The Gateway Gazette
A comprehensive recap of the 2025-26 school year at the Gateway School District
Reflections on the 2025-26 School Year
welcome To our enD-of-year eDiTion of the Gateway Gazette—a space for us to pause, look back, and celebrate the incredible moments that define who we are as a school community. On June 3, we had the joy of celebrating our Class of 2026. Looking out at a stadium filled with families, friends, and supporters, I was struck by the sense of unity. It was a powerful reminder of what makes Gateway so special.
During the ceremony, I had the privilege of sharing a few thoughts with our graduates. As we send them off into their next chapter, I wanted to focus on the human connections that brought them here and the quiet, enduring qualities they’ll carry with them long after they leave us.
We often talk about ‘preparing for the future,’ but the truth is that the world around us is constantly shifting. The technologies and industries of today will look very different by the time this class retires. Because of that, the tools our graduates truly need aren’t just found on a screen or in a software manual. Instead, their success will be built on a foundation we call our ‘Portrait of a Graduate’—the durable skills that will carry them through college, the trades, the military, and wherever else life leads them: Critical Thinking, Communication, Self-confidence, Adaptability, Leadership
These aren’t just skills to check off; they are the foundation for their next chapter. To our families and community: thank you. Thank you for your partnership, for your sacrifices, and for the countless ways you’ve supported the students throughout this journey. As we head into the summer, I hope you take time to rest, celebrate these milestones, and enjoy the well-deserved break.
Dr. Guy Rossi Gateway School District Superintendent
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Gateway celebrates Class of 2026 during annual Commencement Ceremony
As anticipation grew, Gateway High School principal Justin Stephans leaned over into the microphone and spoke two words: “Class dismissed.”
Troy Boden
Malia Clemens, Isabelle Davis, Timothy Denton
Ryan Deselich
Rocco Donnelly
Grady Dunsmore
Wania Fatima
Kyden Hill-Lee
Grant Karstetter
Areej Kesodia
2026 National Honor Society Seniors
Toktobek Kubanychbekov
Julianne LaMantia
Chase Lewandowski
Cara Moriarty
Mahnoor Mufti
Caranina Perez
Gunner Raymer, Syed Raza
Taylor Roberts, Gabriela Rossetti
Mariya Saleem
Srilahari Sapram
Ethan Settlemire
Jacob Christopher Settles
Abdulwasay Syed
Harita Venkatesh
Noelle Whited
Seniors with a cumulative GPA of 4.0 > (Distinguished Honors) = 16
Seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 - 3.999 (High Honors) = 45
Seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 - 3.499 (Honors) = 70
Students joyfully tossed their graduation caps into the air, marking the end of their journeys at the Gateway School District. The Gateway High School class of 2026 — a remarkably talented, resilient, and hardworking group — graduated 273 students on June 3 at Antimarino Stadium.
Students, staff, family, and community members came together on this joyous day to celebrate this awesome achievement. Before students accepted their diplomas and tossed their caps into the air, a number of talented seniors gave speeches and performances. Ethan Settlemire performed the National Anthem, Baylee Blanton gave the Pledge of Allegiance, and Parker Abel performed the Gateway Alma Mater. Senior class president Nysa Chandiramani gave the welcome address, while Harita Venkatesh gave the salutatory address. Both speeches highlighted the successes and growth of the class of 2026 and gave thanks to the people that helped them along the way. Class valedictorian Grant Karstetter capped off the round of student speeches with a heartfelt and funny address before the diploma presentation soon started.
This year’s class of seniors included 16 students who earned Distinguished Honors (GPA of 4.0 >), 45 students who earned High Honors (GPA of 3.5 - 3.999), and 70 students who earned Honors (GPA of 3.0 - 3.499). National Honor Society seniors are noted at left.
The class is a diverse and dynamic one, as students pursue their passions in colleges and post-secondary endeavors throughout the country. There are plenty of students planning to go into the medical field, engineering, the armed forces, and much more. Regardless of what’s next, the district is extremely proud of everything you’ve achieved and everything you will soon achieve in the future. Congratulations, Class of 2026! You’re going to do great things!
Gateway High School celebrates students during our annual Senior Awards Night
On April 30, Gateway High School held its annual Senior Awards Night, a joyous evening celebrating seniors who were selected for a variety of awards and scholarships. On the night, over $100,000 were awarded to our students. Congratulations to all of the students who were selected and applied for these awards.
Award | Scholarship Recipient
Air Force
Pete Antimarino Leadership Award
Pete Antimarino Teammate for Life Award
Bobie Bao Memorial Scholarship
Bobie Bao Memorial Scholarship
Biondi Motor Co.
Monroeville Arts Council**
Dustin Lindbloom
Roberson Louis Jeune Jr
Kaiyen Mbandi
Mila Hawthorne
Srilahari Sapram
Isabelle Davis
Ethan Settlemire
The Larry Cervi Memorial Scholarship Parker Abel
The Larry Cervi Memorial Scholarship Taylor Roberts
The Larry Cervi Memorial Scholarship
First Commonwealth Bank
Ethan Settlemire
Srilahari Sapram
Gabriele D'Annunzio Society Syed Raza
Gabriele D'Annunzio Society
Evergreen Elementary School FTO
Ramsey Elementary School PTO
Ramsey Elementary School PTO
CSE Elementary School PTO
University Park Elem PTO
Srilahari Sapram
Kyden Hill-Lee
Kaiya Grandy
Je'Zel Sanford-Mack
Robert Bifano
Isabelle Davis
Award | Scholarship Recipient
Gateway Middle School FTO
Robert Bifano
Gateway High School PTO Hadia Zafar
Peter Flaherty, IV Scholarship
Peter Flaherty, IV Scholarship
Ryan Deselich
Mila Hawthorne
Peter Flaherty, IV Scholarship Gabriela Rossetti
Peter Flaherty, IV Scholarship Ean Woods
Furrie Scholarship
Furrie Scholarship
Furrie Scholarship
Furrie Scholarship
Madden Ferczak
Andrea Johnson
Gabriela Rossetti
Abdulwasay Syed
Gateway Band Boosters Noah Gray Cali Geraci
Gateway Band Boosters Noah Gray Ethan Settlemire
GEA Evergreen Elem Education Scholar Anthony Conwell
GEA Scholarship
Malia Clemens
GEA Scholarship Grady Dunsmore
GEA Scholarship (Future Educator) Anthony Conwell
GHS Counseling Dept - Starfish Award Rocco Donnelly
GHS Cheerleading Booster Scholarship Andrea Johnson
Award | Scholarship
Recipient
GHS Football Booster Scholarship Ean Woods
GHS Boys Soccer Booster Scholarship Grant Karstetter
GHS Swimming/Diving Booster Scholarship Gianna Laurenti
GHS Swimming/Diving Booster Scholarship Gunner Raymer
GHS Girls Volleyball Booster Scholarship Malayah Young
Guzzo Family Scholarship Grady Dunsmore
Brandon Kuster Memorial Scholarship Piper Benson
Brandon Kuster Memorial Scholarship Isabelle Davis
Harry Lindsey Memorial Scholarship Matthew Milie
Celeste & Anthony Massaro Scholarship Taylor Roberts
Celeste & Anthony Massaro Scholarship Srilahari Sapram
Monroeville Interfaith Ministerium Award Piper Benson
Monroeville Lions Club Scholarship Kaiya Grandy
