CAN Presents Simply Spring!
The light and joy of spring is the theme for Cranberry Artist Network’s spring members show, Simply Spring!, which will take place March 1-April 20 at the Cranberry Township Municipal Building, 2525 Rochester Road. An opening reception will be held Wed., March 8 from 6-8 p.m. Juror Susan Sparks chose the work and will select pieces to receive awards. Sparks is a professional artist and entrepreneur who is immersed in nonprofit arts management and was most recently the program
manager for the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie, PA. For more info, www.cranberryartistsnetwork.com.
Shake Your Groovy Booties at the Children’s Home & Lemieux Family Center Gala
The Children’s Home & Lemieux Family Center will host their annual Shake Your Booties Gala at Acrisure Stadium on Sat., April 22 from 6-11 p.m. The event promises to be “far out” with entertainment from the band Dancing Queen and emcee Aditi Kinkhabwala. The Children’s Home & Lemieux Family Center’s mission is to work to promote the health and well-being of infants and children through services which establish and strengthen the family through four programs: Adoption, Child’s Way®, Pediatric VIEW, and the Pediatric Specialty Hospital. Tickets start at $200. For details and ticket info, visit https://bit.ly/SYGB2023.
Student Named Winner in National Colonial Dames Essay Contest
Fox Chapel Area High School freshman Joanna Li was named a winner in The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America National Congressional Essay Contest. Joanna is one of 48 winners from across the nation and one of only two from Pennsylvania. The essay topic was “Examine the U.S. Constitution as a whole and explain why you think it does or does not fully protect the right to vote.”As a national winner, Joanna will receive a full scholarship to attend the Congressional Seminar conducted by the Washington Workshops Foundation in Washington, D.C.
Butler County Symphony Association Presents The Inextinguishable
On March 4, Butler County Symphony Association will present The Inextinguishable at 7:30 p.m. at Butler Intermediate School. A free, preconcert lecture with Maestro Kramer will take place at 6:30 p.m. The concert will also highlight the symphony’s educational initiatives and feature 2023 BCSO Collegiate Concerto Competition winner Thomas Bachert, who will debut in Ibert’s Concerto da Camera. Over 80 young musicians of note from Butler County schools will also be recognized. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit
www.butlersymphony.org or call 724-283-1402.
Three FCAHS Students Win Awards in Black History Month Essay Contest
Three Fox Chapel Area High School students placed in a Black History Month essay contest sponsored by Stop the Violence Pittsburgh. Junior Isabella White was awarded first place, junior Safiyyah Muhina won second place, and senior Nathaniel Green was awarded third place in the grades 11 and 12 category. The essay topics were “What is Juneteenth?” and “Why should Juneteenth be celebrated in America?” A total of 83 students in grades 9-12 from school districts across western Pennsylvania participated in the essay contest.
Online Native Plant Sale Open Now
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is holding an online native plant sale where gardeners can order from a curated selection of native plants through Sun., March 26. Plants can be picked up at Phipps Garden Center on either Sat., May 6 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. or Mon., May 8 from noon–6 p.m. The sale features 16 plants native to the region that have also all been selected as Phipps Sustainable Plants. These are plants that not only feed and foster native bees, butterflies and birds; they are also disease- and pest-resistant, will not spread aggressively, and need little additional care once established. Visit www.phipps.conservatory.org to get the link.
FCAHS Students Chosen For PMEA District 1 Band East
Seven Fox Chapel Area High School students were selected by audition to perform with the 2023 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) District 1 Band East. The students are seniors Elijah Conklin (French horn) and Ethan Tan (clarinet); juniors Elijah Herzer (bass clarinet) and Chloe Kim (clarinet); and sophomores Marina Dunham (bassoon), Moonyoung Hwang (flute), and Varad Sant (French horn). The band was comprised of 130 of the best student-musicians from high schools from Allegheny, Fayette, and Westmoreland counties.
