Pine-Richland bocce team raises $3,145 for Special Olympics

Members of Pine-Richland High School’s Best Buddies and Unified Bocce team raised $3,145 for Special Olympics Pennsylvania, culminating in their participation in the Pittsburgh Polar Plunge Feb. 23 at Acrisure Stadium.

The Best Buddies program helps to build one-to-one friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, offering social interactions while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion for a population that is often isolated and excluded.

Through their participation, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities form meaningful connections with their peers, gain self-confidence and self-esteem, and share interests, experiences and activities that many other individuals enjoy.

Similarly, Pine-Richland’s Unified Bocce team pairs two Special Olympics athletes with two unified partners, helping to promote inclusion, acceptance and respect.

Pine-Richland presents ‘Mama Mia!’

Pine-Richland High School will present “Mamma Mia!” on March 15, 16, 22 and 23, the story of a woman seeking the identity of her father, set to the music of ABBA.

Directed by Kathy Morrissey, Pine-Richland’s production stars sophomore Elise Duckworth as Sophie Sheridan, senior Lauren King as Donna Sheridan, sophomore Conor Barcaskey as Sam, senior Owen Russell as Harry and senior Nicolai Ezolt as Bill.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on all days, plus a 2 p.m. show on March 23. Tickets range from $12 to $15 and are available for purchase at www.pinerichland.org/musical.

Musician selected for symphony program

Pine Richland High School ninth grader Chase Bisti was chosen to participate with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in its Side-by-Side program, following a teacher recommendation and competitive audition process.

The program affords high school musicians the experience of rehearsing and performing alongside their Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra counterparts. Students receive personal coaching from PSO musicians, participate in full orchestra rehearsals, collaborate with other student musicians and perform at a ticketed concert on the Heinz Hall stage at 7:30 p.m. April 9.

Chase will perform in the percussion section of the orchestra.

Rotary students of month

Seniors Kate Chrystal, Andy Forrester and Lauren Wood were recognized by Rich-Mar Rotary as students of the month in February for outstanding achievement and service.

Kate, Andy and Lauren are student leaders in the high school Peer2Peer Club and are involved in many other clubs and activities.