< Previous%Locally SourcedLocally Sourced STORY AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED In June of last year, an African grey parrot escaped from a home along Sharon Road in Moon Township, not far from Sharon Park Manor Apartments. Though the bird’s wings had been periodically clipped, it still managed to take off and clear the privacy fence surrounding the yard. By the time the owners went around the fence to look for the bird, it was gone. The bird’s name is Deno and its owners suspect there is a very good chance that someone in the area may have befriended him, taken him in and may have him now. The 11-year-old bird had spent its entire life in captivity and relied on its owners for food before escaping. It is therefore likely that the bird would have approached a person once it became hungry and thirsty. The parrot is grey, with a bright red tail and white around his eyes. He is about the size of a pigeon. Deno’s owners are offering a large cash reward for his return, with no questions asked. The amount of the reward would allow someone to purchase a baby African grey parrot and a nice cage for it. Deno’s owners spent many years training and working with him. They had a very close relationship with him and miss him Reward offered for missing African grey parrot Pet escaped last June from Sharon Road home in Moon Township very much, just as anyone with a beloved pet would. Above all else, they simply want him returned. African grey parrots are among the smartest birds in the psittacidae family and studies have shown that they can have the aptitude of a 7-year-old child. They are also very cautious and, for those reasons, Deno’s owners suspect he is likely still alive. Like other African grey parrots, Deno is capable of talking. He regularly says his name and some of his favorite phrases include “Hello beautiful,” “Good morning” and “Hey girls.” African grey parrots can shriek loudly and will talk throughout the day. They also need plenty of care. Their cage needs cleaned several times each day and their daily diet consists of vegetables and food pellets. The birds can also be aggressive and Deno’s bites were known to draw blood. For that reason, his owners suspect that if someone does have him they may have caged him. This is bad for the birds, however, as keeping the birds in cages for long periods can cause them to pluck out their own feathers. If someone does have Deno and they are tired of caring for him, his owners are asking that this person consider accepting the large cash reward for Deno’s return. Doing so would free that person from the obligation of caring for the bird and make his owners very happy. The arrangement would be kept confidential. The owners will be able to differentiate Deno from other African grey parrots because he responds to his owners and their voices. The birds are very person-specific, and will willingly come to those whom they are familiar with. Deno’s owners can be contacted at (412) 491-2224 via call or text. Deno, an African grey parrot, escaped from a Moon Township home along Sharon Road last June. The bird’s owners are offering a reward for his return. Deno, pictured above and below, is about the size of a pigeon. 10 • Allegheny West Magazine • May/June 2021CAround Your Town Around Your Town An old strip mine isn’t exactly the kind of place one would think people would flock to in order to enjoy world-class gardens and plant life. Yet just outside of Oakdale in western Allegheny County, one such regional attraction built on a reclaimed strip mine called the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden has been drawing visitors for the past six years. The PBG sits on 60 acres of land that was once surface mined for coal, but has been reclaimed and converted into a sprawling park, complete with a lotus pond, a meadow and a multitude of gardens. The venue has also played host to numerous events over the years, including weddings that it hosts out of a converted barn on garden property called the Davidson Events Center. On April 1, the PBG unveiled one of its most ambitious projects to date: a 7,500 square-foot, $10.5 million welcome center. The modern building sits back a bit from Pinkerton Run Road, on a slope at the edge of the tree line not far from the Davidson Event Center. Walking inside, visitors get a view through the story-high windows of the tree canopy just outside. When visitors come to the PBG, they will now enter through the building, where there is a welcome desk, a gift shop and a new café called the Canopy Café. The dining area features both indoor and outdoor tables, with about 100 seats in total. The café is open for lunch on days the PBG is open and dinner hours could be coming in the future. “It really helps us provide an improved visitor experience,” says Keith Kaiser, executive director of the PBG, about the welcome center. “It lets us see who is there and help them through their visit and see them on their way out.” An equally important yet less grand feature that also opened alongside the welcome center is a new parking lot that the PBG has cleverly called its auto garden. The lot expands parking at the garden by 63 new spaces, more than doubling its old capacity. Before, parking was limited to about 54 cars, says Kaiser, which would overflow during busy events. The