august 2009 - Allegheny West Magazine

FEATURESCOLUMNSLEFT:This youngster tookpart in a make yourown sundaeprogram atWestern AlleghenyCommunity Librarythis summer.“GOOD NEWS ALWAYS, MAILED & DELIVERED FREE, EVERY TIME”TO REACH USPUBLISHINGTEAM MORE INFOOUR OTHERPUBLICATIONSABOUT THE COVERPHOTO BY PAT JENNETTERegistered with Dun & Bradstreet2007 WinnerBBB TorchAward forMarketplaceEthics

Award Winning CareClose to HomeCome and discover why Ohio Valley GeneralHospital has been voted the best hospital inthe western suburbs by the readers of theTribune Review. With more than 300physicians in 36 medical speciales and a fullrange of advanced diagnosc tools andtreatments, it’s clear that one of the besthospitals in the city isn’t in the city.We’re also pleased to announce that ouroutpaent facilies will be expanding to theNorth Hills in the near future. Soon, alongMt. Nebo Pointe Drive, Ohio Valley GeneralHospital will be opening a new buildingcomprised of a first-rate Wound andHyperbaric Oxygen Treatment program, TheInstute for Pain Diagnoscs and Care, aPrimary Care Physician office, and laboratoryservices.Also, our newly expanded medical officebuilding will feature laboratory services, apharmacy and new registraon programs,helping to make paents’ visits convenientand without long wait mes.It just keepsgeng beer. Visit our Web site to learnmore, or just give us a call at 412-777-6161.We’ll be happy to help.25 Heckel Road • Kennedy Township • Mckees Rocks, Pa412-777-6161 • www.ohiovalleyhospital.org

OURAs with every issue, your community businesses are the reason for the publication of Allegheny WestMagazine. Please support these businesses. Their support allows us to mail this magazine, free, intothe households of Findlay, North Fayette, Oakdale, Sturgeon, and portions of McDonald as acommunity service.:

LEFT: Tom Cortese, at left, assistant dean of CCAC–West Hills Center, and Dr. Charles Blocksidge, at right,executive director of the CCAC–Allegheny CountyWorkforce Alliance, point out automotive trainingfacilities to Pennsylvania House Speaker Keith McCallon a tour of CCAC’s West Hills Center.Read us online! All 3 Editions are available in their entirety at:

ABOVE: Shannon Messner, left, andAlexis Ostrander, right.

.WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED!

