< PreviousCAround Your Town Around Your Town On March 1 of 2020, the West Hills Symphonic Band played its annual spring concert at Montour High School. The performance, which featured area musicians playing band arrangements, wasn’t entirely unlike so many of the other shows it had put on over the years. Typically, the band, which got its start back in 1967, plays four indoor concerts each year followed by a series of outdoor shows during the summer. Its performances usually feature a lineup of popular genres, including marches, patriotic songs, classical arrangements and more. The performances are always free and audiences flock to them. As band members walked out of the high school that evening, however, none could have imagined that they wouldn’t see each other, let alone perform again together, for over a year. “Who’d have thought it?” says Tom Snyder, the band’s associate conductor. “We thought we’d see everyone in two days, or maybe take a week after taking a break. Little did we know we wouldn’t be back until May of 2021.” Along with the rest of the performing arts world, members of the West Hills Symphonic Band found themselves with a lot of extra free time on their hands just about a week after that performance. The band wouldn’t rehearse together again for over a year. When they finally did get back together, it was nothing short of a joyous moment for band members who had spent months practicing - or in some cases not practicing - at home by themselves. “The sheer joy of watching them come back and play music together,” says Snyder, “to see people we hadn’t seen, board members and so on, but we hadn’t seen them since March of 2020.” Almost a year since that show, the West Hills Symphonic Band is now back in full swing. After a string of outdoor concerts last summer, it has performed two indoor concerts thus far at Montour High School. Its most recent performance, a holiday show in December featuring unique arrangements of classic holiday tunes, drew almost 400 people. Currently, the band is preparing for its next concert on Feb. 27. That show, titled “A Winter’s Voyage: Far Away Places that Warm the HEART!” will once again take place at Montour High School. The show is free to attend and will feature an eclectic mix of pieces performed by numerous professional musicians and community members. The band is open to qualified members in the community. However, many are either current or retired music educators, including band directors from several schools throughout the area. Principal conductor and music director Clem Rolin says that the upcoming show will feature the spirited circus march “Olympia Hippodrome,” two John Philip Sousa marches, Hector Berlioz’s “Roman Carnival Overture,” selections from “Man of La Mancha” and an exciting piece taken from movement one of “Gandalf” from The Lord of the Rings Symphony. A highlight of the show, however, will be “Victory at Sea,” a special tribute to the Navy. “This is a tone poem representing naval action in the South Pacific during World War II,” says Rolin. “It’s a compilation of music written by famed American composer Richard Rodgers for the 1952 NBC TV documentary series of the same name.” Dr. John Pastin, former commander and conductor of the U.S. Navy Band in Washington, D.C., will conduct. Attendees can also expect to hear a fun Cajun piece called “Bayou Breakdown” and an arrangement of Mozart’s “Queen of the Night” featuring principal flute and piccolo player Jamie Kasper. The show promises to be just as impressive as its past performances. After almost a year of playing together again, the band is as cohesive as ever. Yet it didn’t start out that way. In May of 2021, when the band first started rehearsing again, it was obvious they needed work. “Even for the professional musicians, it was bumpy,” says Snyder. “After awhile the motivation to practice wanes a bit because it becomes, ‘What am I practicing for? There aren’t any performances.’ But it was admittedly bumpy.” Rolin says just finding a place to rehearse was a challenge, as the venues they’d used in the past weren’t available due to COVID-19. Luckily, the band connected with West Ridge Church in Imperial, which lent them their sanctuary as a practice space. “I can’t say enough about West Ridge and how they helped us,” says Rolin. “They were wonderful. Without them we wouldn’t have been able to come back.” At the same time, the band established a COVID-19 safety policy that the band’s board put in writing and required all members to follow. Among other measures, the policy included a vaccination requirement. With many band members in their 50s Despite COVID-19, the West Hills Symphonic Band plays on Next show takes place Feb. 27 STORY BY DOUG HUGHEY PHOTOS BY MICHAEL HOLL PHOTOGRAPHY The West Hills Symphonic Band has been performing again over the past year with Clem Rolin (top) as principal conductor and Tom Snyder (bottom) as associate director. 