It was almost better than a ballgame at PNC Park when Highlands Middle School hosted its Parent Engagement Night on Tuesday, complete with a race against the Pittsburgh Pirates Pierogies.
The district’s mascot, Rammie, gave Jalapeno Hannah and Sauerkraut Saul a run for their money on the track at Golden Rams Stadium to cap off a fun-filled night. Principal Becky Bragan said the goal was to “celebrate the positives and get the community together.”
“We want to make parents aware of all we do here,” Bragan said.
The cafeteria was bustling with hands-on science projects, where visitors could peek through microscopes and participate in other challenges. The fitness center highlighted new gym equipment and showcased a demo of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Counselors were on hand to talk about school-based therapy and other supports available.
The highlight of the night was the pierogi race, which featured four lucky students who won a raffle to compete against Hannah and Saul. They were fifth graders J.B. Hood and Brycen Brucker, seventh grader Jackson Dinning and eighth grader Brayden Scott.
Jackson came away the winner, beating second-place Saul by a few steps.
J.B., 11, said he has met the Pirates Pierogies at the ballpark through Scouts, but to race them in Ramland “was really cool.”
“It was the experience of a lifetime,” he said.