LEFT: “The plane”before its refurbishing.BELOW: Members ofthe VFW Montour Post7714 with Boy ScoutTroop 830 pose in frontof the plane. Pictured,back row, center, isCommander Bill Miller,with military hat, and tohis left, Kieran King,who undertook theEagle Scout project.When Findlay Township resident Kieran King, a member of Boy Scout Troop 830,was pondering what his Eagle Scout project would be, he had many ideas presented tohim by family, neighbors, and friends.However, it was the F-86L Saber jet aircraft that sits in front of the VFW Post 7714in Imperial that caught his attention the most. A family friend, John Jennette,mentioned how it could use a new face.Its facade had faded over time, and was in dire need of an overhaul.So, Kieran went about the process of beginning its repainting and restoration. In July2008, he contacted VFW Commander Bill Miller to discuss the project. After meetingwith Commander Miller, he approached the Air National Guard to find out how tomeet the specifications required for the repainting and decal replacement.Besides the painting and decal replacement, Kieran also saw a need to remove arundown flagpole base at the site and improve the landscaping.He estimated that the project would cost, from beginning to completion, just over$1,000, not including labor.Over the past fall and winter months, Kieran began meeting with individuals andorganizations to seek ideas and donations.The actual restoration began on May 2, when a team of volunteers from his troopcleaned and power washed the plane. That was followed by sanding and refinishing it. Afull day of priming and painting was next.Kieran’s neighbor, Jeff Holdreith, had a connection at Matthews International, KenMueller, which resulted in the company donating the commemorative plaque. It reads,“F-86 Saber Jet, Dedicated to the Veterans Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice, Retired1961, Eagle Scout Project by Kieran King, 2008-2009.”Norman Cridge, a localresident, assisted Kieran inapplying the official decals tothe finished project.Donations included Post7714 donating the costs forpainting, priming, and thedecals, and Lowe’s and ParkWest Supply for donatingsuppliesOn a sunny day in July,members of the post andTroop 830 posed in front ofthe newly refurbished “lady.”It was a proud day for all,but especially, for those whowill see this tribute in thecommunity that remindsanyone who passes by toreflect on the heroism ofthose who have served, anddo serve to this day, in themilitary.he has sat proudly in front of the MontourValley VFW Post 7714 on Steubenville Pike fordecades, this “grand lady” of a plane that tookits rightful place back in 1961, reflecting thepresence of proud military veterans in Imperial and thesurrounding area.Those who would drive out of the former Penn LincolnDrive-In (where Penn Lincoln Center now sits) would see itsmack dab in front of them as they exited onto the pike.According to the history recorded in documentsmaintained by VFW Post 7714, the story goes like this:“Directions given to Imperial often include ‘the plane’ atthe VFW, ‘turn left and so forth ...’ Recently it wasfeatured in passing in the movie, “Boys on the Side” withWhoopi Goldberg.In 1961 our then commander, Earl L. Goonen, statedat the dedication ceremony that the F-86L aircraft wasobtained through the office of Congressman James G.Fulton, and presented to Post 7714 by the PennsylvaniaAir National Guard unit at Greater Pittsburgh Airport.The Sabre jet is a veteran of many conflicts of theKorean War. Upon its retirement, Post 7714 made arequest for its placement as a memorial to Imperialveterans who made the supreme sacrifice in the KoreanWar. The plane was designated as a ‘Community Trophy.”It was deactivated and shipped to Greater PittsburghAirport, and driven through the streets dewinged. What asight to behold! Upon its arrival at Post 7714, it wasplaced at its cement platforms, and the wings werereplaced.In 1993 it received its current plaining, giving the F-86L its new luster.Post 7714 applied in writing by a letter dated May 24,1961 for transfer of this historical aircraft to ourcommunity.We are proud of this achievement, and proud to displaysuch an artifact, which is a veteran, along with all theother Veterans of Foreign Wars.”

A local resident from Imperial andWest Allegheny High School graduate,Michael J. Kubatka, has spent the last19 years serving in the military. Uponhis enlistment in 1990 he spent threeyears stationed at Travis AFB inCalifornia. There he worked as anAircraft & Flight Mechanic for the60th Generation Squadron. He wasthe senior airman flying on the C-5Galaxy, the Air Force’s largest cargoplane. He then transferred to DoverAFB in Delaware where he became aFlight Engineer for the 9 th AirliftSquadron.It was there that he meet his wifeRenee. Together they have twochildren, Alexander Joseph, 7, andCatherine Elizabeth, 4.Michael has had manyaccomplishments throughout hismilitary career. He was selected as theFlight Engineer of the Year and FlightInstructor of the Year, served on theRetreat Ceremonies, and served as AirForce Honor Guard performing inparades and ceremonies. He dedicatedhis free time to visiting localelementary schools to givepresentations to children sharing withthem his life in the military. His militarytravels through the years have taken himaround the world to 45 countries andthroughout the United States, fromHawaii to Maine.Michael has been deployed on manymissions, one of which reunited him withhis cousin Aaron Kubatka, in Frankfurt,Germany, who also serves in the militaryas Loadmaster on the C-17 aircraft.Michael served in our Gulf War, DesertShield, Desert Storm, Somalia, Iraq, andAfghanistan Wars. He has transportedPresidents Bush and Clinton across theUnited States to some of their mostimportant destinations.McGuire AFB in New Jersey is nowwhere Michael calls home. He has madea military career change and flies on theKC-10 Extenders. He has been workingon this aircraft for the past three years.He is known a TS Sergeant and FlightInstructor for the military. Michael justreturned home from his 4 th deploymentto the United Arab Emirates, where heserved as a re-fueler for our country’smany military planes and has becomechief of training for his 2nd Air RefuelingSquadron.Michael plans to retire in seven yearsABOVE: Michael Kubatka in action.and after this would like to continue to servein the Reserves.I would personally like to thank the familiesof these great men and women for their love,trust, loyalty, and support. God bless ourtroops and the United States of America!Thank you Michael for all you have done forour country, but most importantly, thank youfor being my brother.Jesse Lesko III, a recent West Allegheny HighSchool graduate, has given another prominent communitylocation -- St. Columbkille Church -- a flagpoleand American flag, which served as his Eagle Scoutproject. Not only will the congregation have theopportunity to see this symbol of American freedom,but those passing along the church on Route 30 will seeit waving proudly.Jesse’ s project included the planning, fundraising,and construction of the flagpole, as well as a seven-feetin diameter rock garden that sits at the pole’s base. Theflag is visible day or night, thanks to 24-hour lighting.Jesse estimates the project cost between $1,500 and$2,000 to complete, and was made possible throughdonations and volunteer support by members of BoyScout Troop 830, church members, and local businessesthat supported the project through eitherdonations or time.Jesse will attend Penn State University in the fall,with future plans to include service in the U.S. Army.PICTURED: Above left, members ofScout Troop 830 hoist the newflagpole in place, sparking memoriesof Iwo Jima. Right, Jesse Lesko nextto his final Eagle Scout project.

