FALL 2021 UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY by UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Magazine

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Fall 2021

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Volume 27

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Issue 3

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Features & Around the Township

We Are Family

Operations and Responsibilities of the District Court 37

My sweet solution

Unhitched

Transformation of the municipal building

USC PD Promotes Six

USC VFD Making History

Profiles of People with a USC Connection

Back-to-School Book Choices and Puzzles for Kids

School District

Superintendent’s Address

27 28

USC Teachers Recognized for Their Accomplishments

USCHS Speech and Debate Team Has Exemplary Year

Education Blueprint

No Place for Hate

Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes

Tri-Community South Shares Helpful Information

Township

Pawprints, a USC PTO Feature

Guides/ Directories

43 Pinebridge Commons 44 Educational Resources 68 Health & Wellness 88 Advertiser Index Photo Ops

22 USCHS Class of 2021 Commencement

25 Panther Pass Parade 26 Red Carpet Ready!

USC lifeguard completes more than 500 marathons

Cover

The fall cover of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is sponsored by Friendship Village of South Hills, a senior living community. Learn more about Friendship Village by reading the article found on pages 10 and 11. Interested in purchasing a TODAY cover? Contact usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us for specifications and rates.

Traveling with TODAY: Pennsylvania hiking and star gazing

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Fall 2021

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Publishers Matthew R. Serakowski, Township Manager Dr. John T. Rozzo, Superintendent of Schools

The award-winning, official publication of the UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a not-for-profit School District and Township of Upper St. Clair community magazine dedicated to promot-

Winter 2021 edition deadlines: Articles—September 23 Advertising—September 27 Website: www.twpusc.org/usctoday Email: usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us @usctoday

ing the Township and School District of Upper St. Clair by recognizing the gifts and contributions of the people who live and work here. This year marks 27 years of our publication. The 107 th issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY magazine is made possible through the combined resources of the staff and volunteers of the Township and School District of Upper St. Clair. Thanks are extended to the staff and volunteers for their enthusiasm and efforts on this continuing project.

Steering Committee Mark S. Mansfield, Assistant Township Manager Paul K. Fox, School District Representative Editors and Staff Linda M. Dudzinski, Editor-in-Chief Terry Kish, Associate Editor Colleen DeMarco, Office Manager, Advertising Executive Sarah Beitler, Marketing Executive, Advertising Executive Kerry Turner, Advertising Executive Dorothy Clark, Graphic Designer Student Interns Julia Roeschenthaler Bria Zegarelli

Mark Mansfield, Paul Fox, Linda Dudzinski, Terry Kish, Colleen DeMarco, Sarah Beitler, Kerry Turner, and Dorothy Clark UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a non-partisan Township, School District, and community magazine. Political advertising and political commentary are not accepted. The publishers of this magazine reserve the right to reject advertising or articles inconsistent with the objectives, image, and aesthetic standards of the magazine. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is published and mailed quarterly to residents and businesses in Upper St. Clair Township. Extra copies of the magazine are available at the Township of Upper St. Clair Municipal Building and Township Library. If you did not receive a copy in the mail, call 412-833-1600, extension 2284. Subscription Information If you know someone living outside the Township who would enjoy receiving our community’s official magazine, please send $12 check, payable to UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, to cover mailing and handling for the next four issues, with their name and address, including zip code, to UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, USC, PA 15241. Add $10 to cover international mailing.

Board of School Directors Patrick Hewitt, President Phillip J. Elias, Vice President Amy L. Billerbeck Barbara L. Bolas Jennifer L. Bowen Dr. Daphna Gans Louis P. Mafrice, Jr.

The next issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY will be the Winter 2021 issue and will be published in November 2021. Articles that were submitted but not published in this issue are on file for consideration in upcoming issues. Articles and announcements may be sent to: Editor UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY 1820 McLaughlin Run Road Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 or email UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY at usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us. Article Information Editor-in-Chief Linda Dudzinski phone: 412-833-1600, extension 2681 Advertising Information Office Manager Colleen DeMarco phone: 412-833-1600, extension 2284 fax: 412-851-2592 Ad file submission: dclark@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Township Board of Commissioners Mark D. Christie, President, Ward 4 Daniel R. Paoly, Vice President, At-Large Dante R. Plutko, Jr., Ward 1 Pamela L. Enck, Ward 2 Robert W. Orchowski, Ward 3 Ronald J. Pardini, Ward 5 Todd D. Burlingame, At-Large

Jennifer A. Schnore UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Young Writers Guild (YWG) promotes and encourages young writers in the Upper St. Clair School District, grades 8–12, to provide articles and artwork of interest for our community magazine. Email usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us to find out how your student can contribute. The 107th issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a joint publication of the Township and School District of Upper St. Clair. © Copyright 2021. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this magazine, in print or web version, in whole or in part, without the expressed written consent of the Editor, is strictly prohibited. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY 1820 McLaughlin Run Road Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 Phone: 412-833-1600, extension 2284 Fax: 412-851-2592 Email: usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us Township: 412-831-9000 School District: 412-833-1600 Printed by Freeport Press 2127 Reiser Ave. SE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 Design by DMC Design, 412-824-7844

Angela B. Petersen

Thank you to our volunteer contributors this issue: Judge Ronald Arnoni, John Bower, Becky Brindle, Cindy Brophy, Lindsay Dill, Carolyn Jones Friedrich, Tim Gagne, Erica Gevaudan, Kathy Ginsburg, Christian Gmiter, Emily King, Becki Lewis, Jay Lynch, Cathy Manalo, Rep. Natalie Mihalek, Ariel Myers, Jim Render, Haley Roberts, Julia Roeschenthaler (intern & YWG), Marilyn Walsh, Kristin Weaver, and Bria Zegarelli (intern & YWG).

Fall 2021

A Fall Note from the Publishers Matthew R. Serakowski

Dr. John T. Rozzo

Welcome to the fall edition of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY. In this, our back-to-school issue, you can read the inspiring commencement speeches given during Upper St. Clair High School’s 2021 graduation ceremony. Take some time to review the many accomplishments of our USC students and teaching staff this past spring and over the summer, as well as read on for more information about awards and accolades that have been earned by our schools. The Township shares news about promotions in our police department and promotions and new hires in our volunteer fire department. Tri-Community South shares emergency medical information, giving our readers knowledge they can use when faced with an emergency situation. Read about the Township’s upcoming investment in the brick and mortar of the municipal building, a structure that was last revamped in the 80s. We like to share information with you so that you might stay up to date regarding what’s going on in our community. If there’s something you’d like to learn more about, let us know. We use this magazine as a platform to communicate with our residents. As the temperature begins to fall and the foliage, once again, exudes its colored brilliance, we say goodbye to the dog days of summer and wish all our families a happy return to the structure that autumn brings. Sincerely,

Sincerely,

Matthew R. Serakowski Township Manager

Dr. John T. Rozzo Superintendent of Schools

Thank You! thanks the Upper St. Clair School District and the Township of Upper St. Clair for their unwavering support of this publication, and for the newsworthy contributions the administration and staff make to our recurring two main sections. We thank our longtime, as well as our newest, advertisers for their financial support, and we appreciate our editorial volunteers, those who bring engaging stories to our readers time and time again. As importantly, TODAY thanks you, our reader, for your interest. It’s because of you that our magazine remains relevant and continues to thrive. Started in 1994, the TODAY magazine and its mission—promoting the Township and School District of Upper St. Clair by recognizing the gifts and contributions of the people who live and work here—have never been stronger.

www.twpusc.org/usctoday | usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us 8

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Fall 2021

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Fall 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

A Community Within a Community

Friendship Village of South Hills

Beautifully nestled within the majestic hills and lush greenery of Upper St. Clair is a community within a community known as Friendship Village of South Hills, a senior living community. Here the activities are abundant, the friendships are forever, and peace of mind is a common theme among the residents who call Friendship Village of South Hills home. These friendships now carry into assisted living and memory care, the newest additions to the Friendship Village of South Hills community. Married more than 40 years, John and Jeri Williams describe the path that led them to living at Friendship Village of South Hills as truly unique. Jeri’s father once lived in the skilled nursing suites, and she will never forget the exceptional care he received. Jeri and John remember fondly taking Jeri’s father to the train tracks near campus to watch the trains go by. Many years later when John and Jeri made the decision to move to Friendship Village of South Hills, they chose an apartment that overlooks those same train tracks. It brings tears to Jeri’s eye when she speaks about it. John and Jeri observed the construction process of the new addition at the community, consisting of 50 assisted living and 32 memory care apartments, with great hope. John began to see a need for additional care, and they are thankful they can stay at Friendship Village of South Hills, while also receiving the advanced care they need. Shortly after opening, John moved to assisted living and eventually transitioned to memory care. Jeri stayed in their independent living home and continues to visit John every day. The full continuum of care allows Jeri to still enjoy her hobbies, knowing that John is receiving the care he needs. “I don’t see myself living [anywhere else]. I see Friendship Village of South Hills as my family. I am very comfortable here,” explains Jeri. “We [the community and Jeri] were successful together to help John get back to doing things that were automatic. His quality of life has increased due to the number of assigned team members to help him with his daily living activities, as well as all of the activities and socialization.” John added that his favorite part about Friendship Village of South Hills right now is the happy hour. “We provide peace of mind and a sense of security to our residents and their loved ones because we offer all levels of living,” explains Upper St. Clair native, Jessica Ciancio, director of assisted living and memory care. Executive director Bryan Welty noted, “Many of our residents live in the same geographical region as their adult children, with access to our full continuum of care in a luxurious setting.” Assisted living residents enjoy modern, spacious apartments with an abundance of natural lighting and plenty of common spaces for friendships to blossom. Outdoor courtyards offer an al fresco dining option that overlook the natural beauty of Upper St. Clair. 10

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Fall 2021

Jeri and John Williams

Stanley and Carol Buswell

Anne Hoffman (center), surrounded by her daughters

Linda McCaig

Memory care private apartment suites and common areas provide ample natural lighting, a testament to the attention to detail the community performed to ensure each resident is well provided for, both mentally and physically. A family-style kitchen and dining area assist with sparking smells of familiar home-cooked meals. Residents can do chair yoga or participate in a variety of fitness classes. They can also plant gardens of flowers and vegetables among the fountains in the outdoor courtyards. Stanley Buswell grew up one mile from Friendship Village of South Hills. He and his wife, Carol, have four kids, ten grandchildren, and seven greatgrandchildren. Stanley and Carol began to need extra care, but wanted to keep their active lifestyle. Their decisions to move to Friendship Village of South Hills was the best thing they could have done. Stanley explained, “The [team members] here are unbelievable. They are so patient and kind. There’s always someone to help with anything, often going above and beyond.” He Model living area doesn’t know what he would do without the team member support. Stanley lives in assisted living, while Carol resides in memory care. Stanley visits Carol daily and enjoys having dinner with her every night. Stanley described that his favorite thing here is, “making friends and the lifestyle we have. It’s family here.” Resident Anne Hoffman is a humble woman and is immensely proud of her five children, 15 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. While touring the brand-new assisted living area with her daughters, Anne immediately knew Friendship Village of South Hills was the right place for her to call home. Anne, originally from Pittsburgh, received her degree in secretarial work from Ohio University. After school, she helped run the family business with her late husband until reaching 82 years old. In recent years, she started to notice a decline in Model bedroom her eyesight and knew she needed extra help, especially with her medications. After she fell and broke her hip, she decided it was no longer safe for her to live alone and moved into assisted living. “Friendship Village of South Hills gives me confidence knowing that someone is here to check on me,” said Anne. “I have my independence, but also the security that someone is here to help.” At 95 years of age, Anne continues to enjoy her daily walks and sitting outside on the benches. She loves the activities at Friendship Village of South Hills and regularly participates in chair yoga. She plays bridge and gin rummy nightly with friends she’s made. “I always want to participate in activities. It’s what keeps you young,” said Anne. She also enjoys attending church services. Something that stood out about this place to her daughters was that the team members listen to the residents’ families, and they truly care about what they think and how they feel. “The team works with you and they are very accommodating. We are thankful that Mom is here,” agreed all four daughters. Unlike other senior living communities, Friendship Village of South Hills does not invoke a large community fee for assisted living and memory care. Linda McCaig, former resident council president, agrees that Friendship Village of South Hills celebrates the lives of seniors. As a generational Pittsburgh Friendship Village of South Hills team members family with three children, Linda who resides in independent living, knows the community better than anyone else. Her mother was one of the first to put down a deposit for an apartment back in 1984, and Linda was once the marketing director and activities coordinator for Friendship Village of South Hills. “We have something that no other facility offers—we care about one another,” she stated. “Here, the friendships are warm and deep.” When asked what she would like the community of Upper St. Clair to know To learn more about Friendship Village about this place, Linda replied, “We’d like people to come and see it for themselves of South Hills or to schedule a tour, visit and that we welcome everyone. Our residents are also happy to have our new friendshipvillagesouthhillshealthservices.com assisted living and memory care building and have the peace of mind knowing or call 724-204-5493. we have access should we ever need it. We know many others who can benefit Article by Ariel Myers, LIfespace Communities; from it and the lifestyle offered here at Friendship Village of South Hills.” n photography by Dough Harhaik, Harhai Photography

Fall 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Coach’s Corner We Are Family Jim Render

As an amateur writer for a rather small circulated magazine, USC TODAY, I often wonder if my articles are well read and if they are respected for their content, pride in Upper St. Clair, and all-around level of interest. Most of my writings have been about the success of former outstanding USC High School student-athletes and their continued success as doctors, lawyers, athletic administrators, financial wizards, and construction engineers, as well as great family men and fathers. Every now and then, I deviate from the players and write about my personal experiences, such as my travels to Italy or my time spent with the legendary Pittsburgh icon, Beano Cook. Occasionally, I get positive feedback when I meet a USC resident or when I get a text from my friend, Chris Coughlin. Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and 93.7 The Fan told me that I captured Beano exceptionally well, and that he enjoyed my humor, even though he said I am not known for humor. I think he was giving me a compliment. For this edition of TODAY, I’m writing about two guys whom I’ve enjoyed close and personal experiences with since they were born. I’ve been married to their mother for 48 years. I’m an expert witness on the view into the lives of James Anthony (JT) Render and his younger brother, Eric Christopher Render. I am the proud father of these young men who have the same credentials as my previously featured subjects. They are USCHS graduates, former football players, and college graduates who have interesting college experiences and productive work experiences. Both are great fathers and husbands, each married, with one son and one daughter. My life as a father and JT as a son began with a “bang” on a stormy night in Uniontown Hospital. As the clock struck 11 p.m., the nurse guaranteed Pam and me that we would have a July 4th baby. Shortly thereafter, I was asked to wait in the expectant fathers waiting room. There was just me and a blind fellow, “watching” the storm, talking about fatherhood, and waiting for our impending arrivals. Fifteen minutes later the doctor arrived. She had her own agenda. My healthy son arrived at 11:33 p.m., July 3, 1975. As the July 4th celebrations began at midnight on the maternity floor and throughout the hospital, I watched a nurse roll a bassinet down the long hall. All of a sudden, she stopped in front of me and said, “Would you like to meet your son?” Eric’s arrival in February 1979 came under quite different circumstances. I was still coaching in Uniontown and we had beaten Upper St. Clair in early November to win that season’s conference championship. Prior to my arrival as head coach in 1972, Uniontown had not won a game in the two previous seasons. So, the new year looked pretty good beginning with Eric’s birth on February 21. A couple of weeks later, I had a “Pine-Richland/Eric Kasperowicz” experience, with a couple of jealous, devious school board members making up stories about unhappy assistant coaches. My job opened up to new applicants. As a result, Uniontown has not won a championship and has had minimal wins over the past 43 years. A month later, my father-in-law passed away during a 12

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Fall 2021

Pam and Jim, with their sons, JT and Eric, holding USC’s 1988 WPIAL championship trophy

routine surgery in Canton, Ohio. I now had a toddler, a newborn, a grieving wife, and no football job. But, things do get better. I got a call from 412-833-1600. “Hey Pam, we are moving to Upper St. Clair,” I said to my wife, after hanging up the phone. Actually, we moved from Uniontown to South Park for seven years and lived in a split entry home very similar to our previous house. There were lots of young boys in the neighborhood, and our kids had some great times in their formative grade school years. However, family dinner discussions were more about USC than South Park and, as they got close to their middle school years, I made another decision. My boys were going to be educated in the Upper St. Clair School District and be coached by me. We officially became USC residents in 1986. In 1989, USC became the first football team in Pennsylvania to win 15 consecutive games in one season, including a WPIAL and a PIAA state championship. This also included a nationally-televised game in mid-season against North Hills at Morterelli Stadium. JT and Eric were the ball boys, and Sports Channel America concluded the telecast in slow motion, with a ten-year-old Eric jumping into my arms. Talk about memories and highlight videos! The decade of the ’90s was without a doubt an unparalleled football success story in the history of both Upper St. Clair and the WPIAL. We played for the championship at Three Rivers Stadium almost every year. JT and Eric got to play there each year, except for Eric’s senior year. There are some WPIAL schools that have never played for the title. We played against the biggest and the best from 1991 to 1995. We lost to a huge Connellsville team in 1991. We beat North Allegheny in 1992, when JT was a junior. We lost three consecutive times in ’93, ’94, and ’95. In ’93, we lost to North Hills and their star player Lavar Arrington. Coming back in ’94, we lost to McKeesport and Brandon Short, and then in ’95, we lost to Penn Hills and Ronnie Graham, when Eric was a junior. All three of these schools had arguably their best team in their school’s history those years, and the three aforementioned players were recruited b y C o a c h To m Bradley and went on to football stardom at Penn State. O n e o f J T ’s memories was attempting to throw an end around pass Render brothers, Eric and JT

as he was being crushed by Lavar. The pass was intercepted by the now famous coach Eric Kasperowicz. In 1996, we lost to Woodland Hills in a semi-final game played in the mud at our own USC stadium. My son, Eric, still has his mud-covered helmet in my basement from his final game. Eric shared his memories about playing high school football. “Practice was long and monotonous, but was made bearable by playing with friends by my side—Cullen Hawkins, Peter Phillips, and Jason Dailey. I wasn’t the strongest or the fastest, nor was I going to be quarterback. But, having been around football all my life, I knew the game better than anyone on the field. My reaction to the ball made me a more efficient player than many others. As much as I disliked practice, I loved the games… especially home games.” Eric also said that playing for his dad was a very memorable highlight. How about that? JT and I were having a discussion during his senior year of high school about which college he wanted to attend. He had an interest in playing more football. I remarked that he could go to a school like IUP, get knocked around, and be home for the holidays. Alternatively, I said he could go to Penn State, get knocked around, and the go to the Rose Bowl. Remember that Penn State had just joined the Big Ten at that time and had never been a Rose Bowl contender. JT didn’t hesitate when he said he wanted to go to Penn State. Sure enough, they won the Big Ten conference title and we all went to the Rose Bowl on January 1, 1995. Penn State’s victory over Oregon gave Coach Joe Paterno a win in every one of the major bowl games, the only coach to achieve this distinction. I am not sure if JT majored in landscape management or Big Ten football, but he had a great experience at Penn State. Coach Paterno made him a student coach after an ACL injury ended his playing days. He was treated very well for a non-scholarship athlete. JT also coached for me when USC won the high school state championship in 2006. Today, JT lives in the Bay Village suburb of Cleveland, Ohio, an Upper St. Clair-like community. He works at Case Western Reserve University, where he is a department assistant to distinguished Dr. Nathan A. Berger. Dr. Berger is the chairman of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at CWRU. JT and his wife, Wendy, are very involved in the education, activities, and sports of their children, Ruby (11) and Roman (8).

JT and Wendy Render, with their children, Ruby and Roman

Wendy played volleyball at and graduated from Costal Carolina University. She earned her PhD in genetics and biomedical sciences from Case Western Reserve. JT earned a master’s degree in environmental science from Cleveland State University. Their children are well prepared as students and are exploring a variety of sports, from swimming to baseball. I may even go to a soccer game. But, don’t tell anybody. Eric graduated from USCHS in 1997 and, like his brother, went to Penn State. He also had an interest in going to college football games because, after all, that is where the tailgate parties are held. He was an English major who was interested in academia and wanted to explore life as a typical college student. In the spring of his junior year, he traveled to Rome, Italy, for a semester abroad through Temple University, accompanied by high school friends Jeff Pietragallo and Mike Conley. Pam and I joined the group during Easter break. This was a Jubilee year (2000) in the Catholic Church, and Rome was an exciting place to be visiting. Living in a big city is a lifestyle that grabbed Eric right away and will not let go. Following graduation from PSU, he gravitated to New York City, where, like many aspiring young people, he waited tables at a prominent Tribecca restaurant. Next, he went to London to study at the Hansard Scholars Research Programme at the London School of Economics. Returning to NYC, he began working for Lehman Brothers in the financial world. Today, Eric works in the private equity field. His boss, Michael Rees, is a friend and an Upper St. Clair Academic Hall of Fame member. Michael started a fund called DYAL at Lehman Brothers that was purchased by Neuberger Berman. Recently they spun out of Neuberger and merged with Owl Rock. The new fund, Blue Owl, went public on The New York Stock Exchange this past June. This roughly $50 billion firm focuses on buying minority interests in other large private equity firms. Michael’s brother, Mathew, works there also, as does the previously mentioned Michael Conley. I believe Eric will remain in NYC, except for an occasional family visit to western Pennsylvania. He lives in Brooklyn Heights with his wife, Zoë, a Brown University graduate, and their son, George (7), and daughter, June (5). The kids go to school in Manhattan and have all kinds of interests, from piano to tennis. Back in my day, I would walk across the street to my grade school. They take the subway. Behind the scenes in this male dominated family is my wife, Pam. She has been the glue that keeps JT, Eric, and me grounded and level headed. All egos are kept in check (well, for the most part). She has been a loyal coach’s wife and an outstanding mother to our boys. Her idea of a great day is when she prepares her pasta sauce and meatballs for the arrival of the boys and their families. Her maiden name, Pamela Jo Churico, certainly reflects her Italian heritage. I’ve always said that I’ve been lucky in football and even luckier in family. Saluto to my family! Chintan! n Eric and Zoë Render, with their children, June and George

Fall 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

State Representative Natalie Mihalek 40th Legislative District

1121 Boyce Road, Suite 2200A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241

724-942-2045 www.repmihalek.com

Facebook.com/RepMihalek

For assistance with any state-related issue, either call my office at 724-942-2045 or stop in to visit my office located at 1121 Boyce Road, Suite 2200A, Pittsburgh. To keep up with my legislative updates, follow me on social media: Facebook.com/RepMihalek, Twitter.com/RepMihalek, and Instagram.com/RepMihalek.

Pursuing a Path to Citizenship As the state representative for the 40th Legislative

District in Pennsylvania, I have the privilege of meeting so many people, all who come from every background imaginable. The stories of immigrants are especially inspiring. I have worked closely with Literacy Pittsburgh in support of their mission to help immigrants have fulfilling and promising lives. Literacy Pittsburgh creates better lives through learning for adults and families in Allegheny and Beaver counties. Free classes help parents, workers, and neighbors gain English language skills, earn a GED credential, increase digital literacy skills, improve math and reading skills for college or trade school, and much more. The organization plays a crucial role in helping immigrants and refugees establish their new lives in the United States. Classes and tutoring address conversational English, workplace English, American culture, and citizenship preparation.  I would like to take this opportunity to introduce Blanca Funaro to our community. A native of Mexico City, Blanca first moved to Dallas, Texas, where she met her husband, a restaurant owner. She and her family moved to Pittsburgh in 2009 and now operate three restaurants in the greater Pittsburgh area, Olive Oil’s Pizzeria. Blanca worked with Literacy Pittsburgh to prepare for the U.S. citizenship test and also benefitted from the workplace skills service it offers.  U.S. citizenship applicants must demonstrate knowledge of U.S. history and government, as well as the ability to read, write, and speak the English language. Since 2019, Blanca has been working

with Reid Hoyson, a volunteer tutor with Literacy Pittsburgh. Reid helped Blanca understand what is required for the citizenship application; practice her English listening, speaking, and reading skills; prepare for the interview; and study the citizenship test questions, which cover U.S. history and government. She recently completed her citizenship application and is waiting to be assigned an interview date.   In addition to pursuing a path to citizenship, Blanca set a goal of becoming an interpreter, something that she has frequently done for family members and in managing the restaurants. She turned to Literacy Pittsburgh workplace skills manager Andrea Horton Mericli for help. Andrea helped Blanca polish her resumé, develop a LinkedIn profile, craft a cover letter, and prepare for interviews. Blanca has been accepted to the Pennsylvania courts orientation for a translator position and is applying for other translation opportunities. Blanca would like to further her education, and Andrea advised her on how to obtain her high school records from Mexico, a prerequisite for college admission. Blanca is interested in studying linguistics or healthcare because of her desire to help others. Blanca is just one of the many immigrants who have created a successful life for themselves here in the 40th District with the help of Literacy Pittsburgh. n For more information about Literacy Pittsburgh’s educational programs or volunteer opportunities with the organization, visit www.LiteracyPittsburgh.org.

The Best Parts Jay Lynch

USC residents rarely

develop thick Pittsburgh accents, but over time develop an understanding of the strange pronunciation, unique idioms, and butchered grammar known as Pittsburghese. Newcomers equate the dialect with a difficult foreign language, like Czech or Estonian. My wife grew up in suburban Los Angeles and New Jersey, and was understandably baffled by some early conversations with fellow ’burgers when she first moved to Pittsburgh in 1986. For example, on a cab ride from the airport, she started a conversation by telling the cabbie that she was new to town. Entertaining banter ensued. Cabbie: New ta tahn, eh? Yinz gonna love the parts! Katie (eager for information): Which parts do you like best? Cabbie: At’s easy. Bonilla and Bonds. Bream ain’t bad, neither. Katie: Those are unusual names for neighborhoods. Cabbie: ’Em ain’t no neighborhoods, lady, ’em’s parts! Katie: Sorry. I misunderstood. You call your neighborhoods parts? Cabbie (irritated): No, lady! P-i-r-a-t-e-s. Parts! Even after her cab ride ended, her day of indoctrination continued. When planning our dinner that evening, she discovered that she was 14

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Fall 2021

Dahntahn Pixburgh

missing a key ingredient, so off she went to our local Giant Eagle (aka, Jine Iggle). New to the store, she searched the aisles with no luck, and then asked a friendly shelf-stocking lady for help. Katie: Can you help me find the taco sauce? Clerk: Taco sauce? Oh, sure, hun. It’s where the pickles usta be. Katie stared in astonishment as the clerk walked away, likely thinking she’d been of great assistance to her customer. That evening, we had dry tacos for dinner and watched the parts on TV. n For a compilation of Pittburgh’s hometown dialect, visit www.pittsburghese.com. Email Jay at bkefather@yahoo.com with your comments.

Wake Up

RONALD A. ARNONI, DISTRICT JUDGE District Court 05-2-20 Office: 412-835-1661 Fax: 412-835-4060

Hiras Professional Building 2414 Lytle Rd #200 Bethel Park, PA 15102

in a

Operations and Responsibilities of the District Court

As your District Judge, I would like to share some perspective on what the District Courts do and information on how they operate. This will give you an idea of what goes on. The Allegheny County Magisterial District Courts are a community-based judicial system, including 46 districts handling over 200,000 case filings a year. Each year, I see nearly 5000 cases, and I have presided over 30,000 cases in my judicial career. Matters adjudicated within these courts allow for the expedient disposition or processing of the following: • All summary offenses, traffic, and non-traffic citations. These can range from parking violations to public intoxication or harassment, speeding, and administrative violations, among others. • Civil matters not exceeding $12,000 involving contracts, torts, and landlord/tenant disputes. Disagreements can often be difficult between neighbors, or when you’ve had work done at your house and it was not what you agreed upon. • Criminal matters. Preliminary arraignments and hearings, setting bail, issuing warrants of arrest in misdemeanor and felony cases, and issuing search warrants. These hearings are held once a week, with representatives from the Public Defender’s office and the District Attorney’s office present. • Emergency Relief from Abuse petitions under the Protection From Abuse Act are issued to ensure the protection of victims of violent behavior. • Marriage ceremonies. • School and juvenile matters, including truancy, disorderly conduct, and other school-related issues. • Responsible for special hearings regarding homicides and county-wide arraignments. District Judges have a rotating schedule so they can conduct their daily court business, as well as the additional special hearings. • Administering oath of office to public officials, allowing them to begin work within the municipalities, townships, and boroughs they represent. • Presiding over municipal and township code violations, ranging from overgrown grass to dilapidated structures. • Overseeing and administrating all operations, as well as court functions.

