Leslie Savisky stories, Page 2
Gateway School Board examines expenses, approves new clubs as 3 directors end their terms
At the Gateway School Board meeting Nov. 24, directors voted on a recommendation to update the business manager’s contract with the district, which would cost an additional $10,000 from Dec. 1 through July 31, 2026. Director Robin Mungo expressed concern over the pay increase, while Director Jack Bova noted Mike...
Thanksgiving food prep more than a meal for Gateway’s family/consumer sciences students
The family and consumer sciences program at Gateway High School was busy the week leading up to Thanksgiving — just not with their usual cooking classes. Teacher Jamee Kovacs and her students were tasked with preparing Thanksgiving dinners for 15 area families, for a total of 50 dinners. “This is...
Monroeville author offers spicy and ‘delightfully cuckoo anthology’ for first book
On July 3, Heather Mohan and her childhood friend, Lisa Purdue, were chatting about life’s funniest moments. Mohan surprised Purdue — lovingly referred to as Quags, due to her maiden name Quaglieri — with a story her friend never heard before. The friends — who both graduated from Gateway and...
With state budget passage, Gateway School District anticipates $600,000 bump in revenue
During Gateway School Board’s study session Nov. 17, the board discussed the impact the state budget finally passing will have on the district. The district anticipates receiving a net increase of $612,021 in state revenue for the 2025-26 school year. Superintendent Guy Rossi stressed the amount still needs to be...
Monroeville library’s ‘Cozy Up’ fundraiser is all about the books
The Friends of Monroeville Public Library will hold the biennial “Cozy Up to The Library” fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6 at the library, which will be transformed into a festive winter market. The event, which offers free admission and cookies, allows shoppers to find items for baking,...
Gateway School Board approves new groups, spending
Monroeville’s Gateway School Board took several actions at its Oct. 27 meeting, unanimously approving a competitive cheer squad and a creative writing club, while again postponing a decision on new scoreboard software. New programs approved The board unanimously approved two new high school programs: • A competitive cheer group to...
‘It’s all about giving back’: Macy’s partners with Gateway School District to provide winter gear
Giving back is something Macy’s is passionate about. Every March, the department store focuses on food insecurities in its communities. Locally, Macy’s in Monroeville Mall works with Best of the Batch Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters. “It’s something we’re passionate about. It’s in our DNA,” store manager Danielle Meehan...
Monroeville transplants have long family history of military service
As the nation observed Veterans Day on Nov. 11, honoring those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, the Boles family of Monroeville stands out for its deep, multi-generational commitment to military service. The tradition spans more than a century, from World War I trenches to modern-day naval medicine...
Private investigator, retired police chief talks shop at Monroeville library
John Hartman, a graduate of Gateway High School, built an extensive career in law enforcement before becoming a licensed private investigator and published author. The career path seemed almost predetermined for Hartman, the son of a Monroeville police officer. He would listen as his father discussed cases at the dinner...
Monroeville library features work of local sports artist
Eric Poole has loved sports and drawing for as long as he can remember, aspiring to be a cartoonist. While earning a writing degree from the University of Pittsburgh, the Ligonier native worked as a cartoonist for the school’s student newspaper, The Pitt News, from 2002 to 2004. Poole started...
Gateway will honor veterans, mark end of Vietnam War
While Veterans Day is an annual time to honor all American veterans, this year holds special significance: It marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, which culminated with the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. Gateway High School social studies teacher Shawn Whelan and the...
Gateway parents request competitive cheer team, board laments state budget impasse
Erika Bouma, mother of a freshman student, asked Gateway School Board this week to approve a high school competitive cheer group. “Cheer is more than just a sideline sport,” said Bouma, who was accompanied by five other district parents. “These girls train and condition year-round.” She said a competitive squad...
