Fall 2022 Guides Educational Resources Health & Wellness
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Fall 2022
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Volume 28
twpusc.org/usctoday •
10 13 A Teenage Boy Gives Back
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Issue 3
usctoday@usctoday.org
Features & Around the Township
Backstop Bravado
Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
Horses with Hope
Get to Know Your Library Staff
Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair
NextGen Municipal Building Renovation Project
74 80
36 Flower Power at Streams
21
School District
Superintendent’s Address
24
Erin Peterson Named Fort Couch Principal
28
STEAM News
34
Pawprints...a USC PTC Feature
58 64
Guides/ Directories
15 Pinebridge Commons 46 Educational Resources 66 Health & Wellness 82 Happenings 84 Advertiser Index Photo Ops
22 USCHS Class of 2022 Commencement
56 Monster Hunt at the C&RC
73 Abandoned Mine Drainage Bird Sanctuary
51
41 Prom 2022 54 Community Day 2022 63 The Battle of the Barrel 72 Farmer’s Market Fun
Getting ready to transport the district’s students this school year is bus driver Ann Snee, pictured with (front to back) Addie, Suzy, Cammie, Claire, and Benjamin. You can purchase a TODAY cover! Contact usctoday@usctoday.org for specifications and rates.
75 Traveling with TODAY 4
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Township
Fall 2022
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 2022 edition includes Holiday and Life Planning guides. Deadlines: Articles–September 22 Advertising–September 26 Website: twpusc.org/usctoday Email: usctoday@usctoday.org @usctoday
Mark Mansfield
Paul Fox
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.
Phillip J. Elias, President Dr. Daphna Gans, Vice President Barbara L. Bolas Kelly P. Hanna Louis P. Mafrice, Jr. Michael R. Mascaro Angela B. Petersen Jennifer A. Schnore
The 111 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.
Terry Kish
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.
Board of School Directors
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 28 years of our publication.
Colleen DeMarco
Sarah Beitler
The next issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY will be the Winter 2022 issue and will be published in November 2022. 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@usctoday.org Article Information Editor-in-Chief Terry Kish 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@usctoday.org
Steering Committee Mark S. Mansfield, Assistant Township Manager Paul K. Fox, School District Representative Editors and Staff Terry Kish, Editor-in-Chief Colleen DeMarco, Office Manager, Advertising Executive Sarah Beitler, Marketing Executive, Advertising Executive Kerry Turner, Advertising Executive Dorothy Clark, Graphic Designer Student Interns Emily Barrie Maanasa Reddy
Kerry Turner
Dorothy Clark
Thank you to our volunteer contributors this issue: Judge Ronald Arnoni, Emily Barrie (intern & YWG), Cindy Brophy, Alexander Clifford, Dr. Ruth Christoforreti, Lynn Dempsey, Carolyn Jones Friedrich, Christian Gmiter, Sandy Goldstein, Jennifer Harvey, Darah Kirstein, Becki Lewis, Laura Long, Jay Lynch, Geoff & Christine McQueen, Rep. Natalie Mihalek, Mike Moore, Heather Nyapas, Maanasa Reddy (intern & YWG), Tina Vojtko, and Ava Wynne (YWG). Thank you also to the Township’s wonderful Public Works Department employees and our awesome high school custodians! Their help in transporting our magazines and working with the facility needs of our TODAY staff is greatly appreciated. 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@usctoday.org to find out how your student can contribute. The 111th issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a joint publication of the Township and School District of Upper St. Clair. 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.
Township Board of Commissioners Daniel R. Paoly, President, At Large Dante R. Plutko, Jr., Vice President, Ward 1 Pamela L. Enck, Ward 2 Robert W. Orchowski, Ward 3 Todd D. Burlingame, Ward 4 Ronald J. Pardini, Ward 5 Richard I. Thomas, At Large
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@usctoday.org 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
Dr. Danielle Z. Wetzel Copyright © 1994–2022. All rights reserved. 6
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Fall 2022
Fall 2022
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
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A Fall Note From the Publishers Matthew R. Serakowski
Dr. John T. Rozzo
Welcome to our fall 2022 edition of TODAY, filled with information from cover to cover to keep you up to date with the latest happenings in the township and school district! It’s been a busy summer in Upper St. Clair, especially at the municipal building. The township section (pages 50–65) provides updates on the NextGen Municipal Building Renovation Project. Stop by the library soon to see the exciting changes that have been made in this area. Don’t miss the Community Day wrap-up—did you make our photo collage this year? The end of the school year is always an eventful time in the district, especially for the graduating seniors. Commencement, prom, awards—read about these events and all the other happenings around the district, as well as the accolades received, in our school district section (pages 18–45). Our students and faculty are doing great things every day, both in and out of the classroom. The school district section of TODAY can help you get your kids ready for school with information about district notices, eAlerts, the district calendar, the fall football schedule, and more. Even if you haven’t been in a classroom for decades, there’s something exciting about the start of the school year. Most of us can remember getting new clothes, shoes, and various supplies, wondering who would be in our class, and what our teacher would be like. The anticipation about what the upcoming year holds is universal, no matter how old we get, as is the ability to learn something new. This fall, make it a goal to get outside of your comfort zone! Learn something new at the township library, which has a diverse line-up of speakers and classes scheduled. Mix up your exercise routine with one of the offerings at the C&RC. Discover more about law enforcement at the Citizens’ Police Academy. Why not volunteer? Upper St. Clair’s Volunteer Fire Department and Community Foundation are two organizations recruiting new members. Read about these and other activities in this issue of TODAY. As the days get shorter and the weather gets cooler, take time to enjoy all that autumn has to offer in western Pennsylvania. Enjoy a leisurely drive to appreciate the fall foliage, stop at a local orchard to pick apples, revel in a hayride to the pumpkin patch, hike through Boyce Mayview Park, or cheer on your favorite football team. Happy fall!
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Matthew R. Serakowski Township Manager
Dr. John T. Rozzo Superintendent of Schools
www.twpusc.org/usctoday | usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us 8
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Fall 2022
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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
9
Backstop Bravado Jay Lynch
As the new school year begins, you may be reflecting on fun events that made your summer special. Back in 1962, Sandy McMinn had a summer event he wanted to forget. In those days, the Eisenhower School baseball field was in the southeast corner of the property, where the playground swings now reside. The open end of the cyclone fence backstop faced the school building. I suspect that the field was relocated to today’s location at the request of Boxfield Drive families whose back yards were the landing zones for countless foul balls The orange monster and errant throws, while their bushes and trees endured lots of watering from players too lazy to run to the school rest rooms. Like today, the field was the primary location for USCAA Little League games for nine- and ten-year-old players. With the field’s original orientation, the two-story brick wall at the south end of Eisenhower school was part of center field and “in play” like the famous green monster of Fenway Park. Occasionally, a stocky ten-year-old player would crush a long fly ball to center field that would bounce off the wall. More frequently, the base of the orange monster, as we called it, was the resting place for ground balls that sequentially went through the legs of pitchers, second basemen, and center fielders. Most little league players went to school at Eisenhower or Johnston schools (now Wesley Academy), long before Baker and Streams schools were built. Other players went to St. Thomas More Catholic school. One of the “STM kids” was Sandy McMinn. He was a very good player, one of few who could hit a ball as far as the orange monster and also prevent balls from reaching it with his impressive defensive skills. He was a player you wanted on your team, except for his sharp tongue and enthusiastic pursuit of mischief. Like many STM players, Sandy seemed to develop devilish behaviors earlier than public school kids. Likely because their teachers (nuns) would describe sinful thoughts, words, and behaviors they never would have imagined on their own. As they say, forbidden fruit is always the sweetest. I was Catholic but went to public school, which was seen by STM clergy as only partial commitment to the church, making me a target for Sandy’s early mastery of off-color double-entendres: “Lynch, you’re half fast on the base paths and a half fast Catholic!” Even if he rubbed you the wrong way, you had to admire his attire. Long before the availability of authentic professional sports uniforms in retail stores, it was very rare to see a baseball jersey for sale that looked even remotely like the Maz jersey real thing. But Sandy’s mom was a skilled seamstress. She made him a remarkably real looking kid-sized baseball jersey like the one worn by 1960 World Series hero, Bill Mazeroski. It had authentic team colors, with “Pirates” sewn on the front and “9” on the back. He wore it to every practice, and I suspect that he wore it to school as well. We all had jersey envy. During practices, Sandy took great pleasure in finding unique ways to cause trouble and irritate the coach, who was my father. One of his favorite pranks was climbing to the top of the backstop when my dad wasn’t looking. He became quite adept at scaling the vertical portion, hoisting himself carefully over a row of sharp twisted barbs, and then crawling outward on the horizontal portion. From his lofty perch, he’d lie on his belly like a WWII era bombardier and drop pebbles on batters below. Players he didn’t like got it worse. They were the targets of skillfully delivered drool or occasional wads of well-chewed bubble gum. Fear of Sandy’s bombardment had one benefit; it motivated players to wear protective batting helmets. His aerial attacks 1960 World Series hero 10
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Fall 2022
wouldn’t last long before my dad would notice his transgression and deliver admonition and punishment all at once: “McMinn! Off the backstop and on the bench, for the rest of practice!” One day, Coach Lynch was in the outfield throwing balls off the orange monster in a fruitless attempt to teach nine-year-old kids how to anticipate rebounds and ricochets. Noting his coach’s preoccupation, Sandy seized the opportunity. He climbed the backstop and commenced his usual airborne target practice. When a batter complained loudly, my distant father yelled a colorful litany of loud profanity aimed at Sandy. Then, he started marching toward the backstop, menacingly. In fear, Sandy retreated backward in a hastened descent. Unfortunately, in his panic, he forgot about the wire barbs. They caught the front of his Mazeroski jersey at the same time that he lost his foothold. His face slipped into his jersey and his arms spread wide. In an attempt to prevent a fall, or strangulation by his mother’s handiwork, he grabbed the backstop with both hands. Unfortunately, in the wrong place. Both of his palms were impaled on the barbs. Even after he regained his footholds, he was stuck in the spread-eagle position, sightless, in pain, and afraid. My dad’s march from the outfield became a sprint. When he got to the backstop, he jumped onto the equipment box, grabbed Sandy by the waist, and hoisted him high enough to free the jersey and lift his palms off the barbs. He descended from the backstop holding a very frightened boy, who he loaded into our car and whisked off to St. Clair Hospital. Doctors told him they’d seen worse damage from kids climbing cyclone fences and gave Sandy a few stiches and a tetanus shot. Several weeks later, when Sandy returned to the team, he promised my father that he’d never again climb the backstop and told him he’d confessed his disobedience at church. He also apologized to teammates for plunking us with pebbles, spittle, and Bazooka. As the season progressed, Sandy seemed like a different person: polite and obedient…a true gentleman. He excelled at the game, as usual, by hitting home runs and pitching shutouts while his language and demeanor remained squeaky clean. I was amazed to see such a wild spirit tamed, so, after our final game, I asked him what it felt like to be a role model. He said, “Lynch, you may speak slowly, but your questions are half fast.” I knew the real Sandy was back! When we returned to school that fall, news of Sandy’s painful misadventure quickly spread through the grapevine and became legendary. At Eisenhower school, the event was named in honor of the Pirate’s slick fielding second baseman, “Maz snags another one.” At St. Thomas More, it was more piously named, “Sandy’s crucifixion.” n
Humor for a Great Cause Treat yourself and those celebrating birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries to humor from local resident Jay Lynch. The fun anthology benefits The Miracle League of the South Hills, where every child deserves the chance to play baseball. Order The Lighter Side of Upper St. Clair on .
“Wonderful reflections on our community and some really funny baseball stories.” −Sean Casey, three-time Major League baseball All-Star, MLB Network TV broadcaster, and USC resident Eisenhower backstop
Names modified to protect privacy. Please contact Jay at bkefather@yahoo.com with feedback and comments.
“Having enjoyed Jay’s stories for years, I can’t wait to revisit them in the book. Jay is USC’s humor historian and we’re lucky to have him.” −Steve Blass, Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star, World Series winner, broadcaster, and long-time USC resident Fall 2022
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
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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
The Link Between Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence
I am a firm believer in protecting our furry friends, but unfortunately there are numerous cases of animal neglect, cruelty, failure to vaccinate/license, and take care of these animals. This article, with the assistance of Jennifer Thomas, Intern, Humane Action Pittsburgh, will look at these issues in our community. Animals are often chosen as soft targets because abusers believe that they can get away with it. Animal cruelty is a crime. All U.S. jurisdictions have prohibitions against animal maltreatment, and all 50 states declare some forms of animal abuse to be felonies. Police officers and criminal justice officials have a critical role to play when it comes to animal abuse, as this often exposes other forms of violence in the household. The numbers are staggering in the link between animal abuse and domestic violence, where an estimated one million animals are abused or killed each year in connection with domestic violence. With 71% of domestic violence cases, victims report that their abuser also targeted their pets. “Many survivors stay in an unsafe situation because they cannot take their animals with them to a shelter. 65% of women refuse or delay leaving an abusive home out of fear of leaving their pets or livestock behind.” (Phil Arkow, 2020) When it comes to animal abuse, education is key. Building awareness through community presentations, humane education
in schools, and training for professionals can help with the detection of animal abuse. Humane Action Pittsburgh (HAP) has created a directory for law enforcement, criminal justice officials, and residents to showcase the vast number of resources that Allegheny County offers. To see a list of these resources please visit: humaneactionpittsburgh.org. According to the Pennsylvania dog laws, all dogs three months or older must be licensed; licenses can be issued by the county treasurer. All dogs must be under control and must not be allowed to run at large. Dogs are personal property, and owners are responsible for damages caused by their dog. It is illegal to mistreat or abuse any animal, and violations should be reported to a local humane organization or the police. Rabies vaccinations are required for dogs and cats three months of age of older. Questions relating to dog laws, and licenses can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture website at agriculture.pa.gov. To do our part as a community, if you see something or if you are having issues yourself, please reach out to the Humane Society, your respective police department, or animal control. For anonymous, confidential help, 24/7, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233(SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224(TTY). n The emergency and non-emergency number for animal control in Upper St. Clair is 412-833-7500.
State Representative Natalie Mihalek 40th Legislative District 724-942-2045
www.repmihalek.com
1121 Boyce Road, Suite 2200A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241 Facebook.com/RepMihalek
A Thank You to Matthew Sometimes, today’s teens get a bad rap. For good or bad, they have never-ending access to information through technology. Between Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube, information is delivered non-stop. How are teens, whose eyes seem to be more fixed on phone screens then the people in front of them, ever to process and reflect the world around them, as well as consider their own role in it? Can they—will they—make our world better? Or will they simply look for the next TikTok challenge? My concerns about such topics were somewhat answered when Matthew Bordenstein and his family contacted my district office. The Upper St. Clair family saw an ongoing need and wasted little time in finding a way to be part of the solution. For many families, literacy is a skill somewhat easily obtained. Our region is blessed with great schools and other resources that help children begin their education careers with one of the most important elements, the ability to comprehend the written word. Personally, I consider it one of the foundations of academic success and without it, students will struggle. But for other families, achieving the most basic reading skills is a challenge. This could certainly be the case for families who legally seek to make our great country their new home. And this is where Matthew sought to make a difference. Partnering with the South Hills Interfaith Movement and Hello Neighbor, Matthew and his family recognized that the gift of literacy 12
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Fall 2022
will go a long way for families who are pursuing occupational, financial, and academic success. The Bordensteins understand that if children have access to age-appropriate literature, there is a better chance that they will be committed later to lifelong learning, thereby better assisting them in achieving the American dream. As such, Matthew became the first Pittsburgh-based volunteer to work with Bookworm Global, whose mission is to collect and redistribute early-age reading books. Upon hearing of his efforts, I offered my district office as a drop-off point. While I am not surprised by the number of book donations that were made by our friends and neighbors, I am certainly thankful. Through Matthew’s efforts, thousands of books will be distributed to local families and their children. Compassion and selflessness are practiced in different ways, but one truth is that it takes a special person to identify ways to help people who they have yet to meet. It is particularly inspiring when that selflessness comes from a teenager. Thank you, Matthew, for being more concerned with your fellow man and woman than with whatever the next social media fad may be. n
A Teenage Boy Gives Back Emily Barrie, USCHS Senior, TODAY Intern Did you see the Grinch or Easter Bunny stop by your neighborhood this year? Did you happen to realize they were there to help feed people in need? Raising money for a good cause is a common occurrence in Upper St. Clair, but not as often is one teenage boy behind the whole thing. Isaac Bernstein, a junior at Upper St. Clair High School, has spent the past three years dressing up as the Grinch and the Easter Bunny, not only to spread happiness to other kids, but also to help raise money for the local food bank. In doing so, he has provided over 25,500 meals for people in need. It all began when Isaac started dressing up as the Easter Bunny and doing an egg hunt a few years ago, since he was bored over spring break and wanted to raise money. Luckily, it had a good community response, and Isaac would go on to continue this the following spring. Most recently, he transformed into the Grinch as well, and visited families in the community during the holiday season. To get into the specifics, an appointment would be scheduled in advance, since there were a limited number of spots. Then, Isaac would come to your yard on either a Saturday evening or Sunday morning and hide the eggs; the number of eggs that were hidden determined the price you would pay/ donate. Another option would be an Easter Bunny visit in which the Easter Bunny (aka Isaac) would come to your house and spend time with your family. During this time, you were encouraged to take as many photos as you want of your children interacting with the Easter Bunny. These visits had a suggested minimum donation of $35, which translates to 175 meals at the local food bank.
The Easter bunny with Thomas Yochum’s family.
Thomas Yochum, an English teacher at Upper St. Clair High School, helped Isaac in his efforts by having the Grinch come to visit his two girls this past Christmas Eve. He spoke highly of the experience saying, “My kids were THRILLED to meet the Grinch on Christmas Eve. Our oldest daughter, Frannie, couldn’t believe the Grinch knew where we lived and that he’s so nice because his heart grew!” He went on to praise Isaac himself for the special experience he creates for kids. “He brings a personalized note, along with candy, and spends time taking pictures to make the visits really special for children.” If you were curious if you can be visited by the Easter Bunny or the Grinch this upcoming year, you are in luck because Isaac will be continuing his efforts to feed people in need. When asked about his future plans, he said, “My community service future plan would be to continue with the three-way benefit. This means benefiting parents through holiday cheer, helping kids through joy and happiness, and helping the community through a donation to the food bank. I am definitely going to expand it, because people should not have to worry about a basic necessity, especially when people are trying to get back on their feet. People should not have to worry about survival.” The original Grinch and Easter Bunny may have only helped people in the movies, but the Grinch and Easter Bunny Isaac Bernstein has created is helping real people right in our very own community. n Keep a lookout on Facebook for more information on how to sign up for either a visit or a chance to volunteer to help Isaac when it gets closer to the holidays! Frannie Yochum was excited to meet the Grinch! Fall 2022
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Remembering Pharmacy Days Sandy Goldstein
PERFORMANCE EXCEEDS PROMISES!
It’s been more than 20 years since we sold
Pinebridge Apothecary at Pinebridge Commons to the CVS on Fort Couch Road, now on Washington Road. Back in the day, we had a 4th grade class from Streams Elementary tour the pharmacy to learn about how prescriptions are filled. One tour was especially fun, with Sean Casey, our own baseball great. While Marshall talked about how outdated medications were to be returned to the wholesaler, Sean asked, “Like this Mr. Goldstein?” He had found a bottle on the shelf that was outdated. We all had a good laugh. The children were interested in watching how prescriptions were filled, labeled, then bagged for the patient. They got information about how to only use prescription medications when needed and prescribed by the physician. While doing her student teaching at Streams, our daughter, Jodi, also did a tour. It included showing the class vitamins and medications that can be purchased without a prescription. We received a cute Snoopy stuffed dog with every student’s name on it as a thank you, and we saved that Snoopy dog as a reminder of those days at Pinebridge Apothecary. Keeping prescriptions in a safe place and away from small children and removing outdated medications for proper disposal is a good way to keep organized. Many new homes today are built without a medicine cabinet, so a great place to store vitamins and medications would be in the kitchen. While having been in the pharmacy business in USC for more than 20 years, we got to know so many people in the township. We enjoyed having a café so our patients could have something to eat while waiting for a prescription to be filled. We served coffee, scones, lunch, and many favorite desserts—especially the lemon cloud cake. We still receive calls for the lemon cloud cake, a USC favorite! n
Lemon Cloud Cake 1 stick butter, softened 1/2 c. sugar 3 egg yolks (use large eggs) 1/3 c. + 1 T. milk 2/3 c. flour 1-1/2 t. baking powder • Cover a 10 x 15-inch jelly roll pan with waxed paper and spray lightly with PAM. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. • Separate the egg yolks and put the whites in a separate clean glass or stainless bowl. • With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar well; add egg yolks and beat until fluffy. Measure flour lightly and add baking powder. Alternately, add the milk and the flour mixture; stir by hand until just evenly mixed. Spread the batter thinly onto the wax paper, almost to the edges.
GOLD TEAM more than 30 YEARS of real estate experience
Sandy Goldstein ABR e-Pro Marshall Goldstein, The Gold Team
Tel: 724-941-9400 x 215 Cell: 412-721-0306 The Gold Team, Keller Williams Realty PA License RS162211A
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Topping for the cake: 3 egg whites 2/3 c. sugar 1/4 c. sliced almonds • With electric mixer, beat egg whites until very stiff. Sprinkle sugar and almonds on the egg whites and with a spatula, fold just enough to be mixed (never stir). Spread over cake batter evenly, leaving one inch of cake visible on the edges. • Bake for 18–20 minutes. Topping should feel dry and have a nice color. Remove from oven and let cool. When cool, invert on cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Carefully remove old wax paper. • Put your cream filling on the cake, almost to the edge. With the new wax paper, carefully roll the cake. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Recipe courtesy of Sandy Goldstein. 14
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Filling for the cake: 1-1/3 c. heavy whipping cream 1/2 c. lemon curd • With electric mixer, whip the cream until stiff and add the curd. Can add more or less curd to taste. • This cake can also be made with a good chocolate mousse mixed with whipping cream, or with sliced strawberries and whipping cream. Lemon Curd (enough for four cakes) 11 lemons 4-1/2 c. sugar 12 eggs 1 lb. butter plus 1 stick • Put butter in microwave and heat until melted. Let cool and take out water to make clarified butter. (A trick to clarify butter: when butter is melted, put it in a container and freeze for about one to two hours. Punch a hole in the top and pour off the
impurities. Google “clarifying butter in microwave” for detailed instructions). • Wash and zest lemons. After the lemons are zested, cut them in half and squeeze the juice out of them. • Place the lemon zest in a Cuisinart with 1-1/2 c. of the sugar, then add some of the eggs, some of the lemon juice, and keep alternating until all the lemon juice and eggs are used (might have to put some in a large saucepan if there is too much in your Cuisinart!) •Transfer some of the lemon mixture into the large saucepan and add some of the remaining 3 c. sugar, alternating ingredients. Cook on low heat until thick and large bubbles form. Cool a little and add clarified butter, stirring until mixed. Cool completely and freeze in small containers. Curd freezes well and can be frozen for up to a year and used in other recipes.