The official legal title for the individual who presides over the Magisterial District Court (elected or appointed) is “District Judge,” not the outdated title “Magistrate.” Pennsylvania has one unified judicial system that includes the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the Superior Court, the Commonwealth Court, the Courts of Common Pleas for the 67 counties, and nearly 550 District Courts. In the 1991 landmark case of Commonwealth vs. Edmunds, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court stated that “[i]t must be remembered that a District Judge is not a member of the executive branch—the police—but a member of the judiciary. By falling within the judicial branch of the government, the District Judge is thus charged with the responsibility of being the disinterested arbiter of disputes and is charged further with acting as the bulwark between the police and the rights of citizens.” The District Courts can offer educational outreach information through speaking to the community and at school assemblies and businesses. I use this proactive approach to help educate and inform our children and the public. n

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Information for helpful resources:

• Center for Victims, 24-hour crisis hotline: 1-866-644-2882 • Emergency Shelter providers | Family Links: 412-471-6160 • Allegheny County Dog Licenses: 412-350-4111 • Emergency Numbers • 911 or local police department  Upper St. Clair Police Emergency: 412-833-7500 • Childline Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-932-0313 • Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-800-490-8505 • Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank: 412-466-3663 • Poison Information Center: 1-800-222-1222 • Suicide and Crisis Hot line: 1-800-273-8255 • Drug and Alcohol Advocacy Services • Allegheny County Coalition for Recovery: 412-325-0369 • Mental Health Services | Resolve Crisis Center: 1-888-796-8226 • Legal Help • Allegheny County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Services: 412-261-5555 • Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania: 412-391-5225 • Neighborhood Legal Services: 412-255-6700 • Senior Citizen Services • Access Transportation Systems: 412-562-5353 • Allegheny County Agency on Aging : 412-350-4234, 412-350-5460 Fall 2021

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Unhitched Jay Lynch

After a miserable year of COVID-19 challenges, students will finally be enjoying back-to-school reunions with good friends. For some, normalcy might also mean rekindling wonderful romantic relationships with a “main squeeze.” However, high school seniors might have creeping anxiety over the endurance of relationships as graduation looms. And, a few will suffer the consequences of trying to keep the fire burning long after it runs out of fuel. As a USCHS senior in the ’70s, I was fortunate to be “going steady” with a pretty cheerleader who tolerated my rough edges, but was convinced that I’d suddenly and miraculously mature into the wonderful boyfriend she wanted and deserved. Even though I made few attempts to meet her expectations, I had faith that the relationship would last forever. Our guidance counselor, Mr. Jeffries, had experience-based premonitions about us, and recommended that we enroll in different colleges to “test the strength of our bond.” Marty enrolled at Westminster; I went to Purdue. In the days before smart phones, freshman-year separation was made tolerable by hand-written letters and phone calls. Feeding dimes into the Harrison Hall dormitory pay phone significantly reduced my meager budget for cheap beer and tater-tots, but reaffirmed my confidence in our relationship. After a particularly intense series of first-semester exams at Purdue, I looked forward to a weekend with friends who were hitchhiking to Columbus, Ohio, for a Jethro Tull concert at Ohio State. In those days, long-distance “hitching” was commonplace in society. For some reason, we had great confidence in getting free rides by standing roadside with our thumbs out, with little fear of strangers with bad intentions. Our plan was to start hitching early Saturday morning and, with luck, get to Columbus by mid-afternoon in time to gather with other former USC classmates who had also hitched to Columbus. The trip

was relatively easy (and free), with long rides from friendly people. We settled in at the OSU student union and began Jay, during his college years preparing for the concert by sharing pitchers of 3.2 beer, which was legal for 18 yearolds at the time. I looked forward to seeing Jethro Tull’s lead singer, Ian Anderson, known as the leaping gnome, prance across the stage in green tights, puffing on his flute, and imagined how much Marty would enjoy the concert. The more I thought about her, the more I started to miss her, until my emotions overtook any sense of logic. I announced to my buddies, “Guys, I’m not going to the concert. I’m headed back to I-70. I’m hitching to Westminster to surprise Marty.” As expected, the reaction was hostile, including locker-room descriptions of my cowardly behavior and lack of male anatomical organs. While walking away from beer, buddies, and rock-n-roll was completely out of character, I was sure that my romantic effort would impress Marty and meet Mr. Jeffries’ definition of strengthening our bond. The second part of my hitchhiking trip was roughly the same distance as the first, so I thought I could be at Westminster before nightfall. I miscalculated. Light rain turned to snow as the temperature dropped and fewer cars were on the road. I had long waits on I-70 ramps and short rides with extremists who berated me for not being in Vietnam fighting against communism, or chastising me for pursuing a college degree like a privileged capitalist when I should have been a fulltime anti-war activist. On one trip segment, a pick-up truck driver expressed pity for me being exposed to the elements, but made me ride in his open truck bed because I was “one a them long-hairs.” By the time I made it to I-79, the snowfall had become more intense and darkness had fallen on western Pennsylvania. The last leg of my journey to New Castle, and then New Wilmington, was a real test of dedication. The final insult came when a car owner’s puppy ate the only food I had—a sandwich I bought at the OSU student cafeteria. When I finally made it to Marty’s dorm, I was cold, wet, tired, and hungry. It was midnight. I banged on the door of Browne Residence Hall until a studentreceptionist let me into the lobby, where I collapsed on a Naugahyde couch. At faith-friendly Westminster, men weren’t permitted in women’s dorms, so the 1971 USCHS cheer squad; Marty Montgomery, front row, fourth from left receptionist asked me why I was there.

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Fall 2021

Browne Hall, Westminster University

Jay: I’m here to see Marty Montgomery. Receptionist: Is she expecting you? Jay: No. I hitchhiked across the frozen Midwest to surprise her. I’m her boyfriend. Receptionist (oddly cautious): Oh, my. Well, then. I’ll call her room. When there was no answer, the receptionist informed me that Marty was unavailable and that I could wait in the men’s dorm until the next morning. I objected, insisting that I wanted to surprise her that night. The receptionist nervously agreed to let me wait on the couch. At around 12:30 a.m., the dorm door opened. It was Marty. Under the arm of the quarterback of the Westminster football team. She let out a gasp. We stared at each other for a few moments. Not a word was said. Then, I put on my coat, gloves, and hat, walked past Marty and her boyfriend and headed to New Castle Road, where I stuck my thumb out and waited in the darkness until I got rides to my family home in Upper St. Clair. When my unexpected 3 a.m. arrival woke my parents, they asked me what had happened. I explained that the happy days of Jay and Marty were over and that I had probably forced the issue. My mom shed tears over the end of the romance. My dad grumbled, called me a dingbat, and went back to bed. Despite the clumsy end to our romantic relationship, Marty and I have remained close personal and family friends for many years. Her father passed away when we were in high school, and my dad considered Marty an adopted daughter. He walked her down the aisle at her wedding. We’ll be celebrating our 50 th reunion with all our USC Class of ’71 friends in October, where we’ll surely be groovin’ to the music of Jethro Tull. n Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull band’s lead singer

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See page 41 for more information on the USCHS Class of 1971 reunion. Email Jay at bkefather@yahoo.com with your comments.

Fall 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Howdy “Neigh”bor! Ed Gagne

As with any moving day, it was pretty hectic when Rex, Sven, Rocky, Nick, and their friends moved into the Upper St. Clair Historical Society’s Gilfillan Farm this past June. But, unlike other moves, there wasn’t a semitruck full of carefully marked boxes. There were only horse trailers. You see, Rex and company are therapy horses belonging to the non-profit Horses with Hope. The move, more than a year in the making, was serendipitous for both the Historical Society of Upper St. Clair and Horses with Hope. Through a common supporter, Horses with Hope learned that the Historical Society was looking for a way to bring life (or, more specifically, livestock) back to Gilfillan Farm. And, Horses with Hope was considering a move from its now former location in Bethel Park. It was a win-win for both organizations. In addition to the horses, two miniature horses and a few goats arrived to their new home at Gilfillan Farm. Future plans are to add sheep to honor the hopes of Margaret Gilfillan, the last family member to live on the property.

Belmont Fundraiser

Though they may be new to the “neigh”borhood, Horses with Hope is no stranger in Upper St. Clair. On June 5, Horses with Hope’s Belmont Jewel fundraiser returned to St. Clair Country Club. This annual event, the organization’s primary fundraiser, has quickly become a must-attend evening, due to its Derby-like air of casual elegance. Following arrival and a relaxing cocktail hour, the more than 200 guests were treated to a delicious dinner and a presentation of the work Horses

with Hope does within the community of helping its clients reach beyond their abilities and allowing daily success and longer-term milestones to be reached by the partnership developed by horse and rider. As a part of the fundraiser, there were a variety of fun games and a silent auction. Key sponsors of the Belmont Jewel included Louis Anthony Jewelers, Mason James Distribution Lighting & Supply, Century 3 Chevrolet, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka, as well as Brentwood Bank, Heisler’s Market, Pleasant Valley Veterinary Clinic, the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, Range Resources, and South Hills Toyota. Generous support was also provided by Karen Antoine, Barbara Bach, Giovanni’s Pizza and Pasta, Roger and Marjorie Heins, Claire Miller, Mia Moran and Rob Cooper, Mary Volkar, the Wells family, Carol Zeller, and an anonymous donor.

Volunteer Opportunities

Becoming a Horses with Hope volunteer is an ongoing opportunity and one that is an integral part of the team. It’s through the volunteers’ enthusiasm and dedication that the group is able to make a difference in the lives of others in our community. Volunteer opportunities exist within a variety of options, including the stable and helping with the riding programs, as well as in the areas of fundraising, student mentors, community events, and animal care. Volunteers must be 14 years of age or older to assist with therapeutic riding lessons. n For volunteer forms and for more information, visit https://www.horseswithhope.org.

Belmont fundraiser committee members

Education Blueprint Upper St. Clair residents value education. It is the one common denominator we share in seeking out this community to raise our children. And, if we believe Nelson Mandela’s famously quoted words, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” we have some inspiring residents in our midst who are changing the education system for the better after the disruption of schooling as we once knew it. The COVID-19 pandemic caused closures of schools that left 1.725 billion children and youth around the globe learning in an Emergency Remote Teaching model. The pandemic further required teachers to turn to online resources and various social media platforms for engaging ideas to teach standards and curriculum in an all-digital format and for seeking support from other teaching professionals. With teachers immersed in a growing supply of digital resources, the burden remained on the individual teacher to choose relevant resources and incorporate them into lesson planning. In order to help teachers provide the highest quality and most engaging lessons, while keeping up with the ubiquitous educational opportunities and ever evolving resources available, three USC residents joined forces this past year to create a free K-12 teachers’ portal, Education Blueprint. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing teacher collaboration and digital competencies, Education Blueprint is the first of its kind that will encourage all teachers to gather on one platform for sharing resources that make for the best learning experiences for students. “The intention is to provide greater equity for students across our nation. The better informed, connected, and up to date our teachers are, the greater will be the opportunities presented to the students. It is a social media platform and professional learning community specifically designed for teachers, by teachers,” shares Dr. Kelly Pascarella, a sixth grade teacher at USC’s Boyce Middle School. Laura Lisien, a CMU graduate with a master’s degree in nonprofit management and Education Blueprint board member, notes, “A teacher’s plan time is limited and valuable. Many teachers spend countless nights and weekends 18

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Fall 2021

searching through endless resources on various platforms without knowing what is quality until testing out the resource in the classroom. In addition to being able to sort resources by grade level, subject area, and standard, all resources that are a part of the website are rated by the teacher community. This collective collaboration, beyond the walls of one school or district, is a modern need voiced by so many teachers.” Dr. Pascarella highlights, “The role of the teacher has shifted from knowledge distributor to knowledge facilitator, with teachers continuing professional development to learn how to integrate digital tools and resources into a personalized learning environment for students. We want this platform to be the impetus for continued professional growth.” The Education Blueprint platform aims to support The National Education Technology Plan set forth by the Department of Education. This plan recommends teachers need “continuous just-in-time support that includes professional development, mentors, and information collaborations.” The potential for sharing knowledge effectively is obvious, yet the organizational structure that supports this method of working was nowhere to be found. It has now been established with this nonprofit venture. Education Blueprint provides a common knowledge arena for educators across the country to collaborate with digital and education resources and alleviate the task required by teachers to search and create digital content on their own. “ Wi t h a m a s t e r teacher portal, collaboration isn’t limited to my three colleagues teaching the same grade level and subject area as me. Left to right, Dr. Kelly Pascarella, I can now collaborate Laura Lisien, Nicole Kelly

Horses with Hope at Gilfillan Farm

A Pittsburgh Home Comfort Specialist You Can Trust

Meet Lil’ Scout

In the past couple editions of TODAY , you

met and learned about Sven and Nick, two of the Lil’ Scout Horses with Hope’s therapeutic riding horses. Now, meet Lil’ Scout, another therapeutic riding horse you may see as you walk or drive by Gilfillan Farm. When out in the pasture, Lil’ Scout can be a little bossy with the other horses. However, he is without a doubt the sweetest horse in the program. His patience and gentleness are unmatched when working. Visit Facebook @HWHTherapeuticRiding to learn more about all the animals that have arrived to Gilfillan Farm. n with every fifth grade math teacher across the country and around the globe who signs on as a member of our free platform,” shares Boyce teacher and board member Nicole Kelly. “Teachers trust other teachers the most when it comes to resource sharing. With curated content that is all ratable by quality and effectiveness, I can now tap into the knowledge of many other teachers in my grade level and subject area. By sharing the websites and apps I use or the podcasts I listen to, I can help others in my same grade level and subject area learn from my experience, while learning about resources that are helping them teach better, too.” Education Blueprint allows any teacher member to share originally created content or link to an educational resource that supports learning and instruction. Upon login, teachers see a continuously updated feed of resources relevant to their pre-selected subject area and grade level. Teachers can message and follow other teachers, as well as save favorite resources to their personalized boards. When switching grade levels or subject areas, or covering for another classroom and needing a lesson plan, content can be filtered by grade level, subject area, standard, and rating. Education Blueprint has built what educators of the digital age have desired for a long time—the ability to have sought-after resources in one single place. “Teachers care about the education of their students and even more about the greater good of an educated society. Helping other teachers by collectively sharing our expertise will have a profound impact on pedagogy,” says Dr. Pascarella. n To learn more or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit educationblueprint.org.

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Upper St. Clair School District

Board of School Directors

Patrick A. Hewitt President 412-831-0178 2023*

Phillip J. Elias Vice President 412-257-1198 2023*

Amy L. Billerbeck 412-833-2712 2023*

Barbara L. Bolas 412-833-9841 2023*

www.uscsd.k12.pa.us

@USCSchools

To reach personnel, call 412-833-1600, and follow the automated directions.

Administrator

Secretary/Email Address

Extension

Dr. John Rozzo...........................................................Sarah MacDonald.................................... 2218 Superintendent of Schools smacdonald@uscsd.k12.pa.us Dr. Sharon Suritsky...................................................Mary Beth Harkleroad............................. 2214 Assistant/Deputy Superintendent mharkleroad@uscsd.k12.pa.us Amy Pfender...............................................................Mary Beth Harkleroad............................. 2214 Assistant Superintendent mharkleroad@uscsd.k12.pa.us Dr. Lou Angelo ..........................................................langelo@uscsd.k12.pa.us............................ 2272 Director of Operations & Facilities Ray Berrott.................................................................rberrott@uscsd.k12.pa.us........................... 2059 Director of Technology Sean Bryson ...............................................................sbryson@uscsd.k12.pa.us........................... 2560 Chief of School Police Dr. Judy Bulazo .........................................................Mary Beth Harkleroad............................. 2214 Director of Curriculum and Professional Development mharkleroad@uscsd.k12.pa.us Scott Burchill ............................................................Dawn Machi ............................................ 2220 Director of Business and Finance dmachi@uscsd.k12.pa.us Ray Carson, Jr............................................................Sarah MacDonald.................................... 2218 Senior Director of Operations & Administrative Services smacdonald@uscsd.k12.pa.us Cassandra Doggrell ..................................................Julie Karabinos......................................... 2116 Director of Special Education jkarabinos@uscsd.k12.pa.us Dr. Lauren Madia ........................................................Terri Lott .................................................. 2283 Director of Pupil Services tlott@uscsd.k12.pa.us Jonn Mansfield ............................................................jmansfield@uscsd.k12.pa.us ...................... 3450 Director of Transportation Tina Vojtko ................................................................tvojtko@uscsd.k12.pa.us............................ 2215 Communications Specialist Bradley Wilson ..........................................................bwilson@uscsd.k12.pa.us........................... 3318 Director of Strategic Initiatives

School District Central Office Administration

Jennifer L. Bowen 412-660-5846 2021*

Dr. Daphna Gans 412-851-1825 2021* Dr. John Rozzo Superintendent of Schools

Louis P. Mafrice, Jr. 412-851-0622 2021*

Angela B. Petersen 412-833-4873 2023* The 2021 regular meetings of the Upper St. Clair Township Board of School Directors are held at 7 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month at the Central Office Board Room, unless otherwise noted. No regular meeting is scheduled for July.

Jennifer A. Schnore 412-833-4141 2021* *Date indicates expiration of term.

Upper St. Clair School District Annual Notices

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Amy Pfender Assistant Superintendent

Scott Burchill Director of Business and Finance

Ray Carson, Jr. Senior Director of Operations & Administrative Services

Dr. Lou Angelo Director of Operations & Facilities

Ray Berrott Director of Technology

Dr. Judy Bulazo Director of Curriculum and Professional Development

Cassandra Doggrell Director of Special Education

Dr. Lauren Madia Director of Pupil Services

Bradley Wilson Director of Strategic Initiatives

School District Building Administration

The required annual notices to parents of children who reside in the Upper St. Clair School District are available online. Visit the District website at www.uscsd.k12.pa.us. Click on Information and then select Compliance Notifications to view required state and federal notices and information. www.uscsd.k12.pa.us 20

Dr. Sharon Suritsky Assistant/Deputy Superintendent

Dr. Timothy Wagner High School Principal Dr. Daniel Beck High School Assistant Principal TBA High School Assistant Principal

Fall 2021

Joseph DeMar Fort Couch Middle School Principal Erin Peterson Fort Couch Assistant Principal Dr. Daniel O’Rourke Boyce Middle School Principal Dr. Christine Mussomeli Boyce Assistant Principal

Dr. Patrick McClintock-Comeaux Baker Elementary School Principal Mark Miller Eisenhower Elementary School Principal/Supervisor of Elementary Education Lindsay Klousnitzer Streams Elementary School Principal

Upper St. Clair School District 2021–2022 Calendar

Students Honored at USCHS Awards Night

USCHS students were recognized with honors, awards, and scholarships during the school’s annual awards night this past May. The event was the District’s first in-person student awards program in more than a year. “Being here, at awards night, brings me tremendous hope. This evening marks our return to many cherished events,” said Dr. John Rozzo, superintendent. “I can’t think of a more fitting event to kick-off this phase in our reopening than awards night, a celebration of our students’ achievements.” Dr. Timothy Wagner, USCHS principal, stated that it was an honor to celebrate the two important components of student life—growth and achievement. “Though awards night is typically associated with a prize, an accolade, or the announcement of a significant ‘win,’ always remember how important effort, progress, and growth are in all that you pursue,” he said. “Tonight, we celebrate your achievements by way of an award, but, simultaneously, we celebrate so much more. We honor your progress and your growth, and we honor, most importantly, who you are as people.” n

The following students were recognized: Carson Scholar: Eva Rankin Chick Evans Scholarship for Caddies: Lucas Cesar DAR Good Citizen Award: Samantha Seewald Ellie Levine Memorial Award: Alexandra Hall, Morgan Meddings Ghilani Scholarship: Abelardo Sobarzo John Small Spirit of Community Award: Eileen Guo Joseph F. Argiro Science Award: Reshma Gudla Joseph L. Moscov Memorial Award: Ethan Hanson Judge Arnoni Leadership in Action Scholarship: Owen Mann Outstanding Senior Athletes: Claire Hoffman, Josh Matheny Paul Harris Award–USC-Bethel Park Evening Rotary Club: Eva Rankin Paul Wildenhain Memorial Scholarship: Christian Chiu, Kyle Ralyea Pride of the Panthers Award: Abelardo Sobarzo Service Above Self USC-Bethel Park Breakfast Rotary: Samantha Seewald Service Above Self USC-Bethel Park Evening Rotary: Chris Jahn, Sydney Lisak Sharon Popp Memorial Award: Stephanie Lu Society of Women Engineers Award: Katherine Li, senior; Aditri Thakur, junior; Ashvita Saxena, sophomore Student of the Year Award: Brendan Crowley, senior; Anna Hess, junior; Jocelyn Rullo, sophomore; Isaac Bernstein, freshman Superintendent Academic Achievement Award: Amy Bellas, Lucas Cesar, Zhengru Fang, Rebecca Gehring, Eliza Glunt, Taylor Hutter, Caroline Knizner, Katelin Radonovich, Gabriela Gomes, Caroline Wright

Teresa Fox Memorial scholarships: Student Pursuing a Degree in Special Education: Caroline Sandford Student Who has Overcome a Learning Challenge: Brooke Kramer T.J. White Scholarship: Ethan Dahlem USC Education Association Scholarship: Caroline Sandford USC ESPA/PSEA Transportation Scholarship: Abelardo Sobarzo USCHS Counseling Humanitarian Award: Patrick Benedict, Marina Bulazo, Madison Fisher, Eileen Guo, Shay McDowell, Ellie Rising, Abby Rutkowski, Caroline Sandford, Sammy Tindale William A. Pope Scholarship: Brooke Reitz Woman’s Club of Upper St. Clair Scholarship: Mia DePolo, Haley Qin, Owen Mann University Book awards: Brandeis University–Jacob Bernstein Chatham University–Rachel Carson Healthy Planet–Vidhur Senthil Harvard University–Phoebe Chen Johns Hopkins University– Scott Cheung Princeton University–Molly Maher Rensselaer Medal–Eden Ma RIT Computing Medal and Scholarship Award–Sophie Chen, Sujay Shah RIT Innovation and Creativity Award– Julia Roeschenthaler, Ritvik Shah Saint Michael’s College– Grace Copenhaver Tulane University–Felipe Mola Curi University of Pennsylvania–Dev Patel University of Virginia, Jefferson– Bria Zegarelli William & Mary Leadership Award– RJ Shontz Yale University–William Bacdayan

Aug 24 First Day of School for Students Sep 6 No School – Labor Day Sep 9 Elementary Open Houses – Early Dismissal Sep 23 High School Open House – Early Dismissal Sep 30 Boyce Open House – Early Dismissal Oct 7 Fort Couch Open House – Early Dismissal Oct 15 Half Day – Early Dismissal all Students Nov 1–2 No School – Teacher In-service Nov 8 No School – Teacher In-service Nov 24–26 No School – Thanksgiving Recess Dec 23-31 No School – Winter Recess Jan 17 No School – Teacher In-service Feb 18 No School – Teacher In-service Feb 21 No School – Teacher In-service Mar 25 Half Day – Early Dismissal all Students Mar 28 No School – Teacher In-service Apr 11–15 No School – Spring Recess Apr 18 No School – Teacher In-service May 5 Elementary STAR Nights – Early Dismissal May 12 Fort Couch Celebration of Learning – Early Dismissal May 19 Boyce Celebration of Learning – Early Dismissal May 30 No School – Memorial Day Jun 9 High School Commencement Jun 9 Last Day of School for Students Jun 10 Teacher In-service

Monthly Calendar

The USC School District detailed monthly calendar is available online, providing residents with the most up-to-date information about events in our Township’s schools. To access the calendar, visit the District website at www.uscsd.k12.pa.us and click on the “Calendar” tab. In addition to viewing events for the entire District, there is an option to filter by specific school building.

USC eAlerts

Upper St. Clair School District regularly sends news and information via email. Weekly recap emails with the latest news, upcoming events, links to news articles, and more are sent to subscribers. Subscribe to eAlerts on the District’s website (www.uscsd.k12.pa.us) under Quick Links, shown on the left-hand side.

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Congratulations and best wishes to the retirees:

Honoring the District’s Retirees The Upper St. Clair School District celebrated the retirement of 28 faculty and staff members at the end of the 2020–21 school year who have a combined 637 years of service to the school community. A breakfast was held in their honor this past June. n

Pictured are some the of 2020–21 retirees who attended a breakfast in their honor.

(Years of service in parenthesis) Joseph Chicchi, bus driver (16) Virginia Davidovich, bus driver (21) Diane Ecker, Boyce special education teacher (36) Lillian “Cheryl” Ellison, Central Office secretary (24) Clare Froehlich-Walk, USCHS teacher aide (27) Mary Ann Godwin, Fort Couch nutrition center worker (12) Sandra Helbling, Streams teacher aide (18) Barbara Helmeci, Baker gifted teacher (35) Gerald Malarkey, USCHS school counselor (44) Dr. Claire Miller, Streams principal (16) Tom Montgomery, bus driver (9) Kathleen Mulhern, Streams teacher (32) Erin Nanci, Fort Couch English teacher (22) Carol Olack, Eisenhower physical education teacher (32) Donna Pembrooke, Fort Couch head cook (35) Charles Podrasky, bus driver (26) Diane Ray, Eisenhower teacher (34) Debbie Rentschler, USCHS librarian (21) Leo Rudge, USCHS maintenance technician (10) Andrew Ruffalo, Baker head custodian (23) Uwe Schneider, USCHS German teacher (21) Peter Serio, Boyce physical education teacher (14) Edda Sheatsley, Boyce nutrition center worker (5) Jonelle Stambaugh, Boyce secretary (25) Karen Wasniewski, Baker nutrition center worker and substitute custodian (11) Glenn Wayland, instrumental music teacher (29) Avis Zader, Fort Couch nutrition center worker (15) Mary Zora, Baker resource teacher (24)

USCHS Commencement A sudden rainstorm that delayed graduation festivities didn’t dampen the spirits of the Upper St. Clair High School Class of 2021, who received their diplomas on June 9. TODAY extends its best wishes to all the graduates! See pages 23 and 24 for graduation speeches from the School District’s superintendent, board president, and selected student speakers. n

—Photos courtesy of Tina Vojtko, USCSD Communications Specialist 22

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Superintendent’s Address Dr. John Rozzo, Superintendent of Schools

Dr. John Rozzo

Class of 2021, it is my pleasure to congratulate you this evening on the completion of 13 years of education, culminating in the most unusual junior and senior years in modern history. I would like to begin by extending my gratitude to our high school administration and to the faculty and support staff for their commitment to our students. I would also like to thank and recognize our many other teachers and administrators—from elementary through middle school—who have played important roles along the way in the care and education of these fine soon-to-be graduates. Thank you to our elected local and state officials, several of whom are with us this evening. They have played a role in supporting our community and our school system, particularly the last year and half. Thank you to Brooke Tarcson and Danny Holzer who lead our activities department and played a large role in planning this evening’s event. Thank you to Tina Votjko for her exceptional work in leading our communication to our students’ families. Thank you to our school police and security officers, our custodial and maintenance team, and technology staff members who helped make tonight’s commencement a reality. Thank you to our school board for their leadership and ongoing pledge to deliver excellence in all that we do in the Upper St. Clair School District. The last 18 months have required tremendous leadership and courageous decision-making. Our school board has delivered, time and time again. Lastly, and most importantly, parents and family members, thank you for trusting us with the responsibility of educating your children, many of whom we welcomed as Kindergarteners nearly 13 years ago. Through the years, you have partnered with us in support of our schools and educational programs. We especially appreciate your support, flexibility, and understanding during these challenging times. We will be forever grateful. To the Class of 2021, congratulations. You’ve made it to the finish line! For most speeches, I usually share a personal story or anecdote that connects to a particular theme or lesson that’s relevant to the occasion. In the weeks leading up to graduation, I struggled to find that perfect fit. You see, the pandemic has been so pervasive that it has clouded our view. My worry is that it may have clouded yours, as well.

