round of the WPIAL Class 1A Girls Basketball playoffs. Aquinas Academy’s First Tech Challenge “FTC” robotics team qualified for and competed in the Pennsylvania State Competition. The following students competed: Andy D’Angelo, Theresa Gates, Grant Kearcher, Sabrina Knox, Benjamin Stalder, Celina Whitmer and DJ Whitmer.

Vincentian Academy Vincentian Academy (VA) Parents registered an official Association, the Vincentian Academy Education Association (VAEA), with plans to soon be recognized with 501 (c)(3) non-profit status. The VAEA is working with experts to secure a facility that is fully capable of providing students and faculty with the space necessary to continue the Catholic school in Pittsburgh’s North Hills.

Shady Side Academy Shady Side Academy senior Talia Busquets is a co-author of the medical research paper Impact of Detecting Occult Pathologic Nodal Disease During Resection for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma, which was recently published in the academic journal Clinical Lung Cancer. Talia Busquets

Shady Side Academy announced the appointment of Trixie Sabundayo as the Academy’s next head of the Senior School, effective July 1.

Trixie Sabundayo

Enrichment Center of W Pa Four students from The Enrichment Center of Western Pennsylvania in Baden were recognized for their work in The Daughters of the American Revolution essay contest. Barb O’Baker from the Kushkushkee Trail chapter presented the awards. Winners were - Ezra Hess (8th grade); Mustafa Ahmed (6th grade); Nolan Curran (high school winner);

Emaan Ashfaq (7th grade). Mustafa Ahmed has also won the Pennsylvania level and will be honored in Washington, D.C. this June. His entry is now being judged at the Regional level. Teacher, Mrs. Ruth Butler, has been honored at the March meeting of the DAR at the Treesdale Country Club for her work with students throughout the years.

Fox Chapel Fox Chapel Area School District interscholastic strength and conditioning head coach and Fox Chapel Area High School teacher Brandon Peifer has been named the 2020 State Coach of the Year by the National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA).

Fox Chapel Area School District elementary instrumental music teacher Dennis Emert has been selected as the 2020 recipient of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) James R. Stewart Distinguished Service Award.

Dennis Emert

The Fox Chapel Area Board of School Directors has appointed Sharpsburg resident Amy Cooper to fill the unexpired term of Lisa Rutkowski in Region I.

Eight Fox Chapel Area High School students qualified for the National Catholic Forensic League Grand National Championship Tournament. Boomba Nishikawa and Ian Mackey-Piccolo won first place. Rajeev Godse and Jackson Romero won second place. Hanna Chen, Hannah Jahnke, Dawson Krisky and Marie Romero won third place. All eight of these students have advanced to represent the Pittsburgh Diocese at the Grand National Championship Tournament to be held in Chicago Memorial Day weekend.

A team of Dorseyville Middle School students recently placed third at the 2020 Western Pennsylvania Science Bowl Middle School Competition. The team included eighth graders Shriya Krishnamurthy, Lakshanya Rajaganapathi, Parv Tahiliani, and Adhitya Thirumala; and seventh grader Murugan Ayyanar. The team was awarded Polaroid Cubes and $500 for the DMS science department.

Seneca Valley Seneca Valley’s Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Raider Battalion recently received the 2019-2020 “Heart of a Lion” award from the Zelienople chapter of the Lions Club for their outstanding service to the citizens of the Zelienople area.

Seneca Valley seniors Nishant Jayachandran, Olivia Schultheis and Sean Scott, have been named finalists in the 65th Annual National Merit Scholarship Program held by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that a team of students from the Seneca Valley School District has been selected as the PennDOT District 10 winner for its third Innovations Challenge. Team members include - Ty Brinkley, Darius Zalnasky, Sydney McMurray, Brady McConnell and Kathleen Monahan.

Mars Area Members of Mars Area High School’s Interact Club and Key Club raised $2,240 to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania as part of the annual Pittsburgh Polar Plunge, held Feb. 29 at Heinz Field.

Mars Area High School junior Chloe Milliron was selected for a 2020 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards’ Certificate of Excellence.

Mars Area High School junior Morgan Kivlan is appearing in the newly released Netflix series, “I Am Not Okay with This.” Mars Area Centennial School fifthgrader Anya Ignatuk was named the winner of the school’s Read Across America Week Poster Contest. Morgan Kivlan

Mars Area Centennial School sixth-grader Mia Gratton qualified to compete in the USA Weightlifting 2020 National Youth Championships.

La Roche University La Roche Distinguished Alumnus Anthony Battaglia ’95, M.S., BSN, RN, made a substantial gift to La Roche University’s Many Faces, One Vision campaign for the construction of a clinical simulation center. The largest outright gift from a La Roche graduate in the institution’s history, it will allow students, including those in the university’s new Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing (ELMSN) program, to study their craft in The Anthony J. Battaglia Clinical Simulation Center, which will open on April 17.

Nicole Gable, director of study abroad at La Roche University, has received a Fulbright International Education Administrators Seminar Award to Taiwan for two weeks this spring. Holy Cross Academy (Ross Twp) (Saint Sebastian School / Saint Teresa of Avila School) Principal: Mrs. Patricia Osekowski (412) 364-7171

Providence Heights Alpha School (Allison Park) Principal: Margaret Ruefle, M.ED.M.S. (412) 366-4455 www.alphaschool.org

Saint Joseph High School (Natrona Heights) Principal: Beverly K. Kaniecki (724) 224-5552 www.SaintJosephHS.com St. Gregory Catholic School (Zelienople) (724) 452-9731 Principle: Mrs. Erin Harris www.stgregzelie.org