An IN Community Magazine
Fox Chapel Area
2020-2021 FOX CHAPEL AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT STATE OF THE SCHOOLS: ‘BETTER TOGETHER’ PAGE 8
Fabulous Fall Festivals PAGE 40
Special Section: Education PAGE 51 FALL 2021
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fox chapel ar ea school dis t r ict | be tt er 0 - 2 0 21 State 2of0 2the Schools fox chapel ar ea school d is tr ic 2 0 2 0 - 2 0 21 •Junior Eli Yofan was named to the Pennsyl-
schoo l d is t r ic tvania | sSports ta t e of All-State t he s ch ols Writers boysobasketball
Class 6A third team. Only 18 players from across the state were named to the teams, and Eli was one of only two WPIAL players named to the teams. Eli was also named to the 2021 boys Pittsburgh PostGazette Fab 5. He also was the WPIAL Class 6A male basketball player of the year. Additionally, Eli was named to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Trib 10 boys basketball team and was the Valley News Dispatch Boys & World Fox Chapel Area High School among the 2021 Athlete of the Year. Eli•U.S. was aNews member of theReport ranked Sammi Dunlap Among ‘Mos Fox Chapel Area School District U.S. High teams. Schools. The high school earned high national and metro-area rankboys golf, basketball,Best and volleyball 9 Message from the Superintendent 21 Creativity, DedicationHigh Keep Camp School Athl ings. Schools are ranked on theirPositive performance on state-required tests, graduation, Allegheny Experience Alive 10 Better Together andand howClara wellKelley they prepare students forAccolades college. •Freshmen Laura Carter Area High School senior Sammi Dunlap was selec 22 Fox StaffChapel 12 Highlights medaled at the WPIAL Class 3A girls varsity 2021 Western Pennsylvania 24 Fine Arts & Music RecognitionsPositive Athlete Award winner in 16 Student Honors & Achievements •Sixchampionships. Fox Chapel Area High Schoolaward students earned firstthrough third-place cross country individual is given to the “Most Positive High School Athletes” wh 25 2020-2021 Athletic Accomplishments 20 STEM Recognitions awards for as part of the 2021 PENNmodels HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) Additionally, Laura qualified the PIAA in their schools and who embody the “Seven Definitio 29 Fox Chapel Area High School Class of 2021 Future Health Professionals StateAthlete.” Leadership Conference. Juniorshave ClaireanHamilton individual championships. These student-athletes optimistic attitude, a and Ava Vita each won first-placeencourage awards; junior “Tim” Parkimperfections, won a second-put their te theirSangmin teammates, admit •Two Fox Chapel Areaplace Highaward; Schooland girlssenior Nishi Thawani, sophomore Dylan give Srodes, andSammi freshman vant leaders, and always 100%. was a four-year m varsity tennis team members won section soccer team andAllthesixstarting for the past two years Seoyoon “Heidi” Lee all won third-place awards. of thesegoalkeeper students qualified four-year member of the girls basketball team and participate championships. Junior Carissa Shepard won for the HOSA Virtual International Leadership Conference. uring the summer, as Fox Chapel Area’s administrative Sports Track & Field team since its inception at the high schoo Classschool 3A Section 4 singles chamteam looked back onthe theWPIAL 2020-2021 year, which served four years as awards president of high Best Buddies, wa pionship, and Carissa andone junior Katherine was greatly altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, senti•Two Fox Chapel Area High School publications won in the 2020school Ameriment kept emerging: “Better Together.” The notion was so strong student peer-to-peer program, and was a member of the stud Voigt won the sectioncan doubles championScholastic Press Association Contest/Review for Yearbooks, Magazines, and that “Better Together” has become the district’s theme for the councils. ship. Newspapers. The 2019-2020 literary arts magazine “Tapestry” received a first-place 2021-2022 school year. national award. The high school’s news magazine, “Fox Tales Quarterly,” was also “We will reflect on past experiences, identify ways to reconnect named a first-place national winner for the fall 2020 issue.
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with one another now that our students and teachers are in school full time, and reimagine a promising and exciting path centered •TheSchool Fox Chapel HighAlexander School boys country team(the •Fox Chapel Area High juniorArea Patrick wascross a quarterfinalist around teamwork and partnership,” says Dr. Mary Catherine won the Division I, WPIAL Class 3A Section 4 team title for 20-25% Reljac, Fox Chapel Area’s superintendent. “Simply, top we are ‘better of students in the nation) in Student Congress at the National Catholic theNational second consecutive year.Tournament. The team wasAdditionally, undefeated in 8 and FOXtogether CHAPEL AREA together,’ we can write the future for our districtLeague and Forensic Grand Championship seniors the section. be leaders and examples in our communities.” Suparna Agrawal, Hannah Jahnke, and Jackson Romero; junior Ian Mackey-Piccolo;
Message from the Superintendent Dear Fox Chapel Area Community,
As you look through our 2020-2021 State of the Schools report on the following pages, you will see many accomplishments by Fox Chapel r toge t her Area School District students and staff members. While we are grateful as a district to celebrate these types of accolades on an annual basis, these recognitions reflect unprecedented diligence, perseverance, and tenacity. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our 2020-2021 school year was like no other before it. Our students and staff were forced to overcome unforeseen adversity every day. In the great Fox Chapel Area tradition, we didn’t just finish the daily tasks before us. We persevered. The academic, artistic, and athletic accomplishments that you are about to see would not have been possible without the cooperation and partnership of our entire school community — our students, families, staff, school board, and our residents. In ways both large and small, you contributed to our efforts to keep our students in school for in-person instruction, allowing them to grow and learn, and affording them some much-needed normalcy during a challenging time. As we celebrate these successes, we’re also looking ahead. One of the greatest lessons we learned during the 2020-2021 school year is that, truly, we are better together. We have adopted that as a mantra for this school year. As we work in the coming months to reconnect with one another and reimagine where we want to go, we pause to take one more look at where we’ve been. I hope that you are as #FCProud as I am!
