< Previous%Locally SourcedLocally Sourced Another grant and donation continue train station project’s momentum Gerry Dulac (third from left) presents a check from the Parkway West Rotary to Amy Cavicchia, executive director of the Coraopolis Community Development Corporation to benefit its train station project. Pictured to her left are: Coraopolis Mayor Shawn Reed; Celeste Rippole, chief of staff for state Rep. Anita Kulik; and Chris Rolinson, CCDF board member. Pictured at far left are Rotary members David Goldman and Sam Duerr. The Coraopolis Community Development Foundation is continuing to receive grants and donations to help push its train station project in downtown Coraopolis across the finish line. The project, which has been ongoing since 2015, involves rehabilitating the borough’s iconic 1896 train station into a mixed- use community space. Despite significant work already being done to the building, a number of large projects still need to be completed in order to finish the exterior. One of those projects involves replacing the train station’s roof. Earlier this year, the CCDF was named the recipient of a $175,000 Keystone Communities grant to help pay for that work. Yet, just as the CCDF was taking construction bids on the roof work, it was named the recipient of another grant, this one from Allegheny County’s Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund. That grant, in the amount of $237,000, will help pay for the building’s exterior lights, windows, doors and even its permanent utilities. CITF grants are awarded by Allegheny County to carry out important infrastructure-related projects or for the acquisition and development of key sites for future use. State Sen. Wayne Fontana, a voting member of the CITF board, said during the award announcement that “the Coraopolis Train Station Project is central to the economic redevelopment of Coraopolis.” The good news doesn’t end there. On Sept. 25, the Parkway West Rotary donated $5,000 it raised from its annual Gerry Dulac Golf Outing to the CCDF to also aid the train station project. Those funds helped pay for some outstanding construction costs. The combined funds should allow the CCDF to complete work on the building’s exterior. Hopes are that could, in turn, allow for the surrounding lot to be cleared and made safe enough to remove the construction fence. Not only would that improve the look of the building, but it may also allow the CCDF to begin holding outdoor events there such as a farmers’ market. In addition to those grants mentioned, the CCDF was also named the recipient of two additional grants to help with its other operations. A $15,000 grant through the Pittsburgh Foundation’s Small and Mighty Grant is helping it to fund a weekend snack program for area youth and a $10,000 grant from the PNC Foundation will help the organization develop a strategic plan. The Paws Squad - an animal rescue organization based in Logan County, West Virginia - welcomed the delivery of over 200 pounds of pet food and $200 in cash on Oct. 19. Donations were made by residents of Moon Township who dropped off pet food during a Pup Parade held in September by Moon Township Parks and Recreation. “This is a cause near and dear to my heart,” said Christine Ree, communications director for Moon Township. “I learned about The Paws Squad and all the amazing work they do to support the needy and homeless animals in Logan County while volunteering for other animal rescue groups, and I’ve been supporting them for over four years now.” Ree said that when her co-workers learned about her passion and support for needy animals in Logan County, they immediately suggested hosting a food drive. “That’s the kind of community we have here,” she said. “When someone needs help, people rise to the occasion.” The Pup Parade encouraged dog owners to enjoy Moon Park with their dogs and featured food trucks, live music, raffle prizes, animal rescue groups and vendors. Dogs got to enjoy puppy ice cream cones, treats and water. “Animal lovers are generous people,” said Ree. “I am humbled and encouraged by their gifts of food and money. It was wonderful to share the story of The Paws Squad with everyone.” Selena Marcum, founder of The Paws Squad, accepted the donations. “We are so thankful and blessed by our generous and caring supporters,” she stated. “Logan County is a rural area that’s been hit hard with job losses over the years. We’re home to nearly 33,000 people, but that number has dropped over 30 percent since 1980. We just don’t have the population that can support the number of animals out there. We need help from outside communities.” Since 2013, The Paws Squad had saved the lives of over 7,000 unwanted dogs and cats by transporting them to rescues and shelters in other cities and states. The group is always seeking partners and volunteers to help. To learn more, visit www.thepawssquadwv.com. Moon Township residents donate to care for West Virginia animals in need Selena Marcum of The Paws Squad and Christine Ree, communications director for Moon Township, are pictured with donations area residents gave to The Paws Squad. STORIES AND PHTOTOS SUBMITTED 10 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2019%Locally SourcedLocally Sourced * APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Payments to your credit card will be posted according to applicable laws. Purchases may not exceed your available credit. In order to qualify for the 0% APR, the credit card must be a newly opened Premium World™ credit card account. The 0% APR on purchases will be in effect for the first twelve billing cycles after the account is opened, after which the rate will then revert to your regular standard APR. Rate