WHAT ’ S NEWS IN NORTH ALLEGHENY
THE WOODLANDS FOUNDATION PLANS SECOND ANNUAL BLOCK PARTY
The community is invited to pull up a lawn chair or blanket and attend The Woodlands Foundation ’ s second annual Block Party on Saturday , Aug . 20 , from 4 to 7 p . m . at the 52‐acre campus in Wexford .
The Block Party will feature live music from Good Brother Earl and host the Las Chicas Taco Truck as well as the BRGR tent . Also , Bella Christie & Li ’ l Z ’ s Sweet Boutique will make little donuts to order on-site . The event will include refreshments with beverages from Deschutes Brewery as well as activities throughout the day including golf competitions on the organization ’ s nine-hole golf course and carnival-style games with prizes . A raffle will feature Steelers tickets and many local venue activities and gift certificates .
Tickets can be purchased at mywoodlands . org and are $ 35 for adults , $ 15 for children ages 14 and under , and children ages 4 and under will be admitted free of charge .
Proceeds from the Block Party will go to the Woodlands ’ mission of providing year‐round recreational and educational programs and camps to children and young adults who have special needs . These programs take place at the Woodlands Wexford campus , which includes all adaptive activities such as a large indoor heated pool , a zip line , a nine-hole golf course , an art center , nature trails , a recreational center , a sports court , campgrounds and other activities that participants might not otherwise have the opportunity to explore .
Block Party sponsorship opportunities remain . Contact Stephanie Weinberg for more information at sweinberg @ woodlandsfoundation . org or call 724.935.6533 .
MARTIN NEAL WINS WOODROW WILSON NATIONAL FELLOWSHIP
The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation announced the selection of 60 WW Georgia Teaching Fellows for 2016 .
Among them was Wexford native Martin Neal . The new Fellows were introduced at an event on June 1 with Georgia Governor Nathan Deal .
The highly competitive program recruits both recent graduates and career changers with strong backgrounds in science , technology , engineering and math — the STEM fields — and prepares them specifically to teach in high-need secondary schools .
Each Fellow received $ 30,000 to complete a specially designed , cutting-edge master ’ s degree program based on a year-long classroom experience . In return , Fellows commit to teach for three years in the urban and rural Georgia schools that most need strong STEM teachers . Throughout the three‐year commitment , Fellows receive ongoing support and mentoring .
For more information , contact Patrick Riccards , Chief Communications and Strategy Officer , at riccards @ woodrow . org or 703.298.8283 .
WORLD OF MAE 5K AND 1-MILE FUNRUN
Be sure to join in on this year ’ s World of Mae 5K and 1-Mile FunRun scheduled for Oct . 1 at Hartwood Acres . The event will include a 5K and 1-mile handicappedfriendly course as well as free face painting , Henna tattoo artistry , Hula Hoop Troop Interactive Entertainment , live music every half-mile , basket raffles , food , beverages and much more ! Proceeds benefit Ada Mae Grashow .
Ada Mae Grashow is seven years old with Phelan McDermid Syndrome ( PMS ), an extremely rare genetic disorder . Despite being nonverbal , Ada ’ s message is powerful , and the Grashows want to help others by sharing her story . “ Learning about Ada ’ s diagnosis when she was just over age five allowed us to start understanding the mysteries we were constantly experiencing . By bringing awareness to PMS , Ada ’ s story sparks empathy and acceptance for individuals with disabilities . Because PMS is so rare , we hope to promote earlier diagnosis and help other families get the proper treatment that their loved ones with PMS deserve ,” says Ada ’ s mother , Katie Grashow . The Grashows ’ foundation , World of Mae , is dedicated to empowering Ada as well as the surrounding community . World of Mae holds an annual festival uniquely designed to celebrate people of ALL abilities and disabilities .
For more information and to follow Ada ’ s story , visit facebook . com / worldofmae . home or email kathryngrashow @ yahoo . com .
ALAINA RODI AWARDED THE FUTURE TEACHERS SCHOLARSHIP FROM NAFT
The North Allegheny Federation of Teachers ( NAFT ) proudly announces Alaina Rodi as recipient of this year ’ s NAFT Future Educators Scholarship . Rodi , the daughter of Bob and Marina Rodi of Gibsonia , received a cash award of $ 2,500 to be used toward her higher education .
The scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior at North Allegheny High School on a competitive basis of high scholarship , recommendations from teachers , campus leadership and service , and promise of future contributions to the teaching profession .
Rodi is an honor student who has been involved in the German Exchange Student Program at North Allegheny High School . The Rodi family hosted a German student and Rodi spent three weeks in Germany the summer before her junior year . She earned the gold medal for the national German test in 2014 , and a silver medal in 2015 . She is a member of the National Honor Society and DECA ( winning regional awards and competing at the state competition as both a junior and senior ), and has been active with chorus and women ’ s lacrosse , all while continuing youth mentoring and tutoring .
Rodi will pursue her degree in Education at Pennsylvania State University , University Park
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