< Previous20 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2021Moon Area elementary students were asked to create the cover of Allegheny West Magazine’s November holiday edition. Many more excellent drawings than can be printed here were submitted. These were just some of the best from each grade. The artists who created these are (from top left): kindergartners Brianna DiIanni, Elliana Dolan, Essie Li, Everly Quallich and Nico Falbo; first- graders Aniruddh Madhu, Anjali Penz, Bailey Scheers, Brayden Falkenhan, Ellie Currie, Liv Malik, Livia Michelangelo and Ume Abeeha Zahra; second-graders Emma Scalercio, Iris Wiefling, Isaac Koepfer, Maddy Mieczkowski, Pranjal Rath, WafiMowry, Zoe Jones and Quincy Sasser; third-graders Abigail Kleifgen, Cate Neff, Taylor Bridge and Taylor Meli; fourth-graders Ava Michelangelo, Ella Eger, Jairoop Kaur, Kenley Littler, Lucia Longstreth and Lydia Ventura. November/December 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 21CAround Your Town Around Your Town A $1.39 billion construction project aimed at modernizing Pittsburgh International Airport is now underway after being delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project, which will take place over the next four years, entails constructing a new terminal adjacent to the current airside terminal. Once completed, travelers getting dropped off at the airport will no longer head to the current landside terminal. Instead, they’ll take a road that’s being constructed directly to the new modern-looking, glass-and-steel terminal building. Once inside, travelers will head through a main security checkpoint that will be double the size of the current checkpoint. Once through, they’ll no longer hop on a tram but will instead be able to walk directly to their gates. On both sides of security, there will be outdoor spaces and expanded room for vendors and concessions. There will also be more automated systems. According to the Allegheny County Airport Authority, the improvements will cut the time it takes for travelers to go from curb to gate in half. Improved baggage handling and customs will also help departing passengers leave the airport more quickly. The authority estimates those improvements will help international visitors leave the airport 67% quicker. Parking will also be improved, thanks to construction of a new parking garage that will triple the number of covered parking spaces and help travelers stay out of the elements. Overall, the project is expected to cut the airport’s operating costs by $21 million per year. Had COVID-19 not shut down the country, those improvements would likely be forthcoming. The original work was supposed to be completed by 2023. The project is now estimated to be completed in early 2025. To celebrate the restart of the Terminal Modernization Program, officials held a ceremonial groundbreaking Oct. 14 on the site of the new terminal building. In front of a backdrop of disheveled concrete, construction vehicles and the current airside terminal, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County Airport Authority Board Chairman Dave Minnotte, Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis and Allegheny County Airport Authority Chief Development Officer Paul Hoback outlined the vision for the program. They also reflected on what had brought the airport to this point and on its transformation from a hub for US Air to one that’s now staking its future on a variety of airlines and industries. “We’re breaking ground on so much more than a building or a complex,” said Cassotis. “We’re really breaking ground on the region’s future. This is meant to be a physical representation of everything that makes this community great.” Cassotis talked about a number of recent innovations at the airport, including construction of a microgrid that has taken the airport completely off the public power grid. Cassotis said the airport is the first in the country that can say that, thanks to a combination of nearly 10,000 solar panels and five natural gas generators. As well, she mentioned the airport’s new advanced manufacturing facility called Neighborhood 91, which the authority is leasing out to Wabtec and several other companies Terminal Modernization Program moving forward Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis speaks at a groundbreaking event Oct. 14 to celebrate construction of a new terminal at Pittsburgh International Airport. In the background, construction vehicles sit where the new terminal will be built. Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald (to Cassotis’ left) gave opening remarks and reflected on the airport’s transformation over the past couple of decades. PHOTO BY DOUG HUGHEY STORY BY DOUG HUGHEY NOW HIRING! Oces located in Robinson Twp. & Monaca 412.494.2000 ExpressPros.com Full-time and part-time job opportunities in a variety of positions: Administrative, Professional, Industrial, Skilled Labor, Skilled Trades, and Skilled Professional. Call to schedule your interview! No Fees! Architectural renderings show how the arrival and departure areas of the new terminal at Pittsburgh International Airport. RENDERINGS COURTESY GENSLER + HDR IN ASSOCIATION WITH LUIS VIDAL + ARCHITECTS 22 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2021CAround Your Town Around Your Town involved in additive 3D printing. Wabtec is using the facility to print parts for the rail industry. Neighborhood 91 is part of a new 195-acre business park that the authority is developing to the west of the terminal along I-376. Called the Pittsburgh Innovation Campus, the park will consist of a combination of research and development labs, office space, manufacturing and a town center. The authority intends to generate revenue from the campus through lease agreements. Cassotis also talked about a new testing facility that will be located on airport property and another dedicated to freight forwarding, which she said the authority began exploring during the pandemic. “We pivoted from talking to passenger airlines who were just trying to figure out how to get to the next day and we started talking to freight forwarders and we turned on an entire international cargo industry,” Cassotis said. “Now we’re going to build a new building with help from the federal government.” In remarks, Fitzgerald reflected on the airport’s journey following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and losing its hub status with US Air in the mid-2000s. Without naming the airline directly, Fitzgerald said that following the departure of that “company,” air traffic dropped from 21 million passengers per year to about five to six million passengers per year. “You can see where the finances go on any business that loses about 75% of its customers,” Fitzgerald said. He said that did not bode well for the authority when it went looking for a new CEO. Fitzgerald, though, said the airport’s economic outlook improved dramatically after it was able to strike a deal to develop its Marcellus Shale gas reserves. He said those royalties enabled the airport to pursue many of its recent innovations and attract a number of CEO candidates, including Cassotis. Fitzgerald credited Cassotis with making many of those innovations a reality and steering the airport on its current trajectory. In addition to airport authority officials, remarks were also delivered by state Rep. Valerie Gaydos, state Sen. Devlin Robinson, Allegheny County Councilman Sam DeMarco and others. Robinson, in his speech, touted some of the economic impact figures of the Terminal Modernization Program and emphasized that no taxpayer funds were being used for the program. Instead, construction is being paid for by a combination of airport revenue, bonds, vendor fees, parking fees and natural gas drilling royalties. Fitzgerald stated that the Program is expected to inject $2.5 billion into the local economy, creating 14,000 direct and indirect jobs and generating $27 million in local, county and state taxes. For more on the Terminal Modernization Program, visit www. pittransformed.com. This rendering shows an aerie view of the new terminal building and a new parking garage that will triple the number of covered spaces. RENDERINGS COURTESY GENSLER + HDR IN ASSOCIATION WITH LUIS VIDAL + ARCHITECTS November/December 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 23CAround Your Town Around Your Town As the nation remembered fallen first responders and military personnel Sept. 11, a group of local communities decided to combine their parades to give veterans a larger than life tribute. Beginning at 11 a.m. in downtown Coraopolis, the 9/11 Honor Parade served as a way to honor those who have served or were still serving in the Afghanistan conflict. Veterans and service members from Coraopolis, Moon Township, Neville Island, Sewickley and West Hills all came together on 5th Avenue to honor those fighting for the country. “The reason behind the parade was that we didn’t want these service members who served in various conflicts in the Middle East to be ignored like our veterans that served during Vietnam,” said Jack Cairns, parade co-chairman and senior vice for the West Hills American Legion. The honor parade was a joint venture between the Coraopolis VFW Post 402, American Legion Post 924 and VFW Auxiliary Parade honors veterans from five communities on 9/11 STORY AND PHOTOS BY GARRET ROBERTS Post 402. In addition to the veterans’ organizations, officials from Moon Township and Coraopolis helped get the parade marching and safe throughout the day. Featuring first responders and military personnel, the street was filled with everything from fire trucks to antique cars cruising by to show their support for the nation’s soldiers. Veterans passing by were quick to share smiles with a community celebrating their return and happy to see support from their neighbors. In addition to veterans and first responders, local organizations and bands also helped keep the parade atmosphere going. “We had approximately 40 different groups (not counting all the local fire departments and police departments) participate in our parade,” said Cairns. “These included high school bands, various veterans groups, active