FCAHS Presents Guys and Dolls
The Fox Chapel Area High School spring musical, Guys and Dolls, will be performed March 2, 3, and 4 in the high school auditorium at 7 p.m., and March 5 in the auditorium at 2 p.m. Tickets are $13 each and all seats are reserved. Visit www.showtix4u.com/events/fcahsmusical to reserve yours. In honor of the 50th anniversary of FCAHS’ high school musical, an alumni photo will be taken with any of the school’s past musical participants following the March 4 Saturday evening show. A small reception will also be held for past participants on March 4 prior to the show at 6 p.m. in the high school commons area.
Augmented Reality Experience Comes to Western Pennsylvania
Area residents will soon have access to a special feature when they visit one of Comcast’s 14 Xfinity Stores across western Pennsylvania—an augmented reality experience made possible through Comcast’s partnership with August Wilson African American Cultural Center (AWAACC). After scanning a QR code that appears on printed and digital posters throughout each store, visitors will see holographic versions of Mark Hutchinson, vice president of network engineering for Comcast’s Keystone Region and AWAACC board member, and Janis Burley Wilson, AWAACC CEO/president, inviting the viewer to engage with the Center and its programs. In honor of Black History Month, the augmented reality experience, part of Augmented Pittsburgh, a first-of-its-kind digital storytelling platform started by Joe Zeff Design to help people more fully experience Pittsburgh, will launch on February 1 and be available through June at Xfinity Stores.
FCAHS Students Win Regional 2023 Scholastic Art Awards
Thirty-nine Fox Chapel Area High School students recently won awards for their entries in the Pittsburgh Region of the Scholastic Art Awards 2023. Gold Key winners were seniors Siheng Chao, Mikhail Ion and Jonathan Li; juniors Mia Pietropaolo, Alexandra Sroufe and Gabriella Urso; and freshmen Akshay Lath and Raina Guzman. All of the Gold Key winners will now have their work sent to New York for national judging where they will be competing with other regional winners from across the United States for national awards. Silver Key winners include seniors Johanna Asplin, Keeley Graham, Jonathan Li, Mahnoor Manha, Eliza Meyer, Santino Pistella and Sydney Ward; juniors Chloe Kim, Emma Kim and Isabella Marcos; sophomores Gabrielle Generett, Benjamin Perez and Yuqi Zhou; and freshmen Akshay Lath and Mira Owens. Honorable Mention winners were seniors Johanna Asplin, Zoe Broyles, Siheng Chao, Samuel Charlson, Alexis Fabrizi, Casey Forst, Eleanor Fox, Mia Fraga-Ruiz, Sophia Gustafson, Jonathan Li, Mahnoor Manha, Eliza Meyer, Marley Pistella, Luka Romero, Ghost Snyder, Joseph Zgurzynski and Adam Zimmerman; juniors Micah Cagley, Chloe Kim, Emma Kim, Mikayla Korczynski and Sophia Rike; sophomores Caleb Adams and Cammy Cavlovich; and freshmen Claire Conti and Akshay Lath. FCAHS art teachers are Joan Marangoni, Mary Jo Montgomery, Christine Smith, Sarah Stewart and Amy Wickman.
Oscar Shorts to be Shown through March 9
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has announced the return of the ever-popular Oscar Nominated Short Films, which will be shown at the Harris Theater through March 9. With five films each in the three Oscar Shorts categories—Animation, Documentary, and Live Action—the public can predict the winner for each category for a chance to be entered to win prizes. The Oscar winners for Best Short Film will be announced live at the 95th Academy Awards on March 12. Tickets (starting at $11) are now on-sale and can be purchased at TrustArts.org/Film.