new welcome center also features a gathering area called the Zappala Woodland Room with seating and wall space for rotating art exhibits. Currently, the PBG is showing work by Pittsburgh- based artist Atticus Adams. The pieces consist of screens that have been formed and painted to resemble large hydrangea petals. Also inside the welcome center is a large meeting room that can be partitioned off into two smaller rooms. The room spills out onto an enclosed outdoor patio with a water feature. Kaiser says that the garden is utilizing the rooms for its own educational programming and leasing them out for meetings and corporate events. Both sides of the room are equipped with digital projectors and magnetic walls that are marker-friendly. Like many organizations and businesses, Kaiser says the PBG took a financial hit during COVID-19, losing upwards of 40% of its event revenue. However, he says that the garden also saw a 44% uptick in admissions in 2020, as people were looking for more safe things to do close to home. Just as the PBG was seeing that surge in new visitors, it opened its new sensory garden and some children’s play installations that are located on the slope above the welcome center. “The timing couldn’t have been any better,” Kaiser says about those areas opening. “That was exactly when people wanted to get outside.” The fact that the PBG is also an outdoor events venue has helped it rebound following COVID-19. Currently, Kaiser says the garden has about 80 weddings planned for this year. Now that the PBG’s welcome desk has moved from its old location out of the Davidson Event Center, wedding parties will be able to utilize the entire building. Kaiser says the downstairs, where the welcome center was formerly located, will now be utilized as a groom suite. Coming up in June, the PBG will be hosting an outdoor installation exhibit by Toronto-based landscape designer Gary Smith near its lotus pond area. Kaiser says the interactive piece, which is titled “Carbon Cycle and Earth Art Exhibit,” is inspired by the history of mining on the PBG site. In the future, Kaiser says the PBG is looking forward to planning some additional projects, though nothing quite as large-scale as the welcome center. One area he says they are eyeing is the lotus pond, which could see some significant improvements in the coming years. Though he wouldn’t go into detail, he says about the pond that, “It’s really in its infancy. There’s a future there that’s going to be expanded.” For more about the PBG, including ticketing and information, visit pittsburghbotanicgarden.org. The garden also lists regular kids’ programs, gardening seminars, and health and wellness programs online. Hours through Oct. 31 are Tuesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday- Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and Friday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The Canopy Café is currently open on the same days as the garden, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., with a special lunch menu served 11 a.m.-2 p.m. PBG opens new visitor’s center STORY AND PHOTOS BY DOUG HUGHEY Visitors to the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden will now enter the garden through its new welcome center. Just inside the center is the Zappala Woodland Room (top two photos) and a new cafe (bottom photo). 12 • Allegheny West Magazine • May/June 2021 In 2012, Jason Bendik left a job in the tax division at the public accounting firm Alpern Rosenthal in Pittsburgh in order to partner with a small tax office in Robinson Township. The business, which is located along Beaver Grade Road, became known as Pandolfo Bendik and, for the past eight years, the work Bendik has done there is exactly the kind he’s always wanted. “I wanted to work with more smaller business types versus public accounting,” says Bendik. “It’s a win-win and a much better fit for my personality because I get to interact with clients a lot more.” Late last year, Bendik took over as president of the tax office, which Thomas Pandolfo originally founded in the mid-1980s. Moving ahead, he’s looking forward to continuing in much the same manner, by working with small business owners and individuals on both their tax preparation and financial planning. It’s an interesting time for financial experts, as COVID-19 has upended the financial outlook of many small businesses and individuals. Bendik has been helping many of his own clients weather that storm as they juggle payroll, PPP forgiveness, taxes and a myriad of other challenges posed by the pandemic. While COVID-19 has created significant hardships for many, there are also many programs being made available to help individuals and small businesses through the crisis. For Bendik, the challenge has involved not just navigating these programs, but also examining each client’s individual situation so they don’t encounter any unpleasant tax surprises that could arise as a result. “This year, your income was supposed to be so much a quarter, but then COVID hit and it fluctuates,” says Bendik. “So, we want to make sure you don’t have any big tax surprises, so we formulate some tax planning ideas for you.” He says looking at each client’s individual situation is critical. “Every tax situation is unique,” he says. “Their industry may change, so you have to