My hope is that when you look back on your high school years and your time in the Upper St. Clair School District, you remember the good. I also hope you see what the rest of us have seen from the Class of 2021. Like many, when I reflect on the past year and a half, it is very easy to think about the negative and challenging times and events. Your junior and senior years introduced all of us to a host of new terms that became part of our everyday vernacular—“masking,” “quarantining,” “contact tracing,” “social distancing,” and “mitigation strategies”—and synonymous with your senior year. Conversely, we also have many memories that showed us the creativity, resilience, and resourcefulness of our students, staff, and community. My message tonight is simple: Remember the good. Your senior year included many important traditions with clever modifications and a few new additions. Last fall, you introduced the school’s first Homecoming Parade. Although a dance was not possible, you organized a walk-through event. And when COVID caused the volleyball tournament to be canceled, you responded by creating a cornhole tournament in the school’s theater lobby. This spring, right here on this field, you celebrated Senior Picnic—complete with games and food trucks. Another first for USC. Mitigation efforts prohibited on-field music performances at football games. Our marching band was not deterred. Instead, they filled the visitors’ bleachers and continued to entertain the spectators. Live stage performances transformed into opportunities to produce “A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play,” and “Smokey Joe’s Café,” which could be streamed online. Friends and family from all over the world could, for the very first time, watch our students perform. Most importantly, you created opportunities to make lasting memories with friends and classmates. The ability to reimagine these important high school experiences demonstrates your resilience and determination. That same determination was witnessed throughout our athletic programs. Our boys’ swim team won its first WPIAL championship title in ten years, which was held in our brand new pool. Our boys’ basketball team, led by five seniors, captured the school’s first WPIAL championship since 2005 and, with only six players and a volunteer coach, defeated Erie High School in the first round of the state playoffs. What has been hailed as the “St. Clair Six” is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable stories of the school year and embodies the determination demonstrated time and again by the Class of 2021. Fall 2021

Through unprecedented times, the Class of 2021 was the epitome of accomplishment, complete with 11 National Merit Finalists, five National Speech and Debate Academic All Americans, a Presidential Scholars semifinalist, a President’s Volunteer Service Award recipient, and dozens of AP Scholars. Collectively, you have helped to achieve numerous school and District-wide honors, including being named a Best Community for Music Education and a 2021 Best High School. For most, your time at Upper St. Clair includes far more than the last 18 months. So, in addition to remembering the good of junior and senior years, treasure the memories you made at your elementary field days, your sixth grade trip to Deer Valley, Fort Couch socials, participation in musicals, clubs, band, orchestra, choir, sports teams, and pickleball tournaments. Remember your teachers, your bus drivers, and others who’ve helped to get you here this evening. This was not a year lost, but a year of challenge and growth. You and your classmates reimagined your senior year experience and found a way to thrive in spite of a global pandemic. I am more confident today than ever before that this class of seniors—the Class of 2021—is prepared for life beyond high school. Whether you are leaving Upper St. Clair for college, enlisting in the military, or entering the workforce, you have the skills and determination needed to succeed. I would argue that you faced more challenges than any other graduating class in USC history. To quote author Josh Marine, “Challenges are what make life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” Life will be filled with challenges, but turn them into opportunities. You know how to do that. You have already proven that to us countless times. In closing, as I have done with our previous senior classes, I will leave you with a few simple, yet important, things to remember as you navigate life’s journey: • Spend lots of time with your family and friends. • Treat everyone with respect. • Be kind to the unkind, they often need it most. • Help those who need help, and ask for it when you need it. • Do the right thing, even when nobody is watching. • Be proud of where you are from. It is

indeed a special place. Even though your time as high school students has come to an end, you will forever be Upper St. Clair Panthers! And remember, we will always welcome you home. n

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Board Response

Patrick Hewitt, President, Upper St. Clair Board of School Directors

Patrick Hewitt

On behalf of the entire Board of School Directors, I would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone on this fittingly wet end to a ridiculously difficult year. Just so you know, this is a very special night for me, as well, because I am not just your School Board president, but I am also the proud parent of a graduating senior. This is a night that I will always remember. I want to spend just a minute speaking to you about decision-making. I remember heading off to college (you know, shortly after the Civil War). The sense of freedom and independence was almost overwhelming. All these decisions: what to wear, what to eat, when to sleep, should I study or go out with friends. All those things were up to me, and now for

you, to decide. We are confident that you have been well prepared to make good decisions. But here’s the thing, all those decisions relate solely to you. You need to know that as you leave home, some of the most important decisions facing you in the next few months relate to other people. Because, just as sure as I am standing here today soaking wet, sometime in the next six months or so you are going to encounter someone—someone who is being bullied, is in an abusive relationship, is engaging in selfdestructive behavior, or someone who simply needs a kind word. Now, I know we live in a very “connected” world, but, most likely, you will have an extremely short period of time to make a decision. So, you have to decide: Do I look the other way and walk on by? Or, do I say those four words that can make a real difference to someone: “Can I help you?” That’s really all it takes to get involved and make a difference. Four simple words. Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Well,

Mr. Hewitt, you’re 6'2", you weigh 220 pounds, and you spent time in the military, so getting involved is easy for you.” That’s all true (expect maybe for the weight) and those are all fair points. However, as you may know, I’ve traveled the world—England, Europe, Asia, and that popular vacation spot, the Middle East. There is a similar saying in each of those cultures, and I will share with you the English translation: “It is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.” It is absolutely true! So, I don’t want to hear about how small you are, or what gender you are, or your religion, or your race. None of that matters. What matters is what’s on the inside. If you have the will, you will prevail. Every single one of you has the power to make a difference! So, take a look to your left and to your right. We are proud of you, and we are counting on you to make a difference. Get involved, be bold, and, if necessary, be fierce. After all, you are all Panthers! n

USCHS Academic Achievers Congratulations to the Class of 2021 valedictorians: Benjamin Bacdayan, Gabriella Brubach, Richard Carlson, Christian Chiu, Harrison Chui, Taylor Finkelstein, Reshma Gudla, Patrick Joyce, Bryce Keating, Andrew Levy, Madison Milone, Claudia Ng, Abigail Rutkowski, Ryan Sarkett, Sophia Schlichting, Sophia Shi, Emma Skeel, Constantine Tripodes, Veronica Zhang; and IB Diploma candidates: Antara Cleetus, James Fang, Madeleine Kent, Richa Mahajan, Lucia Escribano, Nick Pacella, Eric Wang, Kayleigh Weber, Elizabeth Young USCHS Class of 2021 valedictorians (pictured above, listed alphabetically)

USCHS2021 Graduation 2021 Student Speakers USCHS Commencement Student Speakers The 380 members

of the Upper St. Clair High School Class of 2021 enjoyed listening to words of advice from their peers. Here are excerpts from the five selected student speakers. Full speeches can be found at www.twpusc.org/usctoday. Our grade is a force to be reckoned with, and this past year has shown that our drive and vision cannot be changed. If these [graduation] numbers prove one thing, it’s that USC will not be the same without us and we will not be the same without USC. Every single one of us knows that our grade’s absence will leave ripples through our school; but know that our accomplishments and leaders have inspired those forthcoming to live up to the Class of 2021.—Constantine Tripodes, student council president 24

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

So, what has USC taught us and what does it stand for? U for “unity.” USC has taught us that relationships matter, and the sense of community has built friendships among its members. S for “Say thank you.” Be grateful for what we have, even the littlest things. The pandemic really brought that lesson to light. C for “courage.” Don’t be afraid to put the extra in the ordinary to make it extraordinary. Go ahead and try something new, do it without fear, and have fun while doing it.—Abelardo Sobarzo, senior class president While the monotony of school can be very black and white, the lavish personalities, experiences, and character of the Class of 2021 paint this drab world around us in overwhelming, bright colors. In a world where all of us are crayons, our class would be the coveted, built-in-pencil-sharpener 64-pack.—Sophia Shi, senior speaker Fall 2021

So, as we enter into the next part of our lives, note that there are no more John Hughes movies to give us an idea of what we’re about to get into. You are now in charge of writing and directing your own life story, so make it one that leaves your audience inspired and in awe and your critics shocked and amazed.—Malorie Glancy, senior speaker Honestly, I’ll miss the safe haven and second home Upper St. Clair has given me. I’ll miss my first grade bus driver who dressed up like Santa the day before winter break. I’ll miss the lunch lady who once told me I looked pretty with my hair curled on picture day. I’ll miss every little moment that said “I care.” It’s these little things that make up the big picture.—Antara Cleetus, senior speaker n

USCHS Class of 2021 Parade USCHS Senior Week festivities kicked off the first week in June with the Panther Pass Parade, as the high school campus became a parade route for the 380 graduating seniors of the Class of 2021. The Panther Pass Parade debuted in June 2020 as a safe opportunity to recognize and celebrate the graduating seniors during the pandemic. An instant hit with students and families, it has become a new USC tradition. Congratulations to the Class of 2021! n

—Photos courtesy of Tina Vojtko

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Red Carpet Ready! Prior to USCHS Class of 2021’s Senior Celebration at Heinz Field on June 8, the community had the opportunity to watch members of this class in their formal wear as they walked the Red Carpet at the high school. n

—Photos courtesy of Tina Vojtko

USCHS—a “Best High School”

Upper St. Clair High School ranks among the top high schools in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report. The newspaper released its list of 2021 Best High Schools this past April. Ranked 19th in Pennsylvania, Upper St. Clair is the fourth highest-ranking high school in Allegheny County. Nationally, Upper St. Clair ranks 683rd out of nearly 18,000 public high schools in the nation. Dr. Timothy Wagner, USCHS principal, attributes the school’s success to a united dedication to education within the community. “Our students arrive ready to learn each day thanks to supportive families, and our teachers and staff are skilled and compassionate in their work,” he said. “Alongside these important features of our success, our curriculum is coherent, well-aligned, and responsive from Kindergarten through 12th grade, ensuring students’ learning experiences build across years.” Dr. Wagner cautions that while many of the traditional metrics that rank schools, such as standardized test scores and graduation 26

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rates, are critically important to assess, these aren’t the only features of a successful high school. “When families and school personnel focus on the whole child, including all domains of healthy development, student achievement naturally increases,” said Dr. Wagner. “Considering a child’s cognitive, physical, and social/emotional development matters when it comes to serving young people in a school setting.” U.S. News & World Report ranked approximately 17,860 public high schools across the nation out of the nearly 24,000 reviewed. Reviewed school were public high schools that had a 12th grade enrollment of 15 or greater, or otherwise had sufficient enrollment in other high school grades during the 2018–19 school year to be analyzed. The methodology takes a holistic approach to evaluating schools, focusing on six factors: college readiness, reading and math proficiency, reading and math performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth, and graduation rates. College readiness measures participation and performance on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams. n

No Place for Hate All six Upper St. Clair schools earned the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) 2020–21 No Place for Hate designation. They were among 50 schools throughout Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and West Virginia recognized during the ADL’s virtual celebration, Spread the Light, this past May. “We are incredibly proud of the schools achieving the No Place for Hate designation for the 2020–21 school year,” said Alana Bandos, education director for ADL Cleveland, which serves Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and western Pennsylvania. “Not only did each school work hard to come up with original, impactful programming, but many also had to adapt to the challenges of COVID-19. These schools rose to the occasion, as many schools developed creative virtual activities to engage their students in anti-bias programming.” Implemented within the District beginning in fall 2019, No Place for Hate helps incorporate anti-bias and bullying prevention resources into the existing programs for one consistent message of inclusivity. “During a time when we are seeing an increase in anti-Asian bias, antisemitism, and extremism, we are pleased to honor the students, family members, and faculty members who have shown commitment to fighting hate,” said James Pasch, ADL Cleveland regional director. “In 2020, antisemitic incidents in this region surged, with a 114% increase over last year. That statistic is one example of why the No Place for Hate program is vital. These students are our future leaders, and it is our privilege to recognize them and their schools for taking a stand to combat hate and bigotry.” To earn the No Place for Hate designation, schools must establish a student-led committee of teachers, students, and parents; create an opportunity for students to take the No Place for Hate pledge; and develop and implement student-led, school-wide activities throughout the year that empower students, faculty, administration, and family members to take a stand against bias and bullying by incorporating new and existing programs under one powerful message. This is the second year that ADL conducted the Spread the Light celebration virtually. Last year, ADL streamed the event via Facebook Live, with nearly 1500 people viewing the event. This year, No Place for Hate impacted over 40,000 K–12 students in Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Last year, USC’s Boyce and Fort Couch Middle schools were two of the four schools recognized with special awards during the ADL’s 2019–20 Spread the Light event. Both schools earned Equity awards for their efforts in addressing bias and promoting understanding. n

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USCHS Earns All-Around Award

Upper St. Clair High School was honored with the All-Around Award from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) during the ADL’s Spread the Light event this past May. The event recognized 50 schools throughout Ohio, West Virginia, and western Pennsylvania that earned the 2020–21 No Place for Hate designation, including all six Upper St. Clair schools. USCHS was one of only four schools to earn this additional award. Two of the high school’s activities—“Combating Bullying & Microaggressions” and “The Black Experience: Who Am I?”—drew praise from ADL officials. “Both activities engaged student leaders in unique and significant ways, including addressing anti-Black racism with the creation of an anonymous reporting form by the school’s No Place for Hate Committee,” said Dr. Daniel Jacobson Lopez, chair of diversity and inclusion for the University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Association and ADL facilitator. “These efforts will better address and mitigate incidents of bullying and build collaboration with various student organizations to examine implicit and explicit bias that still exists in today’s society. These incredible efforts will help make the school community safer for all.” The school’s 2021 No Place for Hate Committee was led by former assistant principal Dan Zelenski, with student leadership from USCHS Class of 2021 members Jacob Bernstein, Ashley Eichberg, and Eva Rankin. In addition to a certificate, the high school received $125 worth of age-appropriate books for its library that focus on diversity and inclusion. n

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

USC Teachers Recognized for Their Accomplishments Kate Ruth, a reading specialist at Fort Couch Middle School, was selected as a 2021 All-Star Teacher by the Pittsburgh Pirates this past spring. She is one of 18 teachers selected for this honor. Nominated for the recognition by Fort Couch principal Joe DeMar and assistant principal Erin Peterson, Kate was recognized for her caring and positive nature, content knowledge, teaching skills, energetic personality, and unwavering commitment to her students and their learning. Kate Ruth For Kate, teaching at the middle school level is especially rewarding, as students make the transition from the elementary level to emerging high school students. “As a middle school teacher, I value the opportunity to help kids appreciate their strengths and to learn how to manage their academic needs,” she said. “I also love the energy in middle school. It’s such a down-to-earth environment, one in which we learn and laugh together. I hope students recognize that they grew as learners and as people in spite of the challenges this year held. I learn as much from my students as I hope they learn from me.” The All-Star Teachers program recognizes area educators who are making a significant difference in the lives of students across the region by providing an inclusive learning environment, engaging instruction and curriculum, encouraging lifelong learning, and inspiring a passion for education. Throughout the month of March, teachers were nominated through Pirates.com for a chance to be named an All-Star Teacher. In addition to a $1000 classroom grant, each All-Star teacher receives a $100 gift card for personal use, a certificate to display in their classroom, a personalized Pirates jersey, and game tickets. Kate is a graduate of Penn State University and Simmons College. Prior to joining the Upper St. Clair faculty in 2013, she worked as a reading specialist in downtown Pittsburgh for two years. She also taught middle and high school in the Boston area for seven years. In spring of 2020, Lauren Bogus, a second grade teacher at Streams Elementary, was also selected as an All-Star Teacher. The All-Star Teacher recognition program is sponsored by the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates Charities, PNC, and The Grable Foundation, along with support from the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, Intermediate Unit One, and Kidsburgh.

Two Upper St. Clair middle school faculty members were recently honored with the Promising P r a c t i t i o n e r s Aw a r d from the Pennsylvania Association for Middle Tonia Autieri Eliza Luxbacher Level Education (PAMLE). Tonia Autieri, school counselor at Boyce Middle School, and Eliza Luxbacher, resource teacher at Boyce and special education teacher at Fort Couch Middle School, were recognized during the PAMLE virtual State Conference 2021. According to PAMLE’s website, the Promising Practitioners Award “is presented to teachers who are just beginning their middle school careers. These beginning teachers have made a positive impact on both their school and community. They incorporate effective middle level practices in their everyday teaching.” Toni and Eliza were nominated for the award by Dr. Christine Mussomeli, Boyce Middle School assistant principal, and Erin Peterson, Fort Couch Middle School assistant principal. “Tonia and Eliza were both nominated for their amazing ability to connect with middle level learners; work in partnership with students, families, staff, and community; and exceptional work ethic,” said 28

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Heather Herbay, art teacher at Baker Elementary, presented at the National Art Education Association (NAEA) national convention. The event was held virtually. More than 400 teachers registered for Heather’s presentation, “How to Rock the Power of Paper, Scissors, Glue & A Pencil.” The idea for the presentation Heather Herbay emerged from the lesson planning she did last spring during quarantine. “I discovered innovative ways to use simple materials students would have at home, and that is what I shared with my colleagues,” said Heather. “I wanted my students to be excited about their art-making and to see that they could still create many interesting and different pieces of artwork with these simple materials.” Heather holds a bachelor of fine arts in studio art from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and K-12 art education certification from Carlow University. She is currently pursuing a master of arts education at Ohio State University. A resident of Mt. Lebanon, Heather and her husband, Todd, have four children: Ben, Sam, Jon, and Annie.

Dr. Mussomeli. “They embody the ideals of our School District to customize learning and nurture potential. They are truly gifted educators.” Toni is in her third year as a school counselor at Boyce. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management/marketing from Robert Morris University and a master’s degree in education/school counseling from Duquesne University. A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Eliza holds a bachelor’s degree in applied developmental psychology and a master’s degree in elementary and special education. She is a 2015 USCHS graduate and joined the District’s middle school faculty in August 2020. Toni and Eliza join three other Boyce teachers who were honored with this award in previous years: Dr. Kelly Pascarella, Amy Homer, and Morgan Olsen. During the two-day PAMLE conference, Erin Peterson was recognized with the Leonard R. Ference Outstanding Administrator Award. Dr. Mussomeli is serving a two-year term as president for the West Region of PAMLE, and played a leadership role in organizing the state-wide conference. n PAMLE is the leading advocate for middle level education in Pennsylvania, promoting and enhancing the role of middle level education by promoting best instructional practices for young adolescents.

USC Named Best Community for Music Education

Upper St. Clair School District has been named among the nation’s Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation for the sixth consecutive year. Upper St. Clair is one of only 16 school districts in Allegheny County, 109 in Pennsylvania, and 686 from across the country to earn this distinction in 2021. In its 22nd year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to school districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. Music education is an important component of the Upper St. Clair educational experience for many students,” said Dr. John Rozzo, USC superintendent of schools. “And, we remain committed to ensuring that our District continues to provide a vibrant performing arts program for students at every level.” Dr. John Seybert, performing arts curriculum leader, credits the strength of the District’s music program to the music faculty, comprehensive curriculum with diverse musical experiences for all students at each school, and the extraordinary level of support from the District’s administration, parents, students, and community members. Students benefit in many ways from such a robust music education program. “Music involves much more than singing or playing an instrument. Learning music requires using multiple skill sets often simultaneously,” said Dr. Seybert. Dr. Seybert cited the research on the academic and developmental benefits of music education, but also noted the impact music has on enriching students’ lives and education with lifelong benefits. “According to research literature, the study of music assists with language development, neural activity, spatial reasoning, test taking, and overall quality of life,” he said. “The benefit of music education is also about being musical. Music gives you a better understanding of yourself, as well as an enhanced perception of how you think and express yourself.” To qualify for the Best Communities designation, USC officials answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas. n

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For more information about the NAMM Foundation, visit www.nammfoundation.org.

Fall 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

When dealing with a sports injury, help is one tap away! When dealing with a sports injury, help is one tap away!

Healthy Roster

For the upcoming 2021–22 school year, the Upper St. Clair School District is using Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Sports Medicine for all athletic training needs. One of the features AHN brings to Upper St. Clair is Healthy Roster. Healthy Roster is a free mobile website program connecting parents and coaches from USC with their licensed athletic trainer to improve communication and care for student-athletes. The program is HIPPA compliant, meaning that your child’s information is secure and available only to individuals you choose. To create a new account and get started using Healthy Roster, download Healthy Roster from the App Store (iPhone users) or Google Play (Android users) and enter the following code: PANTHERS. n

Fall Team

Door Signs

Cross-Country (Boys)

10th in WPIAL

Cross-Country (Girls)

6th in WPIAL

Field Hockey

Football

Golf (Boys)

Golf (Girls)

Soccer (Boys)

Soccer (Girls)

WPIAL playoffs

Tennis (Girls)

Section champions, WPIAL semi-finals

WPIAL playoffs

Basketball (Boys)

WPIAL champions, PIAA semi-finals

Basketball (Girls)

WPIAL finals

Swimming (Boys)

Section champions, WPIAL champions, 3rd in PIAA

Swimming (Girls)

3rd in WPIAL

Wrestling

Lacrosse (Boys)

Section champions, WPIAL semi-finals

Lacrosse (Girls)

WPIAL semi-finals

Volleyball (Girls)

Rifle

you understand the best course of action - simply message your provider in the Healthy Roster A the sports youWPIAL understand action -to simply message your provider in the Healthy Roster Ap playoffsthe best course ofreturned started. fields somewhat difstarted. Section champions

WPIAL playoffs

WPIAL playoffs 7

Spring Team Baseball

Softball Tennis (Boys) Track (Boys) Track (Girls) Volleyball (Boys) 30

WPIAL playoffs– quarter-finals

Section champions, WPIAL semi-finals

A tradition that PANTHERS PANTHERS stands the test of time

WPIAL payoffs We all know thatHow Here’s it Works Here’s How it Works If you become aware of an injury, you can connect directly with Athletic Trainersosothey theycan ca (first time in USC history) high school athletes If you become aware of an injury, you can connect directly with anan Athletic Trainer

Winter Team

Ice Hockey

To get started using Healthy Roster, download Healthy Roster from the AppStore Store(iPhone (iPhon To get started using Healthy Roster, download Healthy Roster from the App Varsity Scorecard 2020–2021 or Google (Android Users) enter code when creating newaccount. account or Google Play Play (Android Users) andand enter thisthis code when creating a anew Wins Losses Ties Achievement

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

WPIAL playoffs Fall 2021

ferently than before the pandemic. And, regardless of how few fans were allowed to attend games and events in person, booster groups continued to encourage their teams’ members with front door signs on their houses to show their love and support. Below are a couple of signs that honored swimmers this past winter season.

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY encourages

you to send a photo of your student-athlete’s door sign when his or her sport is in season. It’s a fun way to acknowledge your athlete and share the love with members of our community! n To be included in TODAY’s Door Signs feature, email your originally-sized, high resolution digital photo of at least 300 dpi, with a written description in the body of the email, to usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us, placing the word “USC Doors” in the subject line.

USCHS Clubs and Activities 2021–2022 Art Club* Badminton Club Best Buddies* Biology Club Black Student Union Bracelets with a Benefit C2CF Chinese Club Community Helpers Computer Club Crew Cycling Club Environmental Club Equestrian Club Every Child FBLA* Fencing Film and Movie Club French Club Freshmen Baseball From Students to Students Future Med + STEM Club Gay-Straight Alliance German Club Girls Reaching Out Worldwide Girls United Globally HOSA Hugs for Hospitals IB Club Interact Japanese Club JOY Kids Helping Kids Latin Club* Law and Politics Club* Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Students of the Year Club Library Media Aides Local Historical Leaders Make-A-Wish® Makeup Crew*

Math League Melodies for the Elderly Mending Mindsets MG20 club Montage* Newspaper* No Place for Hate Pickleball Club Play Like a Girl Power.ai QuaranTEAM Rifle Team* Robotics* SMART Desk Spanish Club* Spark Girls Into STEM Speech and Debate* Spikeball Club Stage Crew* Student Council* Students for Intercultural Awareness* Students Demand Action Super Smash Bros Thai Club The Messengers The Wallflowers Thespians* Tri M* UNICEF USC Book Club USC Financial Management Association USC Ultimate Frisbee (boys and girls) We Will Always Write Back World Affairs Club* Yearbook* Young Democrats Young Life Youth Exchange Program (YEP)

*Indicates school-sponsored clubs; all other clubs are student driven. Visit www.uscsd.k12.pa.us/activities for the most up-to-date listing of clubs and activities, as well as contact information.

Upper St. Clair School District 2021–2022 ATHLETIC PASSES

ADULT PASSES Ultimate Panther Pass includes general admission entry to ALL home, regular-season USCHS athletic events, including football, soccer, basketball, swimming, wrestling, lacrosse, and volleyball (approximately 75 paid events).

• Three season (fall, winter, spring)........................................... Quantity ___ @ $70 _________ • Two season (winter, spring, purchased after Nov 1)............... Quantity ___ @ $50 _________ • One season (spring, purchased after Mar 1).......................... Quantity ___ @ $30 _________ Football ONLY Pass is for Panther fans who are likely to only attend football games. The athletic department offers a General Admission Football ONLY Pass. Pass holders receive a general admission seat for each of the four regular season 2021 Upper St. Clair home games.

• Football Only Pass................................................................... Quantity ___ @ $25 _________ STUDENT PASSES Student Ultimate Panther Pass includes general admission entry to ALL home, regular-season USCHS athletic events, including football, soccer, basketball, swimming, wrestling, lacrosse, and volleyball (approximately 75 paid events).

• Three season (fall, winter, spring)........................................... Quantity ___ @ $40 _________ Jr. Panther Pass is for our young Panther fans who are in elementary or middle school. The athletic department offers a reduced-priced pass for football season. Jr. Panther Pass holders receive a general admission seat for each of the four regular season 2021 Upper St. Clair home games.

• Jr. Panther Pass....................................................................... Quantity ___ @ $10 _________ Name:___________________________________________ Phone:____________________ Address:__________________________________________ City:______________________ State: ________Zip:__________Email:_____________________________________________ Number of Passes Ordered: ___________________________Order Total: $________________ Mail completed order forms with payment (payable to USCHS Athletics) to: Attn. Athletic Office Upper St. Clair High School 1825 McLaughlin Run Rd. Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 A replacement fee of $20 will be charged for lost or stolen passes. For complete varsity football schedule, see below.

2021 USCHS Varsity Football Schedule Date Opponent 8/21 West Mifflin (scrimmage) 8/27 West Toronto Prep 9/3 Mt. Lebanon 9/10 Baldwin 9/17 Pine-Richland 9/24 Penn Hills 10/1 Peters Township 10/8 West Allegheny 10/15 Moon Area 10/22 South Fayette 10/29 Bethel Park

Location Home–Saturday, 10 a.m. Home Away Home (Senior Night and New Family Night) Away Home (Halls of Fame) Home (Homecoming) Away Away Home (Youth Night) Away

All games start at 7 p.m. on a Friday unless otherwise listed. Fall 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Student Council Named National Gold Council of Excellence

Upper St. Clair High School’s student council was recently honored as a 2021 National Gold Council of Excellence (NGCOE) by the National Student Council (NatStuCo). Upper St. Clair is one of only nine Pennsylvania high schools recognized as 2021 National Council of Excellence award winners. Nationwide, 251 high schools earned this achievement. “Winning the NGCOE award is testament to the highest standards of quality that your council consistently demonstrates in its operation and its projects and activities,” said Nara Lee, National Association of Secondary School Principals director of student leadership. “NatStuCo Gold Councils of Excellence are the models of quality for which other student councils should strive to become.” “The honor of being one of the nine schools recognized illustrates our commitment to our community. It truly shows student council’s value in fusing academic learning with leadership representation,” said student council member Kayla Lumish. “USC strives to have a strong positive impact, and with the NGCOE, our community impression strengthens.” To meet the requirements for the award, a student council must meet a variety of criteria. In addition to basic requirements, including a written constitution, holding regular meetings, having a democratic election process, the councils have also demonstrated successful sponsorship and participation in activities, including leadership development and service to the school and community.

Councils awarded the gold level of the award have successfully demonstrated the highest levels of leadership. “Achieving NGCOE status gives USC student council a goal to work toward during the school year, and provides a link to councils across the country through the NatStuCo organization,” said student council member Colin Eccher. “Compared to the regular status, gold status requires about twice as many indicators, which shows that our student council is providing service to the high school and to the USC community.” This is the second consecutive year that the student council has been named a NCEO. “Attaining NCOE status is important to our school because, as members of our community, we strive to help all those around us. No matter how big or small, each action of service can impact people in our community and create change,” said student council member Ashvita Saxena. “Additionally, competing while trying to obtain the NCOE motivates us further to accomplish as much as we can and help as many as we can.” Student council is supported by Brooke Tarcson, USCHS activities coordinator, who was named Pennsylvania Association of Student Council’s Region B High School Advisor of the Year last spring. n For more information, visit www.NatStuCo.org.

International Day of Happiness

Upper St. Clair High School students were all smiles as they celebrated International Day of Happiness this past spring. Organized by the school’s student council, all students had the opportunity to send an electronic card to patients undergoing treatment for cancer and other life-threatening diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In exchange for their kindness, students received an Eat’n Park Smiley cookie and a Smiley face pin to continue spreading happiness throughout the day. “Despite COVID, we cannot neglect other people who need our support,” said student council member Kathleen Gianni. “Our school has a history of supporting kids with cancer through our U-THON fundraising and events. It was a perfect opportunity to USCHS students celebrate work with St. Jude and spread happiness outside of our school.” International Day of Happiness. Dr. Timothy Wagner, USCHS principal, understands the important role that these types of events provide to the school community. “Celebrating International Day of Happiness was a meaningful way for students to pause and bring joy to others by writing digital notes to individuals at St. Jude Hospital,” said Dr. Wagner. “Through outreach and acts of care, students consistently demonstrate that a route to personal happiness is bringing happiness to others. And, a Smiley cookie is always a welcome treat! I’m proud of our student council members and activities office staff.” Initial planning for the event began in January 2020. Unfortunately, COVID shutdown began the week before the scheduled event in March, putting all plans on hold. “Last year, we wanted this event to brighten people’s days. This year, we had the same goal in mind; however, it would ultimately be more important because of everything that we’ve been through,” said student council member Anya Ekbote. Eat’n Park Hospitality Group generously provided 800 cookies to handout to students, teachers, and other high school staff members. “This event was fun because it was a team effort. If it were not for Eat’n Park’s generous donation of Smiley cookies, it would have been different and less visible,” said RJ Shontz, student council member and event organizer. “There were definitely smiles behind all of our masks.” n Students received Eat’n Park Smiley cookies and were provided the opportunity to send an electronic card to patients at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 32

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

According to happiness.com, “International Day of Happiness is an annual event organized by the United Nations to promote the idea that feeling happy is a global human right.”

Fall 2021

Former NBA Player Shares Story

Former NBA player and motivational speaker Chris Herren shared his personal journey from addiction to recovery with students at Upper St. Clair High School this past May. Due Motivational speaker to health and safety Chris Herren guidelines, some students heard his message in-person in the school’s theater, while other students tuned in remotely from their homerooms. An extraordinary basketball player, Chris played at Boston College and Fresno State, two seasons in the NBA—including one with his hometown team, the Boston Celtics—and seven seasons overseas before losing it all to the disease of addiction. With the unwavering support of his family and friends, Chris has been sober since August 2008. The 75-minute program titled “The First Day” began with a film presentation highlighting his basketball career and journey to sobriety. Following the film, Chris shared experiences that have impacted his life as a teenager, athlete, and speaker, empowering students to rethink how they look at the disease of addiction, from the last day to the first. He touched on topics that included drinking, smoking marijuana and vaping, pill use, peer pressure, and bullying. “Thanks to the generosity of local businesses and private donors, Chris provided students with a powerful first-hand account of the importance of well-being,” said Dr. Timothy Wagner, USCHS principal. “Chris’ time at Upper St. Clair is a result of collaboration between community members and USC School District staff, who brought vision, action, and, ultimately, Chris Herren to this vital conversation.” Chris’ journey has been documented in the bestselling memoir, Basketball Junkie, the Emmy-nominated ESPN Films documentary, Unguarded, and in countless local, national, and international stories by The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and Sports Illustrated, among others. Chris has spoken to more than one million students and community members, sparking honest discussions about substance use disorder and wellness. n

Odyssey Journey for USC Students Comes to a Special End

The Upper St. Clair High School Odyssey of the Mind team, comprising seven members of the Class of 2021, completed their final odyssey this past June. After earning first place at the virtual Pennsylvania Odyssey State finals in April, the team advanced to the Odyssey of the Mind World finals, held in person in Orlando this past June. The team has had great success since their Fort Couch days and during their entire six years together. And, while this was their fifth trip to Worlds, as graduating high school seniors, it was also their last. Competing against teams from across the country, they earned second place in the performance problem for division three at this year’s event. Equally exciting, they were given a special Omer Award in recognition of their creativity, which “wowed the judging team at every turn” and led the judges to note that “they are truly something special.” It was a fantastic end to their journey together. Coached by Laura Murtough, Stacey Seewald, and Meridith Markovitz, this group of awesome students includes Victoria Cuba, Brianna Lin, Joseph Markovitz, Max Murtough, Sammie Seewald, Constantine Tripodes, and Eric Wang. Congratulations on a job well done! n

Odyssey of the Mind team members, left to right, Constantine Tripodes, Victoria Cuba, Joseph Markovitz, Brianna Lin, Max Murtough, Sammie Seewald, Eric Wang

In their continued support of the One Love Foundation, the USCHS girls’ lacrosse team joined forces with other high school girls’ lacrosse teams this past spring to make a difference off the field. The One Love Foundation was created after an unfortunate death of a UVA lacrosse player, Yeardley Surrounding the sign are participants in the One Love fundraiser Love, who was killed by her ex-boyfriend in 2010. Her friends and family wanted to educate young people about healthy and unhealthy relationships, empowering them to identify and avoid abuse. This past April, USC, Bethel Park, Peters, and Mt Lebanon girls’ lacrosse teams established a fundraising day with Toss Pizza & Wings on McMurray Road. Toss donated $500 and 20% of food purchases for “Raise the Dough” day. Together they raised over $1100 for the foundation. USC girls’ lacrosse also had an awareness Game Day, when they hosted Bethel Park this past spring. Both teams came together wearing their One Love tees, and set up an information booth to provide educational material. These teams look forward to working together annually to raise money and awareness for One Love. n To learn more about One Love, visit www.joinonelove.org. Fall 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Members of the 2020–21 USCHS Speech & Debate Team

USCHS Speech & Debate Team Has Exemplary Year Academic All Americans Ten USCHS students earned Academic All American awards from the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) during the 2020–21 school year. Class of 2021 students included Atharva Barve, Antara Cleetus, Reshma Gudla, and Sophia Shi, as well as current seniors William Bacdayan, Scott Cheung, Saif Durrani, Ammar Kethavath, Rushikesh Kulkarni, and Nitish Sharma. These students were honored for their academic rigor, competitive speech and debate success, and personal excellence. “From more than 141,000 student-members of the National Speech & Debate Association, fewer than one percent of students earn the Academic All American award each year,” said J. Scott Wunn, executive director of the NSDA. “This tremendous accomplishment places these students among the top one percent of all student members across the country.” To earn this coveted honor, students must meet the minimum requirements of 3.5 unweighted GPA, 1300 SAT or 27 ACT score, and 750 or more National Forensic League Honor Society points.

