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School District Digital Newsletter September/October 2014

Upper St. Clair SCHOOL DISTRICT

Upper St. Clair School District Receives Three Governor’s Expanding Excellence Pilot Mentoring Grants

Upper St. Clair School District (USCSD) was chosen to receive $75,000 in Governor’s Expanding Excellence Grants to create a culture of innovation and achievement in Pennsylvania’s public schools. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) received 55 mentor grant applications, and USCSD is one of three districts to receive three grants.

Based on the 2012-13 School Performance Profile, public schools with a score of 90 percent or higher were eligible to apply for mentor grants of up to $25,000 for each profile component that contributed to their outstanding achievement. Applicants were required to analyze strategies, processes and techniques, and design research-based models or training tools that can be used by schools across the state to improve student performance.

Eisenhower Elementary School received a grant in the category of Mathematics/Algebra I Meeting Annual Academic Growth Expectations and will share their success that students across the spectrum of learning levels can exceed the Standard for PA Academic Growth if provided appropriate, differentiated instruction in Math.

Fort Couch Middle School was chosen for the category of Mathematics/Algebra I – Percent Proficient or Advanced on the PSSA/Keystone Exam and will share how using the Math Mastery strategy contributes greatly to students’ achievement and academic growth related to PSSA Mathematics and Algebra I Keystone Exams.

Upper St. Clair High School received a grant for the category of Advanced Placement International Baccalaureate College Credit. USC High School engaged teachers, students, and parents in the AP course marketing strategy. The result was a 48% increase in the number of AP students, a gain of 55% in the number of AP exams taken, and a 30% increase in 3+ scores on the AP exams.

“As Superintendent, I congratulate Dr. Sharon Suritsky, Assistant/Deputy Superintendent, Mr. John Rozzo, Assistant Superintendent, Ms. Sheila Gorgonio, Director of Advancement, and the contributing staff for leading the submission of the grants,” stated Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole, Superintendent of Schools. “I look forward to working with other school districts across the Commonwealth to share the successes of USCSD programs at each of three levels – elementary, middle school, and high school. The process of assisting other schools reaffirms and improves our own programs and practices.”

USC High School Students Rank No. 1 in Pittsburgh Region on SAT College Entrance Exam

Upper St. Clair School District is proud to announce that the 335 Upper St. Clair High School students who took the SAT college entrance exam in 2013 have ranked No. 5 in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and No. 1 in the Pittsburgh region with a combined SAT score of 1,736. The SAT is a college readiness exam taken by approximately 1.4 million students each year in the United States.

“Our parents, teachers, administrators, staff, Board, and community have dedicated themselves to excellence in education and to our District’s tagline of Customizing Learning, Nurturing Potential…Delivering Excellence,” stated Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole, Superintendent of Schools. “As a result, our students continue to perform at a very high level on academic exams.”

Dr. O'Toole congratulates students who were recognized at the October 13 School Board meeting for their

success on the National Merit Scholarship Competition as Semifinalists and Commended Students. Pictured

(left to right) are Deepikaa Sriram, John Benhart, Tony Wang, Dilanka Dharmasena, and Jeff Huo. See page 11

for a complete listing of National Merit scholars.

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Summer Administrative In-Service — Colonel Arthur Athens delivered the keynote address to our administra-tive staff, school board members, and curriculum lead-ers at the annual summer administrative in-service pro-gram. Colonel Athens is the Director of the U.S. Naval Academy’s Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership. His keynote address, “Back to the Basics: The Fundamentals of Extraordinary Leadership,” focused on ethical leadership based on courage, compas-sion, and competence.

Website Connection Link: http://www.uscsd.k12.pa.us/Page/7745 School Board Continues to Recognize Student

Accomplishments — A number of students have been invited to recent School Board meetings to be recognized for their accomplishments.