Monroeville Rotary Club Scholarship Rocco Donnelly
Monroeville Rotary Club Scholarship Madeleine Mutale
Monroeville Rotary Club Scholarship Gabriela Rossetti
Monroeville Rotary Club Scholarship Srilahari Sapram
National School Orchestra Award Zahara Myers
Award | Scholarship
Pitcairn Lions Club Scholarship
Recipient
Gabriela Rossetti
Pitcairn Woman's Club Scholarship Robert Bifano
Amanda Jane Price Ethan Settlemire
David Reed Memorial Scholarship Julia Beam
David Reed Memorial Scholarship Nysa Chandiramani
David Reed Memorial Scholarship Aubrey Egnac
David Reed Memorial Scholarship Zahara Myers
David Reed Memorial Scholarship Chase Owens
S & T Bank Scholarship Gianna Laurenti
John Philip Sousa Award Ethan Settlemire
Weiss-Felsenthal Family Scholarship Olivia Miles
Luke Whisel Memorial Scholarship Robert Kennedy
Bob Williams Memorial Rotary Scholarship Kyden Hill-Lee
Bob Williams Memorial Rotary Scholarship Syed Raza
Adam Zebroski Memorial Scholarship
Madden Ferczak
Homecoming
h omecomin G week — held in September — was a joyous one that capped off with the crowning of our Homecoming king and queen, TJ Mitchell and Nadia Szekely. Homecoming court members, in full, include Aiden Hagerty, Joslynn Josephs, Troy Boden, Nadia Szekely, TJ Mitchell, Meghan Marsh, Rocco Donnelly, Kaiya Grandy, Gunner Raymer, and Piper Benson. These ten excellent students truly exemplify what it means to be a Gateway Gator.
Before Friday’s Homecoming football game, the Gateway community came together for our yearly Homecoming Carnival on September 25. Thank you to our staff, students, and community for making this event a wonderful success! It was an awesome night, filled with fun, games, food, friendship, smiles, and Gator pride! The day after, before the Homecoming football game, high school students came together for a pep rally, which was packed full of fun, games, smiles, and school pride!
End of Year Recaps
G a T eway h i G h S chool
Gateway High School celebrated another significant year, graduating the class of 2026 and thoroughly educating the several graduating classes of students to come.
Academically, Gateway continued the expansion of Advanced Placement (AP) and College in High School (CHS) opportunities for students. Mr. Perhac introduced the new Cybersecurity course, providing students with valuable experience in a rapidly growing field. Mr. Ruane also guided students through Personal Finance, a course that will become a Pennsylvania graduation requirement beginning with the Class of 2028. These additions demonstrate Gateway’s ongoing commitment to preparing students for success beyond high school.
Gateway also continued prioritizing student wellness and emotional support. Roxie, a beloved emotional support dog, was joined this year by several new four-legged friends — Benny, Ethel, and Oakley — whose visits helped brighten the days of students and staff alike.
Service and community involvement remained strong throughout the year. The school’s annual blood drive was one of the most successful yet, with more participants than ever before stepping up to donate and help save lives.
The arts also shined brightly at Gateway this year. Families, students, and staff enjoyed outstanding end-of-year chorus and band concerts, showcasing the incredible talents and hard work of our music students. The spring musical, ‘Catch Me If You Can’, was another tremendous success and highlighted the dedication and creativity of our performers, directors, musicians, and stage crew.
One of the most exciting additions to student life this year was the launch of Gateway SGA Mini-THON, Gateway High School’s version of Penn State’s THON, dedicated to supporting the fight against childhood cancer through the Four Diamonds Research Organization. Mini-THON officially kicked off with a schoolwide pep rally that introduced students and staff to the mission of supporting pediatric cancer research.
Throughout the year, students organized several memorable fundraising events, including a Movie Night on the Field featuring Disney/Pixar’s Coco, a Turkey Trot prior to Thanksgiving break, and a special visit from Santa and his crew, who took pictures with students, spreading cheer throughout the building. The culminating Mini-THON event brought students together for an evening of fun, games, dancing, and community, all in support of an important cause. All proceeds from these events benefited the Four Diamonds Research Organization.
As we celebrate the accomplishments of this school year, we thank our students, staff, families, and community for making Gateway High School a place where students continue to learn, grow, serve, and succeed. We look forward to another great year ahead.
G a T eway m i DD le S chool
Gateway Middle School celebrated a year filled with leadership, service, innovation, and student achievement. From mentoring programs to award-winning competitions, GMS students continued to make a positive impact both inside and outside the classroom.
The Student Ambassador Program paired student leaders with new students to help them navigate the building and ensure a welcoming and positive first day at Gateway Middle School. Throughout the year, students also demonstrated compassion and community spirit through several service-learning opportunities.
The Gateway Girls Mentorship Group, led by Ms. Howard and Ms. Kunich, partnered with Ms. Maisto and her students to raise more than $3,200 for the Special Olympics. Students participated in fundraising activities, guessed masked singers, and cheered on staff members during an Ice Bucket Challenge before taking part in the Polar Plunge. The Gateway Boys and Girls mentoring groups also participated in meaningful trips throughout the year, including visits to the food bank, Bella Terra Stables, and Penn State University.
Mr. Oddo, Dean of Students, sponsored the Passage to Prevention group for the second consecutive year. Students met weekly to focus on building interpersonal relationships, managing stress, and achieving academic goals through physical training and off-campus experiences designed to strengthen positive social connections.
Gateway students excelled in STEM opportunities this year as the FIRST Robotics and SeaPerch teams delivered outstanding performances in regional competitions. At the Pittsburgh Regional SeaPerch Competition, Gateway teams earned an incredible sweep of 1st through 8th place out of 36 middle school teams.
Students in the Life Skills and Autistic Support classrooms completed the second successful year of the Second Cup Café, where students take staff orders, prepare beverages, and deliver coffee and tea throughout the building.
Academic enrichment also flourished this year. Mrs. Smith launched a Pen Pal Program connecting sixth-grade technology students with first graders at Ramsey Elementary, helping younger students strengthen reading skills while sixth graders practiced digital communication and Google Apps skills. GMS also hosted several gifted education events, including the ESSPA Lego Design Challenge, ESSPA Creative Writing Contest, ESSPA Art Expo, and Elementary Calcusolve.
Eighth-grade students participated in The Butterfly Project by painting butterflies in memory of the 1.5 million children killed in the Holocaust. The butterflies are displayed outside the GMS office as a symbol of remembrance and hope.
