WHAT ’ S NEWS IN ROSS TOWNSHIP
PROVIDENCE HEIGHTS ALPHA SCHOOL FORENSICS TEAM TAKES SECOND PLACE
The Providence Heights Alpha School forensics team attended the Southwestern Pennsylvania Forensic League Competition at the East Catholic School on Jan . 15 . The school ’ s mixed-grade team of 14 students took second place in the event . For more information , contact Margaret Ruefle , M . Ed ., M . S ., Principal , at 412.366.4455 or Claire Hartman , Director of Admissions , at 412.847.8001 .
SAINT SEBASTIAN SCHOOL COLLECTS BIBLES FOR INMATES
Back row ( l to r ): Mathilda Roberts , Ava Barkich , Peyton Rihn , Sean Farrell , Fulton Fontana Front row ( l to r ): Kristin Kaminski , Rachel Sweeny , Becca Moorhead and Nick Giunta * Not pictured is student council member Jackson Farrell .
More than 350 new Bibles will be distributed to inmates at the Allegheny County Jail , thanks to students at the Saint Sebastian School in Ross Township .
The idea for the service project originated with Peyton Rihn , an eighth grader who serves as Student Council service director , a position she shares with seventh grader Rachel Sweeney . The students learned that the jail is in constant need of Bibles after a call was made to Reverend Kimberly Greway , Director of Chaplaincy Services at the Allegheny County Jail . The jail currently houses more than 2,000 men and women .
The student council worked with teacher advisor Celeste Dickson , to finalize the details of the project . As students are generally required to wear uniforms , the council sponsored a dress-down day as a way to raise money for the project .
“ We anticipated having more than one fundraiser and probably doing something more elaborate to raise this money ; however , once students and families heard what the money was going toward , they donated such a large amount that we only needed one quick fundraiser ,” says Dickson . “ The response to this cause was overwhelming , and many families have not just donated money , but also have donated additional Bibles .”
The school raised enough money to donate 360 new Bibles , approximately one per student at the school . Each will include a prayer card , and each child will sign his or her first name on the card . The Bibles will be distributed to the inmates through the jail ’ s chaplaincy office .
“ Both the kids on Student Council and the other students at Saint Sebastian have such big hearts and always want to help in charitable causes ,” says Dickson . “ They always come through for us when we have fundraisers for different causes , or help others in the community .”
TWILIGHT NIGHT : A STARRY PREVIEW OF NORTH HILLS HIGH SCHOOL MUSICALS
A “ starry ” preview of North Hills-area high school musicals , called “ Twilight Night ,” took place on Friday , Feb . 3 , at 7 p . m . at Memorial Park Church . High school musical cast soloists presented songs from their upcoming shows and gave an exciting sneak peek of their school spring musicals . Admission to the evening concert was a give-what-youcan donation to North Hills Community Outreach , an organization that provides food and financial help to those most in need in the North Hills communities .
“ We ’ ve received enthusiastic response from our area high school musical directors about this new venture !” says Jim Lueers , Arts Director at Memorial Park Church . “ Each spring , Pittsburgh-area high schools produce fabulous musicals , spending many hours in rehearsal and a wide variety of budgets . This event was an attempt to level the playing field with no costumes or props — to just get a scoop on their musical plans .”
In a highly competitive atmosphere , this event aimed to bring students and musical lovers together to use their gifts for the good of the community . The event was called “ Twilight Night ” because twilight is when stars first start appearing .
For more information , contact James Lueers at 412.364.9492 x118 .
PAINTING WITH A TWIST HOSTS FREE SCAVENGER HUNT
Painting with a Twist will be hosting a free local neighborhood scavenger hunt on April 29 . All studios in the western Pennsylvania region will be participating , making it a great way to meet your local studio owners as well as local businesses — and have fun doing it ! Each studio will have its own unique set of rules and prizes to promote the fun in their respective neighborhoods . An after-party will follow to keep the night alive ! Even if you ’ ve never Painted with a Twist , contact the studio nearest you to find out what all the fun is about ! What Twist will they throw your way ?
Teams will be groups of two , three or four , and drivers must be 18 years or older . Bring a person who has never before Twisted and score extra points ! Neighborhood knowledge will win you the most points , so contact your local studio for more information . Pittsburgh- North in Wexford ( 724.426.2935 ). n
6 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Ross Township