Natalie Beneviat stories, Page 10
Diversity increases at North Allegheny
The student population at North Allegheny School District is becoming more diverse, at a slow but steady pace. While the majority of students districtwide identify as white, at 69% for the current school year, the number has dropped annually since 2015-16, when it was 83%, according to an enrollment and...
North Allegheny Trick or Trot ’24 outpaces previous years
The annual Trick or Trot to benefit the North Allegheny Foundation had its best year yet. The 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run was held Oct. 26 at the Marshall elementary and middle school campus. “We made nearly $40,000, a record for the Trick or Trot. We are so thankful...
Allegheny County Executive lauds poll workers in advance of election
More than 6,900 poll workers will be spread out over the 900 polling locations in Allegheny County for the general election on Nov. 5 Twenty-plus of the polling locations are in communities that make up North Allegheny School District. The Allegheny County Board of Elections gave an update on Oct....
North Allegheny enrollment has slight increase
Student enrollment in North Allegheny School District continues to slowly climb back up to pre-pandemic levels, now sitting at 8,555 as of an Oct. 1 count. That is the highest it’s been since 2019-20, when it was at 8,559, dropping to its lowest at 8,418 in 2022-23, according to an...
Franklin Park residents support Millvale food pantry
A well-meaning Eagle Scout project in Millvale has turned into a lifeline for people affected by food insecurity and other basic means, no questions asked. The Millvale Free Fridge and Pantry box is a community resource available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year,...
North Allegheny middle schoolers present ‘Into the Woods Jr.’
Beanstalk Jack, Cinderella, and Little Red Riding Hood, not to mention a vengeful witch, will be converging on the stage in this year’s middle school fall musical of “Into the Woods Jr.,” to be held at North Allegheny Senior High School. Performances are at 7 p.m. Nov. 14 and 16...
Program based in North Hills helps students on career paths
Students attending the new CDG Leadership Academy, a six-week, diverse interactive venture beginning Nov. 4, may find help in figuring out what to do after graduation. At least that’s the goal of Dave Gray, founder and owner of CDG Sports, a youth sports and recreation company, and program partner Wendy...
North Allegheny senior earns all-state award in speech and debate
Tina Wisniewski, a 12th grader at North Allegheny Senior High School and recipient of an all-state award for speech and debate, doesn’t let obstacles get in her way. Despite a genetic disease she’s been battling since birth, Wisniewski has received multiple recognitions in forensics, including being one of only two...
Murder mystery set for North Allegheny Intermediate
“Murder Can Be Habit-Forming” is the fall play to be performed at the North Allegheny Intermediate High School auditorium on Cumberland Road. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 24 and at 2 and 7 p.m. Oct. 26. A Senior Citizen’s/GOLD Card performance is at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 23. The...
Operating expenses prompt West View Water Authority rate increase
An upcoming 4.1% rate increase for West View Water Authority customers can be attributed to higher operating expenses. The rate, approved by the authority board of directors, is set to rise Jan. 1. The last rate increase was in September 2018. Shambaugh Utility Consulting LLC, the authority’s rate consultant, recently...
North Allegheny prepares for ‘Phantom of the Opera’
“The Phantom of the Opera” is such a renowned play that Bob Tozier, chair of the North Allegheny music department, knows audiences are likely to have high expectations. “It’s an iconic musical. There are things people expect to see and hear and experience, so we have to make sure they...
Franklin Park recognizes remarkable trees
Trees are a testament to time, some surviving since the American Revolution or when George Washington was just a boy. It’s quite remarkable. That being said, a new effort in Franklin Park is officially recognizing these arboreal ancestors as such. The Remarkable Tree Program was created by the borough’s Environmental...
Clinics round out seasonal pickleball play in McCandless
Pickleball at Devlin Park in McCandless is keeping the courts busy with upcoming clinics and a few more weeks left to play. All parks in McCandless are closed from Nov. 1 until April 1. Four pickleball courts at Devlin Park were opened in spring 2023 and they’re always hopping. ‘They...