Gateway students also earned numerous individual honors this year, including awards in Mock Congress, STEM Design, poetry, vocal performance, chess, CalcuSolve, and the Shakespeare Monologue and Scene Contest.
e lemen T ary S chool S
Gateway School District’s four elementary schools — University Park, Ramsey, Dr. Cleveland Steward Jr., and Evergreen — celebrated another successful year, characterized by academic growth, a strong school community, and innovation.
Across all four schools, teachers and staff remained committed to creating supportive, high-achieving learning environments centered on student success. Through the use of real-time data, evidence-based instruction, and targeted interventions rooted in the Science of Reading and mathematics support, students demonstrated measurable growth in literacy and numeracy. Consistent progress monitoring helped students exceed individual goals while building confidence as learners.
Positive school culture remained a cornerstone throughout the district. Each elementary building strengthened its Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) initiatives by recognizing students for demonstrating safety, kindness, maturity, and following school-wide expectations, at large. Subsequent PBIS rewards, celebrations, and student leadership opportunities fostered strong connections and a sense of belonging among students.
In addition, students received regular classroom lessons focused heavily on social-emotional learning. Lessons emphasized empathy, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, self-awareness, kindness, and respect. These experiences helped students build healthy relationships, strengthen their confidence, and develop the social skills needed for success both inside and outside of the classroom.
Through student leadership groups at every elementary school, students help organize acts of service, fun events, and were given the space to voice their opinions and impact school culture.
At Ramsey Elementary, the first year of their new Sensory Space proved to be a tremendous success, giving students a safe and supervised environment to regulate energy and return to the classroom ready to learn. Ramsey also piloted a phonics program for fourth grade students that generated both excitement and measurable growth. Additionally, a mentorship initiative connected fourth grade boys with high school athletes to focus on teamwork, sportsmanship, and goal setting.
At Evergreen Elementary, families raised nearly $22,000 through the FTO Color Run and additional fundraisers that helped provide field trips, literacy nights, special events, staff appreciation activities, and the much-anticipated Fun Day celebration. One of Evergreen’s greatest accomplishments was the purchase of a brand-new playground — a goal years in the making that now gives students a safe and exciting space to learn and play.
Under the leadership of school counselor Dr. Taylor, Evergreen students participated in innovative programming focused on career exploration, social-emotional learning, and leadership development. A six-week career exploration initiative introduced students to 32 different professions through presentations from parents and community members.
Students also partnered with the Pennsylvania Builders Exchange for a hands-on vocational learning project that emphasized teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. Similarly, career exploration initiatives across the district’s four elementary schools allowed students to explore future careers through engaging experiences that connected classroom learning to real-world possibilities.
Student Spotlights
Across the Gateway School District, our students achieved quite a bit of success during the 2025-26 school year, taking home a number of awards. See highlights below:
Gateway Middle School students Will Catone, Rhys Trimbee, and Callan Morris earned first place at the ESSPA STEM Design Challenge, hosted by Woodland Hills. The competition required participants to engineer a nonmotorized K’nex vehicle optimized for maximum travel distance. Great job, Will, Rhys, and Callan!
Gateway High School students Daniel Bandos and Quintin Qiu had an incredible performance at the annual Eastern Suburbs Special Programs Association (ESSPA) Calcusolve competition. Hosted by Franklin Regional High School, Daniel and Quintin earned the highest average team score in the competition. Further, Daniel secured the highest individual score with a massive 43 out of 45 points, while Quintin followed closely with the second-highest individual score of 36 points. A huge congratulations to these talented students on their hard work and success! Special shoutout to the Gateway Math Department for their dedication in preparing our champion mathletes!
University Park Elementary principal, Dr. Jennifer Hoffner was recognized as one of the 2026 Pittsburgh Penguins Most Valuable Principals! Congratulations, Dr. Hoffner, and thank you for your unwavering commitment to University Park’s staff and students.
Gateway High School’s Esports team defeated McDowell High School 3–1 in Marvel Rivals to win the PIEA Colonial Conference Championship at Waynesburg University, earning an automatic bid into the state championship tournament in the Spring.
Gateway High School student Daniel Bandos won the ESSPA Chess Tournament at Plum High School. Daniel finished first among over 60 participants!
Gateway High School students Rocco Donnelly, Ethan Settlemire, Isabelle Stanley, and Sylvie Hardono finished 1st place among roughly 20 teams at the Data Derby competition at St. Vincent College. Students were tasked with creating a presentation that applied their statistical knowledge towards solving a real-world problem.
Gateway High School students Piper Munyon and Sarima Andah Wai-Ogosu earned 2nd place in the Phipps Fairchild Challenge #1 Biological Sculpture Challenge. These students were tasked with designing and submitting four sustainably created ornaments of animals that are impacted by climate change. The ornaments were featured at Phipps’ Winter Flower Show.
Gateway Middle School student Ann-Marie Bangura earned 1st place in the poetry category at the ESSPA Duo-Drama competition. Ann-Marie recited ‘Still I Rise’ and ‘Human Family’ by Maya Angelou. Great job, Ann-Marie!
Helen Burdette, a 1st grade teacher at Ramsey Elementary, was recognized as one of WTAE’s Teacher of the Month this school year. Thank you, Ms. Burdette, for your commitment to your students and the Ramsey school community at large.
Gateway High School was recognized for its fidelity of implementation of School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) in the 2024–2025 school year. This achievement is a testament to Gateway High School’s staff’s unwavering commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive, and supportive school climate where all students can thrive.
The Gateway High School Esports Team overcame a 2-0 series deficit to defeat McDowell High School in the State Championship Semi-Final, then defeated Central Bucks High School 3-0 to claim the State Championship!
The AIM Geography Bowl had an outstanding performance at the ESSPA Geography Bowl, earning 2nd place overall. Competing against talented teams from across the region at Hempfield High School, our students represented the district with pride as part of the Eastern Suburbs Special Programs Association. Team members included Hussain Raza, Colin Graves, Julia Deselich, and Blain Langston. In addition to the team’s success, two of our students received prestigious individual honors. Blaine Langston earned 2nd place, while Hussain Raza earned 3rd place.
At the National History Day Regional Competition, Gateway High School’s senior team of Zeisha Saini, Treivon Taylor, Eli Wampler, and Kevin Akornor took home 1st Place in the Senior Documentary Category, while sophomore Piper Munyon won 2nd Place in the Historical Paper Category.
Gateway High School sophomore, Piper Munyon, was named as one of the eight winners of the Phipps Fairchild Challenge 5. Piper’s dedication and creativity stood out among many impressive submissions.
Gateway sophomore Piper Munyon was recognized for her exceptional work at the Phipps Fairchild Challenge, receiving 3rd place in both Challenge 3 (High School) Media-Journalism Challenge and Challenge 4 (High School) Environmental Justice. Earning a top-three placement in two different categories is a remarkable achievement that highlights Piper’s dedication, creativity, and commitment to environmental stewardship. Congrats, Piper!