Sophia Shi (USCHS Class of 2021) advanced to quarterfinals in Extemporaneous Speaking and placed 15th, Bryce Keating (USCHS Class of 2021) and Joe Phillips (USCHS Class of 2021) advanced to octofinals in Duo Interpretation and placed 29th, Richa Mahajan (USCHS Class of 2021) advanced to octofinals in Prose/Poetry and placed 57th, and Saif Durrani (USCHS senior) advanced to octofinals in Lincoln-Douglas Debate and tied for 33rd. State Tournament Results The team placed second overall at the Pennsylvania High School Speech League (PHSSL) state tournament, winning Speech Sweepstakes and placing third in Debate. The team was led by several strong individual performances, including that of Maddie Nolen (Class of 2021), who placed first in Humorous Interpretation. In addition to Maddie, eight individuals and teams were named state finalists including: Commentary: Antara Cleetus, third place Duo Interpretation: Bryce Keating and Joe Phillips, third place Parliamentary Debate: Rushikesh Kulkarni and Dev Patel, final four Extemporaneous Speaking: Sophia Shi, fourth place; Atharva Barve, fifth place; Jack Miller, sixth place Prose Reading: Richa Mahajan, fourth place Informative Speaking: Aarav Patil, fifth place Dramatic Interpretation: Marlena Bononi, sixth place News Broadcasting: Matthew Hrehocik and Cameron Weber, third place Several students posted strong performances, advancing to the elimination rounds at the tournament, including Kathy Li (Poetry), Saif bin Hammad (Commentary), Henry Rainone (Humorous Interpretation), Reshma Gudla (Persuasive Speaking), Ashley Eichberg and Shreya Golakiya (Policy Debate, Top 8), Jasmine Dietiker and Ipsita Singh (Parliamentary Debate, Top 8), Zoe Sobel-Drum (Supersession Senate), and Patrick Joyce (Supersession House). The team, coached by USCHS teachers Ben Edwards and Dave Watson, won the District Three championship for the tenth consecutive year. n

National Tournament Results The USCHS Speech & Debate Team (team) won the school’s first ever National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL) Sweepstakes Award, the Daniel S. Masterson, Jr. Award of Excellence in Forensics. The honor is given to the top five schools in the tournament that show excellence across interpretation, debate, and rhetorical events. In the final round in Public Forum Debate, seniors Will Bacdayan and Ammar Kethavath were one ballot away from a national championship (3–2), finishing second overall and equaling the highest finish ever by a USC debater at a national tournament. Senior Rushikesh Kulkarni placed fourth in Extemporaneous Speech. He is the school’s first-ever national speech finalist and, consequently, the highest-ever speech finish for USC at a national tournament. In total, 28 USCHS students qualified to compete at the NCFL 2021 69th Grand National Speech & Debate Tournament, which was held virtually this past May. More than 3000 students from 544 high school throughout the country competed. The top 60 students nationally in each speech category and top 64 in each debate category advanced to elimination rounds. Left to right: Will Bacdayan, Ammar Kethavath 34

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Fall 2021

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High School’s Freshman vs. Senior Year Bria Zegarelli, USCHS Senior, TODAY Intern When the 2020–21 school year

came to an end and the Class of 2022 became seniors, these students reflected on their journey through high school. From SATs to scheduling senior pictures, these upperclassmen started to feel the weight of the fact that their high school experience is soon coming to an end. I asked several students from the Class of 2022 about the differences between going into freshman year and going into senior year, and they definitely had mixed feelings. Recent photo of Bria My classmates said that when they were going into freshman year, they felt excited, but unconfident, and that they had no idea what to expect. Their worries surrounded high school itself and not their future after high school. However, my peers had a lot more to say when talking about going into senior year. Some students explained that they felt relieved and happy to be almost done with high school, while others said that it was bittersweet, sad, and nostalgic. Many of the respondents said that they felt much more confident and comfortable going into school being an upperclassman because they are now more integrated into the culture of high school. On the other hand, some students said that they are very stressed going into senior year because they are now worrying about their entire future instead of just worrying about a new school and the

next four years. Understandably, these students stated that they felt especially concerned because of college applications and related decisions. In particular, one response really caught my attention. This student explained that freshman year is like the start of a movie. It’s the exposition for what the rest of the story will be like and that it’s exciting, but mysterious. The individual then said that senior year is like the ending of the movie. We tie loose ends, grow attached to the people we meet along the way (or, in other words, the characters of the movie), and start to realize the journey is coming to a close. In general, going into senior year feels like a false reality. The Class of 2022 began the pandemic as sophomores and are now ending it as seniors; it’s surreal how fast time flew by. Furthermore, senior year is a reminder that we cannot take for granted our remaining childhood times. As my classmates and I go into this upcoming school year, we have reflected on our experience of being in high school, and have come to the conclusion that although senior year marks the end of an era for us, it also marks the commencement of an entirely new path, with amazing opportunities, tremendous growth, and special memories. n Bria Zegarelli, freshman year

Fall 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Student-Centric Presidential Scholars Semifinalist Sophia Shi, a USCHS member of the Class of 2021, was named a Semifinalist for the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars. She was among approximately 625 Semifinalists who were selected from a pool of nearly 6500 candidates this past spring. “It is a great honor and an exceptional accomplishment to have reached the semifinalist phase in this highly selective and prestigious program,” said Simone Olson, executive Sophia Shi director of the U.S. Scholars Program. The program was established in 1964 by the executive order of the President to recognize and honor the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected based on their accomplishments in the areas of academic and artistic success, accomplishment in career and technical fields, leadership, strong character, and involvement in school and the community. In addition to being named a 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Semifinalist during the 2020–21 school year, Sophia was recognized as a James Collins Scholar Athlete award winner for 2021 by the WPIAL and named an Academic All American by the National Speech & Debate Association this past spring. She is a National Merit Finalist and an AP Scholar and was involved in many extracurricular activities at the high school, including Speech & Debate, National Honor Society, cross country, and track and field. This fall, she will attend the University of Pennsylvania and enroll in the Vagelos Life Sciences and Management program. National Technical Honor Society Three USCHS seniors—Ariana Braughler, Tiffany Caskey, and Lia Cortolillo—qualified for induction into the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) and were honored at Parkway West Career & Technology Center this past May when they were juniors. In addition, two members of the Class of 2021—Ethan Hanson and Madison Jordan—who were inducted into the NTHS last spring were recognized with honor stoles. To be eligible for induction, students must have completed a full year at Parkway West, have five or fewer unexcused absences, achieved an A average in their tech program and a B or higher in their academic classes, and successfully participate in an interview process.

Ariana Braughler

Tiffany Caskey

Lia Cortolillo

NTHS honors the achievements of top career and technical education students, provides scholarships to encourage the pursuit of higher education, and cultivates excellence in today’s highly competitive, skilled workforce. 36

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Fall 2021

Nine Named to All-State Ensembles Nine USCHS students successfully auditioned to participate in four 2021 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) All-State ensembles, including some graduates of the Class of 2021. • All-State Orchestra: Sophie Chen, violin; Naiya Livingston, violin; Rumaysa Alam, viola; Eleanor Alford, viola • All-State Chorus: Ben Lang, bass; Rebecca Lang, soprano; Maddie Nolen, alto • All-State Wind Ensemble: Phoebe Chen, flute • All-State Concert Band: Steven Halpner, percussion PMEA is a statewide nonprofit organization of more than 4000 members dedicated to promoting the musical development of all Pennsylvanians. PMEA is affiliated with The National Association for Music Education.

USC Students Excel at State Math Challenge Upper St. Clair students in grade five through 12 earned high honors in the Pennsylvania Mathematics League (PML) contest. Fort Couch placed third in Pennsylvania and first in the region in both the seventh and eighth grade competitions out of 28 and 29 participating schools, respectively. Fort Couch students—Luke An, Jeffery Zhang, Arth Italiya, Kaia Petrick, William Whitman, Jamie Barrett, Eitan Schwartz, Yuhong Shi, Ishaan Sharma, and Sophia Whitman—earned among Pennsylvania’s top scores. Boyce Middle School placed fourth among 39 schools in Pennsylvania and first among schools in the region. Of the top five individual scores, four were earned by Boyce Middle School students. Placing in the top scores were Molly Biedrzycki, Jackson Galbraith, Jonah Zahalsky, Emma Eannarino, Nithya Kommineni, Gavin Morse, Rohan Inampudi, Joshua Beitler, Harish Rajaganapathy, John Whitman, Joseph Wyse, and Cynthia Shen. For the middle school competition, students are given 30 minutes to solve 35 questions, ranging from simple and straightforward to complex math problems. The school’s team score, which includes the school’s top five scores, is reported to the PML. At the high school level, PML consists of six contests each year, administered once a month (October through March) with six questions per contest. Problems draw from a wide range of high school topics, including geometry, algebra, trigonometry, logarithms, series, sequences, exponents, roots, integers, real numbers, combinations, probability, and coordinate geometry. Each six-question contest has a 30-minute time limit. USCHS was the second highest scoring school among the 13 participating high schools in Allegheny County and tenth among 65 competing schools in Pennsylvania. Alex Sun, Christian Chiu, and Daniel Wang were recognized as high scoring high school students in the commonwealth. n PML specializes in conducting math contests designed to stimulate student interest and confidence in mathematics.

USC Excels in National FBLA Competition

Five USCHS students—Mahir Parmar, Vidhur Senthil, Rushikesh Kulkarni, Aubrey Lang, and Nivedha Suresh—placed in the top four in their respective events at the 2021 Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) state leadership conference. Placing in the top four qualified them to compete at the national conference, held virtually this past summer. “With everything going on this year, for these students to take it upon themselves to learn the information for the events and to compete is astounding,” said Pat Manion, high school social studies teacher and FBLA sponsor. Seventeen additional USCHS students finished in the top ten in their respective events. n FBLA is a nonprofit educational association that prepares students for careers in business by helping them develop leadership abilities and prepare for entry into and advancement within a business or business-related occupation.

First–Fourth place: Mahir Parmar, Introduction to Business, first Vidhur Senthil, Personal Finance, first Rushikesh Kulkarni, Public Speaking, second Aubrey Lang, Hospitality & Event Management, fourth Nivedha Suresh, Hospitality & Event Management, fourth Fifth place: Sujay Shah, Abelardo Sobarzo, Anthony DeNoon, Andrew Rosello, Shane Williams, Alex Belback, Parth Patel Sixth place: Ben Bacdayan, Sujay Banerjee, Harrison Chui, Carter Chui, Phillip Markovitz, Benjamin Wasson Ninth place: Matthew Earley, Alyana Childs, Anya Ekbote, Carmella McNally

My Sweet Solution to Pittsburgh’s Plant-Based Dessert Problem Julia Roeschenthaler, USCHS Senior, TODAY Intern It all started with a cup of flaxseed. A cup of flaxseed that was meant to be a tablespoon, and then a batch of the worsttasting muffins one could imagine. That was the beginning of my vegan baking career. There were several other mishaps: baking soda-less snickerdoodles, a coconut cake that caved in the center. The road to edible perfection was a bumpy one, as the expression goes, but I was determined to create baked goods that lacked dairy, not flavour. After spending years working on everything from egg substitutes to creamy cream-free frostings, I realized that my pursuits in the baking world could be more than just a hobby. The demand for vegan baked goods in the Pittsburgh area was, and still is, massive, with vegans and dairy-free individuals driving to other cities and even states to seek out delicious plant-based products. And, so, my journey into the food space began, with a limited menu scribbled on a piece of notebook paper and more vegan butter than I’d ever bought in my life. Julia’s Vegan Cakery and Bakeshop was born. I planned to shift between various market locations throughout the summer or, alternatively, supply vegan-friendly restaurants in the surrounding Pittsburgh area, each spot working to achieve the goal of offering easy access to my vegan baked goods. I launched a website and placed information on social media. The more steps I took and the more locations I visited and individuals I met, the more I could feel a drive building up inside of me. A laborious task, with many late nights spent under the pale lights of my family’s kitchen, I was determined to bring delicious baked goods to those who rarely had the opportunity to consume them. I knew what it was like, as a dairy-free turned vegan individual, to frequent a restaurant or gathering and see not one dessert that I could eat, besides perhaps a scoop of sorbet. I was disappointed with the lack of options, and determined that the best way to curb that disappointment was to be a solution to the plant-based dessert problem. This past summer leading into my senior year of high school, I travelled across the greater Pittsburgh area, carting cardboard boxes of fluffy layer cake and slabs of freshly sliced biscotti in the back of my vehicle. In only months of starting my business, I learned how to structure balance sheets and income statements, how to bake in greater volume than I thought possible, and even what was involved

in Food Production Manager Certification in Allegheny County. I met individuals in every corner of the food industry, and was thrilled to realize that I’d become part of the thriving Pittsburgh food community. On one specific evening, a Tuesday already more humid than any early summer Julia, baking cookies at home day should be, I was visiting a potential kitchen location with my father. It was in the back of a small, yet-to-be-opened bar in Millville, just off South Main Street. In the back of that bar, its rooms stacked high with kitchen equipment and leftover dining chairs, I listened as my father and the owner of the bar discussed their time in the food business, their nostalgic grins contagious as the conversation drifted from Mellon Park to Michelin star restaurants in Atlanta. I glanced around, briefly opening the convection ovens to study their numerous metal racks. I could see the contents of this kitchen and envision what I would later bake there, but I saw beyond it, too. I listened to the joyful recounting of time spent creating and serving, and at that moment I realized what could become of what started as a far-fetched conversation on a chilly April night. As we walked out onto the quiet street, lamps flickering above clouds of mosquitoes, I could not help but smile. I would spend the summer doing what I loved most: creating. I was an artist, my canvas a round white mixing bowl. And, while I cannot draw or paint like an artist that comes to the minds of most, I am able to do what every artist lives to do: bring flavour to the bland simplicity of everyday life. n For more information, visit juliasveganbakeshop.com, or follow her on Facebook at Julia’s Vegan Bakeshop or on Instagram at @juliasveganbakeshop. Fall 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhatBoyce#TheyDidWhat Food Drive State Champs This past spring, Boyce Middle School The Upper St. Clair Athletic Association’ s (USCAA) eighth grade girls travel basketball team #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat collected more than 600 pounds of food to placed first in the third annual Pennsylvania State Youth Basketball championship in State College benefit families served by the South Hills this past spring. The team defeated#TheyDidWhat Indiana 72–11, Montgomery 49–12, Pikes Peak 57–23 in #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Interfaith Movement (SHIM). Organized by the semifinals, and Mt. Lebanon 38–34 in the finals. the school’s student council, students Raegan Te a m m e #TheyDidWhat mbers include #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Faulds, Caty Howard, Abby Burke, and Jillian Meredith Huzjak, Rylee Kalocay, Casey led the community service project. Ava Coyle, Olivia Terlecki, Essence #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Throughout a two-week period, each middle Dreher, Anna Capobres, Peyton school student McGregor, Emily Powell, and #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat was asked Carlee Santel, and are coached by to donate a Ryan Huzjak and Johnny Terlecki. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat cereal and The girls began playing a secondar y basketball together in 2018 when #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat item. The they were in fifth grade. Throughout cereal drive the last four seasons, the team #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat is an annual boasts five league titles and 11 event at Boyce. tournament championships, with #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat an overall record of 130–3. More than 600 pounds of food was collected Members of the USCAA’s winning travel basketball team Boyce students. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhatby #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat National Chemistry Olympiad Student Excels at Regional and National Competitions USCHS Class of 2021 member Hakan Guven and USCHS junior This spring, Bernard Huang, then a fourth-grade student at Baker #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Phillip Markovitz qualified to advance in the U.S. National Chemistry Elementary, earned high marks at the regional qualifiers to advance to Olympiad this past spring. Hakan and Phillip were sponsored by the national-level competition of the Academic Bee, National History Bee, #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Laura Marks, USCHS science teacher. and International Geography Bee. In the Academic Bee, he finished 23 The U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad is a multi-tiered chemistry in the country among elementary students up to and including grade five. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat competition for high school students. Sponsored by the American Bernard also participated in three mathematics competitions. As a Chemical Society since 1984, the competition’s purpose is to stimulate fourth grader, he earned the third#TheyDidWhat highest score in New York state in #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat young people to achieve excellence in chemistry the sixth-grade level of the Math League competition. He also ranked in the top 20 nationally in 2021 #TheyDidWhat Math Kangaroo level 4 competition, #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat and in the top two percent nationally in Math Olympiads for Elementary #TheyDidWhat2020–21 #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat and Middle Schools (MOEMS) Division #TheyDidWhatE competition. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat A student in Nicole Trollman’s class at Bernard and his family moved to #TheyDidWhatBaker, #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Upper St. Clair from New York in January In his spare time, he loves hanging #TheyDidWhat2021. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat out with friends, hiking with family, reading World War II history, and, most #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Bernard Huang of all, performing a stand-up talk show. Hakan Guven Phillip Markovitz #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Boyce Teams Sweep English Festival Writing Contest Finalist #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Boyce Middle #TheyDidWhat School swept the grades four Sarah Sakowitz’s story, Happy Foods, was selected as one of 26 finalists from among through six division of the 2021 virtual English nearly 700 entries from throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, and #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Festival, with teams finishing first, second, and Delaware in the 2021 WQED Writers Contest. All finalists’ stories are available to read third place. In total, four Boyce teams finished and listen to via WQED’s Writers Contest page at www.writeonkids.org.#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat among the top ten out of a field of 21 teams from S a r a h ’s s t o r y i s a b o u t a throughout the region. neighborhood gang of foods in search #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Boyce Team #10 earned top honors with 109 of a fun adventure. The inspiration for points, which included sixth graders Avantika her story stems from a YouTube video #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Palayekar, Nithya #TheyDidWhat Kommineni, Leela Kulkarni, and her Rainbow Loom kit. and Saara Iyer. Finishing second was Boyce Team T h i s y e a r m a r k s t h e t#TheyDidWhat h i rd #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #17, which included sixth graders Sidney Schalk, consecutive year that Sarah, a student Lainie Guarino, Madalyn Burchill, and Caroline at Streams Elementary, has #TheyDidWhat been #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Barnard. In third #TheyDidWhat place was Boyce Team #14, named a finalist in the contest. Her which included sixth graders Rachel Scharrer, 2020 story, The Girl with the #TheyDidWhat Most #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Anna Ehasz, Lizzi#TheyDidWhat Crossley, and Vivian Sliski. Beautiful Smile, placed second and her Finishing in the top ten was a team of Boyce fifth 2019 story, The Dragonfly That Lived, #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat graders, Boyce Team #19, including Rory Wilson, finished third. Grace Nasman, and Anvi Damaria. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Sarah Sakowitz #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat 38 UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Fall 2021 #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat rd

#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Finishing First in Marketing Competition USCHS students Anthony Denoon, Andrew Rosello, and Shane Williams earned top honors at the Cultural Communications Alliance (CCA) #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat marketing competition this past spring. Due to restrictions of COVID-19, the competition was held virtually via Zoom. The six teams that entered the competition were tasked #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat with creating a marketing plan for GNC’s Amp Wheybolic powder. This year’s target market was the United Arab #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Emirates. Each team delivered a 12-minute presentation to a panel of judges, which was followed by a three-minute #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat question and answer session. The competition was open#TheyDidWhat to all high school students #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat who are currently studying a world language. Teams, which could have a maximum of five#TheyDidWhat members, were evaluated #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat on the appropriate exploration of language and culture, logistics, marketing, demographics, use of resources, #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat creativity of approach, effective use of multimedia, Anthony Denoon Shane Williams Andrew Rosello presentation skills, and responses to judges’ questions. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Japanese Contest Fort Couch Team Wins STEM Challenge Two USCHS students placed first in their This past spring, a team of Fort Couch students—Carlee Santel, Tyler McClintock#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat respective categories in the 24 annual High Comeaux, Eitan Schwartz, and Yuhong Shi—placed first in the six through eight grade School Japanese Speech contest sponsored by division at the regional STEM Design Challenge, #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat the Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania (JASP) qualifying them to compete in the state-level and the University of Pittsburgh’s Asian Studies competition. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Center. Both members of the Class of 2021, Alex Sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific, the Carlson earned top honors in the poster category challenge tasks teams of students in grades four #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat and Stephanie Lu took the gold in Intermediate through eight with designing and building a Speech. prototype using recyclable materials or K’Nex #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Four additional USCHS students were pieces. Each team must also create and submit a recognized for their work. Placing second were design notebook and a blueprint. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Ryan Welch (Class of 2021), Poster category; In the same competition, Fort Couch team senior Roehl Benedicto, Beginner Speech; and members Lylah Kateeb, Chloe Bird, Ellie Simons, #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Maddie Nolen (Class of 2021), Intermediate Kaia Petrick, and Isabella Donnelly finished second. Speech. Placing third in Beginner Speech was #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Gabrielle Caudill (Class of 2021). Established in 1986, The Japan-America #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Academic World Quest Society of Pennsylvania is an association of A team of USCHS students—Keshav Narasimhan, Daniel Wang, Ben Wasson, and team individuals, corporations, and organizations #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat captain Qadir Khan—won the Academic WorldQuest competition, sponsored by the World that seek to promote local understanding of Affairs Council of Harrisburg, qualifying them to advance to the national competition. and mutually beneficial participation in the #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Academic WorldQuest is a fun, fast-paced team competition for high school students that changing U.S.–Japan relationship. The Society tests players’ knowledge of current international politics, geography, global economics, history, provides informative, innovative programming to #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat and world cultures. encourage a better understanding of the business, The high school team is coached by Pat Palazzolo, the school’s gifted education coordinator cultural, social, educational, and political #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat and sponsor of the school’s World Affairs Club. practices and customs of Japan and the U.S. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat National Cyber Scholar USCHS Class of 2021 Sambhav Saggi was named a National #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Cyber Scholar in the National Cyber Scholarship competition (NCSC) this past spring, earning a $2500 scholarship and the Student Pianist Places First #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat opportunity to participate in the#TheyDidWhat Cyber Foundations Academy, a Leona Chen, a USCHS student, multi-week online program based on the nationally recognized won first place in the music category of #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat SANS Foundations training course and certification. the annual Discover FAA high school Sambhav competed against competition this past spring. A pianist, #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat 5000 high school students in a Leona performed Chopin’s Polonaise in cybersecurity competition designed major, “Heroic.” #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhatA-flat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat to challenge its participants to solve The competition is hosted by the computer security problems and/ of Fine & Applied Arts at the #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhatCollege #TheyDidWhat or capture and defend computer University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. systems. In total, 50,000 students As#TheyDidWhat the winning underclassman, Leona #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat nationwide sought to qualify #TheyDidWhat for received a scholarship to attend an FAA the NCSC, with only ten percent Leona Chen summer program in music. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat meeting the requirements. Sambhav Saggi #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY 39 Fall 2021 #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat th

#TheyDidWhat

PTC Parent Teacher Council (PTC) Gina Swanson, President As a child, I always loved the beginning of the school year! New shoes, a new notebook (a trapper keeper, of course), and a whole year of new experiences awaiting me. I find myself with the same sense of excited anticipation this year. My children—Alex (grade 9), Charlotte (grade7), and Jonathan (grade 5)—keep me very busy. I feel fortunate that they are being educated in this remarkable school district, and I am part of an organization that plays an important role in supporting students, families, teachers, and the administration. The PTC provides leadership and coordination for all the PTA/PTO/PTSOs of the Upper St. Clair School District’s (USCSD) six schools. We also provide a link to the administration, as our monthly meetings feature an update directly from Superintendent Rozzo, as well as a member of the Board of School Directors. The PTC meetings are also a great way to stay informed about the happenings of your child’s school, as well as the activities of the PTC committees. Did you know that the PTC sponsors the Spelling Bee, Arts in USC, the directory, Open Mic, GATE, PAC, PIE, STEAM, and the Wellness Committee? We are an active group! I invite you to attend the PTC meetings and learn more about USCSD. The meetings are currently held virtually, with instructions to receive the meeting link posted on the PTC section of the USCSD website. If you have questions regarding the PTC or would like to volunteer with any of the committees, contact me at USCPTCPresident@gmail.com. High School PTSO Maria Cedar, President Congratulations to the 380 graduating students of the Class of 2021. Their ability to persevere this past year will certainly prepare them well when adjusting to future changes. And, best wishes to the 2020–21 USCHS retirees. Their service has been much appreciated. Summer break meant continued work at the high school campus, getting us ready for the start of school. Check the online homepage for restrictions regarding the surrounding roadways and stadium hours for community use as a result of pavement refurbishing. Thank you to the school’s wonderful staff and community members for working 40

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Pawprints... together, moving things forward. I hope that everyone enjoyed a great summer and is ready for the school year that lies ahead! Fort Couch PTSO Sarah Beitler, President Greetings from the Fort! The PTSO is gearing up for what we hope will be a more normal school year in 2021–22. We will be collecting activity fees this year (as we have in past non-pandemic years), which will support many of the programs that the PTSO runs, as well as your PTSO membership. Family Welcome Day was organized over the summer for students to come into the building, pay activity fees, and get a small treat. Parents were also given the opportunity to sign up for PTSO volunteer committees. A Staff Appreciation Welcome Breakfast will be held for the teachers to welcome them back for the new school year. We love our teachers and are always looking for ways to thank them! Fall Socials are probably one of the things the kids missed the most last year, and we are excited to be able to bring them back to the Fort (with health and safety approval). The kids enjoy speeding into the socials with Fast Passes (included in the PTSO membership) and dancing to the DJ’s music, sipping on refreshments, and admiring the themed decorations while hanging out with friends. And we can’t forget our Fall Spirit Wear sale! It’s a great way to stock up on USC gear, while supporting our school. There is so much to look forward to at the Fort during the fall months. Stay connected and get involved through the Fort Couch PTSO website (https://www.uscsd.k12. pa.us/domain/321), “Headlines” on the Fort Couch website, FCPTSO Facebook page (https://facebook.com/FortCouchPTSO/), and the USC Weekly Recap. But, the best way to learn about the goings on at Fort Couch is to attend a PTSO meeting. Usually, a Board of School Director representative provides a District report, there is a report from the PTSO president and any active committee chairs, a financial report from the PTSO treasurer, and we almost always have school principal Joe DeMar give a short report and answer questions. The PTSO thanks you for your enthusiastic support, and we look forward to seeing you soon. If you have any questions or feedback, contact me at FCPTSOPresident@gmail.com.

Fall 2021

Boyce PTO Pamela Scureman, President We are the Boyce Middle School PTO. Our purpose is to create a connection between the home and the school, and parents and teachers/staff, all for the benefit of the students, our children. The Boyce PTO executive board said the following about the upcoming school year and their involvement on the board. Being involved with the PTO helps me support my children, their friends and classmates, the staff, and our community. I am happy to be a part of such a great team, and I look forward to the upcoming school year.—Pamela Scureman, president For me, being involved with the PTO is a wonderful opportunity to be a part of this vibrant community. I look forward to the interactions with other PTO members, teachers, staff, students, other parents, and volunteers.—Rama Bala Gupta, first vice president We have a very close working relationship between the Boyce PTO and Boyce Middle School. There is a common goal to provide unique experiences and opportunities for the students and staff at Boyce. The PTO is an incredibly supportive organization.—Dr. Daniel O’Rourke, second vice president Being involved with the Boyce PTO allows me to better know what is happening in the building and in the District.—Melissa Waldron, treasurer For me, being involved with the PTO gives me an opportunity to get to know some of the teachers and staff at Boyce. There are fewer chances to interact with the middle school teachers than in elementary school. I like having faces to go with the names that I hear from my child.—Nicole Paoly, secretary I enjoy spending time at the school, getting to know the teachers and staff, and helping the school community any way I can. It really does take a village when raising a family. Being a part of that village for our school community is really important to me.—Andrea Amorose, board advisor This upcoming school year, we are hopeful to host all of the regularly scheduled activities. As we announce the dates for the activities, we will be looking for chair persons, co-chairs, and volunteers. For information on the upcoming school year, reach out to us and/or check the Calendar of Events section of the website at https:// www.uscsd.k12.pa.us/Page/12278 Here’s to a great school year!

