FALL 2022 UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Fall 2022 Guides

Educational Resources

Health & Wellness

twpusc.org/usctoday

Back-to-School lssue

The official publication of the School District and Township of Upper St. Clair

The Howard Hanna Upper St. Clair Office is

ready to help with all of your real estate needs!

180 Fort Couch Rd, Upper St. Clair, Pa 15241 • 412-833-3600

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stclair.org

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Equal Housing Opportunity.

Fall 2022 • Volume 28 • Issue 3

twpusc.org/usctoday • usctoday@usctoday.org

13 A Teenage Boy Gives Back

36 Flower Power at Streams

56 Monster Hunt at the C&RC

Features &

Around the

Township

10

Backstop Bravado

74

Horses with Hope

80

Community Foundation of Upper

St. Clair

School District

21

Superintendent’s Address

24

Erin Peterson Named Fort Couch

Principal

28

STEAM News

34

Pawprints...a USC PTC Feature

Township

51

Board of Commissioners’ Meeting

Minutes

58

Get to Know Your Library Staff

64

NextGen Municipal Building

Renovation Project

Guides/

Directories

15 Pinebridge Commons

46 Educational Resources

66 Health & Wellness

82 Happenings

84 Advertiser Index

Photo Ops

22 USCHS Class of 2022

Commencement

41 Prom 2022

54 Community Day 2022

63 The Battle of the Barrel

72 Farmer’s Market Fun

73 Abandoned Mine Drainage Bird Sanctuary

Getting ready to transport the district’s students

this school year is bus driver Ann Snee, pictured

with (front to back) Addie, Suzy, Cammie, Claire,

and Benjamin.

You can purchase a TODAY cover! Contact

usctoday@usctoday.org for specifications

and rates.

75 Traveling with TODAY

4 UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Fall 2022

Publishers

Matthew R. Serakowski, Township Manager

Dr. John T. Rozzo, Superintendent of Schools

The award-winning, official publication of the

School District and Township of Upper St. Clair

Winter 2022 edition includes

Holiday and

Life Planning guides.

Deadlines:

Articles–September 22

Advertising–September 26

Website: twpusc.org/usctoday

Email: usctoday@usctoday.org

@usctoday

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a not-for-profit

community magazine dedicated to promoting

the Township and School District of

Upper St. Clair by recognizing the gifts

and contributions of the people who live

and work here. This year marks 28 years

of our publication.

The 111 th issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR

TODAY magazine is made possible through

the combined resources of the staff and volunteers

of the Township and School District

of Upper St. Clair. Thanks are extended to

the staff and volunteers for their enthusiasm

and efforts on this continuing project.

Steering Committee

Mark S. Mansfield, Assistant Township Manager

Paul K. Fox, School District Representative

Editors and Staff

Terry Kish, Editor-in-Chief

Colleen DeMarco, Office Manager,

Advertising Executive

Sarah Beitler, Marketing Executive,

Advertising Executive

Kerry Turner, Advertising Executive

Dorothy Clark, Graphic Designer

Student Interns

Emily Barrie

Maanasa Reddy

Mark Mansfield Paul Fox Terry Kish Colleen DeMarco Sarah Beitler Kerry Turner Dorothy Clark

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a non-partisan

Township, School District, and community magazine.

Political advertising and political commentary are

not accepted. The publishers of this magazine reserve

the right to reject advertising or articles inconsistent

with the objectives, image, and aesthetic standards

of the magazine.

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is published and

mailed quarterly to residents and businesses in

Upper St. Clair Township. Extra copies of the magazine

are available at the Township of Upper St. Clair

Municipal Building and Township Library. If you did

not receive a copy in the mail, call 412-833-1600,

extension 2284.

Subscription Information

If you know someone living outside the Township

who would enjoy receiving our community’s official

magazine, please send $12 check, payable to UPPER

ST. CLAIR TODAY, to cover mailing and handling

for the next four issues, with their name and address,

including zip code, to UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY,

1820 McLaughlin Run Road, USC, PA 15241. Add

$10 to cover international mailing.

The next issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR

TODAY will be the Winter 2022 issue and will

be published in November 2022. Articles that

were submitted but not published in this issue

are on file for consideration in upcoming issues.

Articles and announcements may be sent to:

Editor

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

1820 McLaughlin Run Road


or email UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY at

usctoday@usctoday.org

Article Information

Editor-in-Chief Terry Kish

phone: 412-833-1600, extension 2681

Advertising Information

Office Manager Colleen DeMarco

phone: 412-833-1600, extension 2284

fax: 412-851-2592

Ad file submission: dclark@usctoday.org

Board of School Directors

Township Board of Commissioners

Phillip J. Elias, President

Daniel R. Paoly, President, At Large

Dr. Daphna Gans, Vice President Dante R. Plutko, Jr., Vice President, Ward 1

Barbara L. Bolas Pamela L. Enck, Ward 2

Kelly P. Hanna Robert W. Orchowski, Ward 3

Louis P. Mafrice, Jr. Todd D. Burlingame, Ward 4

Michael R. Mascaro Ronald J. Pardini, Ward 5

Angela B. Petersen

Richard I. Thomas, At Large

Jennifer A. Schnore

Dr. Danielle Z. Wetzel

Thank you to our volunteer contributors this issue:

Judge Ronald Arnoni, Emily Barrie (intern & YWG),

Cindy Brophy, Alexander Clifford, Dr. Ruth

Christoforreti, Lynn Dempsey, Carolyn Jones Friedrich,

Christian Gmiter, Sandy Goldstein, Jennifer Harvey,

Darah Kirstein, Becki Lewis, Laura Long, Jay Lynch,

Geoff & Christine McQueen, Rep. Natalie Mihalek,

Mike Moore, Heather Nyapas, Maanasa Reddy (intern

& YWG), Tina Vojtko, and Ava Wynne (YWG).

Thank you also to the Township’s wonderful Public

Works Department employees and our awesome high

school custodians! Their help in transporting our

magazines and working with the facility needs of our

TODAY staff is greatly appreciated.

Young Writers Guild (YWG) promotes and encourages

young writers in the Upper St. Clair School District,

grades 8–12, to provide articles and artwork of

interest for our community magazine. Email

usctoday@usctoday.org to find out how your student

can contribute.

The 111 th issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a

joint publication of the Township and School

District of Upper St. Clair.

Reproduction of this magazine, in print or web

version, in whole or in part, without the expressed

written consent of the Editor, is strictly prohibited.

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY



Phone: 412-833-1600, extension 2284

Fax: 412-851-2592

Email: usctoday@usctoday.org

Township : 412-831-9000

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Fall 2022 UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY 7

A Fall Note From the Publishers

Matthew R. Serakowski

Dr. John T. Rozzo

Welcome to our fall 2022 edition of TODAY, filled with information from cover to cover to

keep you up to date with the latest happenings in the township and school district!

It’s been a busy summer in Upper St. Clair, especially at the municipal building. The township

section (pages 50–65) provides updates on the NextGen Municipal Building Renovation

Project. Stop by the library soon to see the exciting changes that have been made in this area. Don’t miss the

Community Day wrap-up—did you make our photo collage this year?

The end of the school year is always an eventful time in the district, especially for the graduating seniors.

Commencement, prom, awards—read about these events and all the other happenings around the district,

as well as the accolades received, in our school district section (pages 18–45). Our students and faculty are

doing great things every day, both in and out of the classroom. The school district section of TODAY can help

you get your kids ready for school with information about district notices, eAlerts, the district calendar, the

fall football schedule, and more.

Even if you haven’t been in a classroom for decades, there’s something exciting about the start of the school

year. Most of us can remember getting new clothes, shoes, and various supplies, wondering who would be

in our class, and what our teacher would be like. The anticipation about what the upcoming year holds is

universal, no matter how old we get, as is the ability to learn something new.

This fall, make it a goal to get outside of your comfort zone! Learn something new at the township library,

which has a diverse line-up of speakers and classes scheduled. Mix up your exercise routine with one of

the offerings at the C&RC. Discover more about law enforcement at the Citizens’ Police Academy. Why not

volunteer? Upper St. Clair’s Volunteer Fire Department and Community Foundation are two organizations

recruiting new members. Read about these and other activities in this issue of TODAY.

As the days get shorter and the weather gets cooler, take time to enjoy all that autumn has to offer in western

Pennsylvania. Enjoy a leisurely drive to appreciate the fall foliage, stop at a local orchard to pick apples, revel

in a hayride to the pumpkin patch, hike through Boyce Mayview Park, or cheer on your favorite football team.

Happy fall!

Sincerely,

Sincerely,


Township Manager

Dr. John T. Rozzo

Superintendent of Schools

www.twpusc.org/usctoday | usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us


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Backstop Bravado

Jay Lynch

As the new school year begins, you may be

reflecting on fun events that made your summer special.

Back in 1962, Sandy McMinn had a summer event he

wanted to forget.

In those days, the Eisenhower School baseball field

was in the southeast corner of the property, where the

playground swings now reside. The open end of the

cyclone fence backstop faced the school building. I

suspect that the field was relocated to today’s location

at the request of Boxfield Drive families whose back

yards were the landing zones for countless foul balls

and errant throws, while their bushes and trees endured

lots of watering from players too lazy to run to the school rest rooms. Like today, the field was the primary location for USCAA Little

League games for nine- and ten-year-old players.

With the field’s original orientation, the two-story brick wall at the south end of Eisenhower school was part of center field and

“in play” like the famous green monster of Fenway Park. Occasionally, a stocky ten-year-old player would crush a long fly ball to

center field that would bounce off the wall. More frequently, the base of the orange monster, as we called it, was the resting place for

ground balls that sequentially went through the legs of pitchers, second basemen, and center fielders.

Most little league players went to school at Eisenhower or Johnston schools (now Wesley Academy), long before Baker and

Streams schools were built. Other players went to St. Thomas More Catholic school. One of the “STM kids” was Sandy McMinn. He

was a very good player, one of few who could hit a ball as far as the orange

monster and also prevent balls from reaching it with his impressive defensive

skills. He was a player you wanted on your team, except for his sharp tongue

and enthusiastic pursuit of mischief. Like many STM players, Sandy seemed

to develop devilish behaviors earlier than public school kids. Likely because

their teachers (nuns) would describe sinful thoughts, words, and behaviors

they never would have imagined on their own. As they say, forbidden fruit is

always the sweetest. I was Catholic but went to public school, which was seen

by STM clergy as only partial commitment to the church, making me a target

for Sandy’s early mastery of off-color double-entendres: “Lynch, you’re half

fast on the base paths and a half fast Catholic!”

Even if he rubbed you the wrong way, you had to admire his attire. Long

before the availability of authentic professional sports uniforms in retail

stores, it was very rare

to see a baseball jersey

for sale that looked

Maz jersey

even remotely like the

real thing. But Sandy’s

mom was a skilled

seamstress. She made

him a remarkably real

looking kid-sized baseball jersey like the one worn by 1960 World Series hero,

Bill Mazeroski. It had authentic team colors, with “Pirates” sewn on the front

and “9” on the back. He wore it to every practice, and I suspect that he wore

it to school as well. We all had jersey envy.

During practices, Sandy took great pleasure in finding unique ways to

cause trouble and irritate the coach, who was my father. One of his favorite

pranks was climbing to the top of the backstop when my dad wasn’t looking.

He became quite adept at scaling the vertical portion, hoisting himself carefully

over a row of sharp twisted barbs, and then crawling outward on the

horizontal portion. From his lofty perch, he’d lie on his belly like a WWII era

bombardier and drop pebbles on batters below. Players he didn’t like got it

worse. They were the targets of skillfully delivered drool or occasional wads

of well-chewed bubble gum. Fear of Sandy’s bombardment had one benefit;

it motivated players to wear protective batting helmets. His aerial attacks


The orange monster

1960 World Series hero

wouldn’t last long before my dad would notice his transgression and deliver admonition

and punishment all at once: “McMinn! Off the backstop and on the bench, for

the rest of practice!”

One day, Coach Lynch was in the outfield throwing balls off the orange monster

in a fruitless attempt to teach nine-year-old kids how to anticipate rebounds and ricochets.

Noting his coach’s preoccupation, Sandy seized the opportunity. He climbed the

backstop and commenced his usual airborne target practice. When a batter complained

loudly, my distant father yelled a colorful litany of loud profanity aimed at Sandy.

Then, he started marching toward the backstop, menacingly. In fear, Sandy retreated

backward in a hastened descent. Unfortunately, in his panic, he forgot about the wire

barbs. They caught the front of his Mazeroski jersey at the same time that he lost his

foothold. His face slipped into his jersey and his arms spread wide. In an attempt to

prevent a fall, or strangulation by his mother’s handiwork, he grabbed the backstop

with both hands. Unfortunately, in the wrong place. Both of his palms were impaled

on the barbs. Even after he regained his footholds, he was stuck in the spread-eagle

position, sightless, in pain, and afraid.

My dad’s march from the outfield became a sprint. When he got to the backstop, he

jumped onto the equipment box, grabbed Sandy by the waist, and hoisted him high enough

to free the jersey and lift his palms off the barbs. He descended from the backstop holding

a very frightened boy, who he loaded into our car and whisked off to St. Clair Hospital.

Doctors told him they’d seen worse damage from kids climbing cyclone fences and

gave Sandy a few stiches and a tetanus shot.

Several weeks later, when Sandy returned to the team, he promised my father that

he’d never again climb the backstop and told him he’d confessed his disobedience at

church. He also apologized to teammates for plunking us with pebbles, spittle, and

Bazooka. As the season progressed, Sandy seemed like a different person: polite and

obedient…a true gentleman. He excelled at the game, as usual, by hitting home runs

and pitching shutouts while his language and demeanor remained squeaky clean. I was

amazed to see such a wild spirit tamed, so, after our final game, I asked him what it

felt like to be a role model. He said, “Lynch, you may speak slowly,

but your questions are half fast.” I knew the real Sandy was back!

When we returned to school that fall, news of Sandy’s painful

misadventure quickly spread through the grapevine and became

legendary. At Eisenhower school, the event was named in honor

of the Pirate’s slick fielding second baseman, “Maz snags another

one.” At St. Thomas More, it was more piously named, “Sandy’s

crucifixion.” n

Humor for a

Great Cause

Treat yourself and those

celebrating birthdays,

weddings, or anniversaries to

humor from local resident

Jay Lynch. The fun anthology

benefits The Miracle League of

the South Hills, where every

child deserves the chance to

play baseball.

Order The Lighter Side of

Upper St. Clair on .

“Wonderful reflections on our community

and some really funny baseball stories.”

−Sean Casey, three-time Major League baseball All-Star,

MLB Network TV broadcaster, and USC resident

Eisenhower backstop

Names modified to protect privacy.

Please contact Jay at bkefather@yahoo.com

with feedback and comments.

“Having enjoyed Jay’s stories for years, I can’t wait

to revisit them in the book. Jay is USC’s humor

historian and we’re lucky to have him.”

−Steve Blass, Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star, World Series

winner, broadcaster, and long-time USC resident


RONALD A. ARNONI, DISTRICT JUDGE

District Court 05-2-20

Office: 412-835-1661

Fax: 412-835-4060

Hiras Professional Building

2414 Lytle Rd #200

Bethel Park, PA 15102

I am a firm believer in protecting our

furry friends, but unfortunately there are numerous

cases of animal neglect, cruelty, failure

to vaccinate/license, and take care of these animals. This article,

with the assistance of Jennifer Thomas, Intern, Humane Action

Pittsburgh, will look at these issues in our community.

Animals are often chosen as soft targets because abusers believe

that they can get away with it. Animal cruelty is a crime. All U.S.

jurisdictions have prohibitions against animal maltreatment, and all

50 states declare some forms of animal abuse to be felonies. Police

officers and criminal justice officials have a critical role to play

when it comes to animal abuse, as this often exposes other forms

of violence in the household.

The numbers are staggering in the link between animal abuse

and domestic violence, where an estimated one million animals are

abused or killed each year in connection with domestic violence.

With 71% of domestic violence cases, victims report that their abuser

also targeted their pets. “Many survivors stay in an unsafe situation

because they cannot take their animals with them to a shelter. 65%

of women refuse or delay leaving an abusive home out of fear of

leaving their pets or livestock behind.” (Phil Arkow, 2020)

When it comes to animal abuse, education is key. Building

awareness through community presentations, humane education

State Representative Natalie Mihalek

40 th Legislative District

Sometimes, today’s teens get a bad rap.

For good or bad, they have never-ending access to information

through technology.

Between Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube, information is

delivered non-stop. How are teens, whose eyes seem to be more

fixed on phone screens then the people in front of them, ever to

process and reflect the world around them, as well as consider their

own role in it?

Can they—will they—make our world better? Or will they

simply look for the next TikTok challenge?

My concerns about such topics were somewhat answered when

Matthew Bordenstein and his family contacted my district office.

The Upper St. Clair family saw an ongoing need and wasted little

time in finding a way to be part of the solution.

For many families, literacy is a skill somewhat easily obtained.

Our region is blessed with great schools and other resources that

help children begin their education careers with one of the most

important elements, the ability to comprehend the written word.

Personally, I consider it one of the foundations of academic success

and without it, students will struggle.

But for other families, achieving the most basic reading skills is

a challenge. This could certainly be the case for families who legally

seek to make our great country their new home.

And this is where Matthew sought to make a difference.

Partnering with the South Hills Interfaith Movement and Hello

Neighbor, Matthew and his family recognized that the gift of literacy


The Link Between

Animal Abuse and

Domestic Violence

in schools, and training for professionals can help with the detection

of animal abuse.

Humane Action Pittsburgh (HAP) has created a directory for law

enforcement, criminal justice officials, and residents to showcase

the vast number of resources that Allegheny County offers. To see

a list of these resources please visit: humaneactionpittsburgh.org.

According to the Pennsylvania dog laws, all dogs three months

or older must be licensed; licenses can be issued by the county treasurer.

All dogs must be under control and must not be allowed to

run at large. Dogs are personal property, and owners are responsible

for damages caused by their dog. It is illegal to mistreat or abuse

any animal, and violations should be reported to a local humane

organization or the police. Rabies vaccinations are required for dogs

and cats three months of age of older.

Questions relating to dog laws, and licenses can be found on the

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture website at agriculture.pa.gov.

To do our part as a community, if you see something or if you are

having issues yourself, please reach out to the Humane Society, your

respective police department, or animal control. For anonymous,

confidential help, 24/7, please call the National Domestic Violence

Hotline at 1-800-799-7233(SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224(TTY). n

1121 Boyce Road, Suite 2200A

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241

724-942-2045 www.repmihalek.com Facebook.com/RepMihalek

A Thank You to Matthew

The emergency and non-emergency number

for animal control in Upper St. Clair is 412-833-7500.

will go a long way for families who are pursuing

occupational, financial, and academic success. The Bordensteins

understand that if children have access to age-appropriate literature,

there is a better chance that they will be committed later to lifelong

learning, thereby better assisting them in achieving the American

dream. As such, Matthew became the first Pittsburgh-based volunteer

to work with Bookworm Global, whose mission is to collect

and redistribute early-age reading books.

Upon hearing of his efforts, I offered my district office as a

drop-off point. While I am not surprised by the number of book

donations that were made by our friends and neighbors, I am certainly

thankful. Through Matthew’s efforts, thousands of books will

be distributed to local families and their children.

Compassion and selflessness are practiced in different ways,

but one truth is that it takes a

special person to identify ways

to help people who they have

yet to meet. It is particularly

inspiring when that selflessness

comes from a teenager.

Thank you, Matthew, for being

more concerned with your

fellow man and woman than

with whatever the next social

media fad may be. n

A Teenage Boy Gives Back

Emily Barrie, USCHS Senior, TODAY Intern

Did you see the Grinch or Easter Bunny stop by your

neighborhood this year? Did you happen to realize they were

there to help feed people in need?

Raising money for a good cause is a common occurrence in

Upper St. Clair, but not as often is one teenage boy behind the

whole thing. Isaac Bernstein, a junior at Upper St. Clair High

School, has spent the past three years dressing up as the Grinch

and the Easter Bunny, not only to spread happiness to other kids,

but also to help raise money for the local food bank. In doing so,

he has provided over 25,500 meals for people in need.

It all began when Isaac started dressing up as the Easter Bunny

and doing an egg hunt a few years ago, since he was bored over

spring break and wanted to raise money. Luckily, it had a good

community response, and Isaac would go on to continue this

the following spring. Most recently, he transformed into the

Grinch as well, and visited families in the community during

the holiday season.

To get into the specifics, an appointment would be scheduled

in advance, since there were a limited number of spots. Then,

Isaac would come to your yard on either a Saturday evening or

Sunday morning and hide the eggs; the number of eggs that were

hidden determined the price you would pay/ donate. Another option

would be an Easter Bunny visit in which the Easter Bunny

(aka Isaac) would come to your house and spend time with your

family. During this time, you were encouraged to take as many

photos as you want of your children interacting with the Easter

Bunny. These visits had a suggested minimum donation of $35,

which translates to 175 meals at the local food bank.

The Easter bunny with Thomas Yochum’s family.

Thomas Yochum, an English teacher at Upper St. Clair High

School, helped Isaac in his efforts by having the Grinch come to

visit his two girls this past Christmas Eve. He spoke highly of the

experience saying, “My kids were THRILLED to meet the Grinch on

Christmas Eve. Our oldest daughter, Frannie, couldn’t believe the

Grinch knew where we lived and that he’s so nice because his heart

grew!” He went on to praise Isaac himself for the special experience

he creates for kids. “He brings a personalized note, along with candy,

and spends time taking pictures to make the visits really special for

children.”

If you were curious if you can be visited by the Easter Bunny or

the Grinch this upcoming year, you are in luck because Isaac will be

continuing his efforts to feed people in need. When asked about his

future plans, he said, “My community service future plan would be

to continue with the three-way benefit. This means benefiting parents

through holiday cheer, helping kids through joy and happiness,

and helping the community through a donation to the food bank. I

am definitely going to expand it, because people should not have to

worry about a basic necessity, especially when people are trying to get

back on their feet. People should not have to worry about survival.”

The original Grinch and Easter Bunny may have only helped

people in the movies, but the Grinch and Easter Bunny Isaac Bernstein

has created is helping real people right in our very own community. n

Frannie Yochum was excited to meet the Grinch!

Keep a lookout on Facebook for more information on how to sign up for

either a visit or a chance to volunteer to help Isaac

when it gets closer to the holidays!


Remembering Pharmacy Days

Sandy Goldstein

It’s been more than 20 years since we sold

Pinebridge Apothecary at Pinebridge Commons to the CVS

on Fort Couch Road, now on Washington Road.

Back in the day, we had a 4 th grade class from Streams

Elementary tour the pharmacy to learn about how prescriptions

are filled. One tour was especially fun, with Sean

Casey, our own baseball great.

While Marshall talked about how outdated medications

were to be returned to the wholesaler, Sean asked, “Like

this Mr. Goldstein?” He had found a bottle on the shelf

that was outdated. We all had a good laugh.

The children were interested in watching how prescriptions were filled, labeled, then

bagged for the patient. They got information about how to only use prescription medications

when needed and prescribed by the physician.

While doing her student teaching at Streams, our daughter, Jodi, also did a tour. It

included showing the class vitamins and medications that can be purchased without a

prescription. We received a cute Snoopy stuffed dog with every student’s name on it as

a thank you, and we saved that Snoopy dog as a reminder of those days at Pinebridge

Apothecary.

Keeping prescriptions in a safe place and away from small children and removing

outdated medications for proper disposal is a good way to keep organized. Many new

homes today are built without a medicine cabinet, so a great place to store vitamins and

medications would be in the kitchen.

While having been in the pharmacy business in USC for more than 20 years, we got

to know so many people in the township. We enjoyed having a café so our patients could

have something to eat while waiting for a prescription to be filled. We served coffee,

scones, lunch, and many favorite desserts—especially the lemon cloud cake. We still

receive calls for the lemon cloud cake, a USC favorite! n

Lemon Cloud Cake

1 stick butter, softened

1/2 c. sugar

3 egg yolks (use large eggs)

1/3 c. + 1 T. milk

2/3 c. flour

1-1/2 t. baking powder

• Cover a 10 x 15-inch jelly roll

pan with waxed paper and

spray lightly with PAM. Preheat

oven to 375 degrees.

• Separate the egg yolks and put

the whites in a separate clean

glass or stainless bowl.

• With an electric mixer, cream

butter and sugar well; add

egg yolks and beat until fluffy.

Measure flour lightly and add

baking powder. Alternately, add

the milk and the flour mixture;

stir by hand until just evenly

mixed. Spread the batter thinly

onto the wax paper, almost to

the edges.

Recipe courtesy of Sandy Goldstein.

Topping for the cake:

3 egg whites

2/3 c. sugar

1/4 c. sliced almonds

• With electric mixer, beat egg

whites until very stiff. Sprinkle

sugar and almonds on the egg

whites and with a spatula, fold

just enough to be mixed (never

stir). Spread over cake batter

evenly, leaving one inch of cake

visible on the edges.

• Bake for 18–20 minutes.

Topping should feel dry and

have a nice color. Remove

from oven and let cool. When

cool, invert on cookie sheet

lined with wax paper. Carefully

remove old wax paper.

• Put your cream filling on the

cake, almost to the edge. With

the new wax paper, carefully

roll the cake. Sprinkle with

powdered sugar.


PERFORMANCE EXCEEDS PROMISES!

Sandy Goldstein ABR e-Pro

Marshall Goldstein, The Gold Team

Tel: 724-941-9400 x 215

Cell: 412-721-0306

The Gold Team,

Keller Williams Realty

PA License RS162211A

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GOLD

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more than 30 YEARS

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See ad for Keller Williams – Sandy and Marshall Goldstein on this page.

Filling for the cake:

1-1/3 c. heavy whipping cream

1/2 c. lemon curd

• With electric mixer, whip the

cream until stiff and add the

curd. Can add more or less

curd to taste.

• This cake can also be made

with a good chocolate mousse

mixed with whipping cream,

or with sliced strawberries and

whipping cream.

Lemon Curd

(enough for four cakes)

11 lemons

4-1/2 c. sugar

12 eggs

1 lb. butter plus 1 stick

• Put butter in microwave and

heat until melted. Let cool and

take out water to make clarified

butter. (A trick to clarify butter:

when butter is melted, put it in

a container and freeze for about

one to two hours. Punch a

hole in the top and pour off the

impurities. Google “clarifying

butter in microwave” for

detailed instructions).

• Wash and zest lemons. After

the lemons are zested, cut them

in half and squeeze the juice out

of them.

• Place the lemon zest in a

Cuisinart with 1-1/2 c. of the

sugar, then add some of the

eggs, some of the lemon juice,

and keep alternating until all the

lemon juice and eggs are used

(might have to put some in a

large saucepan if there is too

much in your Cuisinart!)

•Transfer some of the lemon

mixture into the large saucepan

and add some of the remaining

3 c. sugar, alternating

ingredients. Cook on low heat

until thick and large bubbles

form. Cool a little and add

clarified butter, stirring until

mixed. Cool completely and

freeze in small containers. Curd

freezes well and can be frozen

for up to a year and used in

other recipes.

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Interior Designs/Furnishings

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Timothy Kerr, DMD &

Romana Pautler Kerr, DMD

Pediatric Alliance

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Questa Petroleum Co.

Gloria Sayut, MS LPC, NCC

Cindy Brophy, State Farm Ins.

Suburban Dry Cleaners

Travel Leaders, Kiernan Ent.