20 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2022or older, and COVID-19 still prevalent, Rolin says the virus was very much a concern. The band is continuing to abide by that policy to keep both its members and audiences safe. Snyder says that while preparing for that first show at the beginning of June of last year, they stuck mostly to their favorites. Aside from a few new pieces, they played a familiar set that the band had performed many times prior. That show ended up taking place at the Moon Park Amphitheater, where a crowd of people pulled up lawn chairs to listen. Band member Michael Holl says it was a treat, not just for audiences but for band members, as well. “Not playing together was such a void for so many of us,” says Holl, a music teacher who plays trumpet for the band, “so when we were actually able to play as a group it was amazing, but the truly best experience was playing for an audience.” In the following months, the band played three more outdoor shows, in Crafton, Findlay Township and Collier Township. It then moved indoors at Montour starting with its fall shows. Holl says audiences have been ecstatic to hear the performances, which have become something of a rarity during the pandemic. “I’ve never felt this kind of appreciation from our audiences like we’ve had this year,” he says. “It’s definitely filling a void that we’ve all experienced during the pandemic.” For more about the West Hills Symphonic Band, including upcoming shows, visit whsb.org. The West Hills Symphonic Band performs last summer in Crafton. February/March 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 21Your SchoolsYour Schools N 22 Archangel Gabriel Catholic School STORIES AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED Fourth grade ski race Archangel Gabriel fourth- graders learned all about the science behind skiing and participated in a STEM ski challenge. Each student was given a piece of foil, tape and craft sticks. They carefully designed their skier to stand up and race to win. Students completed mathematical calculations based on their designs to understand their skier’s performances. Mrs. LaGrosse and her fourth-graders made this challenge a success! Big ride to school in a police car Andrew and Lizzie Sellman had a huge adventure on a cold winter’s morning as they had the unique experience of riding to school in a police car. As the winner of a school auction prize, the students were picked up at their home and driven to school in style. If you are wondering if the lights and sirens were blaring as they made their way to the school’s entrance then, yes, they were. After they arrived, Officer Joe spoke to the first-grade class about car safety. This was such a priceless experience for students. Preschool baby doll project Each year, students throughout the school take on selfless projects aimed at helping others. Preschool is no exception. This year, three- and four-year-olds collected money to purchase nine baby dolls to donate to the Marybelle Baby Doll Project. The goal of the project is to soothe people with dementia. The dolls, therefore, will truly help patients on a daily basis. AGS was so glad to be able to be there for those in need. AGS to perform “Shrek Jr.” Practices have begun for the AGS musical. The school is extremely excited and proud to announce that “Shrek Jr.” preparations are underway and that the show will take place the weekend of May 12 in the school gymnasium. The production is based on its namesake film, “Shrek.” Playing the lead roles are Nicholas Ewanco as Shrek and Eve Amendola as Donkey. Dozens of talented actors will dance and sing their hearts out in the show. Students in grades 4 through 8 are working hard to memorize their lines, learn choreography and attend weekly rehearsals to make the show a success. AGS is counting down the months until the curtains open. Fourth-graders got a lesson in math and science by applying concepts in each subject to skiing. Andrew Sellman poses for a picture with Officer Joe after getting a ride to school in a police cruiser. Preschoolers collected these baby dolls to help patients suffering from dementia. Nicholas Ewanco and Eve Amendola play the leads in Archangel Gabriel’s upcoming production of “Shrek Jr.” Archangel Gabriel students rehearse for the show. February/March 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 23 Girls basketball The varsity and junior varsity girls basketball teams both had strong starts to their seasons. The AGS girls basketball teams started their seasons on fire. The varsity girls basketball team - The Lady Knights - took Akron, Ohio by storm the weekend of Nov. 19 at the Archbishop Hoban Classic in the Castle. The girls had a lot of confidence going into the championship and they did not disappoint. The crowd cheered them on as they