For the April 21, 2010, Board of Directors Meeting
West Allegheny High School junior Walt Haim's artwork work entitled “This space has been intentionally left blank” has been selected for a National Scholastic Art Award--The Creativity and Citizenship Medal—in the painting category. Only 15 entries out of 165,000 pieces of art submitted this year were honored with this award. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition is sponsored by the National Constitution Center and the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. To celebrate his accomplishment, the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers has invited, Walt, three guests, and his art teacher Susan Carretta to the National Celebration in New York City on June 9-10, 2010. A special exhibition of National Creativity and Citizenship award-winning works will also be on display at Scholastic Inc. from June 9 through June 25, 2010.
At the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania from April 11-14, 2010, West Allegheny High School students Andrew Mort and Jonathan Lazarowicz qualified for the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee in June 2010. Both students finished as State Champions with Andrew taking a first place in desktop application programming and Jonathan, a first place in computer game and simulation programming. These are the first two West Allegheny students ever to win FBLA state titles. Other West Allegheny students who placed at the state level were Elizabeth Krivan finishing fourth in client services, Josi Sinagoga finishing fifth in public speaking, and the team of Brad Steward, Mac Greenhouse, and Drew Honeychuck who finished sixth in network design. Also representing West Allegheny High School at the State conference were Kristen Bianco, Enrico Bruschi, Caitlin Corcoran, Taylor Faix, Kayleigh Frech, Kellie Gervas, Logan Himich, Rob Petrick, Ashley Smith, and Shannon Ye. FBLA faculty advisors Dan Marshall and Pam Volakis coordinated the trip with help from Jonathan Denk.
Five West Allegheny band students were selected to participate in the PMEA Elementary Band Fest West Festival to be held at Keystone Oaks High School on May 14 and 15, 2010. Besides McKee students Sarah Behr (baritone) and Hannah Salvucci (trombone) who were mentioned in the March listing, the following students will participate: Donaldson student Gabby Morton (clarinet), Wilson student Xavier Santiago-Sanchez (French horn), and middle school student Zach Sterner (alto sax). After rehearsing with band members from other schools, the students will perform in a concert on May 15, 2010, at 2:00 p.m.
Many West Allegheny High School students received awards at the 2010 Marine JROTC Awards Night on April 16, 2010. Among them were Kurtis Lutz (Outstanding Cadet and Daughters of the American Revolution Award), Christopher Laprath (Honor Graduate Award and Scottish Rite Medal), Matthew Bruni (American Legion Award for Scholastic Excellence), Anthony Sinagoga (American Legion Award for Military Excellence), Mark Thomson (Sons of the American Revolution Award), Kathryn Drnach (Military Order of the World Wars Award), Tyler Vaughan (Military Officer’s Association of America Medal), Lauren Lescallette (Woman Marines Association Ribbon), Elliot Ferrence and William Shaw (Noncommissioned Officer’s Association Medal), Courtney Griffith (Military Order/Purple Heart Medal), Matthew Cook (Navy Youth League Medal), Royal Downs and Brad Fratangelo (Reserve Officer’s Association Medal), and Jared Detwiler and Logan Irvine (Veterans of Foreign Wars Award). The complete list of honorees is available by contacting JROTC instructors Maj. David Botizan and Sgt. Maj. Robert Word.
Three West Allegheny High School students Leah Finklang, John O’Donnell, and Ashley Wood were honored with citations from the West Allegheny School District Wellness Committee for outstanding wellness-related achievements. Leah organized a “Pink Out” for breast cancer awareness during football season. John coordinated a “Hoops for Haiti” fundraiser during basketball season, and Ashley served on the Wellness Committee.
West Allegheny Middle School seventh grader Jaime Stanny and her family will be honored for her winning essay entitled “What my Family Means to me” at the Scottish Rite Valley of Pittsburgh’s Family Life Dinner on May 28, 2010, at the Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center. Essay contest winners receive a $50 Savings Bond. Middle School English teacher Anita Miller provided her students with information on the contest.
West Allegheny Middle School seventh grade student Katie McElhany took third place at the Allegheny County level of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7070 Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest. Her entry was entitled “When is the Right Time to Honor our Military Heroes?” Before winning at the county level judging, Katie’s essay was selected as the Runner-Up in the local level of the contest. As a county winner, she received a $100 check and a trophy and was invited to attend the Voice of Democracy Awards Program on March 14, 2010, at the West View Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2754. Seventh grade English teachers Anita Miller and Katie Troup sponsored the contest.
West Allegheny High School senior Tyler Fitzgerald was selected to the Team Pittsburgh ice hockey club of 2010. Team Pittsburgh competed in the USA Hockey’s “America’s High School Showcase,” on April 14-18, 2010, at the RMU Island Sports Complex. Twenty-four boys' teams from across the United States representing forty-three states competed to showcase their talents for scouts from every major hockey institution in North America.
CONTINUED NEXT WEEK!