duty military, scouts, Moon cheerleaders, Cornell Youth Athletics and various other veteran and military family support groups.” Turnout for the event was impressive, with 5th Avenue quickly filling with community members from the area. Enjoying the sights and patriotic music, the street was lined with families throughout the slow crawl up the road. “Not sure on the size of the crowd,” said Cairns. “It seemed larger than the turnout for our Memorial Day parade.” After the parade, Mill Street featured live music and food trucks to celebrate and enjoy the nice weather. FROM TOP: Area Vietnam Veterans Incorporated members, VFW members from area posts, and U.S. Submarine Veterans Incorporated members take part in the 9/11 Honor Parade in downtown Coraopolis. Moon Area cheerleaders and Ohio Valley Band members take part in the patriotic show of support. 24 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2021N Your Schools Your Schools Robinson Township Christian School STORY AND PHOTO SUBMITTED Robinson Township Christian School is delighted to announce the new hire of Mary Kenyon as the school’s new principal. Kenyon was born in western Pennsylvania but has spent the past 28 years serving in the education field in Jackson, Mississippi. Kenyon shared that returning to western Pennsylvania for the new role “felt like coming home.” “Pittsburgh is its own unique place with the three rivers, Steelers fans and a hard work ethic that I remember well,” she said. “Also my extended family is here.” Kenyon’s father, Walter Kenyon, was a local Presbyterian Church in America pastor. He and Mary’s mother raised 11 children and Mary is the second youngest of her siblings. Mary attended Belhaven University, where she received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She has completed the coursework for a doctorate in education and, once she completes her dissertation, she will receive her EdD. During her time in Jackson, Mary worked in the field of education in various ways. She has taught at the elementary, middle and high school levels. She has also taught and continues to teach undergraduate and graduate-level education classes for Belhaven University as a college professor. Mary has been responsible for K-12th grades at two separate Christian schools in the Jackson area. For the past nine years, she worked in special education, as a lead teacher in a facility for students on the autism spectrum and with behavioral issues. She has also presented educational workshops on several different topics as a seminar speaker. Mary is especially passionate about supporting teachers and their professional development. She is focusing on curriculum in her own doctorate work. Mary was hired by her church, Redeemer Church, in Jackson to start a Christian school and has been instrumental in helping to start three separate Christian schools in the Jackson area. Mary believes that a Christian education at RTCS equips students with the “learning, logic and rhetoric that lead to critical thinking and enables students to be discerning, so they are prepared for life and for service in their communities.” She says, “I love the atmosphere at RTCS. It provides a safe sense of home, where students can be themselves. The students and teaching staff are the best part of RTCS.” RTCS welcomes new principal Mary Kenyon Community Service Club students recently helped the Providence PCA Community Garden, which operates adjacent to the school grounds, construct a greenhouse. The new greenhouse will make it possible to grow an even greater diversity of vegetables through longer periods of the year. Over the past two years, since the community garden’s inception, it has been producing lettuce, onions, garlic, green beans, cucumbers, radishes, hot and sweet peppers, shallots, herbs and tomatoes. All produce has been donated for local consumption. Community Service Club members help construct greenhouse These Community Service Club students recently helped the Providence PCA Community Garden construct a greenhouse. November/December 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 25Your SchoolsYour Schools N Our Lady of the Rosary On Oct. 7, the entire school stepped outside at 10 a.m. and together prayed the Holy Rosary in front of a glorious sight. Volunteers came together to create a likeness of the Rosary out of helium balloons, which hovered over the school. Parents were invited to pray with the school as seventh-graders led the school in the Luminous Mysteries. A special thank you to Father Joe and Ave Maria Academy for bringing this to Archangel Gabriel Catholic School again this year. Thank you, Father Joe, for your inspirational words about this powerful prayer, its history, and donation of special Rosaries to students. The weather was perfect, and as soon as the prayer began, the sun shone even brighter. AGS will never forget that special moment held to honor the special day. Being a good friend in kindergarten Much of what is taught at AGS is intended to model a Christ-like behavior, including showing kindness and thinking of others. In a lesson in social/emotional