Students Chosen for University of Pittsburgh Health Career Scholars Academy

Website Connection Link: http://www.uscsd.k12.pa.us/Page/7662

White House Science Fair and Governor’s School Students

Website Connection Link: http://www.uscsd.k12.pa.us/Page/7735

Young Artist Award at Arts Education Partnership National Forum

Website Connection Link: http://www.uscsd.k12.pa.us/Page/7847 USC/South Fayette STEAM Design Course Kick-Off

Event — A Kickoff event for a STEAM design course de-veloped from a unique partnership among Upper St. Clair High School, South Fayette High School, Luma Institute, EA Fab, and All Clad was held at Upper St. Clair High School on Friday, September 5.

The new USC/South Fayette STEAM course will in-

clude a human centered design approach where student teams will tackle real industry problems provided by All Clad and EA Fab. A culminating capstone project of the course will be a real world problem that the students col-lectively identify and solve and then present to executives from All Clad and EA Fab.

Website Connection Link:http://www.uscsd.k12.pa.us/Page/7703

Welcome to our Families New to USC — Upper St. Clair PTA Council hosted the tenth annual “New Families Welcome Dinner” on Friday, September 5.

Special thanks to Stacie de la Parra, Welcome Event Chair, and her hardworking committee that partnered with area restaurants and businesses which generously pro-vided a terrific meal.

Please join me in welcoming our new families who

have chosen to make USC their home. Website Connection Link: http://www.uscsd.k12.pa.us/Page/7705 Congratulations to our 2014 Halls of Fame Induct-

ees — I offer my sincere congratulations to our 2014 Halls of Fame Inductees. In addition to the article on page 4 of the eBLAST, brief bios regarding our 2014 Halls of Fame Inductees, as well as a photo gallery of the evening’s events, are located on the District’s website.

Website Connection Link: http://www.uscsd.k12.pa.us/Page/7823 Fall Open Houses — Open houses provide wonderful

forums for our teachers and parents to connect. My thanks to all who attended for your support of your child(ren)’s education. Also, thanks to our educators for preparing and delivering such great events.

Special Thanks to Our PTAs, PTSO, and Support-

ers of the School District — Upper St. Clair is fortunate to have the support of the PTAs and PTSO as our ac-tive educational partners. We are grateful to the various individuals and groups who have made donations to the School District through gifts, grants, awards, and scholar-ships. In addition, the support of the sponsors and attend-ees is key to the success of our “Celebrate Our Schools” Gala. The Board of School Directors recently recognized and accepted with gratitude the many donations made to the School District and the individual schools during the 2013-14 school year.

Website Connection Link: http://www.uscsd.k12.pa.us/Page/7846

Welcome to our first eBLAST of the 2014-15 school year!

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Upcoming PTA Superintendent’s Open Mike — I invite parents and community members to connect with me at the PTA Superintendent’s Open Mike on Monday, November 3, at 7:00 p.m. at the Boyce Theatre. Our Cen-tral Office administrators will be sharing a presentation on

District initiatives, including 1:1 Learning Initiative, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathemat-ics), Strategic/Comprehensive Plan, and State/Federal Funding Status. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session.

Teammate Spotlight—Please join me in recognizing Jerry Podrasky for being

chosen for our Teammate Spotlight feature, September/October 2014.

Jerry has been a full time bus driver with the School District since January 1998. In addition to driving the bus for all three levels – elementary, middle and high school, including a mid-day run – Jerry looks forward to transport-ing our students to their athletic and activity events. Jerry is also a member of the “chain gang” moving the downs marker at the USC Panthers home football games.

Jerry and his wife, Dorothy, live in South Fayette. How-ever, their roots are from Upper St. Clair. They lived here for nearly 20 years and their two children are graduates of Upper St. Clair. Jerry and Dorothy are proud grandparents of six lovely grandchildren (four boys and two girls).

Thank you Jerry for your dedication to the staff and students at USC!

Jerry Podrasky

USC Graduate Is Named 2014 WPIAL Hall-of-Famer

Former high school student athlete Beth Friday Bovay was inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) Hall of Fame in a ceremony held on June 6 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Greentree.

Beth was a standout basketball forward and soccer goalkeeper and led the Panthers to a PIAA AAAA state basketball title and a WPIAL AAA soccer championship. During her senior year in soccer, Ms. Friday had a 20-6-0 record which included an amazing 17 shutouts, and she did not allow a goal in the four WPIAL playoff games.