st letes’
Sincerely,
cted as the 2020Dr. Mary girls soccer. The Catherine Reljac Superintendent ho serve as role ons of a Positive a heart for others, eam first, are sermember of the girls s. She was also a ed on the Unified ol in 2019. Sammi as involved in the dent and diversity
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the summer, as Chapel Fox Chapel Area’s administrative uringuring the summer, as Fox Area’s administrative team looked back on the 2020-2021 school which team looked back on the 2020-2021 school year,year, which was greatly altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, one sentiwas greatly altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, one sentiemerging: “Better Together.” The notion so strong mentment kept kept emerging: “Better Together.” The notion was was so strong that “Better Together” has become the district’s theme for that “Better Together” has become the district’s theme for the the 2021-2022 school 2021-2022 school year.year. will reflect on past experiences, identify to reconnect “We “We will reflect on past experiences, identify waysways to reconnect with one another now that our students and teachers areschool in school with one another now that our students and teachers are in full time, and reimagine a promising and exciting path centered full time, and reimagine a promising and exciting path centered around teamwork and partnership,” Dr. Mary Catherine around teamwork and partnership,” sayssays Dr. Mary Catherine Reljac, Fox Chapel superintendent. “Simply, we ‘better are ‘better Reljac, Fox Chapel Area’sArea’s superintendent. “Simply, we are together,’ and together we can write the future for our district together,’ and together we can write the future for our district and and be leaders and examples in our communities.” be leaders and examples in our communities.”
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Highlights •Two Fox Chapel Area High School students were named winners in a contest sponsored by the National YoungArts Foundation. Senior Jessica Jing McCann was named a finalist and received a Silver Award in the Design Arts category, and sophomore Sloane Simon received an honorable mention in the Voice: Singer-Songwriter category as part of the 2021 National YoungArts Foundation competition. Jing and Sloane were named two of 659 of the most accomplished uring the summer, as Fox Chapel Area’s administrative young visual, literary, andlooked performing artists from acrossschool the country. Jing was team back on the 2020-2021 year, which recognized for hergreatly portfolio consisting of jewelrypandemic, (wearableone art) sentidesigned was altered by the COVID-19 to communicate how stress and anxiety affect her. As a ment kept emerging: “Better Together.” The notion was so strong finalist, Jing was to theme participate in that “Better Together” has become theinvited district’s for the 2021-2022 school year. National YoungArts Week. For her entry, Sloane submitted three original songs. “We will reflect on past experiences, identify ways to reconnect with one another •High now that our students and teachers are in school school senior Jessica Jing McCann was full time, and reimagine a promising and exciting path centered named a national winner in the Scholastic Art & around teamwork and partnership,” says Dr. Mary Catherine Writing Awards of 2021. Jing won a gold medal for Reljac, Fox Chapel superintendent. we areand ‘better herArea’s jewelry titled “Wings “Simply, of Deception,” a gold together,’ and together we can write the future for our district and for medal and a prestigious American Visions Medal be leaders andher examples our communities.” jewelryintitled “Anxiety’s Flight.” This year, nearly 230,000 works of art and writing were submitted by students in grades 7-12 through regional contests, and approximately 1,700 were recognized at the national level, including 66 from Pennsylvania.
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•Fox Chapel Area High School sophomore Elijah Conklin was part of Team USA in the International Geography Olympiad (iGeo) this past summer. Elijah earned the honor of being on Team USA by placing third in the varsity division of the U.S. Geography Championships. The top four students in the country comprised Team USA. The iGeo is an annual competition for geography students from more than 40 countries. •Two high school students won awards at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair 2021. Junior Zoe Lakkis received a third-place Grand Award in the Computational Biology and Bioinformatics category for her project titled “Data Mining to Identify Therapeutic Targets for Transplant Rejection.” Sophomore Arvind Seshan received a third-place Grand Award in the Systems Software category for his project titled “Enabling High-Accuracy Human Activity Recognition with Fine-Grained Indoor Localization.” More than 1,800 young scientists representing 49 states and 64 countries participated in the competition, the world’s largest global high school STEM competition. •Twenty high school seniors were recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program. Suparna Agrawal, Amulya Garimella, Brendan Gladwin, Ryan Kenyon, Mark Puthenpurayil, Jackson Romero, and Vinisha Sant were named 2021 National Merit Finalists. Thirteen were named Commended Students: Erin Doherty, Natalka Harris, Emily Li, Lucy Markovitz, John Polcyn, John Scott, Sanjay Seshan, Vivian Shao, Aaron Tien, Michael VanDemark, Joey Wang, Alwyn Williams, and Nathaniel Yerage. The students were selected based on their 2019 Preliminary SAT scores. The Finalists represent less than 1% of the nation’s high school seniors, and the Commended Students represent the top 5%. Continued on next page FOX CHAPEL AREA
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Highlights •Fox Chapel Area High School was a recipient of the Strength of America Award for 2021-2024. The award is given by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and recognizes schools that have elite strength and conditioning programs. These schools exhibit the highest standards in the safety and success of young athletes and demonstrate excellence to teach, implement, and encourage safe and effective strength and conditioning programs. Fox Chapel Area High School’s program is led by social studies teacher and interscholastic strength and conditioning head coach Brandon Peifer. Fox Chapel Area High School was onethe of summer, only two schools in theArea’s state recognized this year. uring as Fox Chapel administrative
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team looked back on the 2020-2021 school year, which •Junior Zoe Skirboll was named to thealtered USA Swimming National Junior Team July was greatly by the COVID-19 pandemic, one in senti2021. A total of 22 girls and 21 boys from across the nation were named to the team. ment kept emerging: “Better Together.” The notion was so strong The swimmers represented U.S. at the thirdhas and fourththe legsdistrict’s of the 2021 (Fédération thatthe “Better Together” become themeFINA for the Internationale de Natation) Swimming World Cup this fall. The team competed in Berlin, 2021-2022 school year. Germany, and in Budapest, Hungary, and Zoe swam the 100 breast stroke. “We will reflect on past experiences, identify ways to reconnect •A total of 118 Fox Chapel Area High School were and named Advanced with one another now thatstudents our students teachers are inPlacement school (AP) Scholars by the College for demonstrating college-level achievement on the full time,Board and reimagine a promising and exciting path centered AP examinations taken in May 2021. The College Board recogaround teamwork and partnership,” says Dr. Mary Catherine nizes three levels of achievement based on the number of courses Reljac, Fox Chapel Area’s superintendent. “Simply, we are ‘better and exams: 53 students qualified the APwe Scholar withthe Distinctogether,’ and for together can write future for our district and tion award by earningbean average of 3.5inonour allcommunities.” AP exams leaders andscore examples taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams; 28 qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor award by earning an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams; and 37 qualified for the AP Scholar award by receiving scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams. Advanced Placement exams are graded on a 5-point scale, with 5 being the highest. 14