is subject to change without notice. Offer may be extended, modified or discontinued at any time. All loan approvals are subject to normal underwriting guidelines and may require a co-signer. ** The primary cardholder will earn 10,000 points after spending $1,500 on the Premium World™ credit card within the first 90 days from the account open date. Once the requirements have been met, the points will post to the account at the next cycle date. Clearview Platinum, Student, Secured, and Business cards are excluded. Offer may be extended, modified, or discontinued at any time. Insured By NCUA. Get started today! clearviewfcu.org/rewards Open our Premium World ™ credit card! Enjoy 0 % Intro APR for 12 months Earn 10,000 points when you spend $1,500 Enjoy Double Points on purchases from Nov. 15 - Dec. 31 Redeem points for cash, lower loan rates, higher certificate rates, and much more ENJOY FOR 12 MONTHS! 0% APR November/December 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 11 CONTENT SUBMITTED Clearview Federal Credit Union and Hopewell High School have partnered to help students understand money management in the real world. The program, which launched in September, is geared toward special needs students in grades 11 and 12. Each module lasts about 40 minutes. The program teaches students how to shop within a budget and helps them learn about credit, banking services, and other important financial topics to help prepare them for life after high school. The main focus of the program is to show students that financial literacy has more than one aspect and how important those aspects are together for overall financial success. The 10-week program features interactive learning activities like “Financial Football” and “Grandovic’s Gridiron,” which will challenge students with football-themed obstacles, testing their newly learned financial knowledge. “The Hopewell Area School District is looking forward to our partnership with Clearview in order to provide our junior and senior students, who receive special education services, the tools necessary to create a solid financial future,” said Dr. Lynn Utchell, director of special education for Hopewell Area School District. Clearview will also provide parents and students with information on the financial solutions they offer as well as account opening assistance. Clearview launches new financial literacy program at Hopewell CCAC West Hills Center is now recruiting its second group of students for its plastics manufacturing technology program, which trains students for careers in the plastics industry. The program’s spring semester starts Jan. 28 and interested individuals can apply for a scholarship up until Dec. 20 that covers the entire cost of tuition, fees, books and materials. The plastics industry creates a wide array of consumer products, ranging from automotive parts to electronic components. Jobs in the industry offer family-sustaining wages and are the catalyst for a rewarding, life-long career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual earnings for production workers in the plastics industry ranged from $35,700 to $58,000. All classes are held in the evening at the CCAC West Hills Center in Oakdale. The program is funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Manufacturing PA initiative. Students in the course work toward earning a certificate as a production technician from the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council. The first cohort of students are now halfway through their first semester of classes. For more information on the program, call Pam Grove, CCAC manufacturing grant coordinator, at (412) 788-7534 or pgrove@ ccac.edu. Applications are being accepted until Dec. 20 for classes that start in January of 2020. Enrollment open for CCAC West Hill’s tuition-free program in plasticsABOVE: The recently opened University Centre plaza features a Panera Bread restaurant. BELOW: Metal artist Jim Valley and Caitlin Wampler with the custom-designed artwork. BOTTOM: Allan Wampler speaks to the crowd gathered for the dedication ceremony. A small crowd gathered between the Hilton Garden Inn and the recently opened University Centre in Moon Township on the afternoon of Sept. 24. The attendees were there to enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres, a champagne toast, several speeches, and the unveiling of a metal sculpture designed specifically for its new home. The event was hosted by the Wampler Development Company and Synergy Real Estate Corporation to celebrate the completion of a quarter mile stretch of property the groups have revitalized in the township. Allan Wampler, founder and president of both companies, gave the main address to the crowd. Beginning at the intersection of the Interstate 376 business loop and University Boulevard, the property includes 25,000 square feet of retail space within University Centre, as well as a pocket park that connects the end unit Panera Bread shop and the adjacent Hilton Garden parking lot. In addition to Panera, University Centre houses Tropical Smoothie Café, the Milk Shake Factory, AT&T, Twilight Nails, and Los Mariachi. The WDC-owned land also includes the Sheetz service station and market and an Arby’s restaurant, the first properties to be developed by the group in the early 2000s. According to Scott Brilhart, Moon Township’s assistant manager and planning director, the revitalized stretch of commercial property that welcomes visitors to Moon on one of its main business thoroughfares is part of a new comprehensive plan for the township. Brilhart stated that the township has adopted new zoning ordinances with guidelines for more pedestrian-friendly and aesthetically-appealing designs. Critical