Bombs go off left and right as you dart your waythrough the rubble towards the enemy. This scene is whatyou may think of when you think of people in the armedforces.Many men and woman alike have joined the armedforces willing to give their lives for our country. One suchMarine is Jim Santeufemio, a resident of Clinton. Jimgrew up in western Pennsylvania and graduated fromSouth Side Beaver High School in 2004. He joined theMarines soon after.Jim wanted to join the Marines ever since he was achild. He always thought that they did great things for ourcountry and he wanted to be part of the Marines.Out of all the branches in the armed forces the Marineshave the fewest number of members serving in it. Theyalso have the most extensive basic training.Since joining the Marines, Jim served in Operation IraqiFreedom III from March to October, 2005. He currentlyholds the rank of Corporal. His job title is a LineMechanic, and he is the Plane Captain on the UH-1N, anattack helicopter, and the AH-1W, a utility helicopter.Training to be a Marine, or any branch of the armedforces, is both physically and mentally demanding. Theygo through many months of training to become fit forservice. Besides defending our country, the Marines alsohelp the local community by participating in Toys forABOVE: Jim Santeufemio, who today works as a postal carrier for theImperial Post Office.Tots, a charity that collects and distributes toys each year to kidsin need. There are many programs for you to help people in thearmed forces too. There are programs that send cards and otherthings out to troops that are in foreign countries. Other programsallow you to become pen pals with soldiers. One such Web siteyou can go to is www.penpalsforsoldiers.org/.So, next time you see a soldier make sure to thank him or herfor their service to our country and community.CORRECTION: The June issue ‘Youth Column” inadvertently identified the individualas Kevin Tissue. The article and photo caption was to read, “Dave Tissue.”

TOP TO BOTTOM: One of the dormitory kitchens, a view ofthe shared living room quarters; a rooftop view of the newhousing on the PTI campus.

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BY PITTSBURGH’S OHIO VALLEY GENERALHOSPITAL ACUTE REHABILITATION UNIT

