Cover Story: WJHSD Celebrates Inaugural Hall of Fame Inductees

(COVER STORY, Continued from page 1.)

A crowd of 225 filled the Georgetown Center on March 4 for the Hall of Fame banquet, with inductees from the Classes of 2019-20 and 2022-23 traveling from San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Florida, New York City and other locales outside of Western Pennsylvania to attend.

One inductee was selected to speak on behalf of the other inductees in their category. Dr. Peter Wu ’83 spoke on behalf of the Academics inductees, former English, District theater and communications educator Karen Suszynski ’68 for the Arts inductees and Richard Costanzo ’04 for the Athletics inductees.

“As a District, we were so excited to celebrate some of our best and brightest academic scholars, fine art curators and athletes to graduate from the West Jefferson Hills School District,” said WJHSD Superintendent Dr. Janet Sardon, a 1989 TJ graduate. “The inductees are people who have forged a path of success while making a difference in the world around them. They are role models and mentors for our current students and a strong representative of who we are and who we want to be as a school district.”

Kelly Langenohl Dzanaj, a 2006 TJ graduate and afternoon drive host on 100.7 The Star, served as Master of Ceremonies for the Hall of Fame induction banquet.

The district re-launched its Hall of Fame program last fall, re-opening the nomination process. West Jefferson Hills had announced it was starting the Hall of Fame program during the 2019-20 school year, but the first class of inductees were never announced or recognized due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thomas Jefferson graduates who have distinguished themselves in the areas of Academics, Arts or Athletics, as well as staff and community members, are eligible for induction, if they meet the established Hall of Fame criteria. Inductees from the two inaugural classes included former students, teachers, staff and community members who have made unique and lasting contributions to the district and the West Elizabeth, Jefferson Hills and Pleasant Hills communities.

Committees in each of the three areasAcademics, Arts and Athletics - considered the nominees and recommended selections for induction to the entire Hall of Fame Committee.

The nomination form for the WJHSD Hall of Fame Class of 2023-24 will be posted on the District’s website, www.wjhsd.net, and social media platforms, with nominations being accepted into this fall.

WJHSD HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2019-20

Academics

Dr. David Dausey ’93

Dr. William Edmonds ’81

Robert Horn ’64

Edward Miller, P.E. ’85

Dr. Mark Onaitis ’89

Matt Onaitis ’89

Dr. Nancy Stokey ‘68

Arts

Eric DeFade ’83

Ray DeFade

Karen Suszynski ‘68

Athletics

1980 TJ Football team (WPIAL Champions)

Richard Costanzo ‘04

Kelli (Miller) Dimidjian ‘89

Mike Kopnski

Karri (Miller) Lockhart ‘89

Baptiste (Bap) Manzini (posthumous)

Marla Puryear ’89 (posthumous)

WJHSD HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2022-23

Academics

Dr. Edward DiCarlo ’73

Gregory Earnest ’66 (posthumous)

Dr. Douglas Natelson ‘89

William (Joe) Schlitt ’60

Dr. Peter Wu ‘83

Arts

Sandra Barker

Robert Beckjord ’67 (posthumous)

Athletics

2001 TJ Girls Volleyball team (WPIAL Champions)

Bill Arre ’05

Jimbo Cramer ‘72

Dom DeCicco ‘07

Leo Giel ‘94

John Harchar ‘73

John Zeiler ‘01

South Park Women’s Club Meeting Features ‘White Elephant Night’

The South Park Women’s Club will have another fun evening with fellow club members at their meeting on April 17. They will have their annual pot-luck dinner, business meeting and the ever popular “White Elephant” night. The elephant figure has been traveling through membership homes for many, many years each spring only to return the following spring in an unidentifiable gift wrap package. Since there are many gifts wrapped, only the person bringing it that night knows it is “IT”. Other gifts will be auctioned off as well. Only then, when the winner of that auctioned package opens it, will we know, who won the “White Elephant” for 2023 and next year. They are responsible for bringing it back to next years 2024 April meeting. The last official gathering of the women will be at their May luncheon, where new officers will be installed for May 2023 untill May 2024.

‘Spring Tea’ Set for April 22 in Monessen

The First Presbyterian Church of Belle Vernon will hold their 2nd Annual Spring Tea on Saturday April 22, from 1:00PM to 4:00PM at the Monessen VFD Social Hall located at 15 Eastgate Ave. in Monessen. This is an event to celebrate women getting together with one another and their friends, sisters, mothers, grandmothers and daughters. All are welcome. Food, goodies, door prizes, music and a basket chance auction will be provided. Tickets are $15 each. To reserve or purchase tickets call 724-929-7616. All proceeds to benefit the ministries of the church.

Mon Valley Coin Club to Discuss U. S. Presidential Medals

The monthly meeting of the Mon Valley Coin Club will take place at 7:00PM on Thursday, April 20 at VFW Post 1409, 793 E. Main St., Monongahela. Discussion will be held on U. S. Presidential Medals. A 50/50 will also be offered and children's prizes will be awarded. Applications for membership are being accepted. For Additional information, call 724-503-8455 or 724972-8464

St. George Day at the Grove

The Allentown and St. George Reunion

‘St. George Day at the Grove’ will be held on Sunday April 23, 2023 (the feast day of St. George) at 4:00PM at the historic Linden Grove Nightclub in Castle Shannon, 1100 Grove Road Pittsburgh, PA 15234. The public is invited to join parishioners, alumni, family and friends of the former St. George Church & School and St. John Vianney to enjoy fellowship, dinner, door prizes and raffles.

The St. George and Allentown community and supporters are encouraged to spread the word.

Seating is limited! Please call 412-502-5062 or email contact@SGCPS.net to make your reservation as soon as possible. For additional details, please visit the St. George Store at www.SGCPS.net

Ham Dinner and Basket Raffle in Charleroi

The Presbyterian Church of Charleroi will be sponsoring their famous Ham Dinner on Saturday, April 29 from 3:00PM – 6:30PM. The Ham Dinner is a tradition at the church that dates back to 1925. This year’s dinner will be take-out only. Cost for the dinner is $15 and includes ham, potatoes, corn, applesauce, coleslaw and dessert. Raffle baskets will also be available. The church is located at Fifth Street and Lincoln Avenue in Charleroi. To purchase tickets, please see any church member, or call the church office at 724-483-5861, Ruthann at 412-217-2240 or Judy at 724-554-0090.

Comedy Show in North Huntingdon to Benefit

Myasthenia Gravis Association

It’s hard to say, hard to spell and hard to deal with…but it’s easy to help!

The Myasthenia Gravis Association of Western PA will hold its 8th annual ‘Comedy for a Cause’ to benefit the organization’s FREE patient support services. The event is slated for Saturday, April 29 at the Elements Venue, 3000 Commerce Loop, Suite 3201, in North Huntingdon, PA 15642.

Doors open at 6:30 pm, followed by buffet dinner at 7:00 pm and show time at 7:30 pm.

In addition to entertainment from two acclaimed comedians (Headliner Phil Hughes and Feature Comic Teresa Logan), the evening will feature silent auctions of autographed sports memorabilia and other exciting prizes, a basket raffle and much more. Admission is only $50 per person and includes dinner. A cash bar will be available and there is ample free parking.

Myasthenia Gravis Association of Western Pennsylvania (MGA) marked its 68th year of service to people affected by Myasthenia Gravis, an autoimmune disorder of extreme muscle weakness. To purchase tickets visit www.slapsticksproductions.com or call the MGA office at (412) 566-1545.