T
he Franklin Regional Panther
Foundation awarded over $8,000
worth of Innovation Grants to fund
various programs at the Franklin
Regional Senior High School (FRSH).
The FR Panther Foundation conducts various
fundraising events throughout the year for
the Innovation Grant program. Teachers and
coaches have the opportunity twice a year, to
apply for available funding for any program
that is new, innovative, and not currently being
supported by the Franklin Regional School
District’s general budget.
Mr. Rodger Crider, FRSH business technology
teacher, received a $4,555 grant for the
“21st Century Strength and Conditioning”
program. Not only is Mr. Crider a teacher,
but he also dedicates much of his time to
helping coach FR’s football and track and field
teams. His program, “21st Century Strength
and Conditioning” will help produce more
successful athletes, by using conditioning
software, in conjunction with computers to
enhance conditioning. The goal of the program
is to help prevent injuries and train athletes to
be able to move onto the collegiate level.
The “D.A.C.E. (Diversity and Cultural
Education) – The Pittsburgh Project” received
a $1,270.64 grant. After the tragedy at the
Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, students
wanted to create a program to raise awareness
and tolerances of differences. Coordinated by
FRSH Social Studies teachers, Ms. Katherine
Rutherford and Ms. Stephanie Zavacky, the
group’s goal is to seek ways to prevent hate-
fueled violence in the future.
Ms. Monica Graziani will also be starting a
new and exciting program, due to a $1,702
Innovation Grant. “What are YOU eating” is
a program that allows students to detect
genetically modified organisms in their
everyday foods. Students will be able to
extract DNA from snack foods and learn to
use laboratory techniques and procedures to
conduct the experiment.
Additionally, another science based
program called “Wonder Women Workshop,”
which received a $1,115.80 Innovation
Grant, will open opportunities for female
students. Science teachers Ms. Monica Bruno,
Ms. Rebecca Connelly, and Ms. Maureen
Garda have taken initiative in this project.
This workshop will allow female students to
explore the fields of Science, Technology, and
Engineering in a judgment and intimidation
free zone. Students will be exposed to
circuitry, e-textiles, coding, and computer
programming.
Franklin Regional School District
Superintendent Dr. Gennaro R. Piraino, Jr., FR
Panther Foundation Executive Director Cara
Zanella and Foundation President Charles
Hergenroeder surprised the teachers in their
classrooms with giant checks to announce the
award.
If you or your organization would like to
provide support for the Innovation Grant
program or other Foundation initiatives,
please contact the FR Panther Foundation
Office at 724-327-5456 x7624.
FRSH MEDIA STUDENTS
TAKE TOP HONORS IN STATE
F
ranklin Regional Senior High School (FRSH) students
Colten Oakes and Ceci Petrush, both Seniors, won the
Pennsylvania School Press Association’s State Journalism
Competition in the category of News Video. Students from
schools across the state competed at the regional level and
moved to the State competition, which was conducted at the
Pennsylvania State University last month.
Several media students also captured awards at the Robert
Morris University’s Digital Media Awards including: FRSH
TV News Crew (Live Event – Holiday Telethon), Colten
Oakes and Ceci Petrush (News Package – Traveling Vietnam
Wall), Angelina Pampena (Feature Package – Thoroughly
Modern Millie), Ryan Lucht (Digital Cinema & Video as Art),
Colten Oakes (Founder’s Award).
From left to right: Olivia Ciotti, Cecilia Petrush, Ryan Lucht,
Colten Oakes, Angelina Pampena, Nicholas Rose, Daniel Cecere,
and Brian Pampena.
MURRYSVILLE
❘
SUMMER 2019
35