look at each person on an individual basis.” In addition to a year-end personal review, he also strongly suggests any small businesses conduct quarterly reviews, particularly now. Another significant advantage that Bendik, who is a CPA, offers to clients that a traditional tax office doesn’t is counseling on their investments. Based on an individual’s particular tax situation, it might make sense to alter their investment strategy to limit their tax liability and take advantage of the right savings and investment programs. That strategy can change over time as laws and circumstances change, so it’s critical to work with someone who is knowledgeable in the field. “For instance, savings accounts aren’t paying anything right now, so we might want to look at an unqualified account such as an investment account, or something that has the potential to appreciate over so many years that we can sell,” he says. “Then we might have a large gain so we want to put so much aside for taxes.” Over the years, Bendik has also helped many people start small businesses. It’s a big leap for anyone considering trading a steady paycheck for a shot at working for themselves. “I always say, ‘Ok, let’s put pen to paper. What are you projecting for your revenue and what do you think you’ll have in expenses?’ I can come back and say, ‘Have you accounted for this, or this liability exposure.’ I don’t want to just pat them on the back,” he says. “I want to give it to them right between the eyes.” Part of planning to operate a small business may also involve opening a retirement account. “Being self-employed, you may not have an employer-sponsored retirement plan, but options are out there for the self-employed,” he says. “We can provide some of those retirement planning options and incorporate the retirement plan with the tax aspects of it,” he says. “By contributing to a tax retirement plan, you’re putting money into retirement and paying less to the IRS. That’s what everyone wants to do. We want to put money in your pocket rather than the government’s. We individualize your target portfolio based on many factors, including time needed for funds and other financial aspects related to your overall picture.” Bendik is a self-described big-time Penguins fan. He grew up in the area and graduated from West Allegheny High School in 2004. He then attended Clarion University, where he majored in education but then decided to shift into tax accounting as a result of his interest in business. “I’ve always had a knack for entrepreneurship,” he says. “I always wanted to kind of see things one way and break them down.” Bendik now lives in the McDonald area with his wife, Brittany, sons, Jameson and Chase, and dog, Max. Pandolfo Bendik partner takes over as president STORY SUBMITTED Pandolfo Bendik is located at 24 Beaver Grade Road in Robinson Township, across from Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Call them at (412) 788-1335. Jason Bendik can be reached at jbendik@ pandolfoassociates.com. Visit them online at www.pandolfobendik.com. About Jason Bendik, CPA and independent investment advisor • Worked in public accounting for over 10 years. • Graduated from West Allegheny (2003) and Clarion University (2007). • Pittsburgh Penguins season ticket holder and avid fan. •Wife says he golfs too much. Tax Tips for 2020: • Call your accountant now (or call us at 412.788.1335 if you need one) to ask about anything new you should prepare for your 2020 filing. • Organize - Start a folder for all tax-related documents so you have everything together by mid- February. • Prepare - Review your latest paystub or any outside 1099/subcontractor work and compare it to last year. If major differences are shown, you will need a plan to prepare for any added liability you may incur. Did you buy a new house? Sell one? Open an investment account or purchase a rental property? Did you start a side business? You should gather and provide any related documents to your accountant. % New in Town New in Town May/June 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 13May 2021 Milestone Anniversaries Welcome New Members! burkeMichael+ CDI Office Technologies Giffin Bookkeeping Inches Nursery The RiP Group 25 years Allegheny Medical Integrated Health Services 20 years Ambridge Regional Distribution & Manufacturing Center Fraport USA, Inc. John Daley/Family Wealth Management Group, LLC / Lincoln Financial Advisors 15 years The Gateway Engineers, Inc. 10 years Sherwin-Williams/Moon Township Gerard Plumbing and Heating, Inc. 5 years Penn State Beaver - Continuing Education/Workforce Development Hampton Inn & Suites Pittsburgh Airport South-Settlers Ridge 850 Beaver Grade Rd. Suite 101 Moon Twp., PA 15108 412-264-6270 | paacc.com #PAACC Follow Us!! Plan Your Next Getaway! No membership required! For more information about any of our trips or to register, please call Michelle Kreutzer at 412-203-0257. Best of the AmalfiCoast & Rome Includes: RT Air from PIT, hotels, Meals, Day Trips, Local English Speaking Guides, Transportation, and so much more! March 15 - 22, 2022 | Early Bird Pricing- $3,199 Free Informational Meeting: May 25, 2021 For more information on this cost saving program, please contact Michelle Kreutzer at 412-264-6270. 