Hope
Carlinos Acie has the world at his fingertips. A star
athlete and straight-A student, he’s making the most of his time
at McKeesport Area High School, and he’s proud to be a Tiger.
Years of hard work in the classroom and on the football field
have earned Carlinos attention from Ivy League schools. He’s
heard from Dartmouth, Columbia, and Brown. He also has
interest from the U.S. Naval Academy. And while he has yet to
choose from this impressive list of educational opportunities, he’s
confident in his calling to study sports medicine.
Carlinos always has been a hardworking young man. He
knows the persistence, focus, and strength it takes to make
choices that will guarantee a promising future. In elementary and
middle school, his report cards always reflected an impressive
performance of A’s and B’s; and in high school, he’s earned
straight A’s.
On the football field, he has applied the lessons he learned and
the drive he developed in the McKeesport Little Tigers program
to his role as a running back and defensive back on the high
school’s Tigers team.
“Your options aren’t limited when you can apply yourself
and be good at sports and academics,” Carlinos said. “You have
to work hard to get what you want, and I’m determined to
get out there in the world, live a comfortable life, and have an
opportunity to give back to my mother and my community.”
Carlinos thanked his mother, Liana Simmons, for doing her
best to raise him to be a kind, loving person. As an adult, he
hopes to support his mother and to give back to the city of
McKeesport.
Currently, Carlinos performs community service as a member
of the National Honor Society. He tutors third-graders enrolled
in the CANOES after-school program at Twin Rivers Elementary
School.
organizations, we will find acts of kindness for which we all can be proud.
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.
Love
Anyone who has attended the Festival of Trees in the last ten
to fifteen years has met the smiling faces of Cheryl Cotter
and Pat Harris . Cheryl and Pat have been spreading cheer
and sharing their love for the holiday season since the event
became part of the McKeesport Recreation Board’s event series.
In its 32-year history, the Festival of Trees has invited the
community not only to enjoy a beautiful display of Christmas
trees, but also to take part in the creation of that display. It
McKeesporters together in celebration of the holiday spirit, and
it invites local organizations, student clubs, churches, and other
participating groups to share their mission and creativity with
the McKeesport community. Cheryl and Pat are always on hand
to help volunteers piece together their trees or to take festival-
goers on personalized tours once the event is up and running.
“There’s something here for everyone – entertainment, food,
and so many beautiful trees,” Pat said. “Every tree tells a story.
That’s why we’re here – to share something special during the
holidays.”
Pat said her favorite aspect of the Festival of Trees is watching
children’s reactions.
“You can see the wonder in their eyes when they meet Santa
Claus or when they see the ornaments they made on a tree
that’s all put together,” she said.
Cheryl said she’s most impressed by how the community
comes together during the holidays.
“The Festival of Trees brings our whole community together,”
she said. “This year, it’s 84 trees. It’s students and adults
volunteering their time to serve excellent food and provide
entertainment. You can’t beat that.”
Cheryl said the festival is proof that McKeesport is a
community filled with love and holiday spirit, and she’s proud to
be a part of that.
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 January 31, 2018.
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