Beth is one of the most decorated ath-letes in WPIAL history and was named to the Pittsburgh Post- Gazette “Fabulous 5 Girls’ Basketball Team” and “All-Area Girls’ Soccer Team” as well as the 1999 Pittsburgh Post- Gazette Athlete of the Year.

WPIAL 2014 Hall-of-Famer Ms. Beth Friday Bovay was also a 2003 Duquesne University graduate, who finished her career as the only basketball player in program history to score 1,000 points and pull down 1,000 rebounds.

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As part of the Friday afternoon Halls of Fame festivities, inductees, guests, and staff enjoy music performances of the Upper St. Clair High School Orchestra (1) and Chanteclairs (2).

3) Inductees to the 2014 Academic Hall of Fame include (left to right) Ms. Laura Rosenberger (Class of 1998), Ms. Lisa Hernandez (Class of 1993), and Ms. Susan Froetschel (Class of 1974).

4) Superintendent Dr. Patrick O’Toole (left) and HOF Academic Committee Chair Ms. Jane Hollman (sitting at right) honor the 2014 Academic HOF staff inductee Mr. John Irwin, former high school physics teacher and past president of the Upper St. Clair Education Association.

Art teacher Ms. Susan Hofrichter-Watts joins HOF Arts Committee Chair Mr. James Bennett (5) in presenting the Arts Hall of Fame award to Ms. Amelia Guarino (in absentia), while HOF Athletics Committee Chair Mr. James Render (right) poses with Ms. Amanda Lohman, one of the inductees to the 2014 Athletic Hall of Fame. (6)

The 15th Annual Upper St. Clair High School Halls of Fame (HOF) ceremony was held on September 26. The 2014 inductees attended a reception in the Arts lobby prior to a ceremony in the high school theatre, followed by a special din-ner and “Parade of Honor,” with an escort by Varsity Cheerleaders to the Panther Stadium for recognition at the Upper St. Clair vs. Woodland Hills Varsity Football home game.

The following Class of 2014 HOF honorees were commended:

The mission of the Upper St. Clair High School HOF is “to identify and to honor those who have distinguished them-selves in academics, the arts or athletics at the high school, collegiate or professional level and who, in so doing, have contributed to the pride and prestige of Upper St. Clair High School.” Since its inception in 2000, the Upper St. Clair High School HOF has recognized 252 inductees, whose names have been etched on plaques prominently displayed in the respective Academic, Arts, and Athletic lobbies of the high school.

A Salute Goes to the 2014 Halls of Fame Inductees

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AcademicsSusan FroetschelLisa HernandezJohn IrwinLaura Rosenberger

ArtsAmelia Guarino

AthleticsScott FreundElizabeth KlineAmanda Lohman

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Sahil Doshi, a ninth grade student at Upper St. Clair High School, was selected the winner of the 2014 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge for his innovative, eco-friendly battery design. After competing alongside nine other finalists during a live competition at the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, Minnesota on October 14, Sahil was awarded the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist,” $25,000, and a student adventure trip to a destination such as Costa Rica.

The Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, the nation’s premier science competition for grades 5-8, is a one-of-a-kind video competition that has sparked the imaginations of hundreds of thousands of students and enhanced science exploration, innovation, and communication across the United States.

For his entry, Sahil developed PolluCell, a battery made out of waste materials that uses carbon dioxide as energy. According to Sahil, his project was inspired by the fact that 1.2 billion people worldwide lack access to electricity and the rising levels of toxic air pollution. He was determined to create an energy storage device that could help lower harmful greenhouse gases while generating electricity for those in need.

In addition, related to his work as one of the nation’s “Top Young Scientists,” Sahil appeared in the “Wake Up with Al” television show of the Weather Channel on October 7.

USCHS Junior Robert Criss earned an “Honorable Mention” award for his work “Untitled” in the Screenwrit-ing category of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Ralph Munn Contest.