... a USC Parent Teacher Council Feature Baker PTA Sarah Cranganu, President The Baker PTA is looking forward to organizing the school’s annual Boo Bash celebration, possibly as an all-outdoor event, in early October. We hope to offer many of the traditional Boo Bash activities, including the guessing jars game, teacher experiences silent auction, and the ever-popular cake walk. This occasion is a favorite pastime for many Baker students to socialize with their classmates and for Baker families to get to know one another better by spending time at the school after hours. It’s also a great opportunity for the PTA to raise funds for various projects and school-wide initiatives, benefiting Baker staff and students. Later in October, the PTA expects to coordinate a Fall Crawl, where students can choose to wear a costume and participate in a parade, walking from Baker to the Morton Road fire station and back. Baker students enjoy showing their creative sides with their attire for the parade, and Baker teachers and staff join in the fun with imaginative ensembles. Students then reconvene in their classrooms for Harvest parties, with games and crafts. Rounding out fall will be the Scholastic Book Fair, an opportunity for families to shop for books and gifts coinciding with fall teacher/parent conferences. One of Baker PTA’s goals is to host an in-school fair, but if that’s not possible, the school’s online book fairs have been popular, as well. The Baker PTA is excited for the return of staff and students, and we are enthusiastic to meet all of the new family members of the Baker community. We hope the 2021–22 school year will be a restoration of some of Baker’s familiar events, while we remain flexible and resourceful to incorporate new traditions. Eisenhower PTO Justine Walker, President This fall, there is definitely a renewed enthusiasm to get back to traditional events at Eisenhower. One possible benefit of a global pandemic is getting to reintroduce those traditions, and then creating new ways to be together as a community. This time has also helped the PTO reevaluate the most impactful ways to benefit students, teachers, and Eisenhower families. With this goal in mind, we are simplifying and reinventing some of our annual events. For example, this year the Eisenhowler, our annual fall fundraiser, will now be an

PTC

outdoor carnival. The focus will remain on fostering a strong Eisenhower community and making sure students have a fun night with their classmates. There are carnival games, the annual cake walk, as well as a new dunking booth! Raffle baskets and an auction allow support from local businesses. None of this would be possible without the help from our family volunteers. After losing out on a year to help at school, our volunteers’ enthusiasm and contributions to this and other Eisenhower events are greatly appreciated. In addition to the Eisenhowler, grade level socials and breakfasts will continue throughout the year. We look forward to bringing everyone together again! Streams PTO Jennifer Clougherty, President We are extremely excited to offer our typical events once again! Over the summer, we held activities for incoming families to get to know one another. We held three Kindergarten park playdates and the Kindergarten Connection for the incoming class of 2034, to give them the opportunity to make some new friends before the school year begins. The New Family Welcome Breakfast on August 17 provides a chance for families with students moving into the District to meet other families and to recognize some familiar faces on the first day of school. Our first parents-only PTO event of the 2021–22 school year will be Open Mic Nights in October, which will be an opportunity for parents to hear from our principal and a teacher to learn about the school year. On October 15, Streams will host its annual Streams Stravaganza, a time for families to come to the school in the evening to play games and win prizes, while participating in the biggest PTO fundraiser of the year. We will finish up October with harvest parties in the classrooms for students to celebrate Halloween and the start of autumn. In November, we will once again have Snuggle Up and Read, an evening when families come to school dressed in their comfiest PJs to hear stories read by school staff and other community volunteers. There will be a Book Swap for students to trade in their favorite books in exchange for their classmates’ favorite reads, as well! The PTO is thrilled to see our Streams families come together again at all these fun and beneficial events! n

Fall 2021

The high school’s courtyard in 1971, where students would congregate

50 th USCHS Class Reunion

Come one, come all The USC Class of 1971 will celebrate its 50th reunion during the October 1–2 weekend with the following events. Friday, October 1 USC vs. Peters 7 p.m. football game at Panther stadium, along with a schoolsponsored alumni event. Informal gatherings with friends will follow the game. Saturday, October 2 10–11:30 a.m. Complimentary breakfast at the high school, followed by a tour of the facilities. 6–10 p.m. Alpine Club in South Fayette Township; $65/person includes hors d’oeuvres, dinner buffet, and dessert. Cash bar. Questions? Contact the reunion committee at usc1971pa@gmail.com. Information can also be found on USC School District’s alumni website at https://www.connect2uscsd.com/e/ class-of-1971-50-year-reunion/.

A photo of the Class of ’71 homecoming court

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Calling All 1970 USCHS Classmates The 50 th reunion is coming up The long-awaited 50th reunion for the USCHS Class of

1970 will be held the weekend of September 24–26. After nearly a year’s delay due to COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, plans are in place. “We’re calling this the ‘50 +1 Reunion,’ and hoping we can succeed in reaching all of our classmates with event details. We have a great weekend planned, starting with a Friday Night Lights football game,” said 1970 class president Karl McGarvey. Scheduled events include the 7 p.m. USC vs. Penn Hills football game on Friday evening, a 10–11:30 a.m. tour of the high school facilities on Saturday morning, and 6:30–9:30 p.m. cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at St. Clair Country Club on Saturday evening. Additional activities for Friday evening include an informal post-game gathering at a nearby restaurant/bar, and on Saturday, a brunch following the morning tour of the high school and an afternoon nine-hole golf scramble. Rescheduling the 50 th reunion that was to have occurred in 2020 happened this past spring while the reunion committee monitored the more relaxed COVID restrictions. Plans are to also acknowledge and honor the classmates who have passed. The 1970s senior homecoming float; a replica of the Earth 42

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Fall 2021

While planning took place over Zoom calls, the committee of Karl (Florida), Dave Kraft (Georgia), Bill Kramer (Pennsylvania), Linda Daniell Murrell (Minnesota), Melanie Kerber (Maryland), and Jennifer Gob Ottino (Pennsylvania) was persuaded by Bill, who continues to reside in Upper St. A page from the yearbook Clair, to include a tour of the high school. “You won’t recognize it, “ he said. “The school’s athletic programs and its stadium reflect USC’s high ranking status in the WPIAL and across western Pennsylvania, and the physical plant has been renovated and improved multiple times since we attended the school to accommodate the vastly expanded academic, arts, and athletic programs that it offers. According to the 1970 Clairvoyant (yearbook), the class of 1970 graduated 370 students and was the tenth graduating class from Upper St. Clair High School. n Clairvoyant yearbook

Details of the reunion weekend activities, hotel accommodations, and registration are available on the USC School District’s alumni website at www.Connect2USCSD.com/events.

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Fall 2021

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES GUIDE Pay for College or Save for Retirement?

Not necessarily an either-or Many people assume when it comes to building retirement savings or stashing money for college, it’s too hard to do both. Arielle O’Shea, an investing and retirement specialist with NerdWallet, answered a few questions on the topic. Q: If I love my kids, I’ll put their college first, right? A: I’m a parent, and I understand that instinct. But think of it from a different angle: Do you want your kids to be supporting you when you’re in your retirement? Probably not. The best way to avoid that is to make sure you’re meeting your retirement goal first and then decide whether—and how much—you can afford to start saving for college. Q: What’s your advice for people who delayed having kids? A: The less time on your side, the more you need to prioritize retirement. It’s becoming cliché, but there’s no financial aid for retirement. No one is going to give you a scholarship or a loan for retirement. And, you might find yourself in a situation where you want to continue to work but can’t or can’t find the work. It’s not always completely in your control when you retire. Q: If I can manage both college and retirement savings, what’s a good way to juggle them? A: First, contribute to your retirement plan through your employer, if you have one. Make sure you are contributing enough to your retirement plan to receive the full employer match. There’s no gray area there. Once you’ve done that, some of the accounts that do double duty are a good choice. With a Roth IRA, you can pull out your contributions at any time, and qualified distributions from a Roth IRA in retirement may be tax-free. When the kids get closer to college and you’re closer to retirement age, you’ll have a much clearer picture of how you can use the money to reach either goal. Q: Are there any retirement or college saving tricks you like? A: “Found” money can be a good way to save for college without sabotaging your retirement. Get a credit card that deposits rewards directly into a college savings account or get a card that has a good rewards program and just deposit it back into a 529 plan. I have three young kids, so my big plan is that when they go to public school, I’m going to use all the found money I’ve been using on daycare to further fund their college and my retirement. You can do that with a car loan or any other big expense that will eventually go away. n

Article provided by Cindy Brophy, State Farm® agent. See ad on this page.

Fall 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES GUIDE

Making Music is for Everyone

The benefits for all ages and abilities

Becki Lewis, Lewis Music Studio Emmi played her first piano recital this past spring. Emmi was nervous, but the butterflies in her stomach and sweaty palms didn’t win. She got up there, took her seat, and played a fun piece of music that had been passed down through at least three generations of her family. It wasn’t Beethoven, but she did it! About three years prior, Emmi quit piano lessons. The idea of performing was just too overwhelming for her. But, quitting didn’t sit right with her. She decided to try again, performances optional. Emmi realized what it takes lots of folks too long to discover—making music isn’t just for performers, making music is for everyone! I used to play Ask any music teacher, and they will tell you that the most common thing that they hear when they tell someone their profession, “Oh, I used to play. I wish I hadn’t quit!” But research shows that although you may not play for a while, the brain response to sound continues to be stronger than for those who never had music lessons. Many people know about the benefits to children who take formal music lessons: a stronger working memory, language processing benefits, and even a likelihood of higher SAT scores. However, these benefits continue into the teen and adult years, as well. So, my answer to those who used to play: It will come back to you quickly. Musical talent What is talent anyway? According to Oxford Language Dictionary, talent is “a natural aptitude or skill.” While genetics do play a part in musical aptitude or learning, most everyone has the ability to

DANCE CONSERVATORY of pittsburgh

412.344.3900

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Fall 2021

learn music. Noted pianist Randal Faber often talks about his daughter who has, at a young age, already achieved great things in the world of music. She sat on her parents’ laps at the piano before she could sit alone. But, being adopted, she did not “inherit” music from her parents’ genetics. Rather, she reaped the benefits of her musical environment and teaching. A music-rich environment It makes sense that a family of world-renowned musicians would be able to provide a music-rich environment, but how is it practical for an average family? Everyone benefits from music. So, whether you are three or 103, a music-rich environment is for you! Studies have shown that music can help the body to heal, reduces stress, and improve memory. So, let’s make music! Ways to incorporate a music-rich environment in your home: 1. Take a class or lessons. Lessons are available in home, in studio, virtually, and even on YouTube. Audio classes on music appreciation are available from your local library. Groups meet to jam and drum. There are many options that will fit your interest and your budget! 2. Pick up that instrument. Don’t think about how you shouldn’t have quit. Keep playing! Dust off that old trumpet and see what you can do. Sing in the shower. 3. Explore new types of music. Set your station to something new and see what is out there! If you or your children are playing or taking lessons, listen often to the music that you are learning! Motivation will increase greatly if the music that you are learning is relevant to your life. 4. Perform. Play every chance you get! Join a choir or orchestra. Many places of worship allow musicians and singers to join. This is a great way to play often. Play for people you know, or visit a nursing home and play. This is a beautiful way to not only play more, but to make beautiful friendships. 5. Get Creative. It’s always fun to play written music. But, an even more amazing experience is to create music of your own. Whether you choose to compose a symphony, try some jazz improv, or simply make up some beats on your drum, making your own music is very rewarding. n

dcpdance.com

Becki Lewis, owner of Lewis Music Studio in Bridgeville, has been playing the violin for more than 20 years. Playing locally at her church, she also plays the piano, viola, and flute, and has been trained extensively in music theory. She studied with the accomplished Linda Andersen, Rick Choura, and Karen Dietrich. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Duquesne University and Director’s Credential in early childhood administration from Point Park University. Becki has been teaching piano since 2001 and has taught for several years in the classroom, as well. Her passion for children and music make her studio thrive. See ad on page 47.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES GUIDE

Let's Make Music! Drums, Guitar, Bass Guitar, String Bass, Cello, Viola, Violin, Piano, Voice, Flute, Piccolo, and Brass Lessons Intro to Piano, Intro to Strings, and Music Theory Group Classes Sheet Music, Instruments, and Accessories

http://lewismusicstudio.net 600 Old Pond Road, Suite 506a, Bridgeville 412-208-8794

Fall 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES GUIDE

Soothing Back to School Jitters Haley Roberts, Extended Day Services

The beginning of a new school year can trigger some anxiety for children. This fall in particular, parents may notice more nervousness from their children than in past years due to ever-changing COVID-19 rules in educational facilities. By using social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies, however, parents can help their kids cope with back-to-school jitters. Here are some ideas for guiding your children through their anxiety using SEL techniques. 1. Leave the house every day. Leading up to the first day of school, take your children out every day to somewhere that’s enjoyable to them. These outings will help get them into a routine of getting up in the morning, getting dressed, and interacting with new people. 2. Start a “Worry Jar.” Ask your children to write down their worries and anxieties on a piece of paper. If they are too young to write, they can tell you their worries and you can write them down. It helps if the parents play along, as well, by writing down their own worries. Next, have your children fold up their paper and put it in the jar while saying “I can let this worry go for now.” Sharing anxieties can help them see that other family members may feel similarly, and it will build empathy. 3. Walk around the school. Especially for children who are transitioning to a new school building in the fall, check out the premises. Even just walking around the outside to view the playground, bus drop-off area, and other exterior things will be helpful in reducing your children’s anxiety tied to the unknown. Talk about what the new daily routine will be like as you walk.

4. Use worry stones. Worry stones are oval-shaped, polished stones with a thumbprint indentation. When your children feel anxious, encourage them to rub their thumb across the stone as they take a deep breath. With practice, this method reinforces self-calming and allows your children to habitually shift concentration away from worry. 5. Carve out family time after school. Make a little time each day to be present with your children and talk about their day. Quality over quantity. Even just ten minutes can make a difference. This time gives your children a platform to process their day and a way to express anxiety they may be feeling during the first days of school. 6. Re-frame back-to-school shopping. While buying school supplies for your children, insert some SEL-related questions as you go. When your child grabs a new lunch box, ask “Who do you think you’ll sit with on your first day in the cafeteria?” Questions like this will get your children thinking about school in concrete terms, instead of nerve-racking abstractions. 7. Focus on what will be the same. Even though some aspects of school might change this year, focus conversation more on what will remain the same. Remind your children that more things will be similar to their previous school year than different. Social-emotional learning, for good reason, has been a popular addition to school and childcare curricula. Children’s social skills are as important as their academic learning. By using these techniques and others inspired by SEL, parents can ensure their children will adjust back to school See ad for Extended Day more smoothly. n Services on page 49.

Little Lake Theatre Presents “HONK!”

George Stiles and Anthony Drewe’s

“Honk!” will be presented onstage in person at Little Lake Theatre Company in Canonsburg. A musical reimagining of the “The Ugly Duckling,” this show has terrific tunes, energetic choreography, sparky characters, and a message of diversity, tolerance, and acceptance for kids of all ages. Childhood was no fairy tale for Hans Christian Andersen. Growing up in Denmark as a tall, gangly kid with a big nose, big feet, and tusk-like teeth, he was mocked by other children. On one occasion, he ran up a tree to escape the taunts of “scarecrow.” Even his headmaster tormented him, forcing him to finish his education with a private tutor before heading to university. Years later, this brilliant raconteur produced one of his most enduring tales, The Ugly Duckling (circa 1843), dealing with the rejection endured by an outsider whose unusual size, shape, and color made him a misfit in his community. Andersen called it his autobiography. The Little Lake’s creative team, consisting of music director Holly Jones and artistic director Jena Oberg, will fill the stage with energy and joy and will have you rooting for the under bird. Honk! is magical and heartwarming entertainment for anyone who has ever felt like a square peg in a round hole world. This musical is a wonderful tale for adults and kids alike, with plenty of plucky humor. n

Ticket Information Starting at $22 for adults; $16 for children 16 and under Reserved seating available for indoor theatre Group rates available Ticket Purchases Box Office: 724-745-6300 Email: Info@littlelake.org Online: www.littlelake.org Walk-up: 500 Lakeside Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317 Services and Facilities Accessible parking, entrances, restrooms, and seating. Call the box office at 724-745-6300 for additional information.

Will Disney founded Little Lake Theatre in 1949, with the vision of creating what is at the heart of community theatre: a place where actors, directors, designers, volunteers, and audiences support one another, learn from one another, and very thoroughly enjoy one another’s company. Will’s vision remains Little Lake’s passion. Today, the current management team of Jena Oberg, artistic director, and Patricia Knapp, managing director, have more than 40 years of arts management expertise. See ad for LIttle Lake Theatre Company on page 49. 48

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Fall 2021

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES GUIDE

Fall classes begin September 7

Featuring the South Hills’ largest production of

The Nutcracker!

Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh 4100 Library Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15234

www.balletacademypgh.com

412-343-9333

Fall 2021

info@balletacademypgh.com

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Township Commissioners

The Township’s Check it out at website was www.twpusc.org updated in 2021.

Mark D. Christie President Ward 4

Day 412-831-9000 2021*

Township Administration

Daniel R. Paoly Vice President At-Large

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-862-5995 2021*

Dante R. Plutko, Jr. Ward 1

Matthew R. Serakowski Township Manager

Mark S. Mansfield Asst. Township Manager & Director of Administration

Jonathan Wharton Chief of Police

Mark P. Romito Director of Finance

Adam A. Benigni Director of Planning & Community Development

George Kostelich, Jr. Director of Public Works

Christian Gmiter Director of Library

Paul Besterman Director of Recreation & Leisure Services

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-389-5187 2023*

Pamela L. Enck Ward 2

Day 412-831-9000 2021*

Robert W. Orchowski Ward 3

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-854-1868 2023*

Ronald J. Pardini Ward 5

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 724-941-1199 2023*

Todd D. Burlingame At-Large

Day 412-831-9000 2021*

To reach Township personnel, call 412-831-9000 and follow the automated directions. Administrator Extension Matthew R. Serakowski......................... 2160 Township Manager Mark S. Mansfield.................................. 2190 Asst. Township Manager & Director of Administration Jonathan Wharton.................................. 2380 Chief of Police Mark P. Romito....................................... 2180 Director of Finance Adam A. Benigni..................................... 5010 Director of Planning & Community Development George Kostelich, Jr................................ 2710 Director of Public Works Christian Gmiter.................................... 2470 Director of Library Paul Besterman....................................... 6560 Director of Recreation & Leisure Services

Other Services Police Administration............................412-833-1113 Tri-Community South EMS Administration............................412-831-3710 USC Volunteer Fire Department Administration............................412-835-0660 Animal Control.........................412-833-7500 Community & Recreation Center...................412-221-1099 Cable 7.......................................412-831-1030 Emergency– Police, Fire, EMS....................412-833-7500

Follow the Township of Upper St. Clair on social media for the latest news and announcements.

2021 Township of Upper St. Clair Meeting Dates

*Date indicates expiration of term.

All business regarding the operation of the Township is conducted at the regular meetings of the Board of Commissioners. Citizens are invited to comment on any Township matter. Complete Board minutes can be found at the Upper St. Clair Township Library or on the website at www.twpusc.org. For more information, call 412-831-9000. 50

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

• The Board of Commissioners meets at 7:30 p.m. The regular public meeting is held the first Monday of the month. The informational and general affairs meeting is held the last Monday of the month. • The Planning Commission meets the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. • The Parks and Recreation Board meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the C&RC; no meeting in December. • The Zoning Hearing Board meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 8 p.m. • The Civil Service Board meets as needed. • The Building/Fire Codes Appeals and Advisory Board meets as needed. • The Library Board meets as needed. Meetings are held in the Municipal Building’s board room, unless otherwise indicated. Meeting locations are subject to change; refer to the Township website at www.twpusc.org for more information.

Fall 2021

Highlights of the Board of Commissioners’ Meetings April 5, 2021

May 3, 2021

Approximately 21 people attended.

Approximately 10 people attended.

Recognitions • Commissioner Plutko presented a Proclamation to Phoebe Chen, a USCHS student, for being selected as a flutist to the National Association for Music Education’s (NAfME) All-National Concert Band. • Commissioner Christie presented a Proclamation to Chris Gmiter, USC Township Library Director, in recognition of National Library Week, April 4–10, 2021.

Recognitions • Commissioner Pardini presented a Proclamation to Nora Helfrich, Director of Tri-Community South Emergency Medical Services recognizing May 16–22, 2021, as National Emergency Medical Services Week in Upper St. Clair, with the theme “THIS IS EMS: Caring for Our Communities.” • Commissioner Plutko presented a Proclamation to Maddie Nolen, USCHS student, for her win at the Pennsylvania High School Speech League (PHSSL) state tournament in the Humorous Interpretation category. • Commissioner Enck presented a Proclamation to the USCHS Speech & Debate Team for placing first in the Speech Sweepstakes Championship at the PHSSL state tournament. • Commissioner Burlingame presented a Certificate of Achievement to the USCHS Boys Basketball Team for their win at the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) championships. • Commissioner Orchowski presented Certificates of Achievement recognizing members of the USCHS Girls Swim Team for their first place individual wins at the WPIAL championships. • Commissioner Orchowski presented Certificates of Achievement and Proclamations recognizing the USCHS Boys Swim Team for their first place team win at the WPIAL and several team member individual wins at the WPIAL and Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) championships. • Commissioner Christie presented a Proclamation to former At-Large Commissioner Rex A. Waller recognizing his service while serving on the USC Township Board of Commissioners.

Phoebe Chen (second from right)

Library director Chris Gmiter (left), with Board of Commissioners president Mark Christie

Todd Burlingame, flanked by Board president Mark Christie (left) and Judge Ronald Arnoni (right) was named a commissioner during the April 2021 meeting. The Board • Denied PLC16-0008–Tuscany Pointe PRD–Final Approval–Extension Request. • Adopted Resolution No. 1699 opposing the tolling of Interstate 79 at the Bridgeville Interchange. • Approved the Proposal to Study Enhancements at the Morton Fields Complex. • Adopted Resolution No. 1700 authorizing a formal grant application through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program for the Upper St. Clair Township Library–Next Generation Library Improvement Project. • Adopted Resolution No. 1701 authorizing a grant application through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Community Conservation Program for the Morton Complex/Community Gardens Connection– Phase IIB Perimeter Trail Project in Boyce Mayview Park. • Adopted Resolution No. 1702 authorizing a grant application through the Department of Community and Economic Development for the Morton Complex/ Community Gardens Connection–Phase IIB Perimeter Trail Project in Boyce Mayview Park. Approval of Contracts • McChesney Lueck Roofing, LLC......................... $117,400 McKees Rocks, PA Public Works Building Roof Replacement • Industrial Commercial Elevator............................. $69,500 Administration Building Elevator Cecil, PA Modernization/Rebuild (located in the USC Township Library)

Members of Tri-Community South, EMS The Board • Adopted Resolution No. 1703 authorizing the application for transfer of liquor license–First Watch Restaurants, Inc. • Adopted Resolution No. 1704 Re. Allegheny County Hazard Mitigation Plan. • Adopted Bill No. 3-21 authorizing the Extension of Approval to Permit Recording of Plan with Allegheny County Re. PLC19-0011–Defender Properties, LLC–1140 Boyce Road.

June 7, 2021

Approximately 1 person attended.

The Board • Adopted Resolution No. 1705 authorizing a Plan Revision for New Land Development (Planning Module) for the Deerfield Manor/Links View Drive Transfer Agreement Project. Approval of Contracts • General Recreation, Inc......................................... $61,040 Newtown Square, PA Trotwood Park Playground Equipment

Accessibility Coordinators Members and coaches of the USCHS Boys and Girls Swim teams

Members and coach of the USCHS Speech & Debate team

Members and coach of the USCHS Boys Basketball team Fall 2021

The Township of Upper St. Clair has five accessibility coordinators to further enhance all visitors’ access to Township facilities, parks, trails, and programs. For more information on accessibility, visit twpusc.org/accessibility. Currently, the Township of Upper St. Clair’s accessibility coordinators are • Jeremy Lemley, Buildings/Grounds Administrator (for all Township buildings): 412-831-9000, ext. 2710 • Ed Poljak, (for Township website and phone system): 412-831-9000 • Christian Gmiter, Director of Library: 412-831-9000, ext. 2240 • Gary Schafer, Parks and Forestry Administrator: 412-831-9000, ext. 2710 • Paul Besterman, Director of Recreation and Leisure Services (for all recreation activities): 412-831-9000, ext. 6560 UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Transformation of the Municipal Building Over the Years Becky Brindle, USC Township

You know you’re in Upper St. Clair when you drive down McLaughlin Run Road and pass the municipal building. The traditional brick structure with its tall cupola has become an Upper St. Clair landmark. Evolving over the years, the original shell of the municipal building was first constructed in 1959. It was a small, L-shaped facility, housing only the police and public works departments. About ten years later, the first major addition to the building was constructed. A special dedication ceremony took place on May 24, 1969. The new space housed the Township government offices, the Upper St. Clair School District (USCSD) administrative offices, the Township Library, and the post office. The last major physical reconfiguration to the municipal building was included as part of “Project 2000,” a label coined in the early 1980s when the next several decades of the building’s use was being planned. Completed in 1987, that project included a

Rendering of the anticipated outdoor courtyard, with access from the library

Rendering of the new municipal building; view from back of building

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Fall 2021

library addition and reallocation of the Township administrative offices and police department. Beginning in 2010, the Township began a series of phased renovations to incorporate functional efficiencies, cosmetic enhancements, upgraded equipment, and other improvements. Now, nearly 40 years after planning for Project 2000, the Township is planning the building’s use for decades to come. Plans for the NextGen Municipal Building Renovation project are now underway. The first project discussions started in 2018, after the USCSD announced its plans to move out of the municipal building and erect its own building on the campus of the high school. At the direction of the Township Board of Commissioners, Township staff developed a conceptual plan in 2019 to reallocate the vacated space for Township use, with an emphasis on improving the layout, providing operational efficiencies, and enhancing the experience of residents and the public as they engage with the Township. One of the most anticipated renovations in the project is a new, one-level library. The renovation will shift the kids’ library from the third floor to the second floor. The children’s portion of the library will move to the vacant School District space and a new,

enclosed bridge will connect the adult and kids/teen libraries together. Parents and caretakers will enjoy a new ADA-compliant restroom within the kids’ library area. A new children’s program room will include state-of-the-art technology, lockable storage, and a workspace with a water supply for crafting projects. Most of the existing third floor library space will be reconfigured into a combination of meeting rooms, study rooms, and community space, with access to a new, outdoor rooftop courtyard. The main entrance facing McLaughlin Run Road will soon serve as a hub for visitors during business hours. Instead of just having access to the tax office and administration area, the visitor hub will add the primary entrances to the police department and the department of planning and community development. The police department will receive a much-needed expansion and modernization during this project. New garages will be built for police vehicles. Updated technology will be installed in the dispatch center, and the police conference room and the officers’ locker rooms will be expanded. The project and its anticipated funding were included in the 2020 budget, but was delayed caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. After this temporary pause, progress resumed in late 2020 and the project was adopted into the 2021 budget. In February 2021, the Board of Commissioners authorized a 20-year bond issue to finance the project. The construction for the NextGen Municipal Building Renovation project is scheduled to begin November 2021. It is estimated to cost roughly $8 million. n For the latest information, visit the Township’s website at https://twpusc.org/community/renovation_project.

The USC municipal building expanded for the first time in 1969

October 1986, when the library addition was constructed.

Waller Resigns as Commissioner After serving USC Township

for many years, Rex Waller resigned as commissioner this past March, after he and his wife moved their residence from Upper St. Clair to Washington County. Rex served as a member of the Board of Commissioners, Ward 2, from January 2014 through December 2017, and At-Large from June 2019 through March 2021. During his tenure, he served as vice president of the Board, chair of the Community Development Committee, chair of the Public Works Committee, chair of the Human Resources Committee, member of the Budget and Finance Committee, representative of the South Hills Area Council of Governments, the Outdoor Classroom Ad Hoc Committee, and the Fields Committee. As a member of the Budget and Finance Committee, Rex helped guide and oversee the development and approval of the 2021–2025 Capital Improvement Plan and was a member of the Board for the approval of the 2021 Bond Issue Ordinance. As a member of the Playing Fields Work

group, Rex helped solidify the efforts of the Township, Upper St. Clair School District, and Upper St. Clair Athletic Association to provide recreational opportunities for the youth in our community, and supported the development and upkeep of Township parks and playing fields. He was an active member of the Public Works Committee during the completion of the Boyce Mayview Park Perimeter Trail Extension, the installation of new traffic signal equipment at two intersections along Washington Road, and the installation of a high-efficiency air handling unit in the Community & Recreation Center aquatics area. Commissioner Todd Burlingame was appointed to serve an unfilled portion of Rex’s term, through December 31, 2021. A special election to fulfill the remainder of the Board of Commissioner’s term (January 3, 2022–January 1, 2024) will be scheduled. TODAY wishes Rex the best as he and his wife settle into their new home, and we thank him for his service to Upper St. Clair! n Fall 2021

Rex Waller receives a Township Proclamation from Board president Mark Christie for his years of service as a commissioner at the May Board of Commissioners’ meeting. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Join

Work Continues on USC Roundabout Project

It’s entirely possible that you’ve never

heard of the Youth Steering Committee of Upper St. Clair (YSC). It’s an organization that’s been around for decades, and provides programming and education to the community on issues that face our youth. After a tragic car accident involving students at the high school that resulted in a fatality, a community action group formed with the mission of “providing positive direction and support to our youth, as well as families.” Although created in the 1980s, this continues to be the mission to this day due to its continued relevance. The YSC members are jointly appointed by the Township of Upper St. Clair Board of Commissioners and the Board of School Directors. YSC members include adult residents, high school students, parents, and representatives from both appointing boards, in addition to liaisons from both the Township and School District. The committee has tackled many relevant topics over the years, including drinking and driving, alcohol and drug abuse, the opioid epidemic, anxiety, sibling rivalry, and depression. The YSC’s most recent programs were Parenting for Humans: Navigating Emotionally Tense Conversations with Your Child, with Dr. Eran Magen. As a national speaker with many accolades, he spoke with attendees about ways to help parents help form better relationships with their children. Another highlighted program recently hosted was Share the Keys. This program provided valuable information, tools, and resources that support the development of safe driving habits for life to teen drivers and parents, alike. Continuing to solicit feedback from the community for ideas for future programming, the YSC received positive feedback from both recently held sessions. The committee meets on the second Wednesday of every month from September to June, typically in the C&RC at Boyce Mayview Park, although recently the meetings have been held virtually. Meetings are held either as general meetings, where planning and discussion occurs, or programming meetings, where content is shared. The committee is actively recruiting new members. To learn more about the committee or to inquire on how to apply, email youthsteeringcommittee@uscsd.k12.pa.us. All meetings are open to the public. n 54

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Motorists are encouraged to use caution while driving through the intersection of McLaughlin Run, Lesnett, and McMillan roads. Changing traffic patterns will continue as PennDOT construction crews convert the signalized intersection into a free-flowing single lane roundabout. The $4.67 million PennDOT project also includes guide rail and drainage improvements, sidewalks and ADA curb cut ramp installation, sign updates, lighting upgrades, and pavement marking. Traffic will be maintained in each direction throughout the duration of the project. Flaggers and temporary traffic signals are being used to guide drivers through the work zone as needed. The overall project will conclude in fall 2022. Plum Contracting Inc. is the prime contractor. For the latest information on the project, visit the news section of the Township of Upper St. Clair’s website at twpusc.org/newslist. n

Upper St. Clair Police Department 2021 Citizens’ Police Academy The Upper St. Clair Police Department will be hosting its Citizens’ Police Academy this fall. This special opportunity is for adults at least 21 years old who live, work, or conduct business in Upper St. Clair. The weekly classes run from the first week in October to mid-November. The course syllabus includes instruction and scenario-based training on various aspects of law enforcement and public safety.