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Fall 2022
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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
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Five Tips for Creating a Fantastic Outdoor Living Room All-season fun is possible—yes, even in Pittsburgh. Geoff and Christine McQueen, McQueen Building Co. Our family spends a lot of time outdoors in the spring and summer. But our favorite season for outdoor living is actually the fall. There’s nothing like gathering around a crackling fire with friends and family on a cool fall night, especially when you have an outdoor living space designed for maximum fun and comfort. Even with Pittsburgh’s sometimes challenging climate, it’s possible to create an outdoor space that your family can enjoy nearly year-round. And many families are doing just that. Locally and nationally, creating an “outdoor living room” is a wise investment and a major trend.
will warm you on chilly nights. A firepit is another great option, and the options are endless. They can range anywhere from dramatic, built-in structures to tiny tabletop fire boxes that run on gel. There are also so many styles and sizes of outdoor space heaters available. So, one key is choosing sources of fire and warmth to get exactly the mix of warmth and light you’re seeking. • Truly comfortable furniture. Our goal in designing outdoors is to create spaces you and your guests will want to spend hours lounging, laughing, and enjoying each other. Another key is investing in well-made furniture upholstered in outdoor fabrics like Sunbrella that are soft to the touch. It’s great to choose pieces that look great, but it’s also key to make sure they’re comfortable. Look for an outdoor dining table with chairs where you really want to linger and lounge seating with deep cushions. • Beautiful, durable area rugs. You’ll keep things super-cozy through the fall and also convey a stylish “indoor” vibe if you add outdoor rugs. These are also great for defining your dining area and lounging area as separate spaces. (Bonus: If you have a pergola or roofline, consider adding some sheer
“Patios, decks, and other outdoor areas are increasingly being treated as well-defined rooms that serve as bonus living areas,” according to a recent Better Homes & Gardens trend report. The folks at BobVila.com are seeing the same thing: “More and more people,” they wrote in an article earlier this year, “are finding creative ways to maximize usable outdoor spaces and entertain themselves at home.” So how to do you make the most of your space and your budget to create a true “outdoor living room”? • Warmth and firelight. One of our favorite design choices is an outdoor fireplace, especially one made of natural materials like stone. It becomes a focal point of your outdoor space and 16
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outdoor curtains. They’re a great way to include a pop of color or pattern, and they can keep your space drier on breezy, rainy days.) • Strategic electronics. Outdoor-safe televisions and sound systems have come down in price and they can be a game-changer for creating an outdoor space that feels like another room in your home. • An elevated space for cooking and refreshments. A full outdoor kitchen can easily become your favorite “room” in the house. But even if you’re not ready for that level of investment right now, it can be great to add just a few items for cooking and convenience— maybe an outdoor fridge for drinks, or a built-in countertop with storage underneath—to your outdoor dining and entertaining area. Beyond the fun you’ll have using your outdoor living room, it’s a practical move: Investing in a beautifully designed and furnished deck or patio area makes your home more valuable and adds appeal for future buyers. n To learn more about McQueen Building Company, follow us on social and visit us at mcqueenbuildingcompany.com. See their ad on page 17.
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Upper St. Clair School District
Board of School Directors
uscsd.k12.pa.us
@USCSchools
To reach personnel, call 412-833-1600, and follow the automated directions.
Administrator
Phillip J. Elias President pelias@uscsd.k12.pa.us 2023*
Dr. Daphna Gans Vice President dgans@uscsd.k12.pa.us 2025*
Barbara L. Bolas bbolas@uscsd.k12.pa.us 2023*
Kelly P. Hanna khanna01@uscsd.k12.pa.us 2023
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 Dr. Cassandra Doggrell ............................................Julie Karabinos......................................... 2116 Director of Special Education jkarabinos@uscsd.k12.pa.us Danny Holzer...............................................................Kimberly Valeriano.................................... 2260 Director of Athletics kvaleriano@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 Louis P. Mafrice, Jr. Michael R. Mascaro lmafrice@uscsd.k12.pa.us mmascaro@uscsd.k12.pa.us 2025* 2023* Dr. John Rozzo Superintendent of Schools
Angela B. Petersen Jennifer A. Schnore apetersen@uscsd.k12.pa.us jschnore@uscsd.k12.pa.us 2023* 2025*
Dr. Danielle Z. Wetzel dwetzel@uscsd.k12.pa.us 2025*
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
Dr. Cassandra Doggrell Director of Special Education
Dr. Lauren Madia Director of Pupil Services
Bradley Wilson Director of Strategic Initiatives
*Date indicates expiration of term.
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 uscsd.k12.pa.us. Click on Information and then select Compliance Notifications to view required state and federal notices and information. 18
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Amy Pfender Assistant Superintendent
Scott Burchill Director of Business and Finance
The list of the Upper St. Clair Board of School Director 2022 meeting dates is available on the District’s website: uscsd.k12.pa.us/schoolboard. Meetings typically begin at 7 p.m. in the District administration building.
Upper St. Clair School District Annual Notices
Dr. Sharon Suritsky Assistant/Deputy Superintendent
School District Building Administration
Dr. Timothy Wagner High School Principal Dr. Daniel Beck High School Assistant Principal Cara Senger High School Assistant Principal
Fall 2022
Erin Peterson Fort Couch Middle School Principal TBA 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 Dr. Lindsay Klousnitzer Streams Elementary School Principal
Students Honored at Awards Night Upper St. Clair High School recognized and celebrated numerous students with honors, awards, and scholarships during the school’s annual Awards Night, held on May 17, 2022, in the high school theater. n
The following students were recognized: Army ROTC: Eva Rankin Carson Scholar: Sarah Robert Ellie Levine Memorial Award: Jacob Bernstein Global Fluency Certificate: Bridget Boal, Lilian Leggat, Isabella Marasco, Noelle Pirain, Eva Rankin, Julia Roeschenthaler, Andrew Rosello, Stephanie Spina, Shane Williams John Small Spirit of Community Award: Eva Rankin Joseph L. Moscov Memorial Award: Christopher Beaver, Michael Gualtieri Judge Arnoni Leadership in Action Scholarship: Phoebe Chen Outstanding Senior Athletes: Jaclyn Martinelli, Mateo Cepullio Paul Harris Award–USC–Bethel Park Evening Rotary Club: Sophia Song Paul Wildenhain Memorial Scholarship: Daniel J. Wang Perfect Attendance: Saif Ali Khan Durrani, Alex James LeKachman Pride of the Panthers Award: Tanner O’Grady, Eva Rankin Service Above Self USC–Bethel Park, Breakfast Rotary: Jacob Howard Service Above Self USC–Bethel Park, Evening Rotary Club: Anna Hess Sharon Popp Memorial Award: Kaitlyn Campagna Sivaram & Revathi Krishnan USC Scholarship: Isabella Marasco, Fiona Wang Society of Women Engineers Awards: Natalie Campagna, Sophia Song, Sophie Chen Student of the Year Awards: Daniel Shanholtzer, Freshman; Reese Copenhaver, Sophomore; Yoshna Venkataraman, Junior; Robert J. Shontz, Senior Superintendent Academic Achievement Award: Kaitlyn Campagna, Marley
Crochier, Patrick Hynds, Alex LeKachman, Matthew Naumann, Danielle Wenk, Bria Zegarelli Teresa Fox Memorial Scholarship– Student Pursuing a Degree in Special Education: Emma Redlinger Teresa Fox Memorial Scholarship– Student Who has Overcome a Learning Challenge: Danny Martin T.J. White Scholarship: Tanner O’Grady USC Education Association Scholarship: Robert J. Shontz USCHS Counseling Humanitarian Award: Bridgit Boal, Skyler Bruno, Sarah Christensen, Felipe Mola Curi, Shivani Jajoo, Katie Kobeski, Esha Lahoti, Molly Maher, Julia Roeschenthaler, Laurel Sjoberg, Stephanie Spina William A. Pope Scholarship: Linus Friedman University Book Awards Brandeis University–Emily Barrie Chatham University, Rachel Carson Healthy Planet–Maura Joyce Harvard University–Ansh Goyal Johns Hopkins University– Carter McClintock-Comeaux Princeton University–Ashvita Saxena Rensselaer Medal–Phillip Markovitz RIT Computing Medal & Scholarship Award–Ben Wasson, Lauren Starr RIT Innovation & Creativity Award– Colin Eccher, Rebecca Lang Saint Michael’s College– Alessandra Di Piazza Tulane University–Carter Chui University of Pennsylvania– Yoshna Venkataraman University of Virginia, Jefferson– Rosemary Ramirez William & Mary Leadership Award– Jocelyn Rullo Yale University–Matthew Hrehocik
Upper St. Clair School District 2022–2023 Calendar Aug 24 Grades 1–12 First Day of School Aug 26 Kindergarten First Day of School Sep 5 No School – Labor Day Sep 15 Elementary Open House Elementary Early Dismissal – 12:45 p.m. Sep 22 High School Open House High School Early Dismissal – 12:35 p.m. Sep 29 Boyce Open House Boyce Early Dismissal – 1:15 p.m. Oct 6 Fort Couch Open House Fort Couch Early Dismissal – 1:15 p.m. Oct 31 No School – Teacher In-service Nov 7–8 No School – Teacher In-service Nov 23–25 No School – Thanksgiving Recess Dec 23–31 No School – Winter Recess Jan 2 No School – Winter Recess Jan 16 No School – Teacher In-service Jan 23 No School – Teacher In-service Feb 17 No School – Teacher In-service Feb 20 No School – Teacher In-service Mar 31 No School – Teacher In-service Apr 3–7 No School (Spring Recess) May 11 Elementary STAR Nights Elementary Early Dismissal – 12:45 p.m. May 18 Fort Couch Celebration of Learning Fort Couch Early Dismissal – 1:15 p.m. May 25 Boyce Celebration of Learning Boyce Early Dismissal – 1:15 p.m. May 29 No School – Memorial Day Jun 8 High School Commencement Jun 9 Last Day of School for Students – Half Day Early Dismissal Jun 12 Teacher In-service
Monthly Calendar
USC eAlerts
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.
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.
Fall 2022
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USCHS Named a 2022 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 2022 Best High Schools on April 26, 2022. Ranked 14th in Pennsylvania, Upper St. Clair is the third highest-ranking high school in the Pittsburgh region. Nationally, Upper St. Clair ranks 557th out of nearly 18,000 public high schools in the nation. Dr. Timothy Wagner, USCHS principal, believes this year’s designation as a Best High School is a celebration of the school community’s efforts over the past year and motivation to continue to thrive. He attributes the school’s continued success to a collective commitment to educational excellence. U.S. News & World Report ranked 17,843 high schools nationally and 676 high schools in Pennsylvania. This is the count of 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 2019–2020 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. While the six ranking indicators that determined each school’s rank were the same as those used in the three prior years, U.S. News & World Report adjusted its calculation of these measures to account for the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on schools in the 2019–2020 school year. With most states closing schools for in-person instruction beginning in March 2020, typically just before most states conduct assessments, the U.S. Department of Education granted waivers allowing all states to forego state testing for the 2019–2020 school year. Without 2019–2020 assessment data available, U.S. News & World Report relied on historic assessment data from the three prior ranking years while also
incorporating for the first-time state science assessment data from the 2018–2019 school year to capture a broader measure of student learning. Specifically, an average of the following years and academic subjects were used: 2016–2017 math and reading assessment data; 2017–2018 math and reading assessment data; and 2018–2019 math, reading, and science assessment data. By sharing this information, officials at U.S. News & World Report hope that parents across the country will be armed with information to help them make betterinformed decisions about their child’s education. “At U.S. News, we believe that better education drives the future,” according to its website. “We also want to recognize high-performing schools and inspire educators and municipalities to do better.” n
PBT Ranks USCSD Number One Upper St. Clair School District ranks as the number one school district in Pennsylvania, according to the 2022 School Guide published by the Pittsburgh Business Times (PBT). For the third straight year, USC ranks number one among the 105 school districts in the region. “Teaching and learning through a pandemic created enormous challenges,” said Dr. John Rozzo, superintendent of schools. “We are incredibly proud of the tenacity and fortitude shown by our students and staff throughout the last two years.” This marks the first year that Upper St. Clair has reached number one in the statewide rankings, which began in 2017. “Upper St. Clair’s students were the top-scoring in the region based on this year’s Honor Roll Rank. It is the third straight year Upper St. Clair claimed the top spot on the PBT Honor Roll,” stated the PBT article. “Upper St. Clair also landed in the top five in every grade ranking, topping the rankings for eighth grade and seventh grade, and was number one on the statewide rankings.” For each of the last five years, Upper St. Clair has ascended in the state rankings. Debuting at number 10 in 2017, the 20
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district climbed to number five in 2018, number three in 2019, and number two in 2020. The 2022 Guide to Southwestern Pennsylvania Schools analyzes school performance data for 105 school districts throughout the seven-county region that includes Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. Typically, the rankings are based on PSSA and Keystone Exam scores—three years of data are used, with the current year given the most weight. Because of the pandemic, PSSA data is from 2018, 2019 and 2021. For Keystones, only results from 2018 and 2019 were included. The Pittsburgh Business Times released its first regional school rankings in 2005. Upper St. Clair debuted at number two in the region before spending eight consecutive years, from 2006–2013, in the number one spot. From 2014–2018, Upper St. Clair ranked within the top five each year before regaining the top spot in 2019, 2020 and 2022. There was no annual ranking in 2021, as testing was suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic. n
Superintendent’s Address Dr. John Rozzo, Superintendent of Schools To the Class of 2022, congratulations. You’ve made it to the finish line. Look around this stadium. It is filled with a support network that are your biggest fans as you embark on your next chapter in life. I look at this group and can only imagine the great things you will do over the next 20 years to better our community, our country, and our world. Saying that you are needed now more than ever is not an overstatement. This year, we have embraced a district-wide mantra: USC—Unity. Success. Character. Just three words, but packed with so much meaning. Unity is working toward a common goal. There is an old proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” The Pittsburgh Business Times recently announced that Upper St. Clair is the top performing school district in Pennsylvania out of 500 districts. This is a phenomenal accomplishment. In sharing this news, I wrote these words in a letter to our families: It is truly amazing what we can accomplish when we all work together to do what is best for students. This was possible because of genuine collaboration and unity within and beyond our schools. It is part of what makes Upper St. Clair so special. When I was interviewed and asked what the secret is in Upper St. Clair, without hesitation, I responded that there is no secret. Our recipe here is that there is a united and unwavering commitment to quality education from all of our stakeholders—families, teachers, staff, and community. But our most important stakeholders are our students. Every graduating class leaves a lasting legacy—I am confident that this class will be remembered for its unity. Success is reaching your fullest potential. Success cannot be defined simply by a score on a standardized test. Whether performing Seussical in our high school theater or having the opportunity to perform alongside the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Heinz Hall, our fine and
performing arts students have found success on the stage. Winning the state championship for the third time since 2017, our speech and debate team is recognized locally and nationally, with several students earning All American Awards. In athletics, we have WPIAL team and individual champions and numerous section champions. Our baseball team had its most successful season in three decades, reaching the WPIAL finals and state quarterfinals. This year, despite so many challenges, your class recorded the highest number of recognized students in the National Merit Scholarship and Advanced Placement Scholars programs in recent history. Nearly 60 percent of you are members of the Upper St. Clair High School National Honor Society and 65 percent of you are graduating with honors, having earned a grade point average 3.5 or above. So, whether you enjoy art, literature, learning a trade, robotics, athletics, or student council (just to name a few), my hope is that Upper St. Clair has provided you every opportunity to discover your passion and achieve success. Character. The last of the three may indeed be the most important. If we don’t have character, we don’t have much. A simple, but powerful definition of character is doing the right thing, even when nobody’s watching. I am proud to share just some of the ways that the class of 2022 leads the way in modeling character. From fundraising to support families in Ukraine to hosting the school’s first polar plunge to benefit Children Hospital, our students have raised thousands of dollars to make a difference in the lives of others. Our Kids Helping Kids Club, Environmental Club, and our Advanced Placement/IB environmental science students sold and planted more than 250 trees throughout our community. Every year dozens of students commit to helping their peers through the school’s Natural Helpers and Student Mentor
Dr. John Rozzo
programs. Our student clubs—as well as our girls soccer team have worked tirelessly to raise awareness for mental health issues. Their efforts are more important today than ever before. This past fall, for the first time ever, Upper St. Clair High School was selected as a WPIAL Sportsmanship Award winner. This is awarded to schools based on how their student athletes treat others—on and off the field. It clearly says volumes about who you are. Unity. Success. Character. USC. While these words are emblazoned throughout Upper St. Clair, they are personified by the actions of the Class of 2022. While your next adventure may take you far from Upper St. Clair, my hope is that unity, success, and character stay with you always. In closing, please do not underestimate what you have accomplished individually and collectively over the past four years. Despite enormous challenges of attending high school during a global pandemic, you have continued to exceed all of our expectations. You have arguably overcome more overall challenges than any group of high school students before you. Through it all, you persevered and gather here tonight as the Upper St. Clair High School Graduating Class of 2022. Our High School has three Halls of Fame: Athletics, Arts, and Academics. I suspect we will be inducting many of you into those halls in the years to come. Class of 2022, although your time as USC students is almost over, you can be proud of the mark you left on this District for future generations. Always remember the good times you had with each other. Regardless of where your paths take you, know that you will forever be a part of dear old Upper St. Clair. n
USCHS Class of 2022 Academic Achievers
USCHS Class of 2022 valedictorians (pictured above, listed alphabetically)
Congratulations to the Class of 2022 valedictorians: William Bacdayan, Bridget Boal, Phoebe Chen, Sophie Chen, Alyana Childs, Shivani Jajoo, Maggie Lowden, Eden Ma, Molly Maher, Luka Misic, Kaelyn Moran, Ethan Neal, Dev Patel, Victoria Pete, Serena Ploeger, Julia Roeschenthaler, Sujay Shah, Nikhil Shetty, Madeleine Wetzel and Andrew White; and IB Diploma candidates: Evan Barker, Kaitlyn Campagna, Rachel Fibbi, Shivani Jajoo, Sarina Krishnaswamy, Maggie Lowden, Saundra Munsick, Rhea Punjabi, Eva Rankin, Sambhav Saggi, and Vidhur Senthil. Fall 2022
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USCHS Commencement It was a beautiful late spring evening when the 324 members of the Upper St. Clair High School Class of 2022 were awarded their diplomas on June 9 in the high school’s stadium. TODAY extends its best wishes to all the graduates! See pages 21–23 for graduation speeches from the School District’s superintendent, board president, and selected student speakers. n
—Photos courtesy of Tina Vojtko, USCHS Communications Specialist
Board Response
Phillip Elias, President, Upper St. Clair Board of School Directors
Phillip Elias
On behalf of your school board of directors, let me extend to you our congratulations on a job well done. High school graduation is an important milestone, and this commencement proceeding is the highlight of our school year. My comments will be brief this evening. I want to touch on two very important lessons that you have learned and ask that you carry both forward with you. One is obvious—you have established a solid educational base. Good fundamentals will serve you well for years to come. This district has a long tradition of academic excellence. Upper St Clair’s prowess in the classroom speaks for itself. Our experience is that previous graduating classes have been well prepared educationally for whatever comes next. You will be no different. Class 22
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
of 2022, you are prepared academically for whatever awaits you next. Keep those lessons close to you and they will serve you well. There is, however, something else that this class can carry forward. Something that we can’t simulate. Something that only comes through experience. This class, like a few before, and a few coming behind, have not had it easy. Your class has sacrificed. Your class has gone without. You have been a class interrupted. You have struggled through hard times. That’s unfortunate, but there’s something to be learned from these hard times if you are open to learning it. Hard times can leave you with a gift, but you must be open to receiving it. The gifts you are left with are attributes like perseverance, stick-to-itiveness, and grit. These are the salvageable by-products of hard times. The only way to develop those skills, those attributes, is to live through and survive hard times. We can’t teach those things in the classroom; we can’t create a simulation that you can walk through to hone those skills. Some of you are heading off to the literally the finest universities in the world, and I am Fall 2022
sorry to inform you that they can’t teach it there either. You can’t buy it in Giant Eagle, and Amazon won’t deliver to your doorstep next day. The only way to get experience in dealing with hard times is to experience hard times. There are lessons to be drawn from these past two and a half years, but you have to be open to learning them. There’s a warning that comes with this second lesson. One thing can stop you from the receiving the gift, and that’s cynicism. The cynic can never pull the good out of the bad, the cynic never sees a silver lining, the cynic is incapable of turning chicken waste into chicken salad. Reject the cynicism and you can recycle the hard times, mine the good that comes from the experience, and keep the lessons close to you. They’ll serve you well going forward, as hard times have a way of returning from time to time. Upper St Clair graduating class of 2022, your door is wide open. Again, on behalf of your school, please know that we are proud of you. Best wishes in whatever is next and please stay in touch. n
USCHS 2022 Commencement Student Speakers The 324 members of the Upper St. Clair High School Class of 2022 were inspired and encouraged by words of advice from their fellow students. Here are excerpts from the five student speakers. Their full speeches can be found at twpusc.org/today. …Whether we were aware of it or not, when we walked into school on the first day this year, our class had a mission. Just like any other senior class, we took up the leadership roles of teams and clubs. We served as mentors to the underclassmen. However, this year was different. Our job was to also bring back and preserve old traditions. We had to teach the school what we used to know as the norm. The class of 22 knew what it meant to be a Panther way back in 2018. We made sure the underclassmen did as well before we all left school last week. And so, as our class says goodbye, we leave a challenge to the future upperclassmen and to the classes that come next: Continue our school’s traditions. Create new ones. To all the future graduates here in Pantherland, remember what we taught you. Remember the bridge our class created to the past. — RJ Shontz, student council president
complished group of students that I am proud to graduate with. A lot of us have been in the Upper St. Clair school district for the last 13 years. Four thousand six hundred and sixty-five days ago, on August 31, 2009, we went off on our first day of kindergarten, and ever since then we have been shaping and defining the class of 2022. — Kathleen Gianni, senior class president
…Today is June 9, 2022: The day we graduate high school. Whether you’ve been counting down the days for years or dreading the moment you can no longer see your friends every day, sitting in front of me I see a powerful and ac-
…The title of senior that we used to be intimidated by now represents us. Sure, some of the hardest moments happen during the finale like saying goodbye to the characters that you have learned to love, but we are always reas-
… Throughout our journey in USC, we have travelled from field to field. We started on our elementary school playgrounds with good old freeze tag and felt like all-stars when we got a turf field at Boyce! The grass fields of Fort Couch were home to the best games of frisbee and handstand competitions. Now this last field that we’re on is the most important of all. Panther stadium holds many meaningful memories of triumph, fun, and pride. We will all be moving on from this field, headed in different directions, whether it be watching college football, watching the sun rise over the ocean, or chasing our own kids around a playground someday. So, no matter how far apart we go after tonight, and as we say goodbye to the memories we created on this field, 22 will always be a number to bring us back home. — Shivani Jajoo, senior speaker
sured of the bright futures that await them and now us. If you take away anything I say today, it is this: embrace every moment and celebrate the present. Sure, it is important to plan for the future, but make sure to take time to reflect on the memories we made during our 12 years at USC. The first series of our lives may be wrapping up today, but tomorrow brings the start of our respective spin-offs. Like the many unexpected events that happened at the workspace, our life is unpredictable, so make sure to face each part of your lives with optimism. From the wise words of Michael Scott, “goodbyes suck,” but they mark new seasons in the show we call life, and I can’t wait to see how the rest of our lives play out. — Andrew Miller, senior speaker …We aren’t the same people that left USCHS on that fateful Friday the 13th in 2020. Our sophomore spring was taken by quarantine and our junior year was characterized by protocol. But, over this past year—our senior year— we’ve shown that we are better people because of this adversity. We’ll take the lessons of perseverance, flexibility, and innovation into the job market as we become nurses, lawyers, business executives, scientists, teachers, architects, military personnel, and more. But more importantly, we will carry these lessons—and our Panther Pride—throughout our lives, making real change in our chosen communities. — Eva Rankin, senior speaker n
Best Wishes to Our Retirees Upper St. Clair School District celebrated the retirement of 21 faculty and staff members who have a combined 432 years of service to the school community at the district’s annual endof-year staff breakfast and retiree recognition event this past June. Congratulations and best wishes to our 2021–22 Retirees: • Mary Berry, accounts payable clerk, eight years of service • Amy Beyerl, Eisenhower Elementary teacher, 23 years of service • Carol Brinkhoff, Boyce Middle School teacher, 34 years of service • Lisa Cain, Fort Couch Middle School teacher, 33 years of service • Kelly Chicchi, bus driver, 33 years of service • Linda Derrico, bus attendant, 33 years of service • Cynthia Dolan, custodian, six years of service • Rebecca Findley, Baker Elementary School teacher, 26 years of service • Heidi Joseph, Baker Elementary School teacher aide, 26 years of service • James Kulik, custodian, 12 years of service • Donna Lassige, bus driver, 20 years of service • Anna Lucas, High School cook, 20 years of service • Paula Lydon, Baker health room aide, 13 years of service
• • • • • • • •
Suzanne Madden, bus driver, 19 years of service John (Jack) Martin, custodian, 20 years of service William Mocker, bus driver, five years of service Steven Nicklas, Boyce Middle School teacher, 29 years of service Patricia Palazzolo, High School teacher, 36 years of service Mary Jean Rollick, Fort Couch teacher aide, six years of service Bill Rullo, High School counselor, 25 years of service Robert Wolfe, bus driver, five years of service n
2021–22 retirees Fall 2022
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Erin Peterson Named Fort Couch Principal Erin Peterson, Fort Couch Middle School assistant principal since 2013, has been promoted to principal, effective July 1, 2022. She replaces Joe DeMar, who retired after serving as Fort Couch principal for 19 years. “With more than 20 years of middle school experience Mrs. Peterson is the right choice to lead Fort Couch Middle School,” said Dr. John Rozzo, superintendent of schools. “Her proven leadership skills, collaborative nature and passion for middle level education will ensure the school’s continued success.” Mrs. Peterson joined the Fort Couch staff in 2006, serving as an English/language arts (ELA) teacher, reading specialist, curriculum leader for middle school ELA, and Professional Learning Community facilitator before ascending to assistant principal in 2013. In March 2021, Mrs. Peterson was recognized with the Leonard R. Ference Outstanding Administrator Award from the
Pennsylvania Association of Middle Level Educators (PAMLE). The award honors administrators who value, understand and support middle level education practices that promote powerful learning for young adolescents. Mrs. Peterson holds a bachelor’s degree in English and secondary education from Grove City College. She earned her master’s degree in education for reading Erin Peterson and language arts from Duquesne University, where she is currently pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership. A resident of Upper St. Clair, Mrs. Peterson and her husband, Shane, have two school-aged children—James and Katherine. n
School Board Member Receives Voice of Advocacy Award This past April, Barbara Bolas, a 34-year member of the Upper St. Clair School Board, was honored with the Voice of Advocacy Award from the Western Pennsylvania Forum of School Superintendents. Nominated by Dr. Patrick O’Toole, who retired as Upper St. Clair’s superintendent in 2018, Mrs. Bolas was praised for her service and advocacy. “Since moving to the Pittsburgh region, she has been devoted to public service,” said Dr. O’Toole. “Mrs. Bolas has a long history of service to public education at the local, state and national levels and has been a strong advocate for children of Upper St. Clair and beyond.” Throughout her tenure, Mrs. Bolas has served leadership roles locally as well as with the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and the National School Boards Association. She served as a PSBA officer and board member from 1998 through 2010, including serving as president of the organization in 2001. Mrs. Bolas served as a NSBA board member from 2001-2010 and was the NSBA president in 2008-09.