won the championship and tournament, 4-0. The AGS JV girls team has also been on a roll after beating Blessed Francis Seelos in the championship game of the Cold Turkey Shootout Tournament, which was hosted by St. Gregory Catholic School. As well, the team won the South Hills Academy’s turkey shootout, edging out Providence Heights Alpha. Forensics Members of the Archangel Gabriel forensics team participated in the Southwest Pennsylvania Forensics tournament at Carlynton Middle School Nov. 20. The team had a great showing at its very first competition in two years. It was an especially impressive performance considering 90% of the team members were new to the activity, which helps students improve their public speaking skills in various categories. At the tournament, students had two opportunities to present their selections to a judge and a group of students from the other eight schools, both public and Catholic, that make up the league. Speakers were scored on six characteristics of good public speech. Thanks goes out to Miss Golden, the team’s coaches and parent volunteers, without whom there would not be a forensics program at AGS. The forensics team did well at a tournament in November. Your SchoolsYour Schools N 24 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2022 Archangel Gabriel Catholic School STORIES AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED Shop with a Cop On Dec. 14, 10 students from AGS were able to connect with the local community in the most unique way. They were invited to shop one-on-one with a Robinson Township police officer at Dick’s Sporting Goods at The Mall at Robinson. Dick’s rolled out the red carpet for each child as they gave them each a gift card and spoiled them with an amazing swag bag filled with a shirt, light-up bracelet, water bottle, and more. Students in grades K through eight competed for the opportunity by writing an essay contest that asked them about their participation in sports, why sports are important, and what was on their wish list if they should win a shopping spree. Ten students were then selected. AGS is extremely grateful to have had this opportunity and know the mentorship offered by both the Robinson Township Police and Dick’s Sporting Goods will not be forgotten. AGS visits OLSH On Dec. 9, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School opened its doors to third, fourth and fifth grade students to enjoy their Christmas play. It was such a joy to have students be able to take a field trip and connect with the high school. They even learned how to do the Candy Cane Twist. AGS is always grateful for the opportunity to enjoy the talents of others. Robinson Township police officers took a handful of promising AGS students shopping this past holiday season. AGS students visit OLSH to watch a Christmas play. Musical moments This year, AGS was able to resume its school Christmas concerts. Students in kindergarten through grade eight put on two musical performances so that parents could enjoy the shows in two groups. Each grade entered the stage and sang two songs for the audience as music teacher Mr. Tresky joyfully played the accompaniment on piano. Later in the evening, AGS once again opened its gymnasium to families for its band concert, where the school’s violinists kicked things off with a performance. The musical talents of the school’s children are developing and the school can’t wait for their next performances. FROM TOP: AGS students delivered a violin, chorus and band concert all on the same day this past holiday season. February/March 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 25 Toy Drive for the Salvation Army Student Council hosts many service projects throughout the year, but one of the most successful projects has always been its Christmas Toy Drive. This year, donations far exceeded expectations as the generosity went above and beyond. AGS is proud to donate over 100 brand new toys to the Salvation Army to extend to children in need. The school knows that giving fills each person’s life with so much joy. Thank you goes out to Student Council for thinking of others and spreading Christmas cheer. Student Council members once again hosted a toy drive this past holiday season.Your SchoolsYour Schools N Pittsburgh Technical College 26 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2022 Pittsburgh Technical College students earning a Bachelor of Science degree in business will now be able to earn an MBA much faster thanks to a new partnership between the college and West Liberty University in West Liberty, West Virginia. Through the new partnership, PTC students will be able to earn up to 12 credit hours of advanced standing toward an MBA at West Liberty. Students earning a bachelor of science in applied management can earn up to nine credit hours while those earning a bachelor’s in information technology can