Mover & Shaker of the Month Sister Pat Montini, CSJ Principal of St. Alexis School in McCandless Township Click here for article

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Ralph Jockel, Jr., left, vice-president of the Rich-Mar Rotary Club presented a check to Andy Brown, right, and Michael Stanton, center, of Hosanna Industries.  The $6,500 was the proceeds from the 21st annual Rich-Mar Rotary pancake breakfast.  Hosanna Industries will use the proceeds to help purchase a stake bed truck for their ministries.

A Glimmer of Hope, a Pittsburgh-based non-profit organization that supports breast cancer research, made a donation of $100,000 to support breast cancer research at Magee-Women’s Research Institute and Foundation.

The Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh has received a $10,000 grant from Verizon Foundation & Verizon Wireless.  The grant will enable women to sharpen their computer literacy and Internet skills through the “Helping Battered Women Through Technology and Training” program.

The Northern Allegheny County Chamber of Commerce’s Benefit Luncheon & Silent Auction held on Dec. 7 netted a generous $6,915 for The Alliance Against Highly Addictive Drugs.

Allegheny General Hospital has transferred its inpatient pediatric capabilities to its sister institution Allegheny General Hospital – Suburban Campus in Bellevue. 

Representatives of the state Department of Environmental Protection presented the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence to Cranberry Township.  The DEP presented a plaque and flag to the township in recognition of Collection Connection, Cranberry’s solid waste disposal program.

Howard Bruschi, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Carnegie Science Center, announces the appointment of four new members to the Board.  They include: Albert J. Neupaver, John P. Abriola, Kathryn Sutter and James A. Trainham.

Twilight Wish Foundation granted its first wish ever on Dec. 22.  Audrey Novack, 76, a resident at the Little Sisters of the Poor Home, received a TV/VCR/DVD.  Twilight Wish Foundation is a charitable, non-profit organization that seeks to celebrate seniors and show them the younger generation has not forgotten them.

Photo right: Sister Ophelia, Dan MacGregor (Wal-Mart manager) Audery Novack, Sister Martha and Ear Parker (Twilight Wish regional director)

Marshall Township Volunteer Fire Department swore in its 2007 officers: Charlie Ross, Kevin Mutz, Jen DeMacio, Bernadette Schwartz, John Ashbaugh, Eve Studebaker, Scott Sampey, Phil Macmillian, Mike Ashbaugh, Ron Meinert, April Ashbaugh, Jason Bragunier, Shawn Donaldson, Dan Owens and Erin Bragunier.

Two new physicians were approved for admission to the medical staff at Butler Memorial Hospital.  They are Drs. Christine Evankovich-Edwards and Lawrence Han.

The Board of Trustees of Butler Health System has named Ken DeFurio president and chief executive officer of the system.

The Butler Memorial Hospital Auxiliary has raised $80,000 for the hospital.  The money was raised by the auxiliary in various hospital fundraising events and through the proceeds from the Cherry Tree Gift Shoppe and The Hostess Shop.

Butler Memorial Hospital was named as one the Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania.  During the awards program, held in Hershey, PA, BMH was named fourth place in the large-size category for the entire state of Pennsylvania.

St. Barnabas Health System announces its Employees of the Month for December: Gwen Franz, Ronald Huff, Art Hughes, Martha Taylor and Sara Trombley.

St. Barnabas Health System has elected its Board of Trustees for 2007.  Re-elected for a one-year term are: John J. Curran, John A. Howell III, John S. Turnbull, William V. Day, Joseph C. Scaletta, Thomas M. Schmidt, David L. Wohleber and Ralph J. Papa.

St. Barnabas held the ninth annual Roundball Classic.  The Mars Planets boys’ varsity team defended its status as reigning champions for the third consecutive year by defeating the Pine-Richland Rams 48-44.  In the junior varsity game, Pine-Richland defended its status as reigning champions by defeating Mars 51-38.