Students Place in Regional FBLA Competition/Qualify for State Contest
Several Fox Chapel Area High School students placed in the 2022 Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Virtual Regional Leadership Conference and many qualified for the state competition. First-place regional winners were seniors Helia Hamidi and Jack Wilk; juniors Jacob Anthikad, Maria Costantino, Evelyn Healy, Madelyn Jones, Whitney Jones, Harry Littwin and Angela Ngo; sophomores David Black, Jackson Hagler and David Sorisio; and freshmen Marin Airik, Prachi Behal, Maeve Beresford, Michael Costello, Aavree Hill and Rodrigo Silva. Second-place regional winners were senior Paul Kullmann; juniors Joseph Berger, Micah Cagley, Isaac Jacobs and Dylan Work; sophomores Charles Larsen, Anna Mohn and Kennedy Murton; and freshmen Joshua Shah and Nicolas Squeglia. Third-place regional winners were 2023 early graduate Zachary Sullivan; juniors Iris Doty, Jenna Lazaro, Tess Petrucelli and Heidi Tong; sophomores Matthew Begg, Kai Edwards, Gabriella Hample and Keegan Scanlon; and freshman Avery Jones. Fourth-place finishers were senior Diya Reddy; juniors Julia Hernaez and Jadyn Smouse; and sophomores Rayna Huang, Jonah Kline and Asher White. Fifth-place regional winners were sophomore Rachel Pegher, and freshmen Mira Owens and Emma Srodes. Other winners included juniors Ava McCaffrey and Gloria Wen; and sophomores Brennan Bielawski, Selin Geylani, Swati Mylarappa and Holden Starz. All of these students have qualified to participate in the 2023 FBLA State Leadership Conference that will be held virtually and in person in Hershey, PA April 17-19. Other third-place regional winners at the conference included sophomores Baustin Bitar, Ridglee Boychuk and Molly Delaney; and freshmen Samantha Dinh and Mikayla Feder. An additional fifth place regional winner was freshman William Apitsch. Sixth- through 10th-place winners included seniors Donay Allen, Aisling Beresford, Anna Li and Mia Nury; juniors Annalese Bartolacci, Lexi Biernesser, Leanora Carson, William Kratsa, Safiyyah Muhina, Laney Porterfield and Troy Susnak; sophomores Kellen Bleier, Milo Chiu, Christian Dantey, Megan Delaney, Reed Echnat, Mason Friday, Salome Navas Grijalva, Anna Kintner, Lily Massaro, Natalie Patel, Nicholas Patel, Ava Persichetti, Sienna Siegel, Hannah Smith, Henry Stallings, Gianna Tavolario and Luke Tsai; and freshmen Naudia Boyle, Vesta Homayoun, Charlotte Rattner and Emilia Sutkowski.
Students Named Regional Finalist And Semifinalists in Coca-Cola Scholars Program
Fox Chapel Area High School senior Arvind Seshan was recently selected as a regional finalist for the 35th class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. Arvind is one of 250 students from across the nation, and one of only 10 from Pennsylvania, to be selected as a Regional Finalist. Prior to being named a Regional Finalist, Arvind and classmate Ananth Kashyap were both named semifinalists for the 2023 class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. total of 1,557 high school seniors from across the nation (and 100 from Pennsylvania) were chosen as Semifinalists from more than 91,000 applicants.
Fox Chapel Area Students Place in Regional Math Competition
Six Fox Chapel Area School District students recently placed in the individual portion of the 2023 regional CalcuSolve competition. Dorseyville Middle School seventh grader Maddox Chiu tied for first place and also achieved a perfect score in the seventh- and eighth-grade competition. Sixth-grader Rishi Krishnamurthy tied for first in the fifth- and sixth-grade portion of the contest and achieved a perfect score, and sixth-graders Celestial Hou and Delaney Liu tied for third place. Fairview Elementary School fifth grader Shengfeng Fei and O’Hara Elementary School fifth-grader Brian Xu tied for third in the fifth- and sixth-grade contest. CalcuSolve is a competition that tests students’ problem-solving skills related to mathematics.
