Leslie Savisky stories, Page 6
Gateway OKs clay target team
Monroeville’s Gateway School District will have a clay target team beginning next spring. School board members voted unanimously this weekto allow creation of the team, which will not use any district funds. Solicitor Bruce Dice told directors he checked with the district’s insurer and the league activities will be covered....
Gateway board discusses bus safety, renovation projects
Gateway School Board’s building and grounds committee members are working to prioritize renovation projects across the district. Director of Facilities and Grounds John Walsh was asked at the Sept. 23 school board meeting how the projects are being prioritized. “Anything that effects the kids on a daily basis or is...
Gateway grad’s ‘Heroes and Superheroes’ exhibit at Monroeville library
Artist Ian Whetstone recalls the first drawing he made, as well as his family’s positive reaction. “My mom still has a crayon drawing of a horse that I made while we stayed in a cabin when I was about five,” Whetstone said. “I’ve been doing artwork in some form or...
Gateway Musical Alumni Showcase sets stage for a renewed tradition
When producer Mary Chase took over the Gateway’s musical during the 2022-23 school year, she knew she wanted to start up an old tradition – the high school’s Alumni Showcase. “The last one was held in 2018, and I think they used to have them more frequently in the past,”...
Original opalescent glass remains a gem at Monroeville’s Old Stone Church
Located in the heart of Monroeville, the Old Stone Church was built in 1894, replacing the original Crossroads Presbyterian Church founded in 1834. The new nondenominational church was created in order to adapt to a growing congregation. According to Joe Ventresca, Monroeville Historical Society vice president, stones from Crossroads Church...
‘Stay Wild’ exhibit showcases Greensburg artist’s connection with humanity, nature
When not creating with paint or clay, artist Sarah Hunter of Greensburg enjoys nurturing her “wild” habitat in the suburban backyard. She wants to support nature, while encouraging her neighbors to do the same. “We really need to support our native plants and pollinators,” said Hunter, who is a member...
PPG, PNC refresh Monroeville school spaces in community service event
A little bit of color can go a long way, especially when it creates appealing and creative spaces for students to learn and grow. PPG Industries, in coordination with PNC Bank, participated in a community outreach event at Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s Sunrise School last month. More than 50 employee volunteers...
Divine Mercy Academy students, teachers excited for new year
Aug. 22 marked the beginning of a new school year for the students at Divine Mercy Academy, and students and teachers had a variety of answers to the question “What are you looking forward to this school year?” The school teaches students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Art and STREAM...
Monroeville library Fun Fest brings community together
The sixth annual Monroeville Public Library Fun Fest was held Aug. 24 with community and vendor booths, food, games and music. Activities included balloon artists, hair tinsel station, bounce house and inflatable obstacle course, basket raffle, a magician and ceramic animal painting. Country Flair Farm was on site with a...
Gateway discusses establishment of clay target shooting club
Gateway School Board tabled a request this week to form a student clay target shooting club. Parent Christine Sterner spoke to the school board this week and was accompanied by her husband, their two sons and one of their friends who are interested in starting a club at the Monroeville...
Gateway looks to hire additional nurses, changes volunteer requirements
Gateway School Board may raise the salary for school nurses in an attempt to hire more staff for the Monroeville district. During the board meeting Monday, directors learned there are five nursing vacancies in the district. “Part of our hope is that after we looked at the data regarding compensation...
‘He breathed and lived Gateway’: Scott Williams remembered for community service
Friends recall a favorite saying of the late Scott Williams of Monroeville. “There’s a right way, there’s a wrong way, and then there’s the Gateway.” A paraplegic since the age of 18, Williams, 59, died July 26, 2024, at UPMC Montefiore Hospital in Oakland after a prolonged battle with cancer....
Sunrise School in Monroeville celebrates summer picnics
Sunrise School in Monroeville, part of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, had a “Picnic Month” theme during recent lessons. The school’s pupils, ages five to 21, are primarily special education students from the eastern part of Allegheny County. Class curriculum is geared toward learning support, life skills, multi-disabilities and autism, as...