Course Objectives/Overview: • Overview of the criminal justice system, local and global • Active shooter and crisis management in schools and the workplace • Cybercrimes and identity theft issues and prevention • Local ordinances, crimes, and vehicle code issues • The United States Constitution and citizens’ rights • Firearm safety, use of force, and self-defense • Patrol procedures, traffic stops, speed enforcement, and officer safety • Criminal, drug, and gang investigations • Domestic crimes, custody disputes, and missing children • The role of the District Attorney and the District Court • Local crimes, current investigations, programs, and public issues There is no fee to attend the academy, but an application is required. Stop by the police department or visit the Township website at www.twpusc.org to apply. n

Fall 2021

For more information, contact police administration, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., at 412-833-1113.

USC Police Department Promotes Six Six members of the Upper St. Clair Police Department were promoted into leadership positions this past June. Bringing valuable experience to their new positions, learn more about them by reading the following: Lt. Michael Lindenfelser began his career with the Wilkinsburg PD and joined the USCPD in 2007 as a dispatcher. Michael was promoted to patrolman in 2010 and to sergeant in 2017. Lt. Lindenfelser graduated with an MS in legal studies, with a concentration in criminal justice from California University of Pennsylvania, and earned a BA in criminal justice from La Roche College. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Session 278. The FBINA is an intensive ten-week program where candidates study intelligence theory, behavioral science, law, terrorism, and forensic science, with an overall goal of improving the administration of justice and raising the standards for law enforcement agencies. Lt. Lindenfelser’s professional expertise includes computer voice stress analysis (CVSA)/truth verification, ALICE active shooter response training, TASER instruction, defense tactics instruction, and accident reconstruction, and he is a certified car seat technician. He also teaches CHAMPS in local schools. The CHAMPS program was established in Upper St. Clair to encourage students to make good decisions, educate them on the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and strengthen the relationship between students and police. Lt. Michael Ventura worked for both the Hanover Township PD and the Peters Township PD before becoming a patrolman for the USCPD in 2012. He was then promoted to sergeant in 2017. Lt. Ventura received his BA in administration of justice from the University of Pittsburgh and, in addition to his work as an investigator, is responsible for several auxiliary functions within the department. Lt. Ventura is a certified firearms instructor and armorer, less-lethal weapons instructor, field training supervisor, police liaison for the Upper St. Clair Youth Steering Committee, and CHAMPS teacher. Lt. Ventura has completed numerous administrative and investigative courses, which include ALICE active shooter

response training and advanced interrogation training. He also handles compliance and documentation functions concerning the standards set by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) for the holding of juveniles (JHELD). Sgt. Justin Abbott worked as a police officer for the City of Pittsburgh prior to joining the USCPD in 2014. Sgt. Abbott earned his BS in psychology from Allegheny College and graduated from the City of Pittsburgh’s Police Training Academy. He has attended several trainings throughout his career, covering an array of topics that include leadership, forensic crime and crash mapping, communication with disoriented seniors, and drug interdiction. In addition, Sgt. Abbott serves as a member of the department’s collision reconstruction team. Sgt. Brian Coughlin worked for the Turtle Creek PD and the Harmar Township PD before beginning his career with the USCPD as a patrolman in 2013. Sgt. Coughlin received a BA in criminology and criminal justice from Slippery Rock University and participates in several of the USCPD’s specialty units. He is a member of both the Mountain Bike Unit and South Hills Area Council of Governments (SHACOG) support team (Mobile Field Force). Sgt. Coughlin is a certified car seat technician and has received training in

other areas of law enforcement, including active shooter analysis and leadership. Sgt. Michael Lebetz began his career as a police officer for the University of Pittsburgh prior to joining the USCPD in 2014 as a patrolman. Sgt. Lebetz graduated from Thiel College with a BA in criminal justice. His professional specialized training includes defense tactics instruction, collision reconstruction, and ALICE active shooter response training. He is a member of the USCPD quad unit, a field training officer, and a teacher for the local CHAMPS program. Sgt. Lebetz is also part of the SHACOG critical incident response team (CIRT) and responded to the Tree of Life Synagogue tragedy in 2019. Sgt. Anthony Oliva began his career in law enforcement as an officer with the Prince William County PD in Virginia before joining the USCPD as a patrolman in 2018. Sgt. Oliva graduated from Averett University with a BS in sociology and criminal justice. He is a decorated veteran of the United States Army who deployed to Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom and guarded the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for several years. He completed his military career as a staff sergeant, with numerous medals and accolades. Sgt. Oliva is both a field training officer and a reconstructionist on the accident reconstruction team. n

Left to right: Sgt. Anthony Oliva, Sgt. Brian Coughlin, Lt. Michael Lindenfelser, Chief Jonathan Wharton, Township Manager Matt Serakowski, Lt. Michael Ventura, Sgt. Justin Abbott, Sgt. Michael Lebetz

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USC VFD Making History It was a momentous occasion this year when Lt. Lillian Caudill became the first female line officer in the Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department’s (USC VFD) 82 years of operation. Lilly, who graduated from USCHS in 2018, became a firefighter with the USC VFD in 2016. She joined the department for several reasons, including the thrill of the calls, belonging to something important, and serving the community. Lilly said she was able to handle the physical demands of the job and was surprised how well she fit into the department. “I was the only girl,” said Lilly, “and a lot of the guys were older. Working with the department, Lilly Caudill they’ve become like family members. While it can be scary to join a male dominated profession,” she said, “it pays off in the long run.” Over the years, Lilly has done a lot of training, earning her Firefighter 1 certification and Emergency Medical Technician certification, as well as rope, haz mat, and other certifications. Now, she’s taking additional training in emergency management and officers’ classes. “I’m thinking of all sorts of things from an officer’s perspective now,” said Lilly. “As I look at the structure of the house, I am looking for the problem, solving the problem, and keeping my crew safe,” she said. Lilly said she’s looking forward to working closer with the other line officers. “This is a great learning experience. I’m looking forward to being the best officer I can be.” In addition to firefighting, Lilly is attending CCAC’s School of Nursing, and one day hopes to be a flight nurse. Abbey Scannell, a 2018 Peters Township High School graduate, joined the department in September of that year. She said that after growing up with a dad who was involved with the fire service, joining seemed to be a good opportunity. Like all firefighters, Abbey has received extensive training and has earned her Firefighter 1 certification. She recently attended a course at Penn State conducted by the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI). She also attends CCAC, working toward a degree in fire science. One of Abbey’s favorite parts of being a firefighter is the fire prevention programs the department offers to USC youth, commenting that it’s great seeing the kids get so Abbey Scanell excited. Abbey’s biggest challenge as a firefighter is being able to reach things! She explained that a lot of the equipment is located high on the trucks, and at 5 foot, 2 inches tall, it is a stretch for her—literally. Abbey said she likes working with the guys, stating that they are easy to work with. She’s also excited about Lilly’s promotion to line officer. “It’s definitely great to see more females in leadership 56

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positions, both now and in the future,” s a i d A b b e y. F o r women considering joining the fire service, Abbey said, “There’s nothing that guys can do that girls cannot. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.” Joining the department in 2021 is Caroline Naft. She and her family moved to Upper St. Clair about five years ago. “My son will be starting Kindergarten this fall, so I knew I would have more free time,” explained Caroline. A lawyer by trade, she’s a graduate of Duquesne Law School. Caroline said she wanted to do something for the community, which is part of the reason she decided to join the department. Caroline said she’s always been into physical fitness, including running, which helped with the physical demands of the job. But she was surprised about the challenging academics involved with firefighting. “When I started taking the firefighting classes, it was like learning a foreign language,” she explained. “I was always used to being at the top of the class academically, and it was hard not to be good at something. As a new student, it was humbling, but in a Caroline Naft good way,” she said. Caroline has the highest regard for her fellow firefighters. “They’re a really good group of people,” she said. “There’s such camaraderie, and everyone has each others’ backs. All of us genuinely want what’s best for our community,” she said. When asked what she thought about having a female line officer, Caroline commented, “She’s amazing!” Caroline was especially impressed that Lilly was going to school full time, stating, “I look up to her very much.” Caroline encourages people who have entertained the idea about becoming a firefighter to stop by the fire station to learn more. “I showed up at a burn drill, and the next thing I knew… I’m in full gear,” she said. “Try it out!” Joining the department this June, the newest female firefighter at USC VFD is Lori Fuller, who moved to Upper St. Clair three years ago. She said she always wanted to be a firefighter since she was a little girl, but was intimidated because it was mostly a male profession. Lori said that this seemed like the right time of her life to try firefighting, especially when Caroline encouraged her to join the department. Lori has already Lori Fuller completed her online incident command course and has gone on fire calls. In addition, she and Caroline have started their classes for Firefighter 1 certification at the fire academy. n

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Former Chief Celebrates 50 Years with the USC VFD Becky Brindle, USC Township

In June 2021, Ray Tomnay celebrated 50 years of service with the Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department (USC VFD), and he has no plans to stop. He officially joined the fire department after graduating from The University of Akron in 1971. “I’m happy to do it,” said Ray. “The greatest thing is all the people I’ve been able to help along the way.” “I’ve known Ray for many years,” said Greg Gerlach, vice president of the USC VFD. “He always looks out for everyone, on the fire ground or not.” Ray knew he wanted to be a volunteer firefighter long before he joined in 1971. As a child growing up in Upper St. Clair, Ray spent much time at the fire hall where his father, Rege Tomnay, volunteered and served as a fire chief. Ray’s friend and neighbor, Russ Rauch, also has fond memories of hanging out at the fire hall. Little did he know he would one day volunteer with Ray at the USC VFD. Ray Tomnay was fire chief for 17 years, and for many of those years, Russ served as deputy chief. “We had a great working relationship. One of his famous lines was, ‘Just calm down,’” chuckled Russ. “He always told everyone we’d figure it out. And we did.” Ray is credited for keeping the fire station on the cutting edge. “He was on the front line, being the first in the area to do a lot of things. He always wanted to progress,” said Russ. “Ray’s 50 years at the fire department have been filled with

notable achievements that have kept us on the forefront of fire services. He has been very active with whatever the latest advancements Ray Tomnay are, making sure that we are performing at our highest level of service,” said Mike Moore, current fire chief of the USC VFD. Ray is known for mentoring many Upper St. Clair firefighters, including Chief Moore. “For me, Ray has always been someone I can go to and look for advice, whether it be for his opinion on a call or what he thinks of a certain training technique. He has been a staple at the fire hall since I joined and also before that when I was growing up around the fire hall,” said Chief Moore. “He’s a good mentor to the younger guys. He’s always willing to help someone out,” Russ reiterated. “Thirty years later and I still look to Ray for advice, both at the fire department and in business,” said Greg Gerlach. “As a masonry contractor, Ray is well versed in building construction, and his expertise has proven valuable many times over during his years in the department, not only on the fire ground, but also for knowing the history of why things were done the way they were,” said Daniel Barr, president of the USD VFD. “We are thankful to have Ray’s knowledge.” After half a century with the fire department, Ray said he will continue to volunteer: “Hopefully, I can stay active for many more years; teach the youngsters something.” n Fall 2021

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Tri-Community South Participates in EMS for Children Program

Tri-Community South EMS (TCS) continues to participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s EMS for Children (EMSC) program. TCS was first awarded recognition at the highest, Master, level in December of 2013. The EMSC program is a multi-level system of recognition for EMS agencies throughout Pennsylvania, with recognition awarded for compliance with basic equipment standards, ChildLine background clearance for all personnel, advanced pediatric education for providers, and community outreach programs. The EMSC voluntary program is a partnership between the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council, and is funded by a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The purpose of the program is to assist EMS agencies in improving their capability to treat pediatric patients and to raise public awareness about the ability of EMS agencies to care for patients of all ages. All of TCS ambulances have long met or exceeded the equipment requirements. TCS’s paramedics maintain certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and the system’s EMTs completed the requisite pediatric education. All TCS employees have current ChildLine clearances. TCS offers EMS awareness education to local schools through its Junior Paramedic program and offers public CPR classes that include infant and child CPR training. Most recently, TCS named supervisor Kevin Trichtinger as the system’s pediatric emergency care coordinator (PECC). The PECC is responsible for supporting the preparedness and safe delivery of pediatric care within the EMS agency. n For more information on EMSC, to sign up for an infant or child CPR class or any other CPR training, or for any other questions about emergency medical services, call TCS at 412-831-3710, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., or visit the website at tcsems.org. 58

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The Chain of Survival Works John Bower, EMT P, Paramedic Supervisor, Tri-Community South EMS

When a woman collapsed in the Bethel Park Public Library, everything fell into place to make for a great ending to a story that cannot be found in one of the library’s books. During the woman’s visit to the library one day, she collapsed at a desk. Luckily, a patron in the library was a nurse and recognized it as a sudden cardiac arrest. She placed the woman on the floor and started CPR, the first step in the “chain of survival.” The EMS system was activated by making contact with the Bethel Park police dispatch center. They dispatched EMS and a police officer to the scene. The library’s automated emergency defibrillator (AED) was obtained and placed on the patient while CPR continued. A shock was delivered using the AED by the first-responding police officer. The patient regained a pulse and began to breathe on her own. By the time EMS arrived, the patient was talking and was able to answer questions. EMS took over care of the patient and transported her to St. Clair Health, where she was released to home several days later. The patient survived because of the system in place. If the bystander had not started CPR, if an AED was not in close proximity and used, if police had not responded and shocked the patient, and EMS had not arrived to treat and transport the woman to a hospital that is also a cardiac center, the story could have had a very different, and far less happy, ending. This story is a reminder that sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. It is important to learn CPR and to recognize when help is needed and activate the system. n For more information regarding CPR classes, visit tcsems.org.

Are You Prepared for an Emergency?

After more than a year, people are beginning to emerge from their homes and get out and about. In so doing, it’s always good to be prepared for the unexpected. Members at Tri-Community South EMS see people at their most difficult moments, when they are sick or injured. TCS personnel are highly trained emergency medical technicians and paramedics, with hours of ongoing training meant to prepare them for a wide range of situations. Like EMT providers, there are a number of things that you can do to help prepare you and your family in case of a medical emergency, including taking a CPR/first-aid course and having easily accessible, up-to-date medical information about each family member. When an emergency crew arrives on site, there are several things that they need to know about the sick or injured person. Use the form found on page 59 to provide necessary data that includes his or her name, address, phone number, birthdate, past medical history, medications, and allergies. Having this information written down ahead of time and in a location where it can be easily accessed can save valuable time. Even though the hospital may have a patient’s medical history, EMTs also need it in case they need to administer medication to the patient enroute to the hospital. Make sure all your family members know what to do in case of an emergency, including the proper phone number to call and how to give the correct information to the dispatcher. After calling for help, turn your home’s outdoor lights on or have someone meet the ambulance outside, so the crew knows that they are at the correct address. Once the crew arrives, immediately give them the medical information about the person needing treatment. Make a copy of the emergency medical form and pass it along to other family members in your household, keeping the forms in a designated, easily accessible place. Whatever the emergency, it’s always good to be prepared! n If you are interested in a CPR/first-aid course, contact Tri-Community South at 412-831-3710 or find more information at tcsems.org. Fall 2021

Emergency Information Form Phone: (412} 831-3710 Or visit http://www.tcsems.org In Case of Emergency Call

Bethel Park: (412) 833-2000

Upper St. Clair: (412) 833-7000

South Park: 911

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

USC Recreation and www.twpusc.org

Fall Events Return to Boyce Mayview Park Come one, come all. It is time to celebrate fall at Boyce Mayview Park! This year, we welcome back some of your favorite events from years past. RADical Day, Wednesday, September 22 What are RADical Days? It’s a day at Boyce Mayview Park dedicated to thanking the public, with free admission, tours, performances, and family activities offered by organizations and attractions funded by RAD (Allegheny Regional Asset District). For more details, visit radworkshere.org.

Dates to Remember

Outdoor Pool Season Last Day Monday, September 6 The outdoor pool will close for the season at 5 p.m. on Labor Day, Monday, September 6. Labor Day hours of operation are 11 a.m.–5 p.m. for the outdoor pool and 10 a.m.–2 p.m. for the indoor facility. Blood Drive Tuesday, September 14 Vitalant will be at the C&RC on Tuesday, September 14, noon–6 p.m., accepting blood donations. Interested donors should sign up for an appointment at Vitalant.org, using group code C565.

Creating works of art

Color Crawl, Saturday, October 16 Participants will have a blast enjoying this noncompetitive two-mile walk/run on the paved trails of Boyce Mayview Park. Runners and walkers will pass through color stations, where they will be showered with vibrant colored powder. Open to all ages and fitness levels. Halloween Fun, Friday and Saturday, October 22 and 23 There are many ways for families to have a frightfully fun time in Boyce Mayview Park. From friendly monsters, creepy crafts, and a not-too-spooky scary swim, there is something for everyone this October.

Information for Seniors For more information about any Older Adult programming, contact the C&RC at 412-221-1099.

USC Township Silver Card The Township Silver Card is free and available to residents ages 62 and older. To obtain a Silver Card and receive access to a select number of group exercise classes, USC’s three-hole golf course, as well as a complimentary summer tennis permit, visit the Community and Recreation Center, 1551 Mayview Road. Silver card applications are available 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Monday– Friday. A valid photo ID showing USC residency is required upon application. Residents who acquired their Silver Card prior to 2019 are encouraged to re-apply for and receive a new, updated card.

USCSD Gold Card Scary swim Trick or Treat Monster Hunt Monster Hunt check in

Bounty at Boyce Mayview Park, Saturday, November 6 There is no better way to spend a fall afternoon than at Bounty at Boyce Mayview Park! There’ll be plenty of family-friendly activities to choose from throughout the park, as well as inside the C&RC.

Additional information regarding details can be found on the Community & Recreation Center’s website at twpusc.org/recreationcenter. 60

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Upper St. Clair residents who are age 62 or older are eligible to receive a Gold Card, entitling them to free admission to plays and musicals, as well as regular season home athletic events and activities sponsored by the USC School District. WPIAL and PIAA playoff games are not eligible for free or discounted admission. To obtain a Gold Card, visit the high school main office at 1825 McLaughlin Run Road. For more information, contact Nancy Dunn at 412-833-1600, ext. 2236, or email ndunn@uscsd.k12.pa.us.

ACCESS and Port Authority Transportation for Senior Citizens Applications for the Pennsylvania Senior Transit ID and ACCESS transportation are available at the C&RC. Application must be made in person at the C&RC during operating hours. Proof of age (65 and older) is required. Additionally, proof of Allegheny County residency is required for ACCESS. The Port Authority will indefinitely continue to accept blue or yellow Pennsylvania Senior Transit ID cards.

Leisure Services 412-221-1099

A Stroke Won’t Slow Her Down

USC lifeguard completes more than 500 marathons Becky Brindle, USC Township

On May 7, 1995, Marie Bartoletti ran her first marathon in Pittsburgh. She finished at 4:01:48. After receiving much praise the next morning at her substitute teaching job at Ringgold High School, Marie started to think, “Hmmm, maybe I can do it again.” In the year 2000, Marie competed in another marathon. By 2006, to say Marie had caught the running bug was an understatement. Marie was running in 20 or more marathons a year. “I like to say the Mother Road 100 Marathon Route 66 was my famous race,” said Marie. She won first place in the 100-mile race from Oklahoma City to Tulsa, Oklahoma. The next closest female competitor finished three and a half hours behind her. Marie’s extreme athletic accomplishments continued in 2008 when she qualified for and competed in the Badwater Ultramarathon. The Marie, in her C&RC lifeguard uniform 135-mile course started at 282 feet below sea level in California’s Death Valley and ended at an elevation of 8360 feet at the trailhead to Mount Whitney. “It took me 35 hours to complete the race. The whole time I was debating to sleep or not to sleep. I decided not to sleep, to just keep going,” stated Marie. It was on Thanksgiving morning in 2015 when Marie was forced to take a pause. She experienced her scariest challenge yet—a stroke. It was a severe ischemic stroke that blocked her left medial cerebral artery. Amazingly, Marie’s physical abilities returned during her stay in the hospital. She thanks her boyfriend, John, a firefighter, for quickly recognizing her stroke symptoms and getting her to the hospital. Marie was discharged on a Tuesday, ran six miles on Wednesday and every day thereafter. In January 2016, Marie’s doctors gave her permission to run a full marathon again. Just two months after her stroke, Marie ran the Miami marathon with her good friend, Marcela, and they finished in five hours and 30 minutes. However, the stroke negatively affected Marie’s speech. She was denied medical clearance to return to her physical education teaching position, a job she loved doing for 25 years. “I was devastated,” said Marie. She In 2003, Marie won a competition to be on the front remains passionate about physical education and still carries around a “P.E. Rocks” keychain on her car keys. of a Wheaties cereal box. Her physical education background helped Marie become a reliable and popular lifeguard at the Community & Recreation Center at Boyce Mayview Park (C&RC). “I love this place and all the patrons. Everyone is so nice to me,” Marie said. “I am extremely impressed with all of Marie’s accomplishments and her commitment to the C&RC,” said Chris Biswick, aquatics supervisor. “After a weekend of running marathons, she comes to work on time and shares all of the wonderful stories of her past adventures. Her commitment to running is a great inspiration to her fellow lifeguard team members and our fellow C&RC members. A handful of times I’ve heard her tell other lifeguards who mentioned they were planning on running a half marathon or a full marathon, ‘You can do it,’ followed by a smile and a thumbs up.” Marie, a mother of two sons and grandmother of four children, is now 64 years old and says she has no plans of slowing down. At the time of the interview, Marie had completed a total of 512 Marie, a former physical education marathons, not including her ultramarathons or teacher, was inspired to share her love Ironmans. In fact, just a weekend before she sat of running and keeping up good health down for this interview, Marie ran three marawith her students. She helped develop Marie Bartoletti achieved the Abbott thons in three consecutive days in Texas. the annual Kids of Steel program, which World Marathon Majors Six Star Finisher “How do you do it?!” I exclaimed. attracted 8000 kids to participate in certificate. For athletes across the globe, “I don’t know,” she replied, with a simple 2018. n competing in an Abbott World Marathon shrug and quiet smile. n Majors race is a significant accomplishment.

Kids of Steel

To find out more about Marie’s inspiring story, her book, Perseverance: How a Determined Athlete Tenaciously Overcame a Stroke, is available for purchase. Proceeds are donated to the American Stroke Association. Call Marie at 412-726-8582 for more information. The idea for this story came from C&RC employee Carolyn Idler. Is there an inspiring person you’d like to recommend for a story? Let us know by emailing TODAY at usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us.

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

From the Director’s Desk

Christian Gmiter, Library Director Happy end of summer and beginning of fall to all Upper St. Clair residents, library patrons, and library supporters! I hope that you all had enjoyable summers, and were able to get away for a relaxing vacation or chose to stay local with a staycation. Perhaps instead of a summer trip, you’re planning a fall getaway and are looking to do a little research before you go. If so, the Upper St. Clair Township Library has an extensive travel section that may interest you. Do you wish to check out the fall foliage in Pennsylvania or other states? We can help you with that. Looking to travel abroad? We can also assist you with resources for those excursions. The library’s travel collection encompasses not only the regions of our state and the United States as a whole, but also the world over. The collection is curated and frequently updated so that no books are out of date and typically go no further back than 2018. If you are looking for recommendations for a particular book on a specific place, you can always ask a library staff member for assistance. The dog days of summer and the early days of autumn may lend themselves to indoor activities, as well. Did you know that the library lends games and puzzles to patrons? The library carries a variety of popular board games and some lesser-known ones, too. These games can be checked out for three weeks, and they automatically renew unless another patron requests them. Our selection of puzzles includes 500-piece and 1000-piece puzzles. Puzzles may also be checked out for three weeks and will renew automatically unless another patron requests it. The collection of puzzles includes a nice mix of landscapes, originals, and art prints. Lastly, and most importantly, I would like to take a moment to recognize the retirement of former library secretary Sue Latshaw. Sue retired this past June, after completing 28 years of dedicated work for the library. During her career, Sue worked with three library directors, many staff members, and countless patrons and residents. Please join me in celebrating Sue’s tenure with the Upper St. Clair Township Library. Best wishes and congratulations on your retirement, Sue. Thank you for all the exemplary work that you’ve done. You will be missed! n Susan Latshaw

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Fall 2021

Kids Programs Fall Kids and Teen Classes and Programs

Information about fall programs is available on the library’s website and social media sites. To learn more, sign up for library program information emails at usc1@einetwork.net.

Being Resilient —a Booklist for Kids Resilience is the ability to adjust to or recover from adversity or a major life change. The following are books to help parents and caregivers with ways to introduce and talk about this concept with their children. Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae Poor giraffe is embarrassed when his dancing is laughed at by other animals. He then finds the self-confidence to dance when encouraged by a friend to find his own music. The Good Egg by Jory John and Pete Oswald An egg learns to take some time for selfcare when he feels overwhelmed by the pressure of being good all the time.

2 Letter Words

3 Letter Words

Jubari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall Jubari has just finished his swim lessons and passed his swimming test. Now he must find the courage to jump off the high dive!

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña On a Sunday with his nana, CJ is asked to do lots of things that he doesn’t want to do. His wise nana helps him see the positive side of their activities. The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson A young girl feels uncertain and uncomfortable in a new situation until she gets to know the other children.

4 Letter Words

Celebrity Book Characters Back to School Below is a list of some favorite book characters and their adventures with school. If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff Biscuit Goes to School by Alyssa Satin Capucilli The Pigeon Has to Go to School by Mo Willems Berenstain Bears Go Back to School by Stan and Jan Berenstain Froggy Goes to School by Jonathan London Amelia Bedelia’s First Day of School by Herman Parish Daniel Goes to School by Becky Friedman How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? by Jane Yolen Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes by Eric Litwin

5+ Letter Words Answer key found on page 65.

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Adult Programs Register for adult programs online at twpusc.org or call 412-835-5540. New Solutions for Old Pain Tuesday, August 24, 11 a.m.–noon. (via Zoom) Are you tired of hurting? Learn about fresh, proven ideas that work to help heal your body that you might have overlooked. Presented by Fraudin Chiropractic

Short Selling and the GameStop Phenomenon Wednesday, September 1, 5:45–7 p.m. (via Zoom) Join Joseph Dressel from PNC as he discusses short selling, a process where an investor borrows shares of a stock and immediately sells them, hoping to buy them back at a lower price, then returning the shares to the lender and pocketing the difference. A short squeeze can cause the price of a stock to increase substantially within a very short period of time. Due to social media influences, GameStop and other stocks were heavily involved in short squeezes in January 2021, causing massive price changes in these stocks. This presentation will explore the concept of short selling and the events of January 2021.

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Eating to Support Your Immune System Wednesday, September 8, 5:30–7 p.m. (via Zoom) Join sports dietician Leslie Bonci as she dives into some of the hype and fallacies of how to support a strong immune system. She will discuss the importance of eating enough calories, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, what role vitamins and minerals play, if probiotics are beneficial, and what works best to achieve optimal health. The effects of stress, rest, and exercise will also be discussed.

Battle for Homestead Wednesday, September 15, 5:45–7 p.m. (via Zoom) It’s been 129 years since the Homestead Strike of 1892, yet it still retains its capacity to shock. It was a defining event that revealed in the starkest terms the respective strength of labor and management in America in the 1890s. The crushing defeat of the workers meant that there would be no recognized trade unionism and collective bargaining in steel and other heavy industries until the 1930s. Presented by Jerry Fitzgibbon. Jerry worked at the Homestead Mill until it closed in 1985. He is a volunteer at Rivers of Steel, where he gives tours of the Bost Building (the labor headquarters during the strike) and the historic Pump House (site of the 1892 battle).

Fall 2021

Time Warps, Time Loops and Time Travel: A Guide to Changing the Future Wednesday, September 22, 6–7 p.m. (via Zoom) You can probably think of a time in your life that you wish you could do over, with the hope that you could change the outcome. What if you got your wish, but had to do it over and over and over again until you perfected that particular point in time? This idea of repeating time is not scientifically impossible, and, in fact, it has a name: a time loop. This phenomenon will be discussed as it appears in famous works of television and film, including Russian Doll, ARQ, and, the Pennsylvania favorite, Groundhog Day. You decide if repeating time would be a blessing or a curse. Hosted by Daniel J. Glenn, professor Michael Dennin, and Ben Siepser

Ticks Tuesday, September 28, 11:30 a.m.–noon (via Zoom) Allegheny County Health Department Vector Control program coordinator Leah Lamonte, M.S., will discuss tick-borne infections. Tick-borne infections, including Lyme disease, are preventable, but awareness is the first step to action. This presentation will focus on the biology and habitat of ticks, how to prevent tick bites, and what the health department is doing to survey for pathogens, like Lyme disease, in the local tick population.

