IN North Allegheny Winter 2017 | Page 10

WHAT’S NEWS IN NORTH ALLEGHENY SEVEN SHADY SIDE SENIORS NAMED NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP SEMIFINALISTS Seungwon “Jackie” Kim Seven Shady Side Academy seniors were named semifinalists in the 63rd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented students will continue in the competition for 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million that will be offered next spring. The SSA semifinalists are: • Ashvin Dhawan (Hampton) • Charlotte Everett (Fox Chapel) • Seungwon “Jackie” Kim (McCandless) • Maxwell Kurke (Squirrel Hill) • Jeanne Lauer (Fox Chapel) • Robert Sveda (Pine) • Justin Yuan (Monroeville) About 1.6 million high school juniors entered the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2016 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, which represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest scoring entrants in each state. To become a finalist, the semifinalist and his/her high school must submit a detailed scholarship application that provides information about 8 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | North Allegheny the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. Of the 16,000 semifinalists, 15,000 are expected to advance to the finalist level in February. Three types of National Merit Scholarships will be offered this spring. Every finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit $2,500 Scholarships, awarded on a state representational basis. About 1,000 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships will be awarded to finalists who meet the sponsoring organization’s criteria. About 190 colleges will award 4,000 college-sponsored Merit Scholarships to finalists who attend the sponsor institution. Shady Side Academy is a nationally respected private school for boys and girls in grades PK-12, with optional boarding in high school. Four age- specific campuses with extraordinary resources, teachers who actively mentor, a forward-thinking curriculum, a diverse and inclusive community, and a legacy of alumni accomplishments all inspire Shady Side students to high achievement in academics, the arts and athletics, and to meaningful ambitions in life. Learn more at shadysideacademy.org. GREYBROOKE GARDEN CLUB The Greybrooke Garden Club will meet on Jan. 10 at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Parkwood United Presbyterian Church. Refreshments will follow the business meeting and precede an informal craft project of making Valentines for patients of a local personal care residence (materials provided). “Valentines for Patients” provides an opportunity for all present to enjoy an hour of fellowship. A “Visions of Spring” workshop is scheduled for the Feb. 14 meeting of the club. The program will be presented by members Master Gardener Karen Lampman and Second Vice President and Program Chairman Bonnie MacDonald. For planning purposes for this program, guests are requested to RSVP to Barbro Kelley at 412.296.0538 by Feb. 9. Refreshments will be served following the business meeting and preceding the program. Regular meetings of the Greybrooke Garden Club are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at the church, located at 4289 Mt. Royal Boulevard in Hampton Township. Guests are welcome at all meetings. For more information about the Greybrooke Garden Club, contact Barbro Kelley. THE PITTSBURGH CONCERT CHORALE 2017-2018 SEASON The Pittsburgh Concert Chorale’s 2017- 2018 concert schedule offers a varied sampling of music from around the globe. “The Pittsburgh Concert Chorale is excited to present musical selections from various parts of the world. The season began with our sixth annual Pittsburgh Sings: Pittsburgh Concert Chorale’s Festival of Choirs at Carnegie Music Hall, which showcases high school choirs from the Greater Pittsburgh region. Our December ‘Sounds of the Season’ concert features American favorites and classics from around the globe. Our March concert, ‘Bella Musica!’ will take audiences on a breathtaking journey through Italy with music that has resonated in cathedrals, piazzas and opera houses for centuries. Rounding out the season, in May, the PCC goes to Tinseltown for ‘Hooray for Hollywood!’—a concert of beloved movie music. We invite you to join the Pittsburgh Concert Chorale for this exciting musical journey, and you can enjoy it all from the comfort of your seat in the concert hall,” Music Director Susan Medley says. Upcoming Concerts: • “Sounds of the Season,” the annual holiday concert, will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, and 4 p.m. Sunday,