Troy Orthodontics

Beth Troy, DMD

Whole Plants Health, LLC

Larry E. Manalo, DMD

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Five Tips for Creating a Fantastic Outdoor Living Room

All-season fun is possible—yes, even in Pittsburgh.

Geoff and Christine McQueen, McQueen Building Co.

Our family spends a lot of time

outdoors in the spring and summer. But

our favorite season for outdoor living is

actually the fall. There’s nothing like gathering

around a crackling fire with friends

and family on a cool fall night, especially

when you have an outdoor living space

designed for maximum fun and comfort.

Even with Pittsburgh’s sometimes challenging

climate, it’s possible to create an

outdoor space that your family can enjoy

nearly year-round. And many families are

doing just that. Locally and nationally,

creating an “outdoor living room” is a wise

investment and a major trend.

will warm you on chilly nights. A firepit

is another great option, and the options

are endless. They can range anywhere

from dramatic, built-in structures to

tiny tabletop fire boxes that run on

gel. There are also so many styles and

sizes of outdoor space heaters available.

So, one key is choosing sources of fire

and warmth to get exactly the mix of

warmth and light you’re seeking.

• Truly comfortable furniture. Our

goal in designing outdoors is to create

spaces you and your guests will want

to spend hours lounging, laughing,

and enjoying each other. Another key

is investing in well-made furniture

upholstered in outdoor fabrics like

Sunbrella that are soft to the touch. It’s

great to choose pieces that look great,

but it’s also key to make sure they’re

comfortable. Look for an outdoor dining

table with chairs where you really

want to linger and lounge seating with

deep cushions.

• Beautiful, durable area rugs. You’ll

keep things super-cozy through the

fall and also convey a stylish “indoor”

vibe if you add outdoor rugs. These

are also great for defining your dining

area and lounging area as separate

spaces. (Bonus: If you have a pergola

or roofline, consider adding some sheer

outdoor curtains. They’re a great way

to include a pop of color or pattern,

and they can keep your space drier on

breezy, rainy days.)

• Strategic electronics. Outdoor-safe

televisions and sound systems have

come down in price and they can be a

game-changer for creating an outdoor

space that feels like another room in

your home.

• An elevated space for cooking and

refreshments. A full outdoor kitchen

can easily become your favorite “room”

in the house. But even if you’re not

ready for that level of investment right

now, it can be great to add just a few

items for cooking and convenience—

maybe an outdoor fridge for drinks,

or a built-in countertop with storage

underneath—to your outdoor dining

and entertaining area.

Beyond the fun you’ll have using your

outdoor living room, it’s a practical move:

Investing in a beautifully designed and

furnished deck or patio area makes your

home more valuable and adds appeal for

future buyers. n

To learn more about McQueen Building

Company, follow us on social and visit us at

mcqueenbuildingcompany.com.

See their ad on page 17.

“Patios, decks, and other outdoor

areas are increasingly being treated as

well-defined rooms that serve as bonus

living areas,” according to a recent Better

Homes & Gardens trend report. The folks

at BobVila.com are seeing the same thing:

“More and more people,” they wrote in an

article earlier this year, “are finding creative

ways to maximize usable outdoor spaces

and entertain themselves at home.”

So how to do you make the most of

your space and your budget to create a true

“outdoor living room”?

• Warmth and firelight. One of our

favorite design choices is an outdoor

fireplace, especially one made of natural

materials like stone. It becomes a

focal point of your outdoor space and


#MBCDreamHome

www.mcqueenbuildingcompany.com

Board of

School Directors

Phillip J. Elias

President

pelias@uscsd.k12.pa.us

2023*

Barbara L. Bolas

bbolas@uscsd.k12.pa.us

2023*

Upper St. Clair School District

Dr. Daphna Gans

Vice President

dgans@uscsd.k12.pa.us

2025*

Kelly P. Hanna

khanna01@uscsd.k12.pa.us

2023

uscsd.k12.pa.us

@USCSchools

To reach personnel, call 412-833-1600, and follow the automated directions.

Administrator Secretary/Email Address Extension

Dr. John Rozzo...........................................................Sarah MacDonald.................................... 2218


smacdonald@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Dr. Sharon Suritsky...................................................Mary Beth Harkleroad............................. 2214

Assistant/Deputy Superintendent

mharkleroad@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Amy Pfender...............................................................Mary Beth Harkleroad............................. 2214

Assistant Superintendent

mharkleroad@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Dr. Lou Angelo ..........................................................langelo@uscsd.k12.pa.us........................... 2272

Director of Operations & Facilities

Ray Berrott.................................................................rberrott@uscsd.k12.pa.us.......................... 2059

Director of Technology

Sean Bryson ...............................................................sbryson@uscsd.k12.pa.us.......................... 2560

Chief of School Police

Dr. Judy Bulazo .........................................................Mary Beth Harkleroad............................. 2214

Director of Curriculum and Professional Development mharkleroad@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Scott Burchill ............................................................Dawn Machi ............................................ 2220

Director of Business and Finance

dmachi@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Ray Carson, Jr............................................................Sarah MacDonald.................................... 2218

Senior Director of Operations & Administrative Services smacdonald@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Dr. Cassandra Doggrell ............................................Julie Karabinos......................................... 2116

Director of Special Education

jkarabinos@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Danny Holzer...............................................................Kimberly Valeriano.................................... 2260

Director of Athletics

kvaleriano@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Dr. Lauren Madia ........................................................Terri Lott .................................................. 2283

Director of Pupil Services

tlott@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Jonn Mansfield ............................................................jmansfield@uscsd.k12.pa.us ..................... 3450

Director of Transportation

Tina Vojtko ................................................................tvojtko@uscsd.k12.pa.us........................... 2215

Communications Specialist

Bradley Wilson ..........................................................bwilson@uscsd.k12.pa.us.......................... 3318

Director of Strategic Initiatives

School District Central Office Administration

Louis P. Mafrice, Jr.

lmafrice@uscsd.k12.pa.us

2023*

Michael R. Mascaro

mmascaro@uscsd.k12.pa.us

2025*

Dr. John Rozzo


Dr. Sharon Suritsky

Assistant/Deputy Superintendent

Amy Pfender

Assistant Superintendent

Angela B. Petersen

apetersen@uscsd.k12.pa.us

2023*

Dr. Danielle Z. Wetzel

dwetzel@uscsd.k12.pa.us

2025*

Jennifer A. Schnore

jschnore@uscsd.k12.pa.us

2025*

The list of the Upper St. Clair

Board of School Director 2022

meeting dates is available

on the District’s website:

uscsd.k12.pa.us/schoolboard.

Meetings typically begin

at 7 p.m. in the District

administration building.

*Date indicates expiration of term.

Upper St. Clair School District Annual Notices

The required annual notices to parents of children who reside

in the Upper St. Clair School District are available online. Visit

the District website at uscsd.k12.pa.us. Click on Information and

then select Compliance Notifications to view required state and

federal notices and information.

Scott Burchill

Director of Business and Finance

Dr. Judy Bulazo

Director of Curriculum and

Professional Development

Dr. Timothy Wagner

High School Principal

Dr. Daniel Beck

High School Assistant Principal

Cara Senger

High School Assistant Principal

Ray Carson, Jr.

Senior Director of Operations

& Administrative Services

Dr. Cassandra Doggrell

Director of Special Education

Dr. Lou Angelo

Director of Operations & Facilities

Dr. Lauren Madia

Director of Pupil Services

School District Building Administration

Erin Peterson

Fort Couch Middle School Principal

TBA

Fort Couch Assistant Principal

Dr. Daniel O’Rourke

Boyce Middle School Principal

Dr. Christine Mussomeli

Boyce Assistant Principal

Ray Berrott

Director of Technology

Bradley Wilson

Director of Strategic Initiatives

Dr. Patrick McClintock-Comeaux

Baker Elementary School Principal

Mark Miller

Eisenhower Elementary

School Principal/Supervisor of

Elementary Education

Dr. Lindsay Klousnitzer

Streams Elementary School Principal


Students Honored

at Awards Night

Upper St. Clair High School recognized and celebrated numerous

students with honors, awards, and scholarships during the school’s annual

Awards Night, held on May 17, 2022, in the high school theater. n

The following students were recognized:

Army ROTC: Eva Rankin

Carson Scholar: Sarah Robert

Ellie Levine Memorial Award:

Jacob Bernstein

Global Fluency Certificate: Bridget

Boal, Lilian Leggat, Isabella Marasco,

Noelle Pirain, Eva Rankin, Julia

Roeschenthaler, Andrew Rosello,

Stephanie Spina, Shane Williams

John Small Spirit of Community Award:

Eva Rankin

Joseph L. Moscov Memorial Award:

Christopher Beaver, Michael Gualtieri

Judge Arnoni Leadership in Action

Scholarship: Phoebe Chen

Outstanding Senior Athletes: Jaclyn

Martinelli, Mateo Cepullio

Paul Harris Award–USC–Bethel Park

Evening Rotary Club: Sophia Song

Paul Wildenhain Memorial Scholarship:

Daniel J. Wang

Perfect Attendance: Saif Ali Khan

Durrani, Alex James LeKachman

Pride of the Panthers Award:

Tanner O’Grady, Eva Rankin

Service Above Self USC–Bethel Park,

Breakfast Rotary: Jacob Howard

Service Above Self USC–Bethel Park,

Evening Rotary Club: Anna Hess

Sharon Popp Memorial Award:

Kaitlyn Campagna

Sivaram & Revathi Krishnan USC

Scholarship: Isabella Marasco,

Fiona Wang

Society of Women Engineers Awards:

Natalie Campagna, Sophia Song,

Sophie Chen

Student of the Year Awards:

Daniel Shanholtzer, Freshman;

Reese Copenhaver, Sophomore;

Yoshna Venkataraman, Junior;

Robert J. Shontz, Senior

Superintendent Academic Achievement

Award: Kaitlyn Campagna, Marley

Monthly Calendar

Crochier, Patrick Hynds, Alex

LeKachman, Matthew Naumann,

Danielle Wenk, Bria Zegarelli

Teresa Fox Memorial Scholarship–

Student Pursuing a Degree in Special

Education: Emma Redlinger

Teresa Fox Memorial Scholarship–

Student Who has Overcome a Learning

Challenge: Danny Martin

T.J. White Scholarship: Tanner O’Grady

USC Education Association Scholarship:

Robert J. Shontz

USCHS Counseling Humanitarian Award:

Bridgit Boal, Skyler Bruno, Sarah

Christensen, Felipe Mola Curi, Shivani

Jajoo, Katie Kobeski, Esha Lahoti,

Molly Maher, Julia Roeschenthaler,

Laurel Sjoberg, Stephanie Spina

William A. Pope Scholarship:

Linus Friedman

University Book Awards

Brandeis University–Emily Barrie

Chatham University, Rachel Carson

Healthy Planet–Maura Joyce

Harvard University–Ansh Goyal

Johns Hopkins University–

Carter McClintock-Comeaux

Princeton University–Ashvita Saxena

Rensselaer Medal–Phillip Markovitz

RIT Computing Medal & Scholarship

Award–Ben Wasson, Lauren Starr

RIT Innovation & Creativity Award–

Colin Eccher, Rebecca Lang

Saint Michael’s College–

Alessandra Di Piazza

Tulane University–Carter Chui

University of Pennsylvania–

Yoshna Venkataraman

University of Virginia, Jefferson–

Rosemary Ramirez

William & Mary Leadership Award–

Jocelyn Rullo

Yale University–Matthew Hrehocik

The USC School District detailed monthly calendar is available online,

providing residents with the most up-to-date information about events in

our Township’s schools. To access the calendar, visit the District website

at www.uscsd.k12.pa.us and click on the “Calendar” tab. In addition to

viewing events for the entire District, there is an option to filter by specific

school building.

Upper St. Clair

School District

2022–2023 Calendar

Aug 24 Grades 1–12 First Day of School

Aug 26 Kindergarten First Day of School

Sep 5 No School – Labor Day

Sep 15 Elementary Open House

Elementary Early Dismissal –

12:45 p.m.

Sep 22 High School Open House

High School Early Dismissal –

12:35 p.m.

Sep 29 Boyce Open House

Boyce Early Dismissal – 1:15 p.m.

Oct 6 Fort Couch Open House

Fort Couch Early Dismissal –

1:15 p.m.

Oct 31 No School – Teacher In-service

Nov 7–8 No School – Teacher In-service

Nov 23–25 No School – Thanksgiving Recess

Dec 23–31 No School – Winter Recess

Jan 2 No School – Winter Recess

Jan 16 No School – Teacher In-service

Jan 23 No School – Teacher In-service

Feb 17 No School – Teacher In-service

Feb 20 No School – Teacher In-service

Mar 31 No School – Teacher In-service

Apr 3–7 No School (Spring Recess)

May 11 Elementary STAR Nights

Elementary Early Dismissal –

12:45 p.m.

May 18 Fort Couch Celebration of Learning

Fort Couch Early Dismissal –

1:15 p.m.

May 25 Boyce Celebration of Learning

Boyce Early Dismissal – 1:15 p.m.

May 29 No School – Memorial Day

Jun 8 High School Commencement

Jun 9 Last Day of School for Students –

Half Day

Early Dismissal

Jun 12 Teacher In-service

USC eAlerts

Upper St. Clair School District regularly

sends news and information via email. Weekly

recap emails with the latest news, upcoming

events, links to news articles, and more are

sent to subscribers. Subscribe to eAlerts on the

District’s website (www.uscsd.k12.pa.us) under

Quick Links, shown on the left-hand side.


USCHS Named a 2022 Best High School

Upper St.

Clair High School

ranks among the top

high schools in the

nation according to

U.S. News & World

Report. The newspaper released its list

of 2022 Best High Schools on April 26,

2022. Ranked 14 th in Pennsylvania, Upper

St. Clair is the third highest-ranking high

school in the Pittsburgh region. Nationally,

Upper St. Clair ranks 557 th out of nearly

18,000 public high schools in the nation.

Dr. Timothy Wagner, USCHS principal,

believes this year’s designation as a Best

High School is a celebration of the school

community’s efforts over the past year

and motivation to continue to thrive. He

attributes the school’s continued success

to a collective commitment to educational

excellence.

U.S. News & World Report ranked

17,843 high schools nationally and 676

high schools in Pennsylvania. This is the

count of public high schools that had a 12 th

grade enrollment of 15 or greater, or otherwise

had sufficient enrollment in other

high school grades during the 2019–2020

school year to be analyzed.

The methodology takes a holistic approach

to evaluating schools, focusing

on six factors: college readiness, reading

and math proficiency, reading and math

performance, underserved student performance,

college curriculum breadth,

and graduation rates. College readiness

measures participation and performance

on Advanced Placement and International

Baccalaureate exams.

While the six ranking indicators that

determined each school’s rank were the

same as those used in the three prior years,

U.S. News & World Report adjusted its calculation

of these measures to account for

the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had

on schools in the 2019–2020 school year.

With most states closing schools for

in-person instruction beginning in March

2020, typically just before most states

conduct assessments, the U.S. Department

of Education granted waivers allowing

all states to forego state testing for the

2019–2020 school year.

Without 2019–2020 assessment data

available, U.S. News & World Report

relied on historic assessment data from

the three prior ranking years while also

incorporating for the first-time state science

assessment data from the 2018–2019

school year to capture a broader measure

of student learning. Specifically, an average

of the following years and academic

subjects were used: 2016–2017 math

and reading assessment data; 2017–2018

math and reading assessment data; and

2018–2019 math, reading, and science

assessment data.

By sharing this information, officials

at U.S. News & World Report hope that

parents across the country will be armed

with information to help them make betterinformed

decisions about their child’s

education.

“At U.S. News, we believe that better

education drives the future,” according

to its website. “We also want to recognize

high-performing schools and inspire educators

and municipalities to do better.” n

PBT Ranks USCSD Number One

Upper St. Clair School District ranks as the number

one school district in Pennsylvania, according to the 2022 School

Guide published by the Pittsburgh Business Times (PBT). For the

third straight year, USC ranks number one among the 105 school

districts in the region.

“Teaching and learning through a pandemic created enormous

challenges,” said Dr. John Rozzo, superintendent of schools. “We

are incredibly proud of the tenacity and fortitude shown by our

students and staff throughout the last two years.”

This marks the first year that Upper St. Clair has reached

number one in the statewide rankings, which began in 2017.

“Upper St. Clair’s students were the top-scoring in the region

based on this year’s Honor Roll Rank. It is the third straight year

Upper St. Clair claimed the top spot on the PBT Honor Roll,”

stated the PBT article. “Upper St. Clair also landed in the top five

in every grade ranking, topping the rankings for eighth grade and

seventh grade, and was number one on the statewide rankings.”

For each of the last five years, Upper St. Clair has ascended

in the state rankings. Debuting at number 10 in 2017, the

district climbed to number five in 2018, number three in 2019,

and number two in 2020.

The 2022 Guide to Southwestern Pennsylvania Schools analyzes

school performance data for 105 school districts throughout

the seven-county region that includes Allegheny, Armstrong,

Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington, and Westmoreland counties.

Typically, the rankings are based on PSSA and Keystone Exam

scores—three years of data are used, with the current year given

the most weight. Because of the pandemic, PSSA data is from

2018, 2019 and 2021. For Keystones, only results from 2018 and

2019 were included.

The Pittsburgh Business Times released its first regional school

rankings in 2005. Upper St. Clair debuted at number two in the

region before spending eight consecutive years, from 2006–2013,

in the number one spot. From 2014–2018, Upper St. Clair ranked

within the top five each year before regaining the top spot in 2019,

2020 and 2022. There was no annual ranking in 2021, as testing

was suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic. n


Superintendent’s Address

Dr. John Rozzo, Superintendent of Schools

To the Class of 2022, congratulations.

You’ve made it to the finish line. Look

around this stadium. It is filled with a support

network that are your biggest fans as you

embark on your next chapter in life. I look

at this group and can only imagine the great

things you will do over the next 20 years to

better our community, our country, and our

world. Saying that you are needed now more

than ever is not an overstatement.

This year, we have embraced a district-wide

mantra: USC—Unity. Success.

Character. Just three words, but packed with

so much meaning.

Unity is working toward a common goal.

There is an old proverb that says, “If you

want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go

far, go together.”

The Pittsburgh Business Times recently

announced that Upper St. Clair is the top

performing school district in Pennsylvania

out of 500 districts. This is a phenomenal

accomplishment. In sharing this news, I

wrote these words in a letter to our families:

It is truly amazing what we can accomplish

when we all work together to do what is best

for students.

This was possible because of genuine collaboration

and unity within and beyond our

schools. It is part of what makes Upper St.

Clair so special. When I was interviewed and

asked what the secret is in Upper St. Clair,

without hesitation, I responded that there

is no secret. Our recipe here is that there is

a united and unwavering commitment to

quality education from all of our stakeholders—families,

teachers, staff, and community.

But our most important stakeholders are our

students. Every graduating class leaves a lasting

legacy—I am confident that this class will

be remembered for its unity.

Success is reaching your fullest potential.

Success cannot be defined simply by a score

on a standardized test.

Whether performing Seussical in our

high school theater or having the opportunity

to perform alongside the Pittsburgh

Symphony Orchestra at Heinz Hall, our fine and

performing arts students have found success

on the stage. Winning the state championship

for the third time since 2017, our speech

and debate team is recognized locally and

nationally, with several students earning

All American Awards. In athletics, we have

WPIAL team and individual champions and

numerous section champions. Our baseball

team had its most successful season in three

decades, reaching the WPIAL finals and state

quarterfinals.

This year, despite so many challenges,

your class recorded the highest number of

recognized students in the National Merit

Scholarship and Advanced Placement Scholars

programs in recent history. Nearly 60

percent of you are members of the Upper St.

Clair High School National Honor Society

and 65 percent of you are graduating with

honors, having earned a grade point average

3.5 or above.

So, whether you enjoy art, literature,

learning a trade, robotics, athletics, or student

council (just to name a few), my hope

is that Upper St. Clair has provided you every

opportunity to discover your passion and

achieve success.

Character. The last of the three may indeed

be the most important. If we don’t have

character, we don’t have much.

A simple, but powerful definition of

character is doing the right thing, even when

nobody’s watching.

I am proud to share just some of the

ways that the class of 2022 leads the way

in modeling character. From fundraising

to support families in Ukraine to hosting

the school’s first polar plunge to benefit

Children Hospital, our students have raised

thousands of dollars to make a difference in

the lives of others. Our Kids Helping Kids

Club, Environmental Club, and our Advanced

Placement/IB environmental science

students sold and planted more than 250

trees throughout our community.

Every year dozens of students commit

to helping their peers through the

school’s Natural Helpers and Student Mentor

Dr. John Rozzo

programs. Our student clubs—as well as

our girls soccer team have worked tirelessly

to raise awareness for mental health issues.

Their efforts are more important today than

ever before.

This past fall, for the first time ever,

Upper St. Clair High School was selected

as a WPIAL Sportsmanship Award winner.

This is awarded to schools based on how

their student athletes treat others—on and

off the field. It clearly says volumes about

who you are.

Unity. Success. Character. USC. While

these words are emblazoned throughout

Upper St. Clair, they are personified by the

actions of the Class of 2022. While your next

adventure may take you far from Upper St.

Clair, my hope is that unity, success, and

character stay with you always.

In closing, please do not underestimate

what you have accomplished individually

and collectively over the past four years.

Despite enormous challenges of attending

high school during a global pandemic, you

have continued to exceed all of our expectations.

You have arguably overcome more

overall challenges than any group of high

school students before you. Through it all,

you persevered and gather here tonight as the

Upper St. Clair High School Graduating Class

of 2022. Our High School has three Halls of

Fame: Athletics, Arts, and Academics. I suspect

we will be inducting many of you into

those halls in the years to come.

Class of 2022, although your time as USC

students is almost over, you can be proud of

the mark you left on this District for future

generations. Always remember the good

times you had with each other. Regardless

of where your paths take you, know that

you will forever be a part of dear old Upper

St. Clair. n

USCHS Class of 2022 valedictorians (pictured above, listed alphabetically)

USCHS Class of 2022 Academic Achievers

Congratulations to the Class of 2022 valedictorians: William

Bacdayan, Bridget Boal, Phoebe Chen, Sophie Chen, Alyana

Childs, Shivani Jajoo, Maggie Lowden, Eden Ma, Molly Maher,

Luka Misic, Kaelyn Moran, Ethan Neal, Dev Patel, Victoria Pete,

Serena Ploeger, Julia Roeschenthaler, Sujay Shah, Nikhil Shetty,

Madeleine Wetzel and Andrew White; and IB Diploma candidates:

Evan Barker, Kaitlyn Campagna, Rachel Fibbi, Shivani Jajoo,

Sarina Krishnaswamy, Maggie Lowden, Saundra Munsick, Rhea

Punjabi, Eva Rankin, Sambhav Saggi, and Vidhur Senthil.


USCHS Commencement

It was a beautiful late spring evening when

the 324 members of the Upper St. Clair High

School Class of 2022 were awarded their diplomas

on June 9 in the high school’s stadium. TODAY extends

its best wishes to all the graduates! See pages

21–23 for graduation speeches from the School

District’s superintendent, board president, and selected

student speakers. n

—Photos courtesy of Tina Vojtko,

USCHS Communications Specialist

Phillip Elias

On behalf of your school board of

directors, let me extend to you our congratulations

on a job well done. High school

graduation is an important milestone, and

this commencement proceeding is the highlight

of our school year.

My comments will be brief this evening. I

want to touch on two very important lessons

that you have learned and ask that you carry

both forward with you.

One is obvious—you have established a

solid educational base. Good fundamentals

will serve you well for years to come. This

district has a long tradition of academic

excellence. Upper St Clair’s prowess in the

classroom speaks for itself. Our experience

is that previous graduating classes have been

well prepared educationally for whatever

comes next. You will be no different. Class

Board Response

Phillip Elias, President, Upper St. Clair Board of School Directors

of 2022, you are prepared academically for

whatever awaits you next. Keep those lessons

close to you and they will serve you well.

There is, however, something else that

this class can carry forward. Something that

we can’t simulate. Something that only comes

through experience. This class, like a few

before, and a few coming behind, have not

had it easy. Your class has sacrificed. Your

class has gone without. You have been a class

interrupted. You have struggled through hard

times. That’s unfortunate, but there’s something

to be learned from these hard times if

you are open to learning it.

Hard times can leave you with a gift, but

you must be open to receiving it. The gifts

you are left with are attributes like perseverance,

stick-to-itiveness, and grit. These are

the salvageable by-products of hard times.

The only way to develop those skills, those

attributes, is to live through and survive hard

times. We can’t teach those things in the

classroom; we can’t create a simulation that

you can walk through to hone those skills.

Some of you are heading off to the literally

the finest universities in the world, and I am

sorry to inform you that they can’t teach it

there either. You can’t buy it in Giant Eagle,

and Amazon won’t deliver to your doorstep

next day. The only way to get experience in

dealing with hard times is to experience hard

times. There are lessons to be drawn from

these past two and a half years, but you have

to be open to learning them.

There’s a warning that comes with this

second lesson. One thing can stop you from

the receiving the gift, and that’s cynicism.

The cynic can never pull the good out of the

bad, the cynic never sees a silver lining, the

cynic is incapable of turning chicken waste

into chicken salad. Reject the cynicism and

you can recycle the hard times, mine the good

that comes from the experience, and keep the

lessons close to you. They’ll serve you well

going forward, as hard times have a way of

returning from time to time.

Upper St Clair graduating class of 2022,

your door is wide open.

Again, on behalf of your school, please

know that we are proud of you. Best wishes in

whatever is next and please stay in touch. n


USCHS 2022 Commencement Student Speakers

The 324 members of

the Upper St. Clair High School

Class of 2022 were inspired and

encouraged by words of advice

from their fellow students.

Here are excerpts from the five

student speakers. Their full

speeches can be found at twpusc.org/today.

…Whether we were aware of it or not, when

we walked into school on the first day this year,

our class had a mission. Just like any other

senior class, we took up the leadership roles of

teams and clubs. We served as mentors to the

underclassmen. However, this year was different.

Our job was to also bring back and preserve

old traditions. We had to teach the school what

we used to know as the norm.

The class of 22 knew what it meant to be

a Panther way back in 2018. We made sure

the underclassmen did as well before we all

left school last week. And so, as our class says

goodbye, we leave a challenge to the future

upperclassmen and to the classes that come

next: Continue our school’s traditions. Create

new ones. To all the future graduates here in

Pantherland, remember what we taught you.

Remember the bridge our class created to the

past.

— RJ Shontz, student council president

…Today is June 9, 2022: The day we graduate

high school. Whether you’ve been counting

down the days for years or dreading the moment

you can no longer see your friends every day,

sitting in front of me I see a powerful and accomplished

group of students that I am proud

to graduate with. A lot of us have been in the

Upper St. Clair school district for the last 13

years. Four thousand six hundred and sixty-five

days ago, on August 31, 2009, we went off on

our first day of kindergarten, and ever since

then we have been shaping and defining the

class of 2022.

— Kathleen Gianni, senior class president

… Throughout our journey in USC, we have

travelled from field to field. We started on our

elementary school playgrounds with good old

freeze tag and felt like all-stars when we got

a turf field at Boyce! The grass fields of Fort

Couch were home to the best games of frisbee

and handstand competitions. Now this last

field that we’re on is the most important of all.

