Glenshaw Presbyterian Welcomes New Pastor
Glenshaw Presbyterian Church in Shaler Township is excited to welcome new pastor, the Rev. Emily Cooper. Rev. Cooper graduated from Westminster College in 2004 and from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 2019. She formerly served as the pastor of Covenant Community Presbyterian Church in Scott Township and most recently at Heritage Presbyterian Church in Franklin Park. She and her family have been Shaler residents for the past 10 years. For more information, visit www.glenshawchurch.org.
Lindsay Theater to Show Titanic as Part of National Science on Screen® Program
The Lindsay Theater and Cultural Center is the only tri-state art house cinema selected for the National Science on Screen® program pairing films with science, engineering, medicine and technology experts, and one of only 40 cinemas chosen nationwide. On April 13, the theater will present Titanic, with speaker Dr. Brian Gleeson, University of Pittsburgh chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science. An expert on the impact of temperatures on metal, he will discuss advances in research on metallic alloys and temperatures. For tickets, visit https://thelindsaytheater.org.
Springtime in Paris Fundraiser
Be transported into Springtime in Paris on Thurs., April 27, 2023 at Fox Chapel Golf Club for an evening of French-inspired fun with fashion, flowers and food. The event is the Women’s Board of Pittsburgh’s annual benefit, Fashion Their Future, Support Pittsburgh’s Children. All are invited to break out their most fashionable frocks for the festivities. The evening’s activities will begin at 6 p.m. and will include cocktails, a seated dinner, a runway fashion show from Carabella, a make-your-own bouquet bar, and live and silent auctions. To purchase tickets, visit https://Paris2023.givesmart.com.
Syncopated Ladies To Perform at the AWAACC
The Syncopated Ladies LIVE! Tour will end in Pittsburgh on April 13 at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center. There will be a student matinee at 10:30 a.m. and a public performance at 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from $25 to $35 for students and adults. Ahead of the performances, the center will host high school and college students for a masterclass on April 12. Learn more and purchase tickets at awaacc.org.
FCAHS Student Chosen for PMEA Jazz Ensemble
Fox Chapel Area High School sophomore Malik Choset was selected by audition to perform with the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 1 Honors Jazz Ensemble. District 1 encompasses nearly 90 school districts from Allegheny, Fayette, Green, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties. The PMEA District 1 Honors Jazz Ensemble performed at Seton Hill University Feb. 18, 2023, under the direction of Mike Tomaro, the program director of jazz studies, conductor of the jazz ensemble, and professor of jazz saxophone at Duquesne University.
Aquinas Academy Wins the Rob Zellers Award for Excellence in Arts Education
Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh received the Rob Zellers Award for Excellence in Arts Education from the Pittsburgh Public Theater during its Shakespeare Monologue and Scene Competition’s Showcase of Finalists on Feb. 27. Thirty Aquinas Academy students in grades 5-12 participated in this year’s Shakespeare Competition, and fifth-graders Gabby Boright, Isabella Marcotullio, and Evelyn Rich were called back to perform their scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Showcase of Finalists. Two additional Aquinas scenes received Honorable Mention recognition: Sarah Hoerster and Eve Pellathy for Two Gentlemen of Verona; and Linus Burchill, Tim Crawford, Sam Ennis, Andrew Lesnefsky, Peter Koble, and Michael Richthammer for A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Northland Library Awarded Keystone Grant
Northland Library has been awarded a Keystone Grant from the PA Department of Education Office of Commonwealth Libraries. The $750,000 grant will help Northland with necessary physical building and facilities updates. More than $4.1 million in funding was awarded to 21 libraries in 15 counties for the construction and rehabilitation of public library facilities.
Shake Your Groovy Booties to Support The Children’s Home & Lemieux Family Center
The Children’s Home & Lemieux Family Center is expecting a sold-out event for their year’s annual Shake Your Booties Gala at Acrisure Stadium. This year, the gala will take place on Sat., April 22 from 6-11 p.m. The Children’s Home has lined up a spectacular evening with entertainment provided by the band Dancing Queen and emcee Aditi Kinkhabwala of CBS Sports. The program will highlight Patricia Vince, founder of Zachary’s Mission and Danielle McKain, founder of Jameson’s Army, for helping the center fulfill its mission of caring for children and families. The 2023 chair of Shake Your Booties is Julia Taylor. Tickets start at $200. For details and ticket info, visit https://bit.ly/SYGB2023.
Pittsburgh Opera to Hold Second Annual Family Day
The Pittsburgh Opera will hold its second annual Family Day beginning at 10 a.m. on Sat., April 1 at the Bitz Opera Factory in the Strip District. Family Day consists of four different activities designed to expose children, teens, and their families to some of opera’s many different components, which include Musical Instrument Show and Tell; Voice Lesson; Opera Storytime; and Costume Exploration. A Brown Bag Concert will follow at noon, which is open to Family Day participants as well as the general public. Each family will receive a free goody bag at the end of the event. The FRIENDS of Pittsburgh Opera will provide free snacks, and the El Rincón Oaxaqueño food truck will have delectable delights available on site for lunch purchases after the Brown Bag concert. You can register online for Family Day activities and/or the Brown Bag concert.