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•Seven graduates and students received a 2021 Student Production Award for Excellence from the MidAtlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). The group won the award for “Our Assignment from Fred Rogers,” a 70-minute YouTube documentary on the life and work of children’s television host Mister Rogers. Involved with the project were 2019 graduates Adina Munin (producer) and Santiago de la Torre; seniors Jean Daniher (producer), Ryan Kenyon, and Jonathan Snider; and juniors Anushka Vis and Lance Wilhelm (director). Additionally, digital media production teacher Ryan Devlin and Jessica Morris, a then-college student intern at Fox Chapel Area High School who is now a teacher at Dorseyville Middle School, were also involved in the production. The NATAS Mid-Atlantic Chapter’s Student Production Awards recognize outstanding cultural, educational, technological, entertainment, news, and informational achievements by high school students in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. •Senior Abigail Rickin-Marks was chosen to receive NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Keystone Pennsylvania’s 2021 Youth Mental Health Leadership Award. The award is given to a young person who is a change-leader in the areas of mental health education and is instrumental in shifting conversations about mental health from negative to positive. Abby was selected for her vital contributions in both her school and community to raise mental health awareness and reduce stigma. •Junior Margo Levenson placed seventh in Networking Infrastructures at the 2021 Future Business Leaders of America Virtual National Leadership Conference. About 10,000 competitors from across the U.S. participated in the conference, which recognizes excellence in business and career-related areas. •The district consistently receives an “A+ Overall Niche Grade” on niche.com and ranks among the top 10 school districts in the state in Niche rankings. In the 2021 rankings, the Fox Chapel Area School District placed among the best school districts in the country (25 out of 10,760) on Niche’s “2021 Best School Districts” list. Fox Chapel Area also received its sixth consecutive overall A+ grade, was ranked one of the top five school districts in Pennsylvania (3 out of 494), and placed in the top five school districts in the state (4 out of 495) in the category of best teachers. Additionally, the district placed in the top 1% of school districts in the nation in the categories of Best School Districts, Districts with the Best Teachers, and Best Places to Teach. FOX CHAPEL AREA
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•Two Fox Chapel Area High School seniors, Ryan Kenyon and Vivian Shao, were named candidates in the 2021 United States Presidential Scholars Program. More than 4,500 students from across the nation were named candidates in this year’s program, and 172 were from Pennsylvania. Inclusion in the Presidential Scholars Program is one of the nation’s highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. •Fox Chapel Area High School senior Vivian Shao was selected as a semifinalist in the 2021 class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. Vivian was one of 1,609 high school seniors from across the nation (and one of 73 from Pennsylvania) chosen as a semifinalist. Students are selected based on their academic excellence, leadership, and service demonstrated in school and community activities. uring the summer, as Fox Chapel Area’s administrative team looked back on the 2020-2021 school year, which •Fox Chapel Area High School senior Jessiwas greatly altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, one sentica Jing McCann was named a 2020-2021 ment kept emerging: “Better Together.” The notion was so strong All-American Strength and Conditioning that “Better Together” has become the district’s theme for the Athlete of the Year. The honor, given 2021-2022 school year. by the National Strength and Conditioning Association, recognizes high “We will reflect on past experiences, identify ways to reconnect school and collegiate athletes whose with one another now that our students and teachers are in school athletic accomplishments reflect their full time, and reimagine a promising and exciting path centered dedication to strength and conditionaround teamwork and partnership,” says Dr. Mary Catherine ing. The athletes areReljac, also recognized Fox Chapel Area’s superintendent. “Simply, we are ‘better for their academic and personal together,’ and together we can write the future for our district and accomplishments, asbewell as their leaders and examples in our communities.” integrity as student-athletes. Jing, a thrower on the track and field team, was recognized for her accomplishments in the track and field category.
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•U.S. News & World Report ranked Fox Chapel Area High School among the 2021 Best U.S. High Schools. The high school earned high national and metro-area rankings. Schools are ranked on their performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare students for college. •Six Fox Chapel Area High School students earned first- through third-place awards as part of the 2021 PENN HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) Future Health Professionals State Leadership Conference. Juniors Claire Hamilton and Ava Vita each won first-place awards; junior Sangmin “Tim” Park won a secondplace award; and senior Nishi Thawani, sophomore Dylan Srodes, and freshman Seoyoon “Heidi” Lee all won third-place awards. All six of these students qualified for the HOSA Virtual International Leadership Conference. •Two Fox Chapel Area High School publications won awards in the 2020 American Scholastic Press Association Contest/Review for Yearbooks, Magazines, and Newspapers. The 2019-2020 literary arts magazine “Tapestry” received a first-place national award. The high school’s news magazine, “Fox Tales Quarterly,” was also named a first-place national winner for the fall 2020 issue. •Fox Chapel Area High School junior Patrick Alexander was a quarterfinalist (the top 20-25% of students in the nation) in Student Congress at the National Catholic Forensic League Grand National Championship Tournament. Additionally, seniors Suparna Agrawal, Hannah Jahnke, and Jackson Romero; junior Ian Mackey-Piccolo; and freshmen Lilly Friedman and Seoyoon “Heidi” Lee also qualified for the national competition, with freshman Isabella White serving as an alternate. •Fox Chapel Area High School junior Anna Ferris won a Gold Key for her flash fiction, “A Life in Moments,” as part of the Pittsburgh Regional Scholastic Writing Awards 2021 competition. Her entry also qualified for national judging. Five other high school students won awards for their submissions in the competition.