Panther stadium holds many meaningful memories

of triumph, fun, and pride. We will all be

moving on from this field, headed in different directions,

whether it be watching college football,

watching the sun rise over the ocean, or chasing

our own kids around a playground someday. So,

no matter how far apart we go after tonight, and

as we say goodbye to the memories we created

on this field, 22 will always be a number to

bring us back home.

— Shivani Jajoo, senior speaker

…The title of senior that we used to be intimidated

by now represents us. Sure, some of

the hardest moments happen during the finale

like saying goodbye to the characters that you

have learned to love, but we are always reassured

of the bright futures that await them and

now us. If you take away anything I say today,

it is this: embrace every moment and celebrate

the present. Sure, it is important to plan for

the future, but make sure to take time to reflect

on the memories we made during our 12 years

at USC.

The first series of our lives may be wrapping

up today, but tomorrow brings the start of our

respective spin-offs. Like the many unexpected

events that happened at the workspace, our

life is unpredictable, so make sure to face each

part of your lives with optimism. From the

wise words of Michael Scott, “goodbyes suck,”

but they mark new seasons in the show we call

life, and I can’t wait to see how the rest of our

lives play out.

— Andrew Miller, senior speaker

…We aren’t the same people that left

USCHS on that fateful Friday the 13th in 2020.

Our sophomore spring was taken by quarantine

and our junior year was characterized by

protocol. But, over this past year—our senior

year— we’ve shown that we are better people

because of this adversity. We’ll take the lessons

of perseverance, flexibility, and innovation into

the job market as we become nurses, lawyers,

business executives, scientists, teachers, architects,

military personnel, and more. But more

importantly, we will carry these lessons—and

our Panther Pride—throughout our lives, making

real change in our chosen communities.

— Eva Rankin, senior speaker n

Best Wishes to Our Retirees

Upper St. Clair School District celebrated the retirement

of 21 faculty and staff members who have a combined 432

years of service to the school community at the district’s annual endof-year

staff breakfast and retiree recognition event this past June.

Congratulations and best wishes to our 2021–22 Retirees:

• Mary Berry, accounts payable clerk, eight years of service

• Amy Beyerl, Eisenhower Elementary teacher, 23 years of

service

• Carol Brinkhoff, Boyce Middle School teacher, 34 years of

service

• Lisa Cain, Fort Couch Middle School teacher, 33 years of

service

• Kelly Chicchi, bus driver, 33 years of service

• Linda Derrico, bus attendant, 33 years of service

• Cynthia Dolan, custodian, six years of service

• Rebecca Findley, Baker Elementary School teacher, 26 years

of service

• Heidi Joseph, Baker Elementary School teacher aide, 26

years of service

• James Kulik, custodian, 12 years of service

• Donna Lassige, bus driver, 20 years of service

• Anna Lucas, High School cook, 20 years of service

• Paula Lydon, Baker health room aide, 13 years of service

• Suzanne Madden, bus driver, 19 years of service

• John (Jack) Martin, custodian, 20 years of service

• William Mocker, bus driver, five years of service

• Steven Nicklas, Boyce Middle School teacher, 29 years of

service

• Patricia Palazzolo, High School teacher, 36 years of service

• Mary Jean Rollick, Fort Couch teacher aide, six years of

service

• Bill Rullo, High School counselor, 25 years of service

• Robert Wolfe, bus driver, five years of service n

2021–22 retirees


Erin Peterson Named Fort Couch Principal

Erin Peterson, Fort Couch Middle School assistant

principal since 2013, has been promoted to principal, effective

July 1, 2022. She replaces Joe DeMar, who retired after serving

as Fort Couch principal for 19 years.

“With more than 20 years of middle school experience Mrs.

Peterson is the right choice to lead Fort Couch Middle School,”

said Dr. John Rozzo, superintendent of schools. “Her proven

leadership skills, collaborative nature and passion for middle level

education will ensure the school’s continued success.”

Mrs. Peterson joined the Fort Couch staff in 2006, serving as

an English/language arts (ELA) teacher, reading specialist, curriculum

leader for middle school ELA, and Professional Learning

Community facilitator before ascending to assistant principal in

2013.

In March 2021, Mrs. Peterson was recognized with the

Leonard R. Ference Outstanding Administrator Award from the

Pennsylvania Association of Middle Level

Educators (PAMLE). The award honors

administrators who value, understand

and support middle level education practices

that promote powerful learning for

young adolescents.

Mrs. Peterson holds a bachelor’s degree

in English and secondary education

from Grove City College. She earned her

master’s degree in education for reading Erin Peterson

and language arts from Duquesne University,

where she is currently pursuing her doctorate in educational

leadership.

A resident of Upper St. Clair, Mrs. Peterson and her husband,

Shane, have two school-aged children—James and Katherine. n

School Board Member Receives Voice of Advocacy Award

This past April, Barbara Bolas, a 34-year member of

the Upper St. Clair School Board, was honored with the Voice of

Advocacy Award from the Western Pennsylvania Forum of School

Superintendents.

Nominated by Dr. Patrick O’Toole, who retired as Upper St.

Clair’s superintendent in 2018, Mrs. Bolas was praised for her

service and advocacy.

“Since moving to the Pittsburgh region, she has been devoted

to public service,” said Dr. O’Toole. “Mrs. Bolas has a long history

of service to public education at the local, state and national

levels and has been a strong advocate for children of Upper St.

Clair and beyond.”

Throughout her tenure, Mrs. Bolas has served leadership

roles locally as well as with the Pennsylvania School Boards Association

and the National School Boards Association. She served

as a PSBA officer and board member from 1998 through 2010,

including serving as president of the organization in 2001. Mrs.

Bolas served as a NSBA board member from 2001-2010 and was

the NSBA president in 2008-09.

Locally, Mrs. Bolas served as the USC

School Board president in 1989, 1998,

2013, and 2020. She was vice-president

in 1988, 1997, 2012, 2018, and 2019.

She has chaired and served on numerous

board committees over her three decades

of service.

“The wealth of experience that frames

Mrs. Bolas’s perspectives is invaluable,”

said Dr. John Rozzo, current superintendent

of schools. “She continues to be

Barbara Bolas

a leader in our Upper St. Clair community, in public education

and, especially, within our board room. We appreciate and value

her service and leadership.”

Mrs. Bolas was previously honored with the PSBA Chief Executive

Officer’s Distinguished Service Pin, which recognizes PSBA

members, staff and education advocates for their extraordinary

service and work on behalf of the association. She holds a bachelor’s

degree in education from the State University of New York.

She began her career as a public school teacher. n

Teacher Contract Approved

The Upper St. Clair School District and the Upper

St. Clair Education Association (USCEA) approved a new fiveyear

collective bargaining agreement. The USCEA, represented

by the American Federation of Teachers PA, serves the district’s

nearly 300 teachers, librarians, psychologists, school counselors,

and school nurses.

The agreement, effective Aug. 18, 2022 through June 30,

2027, was ratified by the USCEA membership on June 24 and

unanimously approved by the school board on June 27, 2022.

“The agreement includes language revisions that provide additional

flexibility for the administration and staff,” said Dr. John

Rozzo, superintendent.

The new agreement provides increases to salaries, but also

includes a progressive increase to healthcare premium contributions

from the current formula to a 14%–15% contribution rate

by the end of the agreement. A beginning teacher at Upper St.

Clair will make $53,300 in the first year of the new agreement.

Staff moving to the top salary step will receive a $3,000 raise in

the first year of the agreement.

“The new salary schedule keeps district salaries competitive

with comparable school districts in Allegheny County,” said Dr.

Rozzo. “The Upper St. Clair School District is proud to be the

top performing school district in the state and believes this agreement

recognizes the district’s exemplary professional staff while

remaining fiscally responsible.” n


Hometown High Q Champs

Jasmine Dietiker Patrick Nowak Chase Neponuceno

Three Upper St. Clair High School students were recently

crowned KDKA Hometown High Q champions of the 2021–22

season. The final round of the competition aired on June 25, 2022.

Jasmine Dietiker, Patrick Nowak, and Chase Neponuceno

defeated students from Homer-Center Junior/Senior High School

and Mars Area High School. The Upper St. Clair students were

coached by recently retired gifted coordinator Pat Palazzolo.

Students Excel in Math

Upper St. Clair students in grades five through 12

earned high marks in the Pennsylvania Mathematics League

(PML) contest.

Boyce students placed second among the 55 participating

schools in Pennsylvania and first among schools in the fourcounty

region that includes Allegheny, Butler, Cambria, and

Washington counties. Of the top four individual scores in the

region, four were earned by Boyce students.

Among the top 35 scores earned at the sixth-grade level, 10

were Boyce students, four of whom were fifth graders. Top scorers

for Boyce included John Whitman, Alan Anderson, Nathan Del,

Joey Wyse, Aaron Jiang, Ahana Mendhi, Lyman Thomson, Seth

Pedretti, Bernard Huang, and Max Reyes.

Fort Couch eighth graders placed second among 40 schools in

Pennsylvania and first in the four-county region. Of the top eight

individual scores, four were represented by Fort Couch students.

Five Fort Couch eighth graders—Sara Gillespie, Sofia

Alfredson Themudo, Tony Chen, Kaia Petrick, and Luke An—

ranked among Pennsylvania’s top 37 scores.

Fort Couch seventh graders placed 11th among the 38 participating

schools in Pennsylvania and fourth in the four-county

region. Among Pennsylvania’s top 34 scores were Jonah Zahalsky

and Lizzie Myers.

This marks the first time that Upper St. Clair has won the competition

since it began in the 1999–20 school year. The 2021–22

season of Hometown High Q began in the fall with teams from

81 high schools throughout the region.

“As winners, the students earned $4,000 for the school,” said

Mrs. Palazzolo. “The most exciting part, though, is that this is

the first time our high school has ever won. We have come in

second and third and made the semifinals (top nine) two or three

times, but this is our first No. 1 finish, in my final year teaching!”

Hometown High Q is a 30-minute academic quiz show where

each week three school teams vie against one another. Hosted

by KDKA-TV meteorologist Ray Petelin, students must correctly

answer questions from a variety of general high school curriculum

subject areas. The top scoring schools in the competition advance

to the playoffs.

High Q, which premiered during the 1999–2000 school year,

was inspired by similar programs in other cities, including the

long running It’s Academic in Washington, D.C. n

Middle school students were given 30 minutes to solve 35

questions, ranging from simple and straightforward to complex

math problems. The school’s team score—comprised of the

school’s top five scores—is reported to the PML.

At the high school level, PML consists of six contests each

year, administered once a month (October through March) with

six questions per contest. Problems draw from a wide range of

high school topics, including geometry, algebra, trigonometry,

logarithms, series, sequences, exponents, roots, integers, real

numbers, combinations, probability, and coordinate geometry.

Each six-question contest had a 30-minute time limit. The last

two questions on each contest were more difficult than the first

four, with the final question being intended to challenge the very

best mathematics students.

Upper St. Clair High School was the second highest scoring

school among the 13 participating high schools in Allegheny

County and placed fourth among the 96 participating schools in

Pennsylvania. Jason Lu, Carter McClintock-Comeaux, Alex Sun,

Sophie Chen, and Yuhong Shi were recognized as high scoring

students in the commonwealth.

The PML specializes in conducting math contests designed

to stimulate student interest and confidence in mathematics. n

History Bee Quarterfinalist

A Boyce Middle School student recently advanced to

the quarterfinals in the 2022 National History Bee. Sixth grader

Arjun Kairi traveled to Orlando, FL for the competition, held

this past June.

The National History Bee is a buzzer-based history quiz competition

for elementary, middle, and high school-aged students

throughout the United States. The competition is categorized by

several grade-level divisions: varsity—grades 11 and 12, junior

varsity—grades 10 and younger, 8 th grade, 7 th grade, 6 th grade,

and elementary school, which includes all students in grade five

and younger. Arjun competed in the

elementary school division.

A flutist, Arjun placed first place

in the 2022 Crescendo International

Music Competition in January 2022

at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

This spring, he finished among

the top 10 in the annual Western

Pennsylvania Spelling Bee. n

Arjun Kairi


State Champs!

The Upper St. Clair Speech & Debate team won

the Pennsylvania High School Speech League (PHSSL) State

Championship for the third time since 2017, defeating rival North

Allegheny in three major categories—Debate Sweepstakes, Speech

Sweepstakes, and Overall Large School Sweepstakes.

Rushikesh Kulkarni and Dev Patel closed out their high school

careers in Parliamentary Debate with a 5–0 victory over North

Allegheny in the State final round to win Upper St. Clair’s fourth

PHSSL Championship in the event. They were 15–1 on ballots

throughout the tournament.

Qadir Khan and Daniel Wang advanced to the State final round

in Public Forum Debate, eventually falling to North Allegheny.

In total, 46 Upper St. Clair students representing 34 entries

qualified to compete in the annual competition. Of those, 26 students—19

entries—advanced to the second day of competition.

The following competitors advanced to Debate Semifinal

Rounds or the Congress Super Session (Top 4):

Jack Miller and Patrick Nowak, Parliamentary Debate; Eva

Rankin and Edythe McCurrie, Public Forum Debate;

Priyanka Palayekar, Congress House; Ansh Goyal, Congress

Senate.

The following competitors advanced to speech State Final

Rounds (Top 6): Rhea Punjabi and Nivedha Suresh, News

Broadcasting; Shivani Jajoo, Commentary; Esha Lahoti,

Informative; Evan Barker, Prose; Shana Reddy, Informative.

The following competitors advanced to quarterfinals in

Debate (Top 8), but did not advance to semifinals: Jasmine

Dietiker, Extemporaneous Debate; Isabel Vilensky and Theeya

Chen, Parliamentary Debate; Saif Durrani, Lincoln-Douglas

Debate; Sambhav Saggi, Lincoln-Douglas Debate; and Ammar

Kethavath and Will Bacdayan, Public Forum Debate.

The following competitors made the semifinals in Speech

events (Top 12), but did not advance to final rounds: Arnav Kumar,

Dramatic Interpretation; Saif bin Hammad, Commentary; Nitin

Chandran, Extemporaneous; Cameron Weber, Extemporaneous;

Rosemary Ramirez, Impromptu.

The following competitors qualified for the State tournament

through either the bid system (three bids throughout the season

for auto-qualification) or at the District Qualifier in February:

Ujal Gautam, Senate; Jack Loomis, Senate; Ashe Sobel-Drum,

Senate; Maya Talasela, Poetry; Cadence Golden, Poetry; Scott

Cheung and Nitish Sharma, Public Forum Debate; Maanasa

Reddy, Persuasive; Priyasha Itani, Persuasive; Matthew Hrehocik,

Extemporaneous; Henry Zheng, Extemporaneous; Shubham Patel

and Shiven Verma, Policy Debate; Daniel Paulick, Commentary.

Ashley Eichberg and Shreya Golakiya, Policy Debate; and Henry

Ginsburg, Extemporaneous Debate, qualified, but were unable

to compete at States.

The USC High School Speech & Debate Team is coached by

high school teachers Ben Edwards and Dave Watson. Founded

in 1961, the PHSSL’s purpose is to stimulate through educational

competition an understanding and appreciation of all areas of

speech. n

Academic All Americans

Five Upper St. Clair High School students earned

Academic All American awards from the National Speech

& Debate Association. Ansh Goyal, Peer Khan, Jack Miller,

Priyanka Palayekar, and Daniel Wang have been honored for

their academic rigor, competitive speech and debate success,

and personal excellence.

To earn this coveted honor, students must meet the following

minimum requirements: 3.5 unweighted GPA, 1300 SAT

or 27 ACT score, and 750 or more National Forensic League

Honor Society Points.

The Upper St. Clair High School Speech & Debate Team

is coached by teachers Ben Edwards, social studies, and Dave

Watson, English. n

Ansh Goyal Peer Khan Jack Miller Priyanka Palayekar Daniel Wang


Stand Together Spreads Awareness

Members of Upper St. Clair High

School’s Stand Together initiative were

recognized at a regional celebration

this past April at Montour High School.

Upper St. Clair was one of five local schools

that shared details regarding their efforts

to spread awareness about mental health

and substance abuse disorders. Other participating

schools included South Fayette,

West Allegheny, and Montour high schools,

and Propel-Montour Middle School.

Stand Together is a new partnership

with the high school this year that is

organized and coordinated through and

with the Allegheny County Department

of Human Services. Stand Together trains,

inspires, and equips students to act against

stigma toward mental health and substance

abuse disorders, decrease social distance,

and encourage peers to seek help. Shannon

Dressler, school psychologist, and Dr. Dan

Beck, assistant principal, serve as advisors

for the student-led group.

“Stand Together has helped me improve

how I can support my friends that may be

struggling,” said Daniel Seewald, now a

junior at the high school.

Throughout the day-long celebration,

students had the opportunity to visit

tables and displays that were set up by

other schools to share their activities and

experiences.

Bake Sale Benefits

Women’s Shelter

As eighth graders at Fort Couch Middle School, Lylah

Kateeb and Isabella Donnelly hosted a bake sale during the

school’s annual Celebration of Learning this past May, raising

$555 to benefit the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater

Pittsburgh.

“We baked most of the goods but also received many

donations from the families of Fort Couch,” said Lylah. “We

organized the entire sale, advertised, and brought our friend

Braidyn Recker to help us sell during Celebration of Learning.”

The bake sale donation will help the women’s shelter in

its mission to provide safety, shelter, support, and guidance

to survivors of domestic violence. n

The 25 Upper St. Clair students participating

in the Stand Together club span

grades 9–12 and were nominated by high

school staff members. Upon the club’s

inception, students took part in a two-day

training program to learn about various

mental and substance abuse disorders, as

well as the impact of stigma on youth with

these disorders. Students also engaged

in team-building activities to encourage

solidarity and strength within their group.

Stand Together’s first of three schoolwide

events was a Hot Chocolate for

Hope project, which was held in February.

This event focused on spreading awareness

by reviewing acronyms associated

with supportive factors (SHE—support,

hope, encouragement) or at-risk factors

(WHAPP—withdrawal, hopelessness, agitation,

personal changes, poor self-care).

Students were asked to provide an example

to demonstrate understanding in exchange

for a hot chocolate. Stickers featuring the

acronyms were distributed as a take-away.

In April, students spread awareness

visually to represent that one in four individuals

is affected by a mental and/or

substance abuse disorder in a given year.

Stand Together members

Stand Together colors are green to represent

mental health awareness and purple

to represent substance abuse awareness.

Green and purple bracelets were distributed

to students, representing the one in

four ratio.

“I like that more people are involved

now and willing to stand up for this cause,”

said senior Yoshna Venkataraman.

The final activity of the year was a

week-long event in May to recognize

Mental Health Awareness Month. Students

participated in a different theme each day

of the week and had two school-wide activities

to visually represent “you are not

alone” and “blocking out stigma.”

Members of the Upper St. Clair Stand

Together Club include Havala Bayles,

Skyler Bruno, Ava Cerny, Calla Dressler,

Maggie Dowds, Jodyce Duplessis, Diana

Funaro, David Goldberg, Marina Gzikowski,

Jacob Hamilton, Ava Kasper, Adam

Levine, Mia Manalo, Lucia Miles, Justin

Oswald, Rhea Punjabi, Carter Richie, Sarah

Robert, Daniel Seewald, Anna Snyder,

Sarah Spencer, Nate Stohl, Adin Teres, Max

Thomas, and Yoshna Venkataraman. n

Bakesale organizers Lylah Kateeb and Isabella Donnelly and their friend Braidyn Recker


STEAM

Students Present to Eaton

Upper St. Clair High School STEAM students traveled to

Eaton Corporation in Moon Township to present their work to a

team of corporate executives. Students were tasked with researching

and developing solutions for a variety of challenges, from designing

electric vehicle charging facilities to cryptocurrency mining.

The students are enrolled in the STEAM Innovation &

Consulting course taught by Mr. Fred Peskorski. Within the

class, students work to solve real world problems using human

centered design techniques as well as more traditional problemsolving

methods.

The final phase of this course requires students to work with

industry partners to solve real problems that need to be addressed

within those companies. Students have been working with Eaton,

an international Fortune 500 Company that focuses on reliable,

efficient, safe, and sustainable power management technologies.

“Our students were able to travel to Eaton’s Beaver plant

and got to tour their facilities as well as meet with their points

of contact for more in-depth conversations about each team’s

problems,” said Mr. Peskorski. “Most teams set up weekly remote

meetings with their Eaton advisors as they continued to work

toward implementable solutions.”

Mr. Brooke Lang, vice-president and general manager of

Young Programmers

Toward the end of the 2021–2022 school

year, Streams Elementary first graders combined

their skills in coding and mapping to “drive”

Bee-Bot robots around their student-designed 3-D

neighborhood.

Students completed a geography unit that focused

on maps and globes, learning to identify and use

cardinal directions to find places on a map, how to

identify and use addresses, recognize map symbols,

and use them to interpret a map, and recognize and

use routes on a map.

To demonstrate their mapping skills and knowledge,

first graders collaborated to create a classroom

3-D representation of a neighborhood. Complete with

a Giant Eagle, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, a hospital, houses, roads, and trees, the neighborhood

also included important signs and symbols including street names, house numbers,

and other important directional signage.

As part of the library curriculum, Streams students are introduced to coding through

Bee-Bots, a robot used to teach sequencing, estimation, and problem-solving. To celebrate

their coding skills, first graders used

Bee-Bots to “drive” around their 3-D

neighborhood.

“The directional aspect of coding

the Bee-Bots made for a perfect

collaboration with our first graders

map skills,” said Stephanie Kellner,

Streams librarian. “They proudly

shared their learning with their families

at STAR Night, creating a special

memory to remind our students that

A 3-D neighborhood created by Streams first graders.


STEM

Eaton’s Components Division, is an Upper St. Clair resident and

parent. He contacted Mr. Peskorski last year with a willingness

to partner and collaborate with the STEAM students.

“We appreciate the students’ new ideas and insights,” said Mr.

Lang. “We are a learning organization, so it is a big part of what

we want to do. The students bring a much different perspective

to these challenges that we are working on and will help us to

progress these initiatives at Eaton.”

This is the second year that Eaton has partnered with the

STEAM course. Prior to their work with Eaton Corp, these

students worked with EAFab, a Pittsburgh-based company that

designs and fabricates equipment and parts for steel mills throughout

North America.

The STEAM Innovation & Consulting course was launched

in 2014 as a partnership between the Upper St. Clair and South

Fayette high schools, the Luma Institute, All Clad Metalcrafters

LLC, and EAFab Corp. It has since grown to include Bethel Park

High School, Peters Township High School, Tom Brown Inc.,

Eaton, and OZ Enterprises.

Any corporations or organizations that may be interested in

partnering with the STEAM Innovation & Consulting course

should contact Mr. Peskorski at fpeskorski@uscsd.k12.pa.us. n

Working with Bee-Bots

‘It is always a beautiful day in our

first-grade neighborhood.’” n

Chemistry

Olympiad

High School students Alex Sun

and Sophia Song were invited to participate

in the U.S. National Chemistry

Olympiad. Alex and Sophia, sponsored

by USCHS science teacher Laura Marks,

were nominated by the Pittsburgh Section

of the American Chemical Society based

on their performance on the local exam.

“Our students annually participate in

this competition,” said Mrs. Marks. “This

is only the second time our students were

chosen to sit for the national exam, last

year being the first national invite.”

The U.S. National Chemistry

Olympiad is a multi-tiered chemistry

competition for high school students.

Sponsored by the American Chemical

Society since 1984, the competition’s

purpose is to stimulate young people to

achieve excellence in chemistry. n

Sophia Song

Alex Sun

STEAM

STEM

USC Tops Robotics Scrimmage

Upper St. Clair robotics team, TeraBridges (Team #18603), won the top

score and rank in a recent six-team FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) scrimmage hosted by

the USC Robotics Club this past April.

In addition to TeraBridges, Upper St. Clair teams participating included BotsBurgh

(Team #11792) and USC Dynamics (Team #20223). Visiting teams included MARS

Ingenuity (Team #20079) and MARS Opportunity! (Team #16776) from the Mars area

of Butler County, and the Robotic Doges (Team #8645) from the Laurel Highlands area.

Robotics teams participated in nine qualification rounds where teams paired up

in alliances to compete in this year’s FIRST Tech Challenge Freight Frenzy game. The

event concluded with teams creating alliances to battle for the championship position.

The USC Robotics Club is spearheaded by Tracy Smith, Upper St. Clair physics and

robotics teacher.

The USC Robotics Club also hosted a USC Robotics Showcase this May. Attendees

got to see the FIRST Tech Challenge robots as well as the FIRST LEGO League

Challenge robots in action.

The event held at the high school, included a demonstration of the robots in mock

competitions as well as opportunities for community members to participate in robotics

activities such as building, driving, and competing in mini challenges. n

Leadership in

Robotics

Mahir Parmar, an Upper St.

Clair High School student, was named

one of three finalists for Dean’s List

recognition in the Pennsylvania FIRST

Tech Challenge. The three finalists represented

Pennsylvania in the running

for the 10 Dean’s List Winner spots at

the FIRST Championship 2022, which

was held in Houston, Texas.

Mahir is a member of the robotics

team—18603 TeraBridges, one of

the three USC Robotics FIRST Tech

Challenge teams. n

Mahir Parmar

For more information about USC Robotics and

ways to get involved, visit uscrobotics.org

or contact Ms. Smith at

tsmith@uscsd.k12.pa.us.

BotsBurgh Donates $4,000

to USC Robotics

BotsBurgh, originally established as a communitybased

robotics team, recently donated $4,000 to support the

development of the USC Robotics Club, which serves Upper St.

Clair students in grades five through 12.

Prior to the launch of USC Robotics, BotsBurgh had provided

students with the opportunity to compete in the FIRST Tech

Challenge (FTC). Comprised of Upper St. Clair students and

their parents, BotsBurgh raised $8,000 to support the 2020 and

2021 FTC seasons. BotsBurgh now competes as one of several

USC Robotics teams.

Leading the fundraising efforts for BotsBurgh were USC students

Varun Damarla and Komel Nulwala. The students created a

sponsorship packet that highlighted BotsBurgh’s agenda to expand

robotics-focused STEM education within the Upper St. Clair community.

In return for financial and material support, BotsBurgh

pledged to acknowledge sponsors on its competition robot, engineering

lab notebook, and other outreach materials. Sponsors

included Locomation, RoCo Global, Eaton, and Arconic, along

with donations from family and friends within the community.

Entering its second year, the USC Robotics Club has adopted

BotsBurgh’s sponsorship model in order to expand the scope of

Robotics demonstration on CommUNITY Day 2022

STEM education in the Upper St. Clair community. USC Robotics

is led by Tracy Smith, high school physics and robotics teacher.

Planning is underway for the 2022-23 school year. More than

200 middle and high school students have already enrolled in the

USC Robotics Club for the fall. n

For more information about USC Robotics and/or sponsorship

opportunities, contact Mrs. Smith at tsmith@uscsd.k12.pa.us

or visit uscrobotics.org.


