Citizen of the Year Recognized

Judge Arnoni wishes to introduce the recipient of the District Court’s 2019 Upper St. Clair Outstanding Citizen of the Year: Paula Henderson. The award is given to an individual who has been nominated and who demonstrates excellent community leadership, makes significant contributions to the community, and shows generosity and unselfishness through his or her actions.

This past January, Judge Arnoni presented the award to Paula. Attending the ceremony were Paula’s husband, Bill, State Representative Natalie Mihalek, the previous two years’ winners, and many members from Upper St. Clair Recreation Department’s Older Adult Program, who came to show their support.

A few years ago, Paula was asked to assist with the Older Adult Program. Happy to help, the opportunity allowed Paula to develop familiar relationships and interactions she once formed with other senior citizens when she worked at a nursing home years ago.

Older Adult Program members meet on Wednesdays at USC’s McLaughlin Activity Center on McLaughlin Run Road for a business meeting, followed by a lunch and program. Paula works alongside group members, helping them prepare the recipes they’ve selected for that day’s luncheon. She is humbled that the members proudly share with her their stories of growing up and of their families, jobs, and lessons they’ve learned along the way. Based on their interests, she helps develop and select programs that entertain, educate, and enhance their lives. Paula has met many wonderful and interesting people since taking this position, and feels fortunate and blessed to be a part of this energetic group.

Paula also volunteers with Outreached Arms, an organization that provides help to Pittsburgh’s inner city homeless and working poor by serving meals and nurturing relationships. A volunteer of Outreached Arms for several years,Paula sometimes brings young adults from the community with her to help fulfill the program’s outreach mission.

Paula received her undergraduate degree from Kent State University, getting a BA in gerontology. She then went on to complete the nursing home administrators course at UNC, Chapel Hill. Upon graduation, she worked as a nursing home administrator for ten years in North Carolina and Ohio before moving to Pittsburgh 20 years ago.

Paula and Bill chose Upper St. Clair as their home for its outstanding community and for its award-winning school district. Their three children are pursuing nursing careers paths, similar to that of Paula.

At the ceremony, Paula received a commemorative medal and certificate, as well as a gift certificate to DeLallo’s Restaurant. She was also recognized with a citation given to her by State Representative Natalie Mihalek.

Judge Arnoni wishes to thank all those who nominated exceptional candidates for this year’s award, and extends a special thank you to Carolyn Graham for submitting the nomination for such a well-deserving individual. n

Paula Henderson and Judge Ronald Arnoni

A group from USC’s Older Adult Program happily attended the ceremony that was held in the District Court this past January. Shown on the table of contents page is Paula Henderson, Judge Arnoni, and Carolyn Graham.

Left to right: 2017 award recipient Richard “Dick” Thomas, Rep. Natalie Mihalek, 2019 award recipient Paula Henderson, Judge Ronald Arnoni, 2018 award recipient Sam Gaetano