West Deer has a new township supervisor.

Supervisors on Wednesday unanimously appointed Jennifer Mann, 59, to fill the seat formerly held by the late Shawn Maudhuit. Mann was one of 10 residents who applied for the position.

“I’m honored to be part of this organization and this community, and I’m going to work really hard to try to fill the shoes left by Shawn,” Mann said. “He was beloved in the community. He was a person who gave everything back to his community that he loved. I’m going to try to live that legacy.”

Mann will serve out the remainder of Maudhuit’s term, which lasts until Dec. 31, 2021. Supervisors serve four-year terms.

Mann is an English teacher at Deer Lakes High School. She has taught at the district since 2003 and thinks she could serve as a link between the school district and township.

“I see it as a great connection between the young people within our schools and also the people within our community, helping one another to grow and get through this difficult time,” Mann said.

Courtesy of Jennifer Mann Jennifer Mann  

Mann received her doctorate degree in education leadership from Duquesne University. Her dissertation, “Lifting the Veil of Invisibility: A Phenomenological Study of Student Resiliency” was based on the Deer Lakes community.

“(It is) about the marginalized people who might not have the same financial stability that other students have, and students who attend (A.W. Beattie Career Center) instead of a four-year degree, and how they interact within the school and within the community,” Mann said.

Supervisor Bev Jordan made the motion to appoint Mann, citing Mann’s extensive resume and her performance during her interview.

Jordan said the township had several great candidates, but Mann stood out.

Before coming to Deer Lakes, Mann worked as a geriatrics and hospice nurse. She also was a teacher at private and Catholic schools.

Supervisors Chairman Arlind Karpuzi asked attendees at the start of the meeting to participate in a moment of silence for Maudhuit, who died unexpectedly Sept. 20. The supervisors shared memories of their fellow supervisor and friend, who was known for bringing recreational opportunities to the township.

“Everybody loved Shawn and he’ll be missed by everybody for a long, long time to come,” Supervisors Vice Chairwoman Shirley Hollibaugh said.

Karpuzi said he was surprised by the number of candidates vying for the seat, and was impressed by their credentials and backgrounds. The decision was a difficult one.

“It was absolutely outstanding to see that these members of the community were willing to dedicate so much of their time to fill (the seat of) someone who has left great shoes to fill,” Karpuzi said.

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