< Previous20 • Allegheny West Magazine • July/August 2023July/August 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 21 Montour School District I hope your summer is off to a great start! It’s very busy around here as there are a lot of summer projects occurring to ensure our facilities are impeccable for all students and staff. We had an amazing school year, from an incredible musical performance to every Montour High School sports program making the playoffs. Additionally, Montour was once again recognized as one of the BEST school systems in Pennsylvania by the Pittsburgh Business Times. Just a note to the recently graduated seniors - congratulations and best of luck to you in your future endeavors! Our seniors will be representing Montour in 69 different colleges and universities. To our returning students and staff - we hope you take the time to rest, relax and recharge this summer, and we look forward to welcoming you back for the 2023-2024 school year! Please make sure to check your emails regularly for communications from the District. Have a safe and happy summer! Montour hosted 250 seniors from schools across the area in the Athletic Center on May 17 for Parkway West Career and Technology Center’s Senior Recognition Ceremony. Students, wearing robes representing their schools and special tassels from the technical school, received certificates recognizing the completion of their studies. Among the graduates, 20 were Montour seniors. In addition, five students from the graduating class received $200 awards through The Challenge Program. Sponsored by Mascaro Construction, award winners were nominated by their teachers in the areas of STEM, attendance, community service, academic improvement and academic excellence. As well, one student from each grade was recognized for being named their grade’s student of the year. Sophomore honors went to Montour student James Stewart, who is studying electrical systems technology. Located in North Fayette Township, PWCTC offers technical training in 15 different fields, from the construction trades to healthcare. Students who attend the school split their days between their high school and the trade school. Graduates can earn certifications necessary to enter the workforce or pursue a post-secondary degree. For more, visit parkwaywest.org. Montour hosts ceremony honoring trades students ABOVE: Area high school seniors, wearing robes from their respective schools, are honored at Parkway West Career and Technology Center’s Senior Recognition Ceremony on May 17. RIGHT: Among the graduating seniors were 20 from Montour. Superintendent’s Message Dr. Christopher Stone Superintendent Montour School District @DR_CHRIS_STONE • @MONTOURSD @HILLTOPSPARTAN • @DEWMIDDLESCHOOL @MONTOURATHDEPT Want more good news about Montour? Search #MontourProud on Twitter.(412) 490-6500 Dr. Christopher Stone Superintendent (412) 490-6500 - ext. 6221 stonec@montourschools.com Dr. Eric Sparkenbaugh Assistant Superintendent (412) 490-6500 - ext. 6229 sparkenbaughe@montourschools.com Mr. Dominic Salpeck Director of Instruction and Academic Achievement (412) 771-8802 - ext. 2611 salpeckd@montourschools.com Dr. Robert Isherwood Director of Special Education and Pupil Services 412-490-6500 - ext. 6102 isherwoodb@montourschools.com Mr. Darryl Yonkers Director of Operations (412) 490-6500 - ext. 6510 yonkersd@montourschools.com Mrs. Susan Sinicki Director of Human Resources 412-490-6500 - ext. 6235 sinickis@montourschools.com Mrs. Anna Borsos Director of Finance (412) 490-6500 - ext. 6232 borsosa@montourschools.com Mr. Bob Wagner Transportation Director (412) 490-6500 - ext. 4700 wagnerb@montourschools.com Mr. Lou Cerro (412) 490-6500 - ext. 1627 Athletic Director cerrol@montourschools.com (412) 490-6500 Mr. Todd Price - ext. 1612 Principal pricet@montourschools.com Mrs. Kylee Crawshaw - ext. 1615 Associate Principal of Academic and Student Affairs crawshawk@montourschools.com (412) 771-8802 Dr. Jason Burik - ext. 4312 Principal burikjason@montourschools.com Mr. Michael Marvin - ext. 2612 Assistant Principal marvinm@montourschools.com Mrs. Jennifer Phillips - ext. 2616 Dean of Student Affairs phillipsj@montourschools.com (412) 490-6500 Mr. Jason Shoaf, Principal ext. 4313 shoafj@montourschools.com Mr. Robert Carlisle, Principal ext. 1615 carlisler@montourschools.com 22 • Allegheny West Magazine • July/August 2023 Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing fields in today’s job market, as companies and organizations continue to fend off threats ranging from phishing attacks to ransomware. In an effort to meet this growing demand, and better prepare students to take advantage of it, the high school began organizing a cybersecurity club during the 2020-2021 school year. Each year since, students in the club have met a couple of days each week to complete online challenges through Cyberstart America. The online challenges mimic the kinds of logic puzzles that real-world cybersecurity professionals encounter. Those who successfully complete enough challenges can gain free access to the Cyber Foundations Academy, through which they can earn a Sans Foundation Certification. Worth $3,738 if taken on its own, the certificate can springboard students to an internship or job opportunity in the field of cybersecurity. Since its inception, students in the course have qualified for well over $30,000 in scholarships. This past school year, eight students, the club’s largest number to date, qualified to enroll in the academy for free. Students who earned free access did so by scoring over 20,000 points in the Cyberstart America Program. The club was once again sponsored by high school teacher Mike Waldron, who teaches social studies, honors global studies and another course called cybersecurity and the law at the high school. Eight students earn free access to cybersecurity certification program These members of the cybersecurity club earned scholarships to the Cyber Foundations Academy. They are (back row) Patrick Francis, Kevin Dong, Divye Arora-Jain, Emma Zhong, (front row) Marlo Cyanovich, Shelby Matt, Samantha Staab and Karishma Bhagavan. Montour High School’s teachers work hard all year preparing students to take the next step in their lives. Those efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, particularly by the Educators Rising club at the high school, which is comprised of students endeavoring to one day become teachers themselves. In order to show teachers just how appreciated they are, club members, under the direction of faculty sponsor Lauren Langman, organized a series of activities the week of May 8. Students washed teachers’ cars in the bus loop, acted as teaching assistants to aid with faculty members’ various classroom tasks and organized a picnic. Superintendent Dr. Christopher Stone also sponsored a Bruster’s Ice Cream truck just for faculty members. In addition, Educators Rising members organized a special assembly where teachers played a fun “Family Feud” style game. During it, teachers were asked questions such as which teacher do students view most as a parent or who has the most school spirit? Teachers then had to guess the answers, which were based on student responses to poll questions. Several teachers also received special honors. Retirees Janet Soda and Diana Climo were presented with Core Awards for being a core part of the school environment. Cathi Dicicco received a yearbook dedication and Rhonda Marasco was named Teacher of the Year. Teacher appreciation week celebrated at high school ABOVE: Rhonda Marasco (at center) was named Teacher of the Year during teacher appreciation week. She’s pictured with fellow teachers Linda Weaver and Gina Ligouri. RIGHT: Sam Boehm washes a teacher’s truck in the bus loop. July/August 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 23 THE MONTOUR CLASS OF 2023 Zeynab Abzarova Mia Margaret Arndt Emma Teresa Augustine Alexis Faye Bailley Phoebe Marie Balega Averee Catherine Banaszak Kylie Michaela Barto Aidan Matthew Barton Paige Elizabeth Bernotas Jerod Rashaun Bethea Alan Robert Betten Jr Brooke Alexa Bischak Jacob Robert Black Ilanna Jade Boris Brooke Autumn Bowman Jacob Joseph Boyd Samantha Renee Boyle Delaney Mae Brennan Elise Gabrielle Brobeck Garrett Joseph Broskey Meadow Marie Brough Ella Leone Brunick Rayyan Bryant David Maxwell Burianek Nicholas Stephen Burik