FCASD Students Place at Regional PJAS Competition
Eleven Fox Chapel Area High School and Dorseyville Middle School students recently won awards as part of the 89th Annual Region 7 Meeting of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS). First-place winners were seniors Lawrence Liu and Arvind Seshan; juniors Lakshanya Rajaganapathi and Adhitya Thirumala; sophomores Etash Jhanji and Rohit Velankar; and eighth-grader Param Thawani. The first-place winners qualified for the state PJAS competition which will be held May 15-27 at Penn State University. Second-place awards went to junior Gabriella Urso, sophomore Varnujah Rengaramanujam Kanagaraj, eighth-grader Rachel Kim, and seventh-grader Divya Thirumala. Additionally, Arvind Seshan won a Perseverance Award for his years of participation in the contest, and Divya won a special award from the Society of Women Engineers.
Neighborhood Community Development Fund Increases Microloan Volume
Neighborhood Community Development Fund, a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a member of the Pennsylvania CDFI Network, provided 36 microloans to small businesses across Allegheny County during fiscal year 2022, a 57 percent growth in microloan volume from fiscal year 2021. In addition, the Pittsburgh region saw an overall 51 percent increase in its microloan program in 2022. As a Small Business Administration (SBA) Microenterprise lender, Neighborhood Community Development Fund provides start-up planning and financing for local entrepreneurs across Allegheny County. In addition to microloans, Neighborhood Community Development Fund offers a microenterprise loan program for start-ups, business expansion loan program, and real estate development financing. For more information, visit www.ncd-fund.org.
Rhythm of the Dance, Oak Ridge Boys, Manhattan Transfer to Appear at Palace Theatre
The world-famous Irish stepdance show, Rhythm of the Dance is coming to the Palace Theatre in Greensburg, PA on Sun., March 19 for a 3 p.m. show. The show is full of flailing feet and fiddles, futuristic dances, eye-catching lighting and costumes, sensational sound effects and is now one of the top three Irish stepdance shows in the world. The Oak Ridge Boys Front Porch Singin’ Tour is coming to The Palace Theatre on Sun., March 12 at 3:30 p.m. The four-part harmonies and upbeat songs of The Oak Ridge Boys have spawned dozens of country hits and a number one pop smash, earned them Grammy, Dove, CMA, and ACM awards and garnered a host of other industry and fan accolades. Known as the quartet with perfect harmony, Manhattan Transfer will make their way to Greensburg for an unforgettable Manhattan Transfer 50th Anniversary Tour With Special Guests The Diva Orchestra on Sun., March 26 at 6 p.m. For show tickets, visit http://www.thepalacetheatre.org or by calling 724-836-8000.
SSA Students Win 95 Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Forty-two Shady Side Academy students in grades 7-12 won 2023 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for 95 original works, including 19 Gold Keys, 31 Silver Keys and 45 Honorable Mentions. The 19 Gold Key-winning works will advance to the national Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition, and national medalists will be announced in March. Nineteen students won 60 art awards from the Pittsburgh Arts Region: 10 Gold Keys, 16 Silver Keys and 34 Honorable Mentions. Twenty-seven students won 35 writing awards from the Pittsburgh Writing Region: 9 Gold Keys, 11 Silver Keys and 6 Honorable Mentions. One Gold Key-winning work, Wonder Girl by sophomore Sarah Voigt (Fox Chapel), was also nominated for the American Voices Award. Four SSA students won awards in both art and writing: sophomore Cathy Jin (Harmar), junior Sophia Sandholm (Shadyside), eighth grader Hanna Singhi (Sewickley Hills) and sophomore Sunny Zhao (Aspinwall). To see a full list of winners, visit https://www.shadysideacademy.org/about/news/story/~board/news/post/94-students-win-94-regional-scholastic-art-writing-awards
Bridgeway Capital Selects Black-owned Contractors for Building Growth Cohort Program
Bridgeway Capital’s Building Inclusive Development (BID) real estate-focused programming team has announced the seven Black-owned contractors and construction business owners were selected for the 2023 Building Growth Cohort. These entrepreneurs will participate in a six-month intensive course to achieve higher levels of profitability and success for their emerging or established businesses. These include Boyle Stuckey of Rock and Stone Construction, Derrell Key of Keys Heating and Cooling, Kristian-Lama Robinson of KL Heavy Construction, Alexis Russell of Russell General Contracting, Alphonso Warren of AW Electrical LLC, Charmaine Turney of Shelly T. Contracting and Laquan Marshall of Johnstown Capital Partners. To learn more about BID programming and the Building Inclusive Growth Cohort, visit Bridgewaycapital.org.