The psychological practice of Malec, Herring & Krause expanded and moved to a refurbished farmhouse in Mars.  Elaine Malec, Ph.D., Jaclyn Herring, Ph.D. and Elizabeth Krause, Ph.D. (photo left) and their associates offer psychotherapy, mindfulness meditation, yoga and therapeutic massage. Learn more at their website: MalecHerringandKrause.com.

The Perrysville Business Association president, Dennis Stanko presented the Second Annual “Beautification Award” to Dr. Mara Biancucci-Dunlap and Dr. John Dunlap of Dunlap Dental Associates of 976 Perry Highway in Perrysville.

The Perrysville Business Association has elected their new Board of Directors: Dennis Stanko, Thomas Ravis, Shelby Carmack, Linda Yon, JoAnn Palmieri, Gary Milnes, John Iurlano, Chip Stocker and Patrick McDermott.

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Mover & Shaker of the Month Sister Pat Montini, CSJ Principal of St. Alexis School in McCandless Township

Sister Pat Montini, CSJ Principal of St. Alexis School in McCandless Townshi By Paula Green St. Alexis Parish was founded in May 1961 and has been an important institution in McCandless Township since its inception.  In addition to the parish, St. Alexis has a Catholic school for children preschool through eighth grade.  They also have a St. Anthony School program for children with special needs.  The woman in charge of St. Alexis School is Sister Pat Montini.  Sister Pat took over the reins as principal in August.  She oversees an enrollment of 463 students. She refers to St. Alexis School as “God’s playground.”  “I enjoy seeing the smiles on children and the energy of the faculty.  The school is very alive and growing.  It is nice to see that the parishioners are interested in what goes on,” Sister Pat said. She actually received her first calling to religious life when was she eight years old.  She views that calling as a gift, and she credits the sisters for nurturing her.  Sister Pat attended Duquesne University where she received her B.A. in Liberal Arts and a Master of Arts in Education.  She also went to George Washington University.  She belongs to the order of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and Sister Pat has been with them for the past 34 years.  Before coming to St. Alexis, she was the vice principal at Mt. Gallitzin Academy in Baden. Prior to that she worked in the corporate world at a LSI Fidelity National Financial Corporation in Moon Township.  She was also employed at Quigley Catholic High School, Ambridge Area Catholic High School, Holy Rosary, McIntyre Shelter, Staunton Clinic and St. Vincent’s Orphanage. Sister Pat has set her goals and has high expectations for future growth at St. Alexis.  She would like to further develop the fine arts program, broaden the language curriculum, particularly the Spanish portion, and expand the math and science programs, especially for girls. In her spare time, Sister Pat loves to cook for others.  She also participates in martial arts.  She is currently a student at C. S. Kim Korean Tang Soo Do.  She has a 1st Degree Black Belt and Sister Pat also teaches martial arts to young children. “I got involved with this because I wanted a release.  I also wanted to be involved in something that would highlight my lifestyle,” Sister Pat said. She also enjoys spending time with her golden retriever Lira.  “Lira visits the school often.  The children love her, and she is actually a registered therapy dog.” Sister Pat is a resident of Baden.  As far as the future, she plans to keep influencing her students while building memories that will last a lifetime.  Back to top

Spotlight on Schools

Four La Roche College English majors (left) have been named Sister Rita Yeasted Award recipients.  Each student will receive a $1,000 scholarship for the spring semester.  This year’s scholarship recipients are (clockwise from top left: Marta Sauret, Katherine Ballad, Kelly Crooks and Megan Santypal.

La Roche College announces that the Department of Nursing, Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Program has received Full Approval Status by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.  This program is also accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

Winchester Thurston announces the completion of Many Voices, One Vision, its $13.5 million capital campaign to raise funds for new facilities and a $2 million boost to its endowment.