Soma George Burt Michael Anthony Captline Robert James Caresani Natalia Sofia Catarisano Riley Joseph Cessna Peter Andrew Chacon Abigail Kathleen Chen Mackenzie Marie Chiconella Ekra Riasat Choudhry Tyler James Chromack Tyler James Chromack Michael Edward Robert Coffield Joseph Timothy Cole Bella Rose Crapis Damian Elias Davila Eliana Rosemarie Davin Ameera Rashay Davis Ryan Hunter Dawkin Kaden Christian DeFazio Emily Alyssa Demor Colin Ray Dhanse Francesca M. Diaz Shane Connor Dickson Anthony Michael DiToro Daniel Orvis Ditzenberger Gianni Patrick Domenico Sean Eric Doyle II Autumn Elizabeth DuMontier Kaaren Isabel Duran Donovan Michael Dzurenda Jacob Alan Erdner Genevieve Elise Esber Arthem K. Faerovitch Sara Marie Faith Cole Michael Fleck Michael Alexander Fleck Vincent Paul Frank Mackenzie Paige Frederick Jocelyn Marie Freeman Matthew Lloyd Freyermuth Sydney Avery Fusco Madison Marie Gabrielli David Rafe Gallagher II Gregory Garnett III Grace Elizabeth Gasior Alaina Jean Gasparovich Luke Albert Giannetti Paige Nicole Gill Hunter McConnell Gorsuch Samantha Rose Gracy Christopher Joseph Gregory Mason Dwayne Grimes Alayna Rae Guelich Arrianna Roxanne Hagan Morgan Michelle Hagan Jonas Adam Halaja Tennelle Joi Haynes James Stephen Hazard IV Johnathan David Heath Riley Regal Hensley Gavin Gerard Rawski - Valedictorian | Sarah Marie Lugaila - Salutatorian Olivia Persinger - President | Isabella Hoffman - Vice President Savannah Nelson - Secretary | Natalie Rodriguez - Treasurer Montour honored the 238 members of its graduating Class of 2023 during an outdoor ceremony at Thomas J. Birko Memorial Stadium on June 2. Family members, friends and supporters packed the stands for the outdoor ceremony, which was capped off by a celebratory fireworks show. The evening also included performances by the Montour High School chorus, and remarks from students and faculty. Members of the Montour Class of 2023 are as follows: Members of the Class of 2023 process onto the field for commencement ceremonies June 2.24 • Allegheny West Magazine • July/August 2023 Matthew Jacob Hermiller Abigail Grace Heymann Isabella Rosa Hoffman Harley Madison Holtgraver Dailyn Iman Verna Hopkins Conner James Hubbard Alyssa Nicole Hulbert Christopher Patrick Ireland II Anastacia Lynn Jacobs Brock Robert Janeda Sydney Leigh Jarvis Donald Lee Johnson IV Ricardo Ramone Johnson-McClain Raegan Loreal Kadlecik Je’Nari Chevon Kelley Liam Christopher Kennedy Cedrhycc Napoleon Keys Harley Jane Kletz Mikhala Marie Kletz Shane Gill Knause Nathanael Robert Komnick Matthew John Krueger II Logan Michael Kunes Thomas Joseph Kutrufis Alonzo Ryan Labrie Antonio Salvatore Labrie Calista Leigh LaRue Ava Isabel Laurenzi Taliyah Lee Kyler Michael Lightsey Bryce August Lizanich Jacob Michael Lober Anthony Vincent LoBianco Corinne Renee Ludwick Samantha Taylor Lueck Sarah Marie Lugaila Aiden Lukaszewicz Daniel Lukaszewicz III Ailee Regan Mackey Mia Nicole Magliocco Vincent Dante Marino Anthony Thomas Markulin Vincent James Markulin Alana Marie Marracino Caden Kenneth Martin Anthony Paul Mazurek Jr Emma Elizabeth McDonald Zachary Vincent McHenry Abigail Elizabeth Medvitz Melaina Elizabeth Merlo John David Midili Jr Kyle Joseph Miller Salem Marie Minear Angelina Marie Moats Kaitlyn Marie Molitoris Mason Moore Wilbert Cornelius Murray II Jordan Olivia Myers Amari Isaiah Nelson Savannah Mulan Nelson Aidan Frederick O’Donnell Olivia Elizabeth Papst Emmett Jay Pargeon Hanna Mira Parimal Lexie Nicole Patrus Zoe Joelle Paul Laci Ann Pendergast Elanor Jaye Perkowski Kyle Alan Perl Olivia Patricia Persinger Ryan Cole Persinger Michael Charles Petrick Aubrey Rose Piontek Jordan Michael Planey Darius Logan Pollnac Cameron Andrew Polny Avrie Ann Polo Daniel John Porto Matti Julian Pringle Isabelle Marie Prunier Rebecca Nicole Ralph Michael Julius Randolph III Gavin Gerard Rawski Pauline Marie Read Ty Charles Reed Brady Patrick Rhoads Victoria Lauren Rich Riley Helena Richko TOP: Dr. Christopher Stone, Montour superintendent; Todd Price, high school principal; and valedictorian Gavin Gerard Rawski deliver remarks. ABOVE: Salutatorian Sarah Marie Lugaila, class president Olivia Persinger and distinguished speaker