Shining Star Gala to honor 12 in McCandless
A volunteer firefighter for more than four decades, Bob Jeke of McCandless is just doing what he was taught to do. “I don’t usually thrive on the praise. I just volunteer because I volunteer. I just started at 16, 44 years ago,” Jeke said. He is one of the 12...
Niche rankings place North Allegheny School District 2nd in state
North Allegheny once again secures its spot as the second-best school district in Pennsylvania out of 496 districts, following Radnor Township in Delaware County, according to the Niche ratings published Sept. 30. The ratings moved North Allegheny up three spots, to 24, from last year’s rank of No. 27 among...
Students feel safe at North Allegheny, per survey
Parents and students strongly agree that North Allegheny feels safe and secure, according to a school district survey conducted in May. All parents in the district and students in fifth, eighth, 10th and 12th grades were queried on school-related topics, and Superintendent Brendan Hyland provided the results to the school...
Fundraisers benefit therapeutic horseback riding program based in McCandless
Horses and witches may be an odd combo, but are the focus of two major fundraisers for Riding for the Handicapped of Western Pennsylvania, a McCandless-based therapeutic horseback riding program for children with disabilities. First is the Ride-a-Thon, a 12-mile horseback riding adventure around North Park, scheduled for Oct. 6....
Library embarks on ‘New Northland’ in McCandless
Construction on a more spacious, accessible and functional Northland Public Library is scheduled to begin Sept. 30, as announced at Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremony. A “New Northland” will emerge from an extensive transformation and renovation over the year at the library, located on Cumberland Road in McCandless, with a completion date...
North Allegheny Foundation grants exceed $100k for 2023-24
When there are special programs or educational tools that teachers feel would benefit students, but are outside of normal district funding, they may try the North Allegheny Foundation. The nonprofit is a 23-member tax-exempt charitable community organization that supports the school district, teachers, staff and students. “The North Allegheny Foundation...
Halloween party for cancer survivors returns
Getting wigged out is highly encouraged at the Young Adult Survivors United Halloween party, scheduled for Oct. 25 at the Rivers Casino Event Center in Pittsburgh. The Wig Out party — hosted by YASU, a Pine-based support group for young adult survivors of cancer or those diagnosed at 18 to...
North Allegheny still hiring for 2024-25
Special education assistants, student service assistants, bus drivers and mechanics still are being hired in North Allegheny School District, according to a human resources report provided to the school board on Sept. 11. The human resources department provides a report on student enrollment and staffing counts every September, reflecting data...
‘Opened a new world’: Autistic North Allegheny student breaks through with help of innovation
Nick Canciello, a 16-year-old student at North Allegheny Intermediate High School, has aspirations to be a lawyer. He wants to learn archery and is a history buff. The Franklin Park resident even hopes to attend the University of Pittsburgh. More than a year ago, his parents wouldn’t believe any of...
North Allegheny teachers lead trips abroad for students
While they may still be too young to have one, students in North Allegheny have a chance to cross international travel off their bucket list. Several teachers from the district are providing unique travel opportunities through Education First Tours. The trips, which are not provided through or sponsored by North...
‘Toward a good cause’: Olive Branch in Pine helps world by selling fair-trade products
Feel good about spending money by shopping, or even volunteering, at the Olive Branch, a nonprofit store in Pine that sells fair-trade products to support underserved and developing communities. Everything sold supports someone or some group in need. “If you spend money here, it definitely goes toward a good cause,”...
Big draw for McCandless Community Day
An estimated 1,000 people attended the annual Town of McCandless Community Day, held Sept. 14 at the town hall grounds off Grubbs Road. The event featured rides, food trucks, vendors and entertainment, including a performance by the North Allegheny Marching Band. Festivities began with Hosack Elementary School chorus students singing...
