2018 Education Guide

2018

EDUCATION GUIDE It’s difficult to believe but we are nearly mid-way through the school year, and it’s time to begin planning for the next one. Perhaps you are enrolling for the first time or are looking to make a switch. Or perhaps you are simply looking for a new educational experience to enrich your life. We are fortunate in the North Hills to have so many varied and exceptional educational institutions in our midst from which to choose. Below are some of the best in our area for you to consider when making decisions about education. www.northernconnectionmag.com | JANUARY 2018

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In 1932, athletes from 17 countries competed in the third Winter Olympics; Amelia Earhart became the first woman to complete a transcontinental flight; Babe Ruth pointed to centerfield and hit a home run into those bleachers; Groucho Marx performed on the radio for the first time. Also, on November 14, Vincentian High School, a private, independent, Catholic boarding school for girls, opened in the North Hills. Today, when things change so rapidly and so many other Catholic high schools have disappeared, it is exceptional that Vincentian Academy is celebrating 85 years of providing outstanding Catholic education.

What is Vincentian’s secret? Excellence—it is the common denominator throughout Vincentian Academy’s History.

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JANUARY 2018 | www.northernconnectionmag.com

85 Exceptional Years!

T he Vincentian Sisters of Charity (who were merged into The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth) founded Vincentian High School primarily for young women to foster their vocations to the sisterhood. However, by the 1950s, the school was providing a superior education to young women who were exploring a variety of vocations. Families throughout the area recognized that a Vincentian education offers students opportunities that were not available in the mill towns that were numerous in the region. These boarding students helped boost the school’s enrollment to nearly 200 girls. Its business curriculum won acclaim from regional employers and colleges, and the mandatory study of Slovak was attractive to the large Eastern European communities that dotted the area.

In 1959, the high school moved from the Vincentian Motherhouse building into a newly constructed building, the current location. With a new gymnasium, Vincentian began competing in basketball, and later introduced other competitive sports teams. Enrollment increased as the school continued to enjoy popularity with the growing Catholic population in the northern area of the city. In the 1960s, the increasing population in the northern suburbs further increased the high school’s enrollment.

In 1971, Vincentian made its exceptional education opportunities available to young men as well.

While providing more than two decades of exceptional coeducational opportunities, the administration sought to further improve the quality of education at the high school. In 1995, the Vincentian Sisters of Charity entered into a partnership with Duquesne University. As a result of that 15-year partnership, Vincentian Academy developed the International Baccalaureate Degree Program (IB) as its core curriculum. During that time, the Academy became a ministry of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth because the Vincentian Sisters merged into the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in 2008.

Today, during the school’s 85th anniversary, Vincentian Academy is a shining example of what a 21st century Catholic high school should be. With a globally recognized IB program, Vincentian Academy thoroughly prepares students for a college education. The IB program is one of many examples of how Vincentian has grown and adapted to ensure that its students receive an exceptional education. “We are the only Catholic IB World High School in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and we have a 100 percent college admissions rate,” said Mrs. Canton, Principal/Head of School. “Our graduates go on to attend the top colleges and universities in the nation and world.”

Today’s Academy is vastly different from the high school that opened in 1932. Every student has a laptop, and the school has a newly renovated computer lab. Recently formed partnerships allow Vincentian Academy to provide additional courses in technology, engineering, and robotics. Students come from locations around the world seeking a Vincentian education.

Along with its rigorous curriculum, Vincentian Academy has a top-notch performing arts program, 35 clubs, and a successful athletic program, fielding 17 sports. The Royals have earned numerous WPIAL and PIAA state titles, including back-to-back PIAA state championships in girls’ basketball, three PIAA crosscountry championships, and the 2016 PIAA state championship in baseball. To learn more about Vincentian Academy, visit us at Open House on January 21, 2018 or visit our website at www.vincentianacademy.org.

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2018 EDUCATION GUIDE

Blessed Francis Seelos Academy Blessed Francis Seelos Academy was established in 2017 through a union of Saint Alexis and Saint Alphonsus schools.

We have merged our traditions, and are forging our future, together. The result is a vibrant learning environment that integrates Catholic teachings with the culture, key values, and traditions of family and community. Our goal is to develop each child’s academic abilities while fostering his or her spiritual and personal growth.