Gail Costa Named to Forbes Wealth Advisors List
Local Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Financial Advisor Gail Costa was recently named to the 2023 Forbes “Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State” list, recognizing the top women wealth advisors across the nation. Costa has local Pittsburgh roots; she received her MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and is now working with the Costa Leonard Wealth Management Group in Sewickley. She is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and holds a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation.
FCAHS Students Selected for PMEA District 1 Chorus
Eleven Fox Chapel Area High School students were selected to perform with the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 1 Chorus, including seniors Nathan Moore, Ryder Smith, and Sam Smith; and juniors Eliza Davis, Emily Harajda, Claire Kinst, Jack Lynch, Kristopher Pizzella, Sophia Rike, and Micah Shelley. Additionally, senior Lawrence Liu was selected to be the festival’s piano accompanist. Guest conductor was Christine Hestwood, a music teacher in the Upper St. Clair School District, conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s Hamlisch-Page Student Choir, and the director of music at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair.
PCT Announces 2023-2024 PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh Season
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust proudly continues the tradition of bringing the best of Broadway directly to Pittsburgh through the 2023-2024 PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh season at the Benedum Center. The touring Broadway shows coming to Pittsburgh this season include Moulin Rouge! The Musical; the pre-Broadway revival of The Wiz; Mrs. Doubtfire; Girl From The North Country; My Fair Lady; Company, and The Kite Runner. Season specials include returning favorites The Book of Mormon and Mamma Mia! Subscription packages to the seven-show series range from $250 to $835 per subscription and are available now. For tickets or information, visit trustarts.org or call 412-456-4800.
Spring Book Sale Coming in May
Northland Library will be holding its Spring Book Sale on Fri., May 5 and Sat., May 6 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and on Sun., May 7 from 1-4 p.m., which will include a $5 bag sale. Teachers with a school I.D. will get a discount! If you would like to help with setup, sale days or tear-down, visit the volunteer page on https://www.northlandlibrary.org to complete an application. Volunteers get first dibs and may purchase book sale items at a discount! Contact Kelley Moten at motenk2@northlandlibrary.org with questions.
Upcoming Programs at Northland Library
Documentary Viewing: Julia: Thurs., April 13 at 6 p.m.
Julia is the story of the legendary cookbook author and television superstar who dominated the male-dominated culinary world and changed the way Americans think about food, television, and women. Registration is required. Snacks will be provided.
Climate Change 101: Mon., April 24 at 6:30 p.m.
Are your garden flowers blooming earlier in the spring? Do leaves seem to change color later in the fall? These are just some of the effects of climate change. Maria Wheeler-Dubas will talk about what exactly climate change is, how scientists know it’s happening, and what can we all do to help. Registration is required.
Coin Appraisal Fair: Sat., April 29 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Would you like to know what your old coins are worth? Drop in to find out and enjoy some time with some expert coin enthusiasts. Members of the North Hills Coin Club are offering residents informal and free coin evaluations and a chance to check out some outstanding coin collections. No registration is required. For more information, contact Bob Foley at bobrfoley@yahoo.com or 412-915-7168.
Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Roundtable
On Mon., April 17 at 7 p.m., Michael Rupert will present, Osborn’s Artillery at Gettysburg at the Hampton Township Community Center, 1301 McCully Road, Allison Park. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy Seeks Neighborhood Partnerships
The Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy is a volunteer-based organization that oversees 170 miles of trails in western PA including the Rachel Carson Trail, the Harmony Trail and the Baker Trail. The RCTC is looking to connect individual neighborhoods to the trails via spur trails connecting to public streets which will enable residents of neighborhoods to access the RCT directly, while allowing adjacent neighborhoods to also enjoy access. None of this can become a reality without considerable help from the public and dedicated trail users. The RCTC asks those interested to join its committees, organize neighborhoods to a connection, or advocate amongst their community to support this effort. For more information, contact info@rachelcarsontrails.org.
Six Shady Side Academy Seniors Named National Merit Scholarship Finalists
Six members of the Shady Side Academy Class of 2023 were named finalists in the 68th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented seniors will continue in the competition for some 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered this spring by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). The SSA finalists are Ella Gardner (Shaler), Emma Gardner (Shaler), Elaine Gombos (O’Hara), Michael McCoy (Lighthouse Point, FL), Savita Thompson (O’Hara), and Alexander Todd (Upper St. Clair).
FCAHS Students Place in State Qualifying Speech & Debate Tournament
Eleven Fox Chapel Area High School students recently placed in the Pennsylvania High School Speech League’s state championship qualifying tournament. First place awards went to the Policy Debate team of junior Adhitya Thirumala and sophomore Moonyoung Hwang, junior Lakshanya Rajaganapathi in Informative Speaking, junior Isabella White in Commentary, freshman Ulyana Kubini in Persuasive Speaking, and freshmen Joanna Li and Zachary Rubin in Duo Interpretation. All seven of these students have qualified to participate in the Pennsylvania High School Speech League State Championship Tournament. Additionally, four Fox Chapel Area High School students placed at the tournament and will serve as alternates for the state competition. Sophomore Swati Mylarappa won third place in Informative Speaking, freshman Varnujah Rengaramanujam Kanagaraj won third place in Poetry, freshman Madeline Urso won third place in Commentary, and senior Martin Stanton was awarded fifth place in the Senate.