Doctor’s work in Nigeria supported by Monroeville Rotary
After her mother passed away in 2016 from colorectal cancer, Dr. Abi Fapohunda wanted to use her education and background to focus on early detection. “I knew I had to give back, to do something,” said Fapohunda, an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health. Fapohunda...
Photographer’s love of architecture featured at Monroeville library
Murrysville native Sam Wasilak’s fascination with photography and architecture will come to life on the walls of the Monroeville Public Library beginning this week. Now a Monroeville resident, Wasilak’s exhibit “Untitled Architecture,” sponsored by the Friends of the Monroeville Public Library, will kick off with a reception from 6 to...
Gateway ‘monster’ project brings preschool creatures to life
Imagine as a child having your own creature – with names such as Red-Ranger, Cone-Jumper or Joker – come to life. After reading the interactive story “Go Away Big Green Monster” last year, Tracy Ricciardi’s preschool class at Gateway High School drew pictures and created their own monsters using templates....
Riverhounds midfielders set to appear at SpectroDolce in Monroeville
Pittsburgh Riverhounds midfielders Kenardo Forbes and Robbie Mertz will be talking soccer and signing autographs from 4 to 6 p.m. July 17 at SpectroDolce Confectionary inside Monroeville Mall. The club’s mascot AMO will be present, and patrons will enjoy sweet treats and activities. SpectroDolce will be revealing a new milkshake...
Sabers Cheer Camp held at Divine Mercy Academy
Sabers Cheer Camp was held June 24 to 27 at Divine Mercy Academy’s gymnasium, 245 Azalea Drive in Monroeville. All It was open to students going into kindergarten through eighth grade from any local school. According to PTG Fundraising Chairperson Tina Cuda, camp consisted of 37 cheerleaders this year from...
Art sale to support Monroeville library
Friends of the Monroeville Public Library are inviting patrons to own a piece of library history during this month’s art exhibit, which includes a showing and sale of artwork that was donated and previously displayed at the library. The sale will run from through July 29 at the Elaine Biondi...
Gateway Musical theater camp presents ‘Frozen Kids’
Gateway Musical and Monroeville Recreation Parks partnered for the second year in a row for Gateway’s Summer Theater Camp. All students entering third through eighth grades at Gateway and surrounding districts were welcome to participate. Approximately 25 campers auditioned on June 22; workshops on acting, vocal lessons, choreography and staging...
Divine Mercy Academy student credits love of reading for spelling prowess
Don’t try to stump Divine Mercy Academy’s Owen Brown with words like irreconcilable or independence. The sixth grader competed against twenty-five other students in grades 4 through 6 at the Pittsburgh Diocesan Spelling Bee on May 21. The spelling bee was held at St. Louise de Marillac School, 310 McMurray...
Monroeville Public Library holds ‘Wizard of Oz’-themed fundraiser
The Monroeville Public Library hosted “Wizard of Oz” tea fundraiser on June 2 at the Lourdes Center at Christ the Divine Shepherd, Monroeville Campus. Patrons were invited to dress up in “Wizard of Oz attire,” though costumes were not required. This was the library’s third consecutive tea fundraising event —...
Pen, ink, pointillism featured in Monroeville library gallery
The Friends of the Monroeville Public Library are hosting a free public reception from 6 to 8 p.m. June 15 at the library titled “Dots: The pointillist art of Jack Puglisi.” Puglisi’s work is on display through June 25 in the library’s Elaine Biondi Gallery Space, 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd....
Rotary awards scholarships to Gateway High School seniors
Monroeville Rotary held a scholarship luncheon on May 23 at the Courtyard by Marriott, where four Gateway seniors were awarded college scholarships. Bill Segar, who passed away in 2008, was an active Rotarian and District Governor. He was on the Gateway School Board for 28 years and a baseball coach...
Burchfield Primary School celebrates end of year with kindergarten prom
Burchfield Primary School celebrated its third annual kindergarten prom on May 29. The early-evening event was for kindergarten graduates and their guests. The students dressed in their finest outfits while enjoying snacks, listening to music and dancing. Students entered on a red carpet, where they had the opportunity to have...