Adult Programs The Witch of the Monongahela Wednesday, October 6, 5:45–7 p.m. (via Zoom) In the ancient hills and misty hollows of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, generations of locals have passed down stories of a woman with mysterious magical powers. People came from near and far to seek healing and protection through her strange rituals. Some even believed she could fly. Named Moll Derry and nicknamed the Witch of the Monongahela, her legend has been documented by writers and folklorists for more than two hundred years. She is intertwined in many regional tales, including the “Lost Children of the Alleghenies” and “Polly Williams and the White Rocks.” Author Thomas White will separate fact from fiction in the many versions of Moll Derry and recount the history of folk magic and witchcraft in western Pennsylvania. Thomas White is the author of 11 books on Pennsylvania folklore and history, and is university archivist and curator at Duquesne University and an adjunct professor of history at La Roche University. SCREAM: Chilling Adventures in the Science of Fear Wednesday, October 13, 5:45–7 p.m. (via Zoom) Have you ever wondered why people might want to be scared? Or why people line up and wait for hours to go through a haunted attraction or gather with friends to watch a scary movie? In this presentation, Margee Kerr will share what she has learned through her travels around the world along with findings from her own research that offer insight into how and why people might want to scare themselves. Margee Kerr is a sociologist and author. She earned her PhD in 2009 from the University of Pittsburgh and currently teaches and conducts research on fear—specifically, how and why people engage in “scary” experiences like haunted attractions, horror movies, and paranormal investigations. She enjoys working as a consultant for attractions and museums and is the author of SCREAM: Chilling Adventures in the Science of Fear, named as a “must read” by The Washington Post. Her latest book, with co-author Linda Rodriguez McRobbie, OUCH! Why Pain Hurts and Why It Doesn’t Have To, was published in the U.S. in March. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Parade, Atlantic Monthly, and NPR’s Science Friday, among other publications. Find out more at margeekerr.com

Fall Foliage Hike with Allegheny County Parks Friday, October 22, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. (via Zoom) Join park rangers for a hike to experience the changing of the seasons. Learn why trees change color, what the different colors mean, and how other plant species, like evergreens, prepare for winter.

Horror Movie Panel Discussion Wednesday, October 27, 6–7 p.m. (via Zoom) Pittsburgh is so cool, it’s scary. The birthplace of the modern zombie (George Romero filmed the black-and-white classic in and around the city in 1968), Pittsburgh is still a horror-fan destination. Join Pittsburghbased writer Kristy Locklin and other horror enthusiasts as they talk about horror and the culture surrounding it.

USC Township Library Outside book and video return available 24/7. Closures: Closed summer Sundays through Labor Day Closed Monday, September 6 (Labor Day) Due to possible continued COVID-19 restrictions, check the library’s website for hours of operation and events. 412-835-5540 www.twpusc.org Fall 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

General Election—Tuesday, November 2, 2021 Polls Open 7 a.m.–8 p.m.

Monday, October 18, 2021, is Voter Registration Deadline Date. (Date subject to change pending Pennsylvania legislative action.)

If you have questions regarding the election, registration, or absentee ballots, call the Allegheny County Elections Department at 412-350-4500 or visit www.twpusc.org. The Township library and the post office have voter registration forms. Check the Township website to verify the location of the polling place closer to the General Election date.

Ward District Polling Place

Township Building, Library Multi-purpose Room, Ground Floor–McLaughlin Run Road

Baker Elementary School Gymnasium - Morton Road

Fort Couch Middle School–Gymnasium Miranda Drive entrance

Westminster Presbyterian Church–Washington Road

Fort Couch Middle School–Gymnasium Miranda Drive entrance

Sanitary Sewer Backups and Your Homeowner's Coverage The Township maintains over 158 miles of underground sewer lines. There is no way to predict when the next sanitary sewer backup will occur. And while only a handful of our residents experience a significant sanitary sewer backup each year, we know that when it does occur, it is a distressing situation. It can be even more devastating if a resident is not insured for losses—losses that can easily run into tens of thousands of dollars. Sewer Backup Insurance Homeowners can alleviate possible sewer-related damage expenses by contacting their property insurance provider to verify that they have sewer backup coverage. Most homeowners’ insurance policies do not automatically include coverage for these occurrences. Given the potential for significant loss, it would be advisable for homeowners served by a public sewer system, particularly those with finished basements, to obtain some level of coverage. Lastly, if you experience a floor drain backup or otherwise suspect a sanitary sewer problem, contact the Township’s Public Works Department immediately at 412-831-9000, extension 2710. 66

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McLaughlin Run Activity Center–McLaughlin Run Road

St. Catherine Labouré business office (rear), (formerly known as St. Louise DeMarillac)–McMurray Road

McLaughlin Run Activity Center–McLaughlin Run Road

Baker Elementary School, Gymnasium–Morton Road

Boyce Middle School, Gymnasium–Boyce Road

Wesley Spectrum Services, Gymnasium–Johnston Road

Boyce Middle School, Gymnasium–Boyce Road

USC

2021 Trash and Recycling Holiday Collection Holiday Collection Date Labor Day............................... Thursday, September 9 and Friday, September 10 Thanksgiving........................... Wednesday, November 24 and Friday, November 26

2021 Fall Yard Debris/Leaf Waste Collection—Saturdays

Place your fall yard debris and leaf waste in compostable bags, then place the bags at curbside by 6 a.m. the morning of pick up. Collection will take place the following six Saturdays: October 23, 31; November 6, 13, 20; December 4.

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Real Estate

• Mortgage • Title • Insurance

Fall 2021

Diane Horvath, GRI, CRS 412-491-6984 or 412-833-3601 x 219

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This is beautiful. This is home.

This is Providence Point— When Providence Point is your address, the retirement of your dreams is at your fingertips! With our wide array of apartment and patio home floor plans, countless amenities, and four dining venues, you’ll wonder why you waited. Providence Point is Pittsburgh’s premier senior living community, offering stellar wellness and healthcare.* It is a Life Plan Community, designed for the way you live now with the added peace of mind you want for your future.

A Baptist Homes Society community

See all of our floor plans and RSVP for upcoming events on our website. *Providence Point Healthcare Residence is consistently rated a Best Nursing Care Facility for both short and long-term in the USA by US News & World Report.

Call today to learn more.

WWW.PROVIDENCEPOINT.ORG

CALL 412.489.3550

500 Providence Point Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15243

What Does it Mean to Age Successfully? PP Ad-USC fall 2021.indd 1

6/15/2021 3:27:41 PM

Marilyn Walsh, Baptist Homes Society

When people talk about successful aging, there is a stereotypical image of the smiling 75-year-old striding along a beach. The imagery suggests that successful aging is about physical health. The reality is, that by the time people are 65 years old, more than 50% are using some sort of assistance or assistive device to support their acts of daily living. Though that number increases as we age, it is not a good indicator of “successful aging.” As executive director of Providence Point, Pittsburgh’s Life Plan Community who is focused on the well-being of the residents, Bob Kocent understands why health industry experts say successful aging is a multidimensional process. “Our resident population is a broad spectrum of people who move here to find a fulfilling, active lifestyle. But, that means different things to different people. Some may never touch foot in our fitness center, but take advantage of our drama club and theater outings. Others enjoy bocce, swimming, or possibly bridge club. Their individual perspective on aging is as individual as they are. Aging successfully for people lies in being able to do the things that make them happy and feel fulfilled.” Eating healthy and getting proper sleep and exercise is important, but real aging—and doing it well—is much more complex. Aging successfully means that we take advantage of the tools and medical advances available to us so that we can stay healthier longer. Research suggests that people living in senior communities may be more likely to compress morbidity and physical disability into fewer years later in life. Research also suggests that, despite some physical decline, older people regard themselves as happy 68

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and well when their mental, spiritual, and social needs are being met. Providence Point, which focuses on six dimensions of wellness—spiritual, physical, intellectual, community, emotional, and social—supports residents in their quest to age successfully. n

Providence Point water exercise class is just one of many activities that supports residents in their quest to age successfully.

See ad for Providence Point, a Baptist Homes Society community, on this page.

HE ALTH & WELLNESS GUIDE

EIGHT YEARS RUNNING

2013-2020

Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award Winner in Patient Satisfaction

Advanced Surgical Hospital complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. (TTY: 711) Advanced Surgical Hospital cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. (TTY: 711) ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-888-808-9008 ID 67115549 (TTY: 711) Advanced Surgical Hospital 遵守適用的聯邦民權法律規定，不因種族、膚色、民族血統、年齡、殘障或性別而視任何人。注意:如果使用繁體中文，可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電1-888-808-9008 ID 67115549 (TTY: 711)

Fall 2021

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HE ALTH & WELLNESS GUIDE

Stop Starting Over

Kristin Weaver, Burn Boot Camp–McMurray Fifteen months ago, the world came to a grinding halt. Businesses closed their doors, online shopping and delivery services were used more than ever, and families were asked to stay home whenever possible. It was an incredible shift that most people struggled to adapt to. But, we started over with the rules set forth. As we emerge into our new normal, we start over once again. Many people grappled with keeping their fitness regime during the lockdown, as gyms shut down and some moved to virtual fitness. However, as the world reopens and restrictions are lifted, it’s time to find ways to stop starting over with fitness goals. To begin, fitness is not just physical. Fitness is mental, too. In order to meet your goals, you must look at the “whole” you and ask the hard questions: What do I truly want for myself? How can I make time to make it happen? We often hear, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” And it’s true. Self-care is important so that you can be the best version of you. Self-care isn’t selfish. So, how do you make sure that you can take care of yourself physically, mentally, and nutritionally? We have three tips to help you stop starting over. 1) Find a gym or fitness community. Having a supportive community while you work out will help you reach your goals more than going it alone. Within that community, find an accountability partner, someone who will text you at 5 a.m. to make sure you’ll be at that 5:30 a.m. class. Having someone in your corner helps! 2) Set attainable goals. You aren’t going to lose 30 pounds in a week. But, you can make time to take a fitness class three times

a week. Or you’re going to drink 100 ounces of water each day. Instead, maybe cut down on the soda. Be realistic. Don’t set the bar too high or too low. You want your goals to push you. Talk with your trainer to help set achievable goals and how to best meet them on a daily basis. 3) Talk positively to yourself. The person you talk to the most every day is you. What are you saying? Your mindset is sculpted by what you see, hear, and believe. You don’t need to take the word “can’t” out of your vocabulary, but go ahead and add the word “yet.” You’ll be amazed by what you can’t do yet. Begin your day with a positive affirmation. Taking a page out of my first grader’s book: “I am kind. I am smart. I can do hard things. I am loved.” Locally, Burn Boot Camp–McMurray can help you meet your goals. The trainers are skilled to provide personalized training in a group setting. That means trainers meet you where you are. Never worked out before? Not a problem. Are you a former elite athlete? They got you! Focus meetings are held to discuss your personal goals about fitness and nutrition, and the trainers use that information to check in with you during camp. And, as a perk for moms and dads, they offer multiple camps a day with ChildWatch, so you can drop off your kid or kids while you work out! And, finally, the community built at Burn Boot Camp–McMurrary is incredibly supportive. The trainers and members alike will celebrate any and all of your victories! n See ad for Burn Boot Camp–McMurray on page 71.

Running for Wellness

Lauren Sheu, an Upper St. Clair resident and owner and founder of Running for Wellness, a mental health advocacy platform and run coaching business, shared her life story with TODAY of how and why she started her business. I never realized I had anxiety until I almost missed out on my life. I was always an excessive worrier, but I thought everyone felt that way. In middle school, I was bullied for being shy and this made me even more self-conscious. I felt like I was trapped inside an iron box, but was powerless and paralyzed to do anything about it. I felt like everyone was against me, and that I couldn’t truly be myself because I would never be accepted. I didn’t realize that help was available when I was young or that anything was even wrong. It wasn’t until I was 28 years old that I began to seek help. With a combination of therapy and running, I found myself. Today, my anxiety no longer controls my life. I’m now an entrepreneur and a mental health advocate. I believe the struggles I have gone through were for a purpose—so that I can help others to overcome theirs. The purpose of Running for Wellness is to help women improve their mental health and well-being through running. I coach runners, blog about the positive role fitness plays in our mental health, and I’m a partner with NAMI Keystone PA, where I speak at local schools and organizations to share my story and spread awareness to end the stigma associated with mental illness. n For more information, email lauren@runningforwellness.com or visit https://runningforwellness.com. 70

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HE ALTH & WELLNESS GUIDE

Personalized training in a group setting Complimentary child watch Unlimited 45 minute camps Personalized nutrition guidance

Get started with us today!

https://burnbootcamp.com/mcmurray

412.436.3521

https://burnbootcamp.com/mcmurray

mcmurraypa@burnbootcamp.com

burnbootcampmcmurraypa

210 Valley Brook Rd., McMurray, PA 15317

burnbootcampmcmurray Fall 2021

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Your neighborhood is your home, and that’s where you’ll find us. Live a carefree lifestyle while having the support of a world-class health system when you may need it. With comfortable housing options for those at all stages of retirement, you’re sure to discover a place that’s perfect for you. UPMC Senior Communities benefits from medical oversight provided by Dr. David Nace who is regarded as a national expert in the safe operation of senior residences during COVID-19. Contact us today and ask us about our limited-time special on select move-in-ready units.

700 Bower Hill Road, Mt. Lebanon asburyheights.org • 412-571-5133

Asbury Heights complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

Consider a Senior Living Community 3502_SRLIV521212_ah_usc_today_print_ad_7.5x4.875_b.indd 1

Erica Gevaudan, Asbury Heights An end to the pandemic is in sight. Businesses, restaurants, and entertainment venues are loosening restrictions and opening their doors to customers once again. Senior living communities are doing much of the same and re-opening their doors to visitors. Perhaps you’ve considered a senior living community for yourself or a loved one. You may be hesitant to explore your options, given all the restrictions and precautions these communities faced over the last year and a half. That is understandable. But, with vaccines now available and enhanced sanitation practices in place, these communities are ideal for older adults to remain social while receiving the assistance they need. When visitor restrictions were in place, those residing in senior living communities could still rely on the staff (and each other) for face-to-face interactions. During those early months, I would often think about those older adults who lived alone with little to no interaction with others. I imagine it was scary at times having no one to see or converse with regularly, as businesses closed their doors and events were postponed indefinitely. Retaining face-toface interactions and beating social isolation during the peak of the pandemic was a benefit to living in a senior community. Additionally, residents of senior living communities received regular nutritious meals during the lockdown months. The benefits of living in a senior community extend well beyond the pandemic months. Those who can no longer drive can still enjoy regular outings to nearby shops and attractions. Those who wish to remain active can do so by attending exercise classes on site. And those in need of assistance with medication management 72

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can receive help daily. Assistance with virtual medical visits is also available. And, as more restrictions are lifted, we’re seeing more of regular life returning to the event calendars. Now is the time to reconsider a move to a senior living community and take advantage of all the services and amenities it has to offer. A personal care community is ideal for those who could benefit from some assistance with daily living. For those who may be experiencing cognitive issues, a memory support community may be the better option. These communities provide a safe and secure space, staffed by professionals who understand the complex issues involved in the care of those with dementia and other cognitive disorders. Asbury Heights offers both personal care and memory support services, as well as independent living and skilled nursing care. As part of UPMC Senior Communities, residents have access to the region’s largest healthcare system. This was a major benefit during the height of the pandemic, as Asbury Heights was always supplied with the personal protective equipment necessary to keep everyone safe. Thanks to UPMC’s resources, Asbury Heights received the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in January and wasted no time administering them to residents. New residents were also offered the vaccine as they transitioned to the campus. As life returns to normal, consider the services provided by senior living communities that can help you live your best life going forward. n See ad for Asbury Heights, part of UPMC Senior Communities, on this page.

HE ALTH & WELLNESS GUIDE

MT. LEBANON RECREATION CENTER

Lung Screening Program Emily King, Washington Health System

According to the American Lung Association, lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in both men and women in the United States and is responsible for around 25% of all cancer deaths. One in 15 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime; about 391 people per day. Washington Health System (WHS) is on a mission to improve the outlook for people who are considered to be at high risk for lung cancer. The goal is to detect and treat lung cancer at the earliest stages, even before symptoms develop. With the introduction of the Lung Screening Program, WHS is providing low-dose computerized tomography (CT) scans to those who fall in that high-risk category. Those who currently smoke or have stopped smoking within the last 15 years, are between the ages of 55–77, and previously or currently smoke one to two packs per day for 15 to 30 years are considered high risk. As with other cancers, early screening can be a lifesaver. According to the National Lung Screening Trial, there was a 20% decrease in lung cancer deaths when patients were screened with a low-dose CT scan rather than with an X-ray. Early lung cancer detection makes a significant difference in prognosis. Cancer that is caught in later stages is much more difficult to treat and less successful. Lung cancer CT screening has been available for some time, but usually only for an out-of-pocket cost. Because of the success of the screening trials, and with the approval of the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, most health insurance companies are now covering the cost of the scans for those who are considered high-risk. Patients who are concerned about their risk of lung cancer are urged to discuss the Lung Screening Program with their primary care physician. Your doctor can determine whether you meet the criteria for screening and can submit an order to WHS. Navigating the Lung Screening Program is simple with the help of Melissa Zucchero, WHS’s Lung Screening coordinator. After the appointment is scheduled, she will contact the patient for more information about his or her risk criteria and to answer any questions. She remains the point of contact for patients in the program, acting as a resource for information and coordinating care. Once the scan has been completed, it is submitted to a radiologist for review. Higher risk patients and those with suspicious findings on the scans are reviewed jointly by the Lung Screening Program physicians, which includes pulmonologists, radiologists, a thoracic surgeon, and oncologists, to make informed and collaborative decisions for recommendations regarding the next steps in appropriate care. Options can include further CT scans, PET scans, or referrals to specialists. Once accepted into the Lung Screening Program, patients qualify to receive yearly CT scans. We know that cigarette smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer and accounts for 90% of all lung cancer cases. As part of the program, patients are offered resources for smoking cessation. No matter the patient’s age or how long he or she has been smoking, quitting can help lower the risk for lung cancer and give you chances at a longer life. n For more information about WHS’s Lung Screening Program, call Melissa Zucchero at 724-250-4594. See ad for Washington Health System on page 75.

ATTENTION UPPER ST. CLAIR RESIDENTS

Skate With Us at the MT. LEBANON RECREATION CENTER

Open Year Round with Something for Everyone Friday Night Teen skate with D.J. (begins Nov. 5) from 7:40 - 10pm. Learn-to-Skate Classes/ Beginner & Advanced Hockey Clinics Youth Developmental & Adult Hockey Leagues Public Skating Figure Skating Sessions Daily Adult Skating & Instructional Programs Broomball Birthday Party Packages Call the Recreation Center at 412-561-4363 for times and rates Or visit us online at www.mtlebanon.org

Remain Calm and Get Your Colonoscopy

Jennifer Harvey, Southwest Gastroenterology Associates A screening for colorectal cancer can save a life. Colonoscopy screening usually begins at age 50. A screening colonoscopy is a test used to look for disease when a person does not have any symptoms. According to the Centers for Decease Control and Prevention (CDC), colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases as you age. Other risk factors include history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and a family or personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps. Southwest Gastroenterology Associates focuses on the digestive system and its disorders. From gastroesophageal reflux to colonoscopy, the group’s doctors are equipped to handle all GI needs and preventative procedures. Procedures offered include colonoscopy, endoscopy, esophageal dilation, anoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, ERCP, and small bowel capsule endoscopy. Southwest Gastroenterology Associates offers quality care that meets the needs of each individual patient. The group’s team of specialists strives to improve the overall health of its patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions associated with one’s digestive system. n See ad for Southwest Gastroenterology Associates on page 7. Fall 2021

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HE ALTH & WELLNESS GUIDE

Dentistry in an Era of COVID-19 Cathy Manalo, Manalo Dentistry

We have come a long way since early 2020 when the novel coronavirus reached America. Beginning with “two weeks to slow the spread” that turned into a month, it continued for many industries in what seemed to be a never-ending new way of life. Even dental offices were forced to close for several months during the height of the pandemic. Now, with life as we know it beginning to normalize, let’s take a closer look at dentistry in an era of COVID-19. When a patient receives dental treatment with the use of high-speed instruments, aerosols that contain microorganisms, plaque, saliva, and blood may be released into the air. During the early stages of the pandemic, it was unknown what effects these dental aerosols would have on the possible potential spread of SARS-coV-2. Many dental practices limited services to emergency treatment only, delaying preventative cleanings. Some offices completely closed down for several months due to state orders. And, when dentistry began to operate again, it came with a whole new level of infection control measures. As healthcare providers, keeping patients safe is of the utmost importance. Increased levels of personal protection equipment, which includes double masking, N95 masks, gloves, isolation gowns, hair caps, goggles, and face shields became the norm. Because of the close proximity between provider and patient, all precautions for safety are made. New standards were set to have patients complete a prescreening covid questionnaire prior to coming to the office and creating socially-distanced waiting rooms with

plexiglass barriers. Some practices even requested that you wait in your car. Patients are now subject to temperature checks and chlorhexidine rinse, which has been shown to disrupt the virus within seconds, limiting virus spread through aerosols. Other precautionary safety measures include central HVAC HEPA filtrations systems, in operatory ionic air purification and UV light sterilization in between patients, hypochlorite foggers, and surface disinfection. All of these safety measures in dental offices appear to be working. The American Dental Association (ADA) recently announced the COVID-19 infection rate among dentists remains “lower than other healthcare professionals.” This ADA study found that only 2.6% of dentists had contracted COVID-19 as of November 2020, while a survey of front-line healthcare workers recorded a 29% prevalence rate. Furthermore, after contact tracing, it revealed that most of these cases were contacted outside of the dental office. Out of 57 positive covid cases in the survey, only two were identified within the actual dental practice. So, is it safe to go back to the dental office? The answer is a resounding “Yes!” Dental offices remain safe, especially with the enhanced level of infection control measures in place. But, because so many people remained quarantined for extended periods, now more than ever is the time to contact your dentist to schedule your re-care visit. It is crucial for patients to understand the link between oral health and general overall health. A variety of more than 700 bacteria can be found in the mouth’s oral cavity. These harmful bacteria, which may cause tooth decay along with gum disease, can eventually pass

Expanded Therapy Services at St. Clair Health

movement in order to perform everyday tasks. And, after a stroke, ST assists patients to improve their ability to swallow and, at times, improve quality of life by returning to a more normal diet.” Another example of how PT, OT, and ST work together is in helping patients recover from a stroke. At St. Clair Health, experienced physical, occupational, and speech therapists collaborate on a plan for each individual patient to help regain function, balance, and strength, and improve dexterity and retrain their muscles to help maximize independence. “We’re driven by a multi-service mindset,” Lauren says. “The only thing that matters is getting it right for every patient every time to the best of our ability. No two cases are exactly the same.” Outpatient Rehabilitation at St. Clair Health At the St. Clair Health Village Square Outpatient Center, specially trained PT, OT, and speech therapists provide personalized rehabilitation care across the full spectrum of patient needs, including OT hand therapy, women’s health PT, and OT lymphedema treatment. From post-operative recovery of all kinds to treating orthopedic joint pain and injuries, post-partum incontinence, lymphedema after cancer, and neurological rehab needs, caring professionals are committed to helping patients get back to living their lives. “Having the most advanced tools and techniques is vital, but the only way all of that works to its full potential is to have the right people behind it who truly care about each patient,” Lauren says. “Knowing our patients and what his or her goals are, that’s what makes all the difference in a successful outcome.” To expand that level of care, St. Clair Health built a brand new, state-of-the-art rehabilitation suite inside Dunlap Family Outpatient Center, providing high quality physical, occupational,

When an injury, surgery, or illness affects how you perform—whether physically or mentally—a key step in your recovery is rehabilitation. Typically, the type of rehab comes down to physical therapy (PT), occupational therapy (OT), speech therapy (ST), or a combination of two or even all three. PT is a therapy for any condition that affects function, movement, or range of motion, particularly after surgery or injury. OT focuses on helping to reestablish fine and gross motor skills to help patients perform daily living tasks. ST help patients regain swallowing ability and also works to improve recovery from speech and language disorders. “They have different objectives, but the different therapies often complement one another in advancing recovery,” says Lauren Cerqua, manager of Therapy Services at St. Clair Health. “After a knee or hip replacement, for instance, PT works on pain management, reducing inflammation, and improving function by increasing range of motion and building up muscles. After a hand injury, OT focuses on helping patients work to improve restricted 74

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HE ALTH & WELLNESS GUIDE into your bloodstream. If left untreated, this may leave you more susceptible to a cardiac event, stroke, diabetes, or other respiratory problems and health issues. Did you know that patients with periodontal disease are at a 25% greater risk of cardiovascular disease? An article in the National Center for Biotechnology Information found that 50% of covid deaths had secondary bacterial infections. Over 80% of patients with severe COVID-19 infections had extremely high bacteria present and required antibiotics. It was determined that “improved oral hygiene may play a part in reducing the risk of complications” in severe cases of COVID-19 patients. Proper oral hygiene, twice-a-day brushing, and flossing, along with regular visits to the dentist every six months should be part of your overall healthy living routine. As we move away from pandemic restrictions that have become a part of our everyday life, let us focus on the important aspects of life: togetherness with those you love, along with maintaining good health and wellness for your mind, body, soul, and teeth! n See ad for Larry Manalo, DMD, on page 43.

and speech therapies in a larger, more functional space that’s packed with thoughtful details. Through extensive planning and research, the suite was designed to create an optimal environment for patients and staff, alike, to work on recovery while offering advanced equipment, open and airy accommodations, and movable screens for patients who prefer privacy. Future plans include offering classes in yoga, stress reduction, and more. “Our goal is to deliver more integrated care,” Lauren adds, noting that Dunlap Family Outpatient Center will also house orthopedics, urology, cardiology, and cancer groups. “The rehab suite will allow therapists to more easily partner with physicians and provide the individualized, specialized therapy that patients need.” “We believe that the connection patients build with their doctors and therapy team is every bit as important as the equipment. That’s what sets St. Clair apart,” said Lauren. n To learn more about St. Clair Health’s outpatient rehabilitation services or to schedule an appointment at the Village Square Outpatient Center, call 412-942-7122. Patients may also schedule at Dunlap Family Outpatient Center by calling 412-942-4060.

580 South Aiken Avenue Suite 530 Pittsburgh, PA 15232

1000 Bower Hill Road Suite 302 Pittsburgh, PA 15243

Flavia Davit, MD 412.687.2100

www.mccaffertymd.com

Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery Non-invasive treatments, injectables and vein therapy “The most important way a skilled Plastic Surgeon can help patients is by partnering with the individual to select the appropriate procedure, basing the choice on each patient’s body shape and personal goals for improvement, accompanied by an open discussion of the patient’s expectations.”

Flavia Davit, MD

“I first met Dr. Davit when she did a surgical rotation with me in the operating room. I was not only impressed with her surgical ability but also with her knowledge and dedication to the field of plastic surgery. She is one of the few surgeons in the world fully-trained in plastic surgery both in Brazil and the United States and board certified in plastic surgery in both countries.” – Dr. Leo McCafferty Fall 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

AROUND THE TOWNSHIP

Tune in to 15241 TODAY talk “On Stage with Jim and Lanny” to enjoy the half-hour broadcast that engages local celebrities and people with ties to USC. Through light-hearted, friendly conversations, the show is co-hosted by Jim Render and Lanny Frattare and aired on USC’s TV stations, Cable 7 or Verizon 42. The broadcast can also be viewed at any time using a computer or handheld device. Search YouTube for “Upper St. Clair Public Access Television” to choose the broadcast you’d like to watch, or visit USC Township’s website (www.twpusc.org) and choose “Video Gallery” under subhead “Life in USC.” The links to the videos are also shared on the School District’s athletic website (https://upperstclairathletics.com). Highlights from our most recent interviews and their YouTube links accompany this feature story. Football Coaches, including Coach Tom Bradley One of the most acclaimed successful assistant coaches in college football history, Tom mostly served at Penn State. He recruited many western Pennsylvania high school stars to come and play for the Nittany Lions. He also had stints at West Virginia and UCLA.