The AIM Science Bowl team had an outstanding performance at the ESSPA Science Bowl, hosted by Hempfield High School! The team, consisting of
Daniel Bandos, Hussain Raza, and Sid Yadav, took home 1st place in the competition. Daniel Bandos also scored individual honors, earning the second-highest individual score of the entire event.
Thanks to the hard work and creative thinking of Sarima Andah Wai-Ogosu, and Piper Munyon, Gateway High School won the Phipps Conservatory Fairchild Challenge for the 2nd year in a row! Students from around the greater Pittsburgh area competed across six challenges throughout the year.
Asiyah Judy, a 3rd grader at Ramsey Elementary, won 2nd place in a statewide poster contest sponsored by the Pennsylvania Dental Association! Asiyah’s artwork was chosen from 330 entries from third-grade students across the state. For her efforts, Asiyah received a check for $250, as well as a certificate of recognition, and inclusion in a summary article in the May/June edition of the Pennsylvania Dental Journal!
Gateway High School’s robotics team, Quasics, finished with a team-best 7-1-0 record, and a final rank of 7th out of 50 teams at the Greater Pittsburgh Regional FIRST Robotics Competition.
District SeaPerch teams were dominant in the Pittsburgh Regional SeaPerch Competition, held at the Gateway Sports Complex on March 21. Out of 36 middle school teams that competed, Gateway teams earned 1st through 8th place.
Arts & Music Highlights
It was a fantastic year for our district’s art and music departments. Check out some highlights below:
Gateway School District’s Art Department celebrated a year of creativity, achievement and community engagement during the 2025-26 school year, highlighted by the 4th Annual Winter Showcase at Gateway High School. Held in conjunction with the winter Orchestra and Band concert, the showcase transformed the auditorium lobby and music hallway into a gallery of student talent featuring works from Drawing A and B, Painting A and B, Photography, Adapted Art, Art Club and Art Survey classes.
This year’s showcase also introduced the first-ever “Gator Choice Awards,” allowing students and staff to vote via QR code in four categories: Best in Show, Excellence in Craftsmanship, Most Original Concept and Most Thought-Provoking. The addition of the awards created a new level of interaction and recognition for student artists. Senior Andrea Johnson earned Best in Show, while Hannah Prosser received Excellence in Craftsmanship. Layla Rocco was honored for Most Original Concept and Madisyn Gottschalk earned recognition for Most Thought-Provoking. Special thanks to Mrs. Julie Lawrence for her work in organizing
Gateway students also earned recognition far beyond the district. Gateway High School junior Abigail Whisner captured first place in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District Art Competition with her mixed-media piece, A lo que cuesta la injusticia. Her artwork will represent the district in Washington, D.C., where it will hang for one year in the Capitol.
Students explored a wide range of artistic mediums while strengthening their understanding of composition, contrast, technical skills, and refinement.
Photography students tested their talents in the ESSPA Photography Contest, a juried regional competition, while design students participated in the Monroeville July 4th Logo Contest. Gateway student Alyssa Castelli earned top honors, with her design selected for use in this year’s celebration print media.
Additional honors included three Gateway High School students— Miracle Jackson, Jayda Medgaus and Madeleine (Miles) Mutale —having artwork accepted into a juried exhibition at Slippery Rock University.
The district also continued its longstanding partnership with the Monroeville Public Library, where student artwork from kindergarten through 12th grade was displayed in the Elaine Biondi Gallery Space from Feb. 27 through March 24. The exhibit coincided with Youth Art Month, giving the Monroeville community an opportunity to experience the creativity, imagination and artistic growth of Gateway students across every grade level.
From local showcases to national recognition, Gateway’s students demonstrated creativity, technical skills, and meaningful storytelling throughout an exceptional year in the arts.
All Star Choir Highlights
The Gateway All Star Choir wrapped up the year with a successful performance of its concert “Grow.” This was not a typical choir concert. Instead, musical selections represented the growth of a tree that’s been beaten down by a storm and how it has overcome its challenges, growing with each song. The performance featured movement, changes in staging, soloists, props, and lighting! The choir also took the show on the road, performing at each elementary school and Juniper Village at Monroeville.
Middle School Music Highlights
Gateway Middle School’s music programs experienced a successful school year filled with artistic growth, memorable performances, and enriching opportunities for students both inside and outside the classroom. Band, Orchestra, and Choir students strengthened their musical abilities, refined performance techniques, and developed confidence as ensemble musicians through daily rehearsals, concerts, and special events.
Students proudly showcased their hard work during the annual Winter and Spring Concerts. These performances reflected months of preparation and musical development and highlighted the students’ growing ensemble skills and confidence.
The 5th Grade Choir spent the year developing foundational vocal and ensemble skills through weekly rehearsals before presenting both a spring concert preview assembly and a successful Spring Concert in the GMS Auditorium on May 7. The 6th Grade Treble Choir maintained a challenging performance schedule
throughout the year, performing for the school’s Veterans Day assembly, Winter Concert, and spring preview performances. A major highlight for the ensemble was a field trip to Heinz Hall to attend a Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra School Time Concert, giving students the opportunity to experience live professional music-making firsthand. The choir concluded the year with an impressive Spring Concert performance for a standing-room-only audience, showcasing advanced harmonies and musical growth.
• Beyond the classroom, many students expanded their musical involvement through participation in extracurricular ensembles, including Marching Band, Indoor Colorguard, and Indoor Percussion.
• Orchestra students also benefited from a special guest musician experience this year when Dr. Jason Worzbyt of Indiana University of Pennsylvania visited for rehearsals. Dr. Worzbyt worked directly with students, sharing his musical expertise, encouragement, and professional insight while inspiring students to continue developing their talents.
• Additionally, members of the GMS 8th Grade Choir joined Gateway High School Choir students for a memorable trip to Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center to see the Broadway production Wicked. The experience allowed students to witness professional vocal performance and theatrical storytelling on a large scale while inspiring them to bring renewed creativity and passion into their own performances.
• March marked the return of Gateway Middle School’s “Music in Our Schools Month” Concert—the first such celebration since 2019. The event featured soloists and small ensembles from both the vocal and instrumental programs and served as a meaningful celebration of arts education.
• Gateway’s after-school vocal ensembles, Bella Voci and Voci d’Oro, also prepared to share their talents beyond the school walls by performing at the Juniper Senior Center Music Festival in May. The performance created a meaningful connection between generations through music and showcased the advanced repertoire performed by these auditioned ensembles.
• Additionally, Gateway Middle School Choir students embraced individual creativity through a series of monthly Cabaret performances. These student-led showcases gave performers the opportunity to select and prepare their own music—from Broadway and jazz to contemporary pop—while experiencing a performance setting modeled after professional cabaret venues.
• The year also brought prestigious recognition for three Gateway Middle School vocalists—Ethan Chase, Alivia Reeder, and Brenynn Schmidt—who were selected to participate in the PMEA District 1 Junior High Choral Festival at Mt. Lebanon High School. The honorslevel festival brought together outstanding young singers from across Western Pennsylvania and provided students with the opportunity to rehearse and perform challenging repertoire under the direction of Dr. Ethan Murphy of Duquesne University.