The contest, which recognizes outstanding poetry, short fiction, screenwriting, and creative nonfiction, was endorsed and publicized by high school librarians Ms. Janine Despines and Ms. Debbie Rentschler, the Upper St. Clair Township librarians, and the high school English Department.

Funded by an endowment from former Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh director Ralph Munn, the finalists’ works were published in Ralph Munn Writing Anthology 2014.

Student Scientist Wins National Award and Spotlight

HS Student Is Named Finalist in Creative Writing Contest

Al Roker introduces Sahil Doshi on the “Wake Up

with Al” program.

Fort Couch Student Earns Carnegie Science Award

On May 9, 2014, the Carnegie Science Center held its 19th annual Carnegie Science Awards program at the Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh. Kevin Chen, an 8th grader from Fort Couch Middle School, received the In-termediate Division Student Award with his project com-paring the performance of graph databases based upon graph theory and traditional relational databases based on set theory in retrieving highly-connected data. Graphist, a

product of his research, is a tool that can help businesses migrate the data stored in a relational database to a graph database.

The Carnegie awards program, established in 1997 to recognize and promote outstanding science and technol-ogy achievements in western Pennsylvania, honored 21 of the region's top scientists, engineers, educators, and innovators.

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High School Senior Tony Wang Wins Congressional Award Gold Medal

High School senior Tony Wang achieved the Congressional Award Gold Medal at a summer ceremony in Washington, D.C. The Congressional Award is the United States Congress’ award for young Americans and is open to young Americans aged 14 to 23.

During the summer of 2014, Tony also participated in the University of Pittsburgh Health Career Scholars Academy. In addition, Tony has qualified as a Semifinalist in the

2015 National Merit Scholarship Program, a designation awarded to the highest achieving students. Each year's Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) is the qualifying test designated for entry to a particular year's competitions.

“Tony is a very talented student,” stated Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole, Superintendent of Schools. “I offer my congratulations to him for achieving the Congressional Award Gold Medal.”

1) The 2014 Boys Lacrosse team celebrates winning the playoff game against Pine Richland.

2) Coach Mr. Brian Yates (wearing the hat) and Coach Mr. Jack Flinter (wearing the visor) address the team during a timeout at the playoffs.

Lacrosse Players and Coaches Receive HonorsThe Pittsburgh Lacrosse Foundation held

their annual banquet on June 16 at the Hilton Garden Inn SouthPointe. The banquet rec-ognized lacrosse players and coaches for their season’s achievements, including the distribution of awards from the WPIAL.

Upper St Clair High School boys’ head coach Mr. Brian Yates was named Division 1 Coach of the Year. Assistant coach Mr. Jack Flinter was named Assistant Coach of the Year.

In addition, the players noted below re-ceived special recognitions:

● Kyle Page - All Section Attack● Mac Madson - All Section Attack● David Rice - All Section Midfield● Ben Southorn - All Section Defense● Christian Teel - All Section Defense● Braden Kaib - All Section Faceoff ● Gavin Keefe - All Section Goalie

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Representatives of the U.S. Army Reserve Visit Elementary Schools

On April 21, 2009, President Obama signed legislation officially establishing September 11 as the federally-recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance or “Patriot Day.” This is an opportunity to empha-size the importance of service and fo-cuses attention on charitable actions and service to the community.

At Baker, Eisenhower, and Streams Elementary Schools, students had the opportunity to hear from U.S. Army Reserve service members as a piece of the Army Reserve Child, Youth, & School Services program. Army Reservists visited each elementary school on Tuesday, September 16, to talk with students about the

importance of service in their commu-nity and what it means to be a com-munity hero.

As a follow-up activity, the students wrote letters to military kids whose families are currently serving in their community, country, and world. The U.S. Army Reservists took these let-ters with them to share at special cer-emonies honoring military kids and their families.

Ms. Ty Beck, School Services Specialist for the US Army Reserve Child, Youth & School Services, thanked elementary curriculum lead-er Ms. Rebecca Smith for inviting the service members from the McGarity Reserve Center to be a part of the

Day of Remembrance and Service at the elementary schools. “All of the soldiers expressed how much fun it was speaking to the elementary school students. We appreciate all of the letters and cards created for Mili-tary Kids, as well,” stated Ms. Beck.