14 • Allegheny West Magazine • May/June 2021Chamber Link Chamber Link Between sky-rocketing drug prices, climbing copays and increasing deductibles, patients are paying more in out-of- pocket costs than ever before. As the burden of healthcare shifts to the consumer, over 250 million Americans - whether they are insured, under-insured or uninsured - are affected by the price of prescription medications in the U.S. every year. The Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce has historically found ways to offer valuable cost-saving services to assist our members. Now, thanks to a new partnership with Clever RX, the chamber is offering a prescription drug cost-reduction program to anyone in the airport corridor who would like to utilize it. This free-of-charge plan was built to empower and engage healthcare professionals with the goal of driving down prescription drug costs, and it’s already making a difference. Clever RX is on a mission to increase patient prescription compliance, reduce claims and improve the overall health and wealth of Americans. It allows the user, regardless of health plan, to search for their prescription at the lowest price, the closest location, and/or at their preferred pharmacy. Clever RX CEO and founder Jim Prendergast says, “We are on a mission to educate the millions of Americans in need that there is a better, more affordable way to access your prescription medications. You aren’t stuck going to the same pharmacy and paying an outrageous price. You have options just by changing your consumer behavior.” To help get these prescription savings options into consumers’ hands, Clever RX offers its Clever RX app and website to users for free via partners throughout the U.S. With over 55,000 FDA-approved medications, of which 40% are under $10, the user simply searches for their prescription and shows the voucher to the pharmacist. Clever RX is accepted at over 80,000 pharmacies nationwide. The voucher can be shown directly in the app, texted to a phone, emailed, or printed. Beating the average health plan 80% of the time, consumers using Clever RX are saving thousands of dollars each year. Clever RX is also one of the very few pharmacy savings programs that aid in the nation’s fight against the opioid epidemic. Clever RX complies with the Drug Utilization Review for strict Opioid Safety edits. Clever RX and the PAACC believe in sharing the savings forward. This program can be shared with friends, family, and more. One share with three people can lead to another three people and, before you know it, they’ve reached over 250 million Americans in need. If you are interested in participating in this free-of-charge, non-insurance related program, call us at (412) 264-6270. We will be glad to send you a membership card today. What do you have to lose? New partnership passes along prescription drug savings to airport community BY CHRIS HECK, CEO, PAACC May/June 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 15y > Learning Curves Learning Curves BY MICHELE P. CONTI 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. This past year was a year like no other for many of us. Who would have expected that we would experience a pandemic, homeschooling and a global shutdown? Even though we practiced social distancing, one common factor stands out amongst our clients - an influx of pet adoption. Anyone who knows me understands my love of all animals. If I could help in the rescue of every misplaced, abused and lonely pet, I would. That’s why I am an advocate of rescuing and a staunch supporter of Bridge to Home Animal Rescue - a local animal rescue located in Eighty-Four, Pennsylvania. BTHAR is a non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to helping homeless, unwanted and discarded dogs. Their goal, as stated on their website, bridgetohome84.org, is to help dogs find their forever home. Without a facility, their dogs are kept in volunteer foster family’s homes until the perfect home is found. A recent Facebook post by BTHAR’s president, Tracey Crompton, caught my attention. It was accompanied by a photo of an elderly Schnauzer named Mabel with an all-to-familiar story about owners who had recently passed away, and their children dumping her at a kill shelter in Ohio. She wasn’t sick. She wasn’t ill-tempered. She was simply a burden that her owner’s family no longer wanted to be bothered with. I look at animals similarly as to how I view my clients and their common concerns with growing older. We are all cute and cuddly in infancy. Then we grow and exhibit our rebellious teenage years. We age and mature only to slow down in time to enjoy our golden years. Commonly, our golden years are fraught with concern about whether we have become a burden to our families. Will our loved ones still visit and call since oftentimes we forget the story we told them last time we spoke? Will they still love us if we have an accident and make a mess of things? I listen to clients whose stories aren’t all too dissimilar from the last. Will my kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews who were once so close and familiar throw them away simply for aging and slowing down? In Mabel’s case, that cute puppy her owners fell in love with, will she be forgotten upon their death? Fortunately for Mabel, she was saved. Let’s face it - there is no protection from euthanasia for older dogs like Mabel once they are