Apr 7, 2019 3 min read

Alexis Feldman, a senior at Upper St. Clair High School, has earned the Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting. Presented by Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania, the award recognizes girls in grades 9 through 12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable and measurable Take Action projects that address important community needs.

The primary goal of Lexi’s Take Action project, which spanned from January 2018 to January 2019, was to help create a space within the high school that focuses on personal wellness.

“Stress can be beneficial, almost like a motivating force, but too much of it can quickly become overwhelming,” Lexi said. “By implementing wellness practices early on in life, students can be better equipped to lead healthy lifestyles down the road.”

Through Lexi’s efforts, two in-school yoga classes were offered and a monthly schedule of yoga classes has been developed. She encourages students to unplug by leaving their phones at the door to focus on themselves.

While her goal to create a designated wellness space within the high school has not yet come to fruition, a committee of students, parents, community members and district officials is exploring options for moving forward. As an inaugural member of the Student Wellness Steering Committee, Lexi – along with student representatives from each grade – provided valuable input.

A Girl Scout member for 13 years, Lexi serves in several leadership roles within the school including vice president of Student Council, sponsorship executive for the USC Mini-THON, co-president of Multicultural Club, co-president of Tri-M Honors Music Society as well as the treasurer for the Pantheon Choir and Girls Reaching Out Worldwide. In addition, she has a lead role and serves as a dance captain for this year’s high school spring musical, “Hello, Dolly!”

Lexi is a Girl Scout Ambassador. She was supported in her Gold Award effort by Dan Beck, USCHS assistant principal; Brooke Tarcson, USCHS activities coordinator; Paarth Shankar, USCHS senior; and the USCHS Student Wellness Steering Committee; along with Lorie Davis and Kate Mayberry.

Following graduation, Lexi plans to pursue a combined major in international affairs and cultural anthropology at Northeastern University in Boston. She will spend her first college semester studying abroad in London.

Adele Stamenov, a fourth-grade student at Franklin Elementary School in Bethel Park School District, was named an Honorable Mention in the 2019 NASA Student Art Contest, which was organized by the NASA Langley Research Center. Adele received a NASA Exploration Package, which contained a variety of NASA items, such as posters, pens, stickers, patches and lapel pins.

On July 20, 16 singers from the South Hills Children’s Choir (SHCC) will attend the International Children’s Choir Festival performing in the ancient Canterbury Cathedral and Southwark Cathedral, London. SHCC will also tour Windsor Castle, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and more. A highlight of the week is a guided tour of Canterbury by festival conductor and Master of Canterbury Cathedral Choristers David Flood, in addition to working with renowned children’s choral specialist Henry Leck.

SHCC will perform the concert “Keep Calm and Sing On!” at 7 p.m. May 3, at Beverly Heights Presbyterian, Mt. Lebanon. A raffle to raise funds for choristers attending the UK festival will be held as well.