Some of the cards were distrib-uted to Military Children and Youth that participated in the Yellow Rib-bon Reintegration Program (YRRP) in Boston, MA, and the College Plan-ning Workshop in Philadelphia, PA, on September 20-21.

In response, Ms. Smith concluded, “We were excited about this opportu-nity, and hope that the students truly enjoyed this experience.”

1) Staff Sgt. David Beckett, Sgt. Adam McGinnis, Sgt. Arnaldo Martinez-Bernal, and Sgt. First Class Russell Spike of the U.S. Army 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command came to Streams in their Humvee.

Sgt. McGinnis speaks to the students in Mrs. Morgan Olsen and Mrs. Melissa Ruffolo's class (2) prior to having them practice their push-ups (3), while Staff Sgt. Beckett captures the attention of Miss Ashley Thomas' students (4).

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Six Individuals and Three Relays Place on Swim All-America List

Members of the Upper St. Clair High School Swim Team earned a place on the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association/Speedo All America list.

Ryan Dudzinski topped the list by ranking third in the nation in the 100-yard backstroke with a 46.88 time and fifth in the 100 butterfly with a 47.44 time.

USCHS 2014 graduate and current Emory University freshman, Alex Hardwick ranked 69th in the country in the 100 free with a time of 45.40. Fynn Minuth was honored as 73rd best in the nation in the 500 free for his time of 4:32.

Winning first place at PIAAs, Ryan Dudzinski, Alex Hardwick, Patrick Lersch, and Fynn Minuth achieved a Top 12 time in the nation for the 400 free relay in 3:03.04. Dudzinski, Tomos Williams, Minuth, and Nathan Novak (USCHS 2014 graduate and current Kenyon freshman) were distinguished with a top 8 time of 1:31.02 in the 200 medley relay, while Williams, Lersch, Novak, and Hardwick placed 9th in the 200 free relay with a time of 1:23.35. Dudzinski, Lersch, Minuth, and Williams are USCHS se-niors this year.

In addition to the All America awards, USC captured the “Virtual National Championship” for the boys’ teams with total enrollment between 901-1400. Not only did the team win in its classification, but they beat out all of the teams in the 1400-1900 classification and finished fifth in the coun-try among all public high schools. The girls’ team finished fourth. The entire boys’ and girls’ program ranked among the top 10 in the country for all school sizes.

1) PIAA State Champion in the 100 fly, Ryan Dudzinski (center) is presented his medal by USC Coach Dave Schraven.

2) PIAA State Champions in the 400 freestyle relay (in white warm ups) are (front row, left to right) Fynn Minuth and Patrick Lersch, and (back row) Alex Hardwick and Ryan Dudzinski.

3) USCHS Swim Team cheers before the start of WPIAL day 2.

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Streams Celebrates Anniversary of the “Star Spangled Banner”

In observance of the 200th an-niversary of the National Anthem, Streams Elementary School music teacher Mr. Jeff Leonhardt coordinat-ed a week-long program beginning on September 8 during morning an-nouncements.

Guest readers told the background story of how the “Star Spangled Banner” (SSB) was written, within

its historical context, and each day a different artist performed a rendi-tion of the SSB. Televised throughout the building, invited narrators for the event included Superintendent Dr. Patrick O’Toole, Principal Dr. Claire Miller, and members of the Streams staff.

On Friday, after the final narration, select fourth grade singers led the

school in the singing and celebration of the “Star Spangled Banner.”

For additional enrichment, home-room teachers received a packet of worksheets which focused on the his-tory and design of the flag, the battle for Baltimore, Fort McHenry, and the major historical figures and events that inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem, which later became the official National Anthem of the United States of America.

Mrs. Bernice Andrews (1) sets up and operates the school-wide broadcast of the morning history lesson

for first day guest presenters Streams principal Dr. Claire Miller and Mr. Jeff Leonhardt (2).