aspects of planning now University Blvd. property development completion celebrated STORY AND PHOTOS BY JILL BORDO include sidewalks and attractive lighting and landscaping. The planning director spoke of the complications that often arise when dealing with a mix of older existing properties and new development. “It takes time to assemble parcels and decide what you’re going to do with them,” he stated, adding that “Allan Wampler shares the same mindset and vision” as the township planners. In his speech at the dedication ceremony, Wampler mentioned the unattractive nature of many of those University Boulevard. parcels when he began to purchase the land nearly 20 years ago. Brilhart confirmed that properties on what was then called Beers School Road included a large lot with unused cars parked on it as well as a dated Rodeway Inn, both of which were eyesores. The township put out proposals for mixed use development better suited to University Drive and Wampler first submitted a plan for Sheetz. Wampler, who has been in the development business for years, called Moon an “extremely well-run township.” Because of its proximity to the airport, Moon Township has always had hotels, said Brilhart, but mentioned that “it’s nice to have a new hotel” especially one as beautifully designed as the WDC’s Hilton Garden Inn. The pocket park next to the hotel was modeled after similar small open spaces in the city of Pittsburgh. The dog-friendly area includes a drinking fountain and cement seating wall for patrons of Panera. Beginningin1820withJoseph Wampler’ssawmillinMcKeesport, PA,ourfamilyofrealestate entrepreneurshasbeenacatalystfor economicdevelopmentgrowthinour region. 412-632-8000 www.synergyre.com 1 PPG Place 31stFloor Pittsburgh, PA 15222 At the rear of the park is a metal sculpture meant to capture a unique element of the area with a placement intended for optimal photographs. Artists Nancy and Jim Valley of Acorn Metal Art in Ligonier primarily design metal signs but were asked by Allan and Mary Ellen Wampler to create “something bigger,” according to Jim. With a recording of Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon” playing in the background, Caitlin Wampler, property manager of development for WDC, unveiled the large sculpture of a crescent moon. Caitlin said that, as millennials, she and her sister wanted a piece of artwork perfect for an “Insta-grammable moment.” At certain times of the day, photos taken in front of the sculpture could include airplanes flying above it in the background. Township supervisor Jim Vitale stated that the completed tract of land was a patchwork of properties when first purchased by WDC. “The Wampler’s have made sense of projects in Moon Township,” said Vitale stressing their emphasis on businesses such as restaurants and hotels that are appealing to both residents and visitors. Brilhart reported that the township has much more development in progress, including both new construction and the revitalization of existing properties. The Village at Market Place will use land vacated by the Super K-Mart and Gander Mountain stores and will be a mixed-use development of office buildings, residential units and retail establishments. Construction is expected to begin within the next few months. November/December 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 13y > Learning Curves Learning Curves Need to sell your home in a pinch this holidays season? Here’s how to make it a cinch! There truly is no place like HOME for the holidays, so when you are considering a move and are curious about how to make sure your home stands out during the winter here in Pittsburgh, the best advice I can give is to hire someone who has the tools to educate you on the process and guide you effortlessly through every step! Traditionally, there has been a misconception that the holiday season is the worst time to put your home on the market. Many fear that the cold weather dissuades buyers from braving the snow and sleet - but I often tell my sellers that you are less likely to get window shoppers and more likely to get true qualified and eager buyers. Often, the interest rates are lower, which increases the number of potential buyers, so there really is no time like the present to give yourself the best gift this holiday: your home SOLD! While the thought of selling your home during the winter may be overwhelming, there are some amazing benefits that can help you take advantage of the season. Once you’ve committed to selling your home, get out the tinsel and get ready to make your Realty dreams come true by following these holiday listing tips and tricks! 1. Decorate with intention but avoid tacky. When I take buyers on a tour of a home in any season, one of the first things that they mention is where to put their Christmas tree! Your home often looks its best during the holidays, but it’s important not to overdo the decorations and make sure that the best features of your home are still visible. Too many decorations can crowd the home and make buyers feel cramped or overwhelmed, so keep it simple. Finally, avoid offending buyers by opting for general fall and winter decorations rather than items with religious themes. 2. Motivated buyers = faster closings and more $. If buyers are out house hunting in the arctic chill of Western Pennsylvania winters, they must have a reason! It’s important to make sure that you target the buyers that are on a deadline or relocating with a time frame for buying by making sure that your agent markets your home directly to them. Remember that buying and selling during the end of the year can provide huge tax incentives, too! 3. Price your home to sell! Regardless of when you list your home, it’s essential that you price your home appropriately. Pricing your home too high will guarantee that your home will have less showings and sit longer on the market. Pricing your home appropriately will give buyers a chance to fight for a chance to own your home and possibly create a bidding war, equating, ultimately, to more money for you. This season, more than ever, is a great time to have some extra cash in your pocket! 