Registration Is Open for 2023 SSA Summer Programs
Registration is now open for 2023 Shady Side Academy Summer Programs! More than 30 different fun, safe, affordable camps and classes are offered for kids entering grades PK-12 on SSA’s Senior, Middle and Junior School campuses in Fox Chapel and Point Breeze. Programs run from June 12–Aug. 11, 2023, and include day camps, STEAM camps, sports camps, focus camps and summer school classes. Designed with working parents in mind, full-day camps include lunch and free before-care, plus optional paid aftercare. Bus transportation is offered to and from Fox Chapel camps from the North Hills and East End neighborhoods. Parents can reserve their child’s spot now for a nonrefundable $75 deposit. Programs fill up quickly, so early registration is encouraged. For more information or to register, visit www.shadysideacademy.org/summer.
FCAHS Students Win Awards in Speech And Debate Tournaments
Four Fox Chapel Area High School students recently placed at the Mars Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament. The team of junior Adhitya Thirumala and sophomore Moonyoung Hwang won first place in Policy Debate. Additionally, sophomore Swati Mylarappa won fourth place in Commentary, and freshman Ulyana Kubini was awarded fifth place in Original Oratory and sixth place in Informative Speaking. At the Pine-Richland Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament, FCAHS freshman Ulyana Kubini won fifth place in Original Oratory. At the Aaron Thomas Memorial Debate Tournament, the team of junior Adhitya Thirumala and sophomore Moonyoung Hwang won fifth place in Policy Debate. At the Dalmasse Sterner Steel City Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament, the team of junior Adhitya Thirumala and sophomore Moonyoung Hwang won first place in Policy Debate. Senior Sonny Hur won fifth place in Impromptu Speaking. At the Sparkle Season Spectacular Speech and Debate Tournament, the team of junior Adhitya Thirumala and sophomore Moonyoung Hwang won third place in Policy Debate; and freshman Ulyana Kubini was awarded fourth place in Original Oratory. At the North Catholic High School Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament, FCAHS freshman Ulyana Kubini won fifth place in Original Oratory.
FCAHS Students Win Awards at Model UN Conferences
Five Fox Chapel Area High School students won awards at two Model United Nations (UN) Conferences. At the Duquesne University High School Model UN Conference, junior Connor Mazzoni was named the Outstanding Delegate (first place); and junior Isabella White and sophomore Swati Mylarappa both received Excellent Delegate awards (second place). At the American University Model UN Conference, junior Logan Dressman won a Diplomacy Award (first place) for exemplifying the attitude of an individual who prioritizes learning, mutual understanding, and respect over winning. Additionally, senior Davina Chang won an Honorable Delegate award (third place).
Aquinas Academy Eighth Grade Students Earn Science Awards
Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh eighth-grade students earned awards at the Region 7 Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) Competition at Baldwin High School on Feb. 4. Under the guidance of science teachers Ellen Kaffenes and Dorina Manolache, the 20 participating students earned 16 first-place awards and four second-place awards for their science projects. First-place awards were given to Katie Tarquinio, Aarona Casas Amedos, Claire Urban, Matthew McGrath, Aurora Predis, Samantha Falcon, Zach Schellhaas, Carly Bezila, Alice Dingle, Katrina Kedzierski, Thomas Pellathy, Tess Austin, Kay Chufo, Lucy Keverline, Tabitha Ridings, and Jack Stanton. Second-place awards were given to Meriwether McCargo, Teresa Silvaggio, Ian Patterson, and Maddy Thompson. Katrina Kedzierski was awarded the Megan Roe Perseverance Award. Ian Patterson was recognized by Keep PA Beautiful and the Department of Environmental Protection. Thomas Pellathy received an award from the Pittsburgh Section of the American Chemical Society. Aurora Predis won the Director's Award for Biology. Jack Stanton won the Bechtel Plant Machinery Award for the Best Engineering Project. The students who earned First Place awards will compete at the PJAS State Competition on Mon., May 15 at Penn State University-University Park.
FCAHS Students’ Work To Be Published In Twisted Tales
Six Fox Chapel Area High School students will have their writing published as part of the Young Writers’ Twisted Tales contest. The students are seniors Hassan Hamadi and Danel Hernandez; sophomore Martin Martinez; and freshmen Martin Puiseux, Benjamin Sun, and David Wang. The students wrote mini-sagas in the fall that were then chosen for publication in Twisted Tales - Fictional Fun From the USA. The purpose of the contest is to help students to be passionate and confident writers. The students’ writing was judged on perception, imagination and creativity, expression, originality, and use of language. The Twisted Tales book is scheduled for publication on May 31, 2023.