Christian Michael Ventrice deliver remarks. July/August 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 25 John Michael Rippole James Kenneth Lamont Rippy Natalie Mae Rodriguez Jack Ryan Rogers Luke Vincent Rossetti Anderson David Rushe Chloe Cecelia Sadowski Caroline Leigh Salters Olivia Nicole Salters Rylee Helen Satcho Samantha Ann Scarsellone Chase Ryan Schaltenbrand Margaret Leigh Scherrer Julia Lea Schiffhauer Mason Arthur Schmidt Jake Reed Schoenly Calen Joseph Schrenker Kyra Jean Segner Isabelle Rose Seibel Logan Thomas Seskey Thomas William Shaw Branden Thomas Sniadach Sage Kira Sonnett Craig Vincent Sonson Jr Shane Thomas Sprys Zachary Matthew Stern David Owen Strilka Lucas Anthony Swearingen Evan Derek Tannehill Kevin Lamar Tate Jr Liam Richmond Taylor Olivia Isabella Termini Tyler Xavier Thiel Casara Cheyenne Thorhauer Aiden John Thornton Luke William Tongel Makenna Grace Torrens Jason Michael Triscila Anthony Joseph Turachak Jaedon Drake Turner Saveria Mariantonia Ulizzi Christian Michael Ventrice Lauren Faith Vicker Ava Noelle Vietmeier Ashley Lauren Vith Nadia Elisabeth Vivero- Condon Stefan Adonis Vukas Nicholas Raymond Walker Katelyn Nicole Walzer Owen Ryan Wassel Jadyn Jabrea Weatherspoon Isabella Marie Webber Adam William Weber Vernon Louis Williams Jr Holden Scott Wilpula Brandon Noah Wilsher Hannah Ray Witner Lydia Dale Witner Allison Marie Zane Emily Lynn Zapico Caleb Casey Zekler Dequillarae Zellous Jr Angela Christine Zezza Nathan Alexander Zoltun Dalton Christopher Zulka TOP: The Montour High School chorus performs the Montour alma mater to close out graduation ceremonies. ABOVE: Graduates receive their diplomas and are congratulated by Todd Price, high school principal; Dr. Christopher Stone, superintendent; Mark Hutter, school board president; and high school associate principal, Kylee Crawshaw. Follow Montour School District at @MontourSD26 • Allegheny West Magazine • July/August 2023 For Montour elementary students, June 7 marked the official end of the school year, but that hardly meant they were done learning. Instead, just a few days later, almost 500 students kicked off their summer by returning to the Hilltop campus for a week of fun, hands-on learning experiences at Montour’s Summer STEAM Camp. Students chose from 22 different course offerings designed by Montour faculty in everything from cooking to performance, and engaged in interactive projects challenging them to utilize STEAM concepts. This year marked the 10th for the camp, which was once again offered for free to Montour students. A popular trend in many education circles throughout the country, STEAM camps allow students to explore science, technology, engineering, arts and math concepts in innovative ways. A cooking class like one that’s been a perennial favorite at Montour, for instance, challenges students to think about math concepts while measuring, chemistry while cooking and art while presenting. A bird-watching course offered at the camp this year encouraged students to expand their knowledge of zoology and biology. A sports science course that returned this year got students thinking about biology and physics. In many schools, including at Montour, the camps have become incubators for new ideas that have then found their way into traditional classroom settings. After going on hiatus at Montour in 2020 due to COVID-19, Montour’s Summer STEAM camp returned the past couple of years with smaller numbers. This year, though, MES co-principal Bob Carlisle says attendance surged by 40%, making this camp one of Montour’s largest to date. There were also several new course offerings this year, including a Spanish immersion class taught by MES Spanish teachers Martine DeSantis and Elizabeth Jones. The course allowed students to delve deeper into some of the Spanish cultures that students had been learning about this past school year in the school’s first year of its new elementary Spanish curriculum. In the STEAM camp course, students learned about monarch butterfly migrations to Mexico, the Cuban nationalist Jose Marti, the Spanish flamenco dance, Bolivian “quipus” knots, Argentinian llamas and more. Meanwhile, in a classroom across