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Our resources include: Religion – Altar servers, liturgical choir, church instrumentalists, classroomled service/outreach projects, sacramental preparation Technology – A full complement of Chromebooks and SmartBoards are used in daily classroom activities.

Extracurricular activities – Forensics, school musical, band, chess club, book clubs, soccer, basketball, volleyball, cross country, track and field, and more Facilities – The Seelos Academy Early Childhood Center (half-day and full-day preschool programs) is located at the Saint Alexis Campus. Grades kindergarten through eight are located at the Saint Alphonsus campus, which is wheelchair accessible.

Please join us at our Open House on Sunday, January 28 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. to tour the school and speak with teachers and parents about how Blessed Francis Seelos Academy can help forge your child’s future

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Blessed Trinity Academy Blessed Trinity Academy is building its future on the foundations of the past.

As a newly formed school, BTA focuses on meeting the individual needs of each learner. Utilizing the strengths of each school, BTA has been able to combine the best of what each school offered onto one campus.

This year, BTA began upgrading all of our technology, by utilizing Chromebooks in the middle school, and tablets in the intermediate and primary grades. Adding on a variety of extracurricular activities, sports programs, and clubs has allowed students the opportunity to excel in mul-

tiple disciplines. The Forensics team came in 1st place in their first tournament this year, while the Varsity Boys Cross Country became Diocesan Champions! Building a sense of community in the new school has been an important goal at BTA. With help from the Service Club, the school came together to donate over 100 shoe boxes for the needy in West Virginia. The primary grades have partnered with their Bulldog Buddies (middle school) to work on various service projects including making blankets for the residents of St. Barnabas. With strong support from the community and within the school, the future is bright for Blessed Trinity Academy!

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Blessed Trinity Academy Early Childhood Center Building our future on the foundations of the past (Continued on page 16)

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2018 EDUCATION GUIDE Blessed Trinity Academy Early Childhood Center opened its doors as a new entity for the 2017-2018 school year on September 5, 2017. Located at the former St. Bonaventure Parish School campus in Glenshaw, the school is part of the newly formed North Hills Regional Catholic Elementary Schools and is exclusive to early childhood learning. Rooted in the Catholic tradition, a Christ-centered learning environment is offered for three and four year olds. Our curriculum standards offer pre- reading and math skills, science, social studies, and varied activities that help to develop fine and gross motor skills.

BTAECC treats each child as a unique individual and works to help them develop socially, emotionally, physically and academically. Our qualified teachers are certified in Early Childhood Education. Several options for full- and half-day programs are available. We invite families interested in more information to call the school at (412) 486-2606, ext. 301 or join us for our next OPEN HOUSE on Sunday, January 28, 2018, from 1:15-3:15 p.m. Meet our staff,

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tour our school and learn about all the good things we have to offer your child as they begin their preschool “journey.”

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Butler Catholic School Have you ever seen a famous building and imagined how you would redesign it? Students at Butler Catholic School did exactly that when they participated in the Rozzy STEAM Challenge. The Challenge, designed to allow kids to build and design like real architects, required

JANUARY 2018 | www.northernconnectionmag.com

participants to rebuild a famous structure and add a new feature using only materials available in the classroom. Of 500 projects submitted nationally, a Butler Catholic team was chosen as a finalist. Congratulations to Bridget Preston, Mikayla Wabe and Rigel Weakland on their work adding a rock climbing wall to the Sydney Opera House!

This is just one of the many creative opportunities students are being introduced to thanks to Butler Catholic’s focus on STREAM. STREAM is the collaborative integration of 5 concepts (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics), promoting critical thinking, innovation and creativity.

The goal of Butler Catholic School is to take each student to the next level of learning through an integrated education experience. You are invited to learn more about the exciting ways teachers at Butler Catholic School are collaborating and bringing technology into the classroom at our upcoming Admissions Open House events, Wednesday, January 31 from 6:30 –

8 p.m. and Sunday, March 4 from 1-3 p.m.