Locally, Mrs. Bolas served as the USC School Board president in 1989, 1998, 2013, and 2020. She was vice-president in 1988, 1997, 2012, 2018, and 2019. She has chaired and served on numerous board committees over her three decades of service. “The wealth of experience that frames Mrs. Bolas’s perspectives is invaluable,” said Dr. John Rozzo, current superinBarbara Bolas tendent of schools. “She continues to be a leader in our Upper St. Clair community, in public education and, especially, within our board room. We appreciate and value her service and leadership.” Mrs. Bolas was previously honored with the PSBA Chief Executive Officer’s Distinguished Service Pin, which recognizes PSBA members, staff and education advocates for their extraordinary service and work on behalf of the association. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the State University of New York. She began her career as a public school teacher. n
Teacher Contract Approved The Upper St. Clair School District and the Upper St. Clair Education Association (USCEA) approved a new fiveyear collective bargaining agreement. The USCEA, represented by the American Federation of Teachers PA, serves the district’s nearly 300 teachers, librarians, psychologists, school counselors, and school nurses. The agreement, effective Aug. 18, 2022 through June 30, 2027, was ratified by the USCEA membership on June 24 and unanimously approved by the school board on June 27, 2022. “The agreement includes language revisions that provide additional flexibility for the administration and staff,” said Dr. John Rozzo, superintendent. The new agreement provides increases to salaries, but also 24
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includes a progressive increase to healthcare premium contributions from the current formula to a 14%–15% contribution rate by the end of the agreement. A beginning teacher at Upper St. Clair will make $53,300 in the first year of the new agreement. Staff moving to the top salary step will receive a $3,000 raise in the first year of the agreement. “The new salary schedule keeps district salaries competitive with comparable school districts in Allegheny County,” said Dr. Rozzo. “The Upper St. Clair School District is proud to be the top performing school district in the state and believes this agreement recognizes the district’s exemplary professional staff while remaining fiscally responsible.” n
Hometown High Q Champs
Jasmine Dietiker
Patrick Nowak
Chase Neponuceno
Three Upper St. Clair High School students were recently crowned KDKA Hometown High Q champions of the 2021–22 season. The final round of the competition aired on June 25, 2022. Jasmine Dietiker, Patrick Nowak, and Chase Neponuceno defeated students from Homer-Center Junior/Senior High School and Mars Area High School. The Upper St. Clair students were coached by recently retired gifted coordinator Pat Palazzolo.
This marks the first time that Upper St. Clair has won the competition since it began in the 1999–20 school year. The 2021–22 season of Hometown High Q began in the fall with teams from 81 high schools throughout the region. “As winners, the students earned $4,000 for the school,” said Mrs. Palazzolo. “The most exciting part, though, is that this is the first time our high school has ever won. We have come in second and third and made the semifinals (top nine) two or three times, but this is our first No. 1 finish, in my final year teaching!” Hometown High Q is a 30-minute academic quiz show where each week three school teams vie against one another. Hosted by KDKA-TV meteorologist Ray Petelin, students must correctly answer questions from a variety of general high school curriculum subject areas. The top scoring schools in the competition advance to the playoffs. High Q, which premiered during the 1999–2000 school year, was inspired by similar programs in other cities, including the long running It’s Academic in Washington, D.C. n
Students Excel in Math Upper St. Clair students in grades five through 12 earned high marks in the Pennsylvania Mathematics League (PML) contest. Boyce students placed second among the 55 participating schools in Pennsylvania and first among schools in the fourcounty region that includes Allegheny, Butler, Cambria, and Washington counties. Of the top four individual scores in the region, four were earned by Boyce students. Among the top 35 scores earned at the sixth-grade level, 10 were Boyce students, four of whom were fifth graders. Top scorers for Boyce included John Whitman, Alan Anderson, Nathan Del, Joey Wyse, Aaron Jiang, Ahana Mendhi, Lyman Thomson, Seth Pedretti, Bernard Huang, and Max Reyes. Fort Couch eighth graders placed second among 40 schools in Pennsylvania and first in the four-county region. Of the top eight individual scores, four were represented by Fort Couch students. Five Fort Couch eighth graders—Sara Gillespie, Sofia Alfredson Themudo, Tony Chen, Kaia Petrick, and Luke An— ranked among Pennsylvania’s top 37 scores. Fort Couch seventh graders placed 11th among the 38 participating schools in Pennsylvania and fourth in the four-county region. Among Pennsylvania’s top 34 scores were Jonah Zahalsky and Lizzie Myers.
Middle school students were given 30 minutes to solve 35 questions, ranging from simple and straightforward to complex math problems. The school’s team score—comprised of 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 had a 30-minute time limit. The last two questions on each contest were more difficult than the first four, with the final question being intended to challenge the very best mathematics students. Upper St. Clair High School was the second highest scoring school among the 13 participating high schools in Allegheny County and placed fourth among the 96 participating schools in Pennsylvania. Jason Lu, Carter McClintock-Comeaux, Alex Sun, Sophie Chen, and Yuhong Shi were recognized as high scoring students in the commonwealth. The PML specializes in conducting math contests designed to stimulate student interest and confidence in mathematics. n
History Bee Quarterfinalist A Boyce Middle School student recently advanced to the quarterfinals in the 2022 National History Bee. Sixth grader Arjun Kairi traveled to Orlando, FL for the competition, held this past June. The National History Bee is a buzzer-based history quiz competition for elementary, middle, and high school-aged students throughout the United States. The competition is categorized by several grade-level divisions: varsity—grades 11 and 12, junior varsity—grades 10 and younger, 8th grade, 7th grade, 6th grade, and elementary school, which includes all students in grade five
and younger. Arjun competed in the elementary school division. A flutist, Arjun placed first place in the 2022 Crescendo International Music Competition in January 2022 at Carnegie Hall in New York City. This spring, he finished among the top 10 in the annual Western Pennsylvania Spelling Bee. n Arjun Kairi Fall 2022
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State Champs! The Upper St. Clair Speech & Debate team won the Pennsylvania High School Speech League (PHSSL) State Championship for the third time since 2017, defeating rival North Allegheny in three major categories—Debate Sweepstakes, Speech Sweepstakes, and Overall Large School Sweepstakes. Rushikesh Kulkarni and Dev Patel closed out their high school careers in Parliamentary Debate with a 5–0 victory over North Allegheny in the State final round to win Upper St. Clair’s fourth PHSSL Championship in the event. They were 15–1 on ballots throughout the tournament. Qadir Khan and Daniel Wang advanced to the State final round in Public Forum Debate, eventually falling to North Allegheny. In total, 46 Upper St. Clair students representing 34 entries qualified to compete in the annual competition. Of those, 26 students—19 entries—advanced to the second day of competition. The following competitors advanced to Debate Semifinal Rounds or the Congress Super Session (Top 4): Jack Miller and Patrick Nowak, Parliamentary Debate; Eva Rankin and Edythe McCurrie, Public Forum Debate; Priyanka Palayekar, Congress House; Ansh Goyal, Congress Senate. The following competitors advanced to speech State Final Rounds (Top 6): Rhea Punjabi and Nivedha Suresh, News Broadcasting; Shivani Jajoo, Commentary; Esha Lahoti, Informative; Evan Barker, Prose; Shana Reddy, Informative. The following competitors advanced to quarterfinals in Debate (Top 8), but did not advance to semifinals: Jasmine Dietiker, Extemporaneous Debate; Isabel Vilensky and Theeya Chen, Parliamentary Debate; Saif Durrani, Lincoln-Douglas Debate; Sambhav Saggi, Lincoln-Douglas Debate; and Ammar Kethavath and Will Bacdayan, Public Forum Debate. The following competitors made the semifinals in Speech events (Top 12), but did not advance to final rounds: Arnav Kumar, Dramatic Interpretation; Saif bin Hammad, Commentary; Nitin Chandran, Extemporaneous; Cameron Weber, Extemporaneous; Rosemary Ramirez, Impromptu.
The following competitors qualified for the State tournament through either the bid system (three bids throughout the season for auto-qualification) or at the District Qualifier in February: Ujal Gautam, Senate; Jack Loomis, Senate; Ashe Sobel-Drum, Senate; Maya Talasela, Poetry; Cadence Golden, Poetry; Scott Cheung and Nitish Sharma, Public Forum Debate; Maanasa Reddy, Persuasive; Priyasha Itani, Persuasive; Matthew Hrehocik, Extemporaneous; Henry Zheng, Extemporaneous; Shubham Patel and Shiven Verma, Policy Debate; Daniel Paulick, Commentary. Ashley Eichberg and Shreya Golakiya, Policy Debate; and Henry Ginsburg, Extemporaneous Debate, qualified, but were unable to compete at States. The USC High School Speech & Debate Team is coached by high school teachers Ben Edwards and Dave Watson. Founded in 1961, the PHSSL’s purpose is to stimulate through educational competition an understanding and appreciation of all areas of speech. n
Academic All Americans Five Upper St. Clair High School students earned Academic All American awards from the National Speech & Debate Association. Ansh Goyal, Peer Khan, Jack Miller, Priyanka Palayekar, and Daniel Wang have been honored for their academic rigor, competitive speech and debate success, and personal excellence.
Ansh Goyal 26
Peer Khan
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To earn this coveted honor, students must meet the following minimum requirements: 3.5 unweighted GPA, 1300 SAT or 27 ACT score, and 750 or more National Forensic League Honor Society Points. The Upper St. Clair High School Speech & Debate Team is coached by teachers Ben Edwards, social studies, and Dave Watson, English. n
Jack Miller
Priyanka Palayekar
Daniel Wang
Stand Together Spreads Awareness Members of Upper St. Clair High School’s Stand Together initiative were recognized at a regional celebration this past April at Montour High School. Upper St. Clair was one of five local schools that shared details regarding their efforts to spread awareness about mental health and substance abuse disorders. Other participating schools included South Fayette, West Allegheny, and Montour high schools, and Propel-Montour Middle School. Stand Together is a new partnership with the high school this year that is organized and coordinated through and with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. Stand Together trains, inspires, and equips students to act against stigma toward mental health and substance abuse disorders, decrease social distance, and encourage peers to seek help. Shannon Dressler, school psychologist, and Dr. Dan Beck, assistant principal, serve as advisors for the student-led group. “Stand Together has helped me improve how I can support my friends that may be struggling,” said Daniel Seewald, now a junior at the high school. Throughout the day-long celebration, students had the opportunity to visit tables and displays that were set up by other schools to share their activities and experiences.
Stand Together members
The 25 Upper St. Clair students participating in the Stand Together club span grades 9–12 and were nominated by high school staff members. Upon the club’s inception, students took part in a two-day training program to learn about various mental and substance abuse disorders, as well as the impact of stigma on youth with these disorders. Students also engaged in team-building activities to encourage solidarity and strength within their group. Stand Together’s first of three schoolwide events was a Hot Chocolate for Hope project, which was held in February. This event focused on spreading awareness by reviewing acronyms associated with supportive factors (SHE—support, hope, encouragement) or at-risk factors (WHAPP—withdrawal, hopelessness, agitation, personal changes, poor self-care). Students were asked to provide an example to demonstrate understanding in exchange for a hot chocolate. Stickers featuring the acronyms were distributed as a take-away. In April, students spread awareness visually to represent that one in four individuals is affected by a mental and/or substance abuse disorder in a given year.
Stand Together colors are green to represent mental health awareness and purple to represent substance abuse awareness. Green and purple bracelets were distributed to students, representing the one in four ratio. “I like that more people are involved now and willing to stand up for this cause,” said senior Yoshna Venkataraman. The final activity of the year was a week-long event in May to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month. Students participated in a different theme each day of the week and had two school-wide activities to visually represent “you are not alone” and “blocking out stigma.” Members of the Upper St. Clair Stand Together Club include Havala Bayles, Skyler Bruno, Ava Cerny, Calla Dressler, Maggie Dowds, Jodyce Duplessis, Diana Funaro, David Goldberg, Marina Gzikowski, Jacob Hamilton, Ava Kasper, Adam Levine, Mia Manalo, Lucia Miles, Justin Oswald, Rhea Punjabi, Carter Richie, Sarah Robert, Daniel Seewald, Anna Snyder, Sarah Spencer, Nate Stohl, Adin Teres, Max Thomas, and Yoshna Venkataraman. n
Bake Sale Benefits Women’s Shelter As eighth graders at Fort Couch Middle School, Lylah Kateeb and Isabella Donnelly hosted a bake sale during the school’s annual Celebration of Learning this past May, raising $555 to benefit the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. “We baked most of the goods but also received many donations from the families of Fort Couch,” said Lylah. “We organized the entire sale, advertised, and brought our friend Braidyn Recker to help us sell during Celebration of Learning.” The bake sale donation will help the women’s shelter in its mission to provide safety, shelter, support, and guidance to survivors of domestic violence. n
Bakesale organizers Lylah Kateeb and Isabella Donnelly and their friend Braidyn Recker Fall 2022
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STEAM
STEM
Students Present to Eaton Upper St. Clair High School STEAM students traveled to Eaton Corporation in Moon Township to present their work to a team of corporate executives. Students were tasked with researching and developing solutions for a variety of challenges, from designing electric vehicle charging facilities to cryptocurrency mining. The students are enrolled in the STEAM Innovation & Consulting course taught by Mr. Fred Peskorski. Within the class, students work to solve real world problems using human centered design techniques as well as more traditional problemsolving methods. The final phase of this course requires students to work with industry partners to solve real problems that need to be addressed within those companies. Students have been working with Eaton, an international Fortune 500 Company that focuses on reliable, efficient, safe, and sustainable power management technologies. “Our students were able to travel to Eaton’s Beaver plant and got to tour their facilities as well as meet with their points of contact for more in-depth conversations about each team’s problems,” said Mr. Peskorski. “Most teams set up weekly remote meetings with their Eaton advisors as they continued to work toward implementable solutions.” Mr. Brooke Lang, vice-president and general manager of
Eaton’s Components Division, is an Upper St. Clair resident and parent. He contacted Mr. Peskorski last year with a willingness to partner and collaborate with the STEAM students. “We appreciate the students’ new ideas and insights,” said Mr. Lang. “We are a learning organization, so it is a big part of what we want to do. The students bring a much different perspective to these challenges that we are working on and will help us to progress these initiatives at Eaton.” This is the second year that Eaton has partnered with the STEAM course. Prior to their work with Eaton Corp, these students worked with EAFab, a Pittsburgh-based company that designs and fabricates equipment and parts for steel mills throughout North America. The STEAM Innovation & Consulting course was launched in 2014 as a partnership between the Upper St. Clair and South Fayette high schools, the Luma Institute, All Clad Metalcrafters LLC, and EAFab Corp. It has since grown to include Bethel Park High School, Peters Township High School, Tom Brown Inc., Eaton, and OZ Enterprises. Any corporations or organizations that may be interested in partnering with the STEAM Innovation & Consulting course should contact Mr. Peskorski at fpeskorski@uscsd.k12.pa.us. n
Young Programmers Toward the end of the 2021–2022 school year, Streams Elementary first graders combined their skills in coding and mapping to “drive” Bee-Bot robots around their student-designed 3-D neighborhood. Students completed a geography unit that focused on maps and globes, learning to identify and use cardinal directions to find places on a map, how to identify and use addresses, recognize map symbols, and use them to interpret a map, and recognize and use routes on a map. To demonstrate their mapping skills and knowlWorking with Bee-Bots edge, first graders collaborated to create a classroom 3-D representation of a neighborhood. Complete with a Giant Eagle, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, a hospital, houses, roads, and trees, the neighborhood also included important signs and symbols including street names, house numbers, and other important directional signage. As part of the library curriculum, Streams students are introduced to coding through Bee-Bots, a robot used to teach sequencing, estimation, and problem-solving. To celebrate their coding skills, first graders used Bee-Bots to “drive” around their 3-D neighborhood. “The directional aspect of coding the Bee-Bots made for a perfect collaboration with our first graders map skills,” said Stephanie Kellner, Streams librarian. “They proudly shared their learning with their families at STAR Night, creating a special memory to remind our students that ‘It is always a beautiful day in our A 3-D neighborhood created by Streams first graders. first-grade neighborhood.’” n 28
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Chemistry Olympiad High School students Alex Sun and Sophia Song were invited to participate in the U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad. Alex and Sophia, sponsored by USCHS science teacher Laura Marks, were nominated by the Pittsburgh Section of the American Chemical Society based on their performance on the local exam. “Our students annually participate in this competition,” said Mrs. Marks. “This is only the second time our students were chosen to sit for the national exam, last year being the first national invite.” The U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad is a multi-tiered chemistry competition for high school students. Sponsored by the American Chemical Society since 1984, the competition’s purpose is to stimulate young people to achieve excellence in chemistry. n
Sophia Song
Alex Sun
STEAM
STEM Leadership in Robotics
USC Tops Robotics Scrimmage Upper St. Clair robotics team, TeraBridges (Team #18603), won the top score and rank in a recent six-team FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) scrimmage hosted by the USC Robotics Club this past April. In addition to TeraBridges, Upper St. Clair teams participating included BotsBurgh (Team #11792) and USC Dynamics (Team #20223). Visiting teams included MARS Ingenuity (Team #20079) and MARS Opportunity! (Team #16776) from the Mars area of Butler County, and the Robotic Doges (Team #8645) from the Laurel Highlands area. Robotics teams participated in nine qualification rounds where teams paired up in alliances to compete in this year’s FIRST Tech Challenge Freight Frenzy game. The event concluded with teams creating alliances to battle for the championship position. The USC Robotics Club is spearheaded by Tracy Smith, Upper St. Clair physics and robotics teacher. The USC Robotics Club also hosted a USC Robotics Showcase this May. Attendees got to see the FIRST Tech Challenge robots as well as the FIRST LEGO League Challenge robots in action. The event held at the high school, included a demonstration of the robots in mock competitions as well as opportunities for community members to participate in robotics activities such as building, driving, and competing in mini challenges. n
Mahir Parmar, an Upper St. Clair High School student, was named one of three finalists for Dean’s List recognition in the Pennsylvania FIRST Tech Challenge. The three finalists represented Pennsylvania in the running for the 10 Dean’s List Winner spots at the FIRST Championship 2022, which was held in Houston, Texas. Mahir is a member of the robotics team—18603 TeraBridges, one of the three USC Robotics FIRST Tech Challenge teams. n
Mahir Parmar
For more information about USC Robotics and ways to get involved, visit uscrobotics.org or contact Ms. Smith at tsmith@uscsd.k12.pa.us.