the parking lot at the high school, students learned about chemistry, physics, astronomy, biology and astrophysics with high school science teacher Dr. Katie Mercadante. Students extracted DNA from strawberries, made watercolor art by dipping paper in dyed water with vegetable oil, dissected owl pellets and crafted mini Mars rover prototypes. A chemistry lesson in the course also allowed students to make delicious ice cream and not-so-delicious, but fun, slime. DEW teacher Bill Black, meanwhile, put a spin on the traditional crafting class by challenging students to upcycle found materials into useful items. Students made decorative hanging jars, menu holders from old pallets and solar ovens out of old pizza boxes that they used to cook s’mores. In another course taught by Edmonds, students spent the week playing board games and using a variety of materials to make their own. Among the invented games was a Montour version of Monopoly. In the camp’s new birding course, students spotted birds around the Hilltop campus that they then identified and recorded in log books with drawings and descriptions. The course was taught by Jean Lowden, who says she’s a bird watcher herself and was pleasantly surprised by the amount of interest in the course. Among the returning courses this year was the camp’s popular cooking course that’s been annually taught by teacher Kelly Butera and Courtney Gill of the Nutrition Group, Montour’s food service provider. The two once again teamed to devise a variety of fun, hands-on cooking projects that were both delicious and aesthetically pleasing. Students made pizza, pancake animals, marshmallow paintings and more. A superheroes course also returned this year. Taught by Briana Martino, the course encouraged students to think critically about superheroes and their powers, as well as how they relate to real life. As well, the dance studio Dance Ink returned to camp after leading a Disney performance class last year. This year, the studio taught students how to perform some of the hit songs from the movie. Another Disney- themed course taught by Kara Lang had students crafting projects based on other films. Students made flowers from “Encanto,” melted Anna’s frozen heart from “Frozen,” built towers for Rapunzel and made lanterns like those featured in the same film. Montour’s Summer STEAM Camp returns Students at this year’s Montour Summer STEAM Camp got to (from top) go birding, make upcycle art, create their own board games and craft paintings using chemistry concepts with Dr. Katie Mercadante.July/August 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 27 The camp’s sports science course, which was once again taught by James Taylor, challenged students to think about a variety of STEAM concepts in sports. Students measured their pulse before and after play to learn about the body’s biological response to physical activity. They also studied the physics behind sports such as archery, sailing and dodgeball. For those who preferred to spend the week in cyberspace, teacher Beth Hobbs once again taught a Minecraft course with a host of challenges for students to collaborate on and complete. Using the school’s network and computers, students could either team up on projects or work on their own. Additional courses taught this year included baton, Harry Potter, no-bake cooking, outer space, fairy tales, dance, nature walk, art and science, and Star Wars. Sydney Celich brought back a course on baton twirling, a sport that’s been gaining in popularity thanks to videos on social media. Graduation parade High school seniors weren’t the only ones celebrating the next big step in their educational journey in June. On the last day of school for students, Montour Elementary School held their own graduation ceremony for fourth-graders ready to move on to David E. Williams Middle School. In a bid farewell, the school organized a festive parade around the building. The high school cheerleading squad and drum line led the way, along with co-principal Bob Carlisle, who piloted an electric car, and co-principal Jason Shoaf, who rode an electric scooter. Fourth- graders then marched and were high-fived by their elementary