4. Don’t forget your curb appeal. Before the snow assaults us, the autumn leaves can create a beautiful but annoying hazard. Everything from clogged gutters to slippery leaves on your sidewalk can cause headaches for sellers and it’s important to keep on top of maintaining the exterior. Once the snow falls, always shovel your driveway and walkway to ensure a safe tour of your home and also show the buyer how much you care. 5. Create a home that feels (and smells) like HOME! While showing my buyers homes, there is always a different energy in a home that is staged well, with lights on, music playing, and a smell like Grandma’s cooking! During showings in the winter, it gets dark earlier, so when we show dark and sterile homes buyers have a hard time picturing living there. If you have a fireplace, turn it on and be sure to showcase all the best features of your home by being an active participant in the selling process. Don’t be afraid to show off what you love about your home. In addition, write a letter to potential buyers introducing them to your home and your neighborhood. Tell them why you are moving and what your favorite pizza shops are, or what memories made you proud to have owned this home! It’s that extra touch that can help give a buyer a personal connection to your home! My team and I are committed to making the process of buying and selling YOUR home a cinch and to truly exceed your expectations this holiday season and beyond! We will educate you on how to compete in this hot market and hold your hand every step of the way! The Melinda Lynch Team will provide exceptional service to you and your family and we are truly here for you! Remember, if you need to SELL your HOME in a Pinch, call Melinda Lynch (she’ll make it a cinch). Call her at (412) 266-6116 (cell) or (412) 262-4630 (office). Visit lynchinapinch.com or email melindalynchinapinch@gmail.com. Avoid over-the-top holiday decorations that overwhelm. Instead, opt for decorations that reflect your holiday traditions and accent the best features of your home. Create a warm ambiance not only with lighting, but with scent. Warming scents like cinnamon, citrus and apple give a homey feel. BY MELINDA LYNCH 14 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2019y > Learning Curves Learning Curves We’ve all heard the old adage, “Don’t try this at home.” The same holds true for administering an estate without the knowledge and guidance of a trained estate planning attorney. During my many years of practicing in the estate administration field, I can tell you a number of stories about how someone’s attempt to settle an estate on their own has caused more trouble than it was worth, even though they had the purest of intentions. Why does someone choose to forego legal counsel when so much is at stake? Quite simply: cost. Attorneys aren’t cheap. However, would you believe it if I told you that an executor who chose to go it alone, and was merely attempting to see her father’s wishes borne out, made a mistake that created a $2,000 error? This executor didn’t cause the oversight because she had ill will toward her siblings. She did it because she didn’t know how to navigate the legal complexities of settling an estate. Normally, such a minor miscalculation wouldn’t cause an issue if corrected and explained. However, due to the nature of the relationship she had with her sibling, who was one of the beneficiaries, litigation ensued. A $2,000 blunder turned into a $30,000 litigation nightmare. An executor’s job is to oversee the management of the estate until the assets are disposed of and the estate is closed. Another important note that executors must keep in mind is that, should they, for lack of a better phrase, “screw up” and don’t quickly remedy the matter, they are personally responsible and liable. The process of settling an estate is long and detailed, typically lasting well over a year. With the help of an experienced attorney, you can reduce personal liability and hand over the responsibility of procedure to the attorney. Do not try to probate alone... When death and money are involved it can sometimes bring out the worst in people. Don’t allow your family to fracture because you are unwilling to admit and accept that you need help. An executor must account for distribution of assets to the probate court. He/she must file an inventory and receipts proving that they paid out the correct share of the estate to the correct creditors and beneficiary or beneficiaries. An attorney can prepare all of the legal documentation but the executor must sign off on the documents. If an executor is not fulfilling their legal obligations, the heirs, or an attorney representing the heirs, may petition the court to have the executor removed. Please think twice before attempting to settle an estate on your own. In the long run, the attorney’s fees ensure that the estate is settled timely and correctly, providing the executor and beneficiaries peace of mind which in turn allows them time to grieve during a difficult time. Michele P. Conti is an estate planning and elder law attorney. Conti attended Allegheny College in Meadville, Oxford University and Duquesne University School of Law. She received her LL.M. in taxation from Villanova University. She can be reached at (724) 