BotsBurgh Donates $4,000 to USC Robotics BotsBurgh, originally established as a communitybased robotics team, recently donated $4,000 to support the development of the USC Robotics Club, which serves Upper St. Clair students in grades five through 12. Prior to the launch of USC Robotics, BotsBurgh had provided students with the opportunity to compete in the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC). Comprised of Upper St. Clair students and their parents, BotsBurgh raised $8,000 to support the 2020 and 2021 FTC seasons. BotsBurgh now competes as one of several USC Robotics teams. Leading the fundraising efforts for BotsBurgh were USC students Varun Damarla and Komel Nulwala. The students created a sponsorship packet that highlighted BotsBurgh’s agenda to expand robotics-focused STEM education within the Upper St. Clair community. In return for financial and material support, BotsBurgh pledged to acknowledge sponsors on its competition robot, engineering lab notebook, and other outreach materials. Sponsors included Locomation, RoCo Global, Eaton, and Arconic, along with donations from family and friends within the community. Entering its second year, the USC Robotics Club has adopted BotsBurgh’s sponsorship model in order to expand the scope of
Robotics demonstration on CommUNITY Day 2022
STEM education in the Upper St. Clair community. USC Robotics is led by Tracy Smith, high school physics and robotics teacher. Planning is underway for the 2022-23 school year. More than 200 middle and high school students have already enrolled in the USC Robotics Club for the fall. n For more information about USC Robotics and/or sponsorship opportunities, contact Mrs. Smith at tsmith@uscsd.k12.pa.us or visit uscrobotics.org. Fall 2022
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STEAM
STEM
Arts in USC
Students earned first, second, and third place honors in the 2021–22 Arts in USC contest, sponsored by Upper St. Clair Parent Teacher Council. The following students and their artwork were recognized this past spring: Kindergarten 1st Place: Ellie Krygowski, Eisenhower 2nd Place: Shlok Dhopare, Streams 3rd Place: Donald Jones, Baker First Grade 1st Place: Anastasia Elhajj, Baker 2nd Place: Ditya Makhija, Eisenhower 3rd Place: Om Sharma, Streams Second Grade 1st Place: Shan Odari, Baker 2nd Place: Roman Ward, Eisenhower 3rd Place: Alivia Rush, Streams Third Grade 1st Place: Sarah Sakowitz, Streams 2nd Place: Allison Marie Irvine, Baker 3rd Place: Lynna Thomson, Eisenhower Fourth Grade 1st Place: Durga Binoj, Streams 2nd Place: Lauren Joyce, Eisenhower 3rd Place: Madison Greenwald, Baker Fifth Grade 1st Place: Divya Singh, Boyce 2nd Place: Isabella Liu, Boyce (tie) 2nd Place: Anvi Vaishya, Boyce (tie) 3rd Place: Rihaj Odari, Boyce Middle School Sixth Grade 1st Place: Iris Wang, Boyce 2nd Place: Bella Uffelman, Boyce 3rd Place: Maddie Brunner, Boyce Seventh Grade 1st Place: Jhivyasaili Sahu, Fort Couch 2nd Place: Sophia Henderson, Fort Couch 3rd Place: Gloria Wu, Fort Couch Eighth Grade 1st Place: Tanvi Kallur, Fort Couch 2nd Place: Ojasi Madhekar, Fort Couch 3rd Place: Tanvi Kallur, Fort Couch Nearly 250 students in kindergarten through grade eight participated in the annual contest. With the theme, “A Salute to Animals,” students were encouraged to create an original two-dimensional piece of art. All submissions can be viewed on the PTC’s webpage at uscsd.k12.pa.us/ domain/53. n
Ellie Krygowski, Eisenhower
Divya Singh, Boyce
Anastasia Elhajj, Baker
Iris Wang, Boyce
Shan Odari, Baker
Jhivyasaili Sahu, Fort Couch
Sarah Sakowitz, Streams
For more information, please email artsinusc@gmail.com. 30
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Durga Binoj, Streams Fall 2022
Tanvi Kallur, Fort Couch
USC Named Best Community for Music Education
Consistent award winning Chinese cuisine year after year!
For the seventh consecutive year,
Upper St. Clair School District has been named among the nation’s Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation. Upper St. Clair is one of only 14 school districts in Allegheny County and 118 in Pennsylvania to earn the distinction in 2022. Now in its 23rd year, the 2022 Best Communities for Music Education program has recognized 738 school districts and 80 schools across 44 states for the outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders and their support for music education as part of a wellrounded education for all children. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Upper St. Clair 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. This year’s awards program was designed to celebrate schools and districts adapting, innovating, and persevering in the face of change. “The 2022 Best Communities for Music Education is an opportunity to celebrate music programs and honors the resilience and dedication to keeping music as part of a well-rounded education as we all adapt to a new educational landscape,” said Christopher Johnson of the Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas. “If there was one common theme, it’s that schools and districts found ways to sustain music education and student engagement in even the most challenging of circumstances.” The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit organization supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,400 members around the world. The foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs. For more information about the NAMM Foundation, please visit nammfoundation.org. n
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Poetry Published
Three Upper St. Clair students have written poetry that was selected for publication in the Creative Communications Poetic Power Contest. Fort Couch student Erin Wells’ poem, “Coastal Whispers,” will be included in the organization’s anthology, A Celebration of Poets as will Suhavi Singh’s poem, “Freely Free.” Suhavi, now at Fort Couch, was in sixth grade at Boyce when her poem was submitted. Also selected for publication was Kriti Kulkarni’s poem titled, “Pencil vs. Pen.” A fifth-grade
student at Boyce, Kriti was in fourth grade at Baker Elementary when she submitted her poem. “This is not a contest where every entry is invited to be published. Only the best poems are selected for this honor,” said Thomas K. Worthen, Ph.D., editor for Creative Communication. “Being published represents a lot of talent, hard work and dedication from teachers and students.” n
Erin Wells
Suhavi Singh
Kriti Kulkarni
Coastal Whispers
Freely Free
Pencil vs. Pen
Erin Wells
Suhavi Singh
Kriti Kulkarni
“Do not mourn my friend,” the trees whisper in the east As the eastern sky blooms bright light “The moon will be back,” the trees softly whisper As the light of the sun overtakes the night
Have you ever felt chained Even though you have Liberty
Pencil vs. Pen Who should I choose and when?
Do you ever feel that no one is free, Until EVERYBODY’s free? If you do, come along with me, I’ll show you the things you have never seen Come, into my factory Where everyone is Notoriously, Gloriously, Freely Free
Proud Pencil declares, “Oh Pen, don’t think you are always right For you cannot erase what you write.” Clever Pen responds, “Oh Pencil, mind what you say For with me the sharpener stays away.”
“Shhh,” she whispers to the trees As the light overtakes the now orange sky “But my friend, you mourn,” the trees whisper in the east As the sky turns yellow and she lets out a sigh “As you have said, the moon will be back,” The trees softly sigh in defeat and remorse “The sun reigns now,” she murmurs in the east As the sky turns blue and her voice turns hoarse “My sister mourns,” she whispers in the west As the light fades to orange and yellow “My brothers now flourish,” the trees softly whisper As the sky turns darker and the colors more mellow “But she knows, like me, that the moon will be back,” As the sky turns dark and the light fades away “But for now I shall celebrate,” she happily murmurs As the trees agree and contentedly sway 32
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
The recipe, to freely free, of course, starts with you and me. There are so many people on this Spree, but hidden, not Freely Free. Inside their heart, wanting peace, but not knowing, how to move their feet. Thinking, they’re too small to make a change, that is the biggest mistake one could make. Do you know what it takes Well, It’s for the World’s sake Come, to my house We’ll bake such a Cake Throw Violence in the trash The world ate enough of that This one shall be endless Generations and Generations shall remember the taste It shall keep on flourishing Until everybody knows the recipe Of Freely Free. Fall 2022
Snooty Pencil remarks, “Now Pen, your ink can run out And kids shall sadly pout.” Sharp-witted Pen retorts, “Now now Pencil, you must calm down For with a sharp tip you can poke children around!” Pencil vs. Pen Who should I choose and when? Well, who would you choose my friend?
Outstanding Music Educator
Christine Hestwood
Christine Hestwood, Upper St. Clair’s middle school strings teacher and high school orchestra conductor, was selected to receive the Outstanding Music Educator Award from the Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. Ms. Hestwood joined the Upper St. Clair faculty in 1996. She holds a bachelor’s degree in voice and music education from Duquesne University as well as a master’s degree in conducting from Carnegie Mellon University. In addition to her role as a music teacher, she serves as the music director at Westminster Presbyterian Church and conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Hamlisch-Page Student Choir. n
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Musicians Selected as Featured Wind Ensemble The Upper St. Clair High School wind ensemble was recently unanimously accepted to appear as a featured ensemble at the 13th Annual Senior Wind Band Celebration. The event will take place on Jan. 21, 2023, at Marywood University, located in Scranton, Pa. “The band exhibits significant levels of musical achievement,” said F. David Romines, Marywood University’s music department co-chair and director of bands. “It is the opinion of the committee that a performance by the Upper St. Clair Band would provide a worthy musical model for the band students and directors in attendance.” Directed by Dr. John Seybert, performing arts curriculum leader and director of band, the wind ensemble is composed of the school’s top 40–60 woodwind, brass, and percussion instrumentalists. Placement in the ensemble is by competitive audition and includes the instrumentation of flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion. n
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Pawprints...
PTC
... a USC Parent Teacher Council Feature
Leading Upper St. Clair’s Parent Teacher Council and the PTSOs, PTOs, and PTA at our community’s schools are the seven council unit presidents. TODAY is pleased to introduce you to theses dedicated individuals who do so much to enrich the lives of our students. Please respond generously when and if they call for volunteers during the 2022–2023 school year!
Council Shanna Caplan, President Spouse: Jacob Caplan Children: Crysta (23), Darian (21), Colby (11) Occupation: substitute teacher Hobbies: Reading, crocheting, crafts of all sorts Favorite meal: My husband’s brisket Shanna Caplan
High School PTSO Kelly Powell, President Spouse: Brad Powell Children: Emily (15), Nathan (13), Paige (11) Occupation: Regulatory Compliance Consultant Hobbies: Baking, walking the trails with the dog, family movie night Favorite meal: Tacos
Kelly Powell
Carrie Fick
Kristen McIntyre Eisenhower PTO Jenny Hecht, President Spouse: Shane Hecht Children: Tatum (11), Lucy (9), Beau (6), Quinn (4) Occupation: Stay at home mom Hobbies: I like to workout at Sweat PGH Favorite meal: Lasagna Jenny Hecht
Fort Couch PTSO Carrie Fick, President Spouse: Jim Fick Children: Owen (14), Ruby (12), Mabel (4) Occupation: Optometrist Hobbies: Planting flowers/shrubs/ trees, cycling at SWEAT, learning about integrative medicine Favorite Meal: Filet mignon, crab cakes, asparagus, and potatoes
Boyce PTO Erica Baldasare, President Spouse: Jeffrey Baldasare Children: Samantha (11), Bradley (8), Zachary (3) Occupation: Market Mix Modeling Solution Consultant Hobbies: Being my kid’s #1 fan at their sporting events (soccer, softball, Erica Baldasare baseball, basketball), volunteering at Baker & Boyce, and running when I have free time Favorite meal: A Philly cheesesteak—“American wit” (translation: with American!) or any Mexican dish
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Baker PTA Kristen McIntyre, President Spouse: Josh McIntyre Children: Peyton (15), Emery (7), Ellis (6) Occupation: Attorney Hobbies: Running, gardening, spending time with family Favorite meal: Anything my hubby cooks
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Streams PTO Michelle Faulds, President Spouse’s name: Michael Faulds Children: Ashlyn (8), Brennan (6), Caelyn (3) Occupation: Senior Client Executive— RBC Wealth Management Hobbies: Volunteering and spending time with my family Favorite meal: Mexican is my favorite Michelle Faulds The USC Parent Teacher Council provides leadership and coordination for all the PTA/PTOs/PTSOs in the district. What does Council do for you? • Publishes the district-wide student directory • Coordinates district-wide STEAM and wellness programs • Coordinates a district-wide arts program—Arts in USC—for students in grades K–12 • Funds and manages the Scripps Spelling Bee in USC • Provides timely emails regarding PTA/PTO/PTSO events and happenings at the schools • Provides support to families of gifted students through Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) • Provides support to families of special education students through
Partners in Education (PIE) • Hosts a semi-annual Open Mike with Dr. Rozzo, superintendent of schools, and his administrative team • Host an annual welcome dinner for new families entering grades 1–12 • Maintains a Facebook page of district and community information • Provides an annual appreciation breakfast for the central office administrators and staff • Provides leadership training for PTA/ PTO/PTSO officers • Maintains consistency among the USC volunteering units in many areas
Making Change From 7,500 Miles Away At Baker Elementary School, a week-long school-wide coin drive will forever change the lives of children 7,500 miles away. Baker’s All Wound Up Yo-Yo Club raised a record $7,527 from its coin drive, which was conducted this past spring. The donation will aid in the creation of an orphanage for 15 homeless Nepali children in need who were living on the streets of Chepang. Specifically, it helped to acquire the building, purchase a new water tap and updated water system, pay for renovations, bunk beds, bedding, shelves and furnishings, equip a kitchen, build a dinner table, and provide bathing supplies. The effort was led by Mr. Erik Wiesemann, kindergarten teacher and All Wound Up Yo-Yo Club sponsor. “Our students have wonderful hearts for helping others,” said Mr. Wiesemann. “They always want to help, but their opportunities
All Wound Up Yo-Yo Club Monday Group
All Wound Up Yo-Yo Club Tuesday Group
are often limited due to their age. The coin drive was a perfect way for the children to make a difference in the lives of other children. They truly rallied around that opportunity and made the most of it.” Mr. Wiesemann learned of the orphan’s plight through his parAll Wound Up Yo-Yo Club Thursday Group ents, who are medical missionaries through SEAPC. “They travel to Nepal with a man by the name of Bill Richardson, who runs Cutting Edge Relief. Cutting Edge Relief works handin-hand with a gentleman, Man Dai, to help improve the lives of others in Nepal,” said Mr. Wiesemann. “Man Dai was an orphan as a child, and has given his life to helping others.” Mrs. O’Leary’s first-grade class collected the most money during the coin drive. With a total of $530.15, the class won a basket filled with yo-yos and other items donated by the YoYoFactory, which has sponsored the Baker club since its inception. First established in 2012, the All Wound Up Yo-Yo Club is open to Baker’s fourth graders. In addition to learning how to do various yo-yo tricks and maneuvers, the All Wound Up Yo-Yo Club also has a goal of helping others. In addition to the $7,527 to assist the orphanage, the All Wound Up Yo-Yo Club raised an additional $2,000 that was split evenly between two local organizations —Angels’ Place and Zachary’s Mission. Angels’ Place provides single parents who are low-income, full-time students with the help needed to complete their education. Zachary’s Mission supports families of medically fragile children by providing basic necessities, financial assistance, and programs that nurture emotional well-being. n Fall 2022
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Flower Power at Streams Students at Streams Elementary used their problem-solving skills to develop a solution to an important challenge—how to water flowers while away on vacation. Through the School-Wide Enrichment Program (SWEP III), students have had the opportunity to take a deep dive into the world of horticulture during three separate planting experiences. This study of plants, appropriately named Flower Power, began in the fall and continued throughout the school year. Last fall, students grew paperwhite lilies from bulbs without soil and during the winter they grew wheat grass from seeds. The third and final experience enabled each of the nearly 200 students to plant a marigold in a self-watering container. “Each of our three units has had a slightly different STEAM focus,” said Mrs. Mary Quinn, enrichment resource teacher. “The first round was an analysis of plant structure, so lots of science concepts. The second unit had an artistic element, and the third focused on engineering.” Designing a self-watering container to provide enough water for the flower to grow but not too much that it over-watered required critical thinking skills and experimentation. The final product included two nested plastic containers, one shorter than the other. The flower was planted in the shorter container, which had two holes that allowed for a piece of cloth to loop up into the soil and hang into the taller container below, which held the water. “We discussed in class how engineers solve real world problems, and an issue we had identified was watering plants when we were not at home,” said Mrs. Quinn. “The self-watering
Self watering planters completed
Solving problems with plants
Lip Dub Returns Maanasa Reddy, USCHS Senior, TODAY Intern Every few years, the faces at Upper St. Clair High School are completely different from just a while before. Students cycle through the grades and go off into a new stage of their lives. To make this passing time meaningful, remembering each class is vital to keeping school spirit alive. After all, even if each and every face is different from years before, previous upperclassmen are the ones who helped shaped the classes of today. In 2017, the USC MiniTHON created a new way to keep the memories of past students alive by hosting the school’s first Lip Dub. Some of the familiar faces in that video have even graduated college or are close to doing so. Five years later, students in clubs from Speech and Debate to girls’ Lacrosse were lip syncing to classics and hits like the Backstreet Boys’ I Want It That Way
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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
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and Calvin Harris’ Feel So Close. Though the Lip Dub is a show of positivity, it certainly was not easy for students to plan. Positioning, lighting, and music are a few of the many considerations necessary to undertake an uncut video of over 1,300 students. RJ Shontz (USCHS ‘22), one of the key planners of this event along with classmates Colin Eccher and George Atencio, hosted practices before the final takes of the Lip Dub. Practice was crucial, as even a small mess-up by a club could throw off the other parts of the video. Serious teamwork was necessary to get the video as close to perfection as possible. RJ recounted his own role as well as others in the process: “My focus was on the logistics, Colin edited the soundtrack and video, and George filmed the actual lip dub. It is also important to note Mrs. Tarcson’s vital role, because she had the experience of planning the 2017 Lip Dub and that helped guide our team.” Though students played an important role in creating the video, the staff’s role is not to be ignored. Mrs. Brooke Tarcson, the activities coordinator for the high school, oversaw the whole process from start to finish. Her significant previous experience with planning a Lip Dub proved necessary for the 2022 edition.
planters were not complicated, but still solved the problem in a practical way.” “We have a great new science curriculum that includes units on plant life for second and third graders. We wanted the experiences students had with us to build on what they learned in class and expand it in different directions,” said Mrs. Quinn. “There is also satisfaction in planting something and watching it grow.” Funding for this project was provided by a grant from the Tanger Outlets that was awarded to Lauren Bogus, Streams second grade teacher, and a matching donation from Angela Petersen, a member of the USC School Board. In addition, the marigolds were generously donated by Green Circle Growers. Mrs. Quinn plans to continue Flower Power next year, with a new series of lessons for all second and third graders. “We will be focusing on an outdoor area on the Streams campus and are excited about really expanding the learning to include year-round gardening experiences,” she said. n
Marigolds!
Just as current students love flipping through old yearbooks from the 60s, there will come a time when students will see this new video as one of the oldest Lip Dubs USC has ever made. However, the Lip Dub video is not just a means to remember past classes of students, but also a way to show new students the many opportunities at the high school. From hockey to visual arts, there are niches for everyone to enjoy. Freshman rush happens every year to introduce some of these clubs, but this Lip Dub is a way for new students to get an earlier and more personal look at what goes on in the high school. From the outside, Speech and Debate may seem like an intimidating activity to get into, but this video shows the lighter side of the activity. Similarly, new students may not be aware that some clubs even exist at the high school, even after attending rush. The Lip Dub could pose as a fun reference tool. The Lip Dub may be a relatively new custom at the high school, but it presents a unique way for the student body to come together positively. Students may have different interests, but they are all Panthers just the same. It paves the way for students of the present to make their mark on dear old Upper St. Clair. n
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To view the 2022 Lip Dub visit uscsd.k12.pa.us/Page/13626. A listing of clubs and activities offered at the high school can be found on page 45.
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#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Academic WorldQuest Future Problem Solving Team Qualifies #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Upper St. Clair High School students won the statewide Academic WorldQuest competition, for Internationals sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg. For the second year in a row, Keshav A team of eighth graders from Fort Couch #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Narasimhan, Daniel Wang, Ben Wasson, and Qadir Khan competed in the national competition. Middle School placed first in the Future Academic WorldQuest, a program of World Affairs Councils of America, is a fun, fast-paced Problem Solving State Finals, qualifying to #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat team competition for high school students that tests players’ knowledge of#TheyDidWhat current international compete at the international competition politics, geography, global economics, history, and world cultures. in June at the University of Massachusetts #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat at Amherst. Team members include Sofia Alfredson-Themudo, Anoushka Barve, Sara #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Gillespie, and#TheyDidWhat Kaia Petrick. At the state finals, teams were given just #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat two hours to use a six-step think tank method to brainstorm possible problems and solu#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat tions for a scenario on the topic of mining, set in the year 2045. In addition, they were #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat required to create an action plan presentation Keshav Narasimhan, Daniel Wang, Ben Wasson, Qadir Khan for their solution. Students compete within #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat three divisions: Junior (grades 4–6), Middle USCHS Team Places in Two Place at Spelling Bee (grades 7–9), and Senior (grades 10–12). Marketing Competition Nikhil Chandran #TheyDidWhat placed second and #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat According#TheyDidWhat to the organization’s website, Upper St. Clair High School students Arjun Kairi finished within the top 10 in the the “Future Problem Solving Program InPhillip Markovitz, Priyanka Palayekar, Ben 72 Annual Western Pennsylvania Spelling #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat ternational stimulates critical and creative Wasson, and Susan Liu placed second in the Bee held at Robert Morris University this thinking skills, encourages students to deCultural Communications Alliance (CCA) past spring. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat velop a vision#TheyDidWhat for the future, and prepares Marketing Competition, held this May at Nikhil and Arjun were students for leadership roles.” the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz#TheyDidWhat School of two of five Upper St. Clair #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Business. students who competed in The four the Western Pennsylvania #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat teams in the Spelling Bee. To qualify for competition the regional competition, #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat w e re t a s k e d students finished first in Nikhil Chandran with creating their respective school’s #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat CCA Team a marketing spelling bee. Other schoolplan for GNC’s Beyond Raw Precision BCAA level winners included#TheyDidWhat Yu #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat (branched-chain amino acids) to be sold in Rui Lin, Brayden Wong, Mexico. Each team delivered a #TheyDidWhat 12-minute and Drew Holzer. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat presentation to a panel of judges, which was The school-level spellfollowed by a three-minute question and ing bees were coordinated Arjun Kairi #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Kaia Petrick, Anoushka Barve, Sofia Alfredsonanswer session. by USC Parent Teacher Themudo, Sara Gillespie, Mrs. Connie Gibson, Teams were evaluated on the appropriate Council volunteers, led#TheyDidWhat by Sarah Cranganu. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat gifted education coordinator (coach) exploration of language and culture, logistics, marketing, demographics, use of#TheyDidWhat resources, #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat creativity of approach, effective use of multimedia, presentation skills and responses to #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat judges’ questions. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Students Sweep Two Categories at #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Advance to National FBLA Competition Japanese Contest #TheyDidWhat Four Four Upper St. Clair High School students were among the top finishers at the Future Earlier this year, USCHS students earned #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference. Qualifying for the FBLA National first, second, and third place finishes in two Leadership Conference, held this July in Chicago were Mahir Parmar: first place, Introduction of the five categories of the 25 Annual High #TheyDidWhat to Business Procedures;#TheyDidWhat George Atencio: second place, Business#TheyDidWhat Management; Grace Atencio: School Japanese Speech Contest, #TheyDidWhat sponsored second place, Business Management; Evie Sullivan: second place, Business Management. by the Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat FBLA is a nonprofit#TheyDidWhat educational association that prepares students for careers in business (JASP) and the University of Pittsburgh’s by helping them develop leadership abilities, and prepare for entry into, and advancement Asian Studies Center. Aarav Patil finished #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat within, a business or business-related occupation. first in the Poster category and Eleanor Alford earned top honors in Intermediate Speech. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat In addition to the first-place#TheyDidWhat finishes, Upper St. Clair students claimed second and #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat third place in both the Poster and Intermediate Speech categories. In the Poster category, #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Aaditya Markose and Connor Hyatt placed second and third, respectively. In Intermedi#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat ate Speech, Gabriel Tran earned second place and Roehl Benedicto finished third. Parmar, George Atencio, Grace Atencio, Evie Sullivan #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhatMahir #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat 38 UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Fall 2022 #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat nd
#TheyDidWhat
th
#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Regional Essay Winner Chinese Speech Contest #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Upper St. Clair student Pritika Gupta was Two Upper St. Clair High School students recently selected as the regional winner of the placed first and third in the 2022 Midwest High #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat 2022 Patriot’s Pen essay contest, sponsored by the School Chinese Speech Contest. Both students Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). earned Excellent Chinese Learner Awards, with #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat The Patriot’s Pen essay contest encouraged Theeya Chen winning first place #TheyDidWhat in Heritage middle school students to examine America’s hisLevel and Will Manning placing third in Level 3. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat tory, along with their own experiences in modern The Midwest High School Chinese Speech Theeya Chen American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word Contest is hosted by Western Michigan University Pritika Gupta #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat essay expressing their views on#TheyDidWhat a patriotic theme and co-sponsored by the Chicago#TheyDidWhat Consulate chosen by the VFW commander-in-chief. The 2021–22 theme was General of the People’s Republic of China. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat “How Can I Be a Good American?” Upper St. Clair High School students receive Pritika’s essay won first place at both the local VFW Post 764 Chinese language instruction from Ms. Lixia #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat and the regional level. As a regional essay contest winner, Pritika #TheyDidWhat Kang, who joined the high school#TheyDidWhat faculty in participated in a Memorial Day parade and read her essay at the 2008. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat parade’s conclusion. Will Manning #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Choir Ensemble Performs with PSO Boyce Student Selected Five Selected for Chorus Festival This May, a six-student chorus from the for Team Pennsylvania #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Five USCHS students were selected high school performed alongside the Pittsburgh Zach Breneman, a Boyce Middle to participate in the Pennsylvania Music Symphony Orchestra at Heinz Hall in downSchool student, played for Team #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Educators Association’s District 1 Junior town Pittsburgh. Upper St. Clair vocalists Pennsylvania this summer in The Brick, High Chorus Festival. Then freshmen included Kaitlyn Clougherty, Bria Zegarelli, an invitational ice hockey tournament in #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Elliott Bruno, Eli Rankin, Eitan Schwartz, Santina Guarino, Sia Iyer, Rebecca Lang, and Edmonton, Alberta. Zach, who plays left Ben Seewald, and John Tripodes repEdy McCurrie. wing, was selected after a series of tryouts. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat resented Upper St. Clair during the This newly formed USCHS ensemble, Voces Team Pennsylvania is made up of the two-day event, held at Bethel#TheyDidWhat Park High Lux Youth Choir, sang in a piece written by top players from Pennsylvania, Ohio, #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Hamlisch for soloist, choir, and orchestra, called West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, School this past April. Shawn Funk, “Anatomy of Peace.” The students receive music Virginia,#TheyDidWhat and southern New Jersey. Both #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat adjunct professor of music education at instruction from Lorraine Milovac, Upper St. the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Duquesne University and artistic director Clair High School’ s choral director. Flyers sponsor the Team Pennsylvania #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat of Pittsburgh Youth Chorus, served as The concert— To Marvin, With Love— Brick team. guest conductor for the event. celebrated the works#TheyDidWhat of Marvin Hamlisch and According to the #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat The students receive music instrucfeatured performances of “The Way We Were,” Te a m P e n n s y l v a n i a tion from Lorraine Milovac, the high “A Chorus Line,” “The Sting,” and more. website, “The Brick #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat school’s choral director. Tournament is the most PMEA is a statewide nonprofit orgaprestigious event for #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat hockey players at the nization of more than 4,500 members, 10 and #TheyDidWhat under age level. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat dedicated to promoting the musical Select teams from all Zach Breneman development of all Pennsylvanians. The over the#TheyDidWhat North American continent attend #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat organization promotes and supports this renowned summer tournament.” quality music education, learning and the regular season, Zach #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhatDuring #TheyDidWhat performance as well as promoting and plays for Pittsburgh Pens Elite and also supporting music education#TheyDidWhat in schools participates in the Upper St. Clair Junior #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat and communities. PMEA is affiliated Panthers hockey program. Voces Lux with The National Association for Music #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Education. Help Kids Facing Food Insecurity #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Student-Athletes #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat This June, USC High School football players created 250 bags of food that were distributed to students facing food insecurity in Pittsburgh’s neediest neighborhoods. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat The community service project was conducted in cooperation with the local nonprofit, Feed Our Students. Founded by Steven Delvitto, a 2003 USCHS graduate, the organization provides #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat backpacks of food for children when school is not in session to ensure growth and nutrition. Coach Mike Junko has made the importance of gratitude and giving back core lessons #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat of Upper St. Clair’s football program. Spearheading this #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat community service project were Jackson Howe #TheyDidWhat and Tim #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Speer, who began this project because of the work they #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat did in their social studies Capstone project. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat PMEA Junior High District Choir USCHS football players giving back to others #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY 39 Fall 2022 #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat
Teams Advance to World Finals Teams from Boyce and Fort Couch recently placed third at the Pennsylvania Odyssey of the Mind State Finals at Lock Haven University, and advanced to the World Finals at Iowa State University this May. The third-place team from Boyce solved the technical problem. The team’s task was to create a performance which identified an original threat to the environment that self-replicated until a team-created technical invention removed the threat. The performance included original music and was required to use Arm & Hammer baking soda in the solution.