Beyond the Red Door: A Theatrical Event Series Returns this Spring
Late last year, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center introduced an experiential event series: Beyond the Red Door, an initiative expanding on the permanent exhibition August Wilson: The Writer’s Landscape. On March 3, join members of the August Wilson Society and guests of the August Wilson Colloquium for How I Learned What I Learned. On April 26, the series will host a unique, foodie experience, Taste of the American Century. The transformed AWAACC café will host a demonstration kitchen event featuring a chef’s take on one of the recipes highlighted in August Wilson’s American Century Cycle. All events are ticketed. Tickets and more information are available at awaacc.org.
Get Ready For An Enchanting Evening At Northland Library’s 2023 Garden Gala
Northland Library’s Garden Gala is back! On Sat., April 22, come hungry and thirsty to eat, sip, and laugh throughout the library. There will be dozens of delicious offerings from local restaurants and caterers as well as spirits, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages. Enjoy entertainment and mingle with friends while browsing the silent auction. Tickets are $95 for VIP and $75 for regular admission. Visit www.northlandlibrary.org/foundation/garden-gala for more details.
New AED Units Installed at Northland Library
Thanks to a generous grant from Passavant Hospital Foundation, Northland Library was able to purchase new upgraded AED units continue to fulfill its mission to enable, empower, and encourage lifelong learning and discovery in a safe, welcoming space for all. The AED units can be found on the lower level near the checkout desk and on the upper level near the Ask A Librarian desk.
Northland Library March Programs
Register at www.northlandlibrary.org
Thurs., March 2, 6 p.m.: Caregiver Support Café: What Is Memory?
Learn more about Dementia with Erin McMaster, Memory Care Advisor from Arden Courts.
Thurs., Marcy 23, 6 p.m.: Common Hand Conditions: Diagnosis and Treatment
Dr. Trenton M. Gause II, MD, orthopedic hand and upper extremity surgeon with Tri Rivers Musculoskeletal Centers, will talk about the symptoms, causes and treatments for common hand conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, arthritis and De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis.
Mon., March 27, 6 P.M.: Tea Triumph: Mastering The Art Of Herbal Tea Making
Discover how to create your own tea! Jessica Graves of Una Biologicals will cover the do's and don'ts of formulating tea, how to select herbs for your specific needs, and even how to grow them yourself.
FCASD Students Win Regional Scholastic Writing Awards
Seven Fox Chapel Area School District students recently won awards for their submissions in the 2023 Pittsburgh Region Scholastic Writing Awards. Dorseyville Middle School eighth-grader Joanna Bi won a Gold Key for her short story, Old Age, and has now qualified for national judging. Fox Chapel Area High School freshman Joanna Li was awarded a Silver Key in the short story category. Honorable Mentions went to junior Kaylee Dunham in the poetry category; sophomores Vie Filar in the poetry category, Hannah Parker in the poetry category, Jane Stone in the poetry category, and Yuqi Zhou in the science fiction & fantasy category; and eighth-grader Joanna Bi won a second award in the short story category.
Fox Chapel Area Students to be Inducted into National Technical Honor Society
Two Fox Chapel Area High School and A.W. Beattie Career Center students will be inducted into the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) this year. Senior Casey Forst participates in the Introduction to Pharmacy program, and senior Madisyn Elwood was awarded a silver medal in the medical assistant competition. Madisyn is a student in Beattie’s Health and Nursing Sciences program.
