things
His athletic career informs
1. SHE KNOWS THAT his work. NUTRITION IS INTEGRAL TO
Brown played ACADEMIC defensive SUCCESS tackle. for McKeesport High“ Hungry School students before cannot focus on learning. When kids are hungry attending Kent State University on a and their tummies are rumbling, full athletic they
scholarship’ re not focusing
. He on
went what the
on to play football teacher in is saying arena and and they semipro leagues focusing before on what returning is being to taught the.
’ re not
area to coach Children. He need’ s been nutrition a teacher to thrive.” and Assistant Athletic Director at McKeesport 2., SHE where ONCE he HOSTED still serves A
TASTE TEST TO LET PARENTS as Dean of Discipline.
GET TO KNOW THE NEW He recognizes that athletics CAFETERIA are a key MENU aspect.
of developing students. When a new batch of healthy standards was introduced to school meals in 2012, families were Brown skeptical believes that menus academics replacing fried and foods athletics with whole complement grains could one another please. kids“ You, so Weber learn hosted so much a food on show the at Whitehall field that Elementary you don’ t get School in the:“ We classroom showed them. It the teaches food and you let them about taste being it. When a we family said, how we to were communicate substituting a mac with and people cheese that, and was build lower in discipline fat, lower in for sodium the rest, made of with your whole life. grain Getting pasta, it up didn for’ t sound work appealing is tough. When, but we you explained learn it the was made discipline by Land— that O’ Lakes this, a known is what brand I need, and let to them try it, parents found it was delicious. I was able to educate not only the do for my family— from athletics.”
students, but also the adults to the changes that were coming” He heads a non-profit to equip athletes.
things things
to know about:
to know about: to know about:
Along with his cousin, Ty-Meer Brown, Athletic Director at Woodland Hills, Brown founded STATUS: Studentathletes Taking Action To Universally Succeed. The
3. SHE BELIEVES VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE— AND OF organization SCHOOL MEALS guides. young athletes with information and“ tools I love change to continue and I feel to that grow every year in their we try athletic something and new to academic make the meal careers program through exciting. Our mentoring goal is, keep education kids interested, and
scholarships in healthy food. and Visit fueled status412 up to learn. com.” To entice to find students out more to broaden. their palate and discover new foods, Weber introduced Taste it He Tuesday builds, where a students rapport can sample of respect new recipes with and maybe his even players get them. added to the regular menu.
Brown has been warmly received by his students, who 4. HER FAVORITE CAFETERIA OFFERING IS THE appreciate his investment in them. He explains,“ I’ m HIGHLANDER MEAL BOX. myself This
. bento-style
I’ m not going box enables
to sugarcoat students to anything try a wide variety
. I give of genuine nutritious love foods. I in try small to portions connect, including to them colorful through fresh fruits being, real cheese. Kids cut see in cheerful through seasonal it immediately shapes, and power-packed if you’ re wearing protein. a This mask lunch. They encourages appreciate students and to try respect new things that while authenticity getting a.” hearty meal.“ They are fun, they are beautiful, and they are fresh,” He’ s energized by the challenge.
Weber notes. Baldwin’ s football program is coming off a bumpy stretch 5. SHE of LOVES seasons SERVING. Brown OTHERS shares.,“ It’ s a challenge that
When she’ s not at work, Weber enjoys volunteering at an animal
I enjoy. At the end of the day, we have an opportunity shelter and is very active in her church, where she runs a snackand-chat fellowship program.
to do something we can be really proud of. I preach to my kids that this team has to be the team that sets the foundation. My goal is changing the focus. We got into a habit of being okay with losing. We have to change that mindset. You have to hate to lose more than you love to win.”
Alumnus Connor Doran
Michael Quallich, Freshman at Baldwin High School
1. HE’ S SPENT HIS ENTIRE LIFE STEEPED IN MUSIC.
He’ s been
Doran playing began golf piano since lessons when he was six. His he was a toddler.
grandfather was a dedicated Michael was guitarist given who a would pair of serenade plastic golf clubs when the family he with was folk two music and. has been swinging Doran was deeply ever since involved. in the BWSD music department The 14-year-old now competes in addition to singing with in national community and international choruses and competitions the, CLO including. He reflects this,“ I year was’ s U. S. Kids Golf surrounded World by Championship
these musical and PGA Junior professionals Championship and teachers. who just shaped my love Golf is a for family collaboration affair, theater., production, and performance.” Michael’ s parents and two sisters all enjoy the sport and regularly 2. HIS TIME hit the IN THE course DISTRICT together CHARTED. A COURSE
FOR HIS CAREER. He is“ BWSD always provided honing me with his so many skills opportunities. to learn, Michael grow, and approaches test how far I each could go experience with my musicianship seeking. growth It was so. formative for me and shaped the musician I am today. Becoming“ I always want to get paired up with a competitor better a conductor was the perfect marriage of music-making and than me so that I can learn from them,” Michael shares. collaboration.” His mother, Melissa Quallich, notes that Michael’ s poise and mental focus are his greatest strengths as a player.
Joyce Weber, Food Services Director
GET TO KNOW OUR STUDENTS
3. HE NOW SERVES AS ASSOCIATE CONDUCTOR / KEYBOARD 1 FOR THE NATIONAL TOUR OF DISNEY’ S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. She reflects,“ Mikey has always been a very smart
“ My main job is to support the show on all things musically related. I player, but he’ s now showing a great level of maturity. He play the show every night, play rehearsals, coach singers, and conduct is the so show well-composed for one performance on a the week course or more— as and needed that.” carries over into his life.” 4. HE OBTAINED HIS DREAM POSITION THROUGH A He COMBINATION recognizes OF HARD we often WORK AND learn GOOD the FORTUNE most through
. our He mistakes notes that he. secured the role“ totally by luck and chance.
I moved to New York City two years ago and pounded the Michael recalls a difficult lesson that has made him a pavement, made some strides, shadowed as many musicians more as I could careful, and I would player even. He cold shares email, music“ I was directors playing to make in a tournament a connection.” once He eventually and I connected signed the with wrong Alan Menken scorecard’ s and got frequent disqualified collaborator. I Michael didn’ t Kosarin realize, music I’ d signed director the of the wrong card original. That Broadway teaches production you to of check Beauty and things the Beast and in be 1994 accurate, who. I recruited will never Doran forget the that current and tour never. let it happen again. It was a tough day— I think I would’ ve tied for first. It’ s a 5. HE ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO PURSUE THEIR DREAMS good thing to get these lessons out when I’ m younger so WHOLEHEARTEDLY. they“ Say don‘ yes’ t to happen every opportunity at bigger you events’ re presented in the with future. You.” never know who you’ ll meet and what it will teach you Be open and He flexible aims, and to allow continue yourself to be playing uncomfortable golf. with new things
Michael— this is where has his the sights most growth set on happens playing. Study golf all for you can a Division about I college your craft and. Nobody on the was ever pro blamed tour. for being‘ over-prepared.’”
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BRENTWOOD-BALDWIN-WHITEHALL ❘ WINTER 2025 67