OM Boyce
Boyce team members include Elliot Sams, Jillian Torres, Ashwin Vasudevan, Nigel Bailey, Parker Sams, and Daphne Collins (who was unable to attend the State Finals). This team is coached by Sarah Sams and Jake Collins. The Fort Couch team, which solved the performance problem, was tasked with creating a performance about a young person who wakes up in a circus world where original animals performed unexpected tricks. The team was scored for the originality of its characters as well as the creativity of its plot, circus acts, and chosen tricks. Members of the third-place team from Fort Couch include Kurt Baran, Artie McCallum, Ayan Amin, Eden Elkoni, Lauren Ginsburg, Geneva Eisinger, and Zahra Hossain. They are coached by Nate Eisinger and Artie Baran. At the State Finals, more than 150 teams from across Pennsylvania competed by division in one of five chosen problems: vehicle, technical,
OM Fort Couch
classics, balsa, and performance. Upper St. Clair accounted for 10 of those teams, representing divisions one (elementary), two (middle school) and three (high school). Odyssey of the Mind is an international STEAM program that fosters creative problem-solving skills, teamwork, and ownership in students from grades K through 12. One of the trademarks of the program is its “no outside assistance” philosophy. All ideas, scripts, props, solutions, and paperwork are generated by the team members with no input from coaches, parents, or teachers. For more information about Odyssey of the Mind in Upper St. Clair visit uscootm. com or email uscootm@gmail.com. n
Streams Supports Pittsburgh Food Bank The Streams School community raised $2,099 and 4,369 pounds of food to benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Area Food Bank through its annual Children for Children initiative. Each month from February through May, students collected the food bank’s most requested items. In February, donations included canned fruits and vegetables. Throughout March, products included canned tuna and fish, as well as soups and beans. During April, the focus was on cereals, oats, and pasta. Finally, in May, students donated a variety of baby and children’s products including diapers, wipes, fruit cups, juice boxes, and snacks. In addition, monetary donations were collected throughout the spring and raised through the sale of raffle tickets for chances to win student-made items. Held during the school’s annual STAR Night open house, raffle items included 2022–23 calendars, knotted blankets, cookbooks, notecards, and magnets. With the slogan, “A Simple Act Can Make a Difference,” the Streams’ Children for Children community service initiative 40
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Students display some of the items collected for the Greater Pittsburgh Area Food Bank.
was first launched in the 2004–05 school year. The goal was simple: expose students to other children in the world who are in need and show them how they can make a difference. Each year, the school selects a different Fall 2022
charitable organization—the only prerequisite is that the organization must help children. Since 2005, the Children for Children initiative has raised nearly $100,000 to benefit local, regional, national, and international organizations. n
Prom 2022 It was a night to see and be seen!
Upper St. Clair High School’s prom was held on June 7, 2022, at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Oakland. Prior to the event, families, friends, and community members had the opportunity to see and take photos of students in their formal wear at a Red Carpet event on the high school’s campus. Prom and the Red Carpet are organized by the high school’s activities office, which is led by Brooke Tarcson and Dr. Stephen Torquato. n
Fall 2022
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Varsity Scorecard
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T Achievement
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2
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Field Hockey
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9
Football
6
5
WPIAL playoffs
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12
2
WPIAL Semi Finals
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2
9
Soccer (Boys)
6
7
2
1
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WPIAL playoffs
Soccer (Girls)
7
6
2
Tennis (Girls)
11
1
1
Volleyball (Girls)
10
6
WPIAL playoffs
Basketball (Boys)
16
7
Section Champs WPIAL Quarter Finals
Basketball (Girls)
20
6
WPIAL Runner Up State Playoffs
Wrestling
2
5
Swimming (Boys)
8
2
2nd in WPIAL 9th in State
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6
4
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7
7
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7
13
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Baseball
13
11
WPIAL Runner Up/ State Quarterfinals
Softball
6
13
WPIAL Playoffs
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12
2
WPIAL Playoffs
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14
5
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Carmella McNally, Victoria Semenov, Penny Yates, and Isabel Vilensky sold bracelets to raise money and awareness for the crisis in Ukraine.
Bracelet Sale for Ukraine This spring USCHS students Carmella McNally, Victoria Semenov, Penny Yates, and Isabel Vilensky sold blue and yellow bracelets to members of the school community to raise funding and awareness for the crisis in Ukraine. For Isabel and Victoria, the cause is personal. “I’m half Russian, half Ukrainian,” said Isabel. “My cousin and aunt were shot on the border of Ukraine (they were trying to escape) and died, and I know so many children have definitely lost their parents that way, but they’re still stuck in Ukrainian orphanages. It’s bad enough having to mourn someone so close to you, but it’s infinitely worse when on top of that, you have to worry that you’re alone in a warring country.” Victoria’s parents’ families both immigrated to the United States from the former Soviet Union in order to start a better life. “Having a personal connection with this war, it has been hard for my family to watch and listen to the news for the past month,” said Victoria. “Seeing all of the senseless devastation in Ukraine, I felt I really needed to do something.” The response from their classmates has been overwhelming. “While some have a personal connection, others just wanted to help in any way they could,” Carmella said. “Throughout the week, we noticed how eager students were to donate. Selling bracelets gives everyone an opportunity to help out.” All the money raised will be given to a local church to cover the cost of shipping donated items to Ukraine. “People have been really great about donating items to various churches and such. The problem, however, lies in actually getting those items to Ukraine,” said Isabel. “The money will go to funding transportation of essential needs, such as diapers, clothing, medicines, etc., to Ukrainian orphanages.” The students hope the bracelets will serve as a reminder that others in the world are suffering and that students in Upper St. Clair can make a difference in the world. “Living in a suburban community in Pennsylvania, we tend to have more comfortable lives and aren’t always aware of the dangers that other people need to face,” said Isabel. “This fundraiser not only is going to allow us to play a part in solving a worldwide crisis; it’ll also expose us a bit to the issues outside of Upper St. Clair, thus expanding our perspective and teaching us how to take initiative in difficult times.” n
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Pen Pal Project Third graders from Upper St. Clair’s Baker Elementary and Bethel Park’s Ben Franklin Elementary teamed up as pen pals for the spring. It all started when Pam Dillie’s reading class read the novel, The Silver Balloon by Susan Bonners. The story tells a tale of how a helium balloon can lead to unexpected friendships. Baker’s school counselor, Kristen Rose, has a thirdgrade student at Bethel Park and was able to connect the two classrooms. Mrs. Rose reached out to her daughter Vivienne’s teacher, Mrs. Laura Glomb, who was just as excited to join in on the fun and the unexpected adventure began. Students passed letters back and forth for months with Vivienne serving as mail carrier. Periodically, they Pen pals meet in Wiltshire Park would share clues about books they were reading and at times even small gifts. The Baker third graders even surprised their pen pals on April Fools’ Day with a bakery box of brown “E’s!” On June 10, the students met in person for the first time at an end of the year celebration at Wiltshire Park. They enjoyed ice cream and signed beach balls to wish each other a fun-filled summer. n
National Science Bee Avik Pandley, a sixth grader at Boyce Middle School, recently advanced to the quarterfinals in the National Science Bee—missing the semifinals by just one point. The event was held June 17–20, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. “Avik performed really well in such a tough competition,” said Rajesh Kumar, Avik’s father. “He is really disappointed that he missed the semis, but believe me, it was not easy to reach the quarterfinals among so many super talented kids.” The National Science Bee is divided into several age divisions: Varsity, grades 11 and 12; Junior Varsity, grades 10 and younger; 8 th Grade Division; 7th Grade Division; 6 th Grade Division; and Elementary School Division, Avik Pandley which includes all students in grade five and younger. Avik competed in the Elementary School Division. There were three official stages, including the online regional qualifying exam, the regional finals, and the national championships. The National Science Bee is a science-themed, buzzer-based academic quiz competition for students in elementary, middle, and high school. Consisting of both qualifying stages and a National Championships, competing students have a chance to put their science knowledge to use against other students in their respective age divisions in an engaging quiz tournament setting. n For more information about the National Science Bee, visit nationalsciencebee.com. 44
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Streams Students Paint with a Purpose
Having fun while raising money!
Nearly 170 Streams Elementary students participated in a recent “PAINT your heART out!” event to benefit the school’s art teacher, Mrs. Angela Stevenson and her family. Held on June 7, students snacked, sipped, and painted with a purpose. “As a Streams community, we are working together to support our favorite art teacher, Mrs. Angie Stevenson and her wonderful family,” said Mrs. Lauren Kopicko, kindergarten teacher. “Mrs. Stevenson’s amazing 10-year-old son, Julius, has a rare form of leukemia. This summer, he will undergo a bone marrow transplant with his brave six-year-old sister, Simone, as his donor.” For a suggested donation of $25, students stayed after school to participate in a teacher-led painting activity to create their very own masterpiece on an 8x10 canvas. The event wrapped up with popsicles on the playground. In total, the event raised more than $4,600. n
USCHS Clubs and Activities 2022–2023 Japanese Club Academic Assist Club Jewish Social Club Almighty Voices Club JOY Art Club* Junto Club Badminton Club Kids Helping Kids Best Buddies* Latin Club* Bike Club Law and Politics Club* Biology Club Letter Writers Black Student Union Leukemia and Lymphoma Book Club Society Students of the Books Around the Year Club World Club Local Historical Leaders Boys Ultimate Frisbee Magic: The Gathering Club C2CF Make-a-Wish Cereal Club Math Club Chess Club Melody for the Elderly Chinese Club Montage* Coding for Confidence No Place for Hate Community Helpers Committee Computer Club Outdoors Club Crew Pantherettes Club Environmental Club Pep Band Equestrian Club Pickleball Club Esports Club Play Like a Girl EveryChild Robotics Club* FBLA* RPG Club Fencing Club Ski Club Film and Movie Club Spanish Club* Financial Management Spark Girls into STEM Association Speech and Debate* French Club* Spikeball Club From Students to St. Clairion* Students Stage Crew* Future Psychologists of Stand Together Club* America Student Council* Gay-Straight Alliance Students Demand Action German Club* Students for Intercultural Girls Advancing Awareness* Leadership Table Tennis Club Girls Reaching Out Thespians Club* Worldwide (G.R.O.W.) Tri-M* Girls Ultimate Frisbee Club UNICEF Heath Occupation Wallflowers Club Students of America World Affairs Club* IB Club Yearbook* Innovation, Technology, YEP Club and Entrepreneurship Yoga Club Club Young Life Interact Club* *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 2022–2023 ATHLETIC PASSES ADULT PASSES
Ultimate Panther Pass includes general admission entry to ALL home, regularseason USCHS athletic events, including football, soccer, basketball, swimming, wrestling, lacrosse, and volleyball. • Three season (fall, winter, spring).................................Quantity ___ @ $70 ______ 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. • Three season (fall, winter, spring).................................Quantity ___ @ $40 ______ Jr. Panther Pass is for our young Panther fans who are in elementary or middle school. This pass includes general admission entry to ALL home, regularseason USCHS athletic events, including football, soccer, basketball, swimming, wrestling, lacrosse, and volleyball. • 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: Upper St. Clair High School Attn: Athletics – Kim Valeriano 1825 McLaughlin Run Rd. Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 Orders must be received before August 29. A replacement fee of $20 will be charged for lost or stolen passes.
2022 USCHS Varsity Football Schedule Date Opponent 9/2 North Hills 9/9 Baldwin 9/16 Fox Chapel 9/23 Peters Twp 9/30 Mt. Lebanon 10/7 Bethel Park 10/14 Canon-McMillan 10/21 Moon 10/28 South Fayette
Location Away Home (Senior Night/New Family Night) Away Home (Homecoming) Away Home (Halls of Fame) Home (USC Gives Back/Pink Out) Away Home (Youth Night)
All games start at 7 p.m. on a Friday unless otherwise listed. Fall 2022
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EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES GUIDE Trying to Predict the
Dempsey Delivers Results 2022 Real Estate Market Lynn Dempsey, Realtor®
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Real estate market sales continue to be unpredictable this year. With rising mortgage rates and a continued shortage of homes, the housing market predictions are as reliable as the weather forecast. New home building sales have increased in the first two quarters of 2022, even with the shortage of building supply materials. Many existing homes sold for over-ask prices, receiving multiple bids with many disappointed buyers but happy sellers. As we continue into the third and fourth quarters, no one predicts with 100% accuracy where the real estate market will end up. Remember, a housing market prediction can only give you an “idea” of what to expect. Never let this control your decision of buying or selling. Only your personal situation and finances can help you make the best decisions for you. Experts are still seeing a post-pandemic rebound. The steady increase of mortgage rates, job recoveries and the law of supply and demand all work together to make the housing/real estate industry what it is today—unpredictable. The average median home prices are continuing to spike. Will this continue? Do not forget how increased mortgage rates will affect the overall cost of your new home. The mortgage rates, as we know, are influenced by the economy and inflation. The Federal Reserve has announced plans to continue to raise interest rates this year to slow down inflation. We know that with this change the current home buyer will be paying more for their home over time. Experts are stating that buyer demand will continue to be strong, and the housing inventory will remain low, as it currently is. Buyers may have to wait longer and work harder to save more money to buy their dream home. So, hold on for the real estate ride and stay tuned. n See ad for Lynn Dempsey, Coldwell Banker Realtor®, on this page.
Empowerment Through Art Ava Wynne, USCHS Freshman I have always found comfort in art. When I felt stressed or anxious, I would turn to art as a sort of therapy for myself. I began to show interest in third grade in 2-D art, as well as music and creative writing. In the beginning of 2022, I fell in love with the 2-D technique of embroider canvas art, which involves sewing a Ava Wynne at her art sale this past May line art image onto a stretched canvas. As of now, I have created over 25 individual works that, on average, take around three to five hours each. As an 8th grade student at Fort Couch, I dedicated my IB service hours to empowering women through art. I spent many weekends over the span of five months creating eight original pieces, which I sold at an art show to raise money for the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. The Women’s Shelter of Pittsburgh focuses on aiding women who are recovering from abuse. For my art show I decided to partner with Athleta, because I think their mission statement is very inspiring. Their mission is to ignite a community of active, healthy, confident women and girls who empower each other to realize their limitless potential. This May, I raised over $260 dollars in donations for the Women’s Shelter. I genuinely believe that every person—man or woman— has the ability to create something truly impactful through the activities they are passionate about. n 46
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Fall 2022
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES GUIDE Choosing a Preschool
Darah Kirstein, Owner, Ivybrook Academy Choosing a preschool is one of the most important introduces the child into a learning environment. A program decisions a parent must make. It is the starting point for your that offers flexibility like two or three days a week versus five little one’s path to learning. days a week is also something you should consider before makWhat should parents look for when selecting a preschool? ing your final choice. n While every child is different, it is important to get them in a learning environment as they begin to develop language skills. Try to find a school that is child led. For example, if your son is Ivybrook Academy is an award-winning half day preschool that offers interested in dinosaurs, his teacher might choose to use a dinoa progressive approach to early childhood education with a curriculum saur to help him learn about math. Each lesson is driven by the that combines elements of the Montessori method, Reggio Emilia, and child’s interest, allowing the student to learn at their own pace, Multiple Intelligence Research. See ad on this page. encourage curiosity and help each child build a love of learning. What should parents look for in a classroom? Seek out an environment that is South Fayette Campus small and with tools for age-appropriate learning. Toddler programs should be A REGGIO EMILIA + MONTESSORI + HALF DAY PRESCHOOL structured for very busy little ones! The Now Enrolling classroom should be a safe and nurturing Toddler – Kindergarten environment that allows them to explore. They learn to express themselves through 3127 Washington Pike, Ste. 500 singing, dancing, reading, and art. Ask Bridgeville, PA 15017 teachers what type of materials they will provide your child, as well as how their program makes learning fun! For two-year-olds, look for options that www.ivybrookacademy.com encourage student independence and help children understand how their actions affect others around them. In three-year-old classrooms, you want to find an environment that will build your child’s confidence. A three-year-old’s day should be carefully planned out with a variety of hands-on activities to encourage learning and socialization. At age three, students should be taught to write their name, and recognize letters, numbers, colors, and shapes. At age four, teachers should help your child build essential skills by carefully crafting activities that balance instructed learning and purposeful play. This is also Featuring the South Hills’ the age when your child should know how to follow instructions, listen, communilargest production of cate, practice self-control, and connect with their peers. The Nutcracker! How do you know what type of preschool schedule is best for your child—and your family? A toddler’s first trip to pre-school can be daunting for the child as well as the parents. Look at your options and see 4100 Library Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15234 what is best for your schedule. Now that so many people work from home, a halfday program might be the perfect choice. www.balletacademypgh.com It gives the parent a break—and slowly info@balletacademypgh.com
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EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES GUIDE
Taylor Swift’s Mom Doesn’t Have to Wash Dishes Anymore …and Other Reasons to Play Music Becki Lewis, Owner, Lewis Music Studio
Kindergarten-Plus Before School After School
Baker Streams Eisenhower Boyce Register Online at www.ExtendedDay.com or call (412) 221-1980
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Fall 2022
Recently I was chatting with a group of campers at one of our summer camps during the lunch time. I saw that one of the students, Lori, had a note from her mom. I commented, “Wow! Your mom wrote you a note!” She read it out loud, “Lori, have a great day at camp, and remember: Taylor Swift’s mom doesn’t have to do dishes anymore!” Giggling erupted, and the fun light-hearted chatter continued. This conversation has had me reflecting on our purpose for music. Any one of the students in that talented group could be the next sensation to hit the charts, but chances are they will not take their music in that direction. So then, why play? I would argue that the single best and most valuable reason to play music is because it brings enjoyment. Music is something that can touch us in a way that nothing else can; and being able to produce music can be a truly transformative experience. Recently my nephew begrudgingly agreed to guitar lessons. By the end of the lesson, he knew how to play his first song, and he had found his passion for playing music. It’s amazing how learning a simple ditty can open a desire to make more music. The amazing thing is, it’s a cycle—you learn music, it brings enjoyment, you play more, you learn more, and it brings more enjoyment. This is a lifelong process of discovery and pleasure!