ABOVE: Timothy Olyphant, June Argenta Walker, and Joelle Carter.Also starring in the show is Joelle Carter, whose roles have includedthe ABC drama, “Wonderland” and a bit role in the drama, “TheHorse Whisperer.”Other performers in the show include Nick Searcy, Erica Tazel, andJacob Pitts.For the Walkers, loaning out their home entailed a complete moveinby the production company, followed by a complete move-out ofthe families’ belongings on their first floor.Fortunately, June is retired now from her position as a teacher’s aidein the West Allegheny School District, so she had the time to do it.“They did keep some of our family photos on the walls for thescenes, but the rest of it was completely changed; it was amazing howfast they did it,” June said.The film crew then painted, wallpapered, andrecarpeted the Walker’s home, all the while housingthe family for two weeks at a local hotel.As they say, preparation is most of the work. In thiscase, the film crew, once set up, did its job in lessthan two full days.“They set up much of their equipment and trailersat the Pittsburgh Motor Speedway, and they hadquite a bit of equipment here that they used, too,”June said.The family enjoyed the experience, watchingtelevision come alive in their own front yard.“They splattered ‘blood’ on the carpet for themurder scene, which meant they had to replace thecarpet,” she noted.During the filming, June said that Joelle Carterwas staying at the house, as she was filming thescenes in her role as “Ava.”For the Walkers, they came back to a freshlypainted, newly carpeted, and cleaned home, all thewhile taking a two-week “vacation” at a local hoteland getting a front seat to the best show in town this summer.While the Walker homestead was the only location whereWoodbridge filmed in the community, the team spent 12days in Western Pennsylvania.Scenes were also filmed at the Washington County Courthouse,the Tour-Ed mine near Tarentum, and the interior ofthe David L. Lawrence Convention Center.If all goes as planned, the drama should air on the FXstation sometime this coming season. Future episodes of theshow would be filmed in Los Angeles.FX also is home to such popular shows as “Damages” and“The Shield.”For the Walkers, if the show never hit the airwaves, it wasquite a drama for them and one they will remember for along time.

PICTURED: Chamber Ambassadors were on hand for ribboncuttings again this summer. Top, ambassadors welcomed newmember Pittsburgh Chiropractic Sports Therapy. Bottom, theywatch as members of Valley Care cut the ribbon on their newfacility in Moon Township.