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Greater Pittsburgh Christian Schools Network The Greater Pittsburgh Christian Schools Network represents area Christian schools and works together with school leaders to support each other and the community. Known for exceptional academics and academic achievements, the Christian schools in our area integrate biblical values throughout their curriculum, as well as the arts, music, athletics, STEM and more. The majority of the Christian schools are accredited by Middle States, the Association of Christian Schools International, among others. Greater Pittsburgh Christian Schools Network also provides opportunities for school leaders to come together and discuss opportunities,

challenges and the world of academia.

The Greater Pittsburgh Christian Schools Network has its own Facebook and Instagram page that highlight the news and accomplishments of the schools as well as give great tips for wholesome family fun and learning. The enrollment among the schools varies with some schools being pre-k to twelfth grade, some pre-k to eighth and others pre-k to sixth. To learn more about the network or the incredible Christian schools it represents, visit http:// pittsburghchristianschools.net to find a Christian school in your area.

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Katie’s Clay Studio Katie’s Clay Studio offers a safe, creative and fun atmosphere that encourages children’s and adult’s artistic growth and personal development! We pride ourselves on an in-depth knowledge of child development and artistic mediums—we combine these into a studio bursting at

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2018 EDUCATION GUIDE

Catholic Schools of the Pittsburgh Diocese REGISTER NOW for the 2018-2019 School Year Blessed Trinity Academy (Glenshaw)

(Formerly St. Bonaventure, St. Mary, St. Ursula schools) Principal: Mrs. Jessica Rock 412-486-7611 www.nhrces.org/trinity

Principal: Marisa Greco www.oaklandcatholic.org (412) 682-6633

Principal: Margaret Ruefle M.ED.M.S. 412-366-4455 www.alphaschool.org

Butler Catholic School (Butler)

Principal: Mrs. Rita McCormick 724-869-2188 www.qchs.org

Principal: Sr. John Ann Mulhem C.D.P. 724-285-4276 www.butlercatholic.org

Central Catholic High School (Oakland)

Principal: Brother Tony Baginski, FSC 412-621-7505 www.centralcatholichs.com

Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy (Aspinwall) Principal: Mr. Mark Grgurich (412) 781-7927 www.cdtca.org

Holy Cross Academy

(Saint Sebastian School / Saint Teresa of Avila School) Principal: Mr. John Benzing 412-364-7171

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Providence Heights Alpha School (Allison Park)

Blessed Francis Seelos Academy (Wexford)

(formerly St. Alphonsus/St. Alexis Schools) 724-935-1152 or 724-935-3940 Principal: Mr. Robert Reese www.nhrces.org\seelos

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Oakland Catholic High School

the seams with curriculum perfect for all ages, backgrounds, needs and skill levels.

All staff is certified, and we are happy to provide Federal and State background clearances at your request. Visit our website for pricing, schedule and more information. Katie’s Clay Studio has walk-in hours during the week and weekend for all your creative needs. Our studio philosophy is that everyone benefits when we GET MUDDY! Visit KatiesClayStudio.com.

Remember, we are the one stop shop, for all things ART!

Quigley Catholic High School (Baden)

Saint Gregory School (Zelienople) Principal: Erin Harris 724-452-9731 school.stgregzelie.org

Saint Joseph High School (Natrona Heights, PA) Principal: Beverly K. Kaniecki (724) 224-5552 www.SaintJosephHS.com

Saint Wendelin Catholic School (Butler) Principal: Mrs. JoLynn Clouse 724-285-4986 www.stwendelinschool.com

Vincentian Academy (North Hills, PA)

Principal: Mrs. Rita Canton 412-364-1616 www.vincentianacademy.org

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La Roche College On Monday, Feb. 19, La Roche College will host Meet Design, an all-day event for high school juniors and seniors to explore creative careers in the fields of graphic and interior design.

The event is scheduled from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at La Roche’s campus in the North Hills. Students who attend Meet Design at La Roche will test their own creative skills by participating in a hands-on design project.

Lisa Kamphaus, chair of the La Roche Design Division, said, “Meet Design at La Roche is a unique opportunity for high school seniors and juniors. They have the opportunity to work with our students and faculty and go behind the scenes for a firsthand look at our studio classes.”

