New TJ Unified Bocce Team Plays With a Purpose

By Lillian Bradford

A new team was added to Thomas Jefferson High School’s substantial sports offerings during the 2023-24 school year… Unified Bocce! Special Olympics Pennsylvania, with the assistance of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), has created a unified bocce program for schools across the Commonwealth. They’ve worked with 91 schools in 12 counties to create Unified bocce, track, and soccer teams.

For anyone who is unfamiliar with the game, bocce was popularized in Italy and brought to America, and involves a pallina, a small usually lighter-colored ball, that is rolled, followed by eight bocce balls divided among two teams. The teams take turns seeing who can get their bocce ball closest to the pallina to score points.

High School teachers Emily Leininger and Michael Rose worked together alongside their TJ Best Buddies Club members to form the bocce team. Their goal is to unite athletes with and without disabilities. The team played matches at Keystone Oaks and Upper St. Clair and hosted Baldwin and South Park in TJ Gymnasium, having a great time during their season. The team also participated in several activities, including a school pep rally and a teacher and administration versus students matches.

At a school pep rally, senior Ariann Downer was recognized for being a dualsport athlete during the winter season; also playing on the girls basketball team. Ariann, and former TJ student, Sydney Shelpman, were recognized at Senior

Night before the match against South Park. On Senior Night, Ariann’s basketball team came to support her. The Jaguars’ bocce team won the match in overtime, called the “golden frame.”

The Unified bocce team was recognized at the WJHSD School Board meeting for their first year and accomplishments. The squad was presented certificates for their hard work.

Members of the bocce team included: Kaitlyn Anderson, Lily Bradford, Noah Carlins, Ariann Downer, Abby Kauffman, Emma Pritchard, Gary Pritchard, Charlotte Rockwell, Sydney Shelpman, Noah Skalos, Cameron Skalos and Grace Vogtsberger.

The TJ Unified bocce team and coaches had a wonderful time this past season, and are very thankful for the support and opportunities.

(Author Lillian Bradford is a rising sophomore at Thomas Jefferson High School).

WJHSD Students and Retirees Lauded at School Board Meeting

Intermediate and high school students and recent retirees with a combined 162 years in the district were recognized recently by the West Jefferson Hills School District Board.

Best Buddies Members Lauded for Chapter of the Year Honor

Jefferson Hills Intermediate School ‘ Girls on the Run’ Recognized

Members of Thomas Jefferson High School’s Best Buddies club were lauded. In May, TJ was announced the Best Buddies Chapter of the Year in Western Pennsylvania among the 65 eligible chapters at the Best Buddies Friendship Walk in Pittsburgh. The chapter advisors are TJ teachers Emily Leininger and Michael Rose.

The Best Buddies students recognized were: Lillian Bradford, Noah Carlins, Aaron De Nardo, Ariann Downer, Derrick Manning, Emma Pritchard, Gary Pritchard, Sydney Siler, Cameron Skalos, Noah Skalos, Grace Vogtsberger and Owen Yanovich.

Members of the JHIS Girls on the Run team were introduced for conducting a fundraiser for their school. The intermediate school students recognized were: Addison Gawlas, Suraya Habeeb, Sophia Hayes, Zyra Holmes and Chloe Markovich.

Retirees Honored

Seven WJHSD staff members with a combined 162 years in the district were recognized by the Board, including four teachers – Constance Testa (33 years, music; Pleasant Hills Middle School), Kevin Gennaula (31 years, science; PHMS), Sherri Meucci (30 years, business; Thomas Jefferson High School) and Raffaelina Vetter (21 years, French/Spanish; PHMS). Also among the retirees are: Patty Zeleznick, who was a member of the district’s administrative staff for 25 years, Scott Milburn, an Assistant Superintendent for five years and Ramona Ohm, a member of the custodial staff for 17 years. The 2022-23 WJHSD retirees are: Kevin Gennaula, Sherri Meucci, Scott Milburn, Ramona Ohm, Constance Testa, Raffaelina Vetter and Patty Zeleznick.

Safe Driving Classes for Seniors Available in the South Hills

‘Seniors for Safe Driving’ presents highway safety education programs for Seniors 55 years of age and older. The programs are certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The successful completion of the program makes senior drivers eligible for a 5% discount on their automobile insurance premiums, across the board, for a period of three years. Receiving this discount is mandated by Pennsylvania State Law. The Mature driver improvement course helps drivers understand how aging affects abilities and provides insight about driving on today’s roadways. All classes are:

• PennDOT approved

• Designed for drivers age 55 and older

• No testing or behind-the-wheel driving

• Refresh your driving skills and your knowledge of the rules of the road

• Receive a multi-year discount on your auto insurance (mandated by PA State Law)

To register for a class call: 1-800-559-4880 or 724-283-0245. To register online, visit www.seniorsforsafedriving.com

Upcoming Classes:

AUGUST 10 - 2:00pm - 6:00pm. Jewish Community Ctr of South Hills, Pittsburgh PA 15243

SEPTEMBER 9 - 9:00am - 1:00pm. Circleville United Methodist Church, N. Huntingdon PA 15642

SEPTEMBER 20 - 12:30pm - 4:30pm. Redstone Highlands, N. Huntingdon PA 15642