peers who had crafted banners congratulating them on their huge accomplishment. More MES News End-of-year band concert MES welcomed families to the school May 24 for the band’s end-of-year concert. In front of a full audience, students, led by conductors Tim Lucas and Rob Roehn, demonstrated what they’d learned throughout the year. As part of the show, they performed a number of pieces, including “Old MacDonald Had a Band,” Beethoven’s “Symphony #9,” “Banana Boat Song,” “Danza Africana,” “Hard Rock Blues,” Queen’s “We Will Rock You” and “Let’s Go Band!” MES band teacher Tim Lucas addresses the audience at the end-of-year concert. Culture Festival MES hosted a culture festival May 31. The event capped off a school year during which third-graders had studied the cultures of North America. These include Native American, Canadian, Mexican and Caribbean cultures. The year concluded with an outdoor festival that extended students’ learning about Cinco de Mayo, Diwali, Chinese New Year, Mardi Gras and Oktoberfest. Food and festivities helped expose MES third-graders to various cultures during the school’s culture festival May 31. TOP: Fourth-graders are congratulated by their lower-grade peers, who also made banners in their honor (above). Every month during the school year, students in each grade at David E. Williams Middle School are chosen as Students of the Month. These individuals exemplify the positive characteristics of a successful student. Students of the Month for April and May are pictured below: DEW students of the month A p r i l M a y Brooke Lugaila Liam Tracy Riley McCool Logan Oliver Mikaela Granadino Carter Fabus Adalyn Bell Lane Martinec Leah Holmes Aiden Montrey Lorelai Diaz Mason Holmes Gabriella Oley Raia Granadino Roman Carr Niko Sikorski MES Students of the Month Every month during the school year, students from each grade in either Team Curiosity or Team Discovery at Montour Elementary School are selected as Students of the Month. These students are chosen for exhibiting appropriate behavior, performing random acts of kindness, demonstrating improvement in academic areas and exhibiting self control. The honor can also recognize a deserving student with a quiet disposition. April’s Students of the Month are pictured at right. They are: kindergarteners Reese Thomson and Vance Ciotti; first-graders Halford Peterson (not pictured) and Eliana Cozzo; second- graders Amal Muhammad and Easton Felser (not pictured); third-graders Kaida Dillard and Ethan Vrcek; and fourth- graders Layne Damp and Sophia Mahoney. For the fifth year, Montour High School has been named a Project Lead the Way Distinguished High School. According to the PLTW website, the designation honors districts and schools that have demonstrated a commitment to “increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs. These districts and schools are empowering students to thrive in an evolving world and have achieved exemplary results from their PLTW programs…” PLTW is a national nonprofit that designs curricula in the science, technology, engineering and math fields. Classes often encourage hands-on learning and prepare students for future careers. Montour first began implementing PLTW courses at the high school in 2005. High school students can now take 10 secondary-level PLTW courses in engineering biomedical sciences. Montour High School was one of only four high schools in the state to receive the honor this year. High school again named PLTW Distinguished School 28 • Allegheny West Magazine • July/August 2023 Pictured are Montour’s Students of the Month for April.July/August 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 29 The Montour softball team made a deep playoff run this past season and reached both the WPIAL and state championship games. The Spartans came within a hit of winning one of those titles and inches of another. Though disappointing at the time, head coach Ken Kutchman says the further they get away from the season, the more special they realize it was. Montour entered the post-season with an imposing 14-3 record and a section title under their belts. As a second seed, the Spartans secured a bye in the first round and then rolled