STEAM

STEM

Arts in USC

Students earned first, second,

and third place honors in the 2021–22

Arts in USC contest, sponsored by Upper

St. Clair Parent Teacher Council. The following

students and their artwork were

recognized this past spring:

Kindergarten

1 st Place: Ellie Krygowski, Eisenhower

2 nd Place: Shlok Dhopare, Streams

3 rd Place: Donald Jones, Baker

First Grade

1 st Place: Anastasia Elhajj, Baker

2 nd Place: Ditya Makhija, Eisenhower

3 rd Place: Om Sharma, Streams

Second Grade

1 st Place: Shan Odari, Baker

2 nd Place: Roman Ward, Eisenhower

3 rd Place: Alivia Rush, Streams

Third Grade

1 st Place: Sarah Sakowitz, Streams

2 nd Place: Allison Marie Irvine, Baker

3 rd Place: Lynna Thomson, Eisenhower

Fourth Grade

1 st Place: Durga Binoj, Streams

2 nd Place: Lauren Joyce, Eisenhower

3 rd Place: Madison Greenwald, Baker

Fifth Grade

1 st Place: Divya Singh, Boyce

2 nd Place: Isabella Liu, Boyce (tie)

2 nd Place: Anvi Vaishya, Boyce (tie)

3 rd Place: Rihaj Odari, Boyce Middle School

Sixth Grade

1 st Place: Iris Wang, Boyce

2 nd Place: Bella Uffelman, Boyce

3 rd Place: Maddie Brunner, Boyce

Seventh Grade

1 st Place: Jhivyasaili Sahu, Fort Couch

2 nd Place: Sophia Henderson, Fort Couch

3 rd Place: Gloria Wu, Fort Couch

Eighth Grade

1 st Place: Tanvi Kallur, Fort Couch

2 nd Place: Ojasi Madhekar, Fort Couch

3 rd Place: Tanvi Kallur, Fort Couch

Nearly 250 students in kindergarten

through grade eight participated in the

annual contest. With the theme, “A Salute

to Animals,” students were encouraged to

create an original two-dimensional piece

of art. All submissions can be viewed on

the PTC’s webpage at uscsd.k12.pa.us/

domain/53. n

Ellie Krygowski, Eisenhower

Anastasia Elhajj, Baker

Shan Odari, Baker

Sarah Sakowitz, Streams

Iris Wang, Boyce

Divya Singh, Boyce

Jhivyasaili Sahu, Fort Couch

For more information, please email

artsinusc@gmail.com.

Durga Binoj, Streams

Tanvi Kallur, Fort Couch


USC Named Best

Community for

Music Education

For the seventh consecutive year,

Upper St. Clair School

District has been named

among the nation’s Best

Communities for Music

Education by the NAMM

Foundation. Upper St.

Clair is one of only 14

school districts in Allegheny County and

118 in Pennsylvania to earn the distinction

in 2022.

Now in its 23rd year, the 2022 Best

Communities for Music Education program

has recognized 738 school districts and 80

schools across 44 states for the outstanding

efforts by teachers, administrators, parents,

students, and community leaders and their

support for music education as part of a wellrounded

education for all children.

To qualify for the Best Communities designation,

Upper St. Clair officials answered

detailed questions about funding, graduation

requirements, music class participation, instruction

time, facilities, support for the music

program, and community music-making programs.

Responses were verified with school

officials and reviewed by the Music Research

Institute at the University of Kansas.

This year’s awards program was designed

to celebrate schools and districts adapting,

innovating, and persevering in the face of

change.

“The 2022 Best Communities for Music

Education is an opportunity to celebrate

music programs and honors the resilience

and dedication to keeping music as part of a

well-rounded education as we all adapt to a

new educational landscape,” said Christopher

Johnson of the Music Research Institute at

the University of Kansas. “If there was one

common theme, it’s that schools and districts

found ways to sustain music education and

student engagement in even the most challenging

of circumstances.”

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit

organization supported in part by the

National Association of Music Merchants and

its approximately 10,400 members around the

world. The foundation advances active participation

in music making across the lifespan by

supporting scientific research, philanthropic

giving, and public service programs. For more

information about the NAMM Foundation,

please visit nammfoundation.org. n

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Poetry Published

Three Upper St. Clair students have written poetry that

was selected for publication in the Creative Communications

Poetic Power Contest. Fort Couch student Erin Wells’ poem,

“Coastal Whispers,” will be included in the organization’s anthology,

A Celebration of Poets as will Suhavi Singh’s poem, “Freely

Free.” Suhavi, now at Fort Couch, was in sixth grade at Boyce

when her poem was submitted. Also selected for publication

was Kriti Kulkarni’s poem titled, “Pencil vs. Pen.” A fifth-grade

student at Boyce, Kriti was in fourth grade at Baker Elementary

when she submitted her poem.

“This is not a contest where every entry is invited to be published.

Only the best poems are selected for this honor,” said

Thomas K. Worthen, Ph.D., editor for Creative Communication.

“Being published represents a lot of talent, hard work and dedication

from teachers and students.” n

Erin Wells Suhavi Singh Kriti Kulkarni

Coastal Whispers

Erin Wells

Freely Free

Suhavi Singh

Pencil vs. Pen

Kriti Kulkarni

“Do not mourn my friend,” the trees

whisper in the east

As the eastern sky blooms bright light

“The moon will be back,” the trees softly

whisper

As the light of the sun overtakes the night

“Shhh,” she whispers to the trees

As the light overtakes the now orange sky

“But my friend, you mourn,” the trees

whisper in the east

As the sky turns yellow and she lets out a

sigh

“As you have said, the moon will be back,”

The trees softly sigh in defeat and remorse

“The sun reigns now,” she murmurs in the

east

As the sky turns blue and her voice turns

hoarse

“My sister mourns,” she whispers in the

west

As the light fades to orange and yellow

“My brothers now flourish,” the trees softly

whisper

As the sky turns darker and the colors

more mellow

“But she knows, like me, that the moon will

be back,”

As the sky turns dark and the light fades

away

“But for now I shall celebrate,” she happily

murmurs

As the trees agree and contentedly sway

Have you ever felt chained

Even though you have Liberty

Do you ever feel that no one is free, Until

EVERYBODY’s free?

If you do, come along with me, I’ll show

you the things you

have never seen

Come, into my factory

Where everyone is Notoriously, Gloriously,

Freely Free

The recipe, to freely free, of course, starts

with you and me.

There are so many people on this Spree, but

hidden, not

Freely Free.

Inside their heart, wanting peace, but not

knowing, how to

move their feet.

Thinking, they’re too small to make a

change, that is the

biggest mistake one could make.

Do you know what it takes

Well, It’s for the World’s sake

Come, to my house

We’ll bake such a Cake

Throw Violence in the trash

The world ate enough of that

This one shall be endless

Generations and Generations shall

remember the taste

It shall keep on flourishing

Until everybody knows the recipe

Of Freely Free.

Pencil vs. Pen

Who should I choose and when?

Proud Pencil declares,

“Oh Pen, don’t think you are always right

For you cannot erase what you write.”

Clever Pen responds,

“Oh Pencil, mind what you say

For with me the sharpener stays away.”

Snooty Pencil remarks,

“Now Pen, your ink can run out

And kids shall sadly pout.”

Sharp-witted Pen retorts,

“Now now Pencil, you must calm down

For with a sharp tip you can poke children

around!”

Pencil vs. Pen

Who should I choose and when?

Well, who would you choose my friend?


Outstanding Music Educator

Christine Hestwood

Christine Hestwood, Upper St. Clair’s

middle school strings teacher and high school

orchestra conductor, was selected to receive the

Outstanding Music Educator Award from the

Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra.

Ms. Hestwood joined the Upper St. Clair

faculty in 1996. She holds a bachelor’s degree

in voice and music education from Duquesne

University as well as a master’s degree in conducting

from Carnegie Mellon University. In

addition to her role as a music teacher, she

serves as the music director at Westminster

Presbyterian Church and conductor of the

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Hamlisch-Page

Student Choir. n

“Where Custom Homes

are a Family Tradition”

Exclusive Upper St. Clair

Homesites Available

Musicians Selected

as Featured Wind Ensemble

The Upper St. Clair High School wind ensemble was recently unanimously

accepted to appear as a featured ensemble at the 13 th Annual Senior Wind Band

Celebration. The event will take place on Jan. 21, 2023, at Marywood University, located

in Scranton, Pa.

“The band exhibits significant levels of musical achievement,” said F. David

Romines, Marywood University’s music department co-chair and director of bands. “It

is the opinion of the committee that a performance by the Upper St. Clair Band would

provide a worthy musical model for the band students and directors in attendance.”

Directed by Dr. John Seybert, performing arts curriculum leader and director of

band, the wind ensemble is composed of the school’s top 40–60 woodwind, brass, and

percussion instrumentalists. Placement in the ensemble is by competitive audition and

includes the instrumentation of flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn,

trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion. n

YOUR

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PTC

Pawprints...

... a USC Parent Teacher Council Feature

Leading Upper St. Clair’s Parent Teacher Council and the PTSOs, PTOs, and PTA at our community’s schools are the

seven council unit presidents. TODAY is pleased to introduce you to theses dedicated individuals who do so much to enrich the lives

of our students. Please respond generously when and if they call for volunteers during the 2022–2023 school year!

Shanna Caplan

Council

Shanna Caplan, President

Spouse: Jacob Caplan

Children: Crysta (23), Darian (21),

Colby (11)

Occupation: substitute teacher

Hobbies: Reading, crocheting, crafts of

all sorts

Favorite meal: My husband’s brisket

High School PTSO

Kelly Powell, President

Spouse: Brad Powell

Children: Emily (15), Nathan (13),

Paige (11)

Occupation: Regulatory Compliance

Consultant

Hobbies: Baking, walking the trails

with the dog, family movie night

Favorite meal: Tacos

Kristen McIntyre

Baker PTA

Kristen McIntyre, President

Spouse: Josh McIntyre

Children: Peyton (15), Emery (7), Ellis

(6)

Occupation: Attorney

Hobbies: Running, gardening, spending

time with family

Favorite meal: Anything my hubby

cooks

Eisenhower PTO

Jenny Hecht, President

Spouse: Shane Hecht

Children: Tatum (11), Lucy (9), Beau

(6), Quinn (4)

Occupation: Stay at home mom

Hobbies: I like to workout at Sweat

PGH

Favorite meal: Lasagna

Kelly Powell

Jenny Hecht

Carrie Fick

Fort Couch PTSO

Carrie Fick, President

Spouse: Jim Fick

Children: Owen (14), Ruby (12),

Mabel (4)

Occupation: Optometrist

Hobbies: Planting flowers/shrubs/

trees, cycling at SWEAT, learning about

integrative medicine

Favorite Meal: Filet mignon, crab

cakes, asparagus, and potatoes

Michelle Faulds

Streams PTO

Michelle Faulds, President

Spouse’s name: Michael Faulds

Children: Ashlyn (8), Brennan (6),

Caelyn (3)

Occupation: Senior Client Executive—

RBC Wealth Management

Hobbies: Volunteering and spending

time with my family

Favorite meal: Mexican is my favorite

Boyce PTO

Erica Baldasare, President

Spouse: Jeffrey Baldasare

Children: Samantha (11), Bradley (8),

Zachary (3)

Occupation: Market Mix Modeling

Solution Consultant

Hobbies: Being my kid’s #1 fan at

their sporting events (soccer, softball,

Erica Baldasare

baseball, basketball), volunteering at

Baker & Boyce, and running when I have free time

Favorite meal: A Philly cheesesteak —“American wit”

(translation: with American!) or any Mexican dish

The USC Parent Teacher Council provides leadership and coordination for all the

PTA/PTOs/PTSOs in the district. What does Council do for you?

• Publishes the district-wide student

directory

• Coordinates district-wide STEAM and

wellness programs

• Coordinates a district-wide arts

program—Arts in USC—for

students in grades K–12

• Funds and manages the Scripps

Spelling Bee in USC

• Provides timely emails regarding

PTA/PTO/PTSO events and

happenings at the schools

• Provides support to families of gifted

students through Gifted and Talented

Education (GATE)

• Provides support to families of

special education students through

Partners in Education (PIE)

• Hosts a semi-annual Open Mike

with Dr. Rozzo, superintendent of

schools, and his administrative team

• Host an annual welcome dinner for

new families entering grades 1–12

• Maintains a Facebook page of district

and community information

• Provides an annual appreciation

breakfast for the central office

administrators and staff

• Provides leadership training for PTA/

PTO/PTSO officers

• Maintains consistency among the

USC volunteering units in many

areas


Making Change From 7,500 Miles Away

At Baker Elementary School, a week-long school-wide

coin drive will forever change the lives of children 7,500 miles away.

Baker’s All Wound Up Yo-Yo Club raised a record $7,527 from its

coin drive, which was conducted this past spring. The donation will

aid in the creation of an orphanage for 15 homeless Nepali children

in need who were living on the streets of Chepang. Specifically,

it helped to acquire the building, purchase a new water tap and

updated water system, pay for renovations, bunk beds, bedding,

shelves and furnishings, equip a kitchen, build a dinner table, and

provide bathing supplies.

The effort was led by Mr. Erik Wiesemann, kindergarten teacher

and All Wound Up Yo-Yo Club sponsor.

“Our students have wonderful hearts for helping others,” said

Mr. Wiesemann. “They always want to help, but their opportunities

All Wound Up Yo-Yo Club Monday Group

All Wound Up Yo-Yo Club Tuesday Group

are often limited due to their age. The coin drive was a perfect way

for the children to make a difference in the lives of other children.

They truly rallied around that opportunity and made the most of it.”

Mr. Wiesemann learned of the orphan’s plight through his parents,

who are medical missionaries through SEAPC.

All Wound Up Yo-Yo Club Thursday Group

“They travel to Nepal with a man by the name of Bill Richardson, who runs Cutting Edge Relief. Cutting Edge Relief works handin-hand

with a gentleman, Man Dai, to help improve the lives of others in Nepal,” said Mr. Wiesemann. “Man Dai was an orphan

as a child, and has given his life to helping others.”

Mrs. O’Leary’s first-grade class collected the most money during the coin drive. With a total of $530.15, the class won a basket

filled with yo-yos and other items donated by the YoYoFactory, which has sponsored the Baker club since its inception.

First established in 2012, the All Wound Up Yo-Yo Club is open to Baker’s fourth graders. In addition to learning how to do

various yo-yo tricks and maneuvers, the All

Wound Up Yo-Yo Club also has a goal of

helping others.

In addition to the $7,527 to assist the

orphanage, the All Wound Up Yo-Yo Club

raised an additional $2,000 that was split

evenly between two local organizations

—Angels’ Place and Zachary’s Mission.

Angels’ Place provides single parents who

are low-income, full-time students with the

help needed to complete their education.

Zachary’s Mission supports families of

medically fragile children by providing basic

necessities, financial assistance, and programs

that nurture emotional well-being. n


Flower Power at Streams

Students at Streams Elementary used their

problem-solving skills to develop a solution to an important

challenge —how to water flowers while away on vacation.

Through the School-Wide Enrichment Program (SWEP III),

students have had the opportunity to take a deep dive into the

world of horticulture during three separate planting experiences.

This study of plants, appropriately named Flower Power, began

in the fall and continued throughout the school year.

Last fall, students grew paperwhite lilies from bulbs without

soil and during the winter they grew wheat grass from seeds. The

third and final experience enabled each of the nearly 200 students

to plant a marigold in a self-watering container.

“Each of our three units has had a slightly different STEAM

focus,” said Mrs. Mary Quinn, enrichment resource teacher. “The

first round was an analysis of plant structure, so lots of science

concepts. The second unit had an artistic element, and the third

focused on engineering.”

Designing a self-watering container to provide enough water

for the flower to grow but not too much that it over-watered

required critical thinking skills and experimentation. The final

product included two nested plastic containers, one shorter than

the other. The flower was planted in the shorter container, which

had two holes that allowed for a piece of cloth to loop up into the

soil and hang into the taller container below, which held the water.

“We discussed in class how engineers solve real world problems,

and an issue we had identified was watering plants when

we were not at home,” said Mrs. Quinn. “The self-watering

Self watering planters completed

Solving problems with plants

Lip Dub Returns

Maanasa Reddy, USCHS Senior, TODAY Intern

Every few years, the faces at Upper St. Clair High School

are completely different from just a while before. Students cycle

through the grades and go off into a new stage of their lives. To

make this passing time meaningful, remembering each class is

vital to keeping school spirit alive. After all, even if each and every

face is different from years before, previous upperclassmen are

the ones who helped shaped the classes of today.

In 2017, the USC MiniTHON created a new way to keep the

memories of past students alive by hosting the school’s first Lip

Dub. Some of the familiar faces in that video have even graduated

college or are close to doing so. Five years later, students in

clubs from Speech and Debate to girls’ Lacrosse were lip syncing

to classics and hits like the Backstreet Boys’ I Want It That Way

and Calvin Harris’ Feel So Close.

Though the Lip Dub is a show of positivity, it certainly was not

easy for students to plan. Positioning, lighting, and music are a

few of the many considerations necessary to undertake an uncut

video of over 1,300 students. RJ Shontz (USCHS ‘22), one of the

key planners of this event along with classmates Colin Eccher

and George Atencio, hosted practices before the final takes of the

Lip Dub. Practice was crucial, as even a small mess-up by a club

could throw off the other parts of the video. Serious teamwork

was necessary to get the video as close to perfection as possible.

RJ recounted his own role as well as others in the process:

“My focus was on the logistics, Colin edited the soundtrack and

video, and George filmed the actual lip dub. It is also important to

note Mrs. Tarcson’s vital role, because

she had the experience of planning the

2017 Lip Dub and that helped guide

our team.”

Though students played an important

role in creating the video, the

staff’s role is not to be ignored. Mrs.

Brooke Tarcson, the activities coordinator

for the high school, oversaw the

whole process from start to finish. Her

significant previous experience with

planning a Lip Dub proved necessary

for the 2022 edition.


planters were not complicated, but still solved the problem in

a practical way.”

“We have a great new science curriculum that includes units

on plant life for second and third graders. We wanted the experiences

students had with us to build on what they learned in class

and expand it in different directions,” said Mrs. Quinn. “There

is also satisfaction in planting something and watching it grow.”

Funding for this project was provided by a grant from the

Tanger Outlets that was awarded to Lauren Bogus, Streams

second grade teacher, and a matching donation from Angela

Petersen, a member of the USC School Board. In addition, the

marigolds were generously donated by Green Circle Growers.

Mrs. Quinn plans to continue Flower Power next year, with

a new series of lessons for all second and third graders.

“We will be focusing on an outdoor area on the Streams

campus and are excited about really expanding the learning to

include year-round gardening experiences,” she said. n

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Just as current students love flipping through old yearbooks

from the 60s, there will come a time when students will see this

new video as one of the oldest Lip Dubs USC has ever made.

However, the Lip Dub video is not just a means to remember

past classes of students, but also a way to show new students

the many opportunities at the high school. From hockey to

visual arts, there are niches for everyone to enjoy. Freshman

rush happens every year to introduce some of these clubs, but

this Lip Dub is a way for new students to get an earlier and

more personal look at what goes on in the high school. From

the outside, Speech and Debate may seem like an intimidating

activity to get into, but this video shows the lighter side of the

activity. Similarly, new students may not be aware that some

clubs even exist at the high school, even after attending rush.

The Lip Dub could pose as a fun reference tool.

The Lip Dub may be a relatively new custom at the high

school, but it presents a unique way for the student body to come

together positively. Students may have different interests, but

they are all Panthers just the same. It paves the way for students

of the present to make their mark on dear old Upper St. Clair. n

To view the 2022 Lip Dub visit uscsd.k12.pa.us/Page/13626.

A listing of clubs and activities offered

at the high school can be found on page 45.

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#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat


Academic WorldQuest

Future Problem Solving Team Qualifies

#TheyDidWhat Upper St. Clair High School students #TheyDidWhat won the statewide Academic WorldQuest #TheyDidWhat competition,

for #TheyDidWhat

Internationals

sponsored by the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg. For the second year in a row, Keshav A team of eighth graders from Fort Couch

#TheyDidWhat Narasimhan, Daniel Wang, Ben Wasson, #TheyDidWhat and Qadir Khan competed in the national #TheyDidWhat competition. Middle School #TheyDidWhat

placed first in the Future

Academic WorldQuest, a program of World Affairs Councils of America, is a fun, fast-paced Problem Solving State Finals, qualifying to

#TheyDidWhat team competition for high school students #TheyDidWhat that tests players’ knowledge of #TheyDidWhat current international compete the #TheyDidWhat

international competition

politics, geography, global economics, history, and world cultures.

in June the University of Massachusetts

#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Amherst. Team #TheyDidWhat

members include Sofia

Alfredson-Themudo, Anoushka Barve, Sara

#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Gillespie, and #TheyDidWhat

Kaia Petrick.

At the state finals, teams were given just

#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat two hours to use #TheyDidWhat

a six-step think tank method

to brainstorm possible problems and solutions

for a scenario #TheyDidWhat

on the topic of mining,

#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat

set in the year 2045. In addition, they were

#TheyDidWhat

Keshav

#TheyDidWhat

Narasimhan, Daniel Wang, Ben Wasson, Qadir

#TheyDidWhat

Khan

required to create #TheyDidWhat

an action plan presentation

for their solution. Students compete within

#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat three divisions: #TheyDidWhat

Junior (grades 4–6), Middle

USCHS Team Places in

Two Place at Spelling Bee

(grades 7–9), and Senior (grades 10–12).

#TheyDidWhat Marketing Competition #TheyDidWhat Nikhil Chandran #TheyDidWhat placed second and According #TheyDidWhat

to the organization’s website,

Upper St. Clair High School students Arjun Kairi finished within the top 10 in the the “Future Problem Solving Program International

stimulates critical and creative

#TheyDidWhat Phillip Markovitz, Priyanka Palayekar, #TheyDidWhat Ben 72 #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat

nd Annual Western Pennsylvania Spelling

Wasson, and Susan Liu placed second in the Bee held Robert Morris University this thinking skills, encourages students to develop

a vision #TheyDidWhat

for the future, and prepares

#TheyDidWhat Cultural Communications Alliance #TheyDidWhat (CCA) past spring. #TheyDidWhat

Marketing Competition, held this May at Nikhil and Arjun were

students for leadership roles.”

#TheyDidWhat the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz #TheyDidWhat School of two of five Upper St. Clair #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat

Business.

students who competed in

#TheyDidWhat four #TheyDidWhat the Western Pennsylvania #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat

teams in the

Spelling Bee. To qualify for

#TheyDidWhat competition #TheyDidWhat the regional competition, #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat

were tasked

students finished first in Nikhil Chandran

#TheyDidWhat with creating #TheyDidWhat their respective school’s #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat

a marketing CCA Team

spelling bee. Other schoollevel

winners included #TheyDidWhat Yu

#TheyDidWhat

#TheyDidWhat plan for GNC’s Beyond Raw Precision #TheyDidWhat BCAA

(branched-chain amino acids) to be sold in Rui Lin, Brayden Wong,

#TheyDidWhat Mexico. Each team delivered a #TheyDidWhat 12-minute and Drew Holzer. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat

presentation to a panel of judges, which was

school-level spelling

bees were coordinated #TheyDidWhat Arjun Kairi

#TheyDidWhat followed by a three-minute question #TheyDidWhat and

Kaia Petrick, Anoushka

#TheyDidWhat

Barve, Sofia Alfredsonanswer

session.

by USC Parent Teacher

Themudo, Sara Gillespie, Mrs. Connie Gibson,

#TheyDidWhat Teams were evaluated on the appropriate #TheyDidWhat Council volunteers, led #TheyDidWhat by Sarah Cranganu.

gifted education #TheyDidWhat

coordinator (coach)

exploration of language and culture, logistics,

#TheyDidWhat marketing, demographics, use of #TheyDidWhat resources,

#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat

creativity of approach, effective use of multimedia,

presentation skills and responses #TheyDidWhat to

#TheyDidWhat

#TheyDidWhat

#TheyDidWhat

judges’ questions.


Students Sweep Two Categories #TheyDidWhat Japanese Contest #TheyDidWhat Four #TheyDidWhat Advance to National FBLA Competition #TheyDidWhat

Earlier this year, USCHS students earned Four Upper St. Clair High School students were among the top finishers the Future

#TheyDidWhat first, second, and third place finishes #TheyDidWhat in two Business Leaders of America #TheyDidWhat State Leadership Conference. Qualifying #TheyDidWhat

for the FBLA National

of the five categories of the 25

#TheyDidWhat th Annual High Leadership Conference, held this July in Chicago were Mahir Parmar: first place, Introduction

School Japanese Speech Contest, #TheyDidWhat sponsored to Business Procedures; #TheyDidWhat George Atencio: second place, Business #TheyDidWhat

Management; Grace Atencio:

by the Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania second place, Business Management; Evie Sullivan: second place, Business Management.

#TheyDidWhat (JASP) and the University of Pittsburgh’s #TheyDidWhat FBLA is a nonprofit #TheyDidWhat educational association that prepares students #TheyDidWhat

for careers in business

Asian Studies Center. Aarav Patil finished by helping them develop leadership abilities, and prepare for entry into, and advancement

#TheyDidWhat first in the Poster category and Eleanor #TheyDidWhat Alford within, a business or business-related #TheyDidWhat occupation. #TheyDidWhat

earned top honors in Intermediate Speech.

#TheyDidWhat In addition to the first-place #TheyDidWhat finishes,


Upper St. Clair students claimed second and

#TheyDidWhat third place in both the Poster and Intermediate

Speech categories. In the Poster category,


#TheyDidWhat Aaditya Markose and Connor Hyatt #TheyDidWhat placed


second and third, respectively. In Intermediate

Speech, Gabriel Tran earned second #TheyDidWhat place


#TheyDidWhat

and Roehl Benedicto finished third.

Mahir Parmar, George Atencio, Grace Atencio, Evie Sullivan






Regional Essay Winner

Chinese Speech Contest

#TheyDidWhat Upper St. Clair student Pritika #TheyDidWhat Gupta was #TheyDidWhat Two Upper St. Clair High School #TheyDidWhat

students

recently selected as the regional winner of the

placed first and third in the 2022 Midwest High

#TheyDidWhat 2022 Patriot’s Pen essay contest, #TheyDidWhat sponsored by the #TheyDidWhat School Chinese Speech Contest. Both #TheyDidWhat

students

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

earned Excellent Chinese Learner Awards, with

#TheyDidWhat Patriot’s Pen essay contest #TheyDidWhat encouraged #TheyDidWhat Theeya Chen winning first place #TheyDidWhat

in Heritage

middle school students to examine America’s history,

along with their own experiences #TheyDidWhat in modern #TheyDidWhat Midwest High School Chinese #TheyDidWhat

Speech

Level and Will Manning placing third in Level 3.

#TheyDidWhat Theeya Chen

American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word Pritika Gupta Contest is hosted by Western Michigan University

#TheyDidWhat essay expressing their views on #TheyDidWhat a patriotic theme #TheyDidWhat and co-sponsored by the Chicago #TheyDidWhat

Consulate

chosen by the VFW commander-in-chief. 2021–22 theme was General of the People’s Republic of China.

#TheyDidWhat “How Can I Be a Good American?” #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Upper St. Clair High School students #TheyDidWhat

receive

Pritika’s essay won first place both the local VFW Post 764 Chinese language instruction from Ms. Lixia

#TheyDidWhat and the regional level. As a regional #TheyDidWhat essay contest winner, Pritika #TheyDidWhat Kang, who joined the high school #TheyDidWhat

faculty in

participated in a Memorial Day parade and read her essay the 2008.