On Stage with Jim and Lanny

Coach Jack McCurray Jack led North Hills High School to several WPIAL championships and a PIAA state championship in 1987. He was voted the number #1 coach by USA TODAY. Jack served a dual role as the high school principal at North Hills. Coach Tony Wise Only a very small group of men have been an assistant coach on a national championship team (Miami Hurricanes) and a Super Bowl champion team (Dallas Cowboys). Tony served as an offensive line coach for both teams. Coach Don Yannessa One of the most charismatic and successful coaches in WPIAL history, Don won multiple championships at his alma mater, Aliquippa, before becoming the athletic director and winning coach at Baldwin. youtube.com/watch?v=eMihR7JKhuk

Amy Pfender Since being hired as a special education teacher in 2005 for USC, she has served as a department chair, Boyce Middle School principal, director of Student Support Services, and currently is the awardwinning assistant superintendent of schools. Amy Pfender

youtube.com/video/Y4S57ANjsZM Gordon Mathews The 2010 Upper St. Clair High School graduate is a young man who gets things done! A guidance counselor at his alma mater, the alumni coordinator, and a freshman football coach, he is also the president of the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair. Somehow in this busy mix, he finds time for graduate school. Gordon Mathews youtube.com/video/vW7sq5nyUhg n

Coaches, left to right: Don Yannessa, Jack McCurray, Tom Bradley, Tony Wise

Merger Creates St. Catherine Labouré Parish Most Upper St. Clair residents have driven by St. Louise de Marillac church on McMurray Road, but what many may not realize is that the parish’s name has changed. In 2018, Bishop David Zubik announced the merger of St. Louise de Marillac, located in Upper St. Clair, and St. Joan of Arc, located in South Park. This past November, Bishop Zubik announced that the name of the new parish would be St. Catherine Labouré Parish. As part of the merger effort, then-pastor Father Joseph Sioli was named parish grouping administrator in 2018. Fr. Sioli commissioned a joint pastoral council made up of members of both parishes to develop and establish a common mission and initiate a revitalization of the newly formed parish. Once the merger was announced, parishioners, staff, and clergy from both parishes spent time getting to know one another, forming new relationships, and moving closer to building a one faith community. One step toward that goal was to improve the type and frequency of communication within the parish. A common bulletin was published for the two churches and a common website was developed. St. Joan and St. Louise religious education programs and youth ministry groups were combined, with classes offered at both locations, giving parents an opportunity to choose a time and 76

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Fall 2021

location that worked best for their family. When COVID forced the closing of churches in March 2020, Masses were televised on Facebook from St. Joan of Arc, allowing parishioners to worship together even though they were physically distanced. In July 2020, Father Daniel Maurer was named parish grouping administrator of St. Louise de Marillac and St. Joan of Arc, and in January 2021, Fr. Maurer was named pastor of the newly-formed St. Catherine Labouré Parish. Under his leadership, the combined pastoral council of St. Catherine Labouré continues to work on plans to not only bring the two parishes together, but to emerge from the pandemic focused and Two parishes, St. Joan of Arc and St. revitalized. n Louise de Marillac, merged to form St. Catherine Labouré Parish.

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Community Foundation Making a Difference Through Discovery, Growth and Learning In April, the Community Foundation received a grant request from Horses with Hope. This request was a unique one that fascinated the Board of Trustees because of the many advantages for a specific population and for the opportunities it will bring to Upper St. Clair residents who can volunteer to work with therapeutic riding and equine-assisted activities. Inspired by her own daughter, Anne Davis founded Horses with Hope in 2007 with the strategy of applying the power of interactions with horses and related activities to improve the physical, mental, emotional, and social quality of life for the region’s children, youth, and adults who have physical and behavioral needs. The strength of the program is its focus on discovery, growth, and learning, and the encouragement it generates to aid participants in reaching their full potential in partnerships horses. Anne’s funding request was for the purchase of supplies to build a mounting block, which is necessary for children, youth, and adults with varying disabilities so they can safely get on a horse. Since Horses with Hope is moving to the Gilfillan Farm, the Trustees determined that this request was a good fit with the Health Focus Area. We are proud to support this therapeutic riding project and are eager to see it flourish and serve our community.

Step Out St. Clair

CF Book Club will meet on September 9, at 11:00 am and 7:00 pm. The book is I Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O’Farrell. You will receive a Google Hangout invitation by email if you sign up with Alison at bookclub@cfusc.org

As our country began to emerge from the pandemic, the Community Foundation promoted Step Out St. Clair, an event to encourage the healthy habit of moving more each and every day. Starting on June 5 and running through August 7, residents were encouraged to track the number of steps they took each day. To see who logged the most miles, visit our website at www.cfusc.org. Even if you didn’t sign up for this activity, we hope that you consider adopting this healthy habit! When August rolled around, the CF’s Health focus was on staying hydrated, especially as our young athletes started training for fall sports. There are many reasons our bodies need water, including joint lubrication, better digestion, maintenance of blood pressure, and boosting exercise performance, to name just a few (www.medicalnewstoday.com). It’s not too late for you to develop the habit of drinking water on a regular basis. Realizing that health covers both physical and mental aspects, as we look toward the fall, please visit our website for information about our October Health initiative, a community scavenger hunt!

“Spirit of the Community” This year for the first time, CFUSC was pleased to award the John Small “Spirit of the Community” Memorial Award to one of its Junior Trustees. Eileen Guo received this award based on an essay and her involvement in school activities, as well as her volunteer work in school and community. During the pandemic, she founded Art for Joy in collaboration with several classmates. She and her team created and sold their art, donating more than $100 to the food bank. In addition, she was a volunteer for the Outpatient Surgical Unit at St. Clair Health, at our public library, and she participated in several clubs at school. John Small was an administrator in the Upper St. Clair School District, a founding member and the first Executive Director of the Foundation. His leadership skills sustained the Foundation from 1993 through 2017, and Trustees past and present know that John would be very proud of the civic-minded leadership of Eileen. Best wishes on your next chapter, Eileen. 78

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Fall 2021

of Upper St. Clair

Show Your Community Spirit

A ‘little’ army of future leaders helped Trustees to label and move the new blankets. Clare, Keely, Danielle, and Jack Scureman

Welcome to Adina Schiffman

Paul Fox Returns as Trustee

Adina joins the Board with energy, enthusiasm, and goals to bring greater enrichment to the Upper St. Clair community. She has a strong background in sales, marketing, and event planning, and is a reader who loves travel, cooking, and Big Ten football.

While serving in the ex-officio position of Co-Director of Communications for CFUSC for several years, Paul decided a fourth term on the Board would be a great way to continue giving back to the community he has proudly called home for nearly 30 years.

The Ducks “Floated” Again...Virtually, That Is! On May 15th, CFUSC streamed live on Facebook, and held The Great Duck Race - HIGH TECH!!!

Gordon Mathews, emcee for the virtual duck race

The toy basket was a BIG hit! Fall 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Getting Back to the Land Lindsay Dill, Allegheny Land Trust

Another summer gone by and a new season on the horizon. After a year of halting in-person programs and encouraging distance between us all, we’re glad to have spent a summer back together, bit by bit. From volunteer and environmental education events to community-organized “Friends Of” outings and intern-led activities, this year has helped Allegheny Land Trust (ALT) reconnect not only with the land but also with you, the community, with whom we are grateful to share the land. Since summer, we’ve gradually begun inviting the public back to Wingfield Pines for in-person events, following safety precautions per the pandemic. We’re grateful to have hosted a First Friday Hike, an Environmental Science Merit Badge Boy Scout program, and several guided volunteer and Volunteers help manage invasive exploratory hikes onsite. Keep an eye on ALT’s event calendar, as we continue to add more events per and native plant species. public safety recommendations and staff availability. This year, Alexander Wees was ALT’s 2021 Hamm Intern, and it was the tenth anniversary of offering this internship opportunity at Wingfield Pines. Alex managed invasive and native Upcoming Events plant species, improved signage, hosted several onsite events and shared weekly updates with Campfire Cooking 101 Friends of Wingfield Pines, as everyone got back to the land in their own time. While his Tuesday, August 31 time has now wrapped up, we’re sure Alex will go on to great things. (For an article and more 5:30–7:30 p.m. All Ages | $5/person information on the Hamm Internship, see page 74 of the summer 2021 issue of TODAY.) https://alleghenylandtrust.org/event/campfireWe’ve enjoyed seeing explorers share photos on our Friends of Wingfield Pines Facebook cooking-101/ page, as they explored the land during various points of the pandemic, and as they continued August 31 is National Eat Outside Day. Join ALT sharing their experiences once the world began to reopen. It is your eyes, ears, and enjoy- and Pennsylvania Master Naturalist Kristen Haas a campfire cooking class. Learn and cook some ment on the land that helps keep Wingfield Pines safe and healthy. We hope you’ll join this in recipes over the fire. Kristen will demonstrate some Facebook group to meet fellow explorers, volunteers, hikers, bikers, birders, and more. great cooking ideas, tips, and hacks that the whole Though it was initially purchased as protected space to help mitigate downstream flood- family will love. Participants will take home a list of ing by absorbing and filtering millions of gallons of water during periods of heavy rain, recipes to make on their next camping trip. Wingfield Pines has become so much more than a giant sponge. The abandoned mine drainage Mushroom Hunt with ALT and Western treatment system cleanses polluted water. Its wetlands and trails serve as a community hub Pennsylvania Mushroom Club for passive recreation. Its wetlands and AMD system are outdoor laboratories for students of Friday, September 10 5–7 p.m. all ages from local schools, universities, and professional All Ages | $5/person education programs. And, the area has become known as https://alleghenylandtrust.org/event/sept-mushone of the very top birding spots in western Pennsylvania. room-hunt/ We’ve had the privilege of hearing stories of visitors Join an ALT staff member and an identifier associated with the Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club using our green space as a place for respite from the for a mushroom walk and ID session. Note: this will stresses of the past two years. Wingfield Pines serves as not be a foraging hike. a play-inspiring green space in the best of times and a Find these events and more at beacon of hope in the worst of times. We look forward Environmental education at alleghenylandtrust.org/events. to seeing all of you on the land and at our volunteer and Wingfield Pines education events soon! n

Long Before Two-Day Shipping, There was the Canal

Carolyn Jones Friedrich, Historical Society of USC The Pennsylvania Canal was started by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1826 and completed in 1834. This network of canals and railroad lines connected the cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. A number of shipping companies organized during this period and transported both freight and passengers using the canal. One company advertised five-day shipping between the two destinations. However, historians believe that eight days was likely the shortest transport time across the state, with 12 to 15 days being more typical for delivering freight. This labor-intensive transport process required goods to be moved between boats and rail cars. Freight was unloaded and reloaded at three different junctures between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Special car boats were manufactured to simplify loading and unloading, and soon became the dominant transport vehicle. These special cars could be lifted from railroad 80

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Fall 2021

tracks into the canal and joined together with other cars to make a complete boat. Eventually, railroad lines connected a majority of cities in the state. The Pennsylvania Canal was purchased by the Receipt from Reliance Portable Boat Line Pennsylvania Railroad Company in 1857, and within a few years most of the canal sections had been abandoned in favor of transport entirely by rail. From the Historical Society of Upper St. Clair’s archives is a receipt from 1845 that reveals that Upper St. Clair resident John Gilfillan used Reliance Portable Boat Line and was promised to receive his shipment in 14 days. n

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Spring Cleaning in USC Kathy Ginsburg

While most folks in Upper St. Clair were busy with spring cleaning their houses, other USC residents also pitched in to clean up our outdoor spaces. On Sunday morning, May 16, approximately 75 Township residents and friends gathered near Clair’s Kennels to don gloves, safety vests, and trash bags before heading out to local parks and roadways to pick up scattered litter. The cleanup was sponsored by Keep PA Beautiful and organized by local residents Sara Strowjas, Kathy Ginsburg, and Lauren Ginsburg. As part of the process of becoming a bat mitzvah, Lauren needed to choose a community service project. She wanted her project to reflect her love of the outdoors and our environment. “During the pandemic, my family did lots of hiking. We were disappointed when we’d see the paths littered with garbage,” said Lauren. In addition to local families, the Tabasco Y Princess tribe participated, as well. USC resident Kerry Turner also organized a group of her geocaching friends to help find “trashy” treasures. Parks that were cleaned included Baker, Boyce Mayview, Clair, Municipal, and Wiltshire, as well as Gilfillan Farm trail. Volunteers also cleaned up portions of Fort Couch and McLaughlin Run roads. Altogether, 90 bags of trash were collected throughout the Township. n

Keeping the community clean and green were members of the community, a geocaching group, and a Y Princess tribe.

Fall 2021

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Profiles Juli Brown and Jarrod Interval often come to enjoy the trails at Boyce Mayview Park from their home in Mt. Washington. Their hike on April 10 was especially memorable, as Jarrod knelt by the water and asked Juli to marry him. Congratulations to Juli and Jarrod on their engagement!

Jarrod’s proposal to Julie

Amy Astorino Martin, USC native and USCHS Class of 1988 and owner of The Little Gym of Pittsburgh-South Hills, brings enrichment and physical development programs to families in the community. Growing up in Upper St. Clair, Amy always knew she wanted to raise her family in the south hills area of P i t t s b u rg h . A f t e r graduation and living out of state for many years, Amy and her husband, Craig, moved their family back to the Amy Martin area, found a home in Peters Township, and opened up The Little Gym. The franchise has a strong global foundation and is a perfect fit for the area’s family-oriented community. Recently celebrating a sweet 16 milestone, The Little Gym team is grateful to remain a staple in the community, and Amy is proud to have supported the growth and development of thousands of kids from USC and the surrounding communities. Amy and The Little Gym team look forward to continuing their role in the South Hills community for years to come! For more information on The Little Gym of Pittsburgh-South Hills, visit https://www.thelittlegym.com/ PittsburghSouthHillsPA. 82

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

of people with a USC connection

Know of a resident to profile? Send information to: Editor,

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 or

usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us.

John Kotzuk, a former volunteer writer for UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY from 1996 to 2003, turned 100 this past May. John’s daughter, Karen, shared the following with the TODAY staff: John always wanted to go to college to study English, but there was no money before or after the war, and family responsibilities made attending college unfeasible for him. A lifelong reader, he self-taught, focusing on his two favorite authors, William Shakespeare and Thomas Wolfe. After retiring from Burroughs Corporation, John attended Elderhostel classes each summer for 20 years at Notre Dame. He loved the campus and the classes taught by Shakespeare expert professor Paul Rathburn. John also enjoyed retired USC teacher Jane Hollman’s Shakespeare study group. He memorized and could recite long passages from Shakespeare well into his nineties. John volunteered as a reporter and creative writer for TODAY. He coordinated and wrote the “Senior Site,” which not only provided useful John Kotzuk at 100! information about the United Senior Citizens of USC group, but also thoughtful commentary, mini-biographies of USC senior citizens, and usually a quote or two from the bard. Probably his favorite article, and one he was very proud of, was the “Birth of the Bluebird” (winter 1999), which spotlighted Dell Lesnett’s work to restore bluebird populations throughout USC Township. TODAY wishes John a happy centennial birthday, and thanks him for his many contributions to our community’s magazine.

Fifth from the right is John Kotzuk, surrounded by other TODAY staff members and volunteers, circa 2002.

Meredith Borst was named vice president of St. Clair Health’s operations and strategic management group. She previously served as executive director of strategic initiatives at the hospital. Meredith joined the health care organization in 2015, serving in a series of increasingly responsible positions in operations and strategic management. In addition, she has served as the primary liaison to Mayo Clinic in St. Clair Health’s clinical collaboration with Mayo. Meredith earned a master of health administration degree, as well as a bachelor of science degree with highest distinction and with honors at The Pennsylvania State University. A 2010 graduate of USCHS, Meredith resides in Collier Township. Meredith Borst

Fall 2021

Vaccine Clinic Held at USCHS Once the COVID-19 vaccine became available, vaccine

clinics offered a convenient way to receive the immunization for many in our community. And for a number of USCHS students, the venue was one they were very familiar with—the school’s nutrition center. With the assistance of St. Clair Health, almost 70 students received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on May 4, followed by a second dose on May 25. Alan Yeasted, MD, senior vice president and chief medical officer emeritus at St. Clair Health, said that the president and CEO of the health system, James Collins, asked him to contact area schools to see if they were interested in having their students, 16 years old or Dr. Alan Yeasted prepares to administer above, receive the COVID-19 the vaccine to Hannah Rieger. vaccine either at St. Clair Health or at their school. In addition to Dr. Yeasted, nurses Joan Massella, retired vice president and chief nursing officer, and David Kish, executive director and chief of staff to the CMO, administered vaccines. Also on site Tyler Rieger receives his were registration personnel COVID-19 vaccine. and pharmacists from St. Clair Health. Dr. Yeasted said that Tri-Community South EMS had an ambulance and personnel there for backup assistance, if necessary. Dr. Yeasted said all the students he met were really nice and that it was a good experience for all of those who worked at the clinic. “We’re glad to have the ability and skills to help people,” he said. Tyler Rieger and his sister, Hannah, were two of the students who received their vaccine at the clinic. Tyler, 18, said getting the vaccine was “pretty easy.” He’ll be playing football this fall for The University of Akron and said he wanted the vaccine before being around his new teammates and travelling on airplanes. Hannah, 17, explained that she had COVID and knew how bad it could be. She wanted the vaccine so she would be further protected and safer. Tyler and Hannah’s mother, Stephanie Rieger, said she wanted her children to be vaccinated so they don’t have to quarantine if they have close contact with someone with COVID. She said she felt better about graduation and other activities now that her children are vaccinated. Dr. Yeasted said that the COVID vaccines have been shown to be extremely safe, with very few side effects. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines use messenger RNA, so you cannot get COVID from the vaccine. “Young people can get ill if they get COVID, and they can spread the virus,” said Dr. Yeasted. “We strongly recommend that they get the vaccine unless they have a medical condition where it’s contraindicated. Even if you had COVID, it’s still recommended to get the vaccine, as it can boost your antibody response and make a person’s immunity last longer,” he said. n

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Pennsylvania Hiking and Star Gazing In the winter 2019 edition of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, you might remember reading about a camping adventure of four USC moms to French Creek State Park in September of that year. During that trip, the group didn’t have much luck seeing the nightly stars because of a full moon and cloud-covered skies. This past May, Katie Perrotti, Ashley Collins, and Kerry Turner, were joined by Claire Cass on a similar camping trip. But, with a new moon and clear night skies, the star gazing in rural Pennsylvania was spectacular! The campground was basic and didn’t have showers. But, for four moms in a tent for two nights, it was perfect! The days were filled with hiking and exploring. The evenings were meant for lying in the fields Blue Run Rock hike, where the group and watching shooting stars. found a hard-rated geocache One of the highlights this year was a visit to Colton Point State Park, a 368acre park in Tioga County on the west rim of Pine Creek Gorge, a 47-mile gorge known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. After taking some pictures with the TODAY magazine, the group left the park and drove to Blue Run Rocks hiking trail, a 3.5 mile trek suggested to them by people who follow and post on the Hiking and Backpacking Pennsylvania Facebook page. The difficult hike pushed them and was rewarding! Knowing they were going to see rock formations, they were mesmerized when, through the trees after Kinzua State Park still shows signs hiking more than a mile, views were like something out of an Inof tornado destruction diana Jones movie. To top it off, while exploring and climbing the rocks, they found a really hard-rated geocache that hadn’t been logged on Geocaching.com since 2014. The final adventure (and on the way home) was a repeat stop to Kinzua State Park in McKean County. During the group’s last visit, they braved the skywalk bridge. Having more time to spare on this trip, they hiked down Pine Creek Gorge, the Grand to the valley below the bridge and walked amongst the mounds of debris. Canyon of Pennsylvania “Feeling so small, it was awesome to observe what destruction Mother Nature can do (and a 2003 tornado did) to this man-made structure,” said Kerry. n

Discovering History Koreshan State Park, in Estero, Florida, offers a window into the lives of a religious pioneer group and maintains 300+ acres as a discovery park and memorial. The Koreshan Unity Settlement was founded in 1880 by Dr. Cyril Teed of Moravia, New York. In 1984, it moved its original group of 200 (mainly from Chicago) to Florida along the banks of the Estero River to develop their utopian community. The group, who shared a commitment to Christian communal living and a belief that the universe existed on the inside of the Earth, operated a store, bakery, sawmill, boat A drawing of Cyril and Fidelia Teed is placed in works, printing press, and machine shop. Educafront of Planetary Court, a house built in 1904 tion, science, and art all played a major role in where seven members of the governing council shaping the community. lived, including Fidelia. After the death of Teed in 1908, and without his strong leadership, membership declined. In 1961, and with only four members left, the group disbanded and deeded the land and assorted buildings to the state of Florida. Today, visitors can experience the past with tours of the encampment, as well as enjoy hiking, canoeing, and tent camping in a natural setting. TODAY was interested to learn about this commune A hiking path, surrounded by bamboo trees, of people in U.S. history. n follows the meandering Estero River, which was the main means of transportation during the settlement’s early days. 84

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

For more information, visit floridastateparks.org or call 239-992-0311. Fall 2021

Gopher tortoises make their burrowed homes on the grounds of the park.

Asheville by Day, Asheville by Night Cradled by the world’s oldest mountains, Asheville, North Carolina, is a retreat of all sorts. Relatively mild weather keeps the bountiful outdoors accessible year round. TODAY travelled there this past May. Explore Asheville early on in your trip using the Gray Line Trolley. Normally a hop-on, hop-off adventure, the pandemic curtailed the tour to a 90-minute trip without stop options. Nonetheless, it was a great way to learn about the city and its surroundings, and helped determine what sites to further investigate. Traversing the Blue Ridge Parkway by car TODAY enjoyed a Trolley Line tour along with, left to right, Dan and Mary Repischak, Bryan Shellenberger, and Kathy Parry for scenic vistas is a must. Hikers and mountain bikers, alike, love the cardio workouts offered by stepping and peddling into the many nearby mountain trails for spectacular sights, including Catawba Falls in Pisgah National Forest for its mesmerizing tumbling rapids. Shopping Asheville boasts “local” and offers hip boutiques, consignment shops, craft galleries, and novelty bookstores among great eateries found tucked into vibrant street corners. Check out the developing River Arts District (RAD), with more than 200 local artists clustered inside previous industrial buildings along the banks of the French Broad River. While opportunities to listen to music are still emerging after the pandemic, local bluegrass and other Catawba Falls in Pisgah forms of jazz can normally be heard from musicians perched on street corners and in established venues. National Forest Visit South Slopes, where beer’s the boss! The wave of craft breweries that began in 1994 has continued to expand and create a city that boasts more breweries per capita than most anywhere in the county. Brewers tap into pristine water that streams down from the surrounding mountain springs and includes an abundance of Appalachian flora and other heirloom ingredients. Nearby Hendersonville is home to Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. It’s definitely worth the short car ride for the libations, as well as the grand facilities. Omni Grove Park Inn, just outside of town, has a spectacular front porch view of the Blue Ridge Mountains (a portion of the Appalachian Mountains that span from Newfoundland, Canada to central Alabama) and is a suggested stop for, at least, cocktails if not overnight. Just south of town is the esteemed Biltmore Estate. Built for George and Edith Vanderbilt, descendants of Cornelius Vanderbilt, the transportation guru, this 250-room 1895 French Renaissance chateau remains America’s largest home. Schedule a tour. The 8000-acre gardens are equally as impressive, especially during Biltmore Blooms (April–May), as is the nearby winery and Biltmore village, which resembles a small English hamlet. A brewery in South Slopes So much to see, so much to do during this four-day excursion! n

Traveling for a Concert

Instructions for Traveling with TODAY

In May 2021, when life began to normalize, TODAY travelled to Delray Beach, Florida, to attend an

outdoor concert, a first for 2021 and a first since the pandemic’s beginning in March 2020. Musician Jimmy Buffett, along with some of his Coral Reefer friends and singer Caroline Jones, played to an intimate crowd

Seating was in pods of four

Jimmy Buffet, center, with Caroline Jones and members of the Coral Reefer band

of 800. At an outdoor venue on Delray’s Atlantic Avenue at Old School Square, seating was in pods of four to follow required protocol. The music was tropical rock and roll, and the energized crowd sang along to some of JB’s most wellknown songs. n Fall 2021

Read the following criteria to find out how to submit information. • Clear, close-up digital photo of USC resident(s) holding his or her TODAY magazine. • Attach jpg (at least 300 dpi) and send via email, including required information (see below) in the body of the email. • List name(s) of resident(s), group, and specific photo location, and objective of visit (leisure, volunteer, career, etc.) or stay-athome project. • Include email address or phone number should further contact be necessary. • Email information to usctoday@uscsd.k12. pa.us, with “TODAY” listed in subject line. Note: Submitted photos and information for this feature section will remain on file for upcoming editions until published. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Happenings! 35th annual Lanny Frattare Golf Classic

Rotary Chicken BBQ

USC-Bethel Park Rotary Breakfast Club Chicken BBQ. Price: $15 meal is half BBQ chicken, baked beans, coleslaw, roll, and dessert D a t e / T i m e : Sat urday, October 9, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Location: Bethel Park High School, 309 Church Road, Bethel Park Benefit: Local charities Tickets: Visit Rotary’s Facebook page @USCBP. Rotary or day-of tickets available (if not sold out)

Date: Monday, September 13, 11:30 a.m. shotgun start to 18 hole scramble, followed by 5 p.m. cocktail reception, 6 p.m. dinner and awards Location: Chartiers Country Club, 601 Baldwin Road, Pittsburgh Benefit: Familylinks Tickets and sponsorship information: Visit familylinks.org

USCHS Class Reunions

The USCHS class of 1970 will celebrate its long awaited 50+1 reunion September 24–26. The USC Class of 1971 will celebrate its 50 th reunion October 1–2. For more reunion information, see p ages 4 1 an d 4 2 i n t h e School District section and check out USC’s alumni website at Connect2uscsd.com.

Fall Events at Boyce Mayview Park

For a list of familyfriendly fall events at USC Township’s Boyce Mayview Park, see page 60.

Town Hall South Speaker Series

Town Hall South’s 52nd season is approaching this fall. Town Hall South’s board postponed the season for one year, from 2020–21 to 2021–22, to ensure the health and safety of their audience due to COVID-19. The slate of five speakers agreed to move their scheduled appearances to the 2021–22 season, including Dan Rather on October 5, Kevin Surace on November 9, Leon Logothetis on December 7, Richard Stengel on February 1, 2022, and Dr. Temple Grandin on March 15, 2022. Tuesday lectures take place at 10 a.m. in the USCHS theater. For further information, visit www.townhallsouth.org.

Craft Show

The Labouré Ladies Guild (FKA the DeMarillac Guild of St. Louise de Marillac Parish) will hold its annual Joy of Christmas craft show Saturday, November 20, 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m., at St. Louise de Marillac School and LeGras Parish Center, 320 McMurray Road, USC. One hundred and twenty-one crafters will attend and there will also be a Chinese auction. $2 admission fee includes a ticket for the auction. Lunch and snacks available. Due to the order of the Upper St. Clair fire marshall, strollers are not permitted.

Plans to Improve Morton Field Complex

Aerial view of the Morton Field complex

Upgrades and additions are coming

to USC’s Morton Field complex! USC Township started a master plan process this past spring to guide staff in prioritizing and implementing park improvements to continue providing a highquality, all-inclusive place for recreation and a trail system. In July, a survey was made available for public input. 86

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

The park, located along Morton Road, currently includes baseball fields, a concession stand, soccer/lacrosse fields, a playground, a pavilion, and trail connections to Boyce Mayview Park. Stay up to date on the project by visiting mortonfieldcomplex.com. n

Fall 2021

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Advertiser Index Fall 2021

www.twpusc.org/usctoday Advanced Surgical Hospital .................................................................... 69 Affordable Decks & Additions .................................................................. 67 Anderson Music Academy ....................................................................... 44 * Angelo Associates ................................................................................... 77 Arbor Tree Specialists, Inc. ....................................................................... 59 Ardolino’s ...................................................................................................9 Asbury Heights ....................................................................................... 72 Bactronix Corp. ........................................................................................ 83 Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh .................................................................. 49 * Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, The Preferred Realty, Rt. 19 South ....2 * Brookside Lumber ................................................................................... 83 Burn Bootcamp–McMurray ..................................................................... 71 * Calabro Tire & Auto Service ..................................................................... 77 * Coldwell Banker–Lynn Dempsey ............................................................. 81 Coldwell Banker–Dora Rudick ................................................................. 17 * Coldwell Banker–South Hills Office ...............................Outside back cover C&RC at Boyce Mayview Park .................................................................. 70 * Cupelli & Cupelli, Drs. ............................................................................. 27 Davey Tree and Lawn Care ....................................................................... 67

J&A South Park, LLC Heating-Cooling-Plumbing-Electric ........................ 57 * Keller Williams–Sandy and Marshall Goldstein ...................................... 27 * Kerr Family and Cosmetic Dentistry ........................................................ 43 Lewis Music Studio ................................................................................. 47 Little Lake Theatre Company ................................................................... 49 * Manalo, Larry E., DMD ............................................................................ 43 Mister Sewer ........................................................................................... 19 Mt. Lebanon Awning ............................................................................... 77 * Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center .............................................................. 73 Movement Mortgage–Kevin O’Laughlin ................................................. 17 * Pinebridge Commons Associates ............................................................ 43 * Providence Point, a Baptist Homes Society community .......................... 68 * Rusmur Floors .................................................................. Inside back cover * St. Clair Health .....................................................................................3, 87 * Scott Bros. Windows and Doors .............................................................. 35 * Sesame Inn ............................................................................................. 29 Shoot 360–Pittsburgh ............................................................................. 69 South Hills Endoscopy Center ....................................................................1 South Hills Junior Orchestra ................................................................... 49

We rely on UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY to help us tell the story of Providence Point. It’s a great community magazine in a terrific township and, as advertisers, we feel it’s an important tool for us in reaching the people who live and work there.—Providence Point

Davit, Flavia, Dr. ...................................................................................... 75 * Extended Day Services ............................................................................ 49 Friendship Village of South Hills ................................... Front cover, 10, 11 G’s Landscape & Supply LLC .................................................................... 77 G’s Window and Gutter Cleaning ............................................................ 67 George Girty Landscape Design .............................................................. 81 Greater Pittsburgh Plumbing, Heating & Cooling .................................. 42 Hastings South Fayette–Charter Homes & Neighborhoods .......................5 * Howard Hanna–Diane Horvath ............................................................... 67 * Howard Hanna–USC Office .............................................. Inside front cover

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Southwest Gastroenterology Associates ....................................................7 * State Farm Insurance–Cindy Brophy ....................................................... 45 The Dance Conservatory of Pittsburgh .................................................... 46 * Thomas Dance Studio ............................................................................. 45 Torrente Apartment Homes ........................................................................9 Troy Orthodontics .................................................................................... 43 * Washington Health System .................................................................... 75 * Wellington Real Estate–Patty Thomas & Rebecca Lutz ............................ 15 Welter, Julie, Realtor® ............................................................................ 29

Place your ad in UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, our communityʼs go-to publication. Contact 412-833-1600, x2284. *The above advertisers, who are advertising in this issue, have contributed their financial support for a minimum of 53 issues. Thank you!

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FALL 2021 UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Articles inside

Transformation of the municipal building

Traveling with TODAY: Pennsylvania hiking and star gazing

My sweet solution