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Student Honors & Achievements •Several high school students placed at the 2021 Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Virtual State Leadership Conference, and eight qualified for nationals. Seniors Allison Carey and Zoey Zoschg, and junior Isabella Geraci won first place; seniors Katherine Caracciolo, Rachel Chang, and Emily Li won second place; and seniors Erin Doherty and Isabella Liberto, and junior Margo Levenson won third place. A total of 66 Fox Chapel Area High School students placed and/or qualified for the 2021 FBLA Virtual State Leadership Conference. Fox Chapel Area first-place regional winners were seniors Melina Bradley, Erin Doherty, David Kronman, and Vivian Shao; juniors Alexa Berman, Brooke Bowman, Noah Bradley, Russell Fenton, Alicia Gu, Thomas Healy, Alaina Kaslewicz, Sydney Kennedy, Alex Zatman, and Ryan Zatman; and sophomores Donay Allen, Aisling Beresford, Maya Bradley, Paul Kullman, Diya Reddy, and Shawn Rygelski. •Senior Melina Bradley was a recipient of a Stamps Scholarship through the University of Pittsburgh. The scholarship, valued at approximately $160,000, is offered to five incoming first-year Pitt students and covers full tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board. In uring summer, asleadership, Fox Chapelscholarship, Area’s administrative order to be eligible, students mustthe demonstrate service, perseteam looked back on the 2020-2021 schoolwith year,the which verance, and innovation. Melina’s scholarship is offered in partnership Stamps was greatly altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, one sentiScholars Program, a nationally prestigious merit scholarship that helps exceptional ment keptleaders emerging: “Better Together.” students become meaningful throughout society. The notion was so strong that “Better Together” has become the district’s theme for the 2021-2022 school year. at the 2021 Pennsylvania Family Career •Senior Ashton Monroe was named a winner and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Leadership Conference. “WeAshton, will reflect on pastarts experiences, waysCareer to reconnect a culinary student at identify A.W. Beattie Center, was with one another now that our students and teachers awarded a first-place and a silver medal inare theinPAschool Table full time, and reimagine a promising and exciting path centered Service category. She was also awarded a $12,000 scholaround teamwork partnership,” saysinDr. Mary Catherine arship toand Sullivan University Kentucky. Reljac, Fox Chapel Area’s superintendent. “Simply, we are ‘better together,’ and together we can write the future for our district and •Freshman Isabella White was named the state chambe leaders and examples in our communities.” pion in Lincoln-Douglas Debate at the Pennsylvania High School Speech League State Championship Tournament. Seniors Suparna Agrawal and Jackson Romero; juniors Ian Mackey-Piccolo and Patrick Alexander; sophomore Silas Owens; and freshmen Lilly Friedman and Seoyoon “Heidi” Lee also participated in the state competition. Additionally, the high school forensic team won second place overall.
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•A number of high school students won awards at Model UN (United Nations) conferences throughout the year. First-place winners were seniors Aidan Ireland, Benjamin Rickin-Marks, and Cecilia Rike; juniors Patrick Alexander, Janise Kim, Omar Shalaby, Daniel Thomas, and Siddharth Yende; sophomore Ethan Tan; and freshmen Connor Mazzoni and Isabella White. •Five high school and A.W. Beattie Career Center students were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society: senior Emma Bernesser (Veterinary Sciences Technology), and juniors Meghan DeLuca (Health and Nursing Sciences), Justin Friday (Health and Nursing Sciences), Amelia Herzer (Health and Nursing Sciences), and Jenna Rubican (Advertising Design). •Seven sophomores were selected to receive Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership recognition: Aisling Beresford, Zoe Broyles, Leah Kenyon, Mia Lynch, Lindsay Scheffler, Prajval Sreenivas, and Laci Toomey. •Senior Joey Wang and junior Danielle Horne were named to the Elite Top 100 in Trib Total Media’s 2021 Outstanding Young Citizen program. More than 300 students from 110 schools were nominated for the award based on academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and community service. •Twenty-two seniors received the Governor’s Civic Engagement Student Poll Worker Award for their work serving as student poll workers for the November 2020 election. •Fairview Elementary School fifth-grader Corinne Sample won first place at the 2021 Children’s Choice Awards “Battle of the Books” competition sponsored by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and the Allegheny County Library Association. •Fairview Elementary School fifth-grader Sebastian Rosenmeier won third place in the individual portion of the grades five and six CalcuSolve (math) competition. The event was sponsored by the Allegheny Intermediate Unit and the II-VI Foundation. •Fox Chapel Area School District students and staff held their 31st annual telethon in December 2020 and raised more than $16,400 for the Sharpsburg Community Library. FOX CHAPEL AREA
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STEM Recognitions
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•A team of high school students was named the grand champion in the eighth annual Governor’s STEM Competition. Junior Janise Kim and sophomores Arvind Seshan and Prajval Sreenivas developed an occupancy tracking system to revolutionize social distancing practices. •Fox Chapel Area High School was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best STEM High Schools in America for 2021. •Junior Zoe Lakkis and sophomore Arvind Seshan were named two of seven overall winners in the Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair and qualified to participate in the Regeneron International and Engineering Fair 2021. Freshman uring the summer, Science as Fox Chapel Area’s administrative Lakshanya Rajaganapathi andteam eighth-grader Etash Jhanji were awarded frst their respective looked back on the 2020-2021 schoolplace year,inwhich categories, and Etash was nominated for the national Broadcom MASTERS program. was greatly altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, one senti-
