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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