#TheyDidWhat parade’s conclusion. #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat

Will Manning


Five Selected for Chorus Festival

Choir Ensemble Performs with PSO

Boyce Student Selected

#TheyDidWhat Five USCHS students were #TheyDidWhat selected This May, a six-student #TheyDidWhat chorus from the #TheyDidWhat

for Team Pennsylvania

to participate in the Pennsylvania Music high school performed alongside the Pittsburgh Zach Breneman, a Boyce Middle

#TheyDidWhat Educators Association’s District #TheyDidWhat 1 Junior

Symphony Orchestra #TheyDidWhat Heinz Hall in downtown

Pittsburgh. Upper St. Clair vocalists Pennsylvania this summer in Brick,

School #TheyDidWhat

student, played for Team

High Chorus Festival. Then freshmen

#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat included Kaitlyn Clougherty, #TheyDidWhat Bria Zegarelli, an invitational #TheyDidWhat

ice hockey tournament in

Elliott Bruno, Eli Rankin, Eitan Schwartz,

Santina Guarino, Sia Iyer, Rebecca Lang, and Edmonton, Alberta. Zach, who plays left

#TheyDidWhat

Ben Seewald, and John Tripodes

#TheyDidWhat

represented

Upper St. Clair during the This newly formed USCHS ensemble, Voces Team Pennsylvania is made up of the

Edy McCurrie. #TheyDidWhat wing, was #TheyDidWhat

selected after a series of tryouts.

#TheyDidWhat two-day event, held Bethel #TheyDidWhat Park High Lux Youth Choir, sang #TheyDidWhat in a piece written by top players #TheyDidWhat

from Pennsylvania, Ohio,

School this past April. Shawn Funk, Hamlisch for soloist, choir, and orchestra, called West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland,

#TheyDidWhat adjunct professor of music education #TheyDidWhat “Anatomy of Peace.” #TheyDidWhat students receive music Virginia, #TheyDidWhat

and southern New Jersey. Both

Duquesne University and artistic director instruction from Lorraine Milovac, Upper St. the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia

#TheyDidWhat of Pittsburgh Youth Chorus, #TheyDidWhat served as

Clair High School’s choral #TheyDidWhat director.

Flyers sponsor #TheyDidWhat

the Team Pennsylvania

concert —To Marvin, With Love— Brick team.

guest conductor for the event.

#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat celebrated the works #TheyDidWhat of Marvin Hamlisch and According #TheyDidWhat

to the

The students receive music instruction

from Lorraine Milovac,

featured performances of “The Way We Were,” Team Pennsylvania


the high “A Chorus Line,” “The #TheyDidWhat Sting,” and more. website, #TheyDidWhat

“The Brick

school’s choral director.

Tournament is the most

#TheyDidWhat PMEA is a statewide nonprofit #TheyDidWhat organization

of more than 4,500 members,

hockey players the

#TheyDidWhat prestigious #TheyDidWhat

event for

#TheyDidWhat dedicated to promoting the #TheyDidWhat musical

#TheyDidWhat 10 and #TheyDidWhat

under age level.

Select teams from all

Zach Breneman

development of all Pennsylvanians. #TheyDidWhat organization promotes and #TheyDidWhat supports

#TheyDidWhat over the #TheyDidWhat

North American continent attend

this renowned summer tournament.”

quality music education, learning and

#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat During #TheyDidWhat

the regular season, Zach

performance as well as promoting and

plays for Pittsburgh Pens Elite and also

#TheyDidWhat

supporting music education

#TheyDidWhat

in schools

#TheyDidWhat participates #TheyDidWhat

in the Upper St. Clair Junior

and communities. PMEA is affiliated

Panthers hockey program.

Voces Lux

#TheyDidWhat with National Association #TheyDidWhat for Music


Education.

#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Student-Athletes #TheyDidWhat Help Kids Facing Food #TheyDidWhat

Insecurity

This June, USC High School football players created 250 bags of food that were distributed

#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat to students facing food #TheyDidWhat insecurity in Pittsburgh’s neediest neighborhoods. #TheyDidWhat

community service project was conducted in cooperation with the local nonprofit, Feed

#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Our Students. Founded #TheyDidWhat by Steven Delvitto, a 2003 USCHS graduate, #TheyDidWhat

the organization provides

backpacks of food for children when school is not in session to ensure growth and nutrition.

#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Coach Mike Junko #TheyDidWhat has made the importance of gratitude #TheyDidWhat

and giving back core lessons

of Upper St. Clair’s football

#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat program. Spearheading #TheyDidWhat this

#TheyDidWhat

community service project

#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat were Jackson Howe #TheyDidWhat and Tim

#TheyDidWhat

Speer, who began this project

#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat because of the work #TheyDidWhat they

#TheyDidWhat

did in their social studies

#TheyDidWhat #TheyDidWhat Capstone project.

PMEA Junior High District Choir


USCHS football players giving back to others




Teams Advance to World Finals

Teams from Boyce and Fort

Couch recently placed third at the

Pennsylvania Odyssey of the Mind State

Finals at Lock Haven University, and advanced

to the World Finals at Iowa State

University this May.

The third-place team from Boyce solved

the technical problem. The team’s task

was to create a performance which identified

an original threat to the environment

that self-replicated until a team-created

technical invention removed the threat.

The performance included original music

and was required to use Arm & Hammer

baking soda in the solution.

OM Boyce

Boyce team members include Elliot

Sams, Jillian Torres, Ashwin Vasudevan,

Nigel Bailey, Parker Sams, and Daphne

Collins (who was unable to attend the

State Finals). This team is coached by Sarah

Sams and Jake Collins.

The Fort Couch team, which solved

the performance problem, was tasked

with creating a performance about a

young person who wakes up in a circus

world where original animals performed

unexpected tricks. The team was scored

for the originality of its characters as well

as the creativity of its plot, circus acts, and

chosen tricks.

Members of the third-place

team from Fort Couch include

Kurt Baran, Artie McCallum,

Ayan Amin, Eden Elkoni,

Lauren Ginsburg, Geneva

Eisinger, and Zahra Hossain.

They are coached by Nate

Eisinger and Artie Baran.

At the State Finals, more

than 150 teams from across

Pennsylvania competed by

division in one of five chosen

problems: vehicle, technical,

OM Fort Couch

classics, balsa, and performance. Upper St.

Clair accounted for 10 of those teams, representing

divisions one (elementary), two

(middle school) and three (high school).

Odyssey of the Mind is an international

STEAM program that fosters creative

problem-solving skills, teamwork, and

ownership in students from grades K

through 12. One of the trademarks of

the program is its “no outside assistance”

philosophy. All ideas, scripts, props, solutions,

and paperwork are generated by the

team members with no input from coaches,

parents, or teachers.

For more information about Odyssey of

the Mind in Upper St. Clair visit uscootm.

com or email uscootm@gmail.com. n

Streams Supports Pittsburgh Food Bank

The Streams School community

raised $2,099 and 4,369 pounds of food to

benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Area Food

Bank through its annual Children for

Children initiative.

Each month from February through

May, students collected the food bank’s

most requested items. In February, donations

included canned fruits and

vegetables. Throughout March, products

included canned tuna and fish, as well as

soups and beans. During April, the focus

was on cereals, oats, and pasta. Finally, in

May, students donated a variety of baby

and children’s products including diapers,

wipes, fruit cups, juice boxes, and snacks.

In addition, monetary donations were

collected throughout the spring and

raised through the sale of raffle tickets for

chances to win student-made items. Held

during the school’s annual STAR Night

open house, raffle items included 2022–23

calendars, knotted blankets, cookbooks,

notecards, and magnets.

With the slogan, “A Simple Act Can

Make a Difference,” the Streams’ Children

for Children community service initiative


Students display some of the items collected for the Greater Pittsburgh Area Food Bank.

was first launched in the 2004–05 school

year. The goal was simple: expose students

to other children in the world who are in

need and show them how they can make

a difference.

Each year, the school selects a different

charitable organization—the only prerequisite

is that the organization must help

children. Since 2005, the Children for

Children initiative has raised nearly

$100,000 to benefit local, regional, national,

and international organizations. n

Prom 2022

It was a night to see and be seen!

Upper St. Clair High School’s prom was held on June 7, 2022, at the Carnegie

Museum of Natural History in Oakland. Prior to the event, families, friends, and

community members had the opportunity to see and take

photos of students in their formal wear at a Red Carpet

event on the high school’s campus.

Prom and the Red Carpet are organized by the

high school’s activities office, which is led by Brooke

Tarcson and Dr. Stephen Torquato. n


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Varsity

Scorecard

2021–2022

Fall Team W L T Achievement

Cross-Country

(Boys)

Cross-Country

(Girls)

5 3 5 th in WPIAL

6 2 6 th in WPIAL

Field Hockey 4 9 1 WPIAL payoffs

Football 6 5 WPIAL playoffs

Golf (Boys) 12 2 WPIAL

Semi Finals

Golf (Girls) 2 9

Soccer (Boys) 6 7 2 WPIAL playoffs

Soccer (Girls) 7 6 2

Tennis (Girls) 11 1 1 WPIAL Champs

Volleyball

(Girls)

Winter Team

Basketball

(Boys)

Basketball

(Girls)

Wrestling 2 5

Swimming

(Boys)

Swimming

(Girls)

10 6 WPIAL playoffs

16 7 Section Champs

WPIAL

Quarter Finals

20 6 WPIAL

Runner Up

State Playoffs

8 2 2 nd in WPIAL

9 th in State

6 4 Section Champs

5 th in WPIAL

Rifle 7 7 16 th in State

Ice Hockey 7 13 6 th in WPIAL

Spring Team

Baseball 13 11 WPIAL

Runner Up/

State

Quarterfinals

Softball 6 13 WPIAL Playoffs

Tennis (Boys) 12 2 WPIAL Playoffs

Volleyball

(Boys)

Track (Girls) 4 2

Track (Boys) 2 4

Lacrosse

(Girls)

Lacrosse

(Boys)

14 5 Section Champs

WPIAL

Quarter Finals

15 4 WPIAL

Semi Finals/

State Playoffs

11 6 WPIAL Playoffs


Carmella McNally, Victoria Semenov, Penny Yates, and Isabel Vilensky sold bracelets to raise money and awareness for the crisis in Ukraine.

Bracelet Sale for Ukraine

This spring USCHS students Carmella McNally, Victoria

Semenov, Penny Yates, and Isabel Vilensky sold blue and yellow

bracelets to members of the school community to raise funding

and awareness for the crisis in Ukraine.

For Isabel and Victoria, the cause is personal.

“I’m half Russian, half Ukrainian,” said Isabel. “My cousin and

aunt were shot on the border of Ukraine (they were trying to escape)

and died, and I know so many children have definitely lost their

parents that way, but they’re still stuck in Ukrainian orphanages.

It’s bad enough having to mourn someone so close to you, but it’s

infinitely worse when on top of that, you have to worry that you’re

alone in a warring country.”

Victoria’s parents’ families both immigrated to the United States

from the former Soviet Union in order to start a better life.

“Having a personal connection with this war, it has been hard

for my family to watch and listen to the news for the past month,”

said Victoria. “Seeing all of the senseless devastation in Ukraine, I

felt I really needed to do something.”

The response from their classmates has been overwhelming.

“While some have a personal connection, others just wanted to

help in any way they could,” Carmella said. “Throughout the week,

we noticed how eager students were to donate. Selling bracelets

gives everyone an opportunity to help out.”

All the money raised will be given to a local church to cover

the cost of shipping donated items to Ukraine.

“People have been really great about donating items to various

churches and such. The problem, however, lies in actually getting

those items to Ukraine,” said Isabel. “The money will go to funding

transportation of essential needs, such as diapers, clothing,

medicines, etc., to Ukrainian orphanages.”

The students hope the bracelets will serve as a reminder that

others in the world are suffering and that students in Upper St.

Clair can make a difference in the world.

“Living in a suburban community in Pennsylvania, we tend to

have more comfortable lives and aren’t always aware of the dangers

that other people need to face,” said Isabel. “This fundraiser

not only is going to allow us to play a part in solving a worldwide

crisis; it’ll also expose us a bit to the issues outside of Upper St.

Clair, thus expanding our perspective and teaching us how to take

initiative in difficult times.” n

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Pen Pal Project

Third graders from Upper St. Clair’s Baker

Elementary and Bethel Park’s Ben Franklin Elementary

teamed up as pen pals for the spring. It all started when

Pam Dillie’s reading class read the novel, The Silver

Balloon by Susan Bonners. The story tells a tale of how

a helium balloon can lead to unexpected friendships.

Baker’s school counselor, Kristen Rose, has a thirdgrade

student at Bethel Park and was able to connect the

two classrooms. Mrs. Rose reached out to her daughter

Vivienne’s teacher, Mrs. Laura Glomb, who was just as

excited to join in on the fun and the unexpected adventure

began.

Students passed letters back and forth for months

with Vivienne serving as mail carrier. Periodically, they

Pen pals meet in Wiltshire Park

would share clues about books they were reading and at

times even small gifts. The Baker third graders even surprised their pen pals on April Fools’ Day with a bakery box of brown “E’s!”

On June 10, the students met in person for the first time at an end of the year celebration at Wiltshire Park. They enjoyed ice

cream and signed beach balls to wish each other a fun-filled summer. n

National Science Bee

Avik Pandley, a sixth grader at Boyce Middle School,

recently advanced to the quarterfinals in the National

Science Bee—missing the semifinals by just one point.

The event was held June 17–20, 2022, in Orlando, Fla.

“Avik performed really well

in such a tough competition,”

said Rajesh Kumar, Avik’s father.

“He is really disappointed

that he missed the semis, but

believe me, it was not easy to

reach the quarterfinals among

so many super talented kids.”

The National Science Bee

is divided into several age

divisions: Varsity, grades 11

and 12; Junior Varsity, grades

10 and younger; 8 th Grade

Division; 7 th Grade Division;

6 th Grade Division; and

Elementary School Division,

which includes all students in

grade five and younger.

Avik Pandley

Avik competed in the Elementary School Division.

There were three official stages, including the online

regional qualifying exam, the regional finals, and the

national championships.

The National Science Bee is a science-themed,

buzzer-based academic quiz competition for students in

elementary, middle, and high school. Consisting of both

qualifying stages and a National Championships, competing

students have a chance to put their science knowledge

to use against other students in their respective age divisions

in an engaging quiz tournament setting. n

Streams Students

Paint with a Purpose

Having fun while raising money!

Nearly 170 Streams Elementary students participated in a

recent “PAINT your heART out!” event to benefit the school’s art teacher,

Mrs. Angela Stevenson and her family. Held on June 7, students snacked,

sipped, and painted with a purpose.

“As a Streams community, we are working together to support our

favorite art teacher, Mrs. Angie Stevenson and her wonderful family,”

said Mrs. Lauren Kopicko, kindergarten teacher. “Mrs. Stevenson’s amazing

10-year-old son, Julius, has a rare form of leukemia. This summer,

he will undergo a bone marrow transplant with his brave six-year-old

sister, Simone, as his donor.”

For a suggested donation of $25, students stayed after school to

participate in a teacher-led painting activity to create their very own

masterpiece on an 8x10 canvas. The event wrapped up with popsicles

on the playground.

In total, the event raised more than $4,600. n

For more information about the National Science Bee,

visit nationalsciencebee.com.


USCHS Clubs

and Activities

2022–2023

Academic Assist Club

Almighty Voices Club

Art Club*

Badminton Club

Best Buddies*

Bike Club

Biology Club

Black Student Union

Book Club

Books Around the

World Club

Boys Ultimate Frisbee

C2CF

Cereal Club

Chess Club

Chinese Club

Coding for Confidence

Community Helpers

Computer Club

Crew

Environmental Club

Equestrian Club

Esports Club

EveryChild

FBLA*

Fencing Club

Film and Movie Club

Financial Management

Association

French Club*

From Students to

Students

Future Psychologists of

America

Gay-Straight Alliance

German Club*

Girls Advancing

Leadership

Girls Reaching Out

Worldwide (G.R.O.W.)

Girls Ultimate Frisbee Club

Heath Occupation

Students of America

IB Club

Innovation, Technology,

and Entrepreneurship

Club

Interact Club*

Japanese Club

Jewish Social Club

JOY

Junto Club

Kids Helping Kids

Latin Club*

Law and Politics Club*

Letter Writers

Leukemia and Lymphoma

Society Students of the

Year Club

Local Historical Leaders

Magic: The Gathering Club

Make-a-Wish

Math Club

Melody for the Elderly

Montage*

No Place for Hate

Committee

Outdoors Club

Pantherettes Club

Pep Band

Pickleball Club

Play Like a Girl

Robotics Club*

RPG Club

Ski Club

Spanish Club*

Spark Girls into STEM

Speech and Debate*

Spikeball Club

St. Clairion*

Stage Crew*

Stand Together Club*

Student Council*

Students Demand Action

Students for Intercultural

Awareness*

Table Tennis Club

Thespians Club*

Tri-M*

UNICEF

Wallflowers Club

World Affairs Club*

Yearbook*

YEP Club

Yoga Club

Young Life

*Indicates school-sponsored clubs;

all other clubs are student driven.

Visit www.uscsd.k12.pa.us/activities for

the most up-to-date listing of clubs and activities,

as well as contact information.

Upper St. Clair School District

2022–2023 ATHLETIC PASSES

ADULT PASSES

Ultimate Panther Pass includes general admission entry to ALL home, regularseason

USCHS athletic events, including football, soccer, basketball, swimming,

wrestling, lacrosse, and volleyball.

• Three season (fall, winter, spring)................................. Quantity ___ @ $70 ______

STUDENT PASSES

Student Ultimate Panther Pass includes general admission entry to ALL home,

regular-season USCHS athletic events, including football, soccer, basketball,

swimming, wrestling, lacrosse, and volleyball.

• Three season (fall, winter, spring)................................. Quantity ___ @ $40 ______

Jr. Panther Pass is for our young Panther fans who are in elementary or middle

school. This pass includes general admission entry to ALL home, regularseason

USCHS athletic events, including football, soccer, basketball, swimming,

wrestling, lacrosse, and volleyball.

• Jr. Panther Pass............................................................. Quantity ___ @ $10 ______

Name:______________________________________ Phone:________________

Address:_____________________________________ City:__________________

State: ________Zip:__________Email:____________________________________

Number of Passes Ordered: ___________________________Order Total: $_______

Mail completed order forms with payment (payable to USCHS Athletics) to:

Upper St. Clair High School

Attn: Athletics – Kim Valeriano

1825 McLaughlin Run Rd.


Orders must be received before August 29.

A replacement fee of $20 will be charged for lost or stolen passes.

2022 USCHS Varsity Football Schedule

Date Opponent Location

9/2 North Hills Away

9/9 Baldwin Home

(Senior Night/New Family Night)

9/16 Fox Chapel Away

9/23 Peters Twp Home (Homecoming)

9/30 Mt. Lebanon Away

10/7 Bethel Park Home (Halls of Fame)

10/14 Canon-McMillan Home (USC Gives Back/Pink Out)

10/21 Moon Away

10/28 South Fayette Home (Youth Night)

All games start at 7 p.m. on a Friday unless otherwise listed.


EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES GUIDE

Trying to Predict the

2022 Real Estate Market

Lynn Dempsey, Realtor ®

Dempsey Delivers Results

Lynn Dempsey, Realtor®

lynn.dempsey@pittsburghmoves.com

www.lynnsellspittsburgh.com

Thank you Clients!

❤

$50 million plus

National Corporate Relocation Specialist

2018-2021 Corporate Relocation Specialist

CNMS, CNBS, CNIS

C: (412) 445-6264

O: (412) 833-5405

CARTUS Relocation

© 2016 Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services fully supports the principles of the

Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker® and the Coldwell Banker logo are

registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.


Real estate market sales continue to be unpredictable

this year. With rising mortgage rates and a continued shortage

of homes, the housing market predictions are as reliable as the

weather forecast. New home building sales have increased in the

first two quarters of 2022, even with the shortage of building

supply materials. Many existing homes sold for over-ask prices,

receiving multiple bids with many disappointed buyers but happy

sellers. As we continue into the third and fourth quarters, no one

predicts with 100% accuracy where the real estate market will

end up.

Remember, a housing market prediction can only give you an

“idea” of what to expect. Never let this control your decision of

buying or selling. Only your personal situation and finances can

help you make the best decisions for you.

Experts are still seeing a post-pandemic rebound. The steady

increase of mortgage rates, job recoveries and the law of supply

and demand all work together to make the housing/real estate

industry what it is today —unpredictable. The average median

home prices are continuing to spike. Will this continue? Do not

forget how increased mortgage rates will affect the overall cost of

your new home. The mortgage rates, as we know, are influenced

by the economy and inflation. The Federal Reserve has announced

plans to continue to raise interest rates this year to slow down

inflation. We know that with this change the current home buyer

will be paying more for their home over time.

Experts are stating that buyer demand will continue to be

strong, and the housing inventory will remain low, as it currently

is. Buyers may have to wait longer and work harder to save more

money to buy their dream home. So, hold on for the real estate

ride and stay tuned. n

See ad for Lynn Dempsey, Coldwell Banker Realtor ® , on this page.

Empowerment

Through Art

Ava Wynne,

USCHS Freshman

I have always found comfort in art. When I felt stressed or

anxious, I would turn to art as a sort of therapy for myself. I began

to show interest in third grade in 2-D art, as well as music and

creative writing. In the beginning of 2022, I fell in love with the

Ava Wynne at her art sale this past May

2-D technique of embroider canvas art, which involves sewing a

line art image onto a stretched canvas. As of now, I have created

over 25 individual works that, on average, take around three to five hours each.

As an 8 th grade student at Fort Couch, I dedicated my IB service hours to empowering women through art. I spent many weekends

over the span of five months creating eight original pieces, which I sold at an art show to raise money for the Women’s Center

& Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh.

The Women’s Shelter of Pittsburgh focuses on aiding women who are recovering from abuse. For my art show I decided to partner

with Athleta, because I think their mission statement is very inspiring. Their mission is to ignite a community of active, healthy,

confident women and girls who empower each other to realize their limitless potential.

This May, I raised over $260 dollars in donations for the Women’s Shelter. I genuinely believe that every person—man or woman—

has the ability to create something truly impactful through the activities they are passionate about. n


Choosing a Preschool

Darah Kirstein, Owner, Ivybrook Academy

Choosing a preschool is one of the most important

decisions a parent must make. It is the starting point for your

little one’s path to learning.

What should parents look for when selecting a preschool?

While every child is different, it is important to get them in

a learning environment as they begin to develop language skills.

Try to find a school that is child led. For example, if your son is

interested in dinosaurs, his teacher might choose to use a dinosaur

to help him learn about math. Each lesson is driven by the

child’s interest, allowing the student to learn at their own pace,

encourage curiosity and help each child build a love of learning.

What should parents look for in a

classroom?

Seek out an environment that is

small and with tools for age-appropriate

learning. Toddler programs should be

structured for very busy little ones! The

classroom should be a safe and nurturing

environment that allows them to explore.

They learn to express themselves through

singing, dancing, reading, and art. Ask

teachers what type of materials they will

provide your child, as well as how their

program makes learning fun!

For two-year-olds, look for options that

encourage student independence and help

children understand how their actions affect

others around them.

In three-year-old classrooms, you want

to find an environment that will build your

child’s confidence. A three-year-old’s day

should be carefully planned out with a

variety of hands-on activities to encourage

learning and socialization. At age three,

students should be taught to write their

name, and recognize letters, numbers,

colors, and shapes.

At age four, teachers should help your

child build essential skills by carefully

crafting activities that balance instructed

learning and purposeful play. This is also

the age when your child should know how

to follow instructions, listen, communicate,

practice self-control, and connect

with their peers.

How do you know what type of

preschool schedule is best for your

child—and your family?

A toddler’s first trip to pre-school can

be daunting for the child as well as the

parents. Look at your options and see

what is best for your schedule. Now that

so many people work from home, a halfday

program might be the perfect choice.

It gives the parent a break—and slowly

introduces the child into a learning environment. A program

that offers flexibility like two or three days a week versus five

days a week is also something you should consider before making

your final choice. n

The

Nutcracker

Register for the fall!

Featuring the South Hills’

largest production of

The Nutcracker!

Ballet Academy

of Pittsburgh

4100 Library Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15234

412-343-9333

www.balletacademypgh.com

info@balletacademypgh.com

Ivybrook Academy is an award-winning half day preschool that offers

a progressive approach to early childhood education with a curriculum

that combines elements of the Montessori method, Reggio Emilia, and

Multiple Intelligence Research. See ad on this page.

South Fayette Campus

A REGGIO EMILIA + MONTESSORI + HALF DAY PRESCHOOL

Now Enrolling

Toddler – Kindergarten

3127 Washington Pike, Ste. 500

Bridgeville, PA 15017

(412) 676-7600

www.ivybrookacademy.com



Taylor Swift’s Mom Doesn’t Have

to Wash Dishes Anymore

…and Other Reasons to Play Music

Becki Lewis, Owner, Lewis Music Studio

Baker

Streams

Eisenhower

Boyce

Kindergarten-Plus

Before School

After School

Register Online at

www.ExtendedDay.com

or call (412) 221-1980

Recently I was chatting with a group of campers at

one of our summer camps during the lunch time. I saw that one

of the students, Lori, had a note from her mom. I commented,

“Wow! Your mom wrote you a note!” She read it out loud, “Lori,

have a great day at camp, and remember: Taylor Swift’s mom

doesn’t have to do dishes anymore!” Giggling erupted, and the

fun light-hearted chatter continued.

This conversation has had me reflecting on our purpose for

music. Any one of the students in that talented group could be

the next sensation to hit the charts, but chances are they will not

take their music in that direction. So then, why play?

I would argue that the single best and most valuable reason

to play music is because it brings enjoyment. Music is something

that can touch us in a way that nothing else can; and being able

to produce music can be a truly transformative experience. Recently

my nephew begrudgingly agreed to guitar lessons. By the

end of the lesson, he knew how to play his first song, and he had

found his passion for playing music. It’s amazing how learning a

simple ditty can open a desire to make more music. The amazing

thing is, it’s a cycle—you learn music, it brings enjoyment, you

play more, you learn more, and it brings more enjoyment. This

is a lifelong process of discovery and pleasure!



This all sounds so rose-colored. I know

what you must be thinking—it can’t always

be that fun! If it was, why would I

have to argue with my child to practice?

As a parent who literally argued with my

child to practice while writing this, I can

relate! The thing is, the cycle can run the

other way too—you don’t practice, the

music is too hard, you get no enjoyment.

This is true; music can be hard work, so

we often have to provide our children

(and ourselves!) some extra motivators

to keep the cycle going in a positive way.

So, we may offer positive praise, stickers,

treats, rewards, attention, and any number

of things.

Is it worth it? I would argue that it absolutely

is! Music in and of itself is absolutely

worth it, but in case you aren’t convinced,

here are a few more reasons to play music:

• Provides a chance for socialization

when you play in a group

• Reduces anxiety

• Alleviates stress

• Aides in brain development

• Creates a topic of conversation

• Reinforces math skills

• Improves the ability to track words

on paper

Understand how your homeowners insurance policy

could protect your college student and their belongings while

they’re living in a residence hall or dorm room.

Sending your child to college is an experience that comes with

exhilaration, stress, and a measure of anxiety. Relieve some of that

worry by knowing how your homeowners insurance policy protects

your student and their belongings while they are away at college.

Does my homeowners insurance cover college students?

Most homeowners’ insurance policies offer coverage for college

students. Check with your insurance company for specific

information on how coverage is handled for college students. Here

are some coverages from your homeowners insurance policy that

might extend to a college student:

• Personal liability. The personal liability coverage on your policy

may help if a guest is injured in your son’s or daughter’s dorm

room or if your child accidentally damages school property.

The policy may help pay for damages and might even pay for

your student’s legal defense in the event of a lawsuit.

• Medical payments to others. If the accident in your child’s dorm

room results in an injury to another, the standard homeowners

insurance coverage may help pay for any medical expenses and

hospital bills incurred.