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ment kept emerging: “Better Together.” The notion was so strong •Several students won first-place awards in the Academy that “Better Together” hasPennsylvania become the Junior district’s theme of forScience the state competition: seniors 2021-2022 Jackson Romero andyear. Sanjay Seshan; juniors Zoe Lakkis and Siddharth school Yende; sophomores Lawrence Liu and Arvind Seshan; freshman Adhitya Thirumala; and eighth-graders Anna “We Delale-O’Connor and Etash Jhanji. Second-place awards went to freshman will reflect on past experiences, identify ways to reconnect Lakshanya Rajaganapathi and eighth-grader Rohitour Velankar. with one another now that students and teachers are in school full time, and reimagine a promising and exciting path centered •Five seniors won awards at the Pennsylvania Technology Student (TSA) State Leadaround teamwork and partnership,” says Dr.Association Mary Catherine Reljac, Fox Chapel Area’s superintendent. “Simply, we are ‘better ership Conference. The Fox Chapel Area first-place winner was Michael VanDemark in the coding together,’ andplace together write the future for our district category, and Victor Yang won third in theweITcan fundamentals category. Michael andand Victor be leaders and examples in our communities.” both qualified for the virtual 2021 National TSA Conference
•Sophomore Ananth Kashyap was named the winner of the Congressional App Challenge for Pennsylvania’s 17th District. Ananth developed a “Covid Scanner” app. The contest was open to middle and high school students in District 17. •Senior Isabella Krisky passed the LEED Green Associate exam. –She is the first student in Fox Chapel Area history to take and pass the test. 20
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arrying backpacks, water, pencils, paper, and other necessities, students trekked into the wilds of the school property to study and learn everything they could about the local environment. Although the overnight environmental education program, which has been a decadeslong tradition for the district’s fifth-graders, could not take place in the usual way because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the efforts of the teachers and the Audubon Society allowed the camp experience to be brought to the students. For five days, students were immersed in environmental learning and were able to enjoy the great outdoors. Among other things, they learned about conservation, nature, and the area’s original settlers; participated in hikes, journaling, and a virtual field trip to Fort Ligonier; heard from guest speakers; and engaged in other meaningful hands-on learning experiences. “I was impressed by and proud of the creativity and dedication our teachers showed in putting together an authentic experience for our students,” says Dr. Ashley Constantine, the district’s executive director of elementary education and instruction. “Our students were really excited about the experience. They learned a great deal about, not just the environment, but about themselves and each other.”
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Staff Accolades •Fox Chapel Area High School and its world and classical languages department were recognized by the Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association (PSMLA) for furthering interculturality and global competence in students. The members of the Fox Chapel Area High School world and classical languages department are Pam Barentine, Kelly Barone, Shannon Finley, Tanja Koller, Mark Matusiak, Amy Montgomery, and Drew Richards. Additionally, Ms. Barone was awarded a Global Educator Certificate for helping to establish and maintain the PSMLA Global Scholars program at Fox Chapel Area High School and for her efforts in inspiring and challenging students to become PSMLA Global Scholars Graduates for at least two consecutive years. She was one of 17 educators in the state to earn this recognition. •High school French teacher Pam Barentine was awarded a $6,000 grant to participate in an immersive language study in Montpellier, France. Ms. Barentine spent two weeks studyuring the summer, as Fox Chapel Area’s administrative ing at the LSF Language School, taking courses from French teachers from around the world. team looked back on the 2020-2021 school year, which The grant was provided by the European Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh. was greatly altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, one sentiment kept emerging: “Better Together.” The notion was so strong •The Fox Chapel Area School District won five national awards in the 2021 National School that “Better Together” has become the district’s theme for the Public Relations Association 2021-2022Publications school year.and Digital Media Excellence Awards contest and six state awards in the 2020 Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association Excellence in Education Communications Contest. identify The awards for outstand“We will reflect on past experiences, waysare togiven reconnect ing work in educational communications, including print and digital publications, with one another now that our students and teachers are in school video, audio,full websites, andreimagine social media. Fox Chapel School District’s winning time, and a promising andArea exciting path centered entries were around coordinated by Bonnie Berzonski, the district’s coordinator of commuteamwork and partnership,” says Dr. Mary Catherine nications, andReljac, Jill Leonard, the district’s community engagement Fox Chapel Area’s superintendent. “Simply, wespecialist. are ‘better
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together,’ and together we can write the future for our district and •High schoolbe librarian Laura Ward was selected as a member of the 2020-2021 leadersDr. and examples in our communities.” Pennsylvania School Librarians Association (PSLA) Leadership Institute for School Librarians. Dr. Ward served as a mentor to other school librarians in the state who participated in the 2021 PSLA School Librarians’ Leadership Academy, which focused on fostering an anti-racist library culture and building diverse library collections. Dr. Ward is also president-elect of the PSLA and was a member of the organization’s 2020-2021 Library Services & Technology Act steering committee, which oversees the distribution of federal funds.