The Robotics Team of Eden Christian Academy’s upper school brought home two second-place trophies at FIRST LEGO League’s NanoQuest 2006.  Team members (photo, right) included: Thomas Barry, Mike Coyne, Josh Curtis, Stephen Klein, Vince Smith, Adam Flemming, Vince Russell, Kody Siple, Patrick Klein and Patrick Coyne.

Fox Chapel Area High School students held their 17th annual telethon Dec. 22, and raised $7,057.  The telethon raised money for Family Resources, a Pittsburgh-based organization that works to prevent and treat child abuse by strengthening families and neighborhoods.

Maureen Grosheider, a member of the North Allegheny School Board of Directors was recognized at a statewide educational conference by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) for her 12 years of service as a school board director.

Jade Song, a student at Franklin Elementary School has won honors in the 10th Annual Attorney General’s Drug-Free Calendar Contest.  Her artwork is featured in the 2007 calendar for the month of February.

Richard Gayler, an eighth grade student at Ingomar Middle School, will be listed in the 2006-2007 edition of Who’s Who Among Outstanding Middle School Students.  This is the second year in a row that he has been selected for inclusion in this publication.

Lynne Burk, librarian at McKnight Elementary School, has had an article published in the Teacher Librarian magazine December 2006 issue.

The North Allegheny School District is proud to announce that the NA Forensics team has been recognized for achieving placement in the top 1 percent of the National Forensic League chapters nationwide and has earned a spot in the NFL Societe’ De 300.

Members of the North Hills School Board have selected a successor for outgoing superintendent Joseph H. Clapper, D. Ed.  Assistant superintendent Joe Goodnack, D. Ed. will lead the district as its next superintendent of schools.

Four Pine-Richland High School students raised $17,705 for Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.  PRHS students Emily Hitechew, Patrick Nowak, Lauren Roberts and Melissa Sirera competed in the Children’s Free Care Fund challenge.

On Dec. 13, twelve members of the Rich-Mar Rotary Club passed out over 700 free dictionaries to third grade students in both the Pine-Richland and the Mars Area School Districts. This is the 4th year that the Rich-Mar Rotary purchased these dictionaries to give to students.

3rd grade students from Hance Elementary school in the Pine-Richland School District show off their new dictionaries for Rich-Mar Rotarians.	Jack Kimbell, Manager of Treesdale Golf & Country Club and a member of Rich-Mar Rotary for over nine years, hands a dictionary to Mars School District 3rd grader Jaime Croissant.

The Pine-Richland Forensics Team earned the second place team sweepstakes award at the North Catholic High School Forensics Tournament.  More than 30 schools and 400 students competed.  Team members who took home individual awards for placing in the top five include:  Ben Smithgall, Derrick Chengery, Stuart Monske, John Bute, Abraham George, Kelsey Ballance, Cara Bastianini and Caitlin Devor.

Seven Pine-Richland High School students will be performing with the River City Youth Brass Band at the Creative and Performing Arts High School on June 3, in a program called “All American: Music About America.  The performers include:  Ryan Haskins, Eric Hazen, Adam Janssen, John Matune, Kayla McMurry, Luke Paulina and Marcus Ranii-Dropcho. 

Pine-Richland High School senior Meghan Klingenberg has earned a spot at the United States National U-21 Team Camp.

Pine-Richland Middle School students traveled to the Animal Friends Shelter on Camp Horne Road and made a special delivery.  They delivered check donations and several boxes of dog/cat treats, blankets, beds, cages, food and toys.

A reading inspired students to create a piece of artwork. Teacher, Leticia Mickey’s class read the book A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and the students created their own story modeled after author, Betty Smith’s writing style.  The class wrote a book entitled A Tree Grows in Pine-Richland and it chronicled the day-to-day lives and experience of students at Pine-Richland Middle School.  Students even created a three-dimensional tree out of book pages and paper mache.

Photo left: Pine-Richland ninth grade students Scott Simpson and Sarah Blauser

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