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“The Witches of Salem” Take Center Stage at the High School

The Upper St. Clair High School Performing Arts De-partment will present its annual fall play, Arthur Miller’s classic The Crucible, on Wednesday and Thursday, October 29 and 30, and on Saturday and Sunday, November 1 and 2. All shows, except for the Sunday matinee (2:00 PM), will start at 7:30 PM. Each show is performed in a “theater-in-the-round” setting with audi-ence seating on the Upper St. Clair High School stage.

Set in the Massachusetts Bay Colony between 1692 and 1693, The Crucible portrays events surrounding the Salem Witch Trials. Miller originally called the play Those Familiar Spirits, before retitling it as The Crucible. The dra-ma won a Tony Award as “Best Play” after its initial year of production (1953).

Directed by Mr. J.R. Hall and produced by Dr. Timo-thy M. Wagner, the show will feature the acting talent of students Ryan Bentley, Francesca Cappetta, Morgan Cook, Anna Culhane, Patrick Glover, Jonah Glunt, Morgan Hogenmiller, Wyatt Keating, Riley Kelly, Allison Lento, Melissa Levine, Meredith McDonough, Ben Nadler, Cassidy Poerstel, Turner Queen, Logan Reynolds, Sheb

Rosati, Mariya Savinov, Sriparna Sen, Jordan Smith, Kelley Stehura, Hanna Stolzer, Evan Strain, Izzy Tarcson, Rachel VanRyzin, Barry Wandel, Erik Warmbein, and Connor Welch.

Additional contributors to the show include adult staff members Mr. Terry Williard and Mr. Michael Binkley (Tech-nical Directors) and Ms. Wendy Sembrat and Ms. Karen Williams (Costume Designers). Lindsay Buono, Kelly Conner, Kristy English, Zachary Heckler, Eliza Luxbacher, Elizabeth McDonough, Meredith McDonough, and Allie Ryave make up the student leadership team.

Tickets will be available at the door for "festival seating" (general admission). The cost per ticket is $7 for adults, $5 for students, and $1 for senior citizens. Any Upper St. Clair senior citizen with a gold or silver card or valid ID receives two complimentary admissions.

The Upper St. Clair High School Box Office will open one hour prior to each performance. Please call the Music Activity Hotline at 412-851-2060 for more information.

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Streams First Graders Explore Rules and Safety Tips with Officers Remmy and Buckle

School Police Officer Jason Remmy visited the first grade classrooms at Streams Elementary School. As a guest reader, he shared the story, Officer Buckle and Gloria, which reinforces the first grade Social Studies unit “We Belong.” The students learned the meaning of rules and responsibilities as well as formed their classroom “Essential Agreements” together. Essential Agreements are mutually agreed upon class rules and consequences for inappropriate actions that the students, as a group, discuss and help define.

The classes enjoyed discussing with Officer Remmy the need for rules as he shared some great and silly safety tips from “Officer Buckle.” According to teacher Mrs. Amy Cornali, “The students are very receptive to having Officer Jason in the classroom/building. As he takes time to visit each of the classrooms and gets to know the children on a personal basis, they have already formed a sense of trust and security in him.”

She concluded that the students were so excited to have him. “I'll just bet they are more likely to obey the safety tips that Officer Buckle had to offer when coming directly from Officer Jason!”

The first grade students from Mrs. Barbara O’Leary’s (1) and Mrs. Amy Cornali’s (2) classes listen with rapt attention to Officer Jason Remmy’s re-enactment of Peggy Rathmann’s book Officer Buckle and Gloria.

3) Mrs. Amy Cornali’s students show-off their shiny new badges with Officer Remmy.

4) Mrs. Barbara O’Leary’s class enjoys getting to know one of the school’s police officers.