STORY AND PHOTOSBY KRISTY SNYDERKeeping Those School Buses Rolling!n the distance is a speck of goldenrod. It shimmers andflickers along the surface of the road, slowly coming intofocus. As it approaches, it grows larger and larger, and soon,the tiny speck of goldenrod has transformed into a fistful ofvibrant dandelion. Still it tumbles forward, and the onceintangible details now formulate into solid evidence. In front is amassive windshield, protecting all those inside. Pressed on its side is aretractable stop sign, which in the future will act as a guardian tothose who exit. And, behind the sign in the direct center of the flankare the words, “West Allegheny School District.”When that large, yellow bus comes rolling down the road, it is animmediate indicator of youth education. Buses are charged with thecritical duty of transporting students from their homes to theirdesignated place of study, whether it be one of the elementaryschools, the middle or high school, or a specialized school. For WestAllegheny students, this form of transport is provided by MonarkStudent Transportation Corporation (Monark).“Our main goal is the safe transportation of people’s children,” saidMark D. Schmitt, owner of Monark. “I mean, let’s face it. We’re inthe business to transport people’s children – safely, carefully, on time,efficiently. And really, what’s more important in the world thanpeople’s children? Nothing is more important.”Monark has been the sole bus company of the West AlleghenySchool District for nearly ten years. However, it was not always thelone school bus contractor. Before Monark was founded, the schooldistrict was bussed by two separate companies, McCullough & Son,Inc. and the Hannah Company. Monark came onto the scene whenthey accepted a five-year contract for the Hannah side of the district.That same year, McCullough & Son, Inc. decided to sell theirbusiness, and Monark completed the acquisition of McCullough &Son, Inc. with the approval of the West Allegheny School Board.Since then, the buses have rolled contentedly under the Monark flag.“It’s been a really great experience,” Mark said on providing thetransportation for the West Allegheny School District. “It’s such apersonal group of people to deal with, from the administration to thepublic. It’s such a nice, close-knit community. And that’s what’s reallycool of being part of it.”“I think it’s the friendly atmosphere, I think it’s the community,”agreed Amy Werner, a long time bus driver and alumni of the WestAllegheny School District, about the temperament of the district.“It’s really a true community. People know each other and workhard to make the school district what it is. The people just want thebest for their children and they work hard to accomplish that. It hasthat real hometown feel.”Amy has driven a school bus in the West Allegheny School Districtfor her entire bus-driving career. It was not an occupational goal or ahidden desire that sparked her entrance into the world of driving, butrather a simple trip to the bus stop with her son.“I’m a stay-at-home mom,” said Amy. “I just kind of fell intodriving a school bus. I went out one day to set my son on the schoolbus and found out from the driver ‘Oh, I’m not going to be yourdriver very long, I don’t know who’s going take over!’ He actuallysaid, ‘Well, why don’t you apply for the job?’ I kind of askedquestions and kind of fell into it that way. That is another partof it, just because it’s a part-time job you have summers off, itdoesn’t demand all of your day, and you can help out yourfamily budget and income in the house. It’s really nice and Ienjoy it.”Being a bus driver allows for a flexible schedule that can workwell for various types of individuals.“It works well for housewives as well as retired people,” saidMark. “[In the summer months] it’s an opportunity to kick backa little bit, to work in the garden, to be with the kids whenthey’re out of school.”However, just because there is no school during June, July, andAugust does not mean that the buses sit collecting dust in theparking lot. Twice a year the buses have to be state-inspected,followed by a state police inspection in the summer to ensurethe buses meet safety protocols.There is also extra cleaning, route adjustments for theupcoming year, summer school routes, certification training, andclasses for those who wish to become a new bus driver.Becoming a bus driver involves more than just a summer class,however. It is a very time consuming and arduous process that inthe end yields splendiferous results. Luckily, though, Monark isthere to help fledgling drivers along the way.“What’s nice about Monark is that they can walk you throughthe whole process of becoming a school bus driver,” Amy said.“You can apply here and they have trainers that can train you.The first thing is you have to get certified – you have to get aCDL license. You have to get a school bus driver’s license – that’sa separate license other than your CDL license. You go out andyou learn the bus and you learn how to drive it. You have tolearn to drive an air-brake system. But they do it all here, whichis really great.”And for those that do take the long path to becoming a busdriver, the final result is well worth the extra effort. For the WestAllegheny School District and Monark Student TransportationCorporation, bus driving is more than just a part-time job. It’s aposition that can shape and formulate the rest of a child’s life.Riding a bus for the very first time is both an exciting andterrifying new experience for children, and it’s the school busdriver’s job to ensure that they are comfortable and prepared forthe day.“What an incredible experience for that little kid, that child tobe at the bus stop, getting ready to step on that big yellow bus,”reflected Mark. And that’s pretty emotional for the mother ordad too. And you watch that from the driver’s seat, and it’sreally great. They’re trusting that child into your care.”So, the next time that large yellow bus is rolling away into thedistance, disintegrating into that same mere speck of goldenrod,remember that it is more than just a vehicle. Instead, it is a safemode of transportation for young children that can change theirlives forever. And it is school bus drivers that hold the key.

