School news: Week of Dec. 30
Robotics challenge winners
A team of Boyce Middle School sixth-graders earned three first place finishes as well as the Excellence Award at the VEX IQ Challenge tournament – advancing to the state/regional championship competition in March 2019. The robotics team, the Gear Grinders, is comprised of Owen Bell, Ian Dvorin, Ryan Hyatt, Rohan Mehta and Carlee Santel.
The Upper St. Clair students competed against 22 teams of sixth- through eighth graders from throughout the Pittsburgh region. The event was held Dec. 7 at Marshall Middle School in the North Allegheny School District.
The team earned a total of three first place awards including Robot Skills – garnering the highest scores in both programming and driving; Teamwork Award – working with a partner to complete robot tasks on the field; and STEM Research Project Award – using Fortnite as an example, showing how math is used in artificial intelligence and machine learning. The team also received the Excellence Award, the competition’s highest honor.
PMEA District Chorus
Thirty Bethel Park High School students successfully auditioned and have been selected to perform in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association’s District Chorus Concert, which will be performed on Feb. 8 at Mt. Lebanon High School.
Representing Bethel Park in this event will be seniors Sara Bucci (Alto 2), Abby Kauric (Soprano 2), Abilash Krishnachand (Tenor 1), Anthony Lucchitti (Tenor 2), Katelyn Marcovecchio (Alto 1), Brian Pauley (Bass 2), Sarah Pellis (Alto 2), Connor Remington (Bass 2), Morgan Ripley (Soprano 1), Cameron Sillman (Tenor 1), Julianne Stein (Alto 1), Jerry Varghese (Tenor 1) and Jenelle Wu (Accompanist).
Also participating in the concert will be juniors Jessica Abraham (Soprano 1), Alex Brownfield (Bass 2), John Gummo (Bass 2), Molly Hoffman (Soprano 1), Ashley Lewis (Alto 2), Ryan Maerkle (Tenor 1), Kelsey Rogers (Soprano 2) and Anthony Will (Tenor 1) as well as sophomores Alexander Antkowiak, (Tenor 2), Jane Baronak (Alto 1), Kellie Fedkoe (Soprano 2), Andrew Fullerton (Bass 1), Bill Kumer (Bass 1), Collin McCormick (Bass 2), Maddie Scheidler (Alto 1), Olivia Vituccio (Soprano 1) and Marissa Wycinski (Alto 2).
The students are taught by Bethel Park High School Choral Director Todd Kuczawa.
Student of the Month
Bethel Park High School senior Anthony Lucchitti was named the December Rotary Student of the Month by the Rotary Club of Bethel Park. Each month during the school year the Rotary Club recognizes a Bethel Park High School student for outstanding commitment to school and community service. Anthony was recognized for his leadership as Student Government vice president, coordinating the Student/Staff Secret Santa Program and Breakfast, his involvement with the music program, and his mission work with his church.
Biology award
Bethel Park High School junior Miranda Johns received the Excellence in Biology Award from Seton Hill University at its Women in Science Day event.
Miranda was nominated for this award by Bethel Park High School Science Teacher Barbara Eisel, based on her interest in and excellent academic record in Biology classes at Bethel Park High School.
At the Women in Science Day event, Miranda was able to listen to and meet female science professionals and professors. Miranda also participated in some mini-lab experiments, which gave her the opportunity to do some hands-on analysis of high level data.
Miranda plans to major in biology in college in preparation for a career as an optometrist.