Gateway High School Music Highlights
The 2025–26 school year was another outstanding year for the Gateway High School Music Department, filled with achievement, service, and memorable performances that showcased the dedication and talent of Gateway’s student musicians.
• In October, Gateway High School proudly hosted the Allegheny County Chorus, welcoming 20 schools and 270 students from across Allegheny County. Fourteen Gateway students participated in the prestigious event, representing the school with excellence while collaborating with talented singers from throughout the region.
• Gateway musicians also earned recognition through Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) festivals and ensembles. In January, seniors Ethan Settlemire and Parker Abel successfully auditioned for and participated in the PMEA District Chorus, held this year at McKeesport High School. Their accomplishment reflected months of preparation and musical growth.
• Sophomore Piper Munyon also achieved notable recognition, participating in the PMEA Region Band at Upper St. Clair High School after earning placement in both the PMEA Honors Band and PMEA District Band earlier in the year.
• Gateway orchestra students also represented the district with distinction at PMEA orchestra festivals. In January, Zahara Myers (viola) participated in the PMEA Senior High District Orchestra Festival at Mt. Lebanon High School, while Logan Artim (bassoon) and Kayla Morford (cello) attended the PMEA Junior High District Orchestra Festival at Hampton Middle School. Students had the opportunity to study and perform advanced repertoire under the direction of distinguished college conductors from West Virginia University and Grove City College.
• Beyond festival participation, Gateway students continued to share their music throughout the community. On December 11, members of the Gateway High School Orchestra and Jazz Band performed at the Allegheny County Courthouse as part of “The Holiday Project,” a fundraiser benefiting families through the Department of Human Services.
Gateway Musicals and Plays
Gateway School District is building momentum for theater arts in 2025-26 with expanded opportunities for both middle and high school students, highlighted by the launch of a new middle school drama club and another ambitious high school musical season.
• At Gateway Middle School, students performed the school’s inaugural musical production, The Music Man: Kids. The new drama club was created to give younger students an outlet for creativity, confidence-building, and performance experience before they reach high school.
• Meanwhile, Gateway High School continues to build upon its established musical theater tradition. Following recent productions such as Once Upon a Mattress, the high school’s 2025-26 theater season featured Catch Me If You Can, a fast-paced musical based on the popular film.
• The success of Catch Me If You Can extended beyond the stage, earning five Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater nominations. Gateway received nominations for Outstanding Crew/Technical Execution, Outstanding Dance Ensemble, Outstanding Lighting Design, Outstanding Vocal Ensemble, and Outstanding Student Artist, highlighting the strength of both the performers and the behind-the-scenes production team.
• A month before the musical, students performed ‘Almost, Maine’, a touching and skilled performance about love and loss.
Career & College Readiness
GaTeway School DiSTric T continues to expand and strengthen its commitment to career and college readiness, ensuring students at every grade level are equipped with the skills, experiences, and opportunities needed for future success. Through innovative programming, strategic partnerships, and hands-on learning experiences, the district is creating meaningful pathways that connect classroom learning to future careers and post-secondary opportunities.
At the elementary level, career exploration begins early. Schools across the district host career days, allowing students to interact directly with professionals from a wide range of industries and career fields. Additionally, Gateway continued its implementation of the World of Work framework this school year, helping students gain a deeper understanding of their individual strengths, interests, and potential career paths through engaging learning experiences.
Gateway’s commitment to experiential learning was further highlighted through the district’s participation in JA BizTown, where fourth grade students from across the district visited the simulated town in Bridgeville. Students operated mini- storefronts representing major businesses such as PPG Paints, Giant Eagle, FedEx Ground, Highmark, UPMC, and Sheetz, among many others. The experience served as the culminating activity for the JA BizTown curriculum, which focuses on financial literacy, work and career readiness, business management, and community economics.
At Gateway Middle School, students continue to build career awareness and readiness skills through a variety of structured opportunities. Counselors integrate career education at every grade level, utilizing resources such as PA Career Zone for grades five and six and Xello for grades seven and eight. Through these platforms, students practice budgeting, build sample resumes, complete career interest inventories, and begin exploring potential career opportunities.
The middle school also continues to strengthen its partnership with Forbes Road Career and Technical Center. Seventh grade students participate in a career fair showcasing Forbes programs, while eighth graders attend “Hands On Career Day,” where they gain a more immersive look into technical and career training opportunities. Additionally, fifth grade students participated in a monthly speaker series featuring professionals from numerous career fields, while eighth graders concluded the year with a large-scale career fair that exposed students to local career opportunities and helped guide future high school course selections.
Career and college readiness efforts continue to expand at Gateway High School. Students benefit from a strong partnership with Forbes Road Career & Technology Center, as well as a wide variety of electives and career-focused courses designed to help students explore their interests and prepare for life after graduation. This year, Gateway High School hosted a skilled trades and career fair featuring a diverse group of technical schools,
unions, colleges, and industry vendors. Students also had an impactful day at AHN Forbes Hospital, who graciously hosted some of our 11th and 12th grade students for their Healthcare Career Exploration Day. On the day, students navigated from station to station, learning from various healthcare professionals about the ins and outs of their jobs, what daily life looks like for them, and what education requirements are needed for their career.
Additionally, Gateway High School hosted a STEM+C (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Careers) community day in March, exposing students to a variety of STEM careers. STEM+C, a several months-long grant program implemented by The Math & Science Collaborative at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU), provides funds, resources, and programming to ensure that the district remains on the forefront of STEM learning.
Grant programming included professional development at the AIU and site visits to companies such as Google, Eaton Corporation, and the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute. Additionally, Troy Ulewicz, the district’s Technology Coach, implemented podcasting at Gateway Middle School
and Gateway High School through the grant. Specifically, STEM+C funds supported new podcasting equipment at Gateway High School, which was used to start the STEM+C podcast, where students interview STEM professionals.
Gateway is also significantly expanding opportunities for students to earn college credits while still in high school. Through a partnership with Point Park University focused on future educators, students have the opportunity to earn up to 24 college credits before graduation, creating additional pathways for both college and career success while helping families reduce future college costs.
Looking ahead, the district is continuing to enhance and expand its career readiness initiatives. Gateway is actively researching and developing additional opportunities for students to earn industry-recognized certifications throughout their educational journey. The district is also further refining career pathway outlines at the high school level to provide students and families with clearer roadmaps aligned to future careers and workforce needs.
Additionally, Gateway is in the process of developing its “Portrait of a Graduate,” an outline designed to identify the key skills, competencies, and characteristics students should possess upon graduation. This work will help ensure instructional programs remain aligned to the evolving demands of colleges, careers, and society.
Course Offerings
The Gateway School District Board of Education supports a comprehensive secondary program of studies designed to meet the varied educational needs and career objectives of high school students. Each school year, the district is constantly evaluating its offerings to best meet the needs of its students, and to prepare them well for their post-secondary endeavors.