earn up to six hours toward a graduate-level business degree. “One of our key objectives at Pittsburgh Technical College is to expand access for all students and present them with every opportunity to excel,” said PTC President/CEO Dr. Alicia B. Harvey-Smith. “Our new MBA Fast Track partnership with an academic institution like West Liberty University achieves just that and presents students in both PTC’s Schools of Business as well as Information Systems and Technology with an accelerated outlet to attain a master’s level degree.” PTC’s three-year business bachelor degree program gives students the opportunity to learn from instructors who combine their business knowledge and industry experience to engage students in subject matter and arrange internships that connect them with employers. At West Liberty, students complete their MBA by focusing on one of three concentration areas: management, forensic accounting or healthcare management. The arrangement between PTC and West Liberty was formalized in January following an official signing by PTC Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Eileen Steffan, and West Liberty President/ CEO Dr. W. Franklin Evans. The partnership promises to save students both time and money as they pursue their graduate-level degree, and to allow them to apply their skills much sooner in their industry. “I am pleased to welcome Dr. Eileen Steffan and all the PTC leaders to our campus for this ceremonial signing that initiates our new MBA Fast Track partnership with PTC, a college that is a leader in providing career-focused education in the region. We look forward to meeting many PTC graduates in the near future and welcoming them to the Hilltop as they complete their MBA,” said President Evans. New agreement allows PTC grads to fast-track MBA requirements Students at Pittsburgh Technical College now have access to a variety of health services right on the college campus, thanks to a new health and wellness center that opened in November. At the new PTC Health and Wellness Center on the ground floor of the Keystone Hall dormitory, students can schedule an appointment with a nurse, receive mental health counseling and even schedule a private fitness appointment. Students will also have access to virtual health visits with a nurse stationed at the center. “It’s been a dream of mine since I arrived to make sure students have access to healthcare and support,” said Dr. Alicia Harvey-Smith, PTC’s president. “And through the support of many partners we came together and made it happen today.” At an official ribbon cutting held to open the center Nov. 10 outside Keystone Hall, Dr. Harvey-Smith acknowledged those partners. They include the Highmark Foundation, the Citrone 33 Foundation and school trustee Michael Urisic, who outfitted the center with fitness equipment. Dr. Harvey-Smith says that the school was also able to use additional funds provided through the CARES Act and Pennsylvania Emergency Education Relief Funds to build out the center. She says that the Citrone 33 Foundation has provided four years of mental health counseling and funding for three years of direct counseling. As a result, the school was able to hire its new Dean of Counseling & Student Development, Dr. Stephanie Svilar, to manage the center and expand it. A nationally certified and licensed professional counselor, Svilar will provide direct counseling services and cultivate a network of community resources and interagency connections to ensure student success. “It’s important to know that students will now have access to four major opportunities: direct counseling and direct health care; tele-counseling and tele-health care; and virtual as well,” says Dr. Harvey-Smith. “So, it’s pretty exciting.” Dr. Harvey-Smith says that, longterm, PTC will be looking to move its health and wellness facilities into a new student center on the campus. PTC opens new health and wellness center ABOVE: A nurse at Pittsburgh Technical College’s new health and wellness center demonstrates a remote visit. BELOW: PTC president Dr. Alicia-Harvey Smith (third from left) is pictured with several donors to the project, including Katherine Hancock of The Highmark Foundation; Gabrielle Citrone of The Citrone 33 Foundation; Ali Doyle from Gov. Tom Wolf’s office; and Beth and Michael Yurisic, trustee emeritus. PHOTOS BY ETHAN MANSBERGER STORY BY DOUG HUGHEY CONTENT SUBMITTED PTC Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Eileen Steffan, and West Liberty University President/CEO Dr. W. Franklin Evans, sign an agreement that will allow PTC students to earn credits toward an MBA at West Liberty. N Your Schools Your Schools February/March 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 27 Pittsburgh Technical College and its president, Dr. Alicia B. Harvey-Smith, both received several prestigious award distinctions in November. First, on