Hope
Love
As a straight-A student athlete who takes great pride in giving back to the
McKeesport area, Brison Kisan hopes he is setting a positive example for the youth
in his community.
While Brison may be too humble to consider himself a role model, he understands
the impact of the life he leads.
“Day to day, I’m making choices that make me a better student or a better
basketball player,” Brison said. “But if you stop to think about how little kids might
look up to a sports star or someone like that, it’s important that they understand their
education comes first. Sports is second.”
This year, Brison is enrolled in advanced placement courses and has the opportunity
to test for college credit at the course’s end. In the fall, he intends to participate in
dual enrollment at McKeesport Area High School and Penn State Greater Allegheny
for select core classes. He is a member of the National Honor Society, which brings
together the top tier of students who qualify both in academics and community service
requirements. He also plays on the high school’s varsity basketball team.
Brison is active in the Pittsburgh Dream Center’s mission work in McKeesport
– distributing food to area residents in need through distributions at McKeesport
Presbyterian Church and the McKeesport’s Shared Ministry’s Beulah Park UMC and
Christy Park UMC campuses. He has traveled to the Dream Center’s headquarters in Los
Angeles, where he had the opportunity to serve that metropolitan area’s homeless and
others in need.
“Experiences like that make you realize how much you really do have,” Brison said.
“My family is blessed, and I’m glad I am able to use my blessings to give back to others
and serve my community.”
Brison’s family lives in McKeesport’s Myer Park neighborhood, and he is the
youngest of five siblings to attend McKeesport Area High School. He is proud to be part
of a family and a community, where he said everyone is pushing for success.
“The experiences we all face together in our community help to shape who we are,”
Brison said. “We are one here in McKeesport, and I think we have a better chance being
successful because of it. I wouldn’t rather be growing up in any other city.”
Living the Message awards are intended to showcase these individuals and give the
community an opportunity to share its good news. Awards are given quarterly. Using 250
words or fewer, describe how the individual of your choice embodies one of the four
words.
Landon Robinson and Javier Everett are kind at heart and wise beyond
their years.
As fifth-graders in Mrs. Gumbert’s Academy in Math and Science (AIMS) advanced
classes at Twin Rivers Elementary, Landon and Javier spend a lot of time focusing on
schoolwork and out-of-school sports. But all of that activity didn’t stop them from
noticing a friend in need.
As Valentine’s Day was approaching, the class was given their traditional
assignment to design themed boxes they would later use to collect cards and treats
from classmates during a holiday party. Landon and Javier realized that one of their
classmates was distraught over the task.
“He was crying and said his mom couldn’t afford Valentine’s candy,” Javier said. “We
realized that some people go through the struggle, and we tried to find a way to help
him. I said, ‘We got you.’”
Landon and Javier said they see their friend struggle everyday with peer
relationships “just because he’s different.” They said they’re certain their friend has a
good heart and that he would have loved to participate if his family had the means
to do so. The boys spoke to their parents and agreed to buy treats for their friend to
participate.
“He’s such a good kid, and he’s so smart,” Landon said. “He’s our friend, and we
didn’t want to see him go through that.”
Landon and Javier said classmates should get to know their friend for who he is, not
for what he has. It’s not fair to judge someone by how they dress, how they look, or
how they learn, they explained. They said McKeesport Area students are taught from
an early age that bullying is not acceptable, but some students don’t heed the words
of the school’s pledge and ROAR Rules, which advise students to be Responsible, On
Task, Always Safe, and Respectful.
“That pledge should get inside your head,” Landon said. “If you’re a bad kid or you’re
just making the wrong choices, it can make you think … make you better.”
Landon and Javier said there are plenty of organizations in their school and in
the City of McKeesport giving people of all ages an opportunity to give back to the
community. They said it’s important for everyone to learn how to do their part.
For more information, contact the mayor’s office at 412-675-5020, ext. 605.
Nominations can be mailed to the mayor’s assistant Jennifer Vertullo, 500 Fifth Avenue,
McKeesport, PA 15132, or emailed to [email protected]. The deadline for
the next round of nominations is May 29, 2020.
MCKEESPORT AREA
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SPRING 2020
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