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•High school biology teacher Jessica Papariello served as a content committee member for Pennsylvania’s Science and Technology and Environment and Ecology Standards. The group meets to revise and align science standards with current research and best practices. •Athletic Director Michael O’Brien was elected to and served on the WPIAL Board of Directors during the 2020-2021 school year, becoming the district’s first administrative representative to serve on the governing organization. •Superintendent Dr. Mary Catherine Reljac was a recipient of a University of Pittsburgh School of Education 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award. She was one of 13 educators selected by the Pitt School of Education to be honored this year. •High school Spanish teacher Shannon Finley was the 2020 recipient of the Ivan and Mary Novick Award for Young Alumni Leadership at the University of Pittsburgh. Additionally, Ms. Finley was initiated into the service sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and is also a member of the Alpha Alpha Omega Chapter of the Great Lakes Region. •The following employees attained 25 years of service with the district during the 2020-2021 school year: Hartwood Elementary School – Diane Anderson and Jennifer Billings; Kerr Elementary School – Jamie McKenzie and Paul Noro; Dorseyville Middle School – Michelle Bailey, Craig Farrell, and Noelle Noel; and Fox Chapel Area High School – Dave Battista, Susan Farino, and Joseph Gass.
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Fine FineArts Arts&&Music MusicRecognitions Recognitions
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•The •The FoxFox Chapel Chapel AreaArea School School District District waswas named named among among thethe BestBest CommuCommunities nities for Music for Music Education Education for the for the 10th 10th yearyear in ainrow a row by the by the National National AssociaAssociationtion of Music of Music Merchants Merchants Foundation. Foundation. TheThe honor honor recognizes recognizes outstanding outstanding commitment commitment to music to music education education andand leaders leaders whowho have have made made music music partpart of of a well-rounded a well-rounded curriculum curriculum andand whowho helphelp ensure ensure access access to music to music for all for all students. students. •Twenty •Twenty students students wonwon awards awards in the in the Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Region Region of the of the Scholastic Scholastic Art Awards Art Awards 2021. 2021. Gold Gold KeyKey winners winners were were seniors seniors Jessica Jessica JingJing McCann McCann (4 Gold (4 Gold Keys), Keys), JoeyJoey Wang Wang (2 Gold (2 Gold Keys), Keys), Alwyn Alwyn Williams, Williams, andand Wenyu Wenyu ZuoZuo (2 Gold (2 Gold Keys); Keys); sophomore sophomore Jonathan Jonathan Li; and Li; and freshman freshman Isabella Isabella White White (2 Gold (2 Gold Keys). Keys). All of Allthe of the Gold Gold KeyKey winners winners qualified qualified for national for national judging. judging. Additionally, Additionally, JingJing waswas selected selected as as an American an American Visions Visions nominee nominee for her for her jewelry jewelry piece. piece. ThisThis honor honor is given is given to ato a select select fewfew regional regional Gold Gold KeyKey winners, winners, andand theirtheir pieces pieces are are considered considered to be to be among among thethe bestbest of the of the show. show.
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•Senior •Senior JoeyJoey Wang Wang waswas chosen chosen for the for the National National Association Association for Music for Music Education Education 2020 2020 All-National All-National uring theJoey, summer, as Fox Chapel Area’s administrative Honor Honor Ensembles Ensembles Concert Concert Band Band event. event. Joey, a clarinet a clarinet player, player, joined joined 120120 band band students students from from team looked back on the 2020-2021 school year, which across across thethe U.S.U.S. andand military military basebase schools schools overseas overseas whowho are are considered considered to be to the be the “best “best of the of the best.” best.” was greatly altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, one sentiment emerging: “Better Together.” The notion so Education strong All-All•Three •Three seniors seniors were were chosen chosen tokept perform to perform withwith 2021 2021 National National Association Association for Music forwas Music Education that “Better Together” has become the district’s theme for the Eastern Eastern Honors Honors Ensembles. Ensembles. Nathaniel Nathaniel Hines Hines waswas selected selected for the for the All-Eastern All-Eastern Honors Honors Mixed Mixed Chorus, Chorus, 2021-2022 year. JackJack Penland Penland waswas chosen chosen to play to play withschool with thethe All-Eastern All-Eastern Honors Honors Orchestra, Orchestra, andand JoeyJoey Wang Wang waswas chosen chosen for the for the All-Eastern All-Eastern Honors Honors Symphonic Symphonic Band. Band. TheThe students students are are considered considered to be to the be the most most “We willstudents reflect on past experiences, identify ways to reconnect musically musically talented talented highhigh school school students from from across across 11 states 11 states in the in the Northeast. Northeast. with one another now that our students and teachers are in school fullHigh time, and reimagine achosen promising exciting path centered •Four •Four FoxFox Chapel Chapel AreaArea High School School students students were were chosen to perform toand perform withwith 2021 2021 Pennsylvania Pennsylvania around teamwork and partnership,” says Dr. Mary Catherine Music Music Educators Educators Association Association (PMEA) (PMEA) all-state all-state ensembles. ensembles. Senior Senior Joey Joey Wang Wang was was selected selected to perto perReljac, Fox Chapel Area’s superintendent. “Simply, we are ‘better form form withwith thethe PMEA PMEA All-State All-State Wind Wind Ensemble Ensemble andand senior senior Nathaniel Nathaniel Hines, Hines, junior junior JackJack Lorence, Lorence, andand together,’ andchosen together we can thePMEA future for our district and sophomore sophomore Salvatore Salvatore Smith Smith were were chosen to perform to perform withwrite with thethe PMEA All-State All-State Chorus. Chorus. TheThe students students be are leaders and examples our in the in the all-state all-state ensembles ensembles are considered considered to be to among be in among thecommunities.” the bestbest in Pennsylvania. in Pennsylvania. • Junior • Junior Sloane Sloane Simon Simon wonwon firstfirst place place in the in the music music category category of the of the 2020 2020 Carnegie Carnegie Library Library of Pittsof Pittsburgh burgh TeenTeen Media Media Awards. Awards. Additionally, Additionally, 2020 2020 graduate graduate Anzu Anzu Sekikawa Sekikawa waswas awarded awarded firstfirst place place andand an honorable an honorable mention mention for her for her 2D 2D art;art; junior junior Alexa Alexa Berman Berman wonwon second second place place andand an honoran honorableable mention mention for her for her 2D 2D art;art; andand Dorseyville Dorseyville Middle Middle School School seventh-grader seventh-grader Dalisay Dalisay Quemado Quemado wonwon an honorable an honorable mention mention for her for her 2D 2D artwork. artwork. 24