deserted. A few months without interest, sometimes a few days, and the older shelter dog becomes another heartbreaking statistic of pets who’ve outlived their cuddliness. As Tracey posted not so long ago, “Dogs die in kill shelters. Nice dogs. Young dogs. And even pure bred dogs. The dogs I foster come into my life and I put everything into finding them the best home. Not just for today but for ten years down the road until they die…If you are old and want a puppy please reconsider it unless you have a plan. Check out an age-appropriate dog for you.” At the very least, have a plan and make sure it’s one that we can ensure will be executed. Don’t assume your children won’t take your pet to a shelter. I bet this thought never crossed Mabel’s folks’ minds. What can be done? Put in place a simple estate plan with thoughtful provisions and parameters that are legally enforceable. If there’s anything I’ve learned as a lawyer, it’s that your loved ones often surprise you in death. The ones I heard would always do the right thing and are good kids have oftentimes acted in ways that would surprise and disappoint a parent. If you adore your pet and want to make sure that it is taken care of when you are no longer here or unable to provide the proper care, we can help you. We can draw up a plan to guarantee that your pet isn’t deserted and continues to receive the love that we all deserve. For more about Bridge to Home Animal Rescue, visit www. bridgetohome84.org. Pets should also be part of estate planning 16 • Allegheny West Magazine • May/June 2021lLegislative Update Legislative Update State Rep. Valerie Gaydos State Rep. Valerie Gaydos represents Pennsylvania’s 44th District. Her office is located at 1009 Beaver Grade Road in Moon Township. Subscribe to her emails at www.repgaydos.com and follow her on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RepGaydos. Get informed prior to the May 18 primary I am very passionate about a fair election process. Your voice in government should be represented at all times, including during states of emergency. Our system of checks and balances that were initially designed in the Pennsylvania Constitution must be preserved. Community leaders and the people of Pennsylvania must have the ability to control their lives and livelihoods. In the upcoming May 18 primary election, voters will be asked to vote on four ballot questions, including three proposed amendments to the state Constitution and one referendum regarding funding for first responders. Please take a moment to learn more about these questions and come out on May 18 to cast your vote in the way you believe best serves your community and the Commonwealth. You may learn more about these ballot questions at www.pahousegop.com/voiceofthepeople. Question #1 proposes allowing the General Assembly to vote to end emergency declarations and restrictions on citizens. Question #2 proposes limiting emergency declarations by a governor to a maximum of 21 days unless there is legislative approval representing your voice to terminate or extend a disaster emergency. Question #3 proposes to amend the Constitution to ensure a person’s rights cannot be denied based on race or ethnicity. Question #4 is a referendum seeking approval to provide loans to paid municipal fire departments and emergency medical services companies to improve those operations. Restoring PA’s economy When I first took office in early 2019, the economy was growing stronger and we were looking forward to a more prosperous future in Western Pennsylvania. Then came COVID-19 and many of our gains in recent years were wiped out. During the first few months of the new session, my House colleagues and I have prioritized economic growth and have introduced and/or passed several bills to not only reignite our economy but also allow Pennsylvania’s businesses to do what they do best: expand their products and services and create family-sustaining jobs. The following is legislation that I have introduced to help you and our economy: • Legislation that would help reduce prescription abandonment due to prescription prices. House Bill 882 would enable health care providers to share prescription alternatives and payment options with enrollees right in the doctor’s office. Essentially, it creates greater prescription drug price transparency. • The elimination of the Pennsylvania Inheritance Tax, otherwise know as the “death tax,” would ensure that inheritance goes to the family or heir it was meant to go to. A goal of House Bill 1148 is to make sure that people who are successful in Pennsylvania remain in Pennsylvania! • Legislation that would reduce the size of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 203 to 151 members. House Bill 482 would increase the population size of the House districts by approximately one-third, bringing the ratio of constituents to lawmakers in Pennsylvania more in line with other states, streamlining the legislative process and saving taxpayers’ money. • Legislation to spur job creation and help ensure Pennsylvania is well-positioned as a global leader in scientific advances in manufacturing techniques. My legislation will incentivize collaboration between higher education and high- technology industries in the development of advanced manufacturing. I have advocated for the support of the