• Personal property coverage. Typically, your homeowners insurance

covers your student’s personal property inside your

student’s residence.

Details tend to vary between homeowners insurance policies

and often there are limits in place on personal property coverage

outside of the home, so check the specifics of your policy with

• Provides a chance for fine motor

practice

• Boosts confidence

• Improves memory

• And again… brings enjoyment

When I left home, my mom said that

one of the things that she missed the most

was hearing me play piano every night.

As my own kids get older, I understand.

Hearing them play is a joy. I could listen for

hours—especially when they are playing

something they really love. So whatever

phase of life you find yourself in, music is

worth the effort. You may not ever be the

next Taylor Swift, and that’s ok. n

The next Taylor Swift?

See ad for Lewis Music Studio on this page.

R E G I S T E R T O D A Y F O R Y O U R

FREE

LESSON

Piano▪Guitar▪Bass Guitar▪Ukulele

Voice▪Violin▪Viola▪Cello▪String

Bass▪Drums▪Flute▪Piccolo

Clarinet▪Saxophone▪Trombone

Trumpet▪Euphonium▪Baritone

Tuba▪French Horn▪Banjo▪Music

Technology

Lewis Music Studio is South Fayette's own

school of music! We enjoy making music

with students of all ages! Visit our website

for details about classes, lessons, summer

camps, instrument rentals, and more!

5 0 A B E L E R O A D , S U I T E 1 0 0 1 , B R I D G E V I L L E , P A 1 5 0 1 7

H T T P : / / L E W I S M U S I C S T U D I O . N E T

Insurance and Other Tips for College Students and Their Belongings

your agent to find out if your student is covered or whether you

might need to purchase additional insurance coverage.

What questions should I ask my insurance agent about

homeowners’ insurance and college students?

Before the school year starts, talk to your insurance agent to

help understand how your homeowners insurance works with

your college student.

• Is the liability limit for an accident in my child’s dorm room

the same as if one happened in my home? If it’s not, or if you

don’t feel it’s enough, you might want to consider a personal

umbrella policy.

• What is the personal property coverage for my student’s belongings

while away at school? Perform a home inventory of

the items your child is taking to school. If you don’t feel the

homeowners insurance coverage is adequate, you might consider

a personal articles policy to provide additional coverage

for electronics, musical instruments or sports equipment.

• Does the homeowners insurance policy cover my student and

their property if they live off campus? If not, a renters insurance

policy can help protect against property loss and liability when

your student lives off campus in an apartment or rental home.

• What if my student is taking their car to college? What if they

leave it at home? If your student will be taking a car, truck

or SUV to school, make sure he or she is adequately insured.

Remind your child that insurance rates may be impacted

negatively as a result of traffic violations—and positively with

potential discounts for good grades. n

Article provided by Cindy Brophy, State Farm ® agent. See ad on page 48.


Township

Commissioners

Daniel R. Paoly

President

At Large

Day 412-831-9000

Evening 412-862-5995

2025*

Dante R. Plutko, Jr.

Vice President

Ward 1


Township Manager

Township Administration

Check out the

township’s

website

twpusc.org

Day 412-831-9000

Evening 412-389-5187

2023*

Pamela L. Enck

Ward 2

Mark S. Mansfield

Asst. Township

Manager & Director of

Administration

Jonathan Wharton

Chief of Police

Mark P. Romito

Director of Finance

Adam A. Benigni

Director of Planning

& Community

Development

Day 412-831-9000

2025*

Robert W. Orchowski

Ward 3

Day 412-831-9000

2023*

Todd D. Burlingame

Ward 4

Day 412-831-9000

2025*

Ronald J. Pardini

Ward 5

Day 412-831-9000

Evening 724-941-1199

2023*

Richard I. Thomas

At Large

Day 412-831-9000

2023*

*Date indicates expiration of term.

All business regarding the operation of the Township is conducted

at the regular meetings of the Board of Commissioners.

Citizens are invited to comment on any Township matter.

Complete Board minutes can be found on the website at

twpusc.org. For more information, call 412-831-9000.

Ed Poljack

Director of Information

Technology

George Kostelich, Jr.

Director of Public

Works

Administrator

Extension

Matthew R. Serakowski......................... 2160

Township Manager

Mark S. Mansfield.................................. 2190

Asst. Township Manager & Director of

Administration

Jonathan Wharton.................................. 2380

Chief of Police

Mark P. Romito....................................... 2180

Director of Finance

Adam A. Benigni..................................... 5010

Director of Planning & Community Development

Ed Poljack.......................................................

Director of Information Technology

George Kostelich, Jr................................ 2710

Director of Public Works

Christian Gmiter.................................... 2470

Director of Library

Paul Besterman....................................... 6560

Director of Recreation & Leisure Services

Christian Gmiter

Director of Library

Paul Besterman

Director of Recreation

& Leisure Services

To reach Township personnel, call 412-831-9000 and follow the automated directions.

Other Services

Police

Administration...........................412-833-1113

Tri-Community South EMS

Administration...........................412-831-3710

USC Volunteer Fire Department

Administration...........................412-835-0660

Animal Control.........................412-833-7500

Community &

Recreation Center...................412-221-1099

Cable 7.......................................412-831-1030

Emergency–

Police, Fire, EMS....................412-833-7500

Follow the Township of

Upper St. Clair on social

media for the latest news

and announcements.

2022 Township of Upper St. Clair Meeting Dates

• The Board of Commissioners meets at 7:30 p.m. The regular public meeting is held the first Monday of the month.

The informational and general affairs meeting is held the last Monday of the month.

• The Planning Commission meets the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

• The Parks and Recreation Board meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the C&RC;

no meeting in December.

• The Zoning Hearing Board meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 8 p.m.

• The Civil Service Board meets as needed.

• The Building/Fire Codes Appeals and Advisory Board meets as needed.

• The Library Board meets as needed.

Meetings are held in the Municipal Building’s board room, unless otherwise indicated. Meeting locations are subject

to change; refer to the Township website at twpusc.org for more information.


Highlights of the Board of Commissioners’ Meetings

April 4, 2022

Approximately 8 attended

Recognition

• Commissioner Plutko presented a Proclamation to Mr.

Chris Gmiter, Library Director, in recognition of National

Library Week, April 3 – 9, 2022.

The Board

• Accepted the Morton Sports Field Complex Master Plan

Study and directed Staff to develop a prioritization plan.

• Adopted Bill No. 3-22 Re. PLC21-0017 – Chick-Fil-A

Restaurant – Unified Conditional Use/Preliminary and

Final Land Development Approval.

• Adopted Bill No. 4-22 to amend Chapter 106 of the

Township Code, entitled “Sewers and Drains”.

Approval of Contracts

• Landscape Structures, Inc................................ $76,158.18

Delano, MN

Hays Park Playground Renovation

• General Recreation, Inc.................................... $65,675.00

Newtown Square, PA

Wiltshire Park Playground Surface Replacement

Colleen Miles, head of children and youth services,

and Library Director Chris Gmiter receive a

proclamation from Commissioner Dante Plutko.

May 2, 2022

Approximately 28 people attended

Recognitions

• Commissioner Pardini presented a Proclamation to

Tri-Community South Emergency Medical Services

recognizing May 15-21, 2022 as National Emergency

Medical Services Week in Upper St. Clair with the theme

EMS WEEK: Rising to the Challenge.

• Commissioner Thomas presented a Proclamation to the

Upper St. Clair High School Speech & Debate Team for

their win at the Pennsylvania High School Speech League

Championship.

• Commissioner Burlingame presented a Certificate of

Achievement recognizing Kaitlyn Connors of the Upper

St. Clair High School Girls Swim Team for achieving

first place in the 100-yard Freestyle at the Western

Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL)

Championship.

• Commissioner Burlingame presented a Certificate of

Achievement recognizing Ganesh Sivaramakrishnan of

the Upper St. Clair High School Boys Swim Team for

achieving first place in the 100-yard Backstroke and

the 100-yard Butterfly at the Western Pennsylvania

Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) Championship.

The Board

• Continued Public Hearing Re. PLC22-0002 – Waffles

INCaffeinated – Outdoor Dining – Conditional Use

Approval.

• Adopted Bill No. 5-22 Re. PLC22-0004 – Truxton

Subdivision Plan – Preliminary and Final Subdivision

Approval.

• Adopted Resolution No. 1720 approving a Grant

Application through the Department of Community and

Economic Development to be used for the Morton Fields

Complex – Park Improvements Phase I Project.

• Adopted Resolution No. 1721 approving a Grant

Application through the Redevelopment Authority of

Allegheny County Trail Development Fund for the Old

Farm Trail Project connecting with the Morton Complex/

Perimeter Trail.

• Affirmed the 2022-2023 Planning Priorities for the

remainder of 2022-2023 with the addition of sidewalks.


• Commercial Turf Fertilization..........Year 2022: $46,544.00

Mars, PA..........................................Year 2023: $47,475.00

Pesticide Spray Program Category 7......Year 2024: $48,424.00

USCHS Speech & Debate Team received a

proclamation from Commissioner Richard Thomas.

Commissioner Todd Burlingame presented Ganesh

Sivaramakrishnan and Kaitlyn Connors, pictured

with their coach Dave Schraven, with Certificates

of Achievement.

June 6, 2022

Approximately 9 people attended

Recognition

• Commissioner Enck presented a Proclamation to Elisa

Tucker for attaining the Girl Scout Gold Award.

The Board

• Adopted Bill No. 6-22 Re. PLC22-0002 – Waffles

INCaffeinated – Outdoor Dining – Conditional Use

Approval.


• Alpha Space Control Co., Inc........................... $46,975.00

Chambersburg, PA

2022 Pavement Markings Program

• East West Manufacturing................................ $152,500.00

Pittsburgh, PA

Community & Recreation Center

Rooftop Unit #5 Replacement

Accessibility Coordinators

The Township of Upper St. Clair has

five accessibility coordinators to further

enhance all visitors’ access to Township

facilities, parks, trails, and programs. For

more information on accessibility, visit

twpusc.org/accessibility.

Currently, the Township of Upper St.

Clair’s accessibility coordinators are

• Jeremy Lemley, Buildings/Grounds

Administrator (for all Township

buildings): 412-831-9000, ext. 2710

• Ed Poljak, Director of Information

Technology (for Township website

and phone system): 412-831-9000

• Christian Gmiter, Director of

Library: 412-831-9000, ext. 2240

• Gary Schafer, Parks and Forestry

Administrator: 412-831-9000,

ext. 2710

• Paul Besterman, Director of

Recreation and Leisure Services

(for all recreation activities):

412-831-9000, ext. 6560

Staff of TCS EMS, pictured with Commissioner Pardini, were recognized at the board’s May meeting.


Upper St.

Clair Police

Department

2022 Citizens’

Police Academy

The Upper St. Clair Police

Department will be hosting its Citizens’

Police Academy this fall. This special

opportunity is for adults at least 21 years

old who live, work, or conduct business

in Upper St. Clair. The weekly classes will

primarily be held on Wednesday evenings

(6:30 p.m.–9 p.m.) from September 28 to

November 16, with the understanding that

dates and times may be subject to change

if required by the curriculum or related

special activities. Participants will be notified

if any modifications are made to the

schedule. The course syllabus includes

instruction and scenario-based training

on various aspects of law enforcement and

public safety.

Course Objectives/Overview:

• Overview of the criminal justice system,

local and global

• Active shooter and crisis management in

schools and the workplace

• Cybercrimes and identity theft issues and

prevention

• Local ordinances, crimes, and vehicle

code issues

• The United States Constitution and citizens’

rights

• Firearm safety, use of force, and selfdefense

• Patrol procedures, traffic stops, speed

enforcement, and officer safety

• Criminal, drug, and gang investigations

• Domestic crimes, custody disputes, and

missing children

• The role of the District Attorney and the

District Court

• Local crimes, current investigations, programs,

and public issues

Megan Massey

Jammin’

New Hire

So, where did you sit during

your summer vacation? For many of us,

the answer would be: in traffic!

Whether it was traversing the

neighborhoods or a trip to Target, road

construction this past summer made local

travel an exercise in patience. With

projects on highly traveled roads like

Boyce, Mayview, McLaughlin Run, and

Route 19 within the township, as well

as projects in neighboring communities,

traffic jams made allowing extra

time to go anywhere a necessity.

Fortunately, many projects are completed,

or nearly completed—so relax

and enjoy the drive! n

Megan Massey joined the police department as

the records specialist in March of 2022. Megan received

her bachelor’s degree from Edinboro University of

Pennsylvania where she dual majored in criminal justice

and sociology. Ms. Massey began her career working

as a program director for nonprofit agencies and most

recently served Allegheny County as a telecommunications

officer before joining USCPD. Welcome, Megan! n

There is no fee to attend the academy,

but an application and supplementary

documentation are required. Stop by the

police department or visit the Township

website at www.twpusc.org to apply. n

For more information, contact police

administration, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.,

at 412-833-1113.


General Election—Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Polls Open 7 a.m.–8 p.m.

Monday, October 24, 2022, is Voter Registration Deadline Date.

(Date subject to change pending Pennsylvania legislative action.)

If you have questions regarding the election, registration, or absentee ballots, call the Allegheny County Elections

Department at 412-350-4500 or visit www.twpusc.org. The Township library and the post office have voter registration forms.

Check the Township website to verify the location of the polling place closer to the General Election date.

Ward District Polling Place

1 1 Township Building, Library Multi-purpose Room,

Ground Floor–McLaughlin Run Road

1 2 Baker Elementary School Gymnasium - Morton Road

1 3 Fort Couch Middle School–Gymnasium

Miranda Drive entrance





2 2 Westminster Presbyterian Church–Washington Road





Ward District Polling Place

3 1 McLaughlin Run Activity Center–McLaughlin Run Road

3 2 St. Catherine Labouré business office (rear),

(formerly known as St. Louise DeMarillac)–McMurray Road

3 3 McLaughlin Run Activity Center–McLaughlin Run Road

4 1 Baker Elementary School, Gymnasium–Morton Road

4 2 Boyce Middle School, Gymnasium–Boyce Road



5 1 Wesley Spectrum Services, Gymnasium–Johnston Road

5 2 Wesley Spectrum Services, Gymnasium–Johnston Road


Sanitary Sewer

Backups and Your

Homeowner's Coverage

The Township maintains over 158 miles of underground sewer

lines. There is no way to predict when the next sanitary sewer backup

will occur. And while only a handful of our residents experience a

significant sanitary sewer backup each year, we know that when it

does occur, it is a distressing situation. It can be even more devastating

if a resident is not insured for losses—losses that can easily

run into tens of thousands of dollars.

Sewer Backup Insurance

Homeowners can alleviate possible sewer-related damage

expenses by contacting their property insurance provider to verify

that they have sewer backup coverage. Most homeowners’ insurance

policies do not automatically include coverage for these occurrences.

Given the potential for significant loss, it would be advisable for

homeowners served by a public sewer system, particularly those

with finished basements, to obtain some level of coverage.

Lastly, if you experience a floor drain backup or otherwise suspect

a sanitary sewer problem, contact the Township’s Public Works

Department immediately at 412-831-9000, extension 2710.

Holiday

USC

2022 Trash and Recycling

Holiday Collection

Collection Date

Labor Day............................... Thursday, September 8

and Friday, September 9

Thanksgiving.......................... Wednesday, November 23

and Friday, November 25

2022 Fall Yard Debris/Leaf

Waste Collection—Saturdays

Place your fall yard debris and leaf waste in compostable

bags, then place the bags at curbside by 6 a.m. the morning of

pick up. Collection will take place the following six Saturdays:

October 22, 29; November 5, 12, 19; December 3.


CommUNITY Day

CommUNITY Day

2022—It’s a Wrap!

What a great day it was to get together as a

CommUNITY to celebrate and connect with one

another! From the start of activities with the C&RC’s

Decade Dash at Boyce Mayview Park to the iconic

Community Foundation Duck Race, smiles were the

accessory of the day. Activities included an opening

ceremony at the USC Veterans Park, the parade,

Hottest Dog contest, and games and activities at the

midway area along McLaughlin Run Road. The fun

continued on Route 19 at both Gilfillan Farm and

USC VFD’s main station. Toward the end of the day,

rousing cheers could be heard near McLaughlin Run,

as people urged their ducks toward the finish line of

the traditional Duck Race.

Mark your 2023 calendar now for May 20 (tentative

date) to once again be part of our annual day to

come together as a CommUNITY! For more information

or to volunteer for 2023, contact the high

school student activities office or the Upper St. Clair

recreation department.

Many Thanks!

Thank you to the high school student council

members who came up with the theme of UNITY

that echoed throughout the day. The School District

and the Township worked together along with

volunteers, students, community organizations,

and local businesses to make the day especially

welcoming and enjoyable after the pandemic hiatus.

Thank you to the many individuals from multiple

departments at the school district and Township who

planned, organized, and brought the day to fruition

for the benefit of residents of all ages.


CommUNITY Day

Details

When: May 21

Where: Main Stage

Time: 12:00-1pm

Pre-register by: May 18

$5 registration fee

2022 Upper St. Clair Community Day

Htest Dog Ctest

Rules

Hottest Dog

Winners

• Must be USC resident

• Owners must provide proof of

up-to-date shot records upon entry

• Pets must be leashed

• Pre-register by 5/18/22.

All dogs It was get a treat a “ruff” for registering! competition, You may but register the at the judges event if you of

miss the pre-register deadline.

Howard Hanna’s Hottest Dog contest were up for

the challenge. Thanks to all who participated in this

popular 3 wa event! register Leading the pack were:

1) Scan

Best

the QR

Tail

code

Wag

to register online

2) Email this form to Robbinsbobbitt@howardhanna.com

3) Drop

Baxter—Owner,

completed registration form

Wanda

off at either

Renolds

of the following:

Pet • Howard & Owner Hanna Real Look-a-Like

Estate Services | 180 Ft. Couch Road, USC 15241

Finn—Owner,

• Upper St. Clair Library

Maryn

| 1820 McLaughlin

StaubRun Road, USC 15241

Cutest Puppy

Name

Signature

Address Willie Nelson—Owner, Parent/Guardian McKenzie Rewis

if under 18

Phone

Best Costume

Email

Rudy—Owner, Lauren Hess

Best Trick

Henry—Owner, Chelsea Patterson

Dog’s name

Dog’s Breed

Dog’s age

Proceeds from Howard Hanna’s Hottest Dog contest

benefitted Children’s Hospital Free Care Fund.


Boyce Mayview Park Is Full of Fall Fun

Come one, come all, it is time to celebrate fall in Boyce Mayview Park!

RADical Day

September 22

What are RADical Days? It is an annual thank you to the public

with free admission, tours, performances, and family activities

offered by the organizations and attractions that are funded by

RAD (Allegheny Regional Asset District). For more details, please

visit radworkshere.org.

Color Crawl

October 15

Participants will have a blast participating in this non-competitive

two-mile walk/run on the paved trails of Boyce Mayview

Park. Runners and walkers will pass through color stations where

they will be showered with vibrant colored powder. Open to all

ages and fitness levels.

USC Recreation and

twpusc.org

Scary Swim

October 23

Little ghouls and goblins delight because the indoor pool at

the C&RC is filled with Halloween freight! Swim amongst some

creepy characters and spooky souls in this fun, family-friendly

Halloween swim.

Bounty at Boyce Mayview Park

November 5

There is no better way to spend a fall afternoon than at Bounty!

Friends and families will have plenty of outdoor activities to

choose from as well as a chance to stop by one of their favorite

food trucks.

Monster Hunt

October 21

Our friendly monsters have escaped and are hiding in Boyce

Mayview Park! Help us find them while collecting treats and

trinkets along the way.

Gratitude 5K Race and Walk

November 19

Join us as we

celebrate the season

of giving and

gratitude with this

timed race through

Boyce Mayview

Park. This race is

suitable for runners

of all levels.

Additional details regarding all event dates and details can be found

on the Community & Recreation Center website at twpusc.org/

recreationcenter.


Leisure Services

412-221-1099

Save

the

Dates

Outdoor Pool Season Last Day

September 5

The outdoor pool will close for the

season at 5 p.m. on Labor Day, Monday,

September 5. Labor Day hours of operation

are 11 a.m.–5 p.m. for the outdoor

pool, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. for the indoor facility.

Blood Drive

September 13

Vitalant will be at the C&RC on

Tuesday, September 13 from noon–6 p.m.

accepting blood donations. Interested

donors can sign up for an appointment at

Vitalant.org using group code C565.

United Senior Citizens

Program

The United Senior Citizens program is sponsored by the

Township of Upper St. Clair Department of Recreation & Leisure

Services. To participate, one must be a resident of the township,

55 years of age or older, and retired. Spouses of eligible members

may also join even if under age 55.

The program meets on most Wednesdays. Morning activities

are informal and include the preparation of lunch with the help of

volunteers from the group under township supervision. Informal

activities begin at 10 a.m. and the members hold a brief business

meeting at noon, which is followed by a delicious meal.

Afternoon activities include musical entertainment, lectures

or presentations of interest, book reviews, health and fitness instruction,

game days, and more! In addition, day trips to various

performances and places of interest are scheduled throughout the

year. Meetings are usually held at the McLaughlin Run Activity

Center (MAC) located at 1770 McLaughlin Run Rd.

Programs For Older Adults

If you are interested in meeting people your age, we invite you to participate in the variety of programs offered through the

Community & Recreation Center (C&RC) and the Department of Recreation & Leisure Services. There are many activities from

which to choose.

Fitness and Aquatics Classes

The Community & Recreation Fitness and Aquatics departments

offer classes either designed for or that accommodate

senior participants.

For additional information about any Older Adult programming,

please contact the Community Programs Department at

412-221-1099.

Friday Afternoons in the Park 2022

Dates: August 19, September 9, October 7

Time: 1:30–3 p.m.

Join others for an afternoon gathering that includes a

program and light refreshments. These afternoon events are

held at the Boyce Mayview Park Pavilion, 1551 Mayview

Rd. Reservations are requested. Call the C&RC and ask for

the Community Programs Department at 412-221-1099.

USC Township Silver Card

The Township Silver Card is free and available to

residents ages 62 and older. To obtain a Silver Card

and receive access to a select number of group

exercise classes, USC’s three-hole golf course, as

well as a complimentary summer tennis permit, visit

the Community and Recreation Center, 1551 Mayview

Road.

Silver card applications are available 8 a.m.–8 p.m.,

Monday–Friday. A valid photo ID showing USC

residency is required upon application. Residents who

acquired their Silver Card prior to 2019 are encouraged

to re-apply for and receive a new, updated card.

USCSD Gold Card

Upper St. Clair residents who are age 62

or older are eligible to receive a Gold Card,

entitling them to free admission to plays and

musicals, as well as regular season home

athletic events and activities sponsored by

the USC School District. WPIAL and PIAA

playoff games are not eligible for free or

discounted admission.

To obtain a Gold Card, visit the high school

main office at 1825 McLaughlin Run Road.

For more information, contact Nancy Dunn

at 412-833-1600, ext. 2236, or email

ndunn@uscsd.k12.pa.us.

ACCESS Paratransit

and Pittsburgh Regional

Transit Senior Citizen

Connect Card

Applications for the Pittsburgh Regional

Transit Senior Citizen Connect Card and the

ACCESS 65 Plus Coordinated, Shared-Ride

Paratransit Service are available at the C&RC.

Application must be made in person at the

C&RC during business hours, Monday–Friday.

Proof of age (65) is required at the time of

application.


From the Director’s Desk

Christian Gmiter, Library Director

A bright, beautiful showplace is ready for USC library

patrons.

First, a word of thanks: To all our library patrons, we

thank you for your patience during our months-long

renovation. We believe the final product is well worth the

inconveniences you may have experienced this past spring and summer.

We’re now able to offer you a state-of-the-art, beautiful—and modern—library

that befits our exceptional community.

If you haven’t stopped by lately, here’s what you can expect on your next

visit to the library’s second floor:

• A one-floor model for adults and children, which makes browsing easier

for USC families and caregivers.

• A completely revamped adult fiction section. This popular area boasts

new windows, paint, carpeting, and lighting that creates a lighter,

brighter, more inviting space that’s welcoming to all.

• An expanded adult non-fiction area, thanks to the relocation of study

rooms to the third floor, which means more room to browse. You can

also take advantage of ample new tables and chairs for study and

remote work, as well as a stronger Wi-Fi signal. This side of the new

library is more open, airy, pleasant, and well lit—with skylights and

the window wall intact

The biggest and most impressive changes are on the third floor, where

you’ll enjoy:

• An outdoor deck that gives USC residents a unique vantage point in

the township. On the deck, you can enjoy food and beverages and

participate in a variety of library programs. Outdoor library spaces

are innovative in the field, so we’re especially proud of this addition!

• Flex space for programs and meetings/gatherings with comfortable

seating. (A modern meeting and conference room is in process for

township use.)

• Quiet study rooms with strong Wi-Fi.

• An added restroom for patrons’ convenience.

No longer simply amenities, libraries are essential to communities. They

add value to residents and are held in the same high regard as schools,

community and recreation centers, and fire departments. Thanks to the

renovation, the USC library will serve as a standard in the South Hills.

Most importantly is the driver behind the renovation: You, our patrons!

This is your library, USC, and we want to help you to make the most of it!

The staff and I are grateful for your support – and excited to welcome you

back into your amazing new space.

Until next time,

Chris

P.S. As someone who’s enjoyed working in libraries for the past 28 years,

I have yet to see a community that supports its library as much as USC—

so again, thank you!

Due to construction at the municipal building,

information about Children’s Programming will be

advertised on Facebook and social media this fall.

Get to Know

Your Library Staff

Colleen Miles, Head of Youth Services

Sheri Huffman, Youth Services Librarian

Q: How long have you been with the USC library?

Colleen: 20 years!

Sherri: 14 years.

Q: You were both recently promoted. Congratulations!

What do your new positions entail?

Colleen: Overall, I manage the staff and projects

of the youth services department. I order books,

set up program calendars, work with community

partners, provide programs for elementary,

middle, and high school age children/tweens/

teens, and develop initiatives to reach the families

of USC.

Sheri: My new position entails an expansion of

many of the things I did in my former position

as library specialist, but in a more advanced capacity.

Having accepted the new position during

the renovation, I’m now beginning to define my

duties more precisely in the new space.

Q: Why is the renovation of the children’s library

so important to patrons and the township?

Colleen: More—and better—space, including

a modernized area with a larger story room and

playroom. The renovation also allows us to

expand our programming because we can use

the new space on the second floor, as well as

the revamped, flexible space on the third floor.

Sheri: Now that we’re all on the same floor,

patrons will enjoy a more cohesive experience,

which will hopefully keep our youngest readers

engaged long into their adult years. Also,

our staff will be able to continue to maintain

relationships with patrons that begin in the

formative years, through schooling, and beyond.

No one will have to “graduate” from one floor

and never be seen again.

Q: What do you think USC families and children

will enjoy most about the renovation?

Colleen: Honestly, the children’s bathroom!

Also, the convenience of a ground-level entry,

and access to the adult floor. Then there’s the

new library smell—and a move toward comprehensive

library services to children and their

families.

Sheri: I echo Colleen’s shout out to the new

kids’ bathroom! I think they’ll also enjoy the

new playroom area. The “stacks,” so to speak,

are organized in a very accessible manner that

patrons will learn and be able to browse. Our

teen readers will also be able to check out teen

and adult books on the same floor. Overall, our

patrons will benefit from a “one floor” library

plan.