After completing their projects, stu-

dents will hear firsthand accounts about the challenges and opportunities in the field from alumni of La Roche’s design programs, who are now professionals in their respective fields.

While students are working on their projects, Meet Design at La Roche will offer an alternative schedule for parents to learn more about the College’s admissions process, student life, financial aid, tutoring, and academic support and career services.

The event will include an optional, abbreviated morning tour of campus, a continental breakfast and lunch.

Register online by Feb. 14. Limited space is available, and one parent or guardian per registered student is welcome to attend. High school juniors and seniors who have not attended Meet Design before are given priority.

In the case of inclement weather, please check for updates at laroche.edu. Please direct questions to the Office of Freshman Admissions at 412-536-1792 or admissions@laroche.edu.

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PA Cyber Charter School Traditional classroom schools are like assembly-line factories. If the parts don’t go together quite right, that’s too bad. No slowing down or speeding up the assembly (Continued on page 20)

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2018 EDUCATION GUIDE line, no design changes for those who don’t fit the mold.

In Pennsylvania over the past 15 years, many thousands of school-age children stepped off the classroom school assembly line and found a new, better way to go to school.

PA Cyber Charter School is Pennsylvania’s first, best and largest online school, providing a free public education for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. They attend school over the internet in the security of their own homes.

PA Cyber is a Middle States-accredited public school providing the personal attention that students need for academic success.

Technology platforms are leading-edge and user-friendly. Each student receives a laptop, printer, textbooks and online connectivity, all free of charge. The technical support team is responsive, skilled and dependable.

Instructional methods are matched to each student’s needs and learning style, from live, online to blended and self-paced instruction. A rich curriculum offers twice the academic courses found in most school districts. Content is aligned to state standards and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Creative and performing arts classes, STEM/gifted programs, advanced placement, school clubs and family field trips enrich the educational experience for students and their families.

PA Cyber offices throughout Pennsylvania provide administrative and admissions services, enrichment classes and orientation.

Thinking about stepping off the classroom school assembly line? Call 1.888.722.9237 and ask for an admissions representative.

Visit www.pacyber.org for details.

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Providence Heights Alpha School Music Teacher, Evan Kaden, Uses Innovative Tools and Techniques to Spark a Lifelong Joy of Music and Composition Evan Kaden’s music classroom trades the traditional focus upon music skills and vocabulary that best serve the classically trained musician, for skills that allow students to become “functional musicians.” They are able to make and digest music alone or with friends in a way that is accessible and relevant to their lives, serving them not only as musicians but also as people who participate in the art world. This goal is served firstly by a great deal of hands on music making. Mr. Kaden focuses first on percussion and rhythm reading, starting with small classroom instruments at the elementary level and eventually progressing towards bucket-percussion ensemble performances. Orff instruments are used with a focus on rote teaching and improvisation. When the notation is taken away, students are free to have an exploratory experience instead of participating in a rigid exercise. Technology is also used to serve this ongoing goal of innovation by creating social and autonomous musicians.

Upper level grades use GarageBand to create a variety of electronic music compositions. This teaches and reinforces many skills while providing basic tools to create music on home computers and spark the creativity of a student who feels that creating original music was inaccessible in other formats. 4 4 4

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JANUARY 2018 | www.northernconnectionmag.com

2018 Education Guide Directory Blessed Francis Seelos Academy (Saint Alphonsus / Saint Alexis) www.nhrces.org/seelos 724-935-1152 / 724-935-3940

Blessed Trinity Academy

(Saint Bonaventure / St. Mary / St. Ursula) www.nhrces.org/trinity 412-486-7611

Butler Catholic School www.butlercatholic.org 724-285-4276

Carlow University www.carlow.edu

Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy www.nhrces.org/cdta (412) 781-7927

Goldfish Swim School

www.goldfishswimschool.com (724) 799-8850

Greater Pittsburgh Christian Schools Network

www.pittsburghchristianschools.net

Heart Prints Center for Early Education

A Place to Grow Learning Center

Saint Joseph High School

www.heartprintsed.org 724-741-1008

www.aplacetogrowlearning center.com (412) 963-7000

Holy Cross Academy

Providence Heights Alpha School

Saint Vincent College Women in Business

Katie’s Clay Studio

Ohio Valley Hospital School of Nursing

(Saint Sebastian School / Saint Teresa of Avila School) 412-364-7171 www.katiesclaystudio.com 412-486-2184

Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care

www.kiddieacademy.com/ cranberrytownship 724-452-9898 www.kiddieacademy.com/wexford 724-935-9898

La Roche College www.laroche.edu (412) 367-9300

Oakland Catholic High School www.oaklandcatholic.org (412) 682-6633

www.alphaschool.org 412-366-4455

https://ohiovalleyhospital.org/ schools/school-of-nursing/ 412-777-6204

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School

www.saintjosephhs.com (724) 224-5552

www.stvincent.edu

Saint Paul’s Kidz Korner www.stpaulsumc.com 412-334-8193

Shady Side Academy

www.shadysideacademy.org (412) 968-3000

St. Gregory Catholic School

www.olsh.org (412) 264-5140

www.school.stgregzelie.org (724) 452-9731

PA Cyber

St. Wendelin School

www.pacyber.org (888) 722-9237

www.stwendelinschool.com (724) 285-4986

Quigley Catholic High School

Vincentian Academy

www.qchs.org 724-869-2188

Vincentianacademy.org 412-364-1616

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2018 EDUCATION GUIDE

Teaching Teens Personal Finance Skills is Crucial for Success “Personal finance is used every day in the real world,” said Lisa Malsberger, a Commonwealth Charter Academy business teacher.

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ven though students, parents, and other working adults use personal finance skills daily, teaching financial literacy is not a curriculum requirement in Pennsylvania. A 2016 Pennsylvania Department of Education Report found that only 15 percent of the state’s school districts require a personal finance course for graduation.

The low percentage of high school students taking a personal finance course is especially shocking considering an

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April 2017 study by Mintel found that only 19 percent of respondents would give themselves an A on financial knowledge.

Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA) is one of the few schools in Pennsylvania that requires students to take a personal finance course before they can graduate. From learning how to create a budget to avoiding debt to applying for college loans, Ms. Malsberger wishes all schools — including her high

JANUARY 2018 | www.northernconnectionmag.com

school had taught her these types of skills.

“I just applied for student loans and thought it was free money,” said Ms. Malsberger. “However if there is an upside that my student loans cost more than my mortgage, it’s that I use my personal experiences to educate my students.”

Ms. Malsberger provides five tips to help her students hone their personal financial skills: 1. Create a Budget – Know where your money is coming from and going to.

Calculate your bills and identify when the recurring ones are due and be mindful of when your pay checks are scheduled to be deposited.

2. Pay Yourself First – After you have paid your bills, “pay yourself ” by investing/saving each month. These funds will also help with unexpected and miscellaneous expenses, such as repairs for a flat tire or an unexpected invitation to a school dance that requires a new outfit.

3. Follow the Money Rule – This is called the 50/30/20 Rule. 50 percent of your money should go toward things you need, 30 percent toward discretionary items: going out to eat, clothes, entertainment, etc., and 20 percent into savings (as mentioned above in tip #2).

4. Avoid Debt – Know what student loans are and avoid the temptation of using credit cards irresponsibly. Credit cards can be used to build your credit, but make sure you pay off your balance each month.

5. Get & Stay Educated – You will use personal finance skills every day of your life. There are some effective phone apps from companies like MVelopes, Quicken, and Mint that will keep a bud-

get for you and provide you with current news on personal finance daily.

CCA is focused on educating seniors who will soon be leaving for college, entering the workforce, and preparing to possibly live on their own. This isn’t something Ms. Malsberger and other CCA teachers take lightly, as a 2017 CareerBuilder report recently found that 78 percent of full-time U.S. workers live paycheck to paycheck, up from 75 percent last year.

Ms. Malsberger added. “We are giving our students the skills they need so when they enter adulthood, they know how money works.” 4 4 4 For five years, Lisa Malsberger has been a business teacher at Commonwealth Charter Academy, a Pennsylvania K-12 public cyber charter school with year-round open enrollment. She teaches high school personal finance and entrepreneurship courses. The personal finance course includes eight lessons including introduction to personal finance, saving, budgets, debt, life after high school, consumer awareness, investment and retirement and insurance. For more information about Commonwealth Charter Academy, visit ccaeducate.me.

