Faces of the Valley: Leechburg Area mother's volunteer work sets shining example

Missy Rowan lives next door to her childhood home in Leechburg and says she has no plans of leaving the borough she once vowed to escape.

“My mother always said I’d be the one to move away, and here I am, living in Leechburg,” Rowan said. “When I was preparing to graduate high school, I would tell everyone I could not wait to get away.”

Rowan, 42, graduated from Leechburg Area in 1998 but logs plenty of volunteer time in the halls of her alma mater.

She and her husband, Justin, have one son, John, a freshman at Leechburg Area Jr./Sr. High School. John’s participation in school activities has influenced Rowan’s volunteering path.

Rowan is president of both the Leechburg Area High School Mother’s Club and the music boosters, as well as a volunteer with the drama club.

When John was younger, Rowan served as president and secretary of the David Leech Elementary School PTA and volunteered with Leechburg Area Little League.

Rowan has been volunteering for the district for more than a decade.

“I truly enjoy the organizing and chaos of taking a project and watching it grow and come to life,” Rowan said. “My husband thinks I’m crazy, but he jumps in to support me in whatever I need.”

Rowan studied public relations at California University of Pennsylvania and works full time as an import specialist at Polyconcept North America in New Kensington.

Rowan, whose parents, John and Gwenneth Rybicki, still live next door, said leading by example is an important value to instill to her son.

“My parents were always involved in my activities. They led by example the importance of being a leader, volunteering your time and being vocal in matters that are important to you,” Rowan said. “I need to instill these same values in my son in hopes that he will step up when the time comes and not hesitate to raise his hand or speak his truth.”

During the fall football season, Rowan estimated, she logs 15 to 30 hours volunteering at the concession stand during games and with band functions.

Leechburg Area High School musical director Alyssa Bruno Walls said volunteers like Rowan are indispensable.

“She always has an idea on how to make things better or more fun for the kids,” Walls said. “She’s organized and easy to work with and, as musical director, I don’t know what I would do without her.”

Rowan helped organize the annual PTA Spring Fling middle school dance and recalled her son running up to her, expressing his thanks, during the event.

“The students are always very thankful for what we do ,and that makes all of the time, stress and organizing put into these events worth it,” Rowan said.

Leechburg Area Superintendent Tiffany Nix described Rowan’s dedication as “exceptional.”

“She gives countless hours to many programs offered inside and outside of the school,” Nix said. “She’s always friendly, helpful and willing to do anything necessary for the betterment of our students.”

Nix credited Rowan’s leadership qualities as instrumental in planning events, such as the football concession stand, which is operated by the Leechburg Mother’s Club.

“I speak for the entire community when we say thank you for your dedication and care of our school and students,” Nix said.