Adult Programs

Marketing the Presidency

(In-Person Event)

Wednesday, September 7, 5:30–7 p.m.

Local presidential historian Steve

Mihaly will present Marketing the

Presidency—A Visual Tour of 125 Years of

Presidential Artifacts. A collector of presidential

memorabilia for over 50 years, Mr.

Mihaly holds one of the largest privately

held collections in the country. He and

his collection have been featured numerous

times in magazines and newspapers

throughout the country, as well as appearances

on radio and TV.

The presentation

is a 50-minute visual

tour of the

often odd as well

as creative items

candidates have

produced to entice

people to vote

for them. You’ll see

everything from a Teddy

Roosevelt “Big Stick,” to glow in the dark

Franklin Roosevelt stove pot covers, to

a Richard Nixon shower head where the

water comes streaming from his mouth!

Join us for a fun and historical evening of

reliving campaigns, candidates, and their

artifacts from the past!

Sex, Lies, and Orchids

(In-Person Event)

Wednesday, September 14, 6–7 p.m.

This is a fun, and sometimes naughty,

presentation on orchid pollination strategies.

Orchids are known as some of the

most beautiful flowers on the planet. What

is not known by the public is that most

orchids are liars and cheaters. They stalk

and coerce various insects into pollinating

their flowers, but they offer nothing in

return. Come see what it’s all about in this

fun presentation.

Rental Properties and Flipping

Homes—What’s the Hype About

and How Do I Get Started?

(Zoom Event)

Thursday, September 15, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Find out about how to begin buying

and obtaining income producing rental

properties and what it takes to flip a house

with local experts from Howard Hanna.

Understanding Dementia

(In-Person Event)

Everything You Always Wanted to

Know About Dementia, But Were

Afraid to Ask

Dates: September 21, September 28

Time: 6–7 p.m.

Join Upper St. Clair resident Jamie

Bennett and begin the journey of understanding

what the diagnosis of dementia

means, the different types of dementia,

who dementia affects the most, and what

the journey will look like for family and

loved ones. You’ll also learn how to help

yourself, how to communicate with your

loved one effectively, and what behaviors

you may experience.

In session two, Jamie will cover the

various stages of dementia. You will learn

about the stages of dementia and where

your loved one is on the spectrum. We’ll

also cover the community resources and

support that are available as dementia

progresses, how to cope with decline, and

what options and different levels of care

are available if you can’t care for your loved

one at home anymore.

Marilyn Monroe: The Girl Behind

the Image (Zoom Event)

Thursday, September 22, 6–7 p.m.

In the glittering

Golden Age

of Hollywood, no

star shone more

brightly than

Marilyn Monroe.

But beneath

the smoke and

mirrors of her legendary

persona,

lay a much different reality. Join us as we

break through the myths that still exist today

and discover the real Marilyn Monroe.

Wendy Whittick is a film historian and

President of Pittsburgh Classic Movie Club

and is dedicated to preserving the legacy

of movies and actors from the Golden Age

of Hollywood. To this end, she authors

a blog at WhoisMontgomeryClift.com

which showcases Montgomery Clift and

other various actors from that era. Other

presentations include Montgomery Clift:

The Lost Actor and David Lean: Formula of

a Masterpiece.

Pittsburgh’s Bridges (Zoom Event)

Wednesday, October 5, 6–7 p.m.

Learn all about Pittsburgh’s many bridges

in this fun and immersive presentation.

Try-It Tuesday (In-Person Event)

Dates: October 11, November 1

Time: 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.

Location: McLaughlin Run Activity Center,


Join fiber artist and teacher Judé Ernest

for Try-It Tuesday. All program supplies

and tools will be provided. Registration

required. (Limited to 15 participants. If you

are unable to make it, please cancel ahead

of time to allow for more participants.)

Inflation: A Primer on Causes and

Consequences (Zoom Event)

Thursday, October 13, 6–7 p.m.

Join us to learn about this trending

topic. What is inflation? What causes

it? How does it affect our lives? Daniele

Coen-Pirani, a professor of economics

at the University of Pittsburgh where he

specializes in macro and labor economics,

seeks to address these questions considering

the recent increase in inflation rates

in the U.S. and the European Union after

decades of relatively stable prices.

Cont. on page 60.


NASA Return to the Moon

(In-Person Event)

Friday, October 14, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Join Donald Miller, NASA Solar System

Ambassador, as he takes us on an adventure

to explore and discover the Artemis program,

designed to take us to the moon and

beyond! The last spacecraft to land humans

on the moon was the Apollo 17 mission in

1972. After a 50-year hiatus, NASA is now

planning a return to the moon in a series

of upcoming missions. This free session

will discuss the overall goals of the Artemis

program and the three separate missions

involved. Bring your wonder for the universe

and man’s exploration of space.

Artemis is the first step in the next era

of human exploration. Together with commercial

and international partners, NASA

will establish a sustainable presence on

the Moon to prepare for missions to Mars.

Artemis I will be the first integrated test

of NASA’s deep space exploration systems:

the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System

(SLS) rocket and ground systems at

Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral,

Florida. The first in a series of increasingly

Adult Programs

Cont. from page 59.

complex missions, Artemis I will be an

uncrewed flight test that will provide a

foundation for human deep space exploration

and demonstrate our commitment

and capability to extend human existence

to the Moon and beyond.

Comparing Apples to Apples—Is it

Gluten-Free...or Not? (Zoom Event)

Wednesday, October 19, 6:30–8 p.m.

We’ll be making naturally gluten-free

applesauce and an apple crisp that can be

made gluten-free or not—your choice!

Join Kathy from Kitchen Wizards for this

virtual culinary program, featuring one of

Fall’s favorite fruits. Want to cook along?

We’ll send out an ingredient list about a

week before.

Do You Want a Brand-New Home?

(Zoom Event)

Thursday, October 20, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Learn all about new construction and

get a general guide to building a brandnew

home with local experts and Howard

Hanna.

Pierogi Class (Zoom Event)

Wednesday, November 9, 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Join Sarah Wray for a pierogi class!

Learn how to make these pillowy, chewy,

crispy Polish dumplings at home. During

this online cooking class, you will learn

how to make traditional potato and onion

pierogi completely from scratch in your

own kitchen. Sarah will teach you everything

you need to know, including making

the dough and the filling, proper assembling

procedure, and how to cook them.

National Home Industry Trends

(Zoom Event)

Thursday, November 17, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Come learn all about home industry

trends on a national scale with Denis

Cestra, Jr., president of Howard Hanna

Pennsylvania.

USC Township Library Hours

Mondays: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.

Tuesdays: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Wednesdays: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.

Thursdays: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Fridays: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Saturdays: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

The library will be closed for the

following holiday:

Monday, September 5 for Labor Day.

Outside book and video return available 24/7.

Building construction taking place during

summer 2022 may occasionally interrupt

library hours, programs, and/or services.

Check the library website or Facebook page

(facebook.com/UpperStClairLibrary) for an

up-to-date list of changes that may occur.

412-835-5540

twpusc.org/library


Eichenlaub

Designs

Special Collections

and Drop-Off Events

With the cooler weather, fall is a great time to tackle some

of the projects we need to accomplish before winter—like making

space in the garage for our cars before the snow flies! The township

offers several special collections and drop-off events to help you

dispose of your discarded items safely and efficiently.

E-Cycling/Electronics Recycling

September 10, October 8, November 12, and December 10

10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Community & Recreation Center Parking Lot

1551 Mayview Road

E-cycling is the recycling of electronic equipment—anything with a

cord including large electric appliances. One television per vehicle

per collection accepted. There is a charge for appliances containing

refrigerant. No non-electronics in wooden cabinets such as organs

and pianos. No personal items such as curling irons, shavers,

vacuum cleaners, carpet scrubbers, smoke detectors, batteries, etc.

Curbside Yard Waste/Leaf Collection (Paper Bags)

October 22, 29; November 5, 12, 19; December 3

Yard waste must be at the curb by 6 a.m. on collection day. Yard

waste includes leaves, plants, garden residue, chipped shrubbery,

tree trimmings, and leaf/grass clipping mixture. Yard waste is to be

in compostable paper bags. Limbs are to be bundled and no longer

than 48 inches and three inches in diameter.

Yard Waste Drop-Off (Paper Bags)

September 10, October 8, November 12, December 10

10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Boyce Compost Site at the Boyce Mayview Community Gardens

Boyce Road

Yard waste drop-off includes leaves, plants, garden residue, chipped

shrubbery, tree trimmings, and leaf/grass clipping mixture. Yard

waste is to be in a compostable paper bags. Limbs are to be bundled

and no longer than 48 inches and three inches in diameter.

TREE TOP ACRES

Front Elevation

2013 Mallard Lane

Mallard Pond Development

M-1

JOIN CELINA FOR A GRAND TOUR BY GOING TO

2210TREETOPLANE.HOWARDHANNA.COM

AND CLICK TO VIEW THE VIRTUAL TOUR!

OVER 1 ACRE HOMESITES

UPPER ST. CLAIR

STARTING AT $1,779,000

Benjamin Marcus Custom Homes

Document Shredding

September 10

10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Municipal Building Parking Lot


Fees: $6 for a 11x17 box; $9 for a 11x24 box

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

November 10

3–7 p.m.

Community & Recreation Center Annex Building Parking Lot

1551 Mayview Road

Visit Noble Environmental at nobleenviro.com for registration

and fees.

Retiring Old Glory

A patriotic program established locally in 2009 called “Retire Old

Glory” is well received in Upper St. Clair. This program enables you

to retire your old American flag properly. There is a collection bin

available at the entrance to the Community & Recreation Center. n


Addressing

Real Curb Appeal

Mike Moore, Chief USC VFD

Have you ever looked at your house from the street?

Everyone always talks about the curb appeal of your home and how to make

improvements that will increase its value, with some of the smallest exterior cosmetic

updates making the biggest impact. While cosmetic updates to your home

may add value, they may not help you in an emergency.

Think about trying to find the address on a house you are not familiar with in

the dark or while it is raining and trying to do so quickly. This is an experience

every first responder has gone through while trying to find the numbers on a home.

It is very important that your home’s address numbers are easily visible from

the street. This includes the ability to be seen in snow, rain, and darkness. An easy

way to self-assess your current house number’s visibility is to wait until it is dark

and stand in the middle of your street. As you look at your house, you need to ask

yourself: Can the numbers be quickly seen? Are the numbers big enough? Are they

easily readable? If you did not answer yes to all three of these questions, then it is

time to make some adjustments. Another thing to consider is whether the house

number can be seen no matter what direction on the street you are approaching from.

Making your house numbers easily visible will help first responders identify

your home in a quick manner. In an emergency, every second matters and time

spent looking for the proper house number can be critical.

An added perk of having your address easily identifiable from the street—it will

help that DoorDash driver get the food to your house just a little bit quicker! n

John M. Lekse Scholarship Awarded to Olivia DeLeo

The Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department is

pleased to announce that Olivia DeLeo is this year’s recipient of

the John M. Lekse Scholarship. Olivia, the daughter of the late

firefighter Don DeLeo, received a check for $1000 this past July. A

2018 Upper St. Clair High School graduate, Olivia is now a fifthyear

student at West Virginia University majoring in mechanical

and aerospace engineering.

The John M. Lekse Scholarship Fund, administered by the

Pittsburgh Foundation, was established by John’s family in 2019,

shortly after his death. The fund is set to award $1000 each year

to a USCVFD member or their immediate family member wanting

to further their educational pursuits.

The Lekse family said it was an easy decision to establish a

scholarship in John’s name, because it combined his dedication

to helping others and his love for learning. It is the family’s hope

that this benefit will help the USCVFD attract new members and

help retain their current ones.

In October 2019, a golf outing was held at Quicksilver to raise

money for the scholarship fund. The intention was to make this

an annual event for the scholarship fund. However, due to the

pandemic, the outing was placed on hold. This year the outing is

on again and scheduled for October 9. For more information or

to sign up, visit the fire department’s website at uscvfd.com and

click on the John M. Lekse Scholarship Golf Outing. n

For further information or to donate to the scholarship fund,

go to the Pittsburgh Foundation web site at

pittsburghfoundation.org/scholarship/10792.

(l/r) Olivia DeLeo, USC VFD president Greg Gerlach, USC VFD chief Mike Moore


Battle of the Barrel

Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department Chief Mike

Moore preaches, above all else, that the members of the department

are a family. They count on each other while serving the residents

and visitors in the township, whether it’s pushing a hand line down

a hallway in a fire or spotting one another on a roof. So, when

there’s a fifth Wednesday night with no scheduled detail, they like

to have fun and build that family. On Wednesday, June 29, they

had a Battle of the Barrel complete with food, families, trash talk,

and lots of laughs! n

If you think you might like to be part of this incredible family stop in any

Wednesday night or visit the department’s website at uscvfd.org for more

information or an application.


Updates on the NextGen Municipal Building Renovation Project

Laura Long, Executive Assistant to the Township Manager

Work continued over the summer on the NextGen

Municipal Building Renovation Project. Improvements are still

underway for the Upper St. Clair library, community development

office, and police department, and construction has created

relocations and closures, including:

• The movement of the community development office to its

new location at the front entrance of the municipal building

to the right of the administrative offices and tax office.

• The library parking lot was closed during renovations of the

police department. Residents are encouraged to park at the

side parking lot near the Veterans Park and Clair’s Kennel,

where signs direct you to a pedestrian walkway to the main

library entrance.

• The municipal playground remains open but cannot be accessed

at the library parking lot. Residents are encouraged to

park at the McLaughlin Run Activity Center (MAC), 1770

McLaughlin Run Road.

• The IdentoGO fingerprinting service has moved to a new temporary

location located on the lower left side of the township

building and will continue to operate from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.,

Monday through Friday. Appointments can be scheduled at

identogo.com.

Planning for the NextGen Municipal Building Renovation

Project began in September 2019 when the Upper St. Clair School

District moved out of their wing of the municipal building. Construction

began in the former school district wing in November

2021 and the overall project is expected to be complete by the

end of 2022 or early 2023.

The children’s library has moved from the third floor to the

same floor as the adult library, and crews have added bathrooms

to the children’s library area. A large connector is being built to

connect the existing adult library and new children’s library. On

top of the library connector, residents will be able to enjoy a new

rooftop deck.

The initial phase of the new children’s library space opened

mid-July with all new construction, planned with families in

mind, including a family restroom with a changing station—no

more stairs or elevators! The new children’s library has its own

dedicated entrance, convenient from the parking lot, and will

connect with the new adult library space in the future. When

the new children’s library floor is fully renovated, families can

enjoy a larger playroom and multi-purpose room for story time

and programming. Full use of these rooms will be available when

the NextGen Renovation project wraps up, anticipated at the

end of 2022.

Also included in the NextGen Project, the police department

will receive a much-needed expansion and the department of

community development and planning has moved from the lower

level of the building to the main, front lobby. After the project,

residents will be able to access township administration, community

development and planning, police and Indentogo from

the main front doors.

Township staff thanks residents for their patience and understanding

during the project. We hope you feel the temporary

inconvenience will be worth it in the end. n


Building Permits

Is a home project in your plans this fall? Before

you start, take time to familiarize yourself with the township’s requirements

for when a building permit is required.

To ensure a successful project and avoid costly delays, residents

should call the department of community development

(412.831.9000 ext. 5010) to discuss their building and remodeling

plans so that permit requirements can be determined. The resident’s

contractor or design professional can then prepare the project’s

construction documents to meet the township’s building and zoning

codes.

Before submitting an application to the department of planning

and community development, it is recommended that you review the

submission checklist on the first page of the application and review

the permit process, which includes submitting an application, and

review and approval by the township. You may consult with a staff

member about specific construction questions or if you need assistance

with completing the application.

If a permit application requires a notarized signature, the department

of planning and community development has a notary on staff,

free of charge.

Permits are required for the following:

• Replacement, enlargement, alteration, removal, demolition, or

repair of existing, or construction of new: garages, storage sheds,

air conditioners, generators, decks, swimming pools, hot tubs,

fences, gazebos, on-ground patios, retaining walls and signs

• Interior renovation when cutting into or adding bulkheads, or

removing or adding interior walls

• Erecting a new principal structure or addition

• Storable swimming pools

• Electrical work (new or rewiring or upgrade in service)

• Grading a lot

• Adding an alarm system or registering the new owner of a property

with an alarm system

• Excavating within a street right-of-way

• Occupancy, including the change from one type of business to

another on a commercial property, or registering your home

occupation

• Replacing an existing unpaved, gravel, or red-dog driveway. There

is no fee; however, two copies of the property survey showing

the proposed location of the driveway are required along with a

completed application form. New residential driveway permits

are normally issued in conjunction with a building permit

Stormwater application and management plan must be submitted

for any project adding over 400 square feet of impervious surface.

Once the stormwater permit is issued, a building permit can be applied

for.

Permits are not required for the following:

• “Cosmetic” remodeling which would include replacement of

existing kitchen or bathroom cabinets and floors

• Single family garage sales, but are required for neighborhood

garage sales

• Replacement of gutters, soffit, downspouts, facia, and siding

• Replacement of existing windows and/or doors with same size

• Resurfacing or repairing an existing paved driveway as long as

the driveway is not expanded in any dimension

• Roof replacement (unless changes are made to the structure)

• Guidelines for garage sale signs:

• Location: Only on the lot where the sale is being held, freestanding

at least 10 feet from any side lot line and outside of the street

right of way, or attached to and parallel with wall of a building

and projecting outward no more than six (6) inches

• Display: Only on the day of the sale

• Maximum Gross Surface Area: Nine (9) square feet

• May not obstruct sidewalks n

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Your Health Back-to-School Checklist

Have you made a back-to-school

checklist yet to prepare for the upcoming

school year? While purchasing new school

supplies and clothes may be at the top of

the list, scheduling an annual physical and

making sure your child’s immunizations

are up to date should also be included.

Ruth Christoforetti, MD, of St. Clair

Medical Group Family Medicine, knows

just how important a physical exam and

immunizations are for your child. Whether

they are just starting preschool or entering

the final year of high school, this medical

checkup may be the only time that children

and adolescents see their doctor each year

if they are in good health.

“An annual physical is an opportunity

for the physician and family to review the

child’s medical history and to see if they are

growing and developing as expected,” says

Dr. Christoforetti. “Recommendations will

be made about healthy habits and safety.

We can also administer any recommended

vaccines during the exam.”

After treating countless children and

adolescents over the past decade, Dr.

Christoforetti shares why making a doctor’s

appointment can help your child have a

healthy and successful school year.

Schedule a Physical Exam

According to Dr. Christoforetti, children

ages three years and older should

have a physical once per year. Completing

the exam before your child starts the new

school year is strongly recommended but

not always mandatory.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

requires all K-12 students to complete a

physical exam within the four months

before starting kindergarten, grade 6, or

grade 11. Additionally, the Pennsylvania

Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA)

rules state that students must complete a

comprehensive pre-participation physical

evaluation (CIPPE) prior to the first practice

of their sports season.

The physical will include a head-to-toe

examination including height, weight,

temperature, blood pressure, oxygen levels,

heart rate, and more. This part of the

annual physical is often performed by a

medical assistant or nurse, but the physician

will conduct the rest of the exam.

Dr. Christoforetti explains, “The physician

will ask about health habits such as

diet, sleep, safety, bathroom habits, behavior,

environment, and developmental

milestones to see if the child is growing and

developing within a normal spectrum for

their age. We also examine the child’s head,

eyes, ears, teeth, throat, neck, heart, lungs,

abdomen, skin, extremities, and more.”

Additionally, you will have an opportunity

to ask questions about your child’s

health and share any school forms with the

physician to fill out or sign.

Get Up to Date

with Immunizations

Once the physical exam is complete, the

physician may administer immunizations

to ensure your child is up to date before the

new school year. These vaccines will not

only keep your child from being infected

with contagious illnesses but also help

them from spreading illnesses to others.

This is especially critical due to the close

proximity of students, teachers and other

staff in school settings.

Dr. Christoforetti states, “Immunizations

are largely given at a young age to

prevent illness from the very beginning.

A young immune system is not always

strong enough to fight off certain bacteria,

viruses, or illnesses, which puts children

at much higher risk of getting sick if they

are exposed.”

Many of

the vaccine

series administered

during

childhood and

adolescence

provide

lifelong immunity,

keep

kids healthy,

Dr. Ruth Christoforreti

and lead to

healthier futures. In addition to the annual

influenza vaccine, recommended vaccines

include but are not limited to:

• Infancy And Early Childhood: Hepatitis,

tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis or

whooping cough, measles, mumps,

rubella, chickenpox, polio, pneumonia,

and COVID-19 (six months and older)

• Older Children and Adolescents:

Meningitis, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis

or whopping cough, HPV, and

COVID-19

“Vaccines are very safe, generally have

very few side effects and may prevent

death in some cases. Plus, they may lead

to fewer doctor’s visits, hospitalizations,

and school or work absences,” emphasizes

Dr. Christoforetti. She suggests you check

with your child’s school district to verify

immunization requirements and share any

questions with your primary care physician

or your child’s pediatrician. n

Visit stclair.org or call 412-942-8570 to schedule an appointment for your child with

Dr. Christoforetti or another pediatrician at St. Clair Medical Group Family Medicine. You’ll be

able to check off both the physical exam and immunizations on your back-to-school list!

See ads for St. Clair Health on pages 2, 68, and 83.



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7/8/22 11:05 AM

Understanding

Early Language

Development

Is Your Child Meeting

Communication

Milestones?

Babies communicate long

before they begin to talk. Knowing the

normal stages of development can help

parents know if their child is experiencing

any challenges.

“The best way to promote speech and

language development for babies is to

simply talk to your child,” says Emily

Miller, MS, CCC-SLP, Speech Therapy

Clinical Coordinator at the Children’s

Therapy Center at Washington Health

System. “Children’s communication skills

grow by leaps and bounds over the first

few years of life.”

Language Milestones

“Babies between zero to three months

old express themselves through sounds,

facial expressions and gestures or body


movements,” says Miller. “These include

crying, cooing, making eye contact, and moving their arms and

legs when they are excited.”

According to The American Speech-Language-Hearing

Association, normal language development includes the following

milestones:

4–6 months: Babies begin to move their eyes toward the

direction of a sound, babble, and laugh, and make sounds when

they are upset.

6–12 months: Babies respond to the sound of their name,

understand words for common objects, and point to objects.

1–2 years old: Children usually start to say their first words

at around 12 months old. By two years old, they will learn many

new words and begin to string them together into simple phrases.

2–3 years old: Children understand new words quickly and

know a word for everything in their daily environment. They

can also make more complex sounds in words.

“Reading to your child is one of the best ways to expose them

to language,” says Miller. “Studies show that children exposed to

language early in life have social and educational advantages.”

Language Delays

“If you are concerned about your child’s speech/language

development, you don’t have to wait and see if they may catch

up,” says Miller. “Early diagnosis of a speech/language disorder

increases the chances of improvement and can prevent related

problems as the child gets older, such as behavior and social

issues.”

Discuss any concerns with your pediatrician, who can provide

a referral, if needed, for an evaluation by a speech and language

pathologist (SLP). The SLP will assess how well your child understands

and uses language.

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“Young children learn through play,” says Miller. “The SLP

will create opportunities for your child to practice the targeted

skill while enjoying motivating toys and activities. The caregiver

is also encouraged to attend and participate.”

If you have any concerns about your child, do not hesitate

to ask your child’s doctor about therapy options. The WHS

Children’s Therapy Center makes speech therapy a fun and positive

experience for children and their family. To find out more,

contact the WHS Children’s Therapy Center. Call 724-942-6100

or visit whs.org/ctc. n

See ad for Washington Hospital System on this page.



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Your Role in a Healthy Gut

Jennifer Harvey,

Southwest Gastroenterology Associates

Gut health is affected by what you eat and the

amount of water intake daily. Both are a part of the

balance of the gut microbe.

Some of the best ways to improving gut health

can include:

• Reduction of stress

• Limiting sugar intake

• Consuming a balanced diet high in fiber where

recommendations for women are 21 to 25

grams/day and men 30 to 38 grams/day

• Drinking plenty of water

• Sufficient sleep

• Probiotics

• Exercise

• Scheduling an appointment with a gastroenterologist

for any gut issues to avoid

complications and review treatment options

if necessary

If you follow these recommendations, there is

a chance to lessen negative symptoms and achieve

optimal gut health. This can lead to a healthier,

happier you! n

See ad for Southwest Gastroenterology Associates

on page 5.

MT. LEBANON

RECREATION CENTER

ATTENTION UPPER ST. CLAIR RESIDENTS

Skate With Us at the

MT. LEBANON RECREATION CENTER

Open Year Round with Something for Everyone

Friday Night Teen skate with D.J.

(begins Nov. 4) from 7:40 - 10pm.

Learn-to-Skate Classes/ Beginner &

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Youth Developmental &

Adult Hockey Leagues

Public Skating

Figure Skating Sessions Daily

Adult Skating & Instructional Programs

Broomball

Birthday Party Packages

Call the Recreation Center at

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Farmer’s Market Fun

Summer may be winding down, but

it’s the perfect time to visit a farmer’s market

for fresh produce. And nothing could be more

convenient than stopping by the Upper St. Clair

Farmer’s Market, operated by the Rotary Club of

Upper St. Clair–Bethel Park (Breakfast).

Located in the Westminster Presbyterian

Church parking lot at 2040 Washington Road

and open every Thursday from 4–7 p.m., May

though September, the market has lots of local

vendors, selling everything from fruits and

vegetables to fresh baked goods to BBQ and

gyros. Live entertainment is featured on many

market nights. Numerous families stop to pick

up dinner and stock up on fresh local produce

and other items for the weekend while visiting

with friends and neighbors. Why not join them

one week? n

The Upper St. Clair Farmer’s Market operates on

Thursday evenings from 4–7 p.m., May through

September, in the Westminster Church parking lot.

AROUND THE TOWNSHIP


The Abandoned Mine Drainage Bird Sanctuary

Alexander Clifford, Hamm Intern for ALT

To the unacquainted, Wingfield Pines may seem like more of a conservation

project than a thriving ecosystem. Key to Wingfield’s terrain, and one of the

first things that many people

learn about the property, is

that it is the site of a treatment

system for abandoned

mine drainage (AMD). The

iron-polluted water is passively

treated through a series

of ponds before being released

into Chartiers Creek.

In addition to their role in

treating AMD, the wetlands

Birdwatching at Wingfield Pines

of Wingfield Pines foster a

diverse ecosystem, one which

supports a variety of water birds. Besides wetlands, Wingfield Pines also boasts forest

and grassland, which support their share of birds. All in all, Wingfield Pines supports

around 198 bird species, of which 149 can be found there during the fall.

In the ponds and marshes, birdwatchers can spot Mallard and Canada Geese almost

year-round. Great Blue Heron and Belted Kingfisher are also wetland residents

in all seasons. Some common year-round residents of Wingfield Pines’s forested areas

include woodpeckers, owls, and Wild Turkey.

The fall migration brings several new waterfowl to Wingfield Pines, including the

Pied-Billed Grebe, American Coot, and Blue-Winged Teal. The Solitary Sandpiper is

another fall visitor to Wingfield. Other shorebirds like Sora and Least Sandpiper may

also be present. An autumn trip through the wetlands of Wingfield Pines may also reveal

lingering Tree and Barn Swallows, which are common during the summer months.