The district offers 100-plus electives over a wide range of subjects. Among new electives, Gateway High School added Cyber Security A and B and Dynamic Fitness this school year, and will be adding S.W.A.M.P. (Solution Workshop Analysis Making Pitch), Intro to Legal Studies, and AP Cyber Security next school year.
Cyber Security A introduces students to the fundamentals of cybersecurity, covering topics such as cyber ethics, basic computing, networking, and digital encoding, while Cyber Security B builds on the foundational knowledge from Intro to Cyber Security A, diving into more advanced topics such as cryptology, social engineering, SQL queries, and system administration for both Linux and Windows operating systems. AP Cyber Security will build upon this important topic and career field. Students will explore cryptographic techniques, social engineering tactics, and system administration tasks through interactive challenges and real-world applications. The course emphasizes practical skills with access to cyber ranges and continued participation in cybersecurity competitions, preparing students for advanced certifications, and further studies in cybersecurity.
Dynamic Fitness builds upon typical physical education, integrating specialized weight training for specific sports.
Intro to Legal Studies will serve as an important course for any student who wants to undergo a legal career pathway, teaching important skills and details necessary to be an attorney.
Located in the Gator Commons, S.W.A.M.P. is an exciting, hands-on course where students become inventors. Working in teams, students will dream up a brand-new product and bring it to life by following a professional 9-step process, from protecting their original ideas and brainstorming solutions to sketching and 3D modeling their designs.
Please click the link to check out Gateway High School’s 2026-27 program of studies, for a full deep dive into the district’s course offerings.
Cyber Program Updates
Gateway’s Cyber Academy, headed by Dr. Marci Klinger and Regan Reeder, experienced continued growth in the 2025-2026 school year. The Cyber Academy helped educate 537 students in total this year and graduated 92 seniors.
From full-time to part-time cyber students, Dr. Klinger, Reeder, and our host of 37 Gateway cyber teachers helped meet the varying needs of our students, providing them with a flexible, extensive educational experience.
Beyond traditional course offerings, Gateway Cyber Academy offers an extensive array of world language and elective courses.
Electives include:
Foundations of Personal Wellness
Contemporary Health
Introduction to Art
Art History I
Career Management
Career Planning and Development
Introduction to Business
Introduction to Coding
Introduction to Computer Science
Entrepreneurship
Online Learning and Digital Citizenship
Personal Finance
Strategies for Academic Success
Microsoft Office
Engineering and Design
Careers in Architecture & Construction
Introduction to STEM
STEM and Problem Solving
Food and Nutrition
Digital Media
GHS Teacher Academy
Psychology
Sociology
The courseload is academically challenging, featuring rigorous instruction from Edgenuity and Accelerate. A full list of course offerings—along with additional information on the Cyber Academy can be found on our website.
Next year, the program expects continued growth, integrating an Academic Integrity Policy that requires all students to use district-issued Chromebooks. Additionally, all students will be required to log on once per week for a wellness check.
Forbes Road Career & Technology Center
The 2025-2026 school year marked another year of successful collaboration between the Gateway School District and Forbes Road Career & Technology Center. Forbes provides an educational experience that focuses on providing students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the workforce. Their programs offer hands-on, practical learning experiences, and may include internships, apprenticeships, or other work-based learning opportunities. These programs often focus on specific industries or fields, such as healthcare, manufacturing, or technology. Some highlights, from this past school year:
Throughout this past school year, a number of Gateway students underwent successful cooperative education. Through cooperative education, students cap off their training and receive instruction by integrating academic and technical instruction with job training in their career field. The paid training experience must be planned and supervised by Forbes Road CTC and employers to enhance the students’ education and employability. Some Gateway students that underwent cooperative education include:
Isabella Castellanos from Auto Tech, who was placed at Jim Shorkey.
Nevaeh Ramsey and Skyler Parks from Early Childhood Education, who worked at Love & Bright Beginnings Childcare.
Rhys Lewis and Quartez Ellis from HVAC, who worked at Ventec.
Jocelyn Lopez from Veterinary Sciences, who worked at Walkers PetHoTail.
Connor Jacob from Logistics & Supply Chain Management, who worked at RedPrint.
Isaiah Gigilotti from Diesel Tech, who works at Spitzer.
Three students from the Computer Networking & Security program competed in the CGI Innovation Challenge program. The CGI Innovate IT Challenge is a 12-week mobile app competition where teams of high school students design innovative smartphone apps to identify and help solve real problems in their local communities. The CNS students create an app called SPOT to identify free and low-cost activities for people in the Pittsburgh area. Their tagline, “Made by Pittsburghers for Pittsburghers,” demonstrated their pride in the Pittsburgh area and their concern for their neighbors. Aided by CGI and University of Pittsburgh mentors, the students delivered and presented their app to the CGI judges for review.
CGI Challenge: (L to R) Skyler Parks, Mike Wilson, and Malakai Green
During National Fire Prevention Week, our culinary class teamed up with Chief Ramsey of Monroeville Fire Company 6 to discuss fire safety in the kitchen. Chief Ramsey’s two children both attend Forbes Road and are both involved with the fire station. Neveah Ramsey is a senior in Early Childhood Education, while Corye Ramsey is a sophomore in the Culinary Arts program.
Sharing Stories from throughout the year
Throughout the 2025-26 school year, we’ve shared a number of stories, highlighting loads of awesome initiatives happening throughout the district. Check out some story snippets below, with hyperlinks to the full versions.
Class Spotlight: Introduction to Cybersecurity
Before Joshua Fry even entered high school, he knew he wanted to get into the cybersecurity field. The son of a cybersecurity specialist, Fry, a junior at Gateway High School, was exposed to the field from an early age.
When Fry learned that his school would be offering an Introduction to Cybersecurity course, he was thrilled.
“I’ve known that I’ve wanted to do cybersecurity for the last four years of my life. When I found out that Gateway was going to offer a cybersecurity class, I was really excited,” said Fry.
“It’s definitely a growing field. I have friends who want to go into similar things, like a help desk position or software engineering.”
Learn more about our cybersecurity program.
Four therapy dogs offer Gateway students support
As bleary-eyed students walk the hallways during arrival at Gateway High School, they’re greeted by a wagging tail and a friendly face: Roxie, a labrador retriever.
Over at Gateway Middle School or Ramsey Elementary, the cool disposition of pint-sized Kyla, a havapoo, or Ranger, a goldendoodle, helps ease the tensions of young learners in difficult times. At the Gateway School District administrative office, Ben, a golden retriever, roams around from office to office, nudging hands for pets and offering companionship and a quick break from work. These four canines compose the Gateway School District crew of therapy dogs.
Learn more about our therapy dog program.
New STEM Club a hit at University Park Elementary
For years, Sean McMahon, Gateway High School’s Robotics team coach, has made it a goal to spread his love of robotics and STEM learning to all age groups. His Robotics team, Quasics, has long been a pillar in the Monroeville community, working with a variety of groups — like the Girls Scouts — to spread STEM knowledge.
