EARLY GRADUATES CELEBRATE FUTURE

Fox Chapel Area High School graduated its first official Class of 2023 during its annual early commencement ceremony in January.

During the ceremony, Lead Principal Dr. Michael Hower urged the students to look around them at those who came to support them.

“You officially have the first standing-room-only graduating class,” he said with a smile. “Everybody is here to celebrate you.”

Superintendent Dr. Mary Catherine Reljac was also on hand to formally accept the class, and she said that doing so is one of the most exciting things that she gets to do as a superintendent.

“We are really proud of you. We are also proud of what you will do in the future,” she said, and then reminded them that, “You will always have a home in the Fox Chapel Area School District.”

The plans for Fox Chapel Area’s first graduating Class of 2023 include furthering their education, beginning their careers, traveling, and, as one student said, “just getting a jump start on life.”

Perhaps new graduate Jack Visco summed up the day perfectly by saying, “ It’s a little rainy out, but it’s a great day to graduate!”

The early graduates were Roman Agurs, Halina Bell, Grace Coleman, Thomas De San Martin, Ella DiClaudio, Collin Donaldson, Zachary Friedberg, Keeley Graham, Kayin Grisham, Ashlee Johnson, Tyler Lawton, Nathaniel Merriman, Nabeel Raza, Rabia Shay, Colten Snow, Giavona Spadafora, Zachary Sullivan, Persefanie Teaderman, Jack Visco, Emma Vlahos, Faith Wheeler, and Addison Wong.

O’Hara Elementary School students honored the Fox Chapel Area School Board during School Director Recognition Month in January.

Seven student council members put together a presentation that included a recording of third-grade students singing a winter song. In addition, each board member was presented with a mini canvas featuring a heart painted by the students.

Prior to presenting the mini canvas art gifts, fifth-grader Owen Kampner told the board that 28 members of the O’Hara student council worked together on the project, inspired by artist Jim Dine. Fourth-graders painted the hearts on the canvases, and the fifth-graders outlined them.