784-0239 or michele@contilawpgh.com. BY MICHELE P. CONTI November/December 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 1516 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2019lLegislative Update Legislative Update When the bell rings and the siren sounds, they are there. Our fire and emergency medical service providers are the helpers and heroes on the front lines, committed to saving lives and keeping our communities and families safe. Being an emergency medical services professional ranks among the most dangerous jobs in America, as these individuals are exposed to dangerous situations and illnesses each and every day. The citizens and visitors of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania benefit daily from the services, knowledge and skills of these fire and emergency medical service providers. They are career and volunteer providers who routinely place the safety and well being of others above their own. Pennsylvania emergency response professionals, however, face a current but continuing dilemma that deals with organizational design, service delivery, staffing, resources and more. Over the years, service demands, training, available time to volunteer and other issues challenge maintaining the readiness of emergency services organizations, especially as the costs of emergency assets and resources adequate to address increasingly complex emergencies continue to rise. There were approximately 300,000 volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania in the 1970s. In recent years, that number has plummeted to below 30,000. The number of emergency medical technicians has fallen by over 6,000 since 2012, while the number of paramedics is down by 4,000 providers in the same period of time. The Bureau of EMS estimates the number of active providers in the system is approximately 17,000 statewide, down from over 30,000. The requirements placed on EMS professionals is unique. They must be available to respond 24 hours per day, seven days a week. They cannot limit readiness time like other health care providers who determine their operating hours and schedule patients. Additionally, the impact of societal issues has affected EMS providers, as many have left their EMS careers because of varied levels of post-traumatic stress disorder. To help address these issues and more, my colleagues and I in the House have been working on a series of bills aimed at recruiting and retaining volunteer first responders. The bills are designed to address staffing and funding challenges facing these vital public safety organizations. The legislative package will work to expand and increase the maximum loan amounts available through the Volunteer Loan Assistance Program, which provides loans to volunteer fire, ambulance and rescue companies to rehabilitate and purchase new equipment. The package will also reauthorize the Fire and EMS Grant Program administered by the Office of State Fire Commissioner (House Bills 1448, 1816 and 1834). Two other measures aim to address stress management and post- traumatic stress injuries for first responders (House Bills 432 and 1459). Supporting PA’s helpers and heroes BY PA REPRESENTATIVE VALERIE GAYDOS Visit me online! Follow me on social media. RepGaydos.com Facebook.com/RepGaydos Twitter.com/RepGaydos Instagram.com/RepGaydos My Office Locations Moon Township: 1009 Beaver Grade Road, Suite 220, Edgetown Commons, Moon Township, PA 15108 412-262-3780 FAX: 412-262-3783 Capitol: Room 428, Irvis Office Building, PO Box 202044, Harrisburg PA 17120-2044 717-787-6651 FAX: 717-782-2889 Imagine your website working as hard for your business as you do. 412.205.8998 | DDSWebDesign.com Websites that get results. Designed in Pittsburgh Contact us for a free website analysis. Affordable Custom Designs Responsive Sites | Content Management SEO | E-commerce | Hosting | Maintenance House Bill 1839 would authorize counties to offer a property tax credit for volunteer first responders as an incentive to get more people involved in emergency services. To help rural EMS providers, House Bill 1869 would allow the Department of Health to grant waivers to staffing requirements on a Basic Life Support service ambulance in sixth- through eighth-class counties. Finally, House Bill 1838 would increase funding for the Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund and require 30 percent of the funds to be used to provide training to underserved rural areas and 10 percent of the funds to be used for medical equipment for ambulances. We rely on volunteer first responders to protect our communities and we are so grateful for their selfless sacrifice. As your state representative, I will continue my efforts to advocate for new ways to attract and retain people to fill this important role in our communities. If you have questions or concerns, or want an update on this legislative initiative, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by calling (412) 262-3780. November/December 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 17N While most high school graduates scramble to fill out college applications and enter the workforce, Moon Area High School alumna Bailey Taylor made the decision to move to Tennessee and pursue a career in music. Hoping to achieve her dream of becoming a full time musician, Taylor is using her songwriting skills and personal experiences to make her mark on the music industry. By sharing her personal journey through songs, she uses her values of family and faith to reach out to others through music. For Taylor, performing and creating music has always been a major part of her life. Coming from a music-loving family, she quickly discovered a passion for singing and songwriting from an