Nov. 10, Dr. Harvey-Smith was named CEO of the Year while PTC earned the honor of Innovator of the Year in the non- profit/education/community category at the 2021 Tech 50 Awards, hosted by the Pittsburgh Technology Council. Then, on Nov. 18, Dr. Harvey-Smith was again recognized as a Pittsburgh Smart 50 Award honoree. The award recognizes the top executives of the 50 smartest companies in the Greater Pittsburgh region for their ability to effectively build and lead successful organizations. “Pittsburgh Technical College works every day to deliver innovation through our wide range of programs helping to build the next generation of our region’s workforce,” said Dr. Harvey- Smith about the distinctions from the Pittsburgh Technology Council. “To be recognized with this award in a city rich with innovation is such an honor and we will continue to push for future innovation in our more than 30 programs of study.” About the Smart 50 Award, Dr. Harvey-Smith said she was honored to share the award with such a distinguished class of honorees. “At Pittsburgh Technical College, we’re taking great strides to become an educator of choice in the region through consistent, career-focused education and innovation, and this award is further validation of those efforts,” she said. Dr. Harvey-Smith is the college’s first president since it became a nonprofit organization. Under her guidance, the college has opened new doors for PTC to the community, increasing access to funding and enrollment opportunities. Under her leadership, PTC was ranked for the first time by U.S. News & World Report in four categories in its annual Best Colleges guide, while PTC’s Information Technology programs earned designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Two-Year Education (CAE-2Y) through the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). PTC is now one of only four colleges in the Pittsburgh region offering study in Information Systems, advanced laboratory facilities, NSA and DHS designation and evolving bachelor-level course offerings, including Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. In the past year, PTC earned three National Science Foundation grants totaling more than $1.5 million, the first research funding in the college’s 75-year history. PTC and Dr. Harvey-Smith recognized with multiple honors Pittsburgh Technical College president Dr. Alicia Harvey- Smith accepts the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s Innovator of the Year award on behalf of PTC at the Tech 50 Awards in November. PHOTO COURTESY PITTSBURGH TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL CONTENT SUBMITTED28 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2022 Eighty-four students were inducted into the West Allegheny chapter of the National Honor Society on January 19 with a candle lighting ceremony in the high school auditorium. Families were pleased to join the recognition in person. The new inductees earned the distinction by consistently demonstrating the four pillars of the National Honor Society: scholarship, service, leadership, and character. The NHS inductees were: Olivia Almady, Logan Balint, Reese Bielecki, Noah Bridge, Kiely Buglak, Lauren Campbell, Blake Chappel, Cierra Chiodo, Camden Colinear, Brian Curry, Brittany Darcy, Madison Davies, Broc Dawson, Ethan DeBoth, Jackson Dicesaro, Taylor Eannace, Kaitlyn Eger, Delaney Evers, Kristina Fatigati, Sara Finnell, Eleni Fitsioris, Matthew Ford, Connor Frank, Alexander Geisler, Alexandra Gilkey, Amanda Gilkey, Olivia Ginocchi, Luke Gyergyo, Alec Harbison, Kayla Hay, Olivia Hellmann, Alexander Hennon, Madison Hill, Pasquale Hively, Gabrielle Holtz, Elliston Howells, Kelsey Jones, Joshua Kiss, Emma Kyle, Mckenzie Lamb, Brayden Lambert, Ryan Landry, Lily Lee, Nathaniel Lowman, Nicholas Lucci, Logen Mackey, Zachary Marshall, Makynlee Martin, Ryan McArdle, Camden McClelland, Connor McDonald, Katherine Miller, Victoria Mock, Madison Montello, Sophia Morton, Emily Nolan, Nathan Nolan, Connor Page, Dylan Panazzi, Joseph Parker, Macy Partyka, Nadia Pollinger, Aidan Porter, Nathan Presutti, Megan Russo, Rachel Sabo, Clara Santos, Anna Sawford, Amanda Schoppe, Ella Sekelik, Allyson Shansky, Zackary Spath, Marc Starkman, Abriella Swick, Nico Taddy, Maxwell Tepsic, Shane Tuthill, Gage Upton, Dominic Vennare, Chloe Webster-Gigg, Seth Weese, Francis Wichryk, Corinna Wineland and Kylie Ye. Advisors for the NHS chapter are Angela Brutt and Dawn Hoffmann. National Honor Society inductees take center stage ABOVE: New National Honor Society inductees gather at center stage during an induction ceremony January 19. In all, 84 new members were inducted. TOP: New National Honor Society inductees receive their certificates. BOTTOM: Students take part in a traditional candle lighting ceremony. February/March 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 29Next >