Naturally, when University Park Elementary principal Dr. Jenn Hoffner approached McMahon with the idea of bringing STEM learning to her school, he jumped at the opportunity.
That idea has morphed into an afterschool STEM club this school year, headed by McMahon and some of his Robotics team members. The club has been so well received by its members that McMahon extended the club several weeks beyond its initially intended endpoint.
Learn more about our Robotics and STEM programs.
Students learn valuable, real-life skills in Personal Finance
For 24 years, John Ruane has been teaching Gateway High School’s Personal Finance class. The course has taken on different names — it was once called Business Math — and has updated content to stay up to date with the times, but the core purpose remains the same: to help students avoid being caught off guard by the reality of adulthood.
Personal Finance, in a nutshell, covers major financial topics, helping inform students about some of the big decisions that await them in life, and lending advice on how to navigate these decisions. It’s a class that Mr. Ruane recommends to every student, as the core topics are naturally relevant for everyone.
Learn more about our Personal Finance class.
Gateway hosts 3rd annual Allegheny County Chorus
The beginning of an Allegheny County Chorus concert day might seem hectic, on the surface. As hundreds of students shuffle in from different school districts, they do so with the realization that they must all collaborate to put on a concert by the end of the day.
With an impending, immediate deadline and a love for music, though, they come together for an impressive performance. On October 15, 270 high school students from 22 different school districts collectively put on the third annual Allegheny County Chorus concert at Gateway High School. While the concert is free, attendees have the option to donate after the performance. This year the program raised $580 for Gateway’s Backpack Program, which helps fight food insecurity in the district.
Learn more about Gateway’s involvement in the County Chorus concert.
New girls wrestling team gives students another athletic outlet
For Savannah Boden, wrestling runs in the family. The Gateway wrestling room wall dons the names of a number of her family members who have excelled over the years. Her family’s basement even has a wrestling mat, where she’s tussled with siblings.
As Boden approached her first year as an upperclassmen — she’s an 11th grader at Gateway High School — she felt it was time for her to make her wrestling mark at Gateway, not just as a participant on a team, but as a pioneer for something new.
So when the 2025-26 school year started, Boden — along with 9th grader Rikkia Chase — started a campaign for a girls wrestling program at Gateway. They made flyers that they placed throughout Gateway High School, spread the word, and got a number of schoolmates interested. That interest — along with the quick work of athletic director Don Hall — sparked the inception of the Gateway High School girls wrestling program this school year.
Learn more about girls wrestling at Gateway.
Collaborative learning through community: On the district’s relationship with the Monroeville Public Library
When Hope Benson is running errands around Monroeville, it’s not uncommon for her to be stopped by an eager student.
“I’ll see students out in the community and they’ll come running up to me,” said Benson, the Head of Children’s Services & Outreach at the Monroeville Public Library. “They’re so excited to tell me all about a new book they read.”
Moments like these make Gateway — a school district that educates well over 3,000 students across six schools — seem smaller than it actually is. That’s no accident. Strong partnerships across its surrounding community are the ties that bind the district together. One of the most encompassing partnerships comes with the Monroeville Public Library, who regularly supports and does outreach across the district’s schools.
Learn more about our partnership with Monroeville public library.
Hands-on learning: How Gateway teachers are using the STEELS Standards to engage students
Taking the Lead: Elementary PBIS/Student Leadership Teams Help Shape School Culture
Every other Friday, Mike Matteo and Dr. Montaire Taylor meet with their student leadership team and carefully listen.
One by one, each of the nine 4th graders share their ideas and input with Evergreen Elementary’s principal and counselor, ideas which are carefully considered and implemented.
Meetings like these are commonplace across the district’s schools. Gateway High School and Middle School both have their leadership teams, but so too do all four of the district’s elementary schools, giving students a stake in their school experience as early as possible.
Learn more about our student leadership teams.
Lindsay Mueller’s classroom buzzed with excitement and wonder, as students observed a floating paper clip. The paper clip — attached to some thread — was taped to a desk and suspended by magnets.
How was this possible? Students began a lively discussion, as Mueller queried them about this phenomena. The activity and discussion was then parlayed into a lesson about force, motion, and magnetic forces.
“They were amazed,” said Ms. Mueller, a 3rd grade teacher at University Park Elementary. “This phenomena-based way of teaching hones in on their natural curiosity.”
A focus on hands-on learning and then transitioning to discussions and lessons is commonplace across Gateway School District science classrooms. The learning follows Pennsylvania’s new Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (STEELS) Standards, which have now been adopted district-wide.
Learn more about our teachers and STEELS standards.
Collaborative career learning: How Gateway partners with Forbes Road CTC to prepare students for the workforce
From an early age, Hayden and Christian Sterner were transfixed with big trucks and heavy equipment, and sought to do work in the field.
For years, Alicia Scott has been fascinated with cosmetology, and said she enjoys making people feel more confident through a stylish hairdo. Noa Wein comes from a family of artists, and has practiced art seriously since he was seven years old.
While some students enter high school with ambiguity about their post-secondary intentions, others like Hayden, Christian, Alicia, and Noa have a more fleshed-out plan for their future careers. To meet the needs of these students, the Gateway School District has long had a strong partnership with Forbes Road Career & Technology Center, where 10th-12th grade students have the option to participate in a wide-range of career and technical education programs.
Learn more about our partnership with Forbes Road CTC.
Gateway shows off STEM focus during STEM-C Community Day
In one classroom at Gateway High School, cybersecurity professionals watched as students showed off their adeptness in the district’s new cybersecurity course. Meanwhile, in the room next door, elementary to high school students gained perspective from a variety of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) professionals, before showing off their skills by building small robots.
An ever-growing district focus on STEM learning was on display on March 10, as the district hosted Paradigm Cyber Ventures for a peek into their cybersecurity programming, while also simultaneously organizing a STEM+C (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Careers) community day, exposing students to a variety of STEM careers.
Learn more about our STEM-C Community Day.
Students are empowered to find their career pathway during second annual GET UP Summit
For many students, the process of mapping out their post-secondary plans and the years that follow can be tough to grasp.
With that in mind, Gateway High School’s second annual GET UP Summit centered around career exploration, connecting students with a variety of professionals through speakers and breakout sessions. The Summit, held on March 27, allowed students to hear a number of people’s stories, how they got to where they are today, and subsequently be empowered to find their pathway.
Learn more about our GET UP Summit.
Gateway FIRST Robotics & SeaPerch teams have standout performances in March competitions
Just days before the Greater Pittsburgh Regional FIRST Robotics Competition, Gateway High School’s team, Quasics, undertook a major issue: its robot needed to be completely rewired.
A time meant for fine-tuning and mapping out logistics was instead spent frantically recalibrating the robot. Fueled by caffeine and ambition, Gateway junior Emma Parrish took the robot home, rewiring it until the late hours of the night.
Despite the late-stage issues, Quasics and its robot, Lizzy, rebounded, finishing with a team-best 7-1-0 record, and a final rank of 7th out of 50 teams. This was the team’s first top 10 finish. As a whole, it was an eventful month for the Gateway School District’s robotics programs.
