TIES TO FOX CHAPEL
AREA REMAIN STRONG
Graduates Continue Legacy
F
ox Chapel Area elementary Spanish teacher Jessica
Taylor didn’t necessarily plan to return to her alma
mater to teach, but she wouldn’t change a thing
about the way it worked out. Ms. Taylor (Class of
2004) is just one of dozens of Fox Chapel Area alumni
who have returned to work for the district.
“I think there’s a comfort in coming back to what you know,
but also in knowing that you’ll be working for a district with
strong values, high standards, and with the resources to help
you do your job well,” she said. “Over the years, it’s become
familiar in a new way, though I will never lose the memories
of a childhood spent here.”
Lisa (Balkovec) Gibson (Class of 1992) and her daughters
Ms. Taylor attended Hartwood Elementary School, where she
teaches Spanish once a week. Over the years, she’s worked
with a number of her former teachers, but one particular
encounter stands out.
“One teacher recognized my name the moment she heard that
a Jessica Taylor was hired to be the new Spanish teacher,” she
said. “When she saw me for the first time at O’Hara, she came
up and said, ‘I was wondering if it was you!’ and hugged me.
That moment has meant a lot to me, and I cherish being able
to work with her for these first 10 years of my career.”
While Terry Wirginis (Class of 1970) doesn’t work for the
school district, he often attends meetings and events in his role
as the president of the Fox Chapel Area School Board.
In addition to the quality of schools, he credits his family’s
strong roots in the area in his decision to send his children
through the district.
“It was never a question of where my wife and I would live,”
Mr. Wirginis said. “I have many memories of those that
walked here before me, and I feel that I have a responsibility
to do the best that I can for my family’s community.”
The decision to return to the district also was an easy one for
Lisa (Balkovec) Gibson (Class of 1992), who chairs the gifted
Jessica Taylor (Class of 2004)
education department at the high school and is director of the
Western Pennsylvania Learning Academy.
“I knew I wanted my daughters to be educated in a district
that pushes them to reach their highest potential. As I watch
my girls grow both intellectually and personally, I know I made
the right decision,” she said. “They have made strong bonds
with their teachers, their interests and talents are nurtured,
they have positive role models, a diverse group of peers, and
they are happy to go to school every day.”
Mrs. Gibson echoed the sentiment that while the look of the
district’s buildings has changed over the years, the superior
academic experience has not.
“Fox Chapel Area has always provided a quality education,
but now I am witness to the unlimited opportunities provided
to the student body. There is an abundance of Advanced
Placement courses; a multitude of
creative outlets through our arts and
music programs; appealing electives
in business, technology, and physical
education; online learning options
that provide new types of educational
flexibility; and engaging summer
programs that keep the students
learning when school is not in
session.”
Terry Wirginis (Class of 1970)
FOX CHAPEL AREA
❘
SPRING 2019
17