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STORY AND PHOTOSBY AMANDA HALLIt is a cool morning in July, the sun is not fully out yet, andmost people are commuting to work or in their bed sleeping. Itis 7 a.m. at the Hankey Farms pool, and driving by it justappears to be some local swimmers starting their day with somelaps. However, driving down into the pool area no one wouldexpect to find kids ages 10-18 up at 7 a.m. doing 100 or morelaps in a pool. Such is the life of the dedicated swimmers fromthe West Allegheny Aqua Club.This is just a normal day for the West Allegheny Aqua Club,a year-round swim club that has been part of the communityfor approximately 30 years.Depending on the age of the young swimmers, they can haveanywhere between three to nine practices a week at variouslocations. They practice at a pool in West Virginia that is aspecial long distance pool; they have practiced at the ChartiersValley High School pool; and now they are practicing atHankey Farms. These athletes do not let the travel timediscourage them. This summer they usually would bepracticing at the West Allegheny High School pool. Due torenovations at the school this summer, they can not practicethere this season. They will return to West Allegheny next yearonce the renovations are complete.Even though this travel time can seem crazy for some people,these athletes will do anything make their swim times the bestthey can be.Bob Miller, the head coach of the Aqua Club, has been theircoach since 1994. He is also the head coach of the WestAllegheny Middle School and High School swimming programs.The Aqua Club teaches kids about competitive swimming,prepares them for the middle and high school teams, and teachesthem proper technique. The program has around 85-100swimmers, depending on the season, and range in age from eightto 17. The program starts out with a learn to swim program forages 3-12, held two to three times a year. Then, if interest peaks,these children can start into the Novice Club program forelementary students. The students rise through the next levels,which focus on learning to refine their techniques; this age groupdoes not compete. Then they move up to the novice, grey, red,and senior groups. Students are placed in these groups by age andability.The swimmers compete locally in the Allegheny MountainLocal Swimming Committee (LSC), which is all the local aquaclubs (Moon, South Fayette, and more). The AlleghenyMountain Division is one of thedivisions nationwide.Swimmers compete at a localchampionship at the University ofPittsburgh. If they qualify they cancompete in the regional zonechampionships. These have been heldanywhere from Penn State to Bangor,Maine. Not only do these studentscompete against swimmers from 13states, but they also do very well incompetition.Bob highlighted some successfulswimmers. He explained that someof his high school graduateswimmers are having success at thecollegiate level, hailing from suchschools as Duquesne Universityand Wheeling Jesuit.ABOVE: Ten year olds Hannah Charlton and Jessica Wasek have already qualifiedfor zones which is one of the big meets this team has coming up at Penn State.

At the high school level, theprogram has some promising boysand girls that look to have majorsuccess in this year’s WPIALcompetition. These students areEmily Pia, Amanda Gannon, AshleyNiznik, Kellie Gervas, Kara Kaulius,and TJ Mangis. Also, this programhas success at the younger level, asten year olds Hannah Charlton andJessica Wasek have already qualifiedfor zones, which is one of the bigmeets this team has coming up atABOVE: During the summer members of the West Allegheny Aqua Club practice at Hankey FarmsPool in North Fayette.Penn State. Members of this Aqua Club come from three states -Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio.Besides competing, Bob says, “Swimming builds overall bodyhealth, stamina, confidence, and time management skills.”It also builds responsibility as these students have open practiceswithout a coach two weekday mornings. During these openswims, they have to go to the pool assigned and work out bythemselves and do a certain amount of laps without a coachoverseeing their workout. This builds responsibility anddedication.The club also has a booster organization that defrays the $300-$800 dues and travel costs of these swimmers. The board isoperated by parents who have the responsibility to decide wherethe money should go. They also conduct fundraisers to defray thecosts. It is important to remember that the Aqua Club is a nonprofitgroup so the board of parents and coaches will worktogether to help with costs for the parents of the swimmers.Bob wants the community to know that during this year’sNorth Fayette Community Nights on August 7 and 8 they willhold an open swim/family fun night at the Hankey Farms Poolto give students swimming lessons and share information aboutthe club.The West Allegheny Aqua Club has had success in thecommunity for decades and is one of the best resources astudent can have in order to learn how to become a competitiveswimmer.As students watched the Olympics this year they were inspiredto be like Michael Phelps. The Aqua Club is a local way thatstudents can achieve that dream and be a competitive swimmerat a young age.The Aqua Club has a parent governed boardthat has the responsibility to oversee the operationsof the club and to decide where the monies raisedthrough the hosting of swim meets and otherfundraisers should go.This non-profit organization, says currentpresident Kathe Niznik, is committed to creating adesire and atmosphere through swimming wherechildren can develop their skills.Registration for the upcoming season isSeptember 1, 2, 9, and 10 from 6 to 8 p.m.To learn more, visit the Web site atwww.waswim.org or call (412) 608-4513.