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2018 EDUCATION GUIDE

School Movers & Shakers Fox Chapel Several Fox Chapel Area High School students placed at the University of Pittsburgh Model UN Conference. First place winners were: Emilia Bianchini, Harrison Calig, Alyssa Carnevali, Hannah Drum, Gavin Hitchens, Zachary Lakkis, Bennett Marsh, Zeynep Ozkaya, Andreas Paljug, Aaron Santilli, Sina Shaikh, Helene Tracey, Felix Veser, and Bridget Wang.

The Fox Chapel Area Board of School Directors held its annual reorganization meeting Dec. 4, Terry L. Wirginis was re-elected president. Nancy B. Foster was re-elected vice president.

Sandra M. Garbisch was reelected assistant secretary. The Board also appointed Robert Mauro as the treasurer.

Five Fox Chapel Area High School students won awards at the annual University of Virginia Model United Nations (VAMUN) Conference. The honorees were: Diana Crookston, Grace Stasolla, Rajeev Godse, Anthony Nguyen and Jackson Romero.

The Fox Chapel Area High School Vulpes Cantantes women’s choir has been chosen to perform at the 2018 American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Eastern Division Conference. The group will perform March 8 at First Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh in conjunction with the organization’s biannual conference.

Seneca Valley Seneca Valley Senior High School AP Biology Teacher David

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Lowe has been selected as the 2017 Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania (ASWP) Betty David Lowe Abbot Excellence in Teaching Award winner.

The team consisted of: Connor Anderson, Zach Garcia, Kevin Karatassos, Sydney McMurray, Mike Beggy, Ty Brinkley, Jackie Ko, Dawson Morrow, James Rodrigues, Harrison Silvester, Jessi Suski and Julian Town.

North Hills North Hills Middle School will be honored as a PA Don Eichhorn Schools: School to Watch at the Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education State Conference on Feb. 25 in State College, Pa.

North Allegheny

Meal baskets for 40 Seneca Valley families in need were created from donations given by Seneca Valley Senior High School and Intermediate High School faculty, as well as members of the Cranberry Sunrise, Cranberry Noon, and Zelienople Rotary Clubs. SV Interact Club student members include Glen Schum, Kat Yellin, Alexis Musthaler, Ben Hess, and Faith Condrick.

The group is advised by Natalie Green, senior high school teacher.

Seneca Valley’s Raider Battalion Marksmanship Team brought home the Western PA Army JROTC League 2 trophy for the second year in a row.

Seneca Valley School District is one of 447 school districts in the U.S. and Canada being honored by the College Board with placement on the 8th Annual AP® District Honor Roll.

Twelve students from Seneca Valley Intermediate High School (IHS) garnered sixth place in the 2017 Chain Reaction Contraption Competition at the Carnegie Science Center on Dec. 8. They also won a special award, for “Best Execution of a Theme.”

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To raise funds in support of Children’s Grief Awareness Day, Haine Middle School (HMS) recently sold tickets to “Pie a Teacher.” It was a successful event that raised nearly $600.

In addition, HMS students wore blue on Nov. 16 and created butterflies to spread awareness and hope for children that are grieving from a loss of a loved one.

Newly-elected North Allegheny School Board Members Andrew Chomos and Allyson Minton were recently sworn-in alongside re-elected Members Richard McClure and Scott Russell.

The Oath of Office was issued by Judge William Wagner at the Board’s annual Reorganization Meeting.

Shady Side Academy

Mars Area Mars Area School Board has reorganized for 2018. Dayle Ferguson was re-appointed as board president, Rebecca S. Brown as board vice president. Other board members are: Steve B. Boggs, Rita Dorsch, John L. Kennedy, Gordon Marburger, Dr. William G. Pettigrew, Christine Valenta and Bonnie L. Weaver.

Mars Area High School senior Kailey Grill was crowned Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA 2018.

Mars Area High School named its “Renaissance Students of the Month” for November. They are: Ethan Duerring, Peyton Gibbons, Hope Lampenfeld and Ashley Parham.