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2020-2021 Athletic Accomplishments – A total of 816 Fox Chapel Area High School students and 435 Dorseyville Middle School students participated on athletic teams. – Senior David Manelis won a gold medal at the PIAA (state) Class 3A diving championships. – Sophomore Sophie Shao won a gold medal at the PIAA Class 3A swimming championships in the 100 butterfly. – The softball team qualified for the PIAA Class 5A playoffs for the first time in history. – The boys cross country team, girls golf team, boys swimming and diving, and girls swimming and diving all won their sections with perfect section records. – Twenty-one of 26 interscholastic teams and/or individuals from those teams qualified for postseason competition: baseball, boys basketball, girls basketball, boys cross country, girls cross country, field hockey, boys golf, girls golf, gymnastics, boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse, boys soccer, girls soccer, softball, boys swimming and diving, girls swimming and diving, boys tennis, girls tennis, boys track and field, girls track and field, and boys volleyball. – Individual state qualifiers were seniors Domenica Delaney (girls track and field), David Manelis (boys diving), Jessica Jing McCann (girls track and field), Aidan Oehrle (boys golf), and Vivian Shao (girls swimming); juniors Nina Busch (girls golf), Caleb Kulikowski (boys track and field), and Rei Sperry (girls swimming); sophomores Sophie Shao (girls swimming) and Talia Bugel (girls swimming); and freshmen Laura Carter (girls cross country and track and field) and Zachary Zornan Ferguson (boys swimming). – Nineteen seniors were recruited to play sports in college. – All high school teams maintained an average 3.6 QPA. Boys’ swimming and diving earned a 3.8 team QPA and girls tennis earned a 4.16 team QPA to win top team academic honors. Continued on next page FOX CHAPEL AREA
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Athletic Accomplishments •Senior David Manelis won gold medals at the PIAA and WPIAL Class 3A diving championships. He is the first diver in Fox Chapel Area history to achieve this honor. He was also named to the all-state diving team.
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•Sophomore Sophie Shao was named the state champion in the 100 butterfly. She won a gold medal in 2020 in the same event, and is the only swimmer in school history to win two gold PIAA medals. Additionally, Sophie won a gold medal in the 100 butterfly at the WPIAL Class 3A swimming championships. •Sophomore Talia Bugel won gold in the 100 backstroke, and the 200 medley relay team of senior Vivian Shao, junior Rei Sperry, sophomore Sophie Shao, and Talia earned a gold medal at the WPIAL Class 3A swimming championship. All were also named to the all-state swimming team. Additionally, freshman Zachary Zornan Ferguson won silver medals in the 50 and 500 freestyle; Sophie won silver in the 200 individual medley; Talia won bronze in the 50 freestyle; and the 400 freestyle relay team of Talia, Sophie, Rei, and Vivian won bronze at uring the summer, as Fox Chapel Area’s administrative the WPIAL Class 3A swimming Championship. team looked back on the 2020-2021 school year, which
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was greatly altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, one senti•The girls varsity softball teamment qualified the PIAA Class 5ATogether.” The notion was so strong keptfor emerging: “Better playoffs for the first time in school history. The team memthat “Better Together” has become the district’s theme for the bers were seniors Isabella Krisky and Neenaschool Pietropaolo; 2021-2022 year. juniors Mackenzie Borkovich, Riley Culleiton, Amelia Herzer, Kate Kinst, Kaitlyn Legge, Palmer,on past experiences, identify ways to reconnect “WeBrynn will reflect and Macayla Weiner; sophomores Shannonnow that our students and teachers are in school with one another Held, Stephanie Lee, Alina Stiger,and andreimagine Hunter a promising and exciting path centered full time, Taylor; and freshmenaround Mia Dunleavy, Kyra teamwork and partnership,” says Dr. Mary Catherine Gdovichin, and CaitieReljac, Troutman. Fox Chapel Area’s superintendent. “Simply, we are ‘better together,’ and together we can write the future for our district and •Senior soccer playerbeNate Lazzara leaders andwas examples in our communities.” named to the Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association All-State Team.
•Senior soccer player Lucy Ream was named to the Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association AllState Team. Lucy also was named to the watchlist for the 10th High School All-American Game. 26
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•Junior Eli Yofan was named to the Pennsylvania Sports Writers All-State boys basketball Class 6A third team. Only 18 players from across the state were named to the teams, and Eli was one of only two WPIAL players named to the teams. Eli was also named to the 2021 boys Pittsburgh PostGazette Fab 5. He also was the WPIAL Class 6A male basketball player of the year. Additionally, Eli was named to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Trib 10 boys basketball team and was the Valley News Dispatch Boys Athlete of the Year. Eli was a member of the boys golf, basketball, and volleyball teams. •Freshmen Laura Carter and Clara Kelley medaled at the WPIAL Class 3A girls varsity cross country individual championships. Additionally, Laura qualified for the PIAA individual championships. •Two Fox Chapel Area High School girls varsity tennis team members won section championships. Junior Carissa Shepard won the WPIAL Class 3A Section 4 singles championship, and Carissa and junior Katherine Voigt won the section doubles championship.
Sammi Dunlap Among ‘Most Positive High School Athletes’ Fox Chapel Area High School senior Sammi Dunlap was selected as the 20202021 Western Pennsylvania Positive Athlete Award winner in girls soccer. The award is given to the “Most Positive High School Athletes” who serve as role models in their schools and who embody the “Seven Definitions of a Positive Athlete.” These student-athletes have an optimistic attitude, a heart for others, encourage their teammates, admit imperfections, put their team first, are servant leaders, and always give 100%. Sammi was a four-year member of the girls soccer team and the starting goalkeeper for the past two years. She was also a four-year member of the girls basketball team and participated on the Unified Sports Track & Field team since its inception at the high school in 2019. Sammi served four years as president of high school Best Buddies, was involved in the student peer-to-peer program, and was a member of the student and diversity councils.
