Leslie Savisky stories, Page 2

Larry Cervi began East End Kids, a nonprofit professional teen song and dance ensemble, to showcase student talent several times a year while giving back to the community. “I found it ridiculous that the dance students (from other organizations) were only performing one show at the end of the season,”...

Every December, members of Gateway High School’s Chick-fil-A Leader Academy decide on a service project where they can positively impact the community. This year, for “Do Good December,” the group of 25 students collected nonperishable foods for the school’s backpack program and monthly food pantry. “The students decorated and dropped...

Monroeville resident Shadia Garvin came up with the idea for her “Weekly Reflection Journal” when her youngest son, Ronnie III, was having open heart surgery. The mother of two recalled not sleeping for eight days. “Parents, and people in general, go through so many emotions when they’re watching a loved...

“This time of the year is for faith, family and friends,” said Master of Ceremonies Mike Wargo as he kicked off the 55th annual tree lighting and holiday concert Nov. 26 at the Old Stone Church in Monroeville. Wargo, a financial adviser and previous master of ceremonies, went on to...

Gateway School Board has a new president and vice president after a reorganization meeting on Monday. With five votes, Director Leslie McBride was selected as the new president for 2025. Robin Mungo, current president, received four votes. Valerie Warning was nominated as vice president, receiving five votes from board members....

Children can soon experiment with musical instruments and jingle bells, scarfs, props, rhythm sticks and a parachute, with proceeds going to a good cause. Music Together will host its second annual Jingle Jam this year, with all profits from the event going Tickets For Kids, which provides free trips to...

For Erin and Frank Bozicevic, performing with the Pittsburgh-based Tamburitzans is a family affair. The Monroeville residents met at Duquesne University, and started dating while performing in the group. Decades later, Frank still volunteers by driving the tour bus and creating musical arrangements. He’s also on the board of directors...

“We’re able to make a difference because of you.” Those were the words of Monroeville Public Library Director Nicole Henline during a 60th birthday party for the institution this month, thanking the community members for their continued support. Mayor Nick Gresock presented the library with a proclamation and declared Nov....

Madonna Yoder’s Advent of Tessellations is back for a third year of folding fun. Also called tiling, tessellation is the process of covering a surface using geometric shapes with no overlapping. The technique of origami tessellation creates detailed, repeating patterns by folding a piece of paper, making a grid of...

Garden City Food Pantry in Monroeville is hosting an open house Nov. 17 to showcase its new community refrigerator. Located next to Fire Company No. 6, the site is at 500 Laurel Drive also is home to Garden City United Methodist Church. The indoor food pantry is open the second...

Gateway School District will not be sponsoring a proposed student educational trip to Costa Rica next year. Teacher Lynn Martin plans to take a group of students to Costa Rica in June. Last week, EF Educational Tours representative Shea O’Sullivan addressed the board to explain the difference between school-sponsored travel...

Gateway School District could sponsor an educational trip to Costa Rica next summer. Board members this week heard a presentation from Shea O’Sullivan of EF Educational Tours about a possible trip in June 2025. High school teacher Lynn Martin reached out to EF Tours. The tour operator has been in...

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History held its 109th national conference last month at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh. More than 600 historians, scholars, educators, artists and civic leaders were in attendance. The arts and social justice were this year’s themes. Each year,...

I am kind, and I’m a friend to everyone all day I’ll make you feel powerful with kind things that I say! — “No Bullies” lyrics October is National Bullying Prevention Month and to kick-start University Park Elementary’s anti bullying campaign, Pittsburgh rapper Harvey “Frzy” Daniels visited the Monroeville school...

The story of how Reclamation Community Center in Monroeville came to fruition has many layers, according to founder and executive director Tom Mitlo. He, wife Jan and their three children used to attend Monroeville Baptist Church services in the space the center now occupies. Tom was the building and grounds...

The 19th annual National Friends of Libraries Week, is third week in October, promoting people support libraries across the country. “We are the boosters for the library,” Friends of the Monroeville Public Library member Amy Baer said. “Just like boosters are needed for schools and athletic groups, we help promote...

For Gateway counselors, graduating from high school is not the end. In fact, it’s just the beginning. The expectation is that all students research the path they’d like to take after graduation. whether it be joining the workforce or military, pursuing a skilled trade, or enrolling in a traditional college,...

In honor of World Peace Day, Monroeville Rotary held its fifth annual International Day of Peace Program on Sept. 21, along with its first 5K Run Walk, at Monroeville Community Park West. Established in 1981 by the United Nations, International Day of Peace is observed worldwide to promote harmony, pacifism...

The Monroeville Historical Society held its annual Heritage Day Sept. 28 at McGinley House and McCully Log House. “Our goal is to preserve Monroeville’s history and to educate the community,” Society President Bruce Walker said. The society conducted tours of the McGinley House — the oldest existing stone house in...

Monroeville’s Gateway School District will have a clay target team beginning next spring. School board members voted unanimously this weekto allow creation of the team, which will not use any district funds. Solicitor Bruce Dice told directors he checked with the district’s insurer and the league activities will be covered....

Gateway School Board’s building and grounds committee members are working to prioritize renovation projects across the district. Director of Facilities and Grounds John Walsh was asked at the Sept. 23 school board meeting how the projects are being prioritized. “Anything that effects the kids on a daily basis or is...

Artist Ian Whetstone recalls the first drawing he made, as well as his family’s positive reaction. “My mom still has a crayon drawing of a horse that I made while we stayed in a cabin when I was about five,” Whetstone said. “I’ve been doing artwork in some form or...

Located in the heart of Monroeville, the Old Stone Church was built in 1894, replacing the original Crossroads Presbyterian Church founded in 1834. The new nondenominational church was created in order to adapt to a growing congregation. According to Joe Ventresca, Monroeville Historical Society vice president, stones from Crossroads Church...

When producer Mary Chase took over the Gateway’s musical during the 2022-23 school year, she knew she wanted to start up an old tradition – the high school’s Alumni Showcase. “The last one was held in 2018, and I think they used to have them more frequently in the past,”...

When not creating with paint or clay, artist Sarah Hunter of Greensburg enjoys nurturing her “wild” habitat in the suburban backyard. She wants to support nature, while encouraging her neighbors to do the same. “We really need to support our native plants and pollinators,” said Hunter, who is a member...