The team of Shady Side Academy Senior School students who developed the “SSA Student” mobile app won the 2017 Congressional App Challenge for Pennsylvania’s 14th Congressional District. The four student developers, Henry Friedlander, Peter Wang, Fuad Youssef, and Nick Zana were honored at an Alumni Hall.

Blessed Francis Seelos Academy

The newly formed Blessed Francis Seelos Academy in Wexford kicked off its inaugural year with a tour-de-force performance of

WHE RE WA S I ?

Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr. The cast performed two soldout shows at the school’s Ryan Center on the St. Alphonsus campus in November.

within its 40,000 volumes, according to Martin Miller, BC3’s interim dean of library services.

La Roche College

Saint Vincent College (SVC) has been awarded a $212,000 grant by the Clare Boothe Luce (CBL) program of the Henry Luce Foundation to increase the number of women who enroll and graduate as leaders in computing, engineering science and physics through the Clare Boothe Luce Scholars Program. SVC is one of only 11 colleges and universities in the United States awarded CBL grants this year.

La Roche College has earned the 2018 Military Friendly ® School designation by Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs, STEM JobsSM and Military Spouse.

CCAC CCAC North Campus student Charles DeMore II was nominated for a 2017 Cartooning Award from the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP). He received an Honorable Mention for his comic strip, “Bad Jokes,” which has appeared in The Voice student newspaper since 2015.

BC3

Saint Vincent College

Saint Vincent College has been awarded a silver Davey Award for its new web design because of its seamless appearance, visual content and mobile adaptability.

Ben

Denton Dailey

A 60-year-old Butler County Community College associate professor became only the second bicyclist with an artificial hip to compete in a 55-mile Pittsburgh race that incorporates the steepest hill on a public street. Denton Dailey, who teaches electronics and robotics courses at BC3, was also be among the only 2 percent of bicyclists age 60 or older who have attempted the Dirty Dozen.

Butler County Commissioners Leslie Osche, Kimberly Geyer and Kevin Boozel recognized Butler County Community College’s back-to-back rankings as the No. 1 community college in Pennsylvania by presenting a proclamation to BC3 President Dr. Nick Neupauer during the board’s public meeting.

The nation’s oldest magazine devoted to libraries has recognized the architecture of Butler County Community College’s new Heaton Family Learning Commons, a $6.4 million stateof-the-art facility dedicated in August 2016 and one whose visual attraction defies the words

Ben Schachter, Schachter professor of visual arts at Saint Vincent College, is the author of a new book about contemporary Jewish art, Image, Action and Idea in Contemporary Jewish Art (Dimyonot) published

by Penn State University Press.

Kiron Skinner, a member of the Saint Vincent College board of directors who is associate professor of international relations and political science at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), was named to the U.S. Department of Defense Policy Board by Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis.

Drs. Michael J. Urick, William J. Hisker and Jeffrey L. Godwin, all management professors who teach in the Master of Science in Management: Operational Excellence program in Saint Vincent College’s McKenna School of Business, Economics and Government, recently published “Management Response to Laudato Si: An Operational Excellence Perspective” in the Journal of Biblical Integration in Business.

Old Dog, New Tricks

By Janice Lane Palko

Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” –Henry Ford

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his time of year, two themes occupy my brain—the passage of time and education. It is now 2018. I remember reading the novel 1984 when I was a teen in the ‘70s and that date seeming like a time from the Jetsons. Now that year is long gone in our rearview mirror.

Because this is also our education issue, learning is always on my mind in January too.

With the passage of time, I’ve gained some self-knowledge, and I’ve discovered that one thing that revitalizes me is to learn something new.

I thought it was just my weird little brain that got excited when learning new things, but apparently medical researchers are discovering that one of the ways all of us can remain young is to challenge our brains by learning something new.

Sometimes that can be a bit scary.

After publishing my last novel, I was contacted by several readers who said, “This book needs to be turned into a movie.” Well, before you can make a movie, you need to have a script. So, at their urging, I enrolled in a Screenwriting course at Pittsburgh Filmmakers last January. I have taught several courses, but it has been about 20 years since I actually sat at a desk as a student. It was certainly a learning experience.

