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National TSA TEAMS Competition
Two Pine-Richland Middle School teams and six Pine-Richland High School teams qualified for the National TSA TEAMS Competition in Nashville June 27-July 1. Pine-Richland Middle School’ s teams placed first and second in the state. TEAMS is an annual competition for middle school and high school students designed to help them discover their potential for engineering. Using science, technology, engineering and mathematics, students work collaboratively to solve real-world engineering challenges. This year’ s theme is Engineering for Extreme Weather. The middle school first-place team includes seventh-graders Ariel Brotherson, Nathan Leckey and Mason Vitina, and eighth-grader Britta Sudo, and the second-place team includes seventh-graders Luke Guo, Jackson Lion, Aarav Pattan and Abhaya Tuladhar. Pine-Richland High School students qualifying for nationals include Team B: seniors Vincent Bucek, Allen Chen, Thomas DeVito and Ari Kralios; Team C: ninth-graders Soha Garg, Sol Ko, Sailesh Senthil and Abheek Tuladhar; Team E: sophomore Ryan Cashman, juniors Carlton Fogliani and Doolin Stober, and senior Thomas Kapanowski; Team G: juniors Mateen Hasan and Brian Ock and seniors Levina Jithesh and Prisha Dargan; Team H: juniors Sanika Das, Giuliana DeRenzo, Evy Lawler and Ella Yanni; and Team I: ninth-graders Sonaya Arora, Piya Dargan, Lizzie Feterik and Owen Tan.
Penguins Science Champions Team
Chris Vins, third-grade teacher at Wexford Elementary School, was selected to join the Penguins Science Champions Team. Forty second- and third-grade teachers from the Pittsburgh region were selected to participate in“ Science on the Ice: A Design Charrette for Teachers,” a day-long event on March 29 at PPG Paints Arena, where they brainstormed fun and engaging second- and third-grade science lessons and activities that incorporate hockey and hands-on experiences aligned with the new STEELS standards.
PMEA All-State Event
Five Pine-Richland students earned placement in PMEA All-State events: seniors Mackenzie Mercuri and Sophia Priore were selected to perform in the PMEA All- State Choir. Senior Thomas DeVito( first chair trumpet) and junior Ashlyn Casale were selected for PMEA All-State Band, and l-r: Mackenzie, Thomas, Ryan, Ashlyn, Sophia junior Ryan Noir was selected for PMEA All-State Orchestra( first chair clarinet). This is Sophia’ s second time participating in PMEA All-State Choir. The PMEA Annual Conference was held April 9-12 in the Poconos.
Juniors Ashlyn Casale( principal flute) and Ryan Noir( principal clarinet) were selected for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Student Side-by-Side program for 2024-2025. Sophomore Alex Goss was selected for the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra for the 2025-2025 season.
Digital Media Arts Consortium’ s Student Competition Awards
Pine-Richland High School students earned four awards in the annual Digital Media Arts Consortium’ s Student Competition Awards at Robert Morris University on April 9.
• Sophomore Madison Began, Best In Category, Special Effects
• Senior Jack Salvadore and junior Liam Grubbs, Award of Excellence, Digital Cinema
• Senior Blake Fuchs, Founders Award
• PRTV Club, Best in Category, Live Event
DMAC recognizes and showcases outstanding student work in digital media such as video, photography and journalism.
Mrs. Carolyn Welshonce, Pine-Richland School District social worker, was elected the new president of the Pennsylvania Association of Student Assistant Professionals. Mrs. Welshonce has been a member of the board of directors for ten years. In her new role, Mrs. Welschonce will lead the Pennsylvania Association of Student Assistant Professionals board of directors, develop and facilitate monthly webinars on current school topics and organize the annual conference.
American Legion School Awards
Eighth-graders Tyler Coyne and Desolina Postreich received the American Legion School Award from Richland American Legion Post 548. The award is given annually to two outstanding eighth-grade students as selected by middle school faculty for scholarship, honor, service, patriotism, leadership and courage. Commander Bob Schleiden from Post 548 presented the award to the students. Eighth-graders Juliana Hunkele, Carson
l-r: Commander Bob Schleiden, Desolina Postreich and Tyler Coyne
Joller, Eleanor Kaufman, l-r: Assistant Principal Nicole Berezo,
Keenan Parkhill, Malia Trapl Eleanor Kaufman, Malia Trapl, Juliana Hunkele, and Jack Williams earned the Jack Williams, Keenan Parkhill, Carson Joller Pittsburgh Foundation Award and Principal Dr. David Kristofic for kindness, consideration of others and willingness to help.
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