RIGHT: Janet Craig, Board of Supervisors Vice-Chairperson; John Campbell; Tom Gallant, Board ofSupervisors Chairperson; and Ray Chappell, Boardof Supervisors member.LEFT: North Fayette Township manager Bob Grimm, center, accepts abag of member gifts and recognition to recognize the township reaching a30-year milestone as a member of the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber ofCommerce. Pictured with Bob Grimm are, left to right, Chamber AmbassadorsKarl Chapple, owner of Minuteman Press; Antoinette Grady, ownerof Allstaff Staffing Solutions; John Daley of Daley Financial Services; andPat Jennette, owner of Allegheny West Magazine. ABOVE: Members ofthe North Fayette Volunteer Fire Department cut the ribbon to officiallyreopen the fire hall on Steubenville Pike. The fire hall was recentlyrenovated and upgraded.

expires 9/30/09AWM

ABOVE: Three young woman from the West Allegheny community recently traveled to the Bahamas on a mission trip. Pictured here, the girlsinteracted with the children while helping to repair a church and lead vacation Bible school programs for the children.Most people go to the islands for vacation. When onehears about trips to the Bahamas, one thinks of ice coldpina coladas on a white sandy beach, admiring the lushgreens and the clear blue sea water.However, this past June, three young ladies from WestAllegheny High School journeyed to Nassau, Bahamas toparticipate in a trip of a different kind.Instead of giving themselves some time away, they gave ofthemselves.Arlena Armstrong, Caitlin Corcoran, and Rebecca Papetraveled with the student ministry program at ChristChurch of Grove Farm to assist Haitian refugees who areliving in Nassau, Bahamas. The church coordinated the tripin partnership with Mission Discovery.Instead of swimming and sunning, they repaired anexisting church on the island and spent their days leadingVacation Bible School for the Haitian children.And, while most teenagers save their hard-earned moneyfor such luxuries as cell phones, iPods, stereos, or clothing,these young women saved their own money for the trip.By giving of their time in Nassau, the teens helped manyHaitian refugees seek a fresh start in Nassau from their homelandthat is currently ridden in violence.At last current count, approximately 100,000 Haitians areresiding in Nassau in search of a new and better life.They left Haiti for many reasons, the least of which is a low lifeexpectancy (49 years or younger), and a raging unemploymentrate that is as high as 75 percent in some areas.Many of them have moved to the poorer side of Nassau, wheretheir population has swelled and their needs are great.Arlena, Caitlin, and Becca hope they helped in some small wayduring their time on the island.Arlena is the daughter of Randy and Elena Armstrong ofOakdale and will be a sophomore at West Allegheny HighSchool this fall.Caitlin, the daughter of Robert and Mary Ellen Corcoran ofNorth Fayette, and Becca, the daughter of Mike and Wendy Papeof Oakdale, are both seniors this year at West Allegheny.ABOVE: The West Allegheny Youth Soccer Association U13 teamcompleted its spring season with an undefeated 8-0 record during whichthey scored 49 goals.The squad finshed the season in first place andwon the PA West U13 D2 division title. Front row: Michael Cummings,Collin Wurst, Kyle McCracken, Patrick Harman, Garrett Kosis, ZachSalek and Ryan Terabasso. Back row: Coach Derek McCracken, ConnorHimich, Christian Stout, Justin Faix, Michael Miara, Cooper Amos,Michael Roberts, Coach Kevin Amos and Coach Doug Wurst. Missing:Jarrett Bordo, Ethan Schultz and Nick Weithorn.ABOVE: The U12 Findlay Quinn Team won the Fastpitch C.V.C.League Playoff Championship this summer with an 11 to 4 victory overHopewell. Front Row: Brittany Hurey, Jenna Josey; Middle Row:Brooke Bagnell, Kristi Behme, Kennedy Roney, Taylor Diperna, EmilyQuinn; Back Row: Ashley Wojtaszek, Pryclynn Campbell, VictoriaCavolo, Ellen Defrances. Head coach is Dr. David Quinn.

PERSONALByErma DoddNorth Fayette Township resident

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