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES GUIDE This all sounds so rose-colored. I know what you must be thinking—it can’t always be that fun! If it was, why would I have to argue with my child to practice? As a parent who literally argued with my child to practice while writing this, I can relate! The thing is, the cycle can run the other way too—you don’t practice, the music is too hard, you get no enjoyment. This is true; music can be hard work, so we often have to provide our children (and ourselves!) some extra motivators to keep the cycle going in a positive way. So, we may offer positive praise, stickers, treats, rewards, attention, and any number of things. Is it worth it? I would argue that it absolutely is! Music in and of itself is absolutely worth it, but in case you aren’t convinced, here are a few more reasons to play music: • Provides a chance for socialization when you play in a group • Reduces anxiety • Alleviates stress • Aides in brain development • Creates a topic of conversation • Reinforces math skills • Improves the ability to track words on paper
• Provides a chance for fine motor practice • Boosts confidence • Improves memory • And again… brings enjoyment When I left home, my mom said that one of the things that she missed the most was hearing me play piano every night. As my own kids get older, I understand. Hearing them play is a joy. I could listen for hours—especially when they are playing something they really love. So whatever phase of life you find yourself in, music is worth the effort. You may not ever be the next Taylor Swift, and that’s ok. n
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Insurance and Other Tips for College Students and Their Belongings Understand how your homeowners insurance policy could protect your college student and their belongings while they’re living in a residence hall or dorm room. Sending your child to college is an experience that comes with exhilaration, stress, and a measure of anxiety. Relieve some of that worry by knowing how your homeowners insurance policy protects your student and their belongings while they are away at college. Does my homeowners insurance cover college students? Most homeowners’ insurance policies offer coverage for college students. Check with your insurance company for specific information on how coverage is handled for college students. Here are some coverages from your homeowners insurance policy that might extend to a college student: • Personal liability. The personal liability coverage on your policy may help if a guest is injured in your son’s or daughter’s dorm room or if your child accidentally damages school property. The policy may help pay for damages and might even pay for your student’s legal defense in the event of a lawsuit. • Medical payments to others. If the accident in your child’s dorm room results in an injury to another, the standard homeowners insurance coverage may help pay for any medical expenses and hospital bills incurred. • Personal property coverage. Typically, your homeowners insurance covers your student’s personal property inside your student’s residence. Details tend to vary between homeowners insurance policies and often there are limits in place on personal property coverage outside of the home, so check the specifics of your policy with
your agent to find out if your student is covered or whether you might need to purchase additional insurance coverage. What questions should I ask my insurance agent about homeowners’ insurance and college students? Before the school year starts, talk to your insurance agent to help understand how your homeowners insurance works with your college student. • Is the liability limit for an accident in my child’s dorm room the same as if one happened in my home? If it’s not, or if you don’t feel it’s enough, you might want to consider a personal umbrella policy. • What is the personal property coverage for my student’s belongings while away at school? Perform a home inventory of the items your child is taking to school. If you don’t feel the homeowners insurance coverage is adequate, you might consider a personal articles policy to provide additional coverage for electronics, musical instruments or sports equipment. • Does the homeowners insurance policy cover my student and their property if they live off campus? If not, a renters insurance policy can help protect against property loss and liability when your student lives off campus in an apartment or rental home. • What if my student is taking their car to college? What if they leave it at home? If your student will be taking a car, truck or SUV to school, make sure he or she is adequately insured. Remind your child that insurance rates may be impacted negatively as a result of traffic violations—and positively with potential discounts for good grades. n Article provided by Cindy Brophy, State Farm® agent. See ad on page 48. Fall 2022
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Township Commissioners
Township Administration Check out the township’s website
Daniel R. Paoly President At Large
twpusc.org
Matthew R. Serakowski Township Manager
Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-862-5995 2025*
Dante R. Plutko, Jr. Vice President Ward 1
Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-389-5187 2023*
Pamela L. Enck Ward 2
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
Ed Poljack Director of Information Technology
George Kostelich, Jr. Director of Public Works
Christian Gmiter Director of Library
Paul Besterman Director of Recreation & Leisure Services
Day 412-831-9000 2025*
Robert W. Orchowski Ward 3
Day 412-831-9000 2023*
To reach Township personnel, call 412-831-9000 and follow the automated directions.
Todd D. Burlingame Ward 4
Day 412-831-9000 2025*
Ronald J. Pardini Ward 5
Day 412-831-9000 Evening 724-941-1199 2023*
Richard I. Thomas At Large
Day 412-831-9000 2023*
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 on the website at twpusc.org. For more information, call 412-831-9000. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
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.
2022 Township of Upper St. Clair Meeting Dates
*Date indicates expiration of term.
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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 Ed Poljack....................................................... Director of Information Technology George Kostelich, Jr................................ 2710 Director of Public Works Christian Gmiter.................................... 2470 Director of Library Paul Besterman....................................... 6560 Director of Recreation & Leisure Services
• 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 twpusc.org for more information.
Fall 2022
Highlights of the Board of Commissioners’ Meetings April 4, 2022
Approximately 8 attended
Recognition • Commissioner Plutko presented a Proclamation to Mr. Chris Gmiter, Library Director, in recognition of National Library Week, April 3 – 9, 2022. The Board • Accepted the Morton Sports Field Complex Master Plan Study and directed Staff to develop a prioritization plan. • Adopted Bill No. 3-22 Re. PLC21-0017 – Chick-Fil-A Restaurant – Unified Conditional Use/Preliminary and Final Land Development Approval. • Adopted Bill No. 4-22 to amend Chapter 106 of the Township Code, entitled “Sewers and Drains”. Approval of Contracts • Landscape Structures, Inc................................ $76,158.18 Delano, MN Hays Park Playground Renovation • General Recreation, Inc.................................... $65,675.00 Newtown Square, PA Wiltshire Park Playground Surface Replacement
The Board • Continued Public Hearing Re. PLC22-0002 – Waffles INCaffeinated – Outdoor Dining – Conditional Use Approval. • Adopted Bill No. 5-22 Re. PLC22-0004 – Truxton Subdivision Plan – Preliminary and Final Subdivision Approval. • Adopted Resolution No. 1720 approving a Grant Application through the Department of Community and Economic Development to be used for the Morton Fields Complex – Park Improvements Phase I Project. • Adopted Resolution No. 1721 approving a Grant Application through the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County Trail Development Fund for the Old Farm Trail Project connecting with the Morton Complex/ Perimeter Trail. • Affirmed the 2022-2023 Planning Priorities for the remainder of 2022-2023 with the addition of sidewalks. Approval of Contracts • Commercial Turf Fertilization..........Year 2022: $46,544.00 Mars, PA..........................................Year 2023: $47,475.00 Pesticide Spray Program Category 7......Year 2024: $48,424.00
June 6, 2022
Approximately 9 people attended
Recognition • Commissioner Enck presented a Proclamation to Elisa Tucker for attaining the Girl Scout Gold Award. The Board • Adopted Bill No. 6-22 Re. PLC22-0002 – Waffles INCaffeinated – Outdoor Dining – Conditional Use Approval. Approval of Contracts • Alpha Space Control Co., Inc........................... $46,975.00 Chambersburg, PA 2022 Pavement Markings Program • East West Manufacturing................................ $152,500.00 Pittsburgh, PA Community & Recreation Center Rooftop Unit #5 Replacement
Accessibility Coordinators
USCHS Speech & Debate Team received a proclamation from Commissioner Richard Thomas.
Colleen Miles, head of children and youth services, and Library Director Chris Gmiter receive a proclamation from Commissioner Dante Plutko.
May 2, 2022
Approximately 28 people attended
Recognitions • Commissioner Pardini presented a Proclamation to Tri-Community South Emergency Medical Services recognizing May 15-21, 2022 as National Emergency Medical Services Week in Upper St. Clair with the theme EMS WEEK: Rising to the Challenge. • Commissioner Thomas presented a Proclamation to the Upper St. Clair High School Speech & Debate Team for their win at the Pennsylvania High School Speech League Championship. • Commissioner Burlingame presented a Certificate of Achievement recognizing Kaitlyn Connors of the Upper St. Clair High School Girls Swim Team for achieving first place in the 100-yard Freestyle at the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) Championship. • Commissioner Burlingame presented a Certificate of Achievement recognizing Ganesh Sivaramakrishnan of the Upper St. Clair High School Boys Swim Team for achieving first place in the 100-yard Backstroke and the 100-yard Butterfly at the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) Championship.
Commissioner Todd Burlingame presented Ganesh Sivaramakrishnan and Kaitlyn Connors, pictured with their coach Dave Schraven, with Certificates of Achievement.
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, Director of Information Technology (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
Staff of TCS EMS, pictured with Commissioner Pardini, were recognized at the board’s May meeting. Fall 2022
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New Hire
Upper St. Clair Police Department 2022 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 will primarily be held on Wednesday evenings (6:30 p.m.–9 p.m.) from September 28 to November 16, with the understanding that dates and times may be subject to change if required by the curriculum or related special activities. Participants will be notified if any modifications are made to the schedule. 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 selfdefense • 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
Megan Massey
Jammin’ So, where did you sit during your summer vacation? For many of us, the answer would be: in traffic! Whether it was traversing the neighborhoods or a trip to Target, road construction this past summer made local travel an exercise in patience. With projects on highly traveled roads like Boyce, Mayview, McLaughlin Run, and Route 19 within the township, as well as projects in neighboring communities, traffic jams made allowing extra time to go anywhere a necessity. Fortunately, many projects are completed, or nearly completed—so relax and enjoy the drive! n
There is no fee to attend the academy, but an application and supplementary documentation are required. Stop by the police department or visit the Township website at www.twpusc.org to apply. n For more information, contact police administration, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., at 412-833-1113. 52
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Megan Massey joined the police department as the records specialist in March of 2022. Megan received her bachelor’s degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania where she dual majored in criminal justice and sociology. Ms. Massey began her career working as a program director for nonprofit agencies and most recently served Allegheny County as a telecommunications officer before joining USCPD. Welcome, Megan! n
Fall 2022
General Election—Tuesday, November 8, 2022 Polls Open 7 a.m.–8 p.m.
Monday, October 24, 2022, 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 1
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Township Building, Library Multi-purpose Room, Ground Floor–McLaughlin Run Road
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2
Baker Elementary School Gymnasium - Morton Road
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3
Fort Couch Middle School–Gymnasium Miranda Drive entrance
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4
Fort Couch Middle School–Gymnasium Miranda Drive entrance
2
1
Fort Couch Middle School–Gymnasium Miranda Drive entrance
2
2
Westminster Presbyterian Church–Washington Road
2
3
Fort Couch Middle School–Gymnasium Miranda Drive entrance
2
4
Fort Couch Middle School–Gymnasium Miranda Drive entrance
Ward District Polling Place 3
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McLaughlin Run Activity Center–McLaughlin Run Road
3
2
St. Catherine Labouré business office (rear), (formerly known as St. Louise DeMarillac)–McMurray Road
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3
McLaughlin Run Activity Center–McLaughlin Run Road
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1
Baker Elementary School, Gymnasium–Morton Road
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2
Boyce Middle School, Gymnasium–Boyce Road
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3
Boyce Middle School, Gymnasium–Boyce Road
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4
Boyce Middle School, Gymnasium–Boyce Road
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1
Wesley Spectrum Services, Gymnasium–Johnston Road
5
2
Wesley Spectrum Services, Gymnasium–Johnston Road
5
3
Boyce Middle School, Gymnasium–Boyce Road
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.
USC 2022 Trash and Recycling Holiday Collection Holiday Collection Date Labor Day............................... Thursday, September 8 and Friday, September 9 Thanksgiving.......................... Wednesday, November 23 and Friday, November 25
2022 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 22, 29; November 5, 12, 19; December 3.
Fall 2022
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CommUNITY Day CommUNITY Day 2022—It’s a Wrap! What a great day it was to get together as a CommUNITY to celebrate and connect with one another! From the start of activities with the C&RC’s Decade Dash at Boyce Mayview Park to the iconic Community Foundation Duck Race, smiles were the accessory of the day. Activities included an opening ceremony at the USC Veterans Park, the parade, Hottest Dog contest, and games and activities at the midway area along McLaughlin Run Road. The fun continued on Route 19 at both Gilfillan Farm and USC VFD’s main station. Toward the end of the day, rousing cheers could be heard near McLaughlin Run, as people urged their ducks toward the finish line of the traditional Duck Race. Mark your 2023 calendar now for May 20 (tentative date) to once again be part of our annual day to come together as a CommUNITY! For more information or to volunteer for 2023, contact the high school student activities office or the Upper St. Clair recreation department.
Many Thanks! Thank you to the high school student council members who came up with the theme of UNITY that echoed throughout the day. The School District and the Township worked together along with volunteers, students, community organizations, and local businesses to make the day especially welcoming and enjoyable after the pandemic hiatus. Thank you to the many individuals from multiple departments at the school district and Township who planned, organized, and brought the day to fruition for the benefit of residents of all ages.
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Fall 2022
CommUNITY Day 2022 Upper St. Clair Community Day
Details
H test Dog Cоtest
HottestRules Dog Winners
When: May 21 Where: Main Stage Time: 12:00-1pm Pre-register by: May 18 $5 registration fee
• Must be USC resident • Owners must provide proof of up-to-date shot records upon entry • Pets must be leashed • Pre-register by 5/18/22.
You may register event if you All dogs get a treat for registering! It was a “ruff” competition, but theat the judges of miss the pre-register deadline. Howard Hanna’s Hottest Dog contest were up for the challenge. Thanks to all who participated in this 3 wa event! register popular Leading the pack were: 1) Scan the QRTail code Wag to register online Best 2) Email this form to Robbinsbobbitt@howardhanna.com Baxter—Owner, Wanda Renolds 3) Drop completed registration form off at either of the following: • Howard Hanna RealLook-a-Like Estate Services | 180 Ft. Couch Road, USC 15241 Pet & Owner • Upper Stt. Clair LibraryMaryn | 1820 McLaughlin Finn—Owner, StaubRun Road, USC 15241 Cutest Puppy Name Signature Address Willie Nelson—Owner, McKenzie Rewis Parent/Guardian if under 18 Phone Best Costume Email Rudy—Owner, Lauren Hess Dog’s name Dog’s Breed Best Trick Dog’s age Henry—Owner, Chelsea Patterson
Proceeds from Howard Hanna’s Hottest Dog contest benefitted Children’s Hospital Free Care Fund.
Fall 2022
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USC Recreation and twpusc.org
Boyce Mayview Park Is Full of Fall Fun Come one, come all, it is time to celebrate fall in Boyce Mayview Park!
RADical Day
Scary Swim
September 22 What are RADical Days? It is an annual thank you to the public with free admission, tours, performances, and family activities offered by the organizations and attractions that are funded by RAD (Allegheny Regional Asset District). For more details, please visit radworkshere.org.
October 23 Little ghouls and goblins delight because the indoor pool at the C&RC is filled with Halloween freight! Swim amongst some creepy characters and spooky souls in this fun, family-friendly Halloween swim.
Color Crawl
November 5 There is no better way to spend a fall afternoon than at Bounty! Friends and families will have plenty of outdoor activities to choose from as well as a chance to stop by one of their favorite food trucks.
October 15 Participants will have a blast participating in this non-competitive 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.
Bounty at Boyce Mayview Park
Monster Hunt October 21 Our friendly monsters have escaped and are hiding in Boyce Mayview Park! Help us find them while collecting treats and trinkets along the way.
Gratitude 5K Race and Walk November 19 Join us as we celebrate the season of giving and gratitude with this timed race through Boyce Mayview Park. This race is suitable for runners of all levels. Additional details regarding all event dates and details can be found on the Community & Recreation Center website at twpusc.org/ recreationcenter.
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Fall 2022
Leisure Services 412-221-1099
Save the Dates
Outdoor Pool Season Last Day
Blood Drive
September 5 The outdoor pool will close for the season at 5 p.m. on Labor Day, Monday, September 5. Labor Day hours of operation are 11 a.m.–5 p.m. for the outdoor pool, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. for the indoor facility.
September 13 Vitalant will be at the C&RC on Tuesday, September 13 from noon–6 p.m. accepting blood donations. Interested donors can sign up for an appointment at Vitalant.org using group code C565.
Programs For Older Adults If you are interested in meeting people your age, we invite you to participate in the variety of programs offered through the Community & Recreation Center (C&RC) and the Department of Recreation & Leisure Services. There are many activities from which to choose.
United Senior Citizens Program
Fitness and Aquatics Classes
The United Senior Citizens program is sponsored by the Township of Upper St. Clair Department of Recreation & Leisure Services. To participate, one must be a resident of the township, 55 years of age or older, and retired. Spouses of eligible members may also join even if under age 55. The program meets on most Wednesdays. Morning activities are informal and include the preparation of lunch with the help of volunteers from the group under township supervision. Informal activities begin at 10 a.m. and the members hold a brief business meeting at noon, which is followed by a delicious meal. Afternoon activities include musical entertainment, lectures or presentations of interest, book reviews, health and fitness instruction, game days, and more! In addition, day trips to various performances and places of interest are scheduled throughout the year. Meetings are usually held at the McLaughlin Run Activity Center (MAC) located at 1770 McLaughlin Run Rd.
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.
The Community & Recreation Fitness and Aquatics departments offer classes either designed for or that accommodate senior participants. For additional information about any Older Adult programming, please contact the Community Programs Department at 412-221-1099. Friday Afternoons in the Park 2022 Dates: August 19, September 9, October 7 Time: 1:30–3 p.m. Join others for an afternoon gathering that includes a program and light refreshments. These afternoon events are held at the Boyce Mayview Park Pavilion, 1551 Mayview Rd. Reservations are requested. Call the C&RC and ask for the Community Programs Department at 412-221-1099.
USCSD Gold Card 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. Fall 2022
ACCESS Paratransit and Pittsburgh Regional Transit Senior Citizen Connect Card Applications for the Pittsburgh Regional Transit Senior Citizen Connect Card and the ACCESS 65 Plus Coordinated, Shared-Ride Paratransit Service are available at the C&RC. Application must be made in person at the C&RC during business hours, Monday–Friday. Proof of age (65) is required at the time of application.
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Get to Know From the Director’s Desk Your Library Staff
Christian Gmiter, Library Director A bright, beautiful showplace is ready for USC library patrons. First, a word of thanks: To all our library patrons, we thank you for your patience during our months-long renovation. We believe the final product is well worth the inconveniences you may have experienced this past spring and summer. We’re now able to offer you a state-of-the-art, beautiful—and modern—library that befits our exceptional community. If you haven’t stopped by lately, here’s what you can expect on your next visit to the library’s second floor: • A one-floor model for adults and children, which makes browsing easier for USC families and caregivers. • A completely revamped adult fiction section. This popular area boasts new windows, paint, carpeting, and lighting that creates a lighter, brighter, more inviting space that’s welcoming to all. • An expanded adult non-fiction area, thanks to the relocation of study rooms to the third floor, which means more room to browse. You can also take advantage of ample new tables and chairs for study and remote work, as well as a stronger Wi-Fi signal. This side of the new library is more open, airy, pleasant, and well lit—with skylights and the window wall intact The biggest and most impressive changes are on the third floor, where you’ll enjoy: • An outdoor deck that gives USC residents a unique vantage point in the township. On the deck, you can enjoy food and beverages and participate in a variety of library programs. Outdoor library spaces are innovative in the field, so we’re especially proud of this addition! • Flex space for programs and meetings/gatherings with comfortable seating. (A modern meeting and conference room is in process for township use.) • Quiet study rooms with strong Wi-Fi. • An added restroom for patrons’ convenience. No longer simply amenities, libraries are essential to communities. They add value to residents and are held in the same high regard as schools, community and recreation centers, and fire departments. Thanks to the renovation, the USC library will serve as a standard in the South Hills. Most importantly is the driver behind the renovation: You, our patrons! This is your library, USC, and we want to help you to make the most of it! The staff and I are grateful for your support – and excited to welcome you back into your amazing new space. Until next time, Chris P.S. As someone who’s enjoyed working in libraries for the past 28 years, I have yet to see a community that supports its library as much as USC— so again, thank you!
Due to construction at the municipal building, information about Children’s Programming will be advertised on Facebook and social media this fall. 58
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Fall 2022
Colleen Miles, Head of Youth Services Sheri Huffman, Youth Services Librarian Q: How long have you been with the USC library? Colleen: 20 years! Sherri: 14 years. Q: You were both recently promoted. Congratulations! What do your new positions entail? Colleen: Overall, I manage the staff and projects of the youth services department. I order books, set up program calendars, work with community partners, provide programs for elementary, middle, and high school age children/tweens/ teens, and develop initiatives to reach the families of USC. Sheri: My new position entails an expansion of many of the things I did in my former position as library specialist, but in a more advanced capacity. Having accepted the new position during the renovation, I’m now beginning to define my duties more precisely in the new space. Q: Why is the renovation of the children’s library so important to patrons and the township? Colleen: More—and better—space, including a modernized area with a larger story room and playroom. The renovation also allows us to expand our programming because we can use the new space on the second floor, as well as the revamped, flexible space on the third floor. Sheri: Now that we’re all on the same floor, patrons will enjoy a more cohesive experience, which will hopefully keep our youngest readers engaged long into their adult years. Also, our staff will be able to continue to maintain relationships with patrons that begin in the formative years, through schooling, and beyond. No one will have to “graduate” from one floor and never be seen again. Q: What do you think USC families and children will enjoy most about the renovation? Colleen: Honestly, the children’s bathroom! Also, the convenience of a ground-level entry, and access to the adult floor. Then there’s the new library smell—and a move toward comprehensive library services to children and their families. Sheri: I echo Colleen’s shout out to the new kids’ bathroom! I think they’ll also enjoy the new playroom area. The “stacks,” so to speak, are organized in a very accessible manner that patrons will learn and be able to browse. Our teen readers will also be able to check out teen and adult books on the same floor. Overall, our patrons will benefit from a “one floor” library plan.
Adult Programs Marketing the Presidency (In-Person Event) Wednesday, September 7, 5:30–7 p.m. Local presidential historian Steve Mihaly will present Marketing the Presidency—A Visual Tour of 125 Years of Presidential Artifacts. A collector of presidential memorabilia for over 50 years, Mr. Mihaly holds one of the largest privately held collections in the country. He and his collection have been featured numerous times in magazines and newspapers throughout the country, as well as appearances on radio and TV. The presentation is a 50-minute visual tour of the often odd as well as creative items candidates have produced to entice people to vote for them. You’ll see everything from a Teddy Roosevelt “Big Stick,” to glow in the dark Franklin Roosevelt stove pot covers, to a Richard Nixon shower head where the water comes streaming from his mouth! Join us for a fun and historical evening of reliving campaigns, candidates, and their artifacts from the past!
Understanding Dementia (In-Person Event) Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Dementia, But Were Afraid to Ask Dates: September 21, September 28 Time: 6–7 p.m. Join Upper St. Clair resident Jamie Bennett and begin the journey of understanding what the diagnosis of dementia means, the different types of dementia, who dementia affects the most, and what the journey will look like for family and loved ones. You’ll also learn how to help yourself, how to communicate with your loved one effectively, and what behaviors you may experience. In session two, Jamie will cover the various stages of dementia. You will learn about the stages of dementia and where your loved one is on the spectrum. We’ll also cover the community resources and support that are available as dementia progresses, how to cope with decline, and what options and different levels of care are available if you can’t care for your loved one at home anymore.
Sex, Lies, and Orchids (In-Person Event) Wednesday, September 14, 6–7 p.m. This is a fun, and sometimes naughty, presentation on orchid pollination strategies. Orchids are known as some of the most beautiful flowers on the planet. What is not known by the public is that most orchids are liars and cheaters. They stalk and coerce various insects into pollinating their flowers, but they offer nothing in return. Come see what it’s all about in this fun presentation.
Rental Properties and Flipping Homes—What’s the Hype About and How Do I Get Started? (Zoom Event) Thursday, September 15, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Find out about how to begin buying and obtaining income producing rental properties and what it takes to flip a house with local experts from Howard Hanna.
of Hollywood. To this end, she authors a blog at WhoisMontgomeryClift.com which showcases Montgomery Clift and other various actors from that era. Other presentations include Montgomery Clift: The Lost Actor and David Lean: Formula of a Masterpiece.
Pittsburgh’s Bridges (Zoom Event) Wednesday, October 5, 6–7 p.m. Learn all about Pittsburgh’s many bridges in this fun and immersive presentation.