All around the green space, there is the possibility of seeing raptors such as Redtailed

Hawks and Turkey Vultures. In the fall, Osprey and Sharp-shinned Hawks are

also likely to be in the area. Especially in some of the more forested parts of Wingfield

Pines, there is a good chance of seeing warblers. During the fall migration, many warbler

species pass through Allegheny County on their journey back to their wintering

grounds in central and South America. This includes the vibrant Magnolia Warbler

and Palm Warbler, which are often sighted at Wingfield Pines.

Wingfield Pines already

hosts a variety of bird life

and offers plenty of birding

opportunities during

the fall migration. In the

coming years, there may

be more bird species to

see. The once-maintained

Green Heron

Events

Webinar: Fall Wild Edibles

September 14, 5–5:45 p.m.

Ages: All

Cost: Free

Join ALT senior director of education and curriculum Julie

for a look at our common backyard edible wild plants.

Registration: alleghenylandtrust.org/event/webinar-fallwild-edibles/

Webinar: Science of Spiders

October 5, 5–5:45 p.m.

Ages: All

Cost: Free

Do all spiders build webs, and are those webs really

stronger than steel? Learn all about spider facts and fiction,

as well as their amazing biology with ALT’s senior

director of education and curriculum Julie!

Registration: alleghenylandtrust.org/event/webinarscience-of-spiders/

First Friday Hike: Wingfield Walk

October 7, 10–11:30 a.m.

Ages: All

Cost: $5/person

Every first Friday of the month (barring holidays) you can

join an ALT environmental educator for a nature walk at

one of our properties! October will explore the AMD ponds

and wildlife of Wingfield Pines. Hike runs rain or shine;

no walk ins are permitted.

Tickets: alleghenylandtrust.org/event/first-friday-hikewingfield-walk/

Webinar: Batty for Bats

October 26, 5–5:45 p.m.

Ages: All

Cost: Free

Do all bats use echolocation? What popular adult beverage

would not exist without bats? Join ALT senior director of

education and curriculum for a talk on some of the biology,

myths, and facts about bats.

Registration: alleghenylandtrust.org/event/webinarbatty-for-bats/

For registration and more information on the

above events and more offerings,

visit: alleghenylandtrust.org/events

meadow, which contributed little to the location’s biodiversity, is currently

undergoing a transformation into a wetland habitat. An expansion

of Wingfield’s already prospering wetland ecosystem could attract even

more birds to the

area! So, we hope

you will keep an

eye to the skies to

see the changing

winged visitors

throughout each

season and over

each year. n

Dark-eyed Junco

American Woodcock


Horses with Hope at Gilfillan Farm

The staff, volunteers, and

herd are happy to be back at

Gilfillan Farm for the second year of service

in the Upper St. Clair community. As you’ve

walked the trail recently, you might have

noticed Miracles, Fritz, Rex, Nick, Lil’ Scout,

and Rocky grazing in the fields while taking a

break from therapeutic riding lessons. Willow

and Finn, the myotonic fainting goats are also

back this year. If you are visiting the farm,

volunteering, or have a child participating in

summer camp, these two little goats prove

Horses grazing

friendly companions to everyone they meet!

Speaking of companions, Horses with

Hope is looking for two more well-mannered miniature donkeys or horses to add to the herd for use in the upcoming winterfeeding

program and summer camps. Three weeks of summer camp were scheduled again this year and were at capacity with a

waiting list. Stay tuned for future program information and please contact Horses with Hope if you know of any minis that would

be a good fit!

Horses with Hope had many volunteer and project needs this season. The

summer months brought about the need for extra volunteers to help with landscaping

and trimming. Additional projects were also available for Eagle Scouts.

For individuals aged 14 and up, sidewalkers were needed for therapeutic riding

lessons. Volunteer as a sidewalker with Horses with Hope to help keep participants

safe on and around the horse. Connect with your community by making a

difference in the lives of others!

Year-round fundraising opportunities are available for individuals and schools.

Students and school clubs involved in art departments or service projects can

support Horses with Hope with fundraising efforts or create artwork for use as a

raffle item at our fundraising events.

Save the date and stay tuned for more information on upcoming Horses with

Hope events. On Sunday, November 13, get ready for raffles, bowling, and pizza

at the annual Horses with Hope bowling fundraiser at the Meadows Lanes. n

Willow and Finn

For more information on Horses with Hope programs, events, and

volunteer opportunities, please visit horseswithhope.org.

The Third Annual Belmont Jewel event on June 11 at St. Clair Country Club

was a wonderful evening for all in attendance with cocktails, appetizers, dinner,

a variety of games, and a silent

auction. Details on next year’s

event will be coming soon!

—Belmont photos courtesy of

Heather Nyapas Photography


Let the Good Times Roll!

This April, TODAY headed south to New Orleans and the “Big Easy”

did not disappoint! From the French Quarter to the Garden District, the

city’s rich history, varied architecture, and amazing nightlife, music, and

cuisine combine to create an unforgettable

experience. Among the highlights of the trip were

a walking tour of the city, visits to Jackson Square and

St. Louis Cathedral, coffee and beignets at Café Du Monde,

and several parade sightings! n

The Riverwalk starts by the Riverwalk Outlet Collective

at Canal St. and runs along the Mississippi river down to the

French Quarter area. On your walk you can see barges and

cargo ships going down the river. There’s a paddle boat there

if you’d like to ride for a fee, and you can usually find people

playing music or just sitting in the grass or along the side.

Looming large against the Mississippi

River is the Audubon Aquarium of the

Americas, one of the top museums of its

kind in America, with 15,000 sea life

creatures, representing nearly 600 species

in a state-of-the-art facility.

TODAY in New Orleans

Second line is a tradition in brass

band parades in New Orleans. The

“main line” or “first line” is the

main section of the parade, or the

members of the actual club with the

parading permit as well as the brass

band. Those who follow the band

just to enjoy the music are called the

“second line.”

New Orleans

headline entertainer

Jeremy Davenport,

performing at the

Davenport Lounge at

the Ritz-Carlton.

The Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis,

King of France, also called St. Louis

Cathedral, is the seat of the Roman Catholic

Archdiocese of New Orleans and is the oldest

cathedral in continuous use in the U.S. The

cathedral was built in 1789 and rebuilt in

1850, and its all-white, Spanish Colonial

façade with three black spires is one of the

most recognizable landmarks in the South.

Located in front of the St. Louis Cathedral

is Jackson Square. Nestled in the center of the

French Quarter, the 2.5-acre space welcomes

over two-million visitors and locals each year

for a variety of events.

Instructions for

Traveling with TODAY

Read the following criteria to find out how to

submit information.

• Clear, close-up digital photo of USC resident(s)

holding his or her TODAY magazine.

• Attach jpg (at least 300 dpi) and send via

email, including required information (see

below) in the body of the email.

• List name(s) of resident(s), group, and

specific photo location, and objective of visit

(leisure, volunteer, career, etc.) or stay-athome

project.

• Include email address or phone number

should further contact be necessary.

• Email information to usctoday@usctoday.org,

with “TODAY” listed in subject line.

Note: Submitted photos and information

for this feature section will remain on file

for upcoming editions until published.


Guess Watts Here in 2022…

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Bedner Estates

The neighborhood known today as Bedner Estates

can be traced back to the 18 th century when the first settlers

were claiming land in

Upper St. Clair. Originally,

this area was part of Daniel

Carroll’s land patent, which he

named “Carrolton.” Surveyed

in April 1787 and warranted in

October 1789, Carroll, like

many of his neighbors, applied

on a Virginia certificate.

The colonies of Virginia and

Pennsylvania disputed the

ownership of Southwestern

Pennsylvania in the decades

preceding Carroll’s claim. Individuals

applying for land in

the area had to decide which

colony, and later state, they

should make their application to, based on which state they

believed the land belonged to at the time.

After Carroll, the property was owned by members of the

Borland family, who built a Greek Revival style house sometime

between 1839 and 1849 along what became Cook School Road.

In a map from Hopkin’s 1876 Atlas of the County of Allegheny, J.

Borland is listed as the owner of this farmland next to neighbors

such as Moses Cook and several McMillan family members.

Unlike Cook and McMillan, the Borland family name was not

attached to either a school or road. Instead, it is the Bedner family

who is associated with the property, now known as Bedner Estates.

The Bedner family was the last owner of this farmland prior to

the neighborhood’s construction. Bedner’s Farm started with the

1917 purchase of the property from Pittsburgh Coal Company

by brothers Stephen and Walter Bedner. The next generation of

Bedners continued to farm and expanded the family business to

include Bedner’s Farm Market on Bower Hill Road in 1956. As of

2002, the 120-acre Bedner’s Farm was the last working farm in

Upper St. Clair. Now, the area along Cook School Road is home

to many Upper St. Clair families. n

—Article courtesy of Carolyn Jones Friedrich, historian,

Historical Society of Upper St. Clair


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Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm; Sat. 8am - noon

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Looking for a “sweet” way to get a jump on your holiday

shopping while supporting local artists?

www.calabrotire.com

The Upper St. Clair League for the Arts invites you to their annual

Sugarplum Artisan Market. Now in it’s 46 th year, this popular event

provides a marketplace of fine art gallery and quality crafts for gift

giving and home décor.

For six days—November 10–15—the MAC on McLaughlin Run

Road becomes a boutique featuring hundreds of one-of-a-kind items,

all hand crafted by local artisans. No delivery problems or shortages

at Sugarplum!

Sugarplum has become a favorite art and craft event in the area

and repeat customers and new guests will be excited by the variety

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and quality of the items available. Event organizers work to offer something for everyone

and bring the finest in local craftsmanship. Many returning artists will offer popular selling

items as well as showcasing new wares. And each year brings new talent showcasing their

artistic skills.

In addition to an extensive gallery featuring paintings of all mediums, prints, and photography,

there is also pottery, fiber art, stained

glass, and fused glass. Also available for sale are

hand carved Santas, painted gourds, polymer clay,

homemade soaps, jewelry, wreaths, pillows, centerpieces,

purses, covered notebooks, 3D Christmas

houses, greeting cards, and so much more.

Besides providing this marketplace for artists, each year The Upper St. Clair League for

the Arts awards a scholarship to an Upper St. Clair High School student pursuing an artrelated

education.

Mark your calendars for this popular event! n


District Receives

Donation from

USCAA

The Upper St. Clair Athletic

Association (USCAA) presented a

$7,500 donation to the school district

during the district’s March 21 School

Board meeting.

Presenting the donation were Rob York, USCAA president,

and Erik Lund, USCAA vice-president. Both gentlemen expressed

their appreciation for the ongoing partnership between the athletic

association and the school district.

The district will determine the best use of USCAA’s donation,

which will benefit the most children. Mr. Lund and Mr. York

stated that USCAA intends to make an annual donation to the

school district.

In its 69 th year, USCAA, an all-volunteer organization, has seen

exponential growth. The organization currently offers girls and

boys basketball, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls wrestling,

baseball, softball, and tackle and flag football. In total, more

than 2,000 participants from ages 5 to 18 compete in USCAA

activities. n

Upper St. Clair Different Strokes

Tennis League

Upper St. Clair Different Strokes Tennis League is a

nonprofit resident group run by a committee of volunteers with

the assistance of the USC recreation department. Our purpose

is to organize sessions of tennis for Upper St Clair residents of

all abilities to play with a variety of partners and opponents of

similar level. There are four (4) sign-up sessions per year for

different days/times of the week for different game levels:

• A spring outdoor session until the end of June (USC season

permit required).

• A summer outdoor session until the bubbles go up in

October (USC season permit required).

• A 14-week fall indoor session from October through mid-

January (USC court fees).

• A 14-week winter indoor session from mid-January through

mid-April (USC court fees).

All sessions include weekday mornings and evenings for

women’s doubles, as well as weekday evenings and weekend day

times for men’s doubles. Mixed doubles or men’s and women’s

singles games can also be set up if there is enough demand.

Cost of joining our league is $10 for individuals and $16 per

couple. If interested, please contact Gina Braun at 412-221-5717

or Gibra5@aol.com. Join anytime! n


Continuing to Enrich

Our Community

2022-2023 Lecture Series Held on Tuesday Mornings

Town Hall South is a philanthropic

organization dedicated to bringing nationally

and internationally acclaimed lecturers

to the South Hills of Pittsburgh. Founded in

1969 as an outreach program of Westminster

Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair, Town

Hall South continues to function as a selfsustaining

entity under the gracious auspices

of Westminster Presbyterian Church. Annually,

a portion of proceeds is awarded as grants to a

wide variety of local organizations in the surrounding

community.

This year’s scheduled speakers include:

Dan Rather

October 11, 2022

With more than 60 years spent covering

the biggest events and news stories of our

time, Dan Rather is a living witness to history.

During 44 years at CBS, including 24 years

as anchor of the CBS Evening News, he interviewed

every president since Eisenhower and

personally covered history-making events from

the Kennedy assassination through Viet Nam,

Watergate, Tiananmen Square, the fall of the

Berlin Wall, 9/11, and the Iraq Invasion. Rather

is a recipient of the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime

Achievement Award. He is also the author of

the New York Times bestseller, What Unites

Us: Reflections on Patriotism, which takes on

the toxic political atmosphere and polarized

opinions of our time with a hopeful reminder

of the core ideals that all Americans share.

Kevin Surace

November 15, 2022

Kevin Surace is a Silicon Valley innovator

and visionary who focuses on artificial

intelligence (“AI”), robotics, and automation

and how they will impact our jobs and our

future. Named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by

Inc. magazine, a “tech pioneer” by the World

Economic Forum, and one of the “Top 15

Innovators of the decade” by CNBC, Surace

is widely recognized as one of the most influential

innovators of our time. With 28 U.S.

patents, Surace is responsible for numerous

technologies that are commonplace today, such

as the first cellular data smartphone and first

human-like AI virtual assistant. Surace has

also helped to develop, patent, and produce

green technologies that reduce energy usage

in buildings.

Dan Rather

Oct.11

Kevin Surace

Nov. 15

Leon Logothetis

Dec. 6

Richard Stengel

Feb. 7

Dr. Temple Grandin

Mar. 21

Leon Logothetis

December 6, 2022

Leon Logothetis is a global adventurer, motivational

speaker, and philanthropist. While working as a broker in

London, Logothetis felt uninspired and depressed. He decided

to give it all up for life on the road and discovered that

anything is possible if you act with kindness and harness the

power of human connection. As host of the Netflix series,

The Kindness Diaries, Logothetis circumnavigated the globe,

relying on the kindness of strangers and giving life changing

gifts to unsuspecting good Samaritans. He has visited more

than 100 countries and traveled to every continent. He has

also written several books, including Amazing Adventures

of a Nobody, The Kindness Diaries, and Live, Love, Explore:

Discover the Way of the Traveler—A Roadmap to the Life You

Were Meant to Live.

Richard Stengel

February 7, 2023

As longtime Editor of TIME magazine and former Under

Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs,

Richard Stengel has seen and led the transformation of

mainstream media. As a New York Times best-selling author

and journalist, Stengel speaks widely on fake news and disinformation,

the case for national service, diplomacy, and

leadership lessons derived from reporting on the world’s

greatest leaders. In his most recent book, Information Wars:

How We Lost the Global Battle Against Disinformation and

What We Can Do About It, Stengel describes how governments

are using and spreading disinformation, largely by way of

social media, in an effort to attack democracy and American

values, and stresses that we must find a way to combat this

ever-growing threat to democracy.

Dr. Temple Grandin

March 21, 2023

Temple Grandin, Ph.D., is the most accomplished and

well-known adult with autism in the world. She was diagnosed

with autism in 1950, at a time when her parents were

told she should be institutionalized. Dr. Grandin now works

as a professor of animal science at Colorado State University

and speaks around the world, inspiring and motivating others

through her story. She has been featured on NPR and major

television programs, including The Today Show, 48 Hours, and

20/20. She has been named on TIME magazine’s annual list

of the world’s most influential people, and her life is depicted

in the Emmy Award-winning HBO film Temple Grandin. Her

current best-selling book on autism is The Way I See It: A

Personal Look at Autism and Asperger’s. n

Lectures are held in the Upper St. Clair High School theater. For more

information or to purchase tickets, visit townhallsouth.org.


Community Foundation

Community Foundation and C2CF

Support Eisenhower Spring Carnival

C2CF

Connect 2 Community Foundation High School Club

a “win-win”

partnership

C2CF members Sarah and Lauren

Babbitt and Delaney Wehrle manned

the Duck Pond table at the ESC

Duck Maestro Paul Fox

and the Chick fil-A Cow

CF Trustee Lauren Mathews set up a table at a

neighborhood food truck event to sell ducks

and CFUSC Panther blankets

CF Trustee Jennifer Dempsey and

her son, Colin, selling ducks at the

CFUSC booth on Community Day

Great Duck Race

Rushing to the finish line!

Retrieving the

winning ducks!

Jamie —first prize

winner of an iPad

Mia’s duck won her

a C&RC gift card


Scholarship Established to “Pay It Forward”

The Community Foundation has had the honor of working with three Upper St. Clair High School graduates who

established a scholarship in honor of their parents. Gordon Mathews, CFUSC president was contacted by Mahesh

Krishnan and an agreement was set forth. Mahesh and his sisters Savitha and Sheila, would provide funding annually in

the amount of $2,500 for scholarships named in honor of their parents Sivaram

and Revathi Krishnan. Mahesh shared his father’s story, saying that his parents

have always believed that success requires risk-taking and commitment. His father

arrived in the United States from India by ship in 1961, landing at Ellis Island

with a single suitcase and $25 in his pocket. He received a Ph.D. in Chemistry

from Carnegie Mellon University and had a successful career as a scientist and

innovator. This journey could not have happened without several scholarships

that he received for his education, his commitment to his family, taking risks and understanding the value of

education. Mahesh and his sisters thank the USCHS faculty and staff for providing a strong educational foundation

for them, which has enabled them to be successful in their own careers. This scholarship is intended to “pay it forward”

since that initial scholarship that was given to Dr. Krishnan. The two recipients of the first Krishnan scholarships are

Isabella Marasco and Fiona Wang, who were selected by a panel of high school

guidance counselors and trustees from the Community Foundation. They were

each awarded a $1,250 scholarship to aid them in achieving their goals to pursue

higher education.

Gordon Mathews, Isabella

Marasco, Fiona Wang and

Dr. Timothy Wagner

of Upper St. Clair

30

Community Foundation

of Upper St. Clair

Founded 1993

Watch for news about the

upcoming Community

Foundation celebration of

thirty years nurturing and

supporting ideas, and providing grant monies for

projects that bring UNITY to our COMMUNITY.

On March 27, 1993, Linda Serene stood on the High

School stage thanking the audience for attending the

first event sponsored by the Community Foundation.

She held up a large cardboard sign designed as a check

that read $54,000, the amount raised by patrons who

came to hear the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

that evening. Since that time the Foundation has held

countless events, and given more than a million dollars

to fund hundreds of grants, bringing enrichments to

all residents.

The Krishnan Family

“Spirit of the Community Award”

The 2022 recipient of this award is Eva Rankin. CFUSC established this award

in 2017 in memory of Mr. John Small, a school district administrator who also

served as the first Executive Director of the Foundation. Congratulations to Eva

who has truly demonstrated the Spirit of the Community.

CFUSC Welcomes New Trustees

Meagan Junstrom

Lauren Mathews

Pam Scureman

Navin Parmar

Have a unique idea?

Need some help?

Go To

cfusc.org/grants

Submit a grant proposal!

Visit Cozy Up With Books at

twpusc.libcal.com/

event/8597838

for book titles, and times

for book club meetings


Profiles

of people with a USC connection

Know of a resident to profile? Send information to: Editor,

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 or

usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us.

Dr. Erena Lanza

Erena Lanza Opens Bridgeville Chiropractic Office

Dr. Erena Lanza (USCHS 2010) has lived in many states over the past 12 years but has finally found her way

back to Pittsburgh. After living most recently in Idaho, Dr. Lanza and her husband, Dr. Kynan Tarnowski, made the

cross-country drive to plant their roots in Upper St. Clair. Since arriving in July of 2021, they have started their own

chiropractic office in Bridgeville, a first of its kind combined Gonstead and Orthospinology Upper Cervical Practice.

The couple welcomed a sweet baby girl into the world in March 2022.

While in high school, Dr. Lanza suffered a few concussions

that left her with debilitating migraines and attention

problems. It was then that she began seeing a chiropractor.

Sadly, general chiropractic didn’t help much; but she had

heard of a specific upper cervical focused form of chiropractic

called orthospinology. Within a few adjustments by

a chiropractic orthospinologist, Dr. Lanza’s migraines disappeared, and her attention

was back to pre-concussion status. It was then that Dr. Lanza shifted her focus to

becoming an Orthospinologist herself. She opened her first solo practice in Idaho

in 2020 and in 2021 was voted in as a board member for the Society of Chiropractic

Orthospinology.

Now back in Pittsburgh, Drs. Lanza and Tarnowski combined their two specific

chiropractic techniques into one office, Origins Chiropractic and Wellness, where

patients with a variety of aliments can receive unique, specialized care to reach their

health goals. Origins Chiropractic and Wellness is a family practice where people of

all ages are welcome. Dr. Lanza is excited to be back in her hometown offering the

best possible care to her local community and neighbors.

To learn more about Dr. Lanza and Dr. Tarnowski’s office visit OriginsChiro.com.

Dr. Kynan Tarnowski and Dr. Erena Lanza in their new

chiropractic office.

Happenings!

John M. Lekse Scholarship Golf Outing

This year the outing is scheduled for October 9 at Quicksilver golf course. For more

information or to sign up, visit the fire department’s website at uscvfd.com and click

on the John M. Lekse Scholarship Golf Outing.

For further information or to donate to the scholarship fund, go to the Pittsburgh

Foundation web site at pittsburghfoundation.org/scholarship/10792.

Sugarplum 2022

McLaughlin Run Activity Center, 1770

McLaughlin Run Road

November 10–15

Hours: Thu., Fri., Sat., and Mon.–10 a.m.–5

p.m.; Sun. and Tue.–10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Featuring handcrafted arts and crafts

of local artists, including pottery, fiber

art, stained glass, fused glass, and painted

gourds. Also for sale are hand carved Santas,

polymer clay, homemade soaps, jewelry,

wreaths, pillows, centerpieces, purses, covered

notebooks, 3-D Christmas houses,

greeting cards, and so much more.

(See article on page 77.)

(See article on page 62.)

Joy of Christmas Craft

Show

The Labouré Ladies Guild will

hold its annual “Joy of Christmas”

Craft Show on Saturday, November

19, 2022, from 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.,

at St. Louise de Marillac School and

LeGras Parish Center, 320 McMurray

Road, Upper St. Clair. There will be

115 artists and craftsmen, Chinese

auction, and refreshments. The twodollar

admission includes a ticket for

the Chinese auction. Due to order of

the USC Fire Marshall, strollers are

not permitted.

50 th Reunion for the USC Class of 1971

Take Two

Although we were quite disappointed to feel the

need to cancel our 50 th reunion for the USC Class of

1971 due to Covid issues last fall, we’re happy to have

finalized plans for the rescheduled event.

Dates: September 30–October 1

Friday:

Classmates are free to catch up with friends at a location

of their choice.

Saturday:

10 a.m.—Tour of USC High School

6–10 p.m.—Informal Reunion at Alpine Club in South

Fayette. Price of $65 per person includes hors d’oeuvres,

dinner buffet, and dessert. Cash bar.

Questions may be directed to the Reunion Committee at

usc1971pa@gmail.com

Details via email, Facebook, and the USCSD website.

Visit connect2USCSD.com for updates and more

information. Questions? Contact Carole Stevens at

rho4cs@verizon.net or text 412-401-3891.


Personal.

Best.

What are you striving for today?

At St. Clair Health, our care teams are

driven by a passion to provide world-class,

patient-focused care to our neighbors in

and around the Pittsburgh Region. That’s

why we’ve recruited even more nationally

recognized doctors and invested in

state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical

technology to support them. So no matter

how far you push yourself to achieve,

you never have to go far to receive the

personalized health care you deserve.

Shaka M. Walker, M.D.

stclair.org


Fall 2022

Advanced Surgical Hospital..................................................................... 66

Affordable Decks & Additions LLC............................................................ 78

Angelo Associates, Inc. ............................................................................ 61

Arbor Tree Specialists................................................................................. 9

Ardolinio’s.................................................................................................. 7

Ballet Academy of Pittsburgh.................................................................. 47

* Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, The Preferred Realty, Rt. 19, South...... 3

* Brookside Lumber................................................................................... 77

* Calabro Tire & Auto Service...................................................................... 77

* Coldwell Banker Realty–Lynn Dempsey................................................... 46

Coldwell Banker Realty–Dora Rudick....................................................... 35

* Coldwell Banker Realty–South Hills Office.................... Outside Back Cover

Davey Tree and Lawn Care....................................................................... 76

Direct Physiotherapy................................................................................ 70

EXP Realty–Jonette Shanahan................................................................. 43

* Extended Day Services............................................................................. 48

Falling Timbers Tree Service and Excavation............................................ 65

Fitness Fanatics........................................................................................ 67

Advertiser Index

twpusc.org/usctoday

* Keller Williams–Sandy and Marshall Goldstein....................................... 14

* Kerr Family and Cosmetic Dentistry......................................................... 15

KSG Orthodontics.................................................................................... 71

Lewis Music Studio.................................................................................. 49

* Manolo, Larry E., DMD............................................................................. 15

McQueen Building Company.................................................................. 17

Mister Sewer............................................................................................ 42

Mt. Lebanon Awning................................................................................ 78

* Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center............................................................... 71

* Pinebridge Commons Associates ............................................................ 15

* Providence Point, a Baptist Homes Society community.......................... 70

RE/MAX Select Realty–Amanda Walton................................................... 11

* Rusmur Floors ................................................................. Inside Back Cover

* Scott Bros. Windows and Doors................................................................. 9

* Sesame Inn.............................................................................................. 31

South Hills Endoscopy Center.....................................................................1

South Hills Junior Orchestra (SHJO)........................................................ 65

Southwest Gastroenterology Associates.................................................... 5

Friendship Village.................................................................................... 66

Generator Supercenter of Pittsburgh....................................................... 76

George Girty Landscape Design............................................................... 37

* Howard Hanna–Diane Horvath................................................................ 37

Howard Hanna–Kathleen & Diana Mathison........................................... 61

* Howard Hanna–USC Office............................................. Inside Front Cover

Ivybrook Academy of South Fayette......................................................... 47

J&A South Park, LLC Heating Cooling Plumbing Electric........................... 7

Let

guide you in 2022 with

great ad placement.

Upcoming winter guides

include Holiday

and Life Planning.

Thank you to our advertisers who generously support the TODAY magazine and to

our volunteer writers who provide wonderful stories of interest to our community!

—UPPER ST.CLAIR TODAY Staff and Steering Committee

Place your ad

in our community’s go-to publication.

Contact 412-833-1600, x2284.

*The above advertisers, who are advertising in this issue,

have contributed their financial support for a

minimum of 55 issues.

* St. Clair Health............................................................................... 2, 68, 83

* State Farm Insurance–Cindy Brophy........................................................ 48

* Thomas Dance Studio.............................................................................. 48

Three Rivers Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery............................................ 68

* Troy Orthodontics..................................................................................... 15

* Washington Health System..................................................................... 69

* Wellington Real Estate–Patty Thomas & Rebecca Lutz............................. 33

Welter, Julie–Realtor®............................................................................. 31

Grow Your

Business with

412-833-1600 x 2284 | usctoday@usctoday.org | twpusc.org/usctoday

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, the award-winning, official publication of the School District and Township of Upper St. Clair




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