Gateway student project honors police officers

For Gateway High School’s Spring Impact Project, students of the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy wanted to show their appreciation to local police departments.

“We want the officers to know that they are supported and appreciated,” said adviser Marci Klinger, adding that the students believe it’s their duty to give back to the police for their commitment to their schools and community.

The students organized a special luncheon for officers from Monroeville, Pitcairn and Gateway police departments.

Chick-fil-A Leader Academy is a national high school leadership program focused on impact through action. The seven-month program empowers high school students to put leadership principles into practice through student-led community service projects that culminate in a year-end impact project.

On April 25, the Leader Academy began by assembling gifts, which included water bottles filled with granola bars and candy, thank-you notes and gift cards from sponsors Target to Field Precision LLC and Monroeville Chick-fil-A.

The academy, which includes about 30 students, split into three groups to visit the different departments. Klinger, along with Dawn Nicolazzo and Regan Reeder, are the Leader Academy advisers.

At the Monroeville Police Department, students were given a tour, ate lunch with the officers and participated in a question and answer session.

The Monroeville force was recently impacted by two officers who were wounded on duty over a three-month period.

“Since the department has a residency requirement, officers’ children are students in our district and specifically our school,” Klinger. said. “This is really what inspired the students to want to show their appreciation and support for the police,. It really hit home, that this happened in their community.”

Det. Tara Caruso and Officer Ethan Fabelli, a 2013 Gateway graduate, welcomed the students at the Pitcairn Police Department. Chief Scott Farally demonstrated canine officer Maxx’s talents.

A third group of Academy students visited the Gateway School District Police — a team of 12 officers, including retired state and municipal police – at the high school. Afterwards, students delivered lunches to all officers in the district.

“These officers provide not only safety within our school community, but build relationships with our students and staff that make everyone feel safe, secure and in a protected learning environment,” the advisors said in a statement.

The group invited special guest, Officer Chuck Thomas of McKeesport, whose partner was killed on duty last year. Thomas, whose daughter Shaina is a member of the Leader Academy, was injured in the same incident.

Students delivered boxed lunches, which were donated from Chick-fil-A, for officers coming on duty later in the day. Nothing Bundt Cakes and Griff’s Italian Ice and Soft Serve provided dessert.

The group created and signed thank-you posters for each station.

“The day was fantastic,” Klinger said. “The students applied all the lessons they learned on leadership this year to truly make an impact on these unsung heroes.”