Try-It Tuesday (In-Person Event) Dates: October 11, November 1 Time: 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Location: McLaughlin Run Activity Center, 1770 McLaughlin Run Road Join fiber artist and teacher Judé Ernest for Try-It Tuesday. All program supplies and tools will be provided. Registration required. (Limited to 15 participants. If you are unable to make it, please cancel ahead of time to allow for more participants.)
Marilyn Monroe: The Girl Behind the Image (Zoom Event)
Inflation: A Primer on Causes and Consequences (Zoom Event)
Thursday, September 22, 6–7 p.m. In the glittering Golden Age of Hollywood, no star shone more brightly than Marilyn Monroe. But beneath the smoke and mirrors of her legendary persona, lay a much different reality. Join us as we break through the myths that still exist today and discover the real Marilyn Monroe. Wendy Whittick is a film historian and President of Pittsburgh Classic Movie Club and is dedicated to preserving the legacy of movies and actors from the Golden Age
Thursday, October 13, 6–7 p.m. Join us to learn about this trending topic. What is inflation? What causes it? How does it affect our lives? Daniele Coen-Pirani, a professor of economics at the University of Pittsburgh where he specializes in macro and labor economics, seeks to address these questions considering the recent increase in inflation rates in the U.S. and the European Union after decades of relatively stable prices.
Fall 2022
Cont. on page 60. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
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Adult Programs Cont. from page 59.
NASA Return to the Moon (In-Person Event) Friday, October 14, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
complex missions, Artemis I will be an uncrewed flight test that will provide a foundation for human deep space exploration and demonstrate our commitment and capability to extend human existence to the Moon and beyond.
Comparing Apples to Apples—Is it Gluten-Free...or Not? (Zoom Event) Join Donald Miller, NASA Solar System Ambassador, as he takes us on an adventure to explore and discover the Artemis program, designed to take us to the moon and beyond! The last spacecraft to land humans on the moon was the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. After a 50-year hiatus, NASA is now planning a return to the moon in a series of upcoming missions. This free session will discuss the overall goals of the Artemis program and the three separate missions involved. Bring your wonder for the universe and man’s exploration of space. Artemis is the first step in the next era of human exploration. Together with commercial and international partners, NASA will establish a sustainable presence on the Moon to prepare for missions to Mars. Artemis I will be the first integrated test of NASA’s deep space exploration systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and ground systems at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The first in a series of increasingly
Wednesday, October 19, 6:30–8 p.m. We’ll be making naturally gluten-free applesauce and an apple crisp that can be made gluten-free or not—your choice! Join Kathy from Kitchen Wizards for this virtual culinary program, featuring one of Fall’s favorite fruits. Want to cook along? We’ll send out an ingredient list about a week before.
Pierogi Class (Zoom Event) Wednesday, November 9, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Join Sarah Wray for a pierogi class! Learn how to make these pillowy, chewy, crispy Polish dumplings at home. During this online cooking class, you will learn how to make traditional potato and onion pierogi completely from scratch in your own kitchen. Sarah will teach you everything you need to know, including making the dough and the filling, proper assembling procedure, and how to cook them.
National Home Industry Trends (Zoom Event)
Do You Want a Brand-New Home? (Zoom Event)
Thursday, November 17, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Come learn all about home industry trends on a national scale with Denis Cestra, Jr., president of Howard Hanna Pennsylvania.
Thursday, October 20, 6:30–7:30 p.m. Learn all about new construction and get a general guide to building a brandnew home with local experts and Howard Hanna.
USC Township Library Hours Mondays: Tuesdays: Wednesdays: Thursdays: Fridays: Saturdays:
10 a.m.–7 p.m. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 10 a.m.–7 p.m. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
The library will be closed for the following holiday: Monday, September 5 for Labor Day. Outside book and video return available 24/7. Building construction taking place during summer 2022 may occasionally interrupt library hours, programs, and/or services. Check the library website or Facebook page (facebook.com/UpperStClairLibrary) for an up-to-date list of changes that may occur.
412-835-5540 twpusc.org/library 60
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With the cooler weather, fall is a great time to tackle some of the projects we need to accomplish before winter—like making space in the garage for our cars before the snow flies! The township offers several special collections and drop-off events to help you dispose of your discarded items safely and efficiently.
E-Cycling/Electronics Recycling September 10, October 8, November 12, and December 10 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Community & Recreation Center Parking Lot 1551 Mayview Road E-cycling is the recycling of electronic equipment—anything with a cord including large electric appliances. One television per vehicle per collection accepted. There is a charge for appliances containing refrigerant. No non-electronics in wooden cabinets such as organs and pianos. No personal items such as curling irons, shavers, vacuum cleaners, carpet scrubbers, smoke detectors, batteries, etc.
Curbside Yard Waste/Leaf Collection (Paper Bags) October 22, 29; November 5, 12, 19; December 3 Yard waste must be at the curb by 6 a.m. on collection day. Yard waste includes leaves, plants, garden residue, chipped shrubbery, tree trimmings, and leaf/grass clipping mixture. Yard waste is to be in compostable paper bags. Limbs are to be bundled and no longer than 48 inches and three inches in diameter.
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September 10, October 8, November 12, December 10 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Boyce Compost Site at the Boyce Mayview Community Gardens Boyce Road Yard waste drop-off includes leaves, plants, garden residue, chipped shrubbery, tree trimmings, and leaf/grass clipping mixture. Yard waste is to be in a compostable paper bags. Limbs are to be bundled and no longer than 48 inches and three inches in diameter.
Document Shredding September 10 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Municipal Building Parking Lot 1820 McLaughlin Run Road Fees: $6 for a 11x17 box; $9 for a 11x24 box
Household Hazardous Waste Collection November 10 3–7 p.m. Community & Recreation Center Annex Building Parking Lot 1551 Mayview Road Visit Noble Environmental at nobleenviro.com for registration and fees.
Retiring Old Glory A patriotic program established locally in 2009 called “Retire Old Glory” is well received in Upper St. Clair. This program enables you to retire your old American flag properly. There is a collection bin available at the entrance to the Community & Recreation Center. n Fall 2022
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Addressing Real Curb Appeal Mike Moore, Chief USC VFD
Have you ever looked at your house from the street? Everyone always talks about the curb appeal of your home and how to make improvements that will increase its value, with some of the smallest exterior cosmetic updates making the biggest impact. While cosmetic updates to your home may add value, they may not help you in an emergency. Think about trying to find the address on a house you are not familiar with in the dark or while it is raining and trying to do so quickly. This is an experience every first responder has gone through while trying to find the numbers on a home. It is very important that your home’s address numbers are easily visible from the street. This includes the ability to be seen in snow, rain, and darkness. An easy way to self-assess your current house number’s visibility is to wait until it is dark and stand in the middle of your street. As you look at your house, you need to ask yourself: Can the numbers be quickly seen? Are the numbers big enough? Are they easily readable? If you did not answer yes to all three of these questions, then it is time to make some adjustments. Another thing to consider is whether the house number can be seen no matter what direction on the street you are approaching from. Making your house numbers easily visible will help first responders identify your home in a quick manner. In an emergency, every second matters and time spent looking for the proper house number can be critical. An added perk of having your address easily identifiable from the street—it will help that DoorDash driver get the food to your house just a little bit quicker! n
John M. Lekse Scholarship Awarded to Olivia DeLeo The Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department is pleased to announce that Olivia DeLeo is this year’s recipient of the John M. Lekse Scholarship. Olivia, the daughter of the late firefighter Don DeLeo, received a check for $1000 this past July. A 2018 Upper St. Clair High School graduate, Olivia is now a fifthyear student at West Virginia University majoring in mechanical and aerospace engineering. The John M. Lekse Scholarship Fund, administered by the Pittsburgh Foundation, was established by John’s family in 2019, shortly after his death. The fund is set to award $1000 each year to a USCVFD member or their immediate family member wanting to further their educational pursuits. The Lekse family said it was an easy decision to establish a scholarship in John’s name, because it combined his dedication to helping others and his love for learning. It is the family’s hope that this benefit will help the USCVFD attract new members and help retain their current ones. In October 2019, a golf outing was held at Quicksilver to raise money for the scholarship fund. The intention was to make this an annual event for the scholarship fund. However, due to the pandemic, the outing was placed on hold. This year the outing is on again and scheduled for October 9. For more information or to sign up, visit the fire department’s website at uscvfd.com and click on the John M. Lekse Scholarship Golf Outing. n For further information or to donate to the scholarship fund, go to the Pittsburgh Foundation web site at pittsburghfoundation.org/scholarship/10792. (l/r) Olivia DeLeo, USC VFD president Greg Gerlach, USC VFD chief Mike Moore 62
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Battle of the Barrel Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mike Moore preaches, above all else, that the members of the department are a family. They count on each other while serving the residents and visitors in the township, whether it’s pushing a hand line down a hallway in a fire or spotting one another on a roof. So, when there’s a fifth Wednesday night with no scheduled detail, they like to have fun and build that family. On Wednesday, June 29, they had a Battle of the Barrel complete with food, families, trash talk, and lots of laughs! n If you think you might like to be part of this incredible family stop in any Wednesday night or visit the department’s website at uscvfd.org for more information or an application.
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Updates on the NextGen Municipal Building Renovation Project Laura Long, Executive Assistant to the Township Manager
Work continued over the summer on the NextGen Municipal Building Renovation Project. Improvements are still underway for the Upper St. Clair library, community development office, and police department, and construction has created relocations and closures, including: • The movement of the community development office to its new location at the front entrance of the municipal building to the right of the administrative offices and tax office. • The library parking lot was closed during renovations of the police department. Residents are encouraged to park at the side parking lot near the Veterans Park and Clair’s Kennel, where signs direct you to a pedestrian walkway to the main library entrance. • The municipal playground remains open but cannot be accessed at the library parking lot. Residents are encouraged to park at the McLaughlin Run Activity Center (MAC), 1770 McLaughlin Run Road. • The IdentoGO fingerprinting service has moved to a new temporary location located on the lower left side of the township building and will continue to operate from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Appointments can be scheduled at identogo.com.
Planning for the NextGen Municipal Building Renovation Project began in September 2019 when the Upper St. Clair School District moved out of their wing of the municipal building. Construction began in the former school district wing in November 2021 and the overall project is expected to be complete by the end of 2022 or early 2023. The children’s library has moved from the third floor to the same floor as the adult library, and crews have added bathrooms to the children’s library area. A large connector is being built to connect the existing adult library and new children’s library. On top of the library connector, residents will be able to enjoy a new rooftop deck.
The initial phase of the new children’s library space opened mid-July with all new construction, planned with families in mind, including a family restroom with a changing station—no more stairs or elevators! The new children’s library has its own dedicated entrance, convenient from the parking lot, and will connect with the new adult library space in the future. When the new children’s library floor is fully renovated, families can enjoy a larger playroom and multi-purpose room for story time and programming. Full use of these rooms will be available when the NextGen Renovation project wraps up, anticipated at the end of 2022.
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Also included in the NextGen Project, the police department will receive a much-needed expansion and the department of community development and planning has moved from the lower level of the building to the main, front lobby. After the project, residents will be able to access township administration, community development and planning, police and Indentogo from the main front doors. Township staff thanks residents for their patience and understanding during the project. We hope you feel the temporary inconvenience will be worth it in the end. n
Building Permits Is a home project in your plans this fall? Before you start, take time to familiarize yourself with the township’s requirements for when a building permit is required. To ensure a successful project and avoid costly delays, residents should call the department of community development (412.831.9000 ext. 5010) to discuss their building and remodeling plans so that permit requirements can be determined. The resident’s contractor or design professional can then prepare the project’s construction documents to meet the township’s building and zoning codes. Before submitting an application to the department of planning and community development, it is recommended that you review the submission checklist on the first page of the application and review the permit process, which includes submitting an application, and review and approval by the township. You may consult with a staff member about specific construction questions or if you need assistance with completing the application. If a permit application requires a notarized signature, the department of planning and community development has a notary on staff, free of charge. Permits are required for the following: • Replacement, enlargement, alteration, removal, demolition, or repair of existing, or construction of new: garages, storage sheds, air conditioners, generators, decks, swimming pools, hot tubs, fences, gazebos, on-ground patios, retaining walls and signs • Interior renovation when cutting into or adding bulkheads, or removing or adding interior walls • Erecting a new principal structure or addition • Storable swimming pools • Electrical work (new or rewiring or upgrade in service) • Grading a lot • Adding an alarm system or registering the new owner of a property
with an alarm system • Excavating within a street right-of-way • Occupancy, including the change from one type of business to another on a commercial property, or registering your home occupation • Replacing an existing unpaved, gravel, or red-dog driveway. There is no fee; however, two copies of the property survey showing the proposed location of the driveway are required along with a completed application form. New residential driveway permits are normally issued in conjunction with a building permit Stormwater application and management plan must be submitted for any project adding over 400 square feet of impervious surface. Once the stormwater permit is issued, a building permit can be applied for. Permits are not required for the following: • “Cosmetic” remodeling which would include replacement of existing kitchen or bathroom cabinets and floors • Single family garage sales, but are required for neighborhood garage sales • Replacement of gutters, soffit, downspouts, facia, and siding • Replacement of existing windows and/or doors with same size • Resurfacing or repairing an existing paved driveway as long as the driveway is not expanded in any dimension • Roof replacement (unless changes are made to the structure) • Guidelines for garage sale signs: • Location: Only on the lot where the sale is being held, freestanding at least 10 feet from any side lot line and outside of the street right of way, or attached to and parallel with wall of a building and projecting outward no more than six (6) inches • Display: Only on the day of the sale • Maximum Gross Surface Area: Nine (9) square feet • May not obstruct sidewalks n
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HE ALTH & WELLNESS GUIDE Your Health Back-to-School Checklist Have you made a back-to-school checklist yet to prepare for the upcoming school year? While purchasing new school supplies and clothes may be at the top of the list, scheduling an annual physical and making sure your child’s immunizations are up to date should also be included. Ruth Christoforetti, MD, of St. Clair Medical Group Family Medicine, knows just how important a physical exam and immunizations are for your child. Whether they are just starting preschool or entering the final year of high school, this medical checkup may be the only time that children and adolescents see their doctor each year if they are in good health. “An annual physical is an opportunity for the physician and family to review the child’s medical history and to see if they are growing and developing as expected,” says Dr. Christoforetti. “Recommendations will be made about healthy habits and safety. We can also administer any recommended vaccines during the exam.” After treating countless children and adolescents over the past decade, Dr. Christoforetti shares why making a doctor’s appointment can help your child have a healthy and successful school year. Schedule a Physical Exam According to Dr. Christoforetti, children ages three years and older should have a physical once per year. Completing the exam before your child starts the new school year is strongly recommended but not always mandatory. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires all K-12 students to complete a physical exam within the four months before starting kindergarten, grade 6, or grade 11. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) rules state that students must complete a comprehensive pre-participation physical evaluation (CIPPE) prior to the first practice of their sports season. The physical will include a head-to-toe examination including height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, oxygen levels, heart rate, and more. This part of the annual physical is often performed by a medical assistant or nurse, but the physician will conduct the rest of the exam.
Dr. Christoforetti explains, “The physician will ask about health habits such as diet, sleep, safety, bathroom habits, behavior, environment, and developmental milestones to see if the child is growing and developing within a normal spectrum for their age. We also examine the child’s head, eyes, ears, teeth, throat, neck, heart, lungs, abdomen, skin, extremities, and more.” Additionally, you will have an opportunity to ask questions about your child’s health and share any school forms with the physician to fill out or sign. Get Up to Date with Immunizations Once the physical exam is complete, the physician may administer immunizations to ensure your child is up to date before the new school year. These vaccines will not only keep your child from being infected with contagious illnesses but also help them from spreading illnesses to others. This is especially critical due to the close proximity of students, teachers and other staff in school settings. Dr. Christoforetti states, “Immunizations are largely given at a young age to prevent illness from the very beginning. A young immune system is not always strong enough to fight off certain bacteria, viruses, or illnesses, which puts children at much higher risk of getting sick if they are exposed.”
Many of the vaccine series administered during childhood and adolescence p r o v i d e lifelong immunity, keep kids healthy, Dr. Ruth Christoforreti and lead to healthier futures. In addition to the annual influenza vaccine, recommended vaccines include but are not limited to: • Infancy And Early Childhood: Hepatitis, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis or whooping cough, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, polio, pneumonia, and COVID-19 (six months and older) • Older Children and Adolescents: Meningitis, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis or whopping cough, HPV, and COVID-19 “Vaccines are very safe, generally have very few side effects and may prevent death in some cases. Plus, they may lead to fewer doctor’s visits, hospitalizations, and school or work absences,” emphasizes Dr. Christoforetti. She suggests you check with your child’s school district to verify immunization requirements and share any questions with your primary care physician or your child’s pediatrician. n
Visit stclair.org or call 412-942-8570 to schedule an appointment for your child with Dr. Christoforetti or another pediatrician at St. Clair Medical Group Family Medicine. You’ll be able to check off both the physical exam and immunizations on your back-to-school list! See ads for St. Clair Health on pages 2, 68, and 83.
Fall 2022
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Babies communicate long before they begin to talk. Knowing the normal stages of development can help parents know if their child is experiencing any challenges. “The best way to promote speech and language development for babies is to simply talk to your child,” says Emily Miller, MS, CCC-SLP, Speech Therapy Clinical Coordinator at the Children’s Therapy Center at Washington Health System. “Children’s communication skills grow by leaps and bounds over the first few years of life.” Language Milestones “Babies between zero to three months old express themselves through sounds, facial expressions and gestures or body movements,” says Miller. “These include crying, cooing, making eye contact, and moving their arms and legs when they are excited.” According to The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, normal language development includes the following milestones: 4–6 months: Babies begin to move their eyes toward the direction of a sound, babble, and laugh, and make sounds when they are upset. 6–12 months: Babies respond to the sound of their name, understand words for common objects, and point to objects. 1–2 years old: Children usually start to say their first words at around 12 months old. By two years old, they will learn many new words and begin to string them together into simple phrases. 2–3 years old: Children understand new words quickly and know a word for everything in their daily environment. They can also make more complex sounds in words. “Reading to your child is one of the best ways to expose them to language,” says Miller. “Studies show that children exposed to language early in life have social and educational advantages.” Language Delays “If you are concerned about your child’s speech/language development, you don’t have to wait and see if they may catch up,” says Miller. “Early diagnosis of a speech/language disorder increases the chances of improvement and can prevent related problems as the child gets older, such as behavior and social issues.” Discuss any concerns with your pediatrician, who can provide a referral, if needed, for an evaluation by a speech and language pathologist (SLP). The SLP will assess how well your child understands and uses language.
“Young children learn through play,” says Miller. “The SLP will create opportunities for your child to practice the targeted skill while enjoying motivating toys and activities. The caregiver is also encouraged to attend and participate.” If you have any concerns about your child, do not hesitate to ask your child’s doctor about therapy options. The WHS Children’s Therapy Center makes speech therapy a fun and positive experience for children and their family. To find out more, contact the WHS Children’s Therapy Center. Call 724-942-6100 or visit whs.org/ctc. n
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HE ALTH & WELLNESS GUIDE Your Role in a Healthy Gut
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Gut health is affected by what you eat and the amount of water intake daily. Both are a part of the balance of the gut microbe. Some of the best ways to improving gut health can include: • Reduction of stress • Limiting sugar intake • Consuming a balanced diet high in fiber where recommendations for women are 21 to 25 grams/day and men 30 to 38 grams/day • Drinking plenty of water • Sufficient sleep • Probiotics • Exercise • Scheduling an appointment with a gastroenterologist for any gut issues to avoid complications and review treatment options if necessary If you follow these recommendations, there is a chance to lessen negative symptoms and achieve optimal gut health. This can lead to a healthier, happier you! n See ad for Southwest Gastroenterology Associates on page 5.
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Fall 2022
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AROUND THE TOWNSHIP Farmer’s Market Fun Summer may be winding down, but it’s the perfect time to visit a farmer’s market for fresh produce. And nothing could be more convenient than stopping by the Upper St. Clair Farmer’s Market, operated by the Rotary Club of Upper St. Clair–Bethel Park (Breakfast). Located in the Westminster Presbyterian Church parking lot at 2040 Washington Road and open every Thursday from 4–7 p.m., May though September, the market has lots of local vendors, selling everything from fruits and vegetables to fresh baked goods to BBQ and gyros. Live entertainment is featured on many market nights. Numerous families stop to pick up dinner and stock up on fresh local produce and other items for the weekend while visiting with friends and neighbors. Why not join them one week? n The Upper St. Clair Farmer’s Market operates on Thursday evenings from 4–7 p.m., May through September, in the Westminster Church parking lot.
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The Abandoned Mine Drainage Bird Sanctuary Alexander Clifford, Hamm Intern for ALT To the unacquainted, Wingfield Pines may seem like more of a conservation project than a thriving ecosystem. Key to Wingfield’s terrain, and one of the first things that many people learn about the property, is Webinar: Fall Wild Edibles September 14, 5–5:45 p.m. that it is the site of a treat- Ages: All ment system for abandoned Cost: Free mine drainage (AMD). The Join ALT senior director of education and curriculum Julie iron-polluted water is pas- for a look at our common backyard edible wild plants. Registration: alleghenylandtrust.org/event/webinar-fallsively treated through a series wild-edibles/ of ponds before being released into Chartiers Creek. Webinar: Science of Spiders In addition to their role in October 5, 5–5:45 p.m. treating AMD, the wetlands Ages: All Cost: Free of Wingfield Pines foster a Do all spiders build webs, and are those webs really Birdwatching at Wingfield Pines diverse ecosystem, one which stronger than steel? Learn all about spider facts and ficsupports a variety of water birds. Besides wetlands, Wingfield Pines also boasts forest tion, as well as their amazing biology with ALT’s senior and grassland, which support their share of birds. All in all, Wingfield Pines supports director of education and curriculum Julie! Registration: alleghenylandtrust.org/event/webinararound 198 bird species, of which 149 can be found there during the fall. science-of-spiders/ In the ponds and marshes, birdwatchers can spot Mallard and Canada Geese almost year-round. Great Blue Heron and Belted Kingfisher are also wetland residents First Friday Hike: Wingfield Walk in all seasons. Some common year-round residents of Wingfield Pines’s forested areas October 7, 10–11:30 a.m. Ages: All include woodpeckers, owls, and Wild Turkey. Cost: $5/person The fall migration brings several new waterfowl to Wingfield Pines, including the Every first Friday of the month (barring holidays) you can Pied-Billed Grebe, American Coot, and Blue-Winged Teal. The Solitary Sandpiper is join an ALT environmental educator for a nature walk at another fall visitor to Wingfield. Other shorebirds like Sora and Least Sandpiper may one of our properties! October will explore the AMD ponds also be present. An autumn trip through the wetlands of Wingfield Pines may also re- and wildlife of Wingfield Pines. Hike runs rain or shine; no walk ins are permitted. veal lingering Tree and Barn Swallows, which are common during the summer months. Tickets: alleghenylandtrust.org/event/first-friday-hikeAll around the green space, there is the possibility of seeing raptors such as Red- wingfield-walk/ tailed Hawks and Turkey Vultures. In the fall, Osprey and Sharp-shinned Hawks are also likely to be in the area. Especially in some of the more forested parts of Wingfield Webinar: Batty for Bats Pines, there is a good chance of seeing warblers. During the fall migration, many war- October 26, 5–5:45 p.m. Ages: All bler species pass through Allegheny County on their journey back to their wintering Cost: Free grounds in central and South America. This includes the vibrant Magnolia Warbler Do all bats use echolocation? What popular adult beverage would not exist without bats? Join ALT senior director of and Palm Warbler, which are often sighted at Wingfield Pines. Wingfield Pines already education and curriculum for a talk on some of the biology, myths, and facts about bats. hosts a variety of bird life Registration: alleghenylandtrust.org/event/webinarand offers plenty of bird- batty-for-bats/ ing opportunities during the fall migration. In the For registration and more information on the coming years, there may above events and more offerings, be more bird species to visit: alleghenylandtrust.org/events see. The once-maintained meadow, which contributed little to the location’s biodiversity, is currently undergoing a transformation into a wetland habitat. An expansion Green Heron of Wingfield’s already prospering wetland ecosystem could attract even more birds to the area! So, we hope you will keep an eye to the skies to see the changing winged visitors throughout each season and over each year. n
Events
Dark-eyed Junco
American Woodcock Fall 2022
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Horses with Hope at Gilfillan Farm The staff, volunteers, and herd are happy to be back at Gilfillan Farm for the second year of service in the Upper St. Clair community. As you’ve walked the trail recently, you might have noticed Miracles, Fritz, Rex, Nick, Lil’ Scout, and Rocky grazing in the fields while taking a break from therapeutic riding lessons. Willow and Finn, the myotonic fainting goats are also back this year. If you are visiting the farm, volunteering, or have a child participating in summer camp, these two little goats prove Horses grazing friendly companions to everyone they meet! Speaking of companions, Horses with Hope is looking for two more well-mannered miniature donkeys or horses to add to the herd for use in the upcoming winterfeeding program and summer camps. Three weeks of summer camp were scheduled again this year and were at capacity with a waiting list. Stay tuned for future program information and please contact Horses with Hope if you know of any minis that would be a good fit! Horses with Hope had many volunteer and project needs this season. The summer months brought about the need for extra volunteers to help with landscaping and trimming. Additional projects were also available for Eagle Scouts. For individuals aged 14 and up, sidewalkers were needed for therapeutic riding lessons. Volunteer as a sidewalker with Horses with Hope to help keep participants safe on and around the horse. Connect with your community by making a difference in the lives of others! Year-round fundraising opportunities are available for individuals and schools. Students and school clubs involved in art departments or service projects can support Horses with Hope with fundraising efforts or create artwork for use as a raffle item at our fundraising events. Save the date and stay tuned for more information on upcoming Horses with Hope events. On Sunday, November 13, get ready for raffles, bowling, and pizza at the annual Horses with Hope bowling fundraiser at the Meadows Lanes. n For more information on Horses with Hope programs, events, and volunteer opportunities, please visit horseswithhope.org.
