things to know about: BHS Alumna Joanne Seidel
1. SEIDEL WORKS AS A SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AT GENERAL MILLS.
She explains,“ I am a part of the Foodservice Ingredients National Accounts Team, where I sell and contract flour. Some popular pizza / bakery manufacturers that I work with include: Ledo’ s Pizza, Pepe’ s Pizza, Mellow Mushroom, and Diana’ s Bakery— who make baked goods for Starbucks, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’ s. I cover half the country so that requires frequent travel.”
3. SHE KNOWS BALDWIN HIGH SCHOOL WAS A PLACE OF CONNECTION.
She recalls,“ Our senior prank still lives bright in my memory. All of the seniors participated and it felt like such a celebration of unity and camaraderie. At the stroke of noon, all of the seniors laid down on the floor and created a barricade so anyone walking by would have trouble, or not be able to get through the halls. It’ s these little moments of fun and togetherness that make memories so priceless!”
4. THE BIGGEST LESSON SHE LEARNED IN HIGH SCHOOL WAS THE POWER OF SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH A POSITIVE NETWORK.
Seidel shares,“ Staying true to yourself and finding people who genuinely accept and uplift you can make all the difference, especially when things feel tough or lonely. The relationships you build, even outside your immediate circle, can have a lasting impact on your life.”
aldwin-Whitehall BALDWIN-WHITEHALL SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
2. SHE HAS FOUND A JOB THAT MATCHES HER PASSION.
Seidel reflects,“ I thrive in sales because I enjoy connecting with people, and it aligns well with my interests and personality.”
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5. SHE ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO UNDERSTAND THEIR MOTIVES AND MISSION.
She reflects,“ It’ s all about finding that balance— having fun, but also putting in the effort to excel in your studies and internships. The hard work you put in now will definitely pay off in the long run, setting you up for success. Stay focused, stay motivated, and enjoy the journey!”
MINDFULNESS to know, YOGA about, AND: IMPROV: STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO EMBRACE THEIR EMOTIONS
A movement-based program that originally started in 2019 to help a small group of BWSD students learn to understand and manage their emotions has now expanded to serve students at all five schools in our District.
Open Up is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit that teaches children and adults the stressrelief practice of mindfulness through movement. Their fun and engaging programs, which include introductions to yoga, dance, and even improv, are helping BWSD students of all ages and abilities learn how to identify their emotions, manage their mood, and reduce their stress.
“ We tend to assume every person naturally understands and can manage the emotions they feel, but that’ s not always accurate. Open Up’ s programs help students recognize and label their emotions, and they also provide tips for healthy emotional regulation and stress reduction. School really is filled with nonstop demands for students, so giving them more tools to manage their stress is one way we can support the development of the whole student even beyond academics,” said Baldwin-Whitehall Director of Student Services Marissa Gallagher.
In Open Up’ s yoga-focused lessons, students explore movement while also practicing traditional methods of mindfulness, which involve being aware of how they feel without judgment. On days when students would benefit from more activity and interaction, Open Up introduces them to concepts like improv by encouraging them to act out their emotions or taking turns leading the room in mirroring each other’ s movements. Afterward, students are encouraged to discuss how the activities made them feel, and to draw parallels with real-world situations.
“ For example, one game invites students to pass an invisible‘ ball of energy’ back and forth in a circle, but then we also give them the chance to cross their arms to reject the pass, which forces the passer to move the‘ ball’ in the opposite direction. After the game, we’ ll ask them,‘ How did it feel when someone said‘ no’ to you,’ or‘ How did it feel to say‘ no?’‘ That can help students make connections with how they feel when they’ re upset or ignored, and also to see how saying‘ no’ can help them feel powerful and in control of their own actions,” explains Tessa Karel, Co-Founder and Director of Advocacy + Community at Open Up.