12th Trick or Trot benefiting NA Foundation coming up; 2026 distinguished alumni named

The spirited Trick or Trot 5K and 1-mile fun-run race, one of North Allegheny Foundation’s biggest fundraisers, returns for its 12th year Oct. 25 on the campus of Marshall elementary and middle schools off Wexford Run Road in Marshall.

Students, families, staff and community members can register to race, walk or trot in the 5K, which begins at 8:30 a.m., or the 1-mile run at 9:30 a.m.

Participants are encouraged to come in costume, and there will be plenty of candy, music and camaraderie.

“It is truly a community-building event hosted by the North Allegheny Foundation. It’s a unique experience where you can run, walk, trick-or-treat, get a coffee, hear great music and catch up with your neighbors. Plus, the Marshall campus at the end of October is beautiful as the leaves are in peak season,” said Bill Mascari, district liaison for the North Allegheny Foundation.

The money raised will benefit the mission of the nonprofit North Allegheny Foundation, which awards grants to teachers, scholarships to graduating seniors, and Angel funds to families in need, Mascari said.

“The Trick or Trot also serves as a community event, providing a fun, safe, and ‘sweet’ morning,” Mascari said.

A link to register for the Trick or Trot can be found under the North Allegheny Foundation page at northallegheny.org or search for Wexford Trick or Trot at runsignup.com.

The cost is $35 per registrant.

This is one of three major fundraisers for the foundation.

More than 100 volunteers help with the event, including foundation trustees, district staff and administrators, the JROTC, members of North Allegheny’s Key Club and National Honors Society, and local Girl Scouts, according to Mascari.

Dressed in their favorite Halloween costumes, members of the North Allegheny Marching Band will perform at 9 a.m. — after the 5K and before the fun run. The NA cheerleaders will cheer on the runners.

Guests are invited to participate in a costume parade at 10 a.m.

In addition to the Trick or Trot, the foundation holds the Taste of NA in May. Its golf classic, which took place Sept. 22, raised more than $100,000 and had over 120 participants, according to Mascari.

During the 2024-25 school year, the NA Foundation awarded more than $160,000 in grants to teachers. This year, the foundation would like to double that amount, Mascari said.

In spring 2025 alone, more than $100,000 worth of grants were awarded.

Just a few of the last round of grants included $14,500 for a Beyond the Sky Inflatable Planetarium to be used districtwide, $8,407 for adapted bikes for students at Franklin Elementary School and $2,500 for a scholar wall and recognition display at Ingomar Middle School.

The intermediate school was a recipient of $36,765 for an OMAX ProtoMAX Waterjet Machining Center, a self-contained cutting system used for prototyping in machine shops.

Grants awarded last spring to benefit the senior high included $8,995 toward the Tiger Den expansion and $9,400 for an art maker space, among others.

A complete list can be viewed on North Allegheny Foundation’s webpage on the district’s website at northallegheny.org.

2026 distinguished alumni announced

The foundation also recently announced its 2026 NA Distinguished Alumni, to be honored at a dinner Jan. 22 at the Holy Trinity Center in McCandless.

The alumni and their respective categories include: Kristin Chambers, 1993, arts; Mark Wagner, 1991, business; Craig Poole, 1967, community service; Maria Paluselli, 1998, education; Dr. Daniel McKeone, 2003, medicine; Thomas Jones, 1972, science and technology; and the young alumni awardee, Alexandra Sansosti, 2011.

A Community Impact award in memoriam will be given to the late Dan Stack, class of 1992, and the Spirit of NA award will be given to former Superintendent Lawrence Butterini.

“The Distinguished Alumni Gala Committee is very excited about this year’s group of honorees. For the first time, they will present an award posthumously to the late Dan Stack, former district safety manager and active community member. All are welcome to join the NA community in honoring these outstanding individuals,” said Mascari, who also serves as the foundation’s communications coordinator.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the gala are available online under the North Allegheny Foundation tab at northallegheny.org.