early age. “From the time I was a little girl, I remember always singing, whether it was in the shower, in front of my mirror, or in the car,” said Taylor. “I would put shows on for my invisible audience up in my room, dreaming of the day that the audience would be real.” To help her along this journey was her uncle and Pittsburgh music legend Bill “B.E.” Taylor. Known for his iconic Christmas concerts and Christian rock music, her uncle served as a personal inspiration for Bailey. “My Uncle Bill is the main reason I fell in love with music and performing,” said Taylor. “I can remember watching him as a little girl at his Christmas shows and thinking that’s what I want to do when I grow up. The way he sang and the way he entertained on stage inspired me more and more each time I watched him. He influenced my life, and so many others, in so many ways.” Serving as a mentor and advisor to Bailey from a young age, Bill offered his own experiences as a way to teach Bailey about the world of music. The two bonded over the songwriting process, with Bill acting as a muse for Bailey’s creative process. Bailey still uses the lessons that were passed down to her by her uncle. By using these memories and skills, she hopes to one day entertain others with the same passion he possessed and reach out to the community she loves. “When I had a question about music, he had an answer,” said Bailey. “When I needed confidence to sing at one of my shows, he boosted mine up. Following in his footsteps has always been my dream. Even more so now that he’s no longer with us, everything I do, I do for him and I just pray I’m making him happy.” Bailey grew up listening to similar genres as her uncle’s, including country and Christian rock. As a result, her songwriting began to focus on personal elements such as family, faith and her own personal relationships. The years of learning and creating with her uncle can be heard in her song “Last Four Years,” which she wrote about the complex emotions she felt around the time of her high school graduation in 2018. Using her personal experiences and good memories with her friends, she wrote a song that commemorates all of the happy times they shared together. “I wrote the song a week and a half before graduation up in my room after looking through my camera roll of all the memories Moon High School has provided me with,” said Bailey. “Looking Moon Area alumna Bailey Taylor’s faith and family shape her music Bailey Taylor Alumni Profile Alumni Profile 18 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2019NSTORY BY GARRET ROBERTS PHOTOS SUBMITTED at all the things I had accomplished and all the fun things my friends and I did the past four years made me smile, laugh, and cry. I was just thinking how I would never forget all the memories.” After writing and recording the song, Bailey was given the opportunity to perform the piece live at her commencement ceremony. Taking the stage and performing for the audience, Bailey was given a unique opportunity that not every high school graduate gets to experience. “It was a bittersweet feeling looking out and seeing all of my best friends who I’d grown up with over the years,” said Bailey. “Knowing we were all going to be going our own ways to chase our own dreams soon made me sad, but also excited at the same time to see where our futures would take us. It was definitely a highlight of my high school career and is something I will cherish forever.” Now pursuing a full-time career in the music industry, Bailey lives in Tennessee, where she is closer to iconic venues and music culture. Despite the distance from home, however, she doesn’t hesitate to come back to Pittsburgh and Moon Township to show her love for her community. Returning home for events such as Shaker Woods’ Christmas in the Woods and Club Hope’s A Concert for Hope, Bailey is able to reconnect with her community and give back to the place where she had her start. “I think for anyone who moves away it’s important to go back to where you’re from every now and then,” said Bailey. “Now that I’m on my own in a whole new city, I appreciate coming home more and spending the limited time I have with the ones I love. My hometown has always been so supportive of me and my dreams since I was little, so I love any opportunity I can get to come home to do a show or an event.” One such event was returning home to sing at her preschool teacher’s wedding as she walked down the aisle. While the two hadn’t seen each other in years, the chance to reconnect and make her day special was an opportunity she didn’t want to miss. “My preschool teacher reached out to me last summer asking if I would be interested in singing ‘A Thousand Years’ by Christina Perri at her wedding the following year,” said Bailey. “Of course I said yes! I was so honored and excited to be a small part of her big day.” Music isn’t just a hobby for Bailey. Instead, it serves as a way for her to reach out to the community she loves and to offer a song to help those who need it. Even as she continues to grow and enter the professional music world, her goal of reaching out to those in need of a song remains the same. “Music is so many different things to so many people. It can bring happiness to those sad, heal the hearts of those hurting, liven up the mood at a party, boost up someone’s confidence after a breakup, be a way to tell someone how you feel,” said Bailey. “Music is one of the few things that will never go away, no matter how many musicians and venues there are. There will always be artists creating and there will always be fans listening.” Bailey Taylor Alumni Profile Alumni Profile November/December 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 19Next >