Junior Scientists at Sewickley Academy Head to State Competition
Eight students from Sewickley Academy participated in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) Regional (R7) Competition on Feb. 4, 2023, and three of these junior scientists will be continuing to compete with their projects at the 87th annual State meeting at Penn State University in mid-May. Sewickley Academy was represented by junior Alex Wang, grade eight students Chelsea Hahn, Grace Jardini, Abdullah Khan, Emily Milanovich, and Olivia Stefanik, and grade seven students Harper Cross and Renae Phillip-Knight. Khan, Milanovich, Stefanik, Cross, and Phillip-Knight all earned second place finishes with their projects, and Wang, Hahn, and Jardini will continue to the state competition.
New Supply Chain Management Major Prepares La Roche Students for Jobs in Demand
In response to a growing need for supply chain professionals domestically and abroad, La Roche University has launched a Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management. The major exposes students to all aspects of the supply chain, preparing them for a wide range of in-demand careers, including positions as logisticians, procurement managers, logistics analysts, supply chain analysts, quality managers or operations research analysts. La Roche’s program, beginning in Fall 2023, prepares students to sit for the Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM) designation. The program also positions students for graduate-level study. Students can meet faculty, explore the program and learn how to apply at an open house event on Sat., April 22 at La Roche’s campus in the North Hills.
For more information please contact Freshman Admissions at 412-536-1263 or admissions@laroche.edu.
Calling Knitters and Crocheters
Do you like to knit or crochet? You’re invited to join the Busy Hands group at the Olive Branch Fair Trade Store in Wexford. They meet the first and third Monday of each month from 9:15-11:15 a.m. to make items for charity. Call 724-299-8700 for more information.
Alpha Middle School Students Excel at PJAS Competition
On February 4, nine Providence Heights Alpha students, led by middle school science teacher Linda Cessar, competed at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Sciences (PJAS) competition at Baldwin High School. First Place award winners were Ainsley Cook-Baldauf, Isabela Oviedo, Aine Corrigan, Dylan DeVore, Lily O'Neill and Eva Palladino. Second Place award winners were Claire Anthony, Tessa Burns, and Ainsley Kelman. In addition, Aine Corrigan and Dylan DeVore won special awards from the Keep America Beautiful organization; Eva Palladino received a certificate from the American Vacuum Society; and Lily O'Neill won the prestigious Director's Award, along with a $100 prize.
Four Sewickley Academy Seniors Advance in National Merit Scholarship Program All four of Sewickley Academy’s semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship program of 2023 have advanced to Finalist standing. Grace Armutat, Leon Jiao, Jayne Miner, and Maria Slivaggio are among approximately 15,000 finalists nationwide who are in consideration for 7,250 National Merit Scholarships. Scholarship award winners will be notified beginning in March. Sewickley Academy congratulated nine Commended Students for 2023, including Claire Cable, Colin Helbling, Ibrahim Khan, Suman Krishna, Alexander McClain, Ashton Ragoowansi, John Shillingsburg, Daniel Torres, and Jonathan Varghese.
Pittsburgh Opera Presents Il Trovatore
The Pittsburgh Opera continues its 2022–23 season with Il Trovatore, an epic tale of love and sacrifice, deception, and vengeance, from March 25–April 2 at the Benedum Center. A mother’s tragic past returns to haunt her as she struggles to protect her son in Verdi’s powerful masterpiece. Famous for its thunderous "Anvil Chorus," Il Trovatore is opera at its most operatic—a hot-blooded, high-stakes drama replete with rivalry and revenge. English supertitles are projected above the stage. For tickets call 412-456-6666, visit the Benedum Center Box Office or order online at pittsburghopera.org/tickets or CulturalDistrict.org.