When classes began at the end of last January, I donned my best jeans, new sweater and boots and headed off to class to find that all my other classmates were college freshmen—five years younger than my youngest child—and that I was way overdressed. They rolled into class in pajama bottoms, sweatpants and T-shirts. I smiled and tried to catch an eye to make a connection, but they were all swiping through their phones.

The class was very informative. Our teacher, who thankfully was my age or older, knew her stuff. Our assignment each week was to watch a movie, and with our new “screenwriting knowledge” give a critique the following week as well as writing a brief scene and bringing it to class where we cast our fellow classmates in roles and had a reading of the scene.

The first week, I gave my review of Hidden Figures, the biopic about the black, female engineers at NASA. My fellow classmates critiqued such screen gems as 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag and Seven Psychopaths—and those were the ones that were mainstream. But where the generation gap really became apparent was during the reading of our scenes. I wrote one about a mother and daughter on her wedding day. Most of the other students wrote ones laced with F-bombs and which featured gruesome reenactments of rape and dismemberment. Naturally, when reading, I was always cast as the old woman or mother. Talk about typecasting!

In addition, to learning the techniques of screenwriting, I learned that no matter how much you try to remain informed, relevant and be youthful, time marches on. I am not 18, nor do I want to be again, but I still like learning—even if it’s sometimes about psychopaths and dismemberment. 4 4 4 www.northernconnectionmag.com | JANUARY 2018

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2018 EDUCATION GUIDE

Women in Business of Saint Vincent College Take Manhattan!

By Marianne Reid Anderson

Visiting Wall Street, spending the day at the NASDAQ stock exchange and increasing professional networks are only a few of the highlights of the annual trip to New York City for the Women in Business of Saint Vincent College.

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ounded in 2006, the Women in Business chapter creates a variety of activities to assist students and recent alums grow their careers. These activities include executive lectures, community service and outreach programs and one of the biggest benefits – a three-day business trip to NYC. The trip began through faculty advisor Dr. Dawn Edmiston. Dr. Edmiston was a member of Women in Business when she was a student at Columbia University. Columbia University holds a confer-

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ence each year in New York City. The SVC Women in Business attended the conference for several years. When Columbia began limiting the number of SVC students who could attend, the members changed to visiting businesses and the financial district of NYC, instead.

The mission of the SVC Women in Business chapter is to enhance professional development through a variety of opportunities on campus, in the community, and in NYC, from an executive lecture series, alumnae networking panels, etiquette and other useful skills, to community outreach events and fundraising efforts.

The Women in Business chapter welcomes all. As president, Cheyenne Dunbar states, “Not a business major? No problem!

Not a woman? Who cares! Women in Business is designed to support the professional and personal lives of all Saint Vincent College students. The goals are to increase our networking skills, for both professional and personal networks. Also, to learn both life and business skills such as etiquette and current issues such as handling sexual harassment in the workplace.

Finally, we create a forum to socialize with likeminded individuals who strive to one day become industry leaders.”

The students spend four days and three nights in NYC. The trip is just one of the benefits in belonging to Women in Business at Saint Vincent College. In addition to the NYC trip, the executive lecture series and alumnae panel are very informative and provide useful information on the workplace. A few recent activities include, partnering with the Career Center to visit American Eagle Outfitters regarding their recruiting for Inventory Planning/ Supply Chain/Merchandising Internships and full-time positions. They also teamed up with Operational Excellence, Accounting, and Finance Clubs for an Internship Panel with graduating seniors who talked about their experience and gave advice about internships. In addition, they presented a Social Media workshop to small businesses through their association with Westmoreland SCORE Chapter 555.

Because members say that the scariest thing about entering the business world is dining out with the boss, Women in Business hosts a three-course etiquette dinner. The dinner is led by an etiquette professional. Also, invited to attend the dinner are members of SCORE. Most of the SCORE members are retired executives who help the students with appropriate conversation and manners.

Students and graduates say that the lectures, the trip to NYC and the connections that they have made through Women in Business have made a significant difference in their professional careers. Specifically, by showing them some of the possibilities that exist, how to handle problems in the workplace and the contacts they can reach out to for guidance when needed.

To learn more about all the ways Saint Vincent College can help grow your career, visit www.stvincent.edu. 4 4 4

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