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2014 National Merit Scholars Are AnnouncedThe following Upper St. Clair

High School students earned spe-cial recognition from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

Semi-FinalistsJohn B. BenhartAnanya W. CleetusDilanka T. DharmasenaRishabh KewalramaniMadeline E. KulpMelissa LevineEliana M. OndrejkoTony Wang

Commended StudentsMorgan C. CookDomenick J. D’AmicoJulia de la ParraDouglas K. HapemanJeff W. HuoBrian J. KaplanRiley O. KohlerMeredith McDonoughCharles R. MertzKevin P. MonparaDeepika P. NarayananShivani N. PatelJulia K. PfatteicherTeja S. PolisettyLauren SchoeppnerAlexis L. ScottSriparna SenDeepikaa SriramKelley A. StehuraJonathan W. SummersBrian TsuiBrooks W. WildingOlivia WrightJeffrey C. Zhang

The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. According to NMSC, high school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Prelimi-nary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) — an examination measuring critical reading, mathematics, and writing achieve-ment which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.5 million entrants each year — and by meeting published program entry and participation re-quirements. In September, the high scorers are notified through their schools that they have qualified as either a Commended Student or Semifinalist.

1) National Merit Commended students from Upper St. Clair High School include (left to right, first row) Brian Tsui, Deepikaa Sriram, Sriparna Sen, Alexis Scott, Deepika Narayanan, Julia Pfatteicher, Kelley Stehura, Robbie Mertz, Domenick D’Amico, Jonny Summers, (second row) Jeffrey Zhang, Lauren Schoeppner, Julia de la Parra, Olivia Wright, Shivani Patel, Jeff Huo, Brooks Wilding, Riley Kohler, and Douglas Hapeman. [Not pictured NMSC Commended Students: Morgan Cook, Brian Kaplan, Meredith McDonough, Kevin Monpara, and Teja Polisetty]

2) Possible future members as Board of Directors (who knows?), the National Merit Semi-Finalists (left to right) Rishabh Kewalramani, Dilanka Dharmasena, Tony Wang, Melissa Levine, Madeline Kulp, Eliana Ondrejko, and John Benhart will go on to the national competition for Finalist designation and scholarship consideration. [Not pictured NMSC Semi-Finalist Ananya Cleetus]

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The following students earned a place in the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) first-ever “Voices Around the World” Honors All-State Choir Festival:

Christina ConteKody DresslerClare JoyceKelsey LeachKathy LiCarmela MartinShay McDowellAlexander MitchellElizabeth Young

These singers worked with Mr. Steven Fisher of New Jersey's Westminster Choir College on Saturday, October 18, at Seton Hill University, along with other participants in grades 4-7 from across Pennsylvania. The day-long festival concluded with a free concert at 4:00 p.m. at the Seton Hill University Performing Arts Center that corresponds with ACDA’s Fall Conference for Music Educators.

All students are members of the sixth grade chorus at Boyce under the direction of Mrs. Jennifer Noel Schetley.

Talk about being extremely competitive and winning big! The following Upper St. Clair High School choral students were selected by audition to participate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 1 Honor Choirs, which took place on October 24 and 25 at Seton Hill University Performing Arts Center.

Soprano 1 - Lindsay Buono, Megan JonesSoprano 2 - Carly DeCock, Kate Rosello, Eva Schenker, Isabel TarcsonAlto 1 - Cassidy Poerstel, Mariya SavinovAlto 2 - Devon Garcia, Zoe RankinTenor 1 - Patrick GloverTenor 2 - Ryan Bentley, Wyatt Keating, Jonny SummersBass 1 - Noah Manalo, Erik Warmbein

Guest Conductors for the prestigious festival were Dr. Peggy Detwiler from Mansfield University and Dr. Chris Kiver from Penn State University.

The students were prepared by USCHS Choral Director Ms. Lorraine Milovac.

Boyce participants in the debut of the ACDA All-State Elementary Honors Choir are (left to right) Alexander Mitchell, Kelsey Leach, Carmela Martin, Clare Joyce, Christina Conte,

and Elizabeth Young. [Not pictured: Kody Dressler, Shay McDowell, and Kathy Li]

USCHS representatives in the 2014 PMEA Honors Choir are (left to right/row 1) Lindsay Buono, Megan Jones, (row 2)

Mariya Savinov, Carly DeCock, Eva Schenker, Kate Rosello, Zoe Rankin, Devon Garcia, Isabel Tarcson, Cassidy Poerstel,

(row 3) Patrick Glover, Noah Manalo, Ryan Bentley, Jonny Summers, Erik Warmbein, and Wyatt Keating.

