School news: Week of May 11
Parent meeting
The Bethel Park School District will hold a meeting for parents of Bethel Park elementary students who participate in the Let’s Read! Let’s Write! program. The meeting will be held 7 p.m. May 12 in the Community Room of the Administration Building on Church Road. This hour-long meeting is designed to provide parents with ideas for summer reading and writing activities they can do with their children.
The evening includes light refreshments and door prizes.
Contact Dr. Dorothy Stark with questions at 412-854-8420.
Kindergarten orientations
The Bethel Park School District will hold Kindergarten Orientations for the 2016-2017 schoolyear in May. Children who will be age 5 on or before Sept. 1, 2016, are eligible to attend kindergarten in Bethel Park in the fall. Parents who have not yet registered their children for kindergarten should contact their children’s schools immediately to get them registered before the Kindergarten Orientation date. The schedule includes: William Penn Elementary, 9:30 a.m. May 12, 412-854-8522; Franklin Elementary, 10 a.m. May 13, 412-854-8741; Lincoln Elementary, 9:30-11 a.m. May 17, 412-854-8618. Contact your child’s school with questions.
Scholarship recipients
The Italian-American Cultural & Heritage Society of Washington County has announced this year’s scholarship winners, and four are from the South Hills. With this year’s awards, the organization will have given out 180 scholarships to Washington County residents since 1992. The awardees will be honored at a dinner at the Hilton Garden Inn at Southpointe on May 15, along with this year’s Outstanding Italian-American honoree Mark P. Seraly, M.D. Tickets are available by calling Jack Barcelona at 724-483-2380.
The scholarships, $3,000 each, are awarded through application of criteria that includes: a one page essay expressing their insights as a member of an Italian-American family; high academic achievement with at least a 3.5 QPA in a rigorous college-bound curriculum; participation and evidence of leadership in co-curricular activities; and a strong recommendation by a school staff member or official.
Local scholarship winners include:
• Vincent Reed DeRienzo, Peters Township High School, has maintained a 4.47 GPA while enrolled in a rigorous program of studies that includes honor classes in English, Biology, Chemistry, World Cultures, Physics, Spanish IV and Economics, as well as AP courses in European History, Calculus AB, Physics, Spanish Language, English Language and Composition, United States History and Chemistry. Vincent has received many honors associated with his participation in the Forensics Speech and Debate Club, and is also active in the Photography Club and Dramafest. He serves as a Student Ambassador, ACE Mentorship, Lead Alter Server, Vacation Bible School Aide, and Elementary School Class Helper. He has had the opportunity to participate in the Architecture Sketching Workshop at Carnegie Mellon University, which enabled him to also serve an Architecture Internship and Apprenticeship. Vincent is the son of Dante and Mary DeRienzo of Peters Township.
• Domenic Vincent Ennace, Canon-McMillan High School, ranks in the top 10 percent of his graduating class with a 4.23 GPA while completing a challenging course of studies that include Honors English, PA Science, U.S. History 9, Biology, Honors Geometry, U.S. History 10, Chemistry, Pre-Calculus, Spanish IV, World History, Contemporary American Democracy and Physics, as well as AP Courses in Computer Science, Calculus AB and Psychology. Domenic is a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. He demonstrates his leadership ability as a lead C-M mentor, football team captain and basketball team captain. He serves the community as a youth basketball coach and Work Camp volunteer. Domenic is the son of Vincent and Diane Filipponi Eannace of North Strabane Township.
• Jayde Eileen Morgan, Bishop Canevin High School, is in the top 4 percent of her graduating class and maintains a 4.88 GPA while being enrolled in a stringent academic program that includes Honor Classes in English, Modern World, Algebra I, Biology, American History, U.S. History, Geometry, Chemistry, Spanish 3, World Literature, Trigonometry, Physics, Calculus AB, as well as AP Classes in U.S. History, Spanish 4, Statistics, Chemistry, English and European History. She is member of the softball and volleyball teams, as well as the World Language Club, Drama Club, FBLA, concert choir, school play cast, yearbook staff and National Honor Society. She also participates in Junior Achievement, Crusaders for Life and Circle of Friends as a class officer. Jayde also is a hospital volunteer, camp counselor and does parish work. Jayde is the daughter of Bruce and Felicia Filipponi Morgan of Canton Township.
• Maria Teresa Stopenski, Canon-McMillan High School, is an AP Scholar who ranks within the top 3 percent of her class with a 4.33 GPA, while enrolled in challenging honors classes that include English, PA Science, U.S. History, Biology, Geometry, Chemistry, Pre-Calculus, Spanish IV, Physics, Contemporary American Democracy, as well as AP Courses in Statistics, World History, American History, Calculus AB and Spanish. Maria is a member of the Spanish Club, Math League, concert band, SEC Club, National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. Maria serves as captain of the Flag Corps and is a lead C-M mentor. She is the daughter of David Julian and Lucia Scandale Stopenski of Canonsburg.