over Indiana by a margin of 11-1. Indiana, a seventh seed, had defeated Beaver Area the game prior by a score of 9-0. Montour then drew Chartiers Valley in the semi-finals and scored 10 unanswered runs to punch their ticket to the championship game. There, the team faced Belle Vernon, which had secured a fourth seed but caught fire in the playoffs, defeating top-seeded Elizabeth Forward in the semifinals by a score of 10-1. The WPIAL championship game would prove a nail-biter, as the Spartans repeatedly jumped out to lead but Belle Vernon kept pace. In the top of the eighth, the Spartans gave up the lead for the first time but nearly tied after Kaitlyn Molitoris drove in Avrie Pollo. After the throw to the plate got past Belle Vernon’s catcher, Janna Hess attempted to score the tying run but was called out by inches, ending the game. Shaking off that call, the Spartans headed to the state playoffs, where Kutchman says the team played some of its best ball of the season. In the first round, the Spartans defeated Bellefonte by a score of 5-2 and shut out Archbishop Wood, 5-0. In the semifinals, Montour beat WPIAL top seed Elizabeth Forward by a score of 4-1 for a shot at the program’s first state title against Blue Mountain. In that matchup, the Spartans secured a 2-0 lead until late but gave up three runs in the loss. Though it wasn’t the way the Spartans would have preferred to end their season, it was still one of the more successful playoff runs in the program’s history. Throughout the season, the team leaned on a strong offense that scored 209 runs in 24 games and shutdown pitching from Kaitlyn, who started all of the team’s games. She also earned Player of the Year honors from the Pittsburgh Tribune Review and went 18-5 on the season, recording 201 strikeouts with a 2.09 ERA. Mia Arndt secured Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Player of the Year honors as well after batting .526, recording 34 runs, 35 RBIs, eight homeruns, nine doubles and four triples. Avrie earned All- Section honors after batting .435 on the season and scoring eight homeruns. Jana Hess was named an All-Section player as well after batting .417 on the season. The team returns three seniors next year who will be instrumental in leading a young team that will have a number of players moving up from the middle school. That middle school team, incidentally, finished its regular season with an undefeated record. Softball team secures two runner-up titles Montour’s track and field team ended their season under head coach Rob Naylor with a strong post-season showing. Two athletes also set new school records. At the AAA WPIAL championships in May, junior Marlo Cyanovich secured second place and a new school record in the discus with a throw of 136-7. Senior Harley Kletz, meanwhile, added two new school records in the 1600M and 3200M. She finished in fourth and third place, respectively. Freshman Tiffany Miller secured an eighth-place medal in the 1600M, making her the fastest freshman miler at the meet. Each qualified individually for the PIAA meet, as did the girls team as a whole, which went on to finish 13th in the state among a field of 53. On the boys’ side at the WPIAL meet, junior Julian Kletz set a new school record of 9:36 in the 3200M, putting him in sixth place on the podium. Senior Jenari Kelley finished fourth in the 400M, securing him a trip to the state meet, while sophomore Daniel Batch finished seventh in the 100M. The boys 4x100M and 4x800M relays both finished ninth. At the state meet, the girls team finished 15th out of a field of 90 and secured three medals. Harley improved her 3200M time to a new school record of 10:19 and finished third overall. She also set a new school record in the 1600M of 4:52, finishing in fifth place. Marlo finished fifth overall in the discus with a throw that nearly tied the school record she set at the WPIAL meet. Varsity Sports Track athletes break records and secure state medals Harley Kletz and Marlo Cyanovich show off their medals at the PIAA meet. After winning the semi-final match in the PIAA playoffs, the softball team prepares to head to Penn State University for the championship game.Next >