While Quasics had their standout performance in the Greater Pittsburgh Regional from March 18 - March 21, district SeaPerch teams were dominant in the Pittsburgh Regional SeaPerch Competition, held at the Gateway Sports Complex on March 21. Out of 36 middle school teams that competed, Gateway teams earned 1st through 8th place.
Learn more about our robotics programs.
Gateway receives United Way Champion School District recognition
During an April school board meeting, the United Way recognized Gateway as a United Way Champion School District for the second consecutive year. The recognition was an obvious one, said the United Way, due to the district’s large degree of service projects and overall commitment to its surrounding community.
Learn more about Gateway’s commitment to service.
Gateway High School wins Esports State Championship
Going into this Esports season, Gateway High School’s team didn’t quite know what to expect. Every year brings new challenges, and this year brought quite a few at the onset, primarily some new teammates and a newer game.
What the Gators team quickly found out though, is that they meshed together excellently. So well, in fact, that Gateway took home the state championship on May 30, defeating Central Bucks High School 3-0 at Mt. Aloysius College.
Learn more about Gateway’s Esports program.
Athletic Highlights
Gateway’s student athletes and coaches once again performed excellently this year and represented the school district with pride and determination. Some highlights from the year:
y Roberson Louis-Jeune was the WPIAL 5A nominee for the 2025 Bill Fralic Award. Nominees had to be a tough, physical interior linemen who dominated opponents on both sides of the ball. They also had to possess high character and be a team and school leader, coachable and a great teammate.
y Cross Country runner Piper Munyon placed 2nd in the WPIAL Championships and 7th at PIAA Championships
y Football players Shawn Moorefield Jr., Kacey Carter, Roberson Louis-Jeune, and Carlos Diggs earned Big 56 All-Section 1st Team honors.
y The boys’ basketball team won the WPIAL 5A Section 1 championship and made the PIAA playoffs.
y Gators basketball player Mykel Bruce-McCrommon made the 5A Section 1 1st Team and earned Player of the Year. Additionally, he was named to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fab 5 and the PA Basketball Writers’ All-State 1st Team.
y Boys Basketball Head Coach Vern Benson was named the 5A Section 1 Coach of the Year.
y In Swimming & Diving, Gunner Raymer placed 5th in the WPIAL 3A 200 Freestyle, 8th in the 100 Breaststroke, and was a PIAA qualifier. Additionally, Aliya Rassiane placed 5th in the WPIAL 3A 50 Freestyle, 3rd in 100 Freestyle, and was a PIAA qualifier. Further, the Girls 400 Freestyle Relay (Aliya Rassiane, Madeline Pekarek, Katelyn Pekarek, and Gianna Laurenti) placed 5th in the WPIAL 3A championships and was a PIAA qualifier.
y Brianna Banner (Pitcher) and Malia Clemens (Utility) were named to the Big 56 Softball All-Section 1st Team. Additionally, Brianna Banner was named the Section 2 Player of the Year, while Head Coach Ashley Banner was named the Section Coach of the Year.
y The Boys 4x100 Relay won a WPIAL Championship, were PIAA Qualifiers, and won the Baldwin Invitational. Additionally, Jayden Stammer was a WPIAL 100 Meter Champion and set a new school record in the 100-meter dash (10.65).
Safety, Security & Facilities
Safety and security remain the district’s top priorities, as continued efforts were made in the 2025-26 school year to refine protocols and foster a safe and nurturing school environment.
Chief among those efforts, the district strengthened its emergency preparedness by implementing both the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) and the ALICE Protocol in a complementary manner.
The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) — new to the district in the 2025-26 school year — is a set of clear, easy-to-understand actions designed to help school staff, students, and first responders effectively manage and respond to emergencies. Developed by the I Love U Guys Foundation, it provides consistent, straightforward guidelines for situations such as lockdowns, evacuations, sheltering in place, etc. The SRP aims to ensure that everyone involved knows what to do and how to respond in a way that enhances safety and reduces confusion during critical incidents. Its simplicity and widespread adoption across schools make it an essential tool in emergency preparedness.
Furthermore, the district became ALICE-certified this school year. ALICE — which stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate — is an active shooter response training program delivered with a trauma-informed approach. It’s a proactive, five-step safety strategy designed to empower individuals to make informed decisions during an active shooter incident.
In conjunction with ALICE and SRP, district employees are now equipped for CrisisGo, an application that ensures all employees are prepared and receive timely communication in the instance of an emergency.
Additionally, PCCD grant funding has enabled the district to purchase additional WiFi-enabled door swipes, — ensuring another layer of security at more districtbuilding doors — as well as develop a partnership with the Human Services Administration Organization, who provides mental health services and resources for staff.
Beyond safety and security, the district has made—or will be making— several significant facilities upgrades, made possible due to the procurement of competitive grant funding.
Among facilities upgrades, a PA Smart Grant will fund K–12 STEAM initiatives, including the construction of immersive "Innovation Labs" at the middle and high schools, along with extensive professional development for staff. Furthermore, grant dollars were able to fund a roof replacement and a secure vestibule at University Park Elementary. In total, grant funding secured for these three projects totaled nearly 1 million dollars.
Food Services
It was another excellent year for Gateway’s Food Service Operations, as staff maintained its impressive meal participation rates in providing all of its students high quality reimbursable meals which includes 261,725 breakfasts and 379,757 lunches, as of 5/14/26 with breakfast service having expanded by more than 3% from last year’s unprecedented daily output.
Our School Lunch Hero TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) has continued to work together in providing our “Gators” with quality, nourishing food that sets them up for a successful day of learning all year long. This TEAM is truly the department’s most valuable asset, and this top-quality group has continued to expand its horizons this past school year.
A case in point as it relates to “School Lunch Heroes” at work is the “Drive for 900 Lunches” at Gateway Middle
School (GMS). The concept was born in early April, whenever there were instances that the GMS lunch count began approaching 875. Members of the GMS TEAM were quite taken by this number of lunches and suggested that they shoot for 900! And thus, the “Drive for 900” was born. On April 22, the GMS TEAM served 901 lunches, as part of its Ravioli with Marinara Sauce “first choice” offering.
The Ravioli with Marinara Sauce isn’t the only “lunch entree offering hit” at our schools! The Asian Cuisine Offerings ranging from General Tso’s / Sweet ‘n Sour Chicken to Chicken Teriyaki have been well received over the past couple of years at all six of our schools. While some components of these offerings involve “convenience” products such as the sauces and “chicken smacker” ingredients, the Rice Pilaf is made from scratch. Our TEAMs have most definitely fine-tuned their “culinary art skills” on this front and have been serving delicious rice dishes for the duration of the school year.
The success of these dishes and our momentum in getting more TEAM Members on board as we close out the school year has us excited about the prospects of expanding our lineup to include even more “scratch cooking oriented” dishes to our lunch offerings next school year. Until then, we’ll look forward to getting our “culinary art creativity” in full gear!