Riverview seniors honored during Awards Night
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On May 10, numerous Riverview High School 12th-graders were honored with a Senior Awards Night ceremony that took place at The Oaks Theater in Oakmont.
The awards night ceremony has been part of the lead up to Riverview graduation f0r more than 40 years, although it was the first such in-person event since 2019 because of the covid-19 pandemic.
According to English teacher and Senior Scholarship Coordinator Casey Rocchini, there are two main purposes for the award night. The first is to hand out locally awarded scholarship to students who are furthering their education.
“We have such a wonderful group of seniors this year who all deserve it,” said Rocchini.
More than 20 organizations awarded 30-plus scholarships to 26 students, totaling over $55,000 to put towards tuition, books, supplies, and room and board. Individual amounts ranged from $200 to $5,000.
Each scholarship required the students to submit a packet of information in order to apply, while some were required to write essays and for others, such as the Riverview Education Association Community Service Scholarship, logs of service activities throughout the year were stipulated.
Honorees on the night included Challenge Program Award recipients Brooke Benton, attendance; Alessandra Ciccone, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics); Kelsey Mayhood, community service; Elizabeth Lekovitch, academic improvement; and Lucas Walton, academic excellence.
Additional recognition was given to Micah Black and Madeline Deem, AB Orthodontics Scholarship Award; Julia Franciscus, Parker Steele and Lucas Wilton, David Anderson Memorial Scholarship; McKenna Cameron, Curtis J. Young Memorial Award; Dean Cecere, Riverview Football Alumni Scholarship; Kayley Weinberg, Ruth Alcorn Memorial Award for kindness and dedication to learning; Brooke Benton and Dominic Geahry Woman’s Club of Oakmont Award; Kelsey Mayhood, Donald F. Suchevich Award from the Verona Volunteer Fire Department; Julia Ciorra, Oakmont Historical Society Award, Anthony Mazer, Regis Hughes Memorial Scholarship; Parker Steele, Oakmont Lions Award; and Mia Milliken and Nolan Gornic, Erica Hower Scholarship Award.
Several students who have decided to go on to military service were also honored. Jordan and Justin Hart-Brown were given the Military Oath of Service Award by local military recruiter Army Sgt. 1st Class James Powell. Both students are joining the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and will receive full tuition and room and board to California University of Pennsylvania, while Jordan Escalara received an Oath of Service and Military Promotion award for enlisting into the Army.
“I appreciate the dedication these young men put in this year in order to earn this award,” Powell said.
The military also gave out achievement awards, which were presented by Marine Staff Sgt. Foslie Louis: Kelsey Mayhood, Semper Fidelis Musical Excellence Award; Madeline Deem, Semper Fidelis Distinguished Female Athlete Award; Parker Steele, Male Athlete Award; Julia Ciorra and Dominic Gearhy, Scholastic Excellence Award; and Teacher of the Year Award, which went to Rocchini.
The second purpose of Senior Awards Night was to honor the seniors for their activities during their entire four years at Riverview. Numerous recognitions were made, including athletes across all sports and cheerleading, high school orchestra and band, chorus, Grace Notes, National Honor Society, high school musical and Model United Nations.
“As the Class of 2022 begins their final month at Riverview, all I can think about is how proud I am of the young people they have become during their time here,” Rocchini said. “This class has had to overcome many challenges during their four years in high school, and it has been a privilege to witness their growth. Whether they are enlisting in the military, heading off to college or trade school, entering the work force, or forging their own unique path, I cannot wait to see what the future holds for each and every member of Riverview’s Class of 2022.”
Riverview School District Superintendent Neil English added:
“This is one of my favorite events of the year because we get to celebrate the culmination of success over time, and that’s fun and exciting. We get the chance to think back and reminisce who made a significant impact in our lives as we ascended through the grades.
“This particular senior class, they are special to me, because when I started at Riverview, they started at the Riverview Senior High School,” he said. “So they hold a special place in my heart.”