Neighborhood 91 project, which will be built on a 195-acre site adjacent to the Pittsburgh International Airport. It is being called the first global epicenter for 3D printing and additive manufacturing. The project will create nearly 6,000 jobs and generate nearly $2.2 billion in wages over the next decade. State Sen. Devlin Robinson As the senator for the 37th District, which includes parts of Allegheny and Washington counties, I know our region and its employers play a key role in driving the state’s prosperity. Senate leadership has entrusted me with membership on four prominent committees: Appropriations, Local Government, Labor & Industry and Community, Economic & Recreational Development. These assignments position me - and by extension our community and its employers - to play a key role in how we move the Commonwealth’s economy, workforce and neighborhoods forward. A native of southwestern Pennsylvania, I was raised in the Brookline neighborhood of Pittsburgh and understand the important role businesses play in our local communities. In Harrisburg, I will work to enact policies that create an environment for job growth while meeting the core responsibilities of government. Often, legislative priorities are determined by current events - especially in times such as these. My number-one priority this session is economic recovery and future stability in the aftermath of COVID-19. I will work to find ways to maximize the use of existing state resources to help struggling businesses and find new sources of revenue moving forward. I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get the state back to work. The unprecedented number of workers idled by the pandemic shows how deeply this coronavirus impacted Pennsylvania families. Our focus must continue to be on rebuilding Pennsylvania in the wake of this deadly virus and the resulting statewide closures of our economy. Overcoming the severe impact of the pandemic on Pennsylvania’s economy will not be easy. I hope to bring a fresh perspective to Harrisburg, emphasizing that through continued fiscal responsibility and controlled spending, we can balance the 2021-2022 budget. I have opened a district office in Bethel Park at 1700 N. Highland Road, Suite 307. I will also be opening an office in Robinson Township in April. My office phone number is 412-785- 3070. My office can assist with property tax/ rent rebates, birth and death certificates, vehicle registrations, titles, copies of legislation and much more. I look forward to representing the 37th Senatorial District as we continue to move the region and the Commonwealth forward. May/June 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 17Your SchoolsYour Schools N STORY AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY ROBINSON TOWNSHIP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Robinson Township Christian School This past year, schools across the nation have adapted to the challenges of COVID-19. Local schools adapted public health protocols to their own context and, because of this flexibility, RTCS has been able to welcome students for in-person classroom instruction five days a week throughout most of the 2020-2021 school year. Smaller classroom sizes - with a student-to-teacher ratio of 6:1 - coupled with the smaller size of the school campus overall, made it possible to follow health and safety protocols while still giving students the chance to learn and grow through in-classroom instruction. RTCS students and parents have felt blessed to be with friends, teachers and the greater school community once again. Max Leslie, fourth grade, said that he was especially grateful for access to the RTCS library, particularly when so many of the local public libraries remained closed. “Library class is my favorite day of the week,” he said. “I love the library!” Max’s father, Karl Leslie, agrees. “As parents of four young children at the school, my wife and I were really thankful that our kids have had access to the instruction and resources that they needed to really develop those crucial lifelong literacy skills, especially at their ages, when those skills develop so rapidly.” While the 2020-2021 school calendar continues to be adjusted in some ways, there have been opportunities inside and outside of the classroom to interact safely and in person. Most recently, the school hosted elementary and high school Fun Nights. Eighth- grader Tayla West attended both nights. “Everyone was so happy to finally be able to hangout and have fun,” she said. “I enjoyed helping with the younger kids, too. They are so funny!” Other opportunities included: Pajama Day, Dr. Seuss Day, Character Dress-Up Day and a few field trips including a kindergarten visit to the Spring House Farm and a trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium for grades one through six. Meanwhile, the Community Service Club has been raising funds for the school through candy sales and Student Council is hard at work planning for the 2021 prom. The athletic seasons for seventh through 12th grade students included the RTCS Red Rams soccer team successfully making it to the semi- finals in the South West Christian Athletic Conference, after a full fall season of playing. The RTCS track and field season started again in March of 2021 and will be hosting an invitational at