May 20, 2019 4 min read

Bethel Park

• The staff at Neil Armstrong Middle School in Bethel Park School District purchased a “friendship bench” and had it installed at the school’s playground in memory of assistant principal Nicole Morris, who passed away in 2018.

Speaking at a Dedication Ceremony for the bench were student council members Sam Hartman, Julia Gobbie, Sophia Costanza and Isabelle Biancaniello, who shared some poetry with those in attendance, including members of Ms. Morris’ family.

Rotary student of the month

• Bethel Park High School senior Lauryn Fusca was named the May student of the month by the Rotary Club of Bethel-St. Clair.

Each month during the school year, the club recognizes a Bethel Park High School student for outstanding commitment to school and community service.

Lauryn was recognized for her involvement with the Principals Advisory Council for Students for the past two years and for her work this year as president, creating a social media page for the group. She was also recognized for volunteering her time at Miss Beverly’s Dance Studio.

• Bethel Park High School ninth-graders earned five awards at the Music Showcase Festival in Hershey.

First-place, superior ratings were given to the Freshman Concert Band and the Freshman Woman’s Choir. The choir also received the Most Outstanding Overall Award.

The Freshman Orchestra received a first-place, excellent rating. The students also received the prestigious Esprit de Corps Award for demonstrating outstanding character and behavior.

Bethel Park High School music teachers are Jonathan Derby (band), Stephanie Glover (orchestra) and Todd Kuczawa (chorus).

• A group of Neil Armstrong Middle School fifth-grade gifted students won the second annual Allegheny County Junior Envirothon competition in the Grades 4-5 division, which was held at South Park on May 17.

Winning the competition were Callee DalBon, Harley Dale, Jason Koerbel, Sadie Nelson and Carter Windham.

The students competed against 20 teams in this competition that centered around environmental topics and issues, such as soil, aquatics, forestry, wildlife and current events and pollination.

Neil Armstrong Gifted Program Coordinator Steve Yost prepared the students for the competition.

Upper St. Clair

• A team of Boyce Middle School fifth graders finished second at the Allegheny County 2019 Junior Envirothon held May 17 at South Park. Team members were Sara Gillespie, captain, along with Ayan Amin, Tony Chen, Lylah Kateeb and Ben Whiteford.

The Boyce team, named the Wildwoods, competed against 200 other students from Allegheny County. The students were coached by Susan Fleckenstein, gifted and enrichment resource teacher.

This year marked the second year for the event, which is sponsored by the Allegheny County Conservation District. The Junior Envirothon was created to help increase knowledge and interest in the county and state Envirothon competitions that are held at the high school level.

• An Upper St. Clair High School junior earned fourth-place honors in the annual Congressional Art Competition, sponsored by the Congressional Arts Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives. Nick Altland was recognized for his photograph “Over the Mon.”

The winners were announced and all participants were recognized at an awards ceremony on May 13 at the University of Pittsburgh’s William Pitt Union. Also participating from Upper St. Clair High School was sophomore Tori Keller.

This was the 25th year in a row that U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills, has hosted this event. All public and private high school students within the 18th Congressional District are eligible to participate in this competition.

Nick’s award-winning photo will be displayed in Doyle’s Bethel Park office.

Each spring, a nationwide high school arts competition is sponsored by members of the U.S. House. Artwork from the first-place winner of each congressional district throughout the nation is displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Eligible original artwork includes paintings, drawings, collages, prints, mixed media, computer generated art and photography.

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, more than 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.