Talented USC Choral Members Sing their Way to Music FestivalsSelect Boyce Singers Inaugurate the New ACDA State Choir

A Record Breaking Sixteen Singers Earn Placement in Honors Choir

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Commendations to Students and Staff!Monthly commendations are archived online on the USCSD home page under “Headlines.”

For your convenience, click here to view these commendations.

Boyce Artist Wins Two National Arts Awards

Antara Cleetus, sixth grader at Boyce Middle School, was presented the Arts Education Partnership (AEP) 2014 Young Artist Award at the AEP National Forum “Preparing Students for the Next America in and through the Arts” at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center on September 12.

The Arts Education Partnership Youth in Arts Program recognizes and honors accomplished, talented students while shining a spotlight on supportive parents, dedicat-ed teachers, and thriving programs in the region of AEP National Forums.

In addition to the Young Artist Award, Antara has also received the 2014 PTA Pennsylvania State Reflections Award in visual art for her acrylic paint and paint markers creation entitled “The Third Eye.”

“Antara is a very talented student,” stated Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole, Superintendent of Schools. “I offer my congratu-lations to her for being chosen for the Young Artist Award by the Arts Education Partnership at their National Forum.”

1) Ms. Deborah Dunstone, President of the Pennsylvania PTA, (left) and Mr. Doug Herbert, (right) from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Innovation and Improvement, present Antara Cleetus with the Arts Education Partnership Young Artist Award for her winning work “The Third Eye” (2).

Proud parents Mr. Francis Cleetus and Mrs. Maneesha Cleetus with their daughter (3) attend the 2014 AEP National Forum as special guests along with Boyce art teacher Mr. Dennis Stocke (4 - inset).

5) Antara says she is inspired by her father’s art work, and, on occasion, assists in the painting of his murals.

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● The Dormont Public Library (1) recognized 10th Grader Suzan Turan for reading nineteen books this summer dur-ing their summer reading program. Suzan is still reading books that she did not finish over the summer!

● A recent USCHS alumni, JP Miller (2) was awarded an Academic All-American award by the National Forensics League for high achievement in both academics and fo-rensics over his four-year career, with six national tourna-ment appearances (including a 13th place nationally last year) and three state tournament appearances (including a state championship in Parliamentary debate with partners Chase Miller and Mary Gen Sanner).

● 2014 graduate and track athlete, James Smith, was invited to dine with Olympic silver medalist Leo Manzano for a VIP meet and greet with the professionals racing in the Liberty Mile (3) on August 1.

● High School student Megan Williams (4) was featured on the WPXI Hines Ward show in September because she was considered a Positive Athlete. Megan was nominated by a member of the swim program.

● Band Director/Performing Arts Curriculum Leader Don Pickell (5) was recently seen driving the temporary/re-placement equipment truck for away games of “The Pride of Upper St. Clair” marching band.

● On October 11, several alumni from the USCHS Class of 1974 (6) posed in the academic lobby during their tour of “the new high school” in celebration of the anniversary of their 40th reunion.

● Streams student Mark Torres and teacher Mrs. Barbara O’Leary, (7), along with other first grade students at Streams, wrote letters to Mark’s dad and some of the other soldiers currently serving our country in Bahrain, a small island country situated near the western shores of the Persian Gulf.

● Based on high rankings earned during competitive tryouts, violist Mary Molitoris (8) was invited to perform in the PMEA District 1 Honors String Orchestra Festival which will be held November 8-9 at Chartiers Valley High School.

● Opening with the Pantheon Choir (9) performing Dan Forest’s You Are the Music featuring French Horn solo-ist Jacob Ross and singer soloist Megan Jones, the high school music ensembles presented a benefit concert in memory of the late Ms. Mary Doohan and in honor of Ms. Dina Lardas on October 14, raising over $1400 to be shared with the Weight and Management Wellness Center and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

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