skills, kindergartners learned the importance of being a good friend. This is especially important to teach in kindergarten. Students have learned that they are each special, and everyone has to be kind and accepting of each other. The 5- and 6-year olds are currently in class with students whom they will most likely be with until high school and beyond as well. Therefore, it is extremely important to remember these skills. They were asked to create an anchor chart that they can refer to throughout the year, which includes: sharing, saying nice things to one another, taking turns, being patient, listening, and just smiling. They each created their own Forky from the movie “Toy Story,” as he represents a good friend. Creating cells and making “cell-fies” Fifth-grade students have been learning all about plant and animal cells in science class. Students learned about the function of each organelle of a plant cell and compared the organelles to something they’re more familiar with. For example, vacuoles are storage spaces for water, waste, food and other cellular materials, just like water bottles and plastic containers used to store food. Next, students worked in groups to build a plant cell using construction paper. Finally, they took “cell-fies” to showcase their work! AGS volleyball goes to Pitt The JV volleyball coach arranged a trip for players to attend a volleyball game to watch second-ranked Pitt play Duke on Oct. 1 at the Fitzgerald Field House. Students were even able to meet some Panther athletes after the game! The expression on students’ faces after standing next to players who were six feet tall was as priceless as the players hearing that they’re playing in fifth grade. AGS is grateful to Coach Curry for making this opportunity possible. Seventh grade service project Each grade is required to complete a service project throughout the school year at AGS. As such, seventh-graders have been working with the Coraopolis Community Development Corporation in their community garden. This garden is maintained by the community and much of the produce is grown for the Coraopolis Food Pantry. One day, students cleared out the garden using the remains as compost and prepared the ground for new provisions in the next season. Students learned what joy they can experience by blessing others. Thanks goes out to the Coraopolis Community Development Corporation Center for allowing AGS students to be a part of the community! AGS volleyball players pose for a picture with Pitt players after attending a game. Seventh-graders help out at the community garden in Coraopolis. Archangel Gabriel Catholic School STORIES AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED AGS students and faculty pray under a Rosary made of balloons Oct. 7. Kindergartners crafted Forky from the movie “Toy Story” during a lesson on friendship. Fifth-graders created picture perfect cells and their parts out of construction paper during a science lesson. Read our editions and share content online at awmagazine.com 26 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2021Kindergartners learn about coding while using Colby the robot mouse. Coding in kindergarten AGS kindergartners are coding! The school’s 5- and 6-year-olds have been busy building mazes using coding cards and watching Colby, the programmable robot mouse, find the cheese! Colby has lights, sounds and color buttons to match coding cards. Kindergarten students are enjoying learning about coding in Mrs. Corona’s computer class. Fourth grade science cells and STEM Fourth-grade science students have been learning a lot about cells, so much that they even made one that was edible! They did so in a red cup filled with Jell-O. The cup represented the cell membrane, the marshmallow represented the nucleus, and the Jell-O represented the cytoplasm. It was both educational and delicious. Additionally, the class welcomed a special guest from the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority. Mr. Mark taught them about the process that “dirty” water goes through in order to make it back safely into the rivers. It was hard to imagine that 250 million gallons of water is cleaned by ALCOSAN daily and that the goal by 2023 is to clean 600 million gallons. Students also learned the importance of engineering and were given a challenge to team up and create the tallest self-standing structure out of pipe cleaners. Fourth-graders welcomed a speaker from ALCOSAN and then completed an engineering challenge. New School Year, New Experiences. Same Consistent Results With Kumon. In-Center And Virtual Classes Available To learn more, schedule an orientation today! © 2021 Kumon North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Kumon Math and Reading Center of Robinson Township Robinson Town Centre, 1940 Park Manor Blvd. Suite 512 Pittsburgh, PA 15205 robinsontownship_pa@ikumon.com | 412-790-6100 November/December 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 27Moon Area School District News The marching band traveled to Columbus, Ohio to compete in the 2021 Bands of America Central Ohio Regional