Monroeville Heritage Day spotlights appreciation of history, preservation
The Monroeville Historical Society’s mission is to share the community’s history with the community, and its Heritage Day does just that, by bringing part of the community’s past back to life. “Visitors take a step back to frontier days when they visit the McGinley and McCully houses,” society corresponding coordinator...
Monroeville gathers to observe World Peace Day
The Rotary Club of Monroeville celebrated the United Nations’ International Day of Peace a day early this year, bringing together interfaith leaders and community members for a program focused on unity and diversity. The celebration, held Sept. 20, was anchored at the Peace Garden in Community Park West, which grew...
Monroeville Catholic school alum visits students, fundraises for cystic fibrosis
Michael DeSabato isn’t new to fundraising. Monroeville’s Bella Capelli Academy cosmetology school, owned by his parents, actively supports Jeremiah’s Place – Pittsburgh’s only free, crisis nursery providing emergency childcare for families in need. And DeSabato is a franchise owner of the Strip District day spa Clean Your Dirty Face, which...
Gateway school board approves new club, playground
The Gateway school board voted to approve a new environment club at the high school in Monroeville. No school funding is required for the club, which will focus on gardening, recycling and community cleanup. The board also voted 8-0, with director Jack Bova being absent, to approve a video project...
Artists transform old windows to raise funds for Type 1 diabetes research
For Monroeville resident Steve Rennekamp, the fight against Type 1 diabetes is personal. The founder of Energy Swing Windows lost his first wife, Susan, at age 33, and his son, Stephen, at age 41, both to complications from the disease. This devastating experience became the driving force behind his dedication...
Twin sisters from Monroeville share a love of animals, art
Identical twin sisters Trudy and Judy Milligan of Monroeville became artists at a very young age. They have fond memories of watching their older brother, David, sketch animals at the kitchen table. Though they were only tall enough to rest their chins on the tabletop, the sisters would stand for...
A day of reverence: Rotary holds 9/11 remembrance ceremony in Monroeville
Most Americans can remember exactly where they were on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Although the weeks and months following the terrorist attacks in the U.S. were filled with fear and deep sadness, it was also a time when the country came together as one, setting aside differences. To...
Divine Mercy Academy students back in class with some new faces
Divine Mercy Academy students in Monroeville saw some big changes when classes at the Catholic school started last month. Kindergarteners will no longer receive report cards. Part of a Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese-wide change, kindergarten and preschool teachers will now use badge books to track milestones and skills such as early...
Monroeville library hosts annual Fun Fest
Monroeville Public Library’s seventh annual Fun Fest on Aug. 23. featured food booths, games, music and activities. A petting zoo, balloon artists, inflatable rides and bounce houses, hair tinsel, a D.J. and a magician, painting, and the Gateway High School Robotics Club were just some of the returning favorites. Vendor...
Photographer’s inaugural exhibit attributed to his love of family, friends, nature
Paul Humenik, a longtime Monroeville resident and self-taught photographer, is ready to share his work with the community. The Friends of the Monroeville Public Library are hosting his exhibit – “Mother Nature’s Affects” — from Aug. 29 to Sept. 23 at the library’s gallery space. An open reception will be...
Gateway feeling pinch from state budget impasse
Like other school districts across Pennsylvania, the Gateway School District is feeling the financial pinch from a lack of state funding. Pennsylvania legislators are nearly two months overdue in passing the state budget, which has delayed the influx of cash to public school districts. “Well, I’ve been tracking it,” business...
Students use drawings, design to create well wishes for pediatric patients
Students at Forbes Road Career Technology Center were quite busy making get-well cards for patients at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh this spring. The idea came from multimedia design instructor Philip Greene, who teaches grades 10-12 at the Monroeville vo-tech school. “I wanted to make multimedia design relevant for the...
Community book walk debuts in Monroeville
Community Park West in Monroeville is home to a new book walk, a storytelling experience designed for families to read a story as they walk along a path. The community was invited to a ribbon cutting Aug. 11 to check out the permanent book stands installed by Monroeville Public Works....