Robert Morris University on May 1. Parents had the opportunity to volunteer at the school in a variety of ways, including as recess and lunch monitors. RTCS parent Deana Boggs initiated the school’s first-ever Jenny Lee Swirl Bread fundraiser in March. The loaves were baked by 5th Generation Bakers in McKees Rocks and helped the school raise $1,800. A new Moms In Prayer group started meeting regularly at RTCS to pray for students, families and teachers. The small group is a chapter of Moms in Prayer International. RTCS is so grateful to God for His strength and endurance and for all of the ways that He provided for the school community to safely connect through the limitations of this past year. Families interested in learning more about a classical Christian education are welcome to call RTCS to request a personal tour. New families with children in K through 12th grade receive the first month of tuition free. RTCS fourth-grader Max Leslie (top) has been grateful that his school’s library has remained open during COVID-19 while eighth-grader Tayla West (above) enjoyed the school’s Fun Nights. 18 • Allegheny West Magazine • May/June 2021N Your Schools Your Schools STORY AND PHOTO SUBMITTED BY OLSH Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School © 2021 Kumon North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Kumon Math and Reading Center of Robinson Township Robinson Town Centre, 1940 Park Manor Blvd., Ste. 512 Pittsburgh, PA 15205 robinsontownship_pa@ikumon.com | 412-790-6100 Set your kids up for success this fall and beyond with the Kumon Math & Reading Program! *Enroll between 6/1/21 and 7/15/21 to waive the Registration Fee of up to $50. See Center for applicable terms and conditions. © 2021 Kumon North America, Inc. All rights reserved. The SMARTEST SMARTEST ADDITION ADDITION to your kids’ summer! PRE-K HIGH SCHOOL THROUGH $ 50! ENROLL NOW & save up to * VIRTUAL CLASSES available The OLSH boys basketball team made school history with its exciting 2021 season. Not only did it finish with an undefeated season and win their third consecutive WPIAL title, but the Chargers are the first OLSH team to ever win a PIAA state championship in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The combination of new and returning players turned out to be an added bonus to the Chargers’ predicted success. Several key players were transfers to OLSH this year and the team bonded quickly. “The addition of the young men from Quigley added to our already outstanding group of players. Great character and dedication, along with a commitment to working extremely hard, resulted in great success,” head coach Mike Rodriguez said. “The transition overall was seamless. It almost seemed like they had been together for years.” With a strong team bond and a winning mindset, the Chargers came together to pull off a perfect season. They are now a part of an elite group of only 14 other WPIAL teams to have an undefeated season and win the PIAA state championship. “This team will be remembered forever for so many reasons,” voice of the Chargers on the OLSH Sports Network, Matt Farago, said. “The players are what made this team special. Dante and Jake will go down in history as one of the best tandems, not just in OLSH history, but WPIAL history.” Senior Dante Spadafora and junior Jake DiMichele were an unstoppable duo for the Chargers this year. The pair achieved many individual accolades for their accomplishments. The journey to Hershey was certainly not an easy one for the Chargers. The team received a projected top ranking early on in the season, and had to remain focused amid expectations of perfection. COVID-19 added another layer of pressure to the season as the team felt the constant possibility of shutdowns. “The way last season ended and the challenges of this season as a result of the pandemic actually enabled us to be more focused and truly appreciative of the opportunity to even play a game,” Rodriguez said. The historic season became a huge rallying point for the OLSH community as it came together to cheer on the team amid the challenging year. Students were able to attend watch parties in the AAC and all of the games were broadcast on the OLSH Sports Network for fans to participate in the excitement. “That is why we do it. It was also amazing to see how many alumni tuned into the games,” Farago said. “That’s the sense of the OLSH community everyone talks about here. I think our broadcasts made the very best of what we had the ability to do in terms of fans.” Rodriguez was recently named coach of the year by both the Beaver County Times and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for leading the Chargers to such a momentous season. “I was humbled by the journey,” Rodriguez said, “to have been part of an outstanding staff of coaches, many of whom are alumni, and to have been a part of the bond formed by these players. What they have accomplished is something I will always remember.” For all of the OLSH boys basketball players, coaches, family, friends, and fans, it is safe to say that a perfect 24-0 season certainly culminated in an unforgettable, perfect ending. OLSH boys basketball team wins state title The OLSH boys basketball team celebrates its state championship win. May/June 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 19Next >