Pine-Richland students fill 6 Toys for Tots buses
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The Pine-Richland High School Student Government Association helped a local radio station beat its target goal for its annual Stuff-A-Bus program.
Pine-Richland students stuffed six buses full of toys for the annual fundraiser helping 96.1 KISS FM fill a record 68 buses this year.
Toy donations were collected at all six Pine-Richland schools. The project was an effort by all with the support from staff, students, parents and community members.
On Nov 30, students visited each school building to pick up the donated toys, which benefit the Marine Toys for Tots program. Then on Dec. 1, students traveled to Robinson Town Centre to deliver six buses of toys personally to Mikey and Big Bob, who host the KISS Morning Freak Show.
The fundraiser has been a big success at Pine-Richland for more than 14 years. Student Transportation of America, the district’s bus provider, generously donated the use of six buses.
Musicians earn selections
Several Pine-Richland students have been selected to participate in Pennsylvania Music Educators Association district and regional music events this fall and winter. Students earn their spot in these prestigious concerts and festivals through a competitive audition process.
Sophomore Ryan Noir represented Pine-Richland High School in the PMEA District 1 Honors Band in November at North Hills Middle School.
Ryan, juniors Lilliana Bogle and Will Tamburri, and sophomore Jiwon Lee have been selected to perform at the PMEA District Band West Festival Jan. 27-29 at Duquesne University.
Junior Ryan Kim and sophomore Morgan Radi represented Pine-Richland High School at the PMEA Honors String Orchestra Festival in November at Mt. Lebanon High School. Both Ryan and Morgan have been selected to participate in PMEA District 1 Senior High Orchestra in February.
Chloe Chiang, Brooke Deegan, Lumi Foster, Mackenzie Mercuri, Sophia Priore, Kate Rickard and Owen Russell were selected to the PMEA District Choir Festival, to be held at Canon-McMillan in late January.
Awards for volunteerism
Eden Hall sixth grader Aiden Ro was recognized in December for volunteer service, earning the President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award and the Korean War Veterans Association of Western Pennsylvania Outstanding Volunteer Service Certificate for his volunteer efforts.
Throughout the past year, Aiden has volunteered 137 hours, cleaning the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Pittsburgh, playing saxophone in numerous performances for disabled and Korean War veterans, and volunteering at many community events.
Prime Stage Drama Awards
Three Pine-Richland High School students have been recognized by the Prime Stage Drama Awards for their contributions to the fall play, “The Man Who Came to Dinner.”
Senior Nicolai Ezolt was nominated for best actor. Senior Michael Lattari was nominated for best student director, and senior Celeste Stokan was nominated for best student program/poster design.
The fourth annual High School Drama Awards Ceremony will be held Jan. 29.
Honors for forensic team
The Pine-Richland High School forensics team earned the second-place sweepstakes trophy at the Duquesne University Invitational tournament on Dec. 2.
Seventeen schools and 179 competitors participated in the event. Pine-Richland was honored in the large schools category for winning six individual student awards, including first place for senior Udi Akolkar in Lincoln-Douglas Debate and first place for senior Kevin McLocklynn in Poetry.
Graduates welcomed back
Pine-Richland High School welcomed back more than 50 graduates on Dec. 22 from the classes of 2023, 2022 and 2021 for the first Past Graduates’ Day.
Former students wrote letters to staff members who had a profound impact on them, spoke in small groups to junior and senior students about their experiences at and beyond Pine-Richland, and visited with all students during lunch.
School board reorganizes
On Dec. 4, Pine-Richland School Board reorganized, welcoming new directors Ashley Fortier, Leslie Miller, Philip Morrissette and Michael Wiethorn, who join reelected Marc Caciani and returning directors Christina Brussalis, Joe Cassidy, Lisa Hillman and Amy Terchick.
Morrissette was elected president, Terchick vice president and Casciani, treasurer.
Badger bound
Senior Ryan Cory committed to the University of Wisconsin to play football on National Signing Day, Dec. 20.
Ryan plans to major in business at the Big Ten Conference university in Madison.
Top Beattie student
Senior Luke Polito was named student of the month at A.W. Beattie for Health and Nursing Sciences for October/November.