WHAT ’ S NEWS IN PETERS TOWNSHIP
PTHS SENIOR RECEIVES GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARD
Girl Scouting ’ s highest awards — the Bronze , Silver and Gold Awards — are a girl ’ s chance to make a lasting difference in the world . For Laura Shope of Venetia , going gold means earning the highest achievement in Girl Scouting — the Gold Award .
This award , presented to Shope by Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania , recognizes girls in grades nine through 12 who demonstrate extraordinary leadership through sustainable and measurable Take Action projects that address important community needs .
Laura Shope
Shope is a senior at Peters Township High School and serves as a Student Ambassador Team Leader , Clarinet Section Leader of the Marching Band and Student Events Manager and House Manager for various Thespian Troupe 185 events and shows . As a Girl Scout member for 11 years , Shope is a Girl Scout Ambassador of Troop 54327 . She is also a Girl Advisor for the GSWPA Board of Directors . She was supported in her Gold Award efforts by Ray Cygrymus , Sharon Enslen and the principals and staff from McMurray Elementary and Peters Township Middle School , as well as her friends from Thespian Troupe 185 . Her Gold Award project began in June 2015 and was completed in June 2016 .
For Shope ’ s Gold Award project , she created two after-school theater programs for children in grades four through eight at her local elementary and middle schools . She titled the programs “ STARbuilders : Working Together Toward a Brighter Future .” In each program , Shope lead a team of volunteers from the High School ’ s Thespian Troupe 185 in teaching children the essential skills of theater . Shope created lesson plans each week that focused on a new skill and taught the kids through activities , projects and games . Each group worked on scenes , and the middle school students learned a musical number from the Broadway musical “ The Lion King .” The students learned skills such as improvisation , stage presence , voice projection , audition techniques and warmup exercises . Through the program , Shope observed how each student ’ s self-confidence grew , as they developed into young actors .
The Gold Award is a national award , with national standards , and it represents a Girl Scout ’ s time , leadership , creativity and effort contributed to making her community better . Not only do Gold Award projects help communities , they also give girls important leadership skills — teaching them to seek out the work that needs doing in the world . Some universities and colleges offer scholarships unique to Gold Award recipients , and girls who enlist in the U . S . Armed Forces may receive advanced rank in recognition of their achievements .
For more information , visit gswpa . org / girls / awards / gold-award /.
About Girl Scouts : Founded in 1912 , Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership experience for girls and is the leading authority on girls ' healthy development . Girl Scouts builds girls of courage , confidence and character , who make the world a better place . The 3-millionmember organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories . Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international schools overseas in 90 countries . For more information on how to join , volunteer , reconnect or donate to Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania , call 800.248.3355 or visit gswpa . org .
PT COUNCIL HONORS MICHAEL SILVESTRI
On Monday , Aug . 22 during the Peters Township Council meeting , Michael Silvestri was honored for his 40-year service to the Township as Township Manager . Among praise from Council and members of the
community , Silvestri received special recognition from State Representative John Maher of Upper St . Clair , State Senator Guy Reschenthaler of Jefferson Hills and U . S . Representative Tim Murphy . All three Washington County Commissioners also attended to present Silvestri with a certificate of appreciation .
As a parting gift of appreciation , Council presented the longtime manager with a flag that flew over the U . S . Capitol and a special red-and-white Peters Township street sign that reads “ Silvestri Way .”
PTHS MARCHING BAND SHINES IN 2016-2017 SEASON
Featuring 135 members in grades eight through 12 , the Peters Township “ Mighty Indian ” Marching Band has been very busy this season ! From three weeks of band camp at the Peters Township Middle School and California University of PA to Tuesday and Thursday evening rehearsals , a trip to Kennywood to march in the Fall Fantasy Parade , Football Games and a few festivals — they ’ ve been working very hard all season .
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