Championship on Sept. 25. Bands of America Championships are the premier marching band events in the nation. The competitions are entertaining, family-friendly events featuring live music, choreography and competition. In the preliminary competition, the band placed seventh overall with a score of 71.3, which earned them a Division I rating and the opportunity to perform in the finals that evening. The band also achieved the highest music score in their band classification. In the finals performance, the band again placed seventh, this time among the top 12 finalists. The band also scored 70.85, earning them another Division I rating. Marching Band Competes at Bands of America Marching band members compete at the 2021 Bands of America Central Ohio Regional Championship on Sept. 25. Eighth grade students in Monica Zajicek’s STEAM class made balsa wood towers as part of their hands-on learning project. The goal was for students to make the lightest tower that would hold the most weight. Students used math, science, art - in the form of technical drawings - engineering and computer technology skills to create their towers. Once the students finished with their towers, the class held a competition to see who built the lightest tower capable of holding the most weight. Middle school students build balsa wood towers Eighth-graders constructed balsa wood towers and then competed to see which design was the best. Allard Elementary staff members wore gold rainbow shirts to show their support for the fight against childhood cancer during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September. The color gold is used to symbolize childhood cancer because, according to the American Childhood Cancer Organization, “gold is a precious metal, and is therefore the perfect color to reflect the most precious thing in our lives - our children.” Allard staff members agree with that sentiment. “This cause is near and dear to our hearts, as our very own Bridge family has been impacted by childhood cancer,” said Dr. Susan Kazmierczak, Allard principal. “We admire their strength and we are so glad to have them as part of our Allard community.” Allard stands with the Bridge family and all families who have been impacted by childhood cancer. Allard staff recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Allard Elementary staff wore gold rainbow shirts to recognize childhood cancer in September. 28 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2021 High school senior Subham Sahoo has been named a semifinalist in the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Subham will have the opportunity to continue on in the competition and earn one of 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $30 million combined. The scholarships will be awarded in the spring of 2022. The purpose of the National Merit Scholarship Program is to honor the nation’s scholastic champions and encourage the pursuit of academic excellence. Subham Sahoo named National Merit Scholarship semifinalist Subham Sahoo High school theatre producer and director Robert Michael surprised Moon Area High School Drama Club students with a virtual visit from Joe Serafini on Sept. 7. Serafini is a Pittsburgh native and currently starring as Sebastian in “High School Musical: The Series” on Disney+. While talking with students, Serafini discussed his journey from Bethel Park High School to Hollywood, the importance of high school theater, his college audition process, and many fun moments on the set of “High School Musical.” “One of my favorite points that he made was how crucial each and every member of the cast truly is to telling the story,” said Michael. “Every part large and small is an important part of the production.” Drama students enjoy a surprise visit from Joe Serafini Drama Club students pause for a picture while meeting with Joe Serafini virtually. High school cheerleaders got some help from the football team to host a pink out at the varsity football game Oct. 15. Prior to kickoff, the names of breast cancer survivors from the Moon Area community were announced and those survivors were then escorted from the stands and onto the field by cheerleaders and football players. Each survivor received a flower and a homemade pink ribbon cookie. This year, the cheerleaders sold more than 850 pink-out t-shirts and raised $7,000 for Magee Women’s Hospital. Over the years, the cheer squad, football team and the community have raised over $50,000 for Magee. A bench has even been placed at the Magee Women’s Center to acknowledge their generous support. Thanks goes out to everyone who supported the pink out this year. Cheerleaders host pink out Members of the cheer squad present a check for $7,000 to Magee Women’s Hospital on Oct. 15. ABOVE: Varsity football players escort breast cancer survivors onto the field. BELOW: Members of the cheer squad once again organized this year’s pink-out game during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Visit www.moonarea.net for more good news from Moon Area. November/December 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 29Next >