•The Fox Chapel Area High School boys cross country team won the Division I, WPIAL Class 3A Section 4 team title for the second consecutive year. The team was undefeated in the section. •The girls golf team won the WPIAL Class 3A Section 4 team title for the third year in a row and was undefeated in the section. •The high school girls soccer team won the WPIAL Class 4A Section 3 team title. Continued on next page FOX CHAPEL AREA
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Unified Soccer Team Bolsters Inclusion Goals With a goal of furthering the ideals of inclusion, acceptance, and respect among students, the Fox Chapel Area School District added a Special Olympics Unified Soccer program at Dorseyville Middle School. Special Olympics Unified Sports aim to foster an appreciation of players of all abilities. One of the hopes for DMS’ Unified Soccer program, which joins Unified Bocce and Unified Track & Field teams at Fox Chapel Area High School, is to continue to promote inclusivity among students. The middle school students are able to work alongside their typical peers. The team is led by a group of Fox Chapel Area teachers, assisted by varsity soccer players.
Athletic Accomplishments •The boys basketball team won the WPIAL Class 6A Section 3 title. This was the first time since 1967 that the team won the section title two years in a row.
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•The boys swimming and diving team won the WPIAL Class 3A Section 3 title for the first time in 30 years. The team was undefeated in its section. •The girls swimming and diving team won the WPIAL Class 3A Section 3 title for the second year in a row, and was undefeated in its section.
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•Three seniors were chosen for the annual Roundball Classic: Baldauf, Domenica Delaney, and uring the summer, as Kent Fox Chapel Area’s administrative Elizabeth Schwartzman. The Roundball includes top seniors from the WPIAL, team looked back on the 2020-2021 school year, which City League, and other parts of Western Pennsylvania. was greatly altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, one sentiment kept emerging: “Better Together.” The notion was so strong •Several student-athletes were honored by theTogether” Alle-Kiski Valley Sports the district’s theme for the that “Better has become Hall of Fame: senior David Manelis2021-2022 (state divingschool champion), junior Eli year. Yofan, and sophomore Sophie Shao (the state champion in the 100-yard butterfly). “We will reflect on past experiences, identify ways to reconnect with one another now that our students and teachers are in school •Field Hockey (Class 2A) and boys full golftime, (Classand 3A)reimagine were WPIALa promising and exciting path centered runners-up. around teamwork and partnership,” says Dr. Mary Catherine Reljac, Fox Chapel Area’s superintendent. “Simply, we are ‘better •Sophomore Zoe Fitzsimmons wontogether,’ a bronze and medal on we can write the future for our district and together beam at the WPIAL gymnastics championship. be leaders and examples in our communities.” •For the second year in a row, boys basketball coach Zach Skrinjar was named the Big 56 WPIAL Class 6A Section 3 boys coach of the year. •Girls soccer coach Peter Torres was named the WPIAL Class 4A Section 3 coach of the year. 28
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Class of 2021 College Choices Allegheny College • All-State Career School • Arizona State University • Auburnwin Wallace University • Bangkok University • Berklee College of Music • Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania • Boston College • Boston University • Brunswick Community College • Butler County Community College • Carnegie Mellon University • Case Western Reserve University • Central Carolina Community College – Harnett Main Campus • Clemson University • Cleveland State University • Colgate University • College of Charleston • Community College of Allegheny County • Connecticut College • County College of Morris • Denison University • DePaul University • Drexel University • Duquesne University • Eastern Kentucky University • East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania • Fordham University • Franklin & Marshall College • Furman University • Gannon University • George Washington University • Georgia Institute of Technology • Grove City College • Harvard University • Hawai’i Pacific University • High Point University • Indiana University Bloomington • Indiana University of Pennsylvania • Ithaca College • James Madison University • John Carroll University • Kent State University • Kenyon College • Lehigh University • Louisiana State University • Loyola University of Chicago • Marietta College • Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Mercyhurst University • Miami University • Millersville University • Muskingum University • New York University • Northpoint Bible College • Oberlin College • Ohio Technical College • Ohio University • Penn State University Park • Penn State Behrend • Penn State Berks • Penn State New Kensington • Pittsburgh Technical College • Point Park University • Purdue University • Quinnipiac University • Robert Morris University • Rochester Institute of Technology • Saint Vincent College • Savannah College of Art and Design • School of the Art Institute of Chicago • School of Visual Arts • Seton Hill University • Shenandoah University • Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville • Stevens Institute of Technology • Susquehanna University • Syracuse University • Temple University • The American University of Paris • The Ohio State University • The University of Texas • United States Military Academy West Point • University of Arizona • University of California, Irvine • University of California, Los Angeles • University of California, San Diego • University of California, Santa Barbara • University of Cincinnati • University of Dayton • University of Detroit Mercy • University of Florida • University of Kentucky • University of Maine Farmington • University of Maryland • University of Miami • University of Michigan • University of Minnesota • University of North Carolina at Charlotte • University of Notre Dame • University of Pennsylvania • University of Pittsburgh Main Campus • University of Pittsburgh at Bradford • University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg • University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown • University of Rochester • University of South Carolina • University of Tampa • University of Toronto • University of Vermont • University of Virginia • University of Wisconsin • UPMC School of Nursing • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University • Washington & Jefferson College • West Virginia University • William & Mary
Fox Chapel Area High School Class of 2021 On June 6, 2021, a total of 318 seniors became the 60th class to graduate from Fox Chapel Area High School. Of these, 88 students had a 4.0 weighted QPA or above. Approximately 87% of the Class of 2021 are continuing their education, and 53% are enrolled in schools outside of Pennsylvania. The graduates continued the tradition of being accepted to the top colleges and universities across the nation.
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