Willow and Finn
The Third Annual Belmont Jewel event on June 11 at St. Clair Country Club was a wonderful evening for all in attendance with cocktails, appetizers, dinner, a variety of games, and a silent auction. Details on next year’s event will be coming soon! —Belmont photos courtesy of Heather Nyapas Photography
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Let the Good Times Roll! This April, TODAY headed south to New Orleans and the “Big Easy” did not disappoint! From the French Quarter to the Garden District, the city’s rich history, varied architecture, and amazing nightlife, music, and cuisine combine to create an unforgettable experience. Among the highlights of the trip were a walking tour of the city, visits to Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral, coffee and beignets at Café Du Monde, and several parade sightings! n
Looming large against the Mississippi River is the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, one of the top museums of its kind in America, with 15,000 sea life creatures, representing nearly 600 species in a state-of-the-art facility.
The Riverwalk starts by the Riverwalk Outlet Collective at Canal St. and runs along the Mississippi river down to the French Quarter area. On your walk you can see barges and cargo ships going down the river. There’s a paddle boat there if you’d like to ride for a fee, and you can usually find people playing music or just sitting in the grass or along the side.
TODAY in New Orleans
Second line is a tradition in brass band parades in New Orleans. The “main line” or “first line” is the main section of the parade, or the members of the actual club with the parading permit as well as the brass band. Those who follow the band just to enjoy the music are called the “second line.”
New Orleans headline entertainer Jeremy Davenport, performing at the Davenport Lounge at the Ritz-Carlton.
Instructions for Traveling with TODAY
The Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, also called St. Louis Cathedral, is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans and is the oldest cathedral in continuous use in the U.S. The cathedral was built in 1789 and rebuilt in 1850, and its all-white, Spanish Colonial façade with three black spires is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the South. Located in front of the St. Louis Cathedral is Jackson Square. Nestled in the center of the French Quarter, the 2.5-acre space welcomes over two-million visitors and locals each year for a variety of events.
Fall 2022
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@usctoday.org, 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
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Guess Watts Here in 2022…
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Bedner Estates The neighborhood known today as Bedner Estates can be traced back to the 18th century when the first settlers were claiming land in Upper St. Clair. Originally, this area was part of Daniel Carroll’s land patent, which he named “Carrolton.” Surveyed in April 1787 and warranted in October 1789, Carroll, like many of his neighbors, applied on a Virginia certificate. The colonies of Virginia and Pennsylvania disputed the ownership of Southwestern Pennsylvania in the decades preceding Carroll’s claim. Individuals applying for land in the area had to decide which colony, and later state, they should make their application to, based on which state they believed the land belonged to at the time. After Carroll, the property was owned by members of the Borland family, who built a Greek Revival style house sometime between 1839 and 1849 along what became Cook School Road. In a map from Hopkin’s 1876 Atlas of the County of Allegheny, J. Borland is listed as the owner of this farmland next to neighbors such as Moses Cook and several McMillan family members. 76
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Unlike Cook and McMillan, the Borland family name was not attached to either a school or road. Instead, it is the Bedner family who is associated with the property, now known as Bedner Estates. The Bedner family was the last owner of this farmland prior to the neighborhood’s construction. Bedner’s Farm started with the 1917 purchase of the property from Pittsburgh Coal Company by brothers Stephen and Walter Bedner. The next generation of Bedners continued to farm and expanded the family business to include Bedner’s Farm Market on Bower Hill Road in 1956. As of 2002, the 120-acre Bedner’s Farm was the last working farm in Upper St. Clair. Now, the area along Cook School Road is home to many Upper St. Clair families. n
—Article courtesy of Carolyn Jones Friedrich, historian, Historical Society of Upper St. Clair
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The Upper St. Clair League for the Arts invites you to their annual Sugarplum Artisan Market. Now in it’s 46th year, this popular event provides a marketplace of fine art gallery and quality crafts for gift giving and home décor. For six days—November 10–15—the MAC on McLaughlin Run Road becomes a boutique featuring hundreds of one-of-a-kind items, all hand crafted by local artisans. No delivery problems or shortages at Sugarplum! Sugarplum has become a favorite art and craft event in the area and repeat customers and new guests will be excited by the variety and quality of the items available. Event organizers work to offer something for everyone and bring the finest in local craftsmanship. Many returning artists will offer popular selling items as well as showcasing new wares. And each year brings new talent showcasing their artistic skills. In addition to an extensive gallery featuring paintings of all mediums, prints, and photography, there is also pottery, fiber art, stained glass, and fused glass. Also available for sale are hand carved Santas, painted gourds, polymer clay, homemade soaps, jewelry, wreaths, pillows, centerpieces, purses, covered notebooks, 3D Christmas houses, greeting cards, and so much more. Besides providing this marketplace for artists, each year The Upper St. Clair League for the Arts awards a scholarship to an Upper St. Clair High School student pursuing an artrelated education. Mark your calendars for this popular event! n Fall 2022
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District Receives Donation from USCAA The Upper St. Clair Athletic Association (USCAA) presented a $7,500 donation to the school district during the district’s March 21 School Board meeting. Presenting the donation were Rob York, USCAA president, and Erik Lund, USCAA vice-president. Both gentlemen expressed their appreciation for the ongoing partnership between the athletic association and the school district. The district will determine the best use of USCAA’s donation, which will benefit the most children. Mr. Lund and Mr. York stated that USCAA intends to make an annual donation to the school district. In its 69th year, USCAA, an all-volunteer organization, has seen exponential growth. The organization currently offers girls and boys basketball, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls wrestling, baseball, softball, and tackle and flag football. In total, more than 2,000 participants from ages 5 to 18 compete in USCAA activities. n
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Upper St. Clair Different Strokes Tennis League Upper St. Clair Different Strokes Tennis League is a nonprofit resident group run by a committee of volunteers with the assistance of the USC recreation department. Our purpose is to organize sessions of tennis for Upper St Clair residents of all abilities to play with a variety of partners and opponents of similar level. There are four (4) sign-up sessions per year for different days/times of the week for different game levels: • A spring outdoor session until the end of June (USC season permit required). • A summer outdoor session until the bubbles go up in October (USC season permit required). • A 14-week fall indoor session from October through midJanuary (USC court fees). • A 14-week winter indoor session from mid-January through mid-April (USC court fees). All sessions include weekday mornings and evenings for women’s doubles, as well as weekday evenings and weekend day times for men’s doubles. Mixed doubles or men’s and women’s singles games can also be set up if there is enough demand. Cost of joining our league is $10 for individuals and $16 per couple. If interested, please contact Gina Braun at 412-221-5717 or Gibra5@aol.com. Join anytime! n
Continuing to Enrich Our Community 2022-2023 Lecture Series Held on Tuesday Mornings Town Hall South is a philanthropic organization dedicated to bringing nationally and internationally acclaimed lecturers to the South Hills of Pittsburgh. Founded in 1969 as an outreach program of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair, Town Hall South continues to function as a selfsustaining entity under the gracious auspices of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Annually, a portion of proceeds is awarded as grants to a wide variety of local organizations in the surrounding community. This year’s scheduled speakers include:
Dan Rather October 11, 2022 With more than 60 years spent covering the biggest events and news stories of our time, Dan Rather is a living witness to history. During 44 years at CBS, including 24 years as anchor of the CBS Evening News, he interviewed every president since Eisenhower and personally covered history-making events from the Kennedy assassination through Viet Nam, Watergate, Tiananmen Square, the fall of the Berlin Wall, 9/11, and the Iraq Invasion. Rather is a recipient of the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also the author of the New York Times bestseller, What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism, which takes on the toxic political atmosphere and polarized opinions of our time with a hopeful reminder of the core ideals that all Americans share. Kevin Surace November 15, 2022 Kevin Surace is a Silicon Valley innovator and visionary who focuses on artificial intelligence (“AI”), robotics, and automation and how they will impact our jobs and our future. Named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Inc. magazine, a “tech pioneer” by the World Economic Forum, and one of the “Top 15 Innovators of the decade” by CNBC, Surace is widely recognized as one of the most influential innovators of our time. With 28 U.S. patents, Surace is responsible for numerous technologies that are commonplace today, such as the first cellular data smartphone and first human-like AI virtual assistant. Surace has also helped to develop, patent, and produce green technologies that reduce energy usage in buildings.
Dan Rather
Oct.11
Kevin Surace
Nov. 15
Leon Logothetis
Dec. 6
Richard Stengel
Feb. 7
Leon Logothetis December 6, 2022 Leon Logothetis is a global adventurer, motivational speaker, and philanthropist. While working as a broker in London, Logothetis felt uninspired and depressed. He decided to give it all up for life on the road and discovered that anything is possible if you act with kindness and harness the power of human connection. As host of the Netflix series, The Kindness Diaries, Logothetis circumnavigated the globe, relying on the kindness of strangers and giving life changing gifts to unsuspecting good Samaritans. He has visited more than 100 countries and traveled to every continent. He has also written several books, including Amazing Adventures of a Nobody, The Kindness Diaries, and Live, Love, Explore: Discover the Way of the Traveler—A Roadmap to the Life You Were Meant to Live. Richard Stengel February 7, 2023 As longtime Editor of TIME magazine and former Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Richard Stengel has seen and led the transformation of mainstream media. As a New York Times best-selling author and journalist, Stengel speaks widely on fake news and disinformation, the case for national service, diplomacy, and leadership lessons derived from reporting on the world’s greatest leaders. In his most recent book, Information Wars: How We Lost the Global Battle Against Disinformation and What We Can Do About It, Stengel describes how governments are using and spreading disinformation, largely by way of social media, in an effort to attack democracy and American values, and stresses that we must find a way to combat this ever-growing threat to democracy. Dr. Temple Grandin March 21, 2023 Temple Grandin, Ph.D., is the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism in the world. She was diagnosed with autism in 1950, at a time when her parents were told she should be institutionalized. Dr. Grandin now works as a professor of animal science at Colorado State University and speaks around the world, inspiring and motivating others through her story. She has been featured on NPR and major television programs, including The Today Show, 48 Hours, and 20/20. She has been named on TIME magazine’s annual list of the world’s most influential people, and her life is depicted in the Emmy Award-winning HBO film Temple Grandin. Her current best-selling book on autism is The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger’s. n
Dr. Temple Grandin Mar. 21
Lectures are held in the Upper St. Clair High School theater. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit townhallsouth.org. Fall 2022
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Community Foundation Community Foundation and C2CF Support Eisenhower Spring Carnival
C2CF
Connect 2 Community Foundation High School Club
a “win-win” partnership
C2CF members Sarah and Lauren Babbitt and Delaney Wehrle manned the Duck Pond table at the ESC
Duck Maestro Paul Fox and the Chick fil-A Cow
CF Trustee Lauren Mathews set up a table at a neighborhood food truck event to sell ducks and CFUSC Panther blankets
CF Trustee Jennifer Dempsey and her son, Colin, selling ducks at the CFUSC booth on Community Day
Rushing to the finish line! 80
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Great Duck Race
Retrieving the winning ducks! Fall 2022
Jamie—first prize winner of an iPad
Mia’s duck won her a C&RC gift card
of Upper St. Clair Scholarship Established to “Pay It Forward”
The Community Foundation has had the honor of working with three Upper St. Clair High School graduates who established a scholarship in honor of their parents. Gordon Mathews, CFUSC president was contacted by Mahesh Krishnan and an agreement was set forth. Mahesh and his sisters Savitha and Sheila, would provide funding annually in the amount of $2,500 for scholarships named in honor of their parents Sivaram and Revathi Krishnan. Mahesh shared his father’s story, saying that his parents have always believed that success requires risk-taking and commitment. His father arrived in the United States from India by ship in 1961, landing at Ellis Island with a single suitcase and $25 in his pocket. He received a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University and had a successful career as a scientist and The Krishnan Family innovator. This journey could not have happened without several scholarships that he received for his education, his commitment to his family, taking risks and understanding the value of education. Mahesh and his sisters thank the USCHS faculty and staff for providing a strong educational foundation for them, which has enabled them to be successful in their own careers. This scholarship is intended to “pay it forward” since that initial scholarship that was given to Dr. Krishnan. The two recipients of the first Krishnan scholarships are Isabella Marasco and Fiona Wang, who were selected by a panel of high school guidance counselors and trustees from the Community Foundation. They were each awarded a $1,250 scholarship to aid them in achieving their goals to pursue higher education.
“Spirit of the Community Award”
Gordon Mathews, Isabella Marasco, Fiona Wang and Dr. Timothy Wagner
Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair Founded 1993
The 2022 recipient of this award is Eva Rankin. CFUSC established this award in 2017 in memory of Mr. John Small, a school district administrator who also served as the first Executive Director of the Foundation. Congratulations to Eva who has truly demonstrated the Spirit of the Community.
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Watch for news about the upcoming Community Foundation celebration of thirty years nurturing and supporting ideas, and providing grant monies for projects that bring UNITY to our COMMUNITY.
On March 27, 1993, Linda Serene stood on the High School stage thanking the audience for attending the first event sponsored by the Community Foundation. She held up a large cardboard sign designed as a check that read $54,000, the amount raised by patrons who came to hear the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra that evening. Since that time the Foundation has held countless events, and given more than a million dollars to fund hundreds of grants, bringing enrichments to all residents.
CFUSC Welcomes New Trustees Meagan Junstrom Lauren Mathews Pam Scureman Navin Parmar Have a unique idea? Need some help? Go To
cfusc.org/grants
Submit a grant proposal! Visit Cozy Up With Books at twpusc.libcal.com/ event/8597838 for book titles, and times for book club meetings Fall 2022
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Profiles
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.
Erena Lanza Opens Bridgeville Chiropractic Office Dr. Erena Lanza (USCHS 2010) has lived in many states over the past 12 years but has finally found her way back to Pittsburgh. After living most recently in Idaho, Dr. Lanza and her husband, Dr. Kynan Tarnowski, made the cross-country drive to plant their roots in Upper St. Clair. Since arriving in July of 2021, they have started their own chiropractic office in Bridgeville, a first of its kind combined Gonstead and Orthospinology Upper Cervical Practice. The couple welcomed a sweet baby girl into the world in March 2022. While in high school, Dr. Lanza suffered a few concussions that left her with debilitating migraines and attention problems. It was then that she began seeing a chiropractor. Sadly, general chiropractic didn’t help much; but she had heard of a specific upper cervical focused form of chiroDr. Erena Lanza practic called orthospinology. Within a few adjustments by a chiropractic orthospinologist, Dr. Lanza’s migraines disappeared, and her attention was back to pre-concussion status. It was then that Dr. Lanza shifted her focus to becoming an Orthospinologist herself. She opened her first solo practice in Idaho in 2020 and in 2021 was voted in as a board member for the Society of Chiropractic Orthospinology. Now back in Pittsburgh, Drs. Lanza and Tarnowski combined their two specific chiropractic techniques into one office, Origins Chiropractic and Wellness, where patients with a variety of aliments can receive unique, specialized care to reach their health goals. Origins Chiropractic and Wellness is a family practice where people of all ages are welcome. Dr. Lanza is excited to be back in her hometown offering the Dr. Kynan Tarnowski and Dr. Erena Lanza in their new best possible care to her local community and neighbors. chiropractic office.
To learn more about Dr. Lanza and Dr. Tarnowski’s office visit OriginsChiro.com.
Happenings! John M. Lekse Scholarship Golf Outing This year the outing is scheduled for October 9 at Quicksilver golf course. For more information or to sign up, visit the fire department’s website at uscvfd.com and click on the John M. Lekse Scholarship Golf Outing. For further information or to donate to the scholarship fund, go to the Pittsburgh Foundation web site at pittsburghfoundation.org/scholarship/10792.
(See article on page 62.)
Sugarplum 2022 McLaughlin Run Activity Center, 1770 McLaughlin Run Road November 10–15 Hours: Thu., Fri., Sat., and Mon.–10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sun. and Tue.–10 a.m.–2 p.m. Featuring handcrafted arts and crafts of local artists, including pottery, fiber art, stained glass, fused glass, and painted gourds. Also for sale are hand carved Santas, polymer clay, homemade soaps, jewelry, wreaths, pillows, centerpieces, purses, covered notebooks, 3-D Christmas houses, greeting cards, and so much more.
(See article on page 77.) 82
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Joy of Christmas Craft Show The Labouré Ladies Guild will hold its annual “Joy of Christmas” Craft Show on Saturday, November 19, 2022, from 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m., at St. Louise de Marillac School and LeGras Parish Center, 320 McMurray Road, Upper St. Clair. There will be 115 artists and craftsmen, Chinese auction, and refreshments. The twodollar admission includes a ticket for the Chinese auction. Due to order of the USC Fire Marshall, strollers are not permitted. Fall 2022
50th Reunion for the USC Class of 1971 Take Two Although we were quite disappointed to feel the need to cancel our 50th reunion for the USC Class of 1971 due to Covid issues last fall, we’re happy to have finalized plans for the rescheduled event. Dates: September 30–October 1 Friday: Classmates are free to catch up with friends at a location of their choice. Saturday: 10 a.m.—Tour of USC High School 6–10 p.m.—Informal Reunion at Alpine Club in South Fayette. Price of $65 per person includes hors d’oeuvres, dinner buffet, and dessert. Cash bar. Questions may be directed to the Reunion Committee at usc1971pa@gmail.com
Details via email, Facebook, and the USCSD website. Visit connect2USCSD.com for updates and more information. Questions? Contact Carole Stevens at rho4cs@verizon.net or text 412-401-3891.
Personal. What are you striving for today?
Best. Shaka M. Walker, M.D.
At St. Clair Health, our care teams are driven by a passion to provide world-class, patient-focused care to our neighbors in and around the Pittsburgh Region. That’s why we’ve recruited even more nationally recognized doctors and invested in state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical technology to support them. So no matter how far you push yourself to achieve, you never have to go far to receive the personalized health care you deserve.
stclair.org
Expert care from people who care.
Advertiser Index
Fall 2022
twpusc.org/usctoday
Advanced Surgical Hospital..................................................................... 66
* Keller Williams–Sandy and Marshall Goldstein....................................... 14
Affordable Decks & Additions LLC............................................................ 78
* Kerr Family and Cosmetic Dentistry......................................................... 15
Angelo Associates, Inc. ............................................................................ 61
KSG Orthodontics.................................................................................... 71
Arbor Tree Specialists................................................................................. 9
Lewis Music Studio.................................................................................. 49
Ardolinio’s.................................................................................................. 7
* Manolo, Larry E., DMD............................................................................. 15
Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh.................................................................. 47
McQueen Building Company.................................................................. 17
* Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, The Preferred Realty, Rt. 19, South...... 3
Mister Sewer............................................................................................ 42
* Brookside Lumber................................................................................... 77
Mt. Lebanon Awning................................................................................ 78
* Calabro Tire & Auto Service...................................................................... 77
* Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center............................................................... 71
* Coldwell Banker Realty–Lynn Dempsey................................................... 46
* Pinebridge Commons Associates ............................................................ 15
Coldwell Banker Realty–Dora Rudick....................................................... 35
* Providence Point, a Baptist Homes Society community.......................... 70
* Coldwell Banker Realty–South Hills Office.................... Outside Back Cover
RE/MAX Select Realty–Amanda Walton................................................... 11
Davey Tree and Lawn Care....................................................................... 76
* Rusmur Floors ................................................................. Inside Back Cover
Direct Physiotherapy................................................................................ 70
* Scott Bros. Windows and Doors................................................................. 9
EXP Realty–Jonette Shanahan................................................................. 43
* Sesame Inn.............................................................................................. 31
* Extended Day Services............................................................................. 48
South Hills Endoscopy Center.....................................................................1
Falling Timbers Tree Service and Excavation............................................ 65
South Hills Junior Orchestra (SHJO)........................................................ 65
Fitness Fanatics........................................................................................ 67
Southwest Gastroenterology Associates.................................................... 5
Thank you to our advertisers who generously support the TODAY magazine and to our volunteer writers who provide wonderful stories of interest to our community! —UPPER ST.CLAIR TODAY Staff and Steering Committee Friendship Village.................................................................................... 66 Generator Supercenter of Pittsburgh....................................................... 76 George Girty Landscape Design............................................................... 37 * Howard Hanna–Diane Horvath................................................................ 37 Howard Hanna–Kathleen & Diana Mathison........................................... 61 * Howard Hanna–USC Office............................................. Inside Front Cover Ivybrook Academy of South Fayette......................................................... 47 J&A South Park, LLC Heating Cooling Plumbing Electric........................... 7
Let guide you in 2022 with great ad placement. Upcoming winter guides include Holiday and Life Planning.
* St. Clair Health............................................................................... 2, 68, 83 * State Farm Insurance–Cindy Brophy........................................................ 48 * Thomas Dance Studio.............................................................................. 48 Three Rivers Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery............................................ 68 * Troy Orthodontics..................................................................................... 15 * Washington Health System..................................................................... 69 * Wellington Real Estate–Patty Thomas & Rebecca Lutz............................. 33 Welter, Julie–Realtor®............................................................................. 31
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