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From the Foundation Board
Celebrating Success, Securing the Future Growing support for the foundation is directly impacting students—and that’s truly something to celebrate! Our first official celebration is just weeks away! I hope you’re planning to join me, the foundation and the State College Area School District as we induct the inaugural class of honorees into the Maroon & Gray Society. Our first special event promises to be a beautiful evening filled with friends and fun, with proceeds going to a great cause: the purchase of new uniforms for the State High Marching Band. The music program at State College is renowned for its longstanding commitment to excellence, and the foundation is delighted to support the hundreds of students who deliver on this commitment. If you haven’t reserved your seats, go online to www.scasdfoundation.org to do it today. Special performances are planned, but that’s all I can reveal! I’m also happy to share that since our last issue, the foundation has secured new funding through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program. These funds will support an Oracle certification program and K-5 STEM initiative. You can read more on page 15.
Inside… The Future of Music. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Honoree Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Centre Gives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SCASD Education Foundation . . . . 14
SCASD Education Foundation Board Members Chris Buchignani
Paul Olivett
Gail Driban
Executive Director
And that’s not all! The foundation has announced the Student Opportunities Grant Program, which is designed to bring ideas from faculty and staff to life. Read more on page 13.
Penni Fishbaine
Dr. Robert J. O'Donnell
Thank you for your continued support and enjoy this issue of FOUNDATION, featuring extensive profiles on our honorees!
Doug Loviscky
Sincerely,
Mary Kay Montovino
Douglas C. Loviscky SCASD Education Foundation President
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Michelle Frisco Carol Grim
Superintendent of Schools
Randy Brown
Finance and Operations Officer/Open Records Officer
Ann McGlaughlin
Contact Us SCASD Education Foundation 240 Villa Crest Drive, State College, PA 16801 814-883-8067 | www.scasdfoundation.org Paul Olivett: pgo11@scasd.org
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About the SCASD Foundation YOU’RE INVITED
MAROON & GRAY SOCIETY
Banquet SATURDAY, MAY 19, 2018
COCKTAIL RECEPTION 6:00 PM | DINNER 7:00 PM
RAMADA STATE COLLEGE HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER 1450 S. ATHERTON ST., STATE COLLEGE, PA 16801
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT www.scasdfoundation.org UNDER MAROON & GRAY SOCIETY INDIVIDUAL TICKETS - $75
YOUR INAUGURAL CLASS OF MAROON & GRAY SOCIETY HONOREES Marion Bressler
Joe Boris
Bob Drafall
Steve Gentry
Rich Victor
The 1979 Baseball Team
Carol Gentry
Matthew Berrena
All Past Distinguished Alumni
Our Mission
Our Vision
The State College Area School District Education Foundation is committed to enhancing the educational experience of students within the State College Area School District by providing financial support for innovative learning opportunities.
An enriching educational experience that challenges and inspires every student to reach his or her full potential.
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Maroon & Gray Society Banquet Supports The Future of Music Music Program Relies on Strong Collaboration Among Faculty, Students and Community One performance is all it takes. The State High music program is that good. Marching Band, concert bands, jazz band or choir, each one stands out for a commitment to excellence and for training and nurturing the talent of thousands of young musicians.
Accolades and Recognition Not surprisingly, for 15 consecutive years, the State College Area School District has been named by the North American Music Merchants Foundation as one of the best communities in America for music education for demonstrating an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education. The program has also been named as a Grammy Signature School by the Grammy Foundation, swept the highest rankings and trophies at Adjudication Festivals year after year, and has performed across America and Europe at prestigious events and venues, including the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and Carnegie Hall in New York City. Another European expedition is booked for this summer, from June 29 to July 11, when the State High Master Singers, String Orchestra and Jazz Band will take a concert tour throughout Switzerland and Italy.
give one hundred percent, they also have to do it in front of hundreds of people,” Leskowicz says. “That’s a tall order for anyone, let alone a high school student. I applaud their passion and their desire to go after that.” “We’ve taken these students on trips domestically and around the world, and they always wow the audience—every time,” says Leskowicz. “Seeing the students at their finest is one of the most rewarding parts.”
Benefits Beyond Music For growing high school students, participating in music programs is as much about personal and academic development as it is about the music itself. It has been well documented that music is the only subject in which a student’s entire brain is engaged and active, benefiting not just their music education, but their overall education as well. For instance, reading acquisition skills have been shown to have a high correlation with music development and learning. “In music, the whole brain is being developed and used,
It Takes a Village The path to these accomplishments has always been forged by a team effort, according to Paul Leskowicz, who is currently in his third year as Coordinator of Music for the district, his seventh as Director of Bands, and his 23rd as a teacher. He credits hardworking students, dedicated staff in the music department and a strong community of parents and supporters. “It’s really a synergistic function: the commitment level of our music faculty and the care that they have and that our community has for the students,” says Leskowicz. “We’re a family. The department is a family, and we really work well together and try to look out for each other.” Of course, at the center of it all are the students, whose hard work shines in every performance. “To perform music, not only do they have to personally 4 | The Foundation
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The Maroon & Gray Society which can only have positive effects on students,” says Leskowicz. “Music benefits all types of students by contributing to their holistic education and development as a person.” Participating in music also helps to build many soft skills, including creativity, cooperative learning, social skills and emotional intelligence. The arts contribute to learning more about our emotions, our interests and our strengths. Leadership opportunities are a prime example of how students grow through music education.
It’s really a synergistic function: the commitment level of our music faculty and the care that they have and that our community has for the students. We’re a family. The department is a family, and we really work well together and try to look out for each other. “Leadership opportunities foster not only engagement and collaboration between students, but also ownership of their program, the music they make, and the way they present themselves,” Leskowicz says. “We try to help our students engage with these opportunities as often as possible.”
Lifelong Learning Perhaps the most meaningful benefit of all is the lifelong impact that participating in music has for so many students. Many have gone on to careers in music, becoming music educators and professional musicians. Alumni have accomplished major milestones, like performing on Broadway, at the Metropolitan Opera House, with the Tonight Show band and at historic venues around the world. For alumni who chose different career paths, music has remained a passion. “We have many alumni who play in the State College Municipal Band, the Bellefonte Community Band and other adult community bands,” says Leskowicz. “There are folks who are in their 70s and still playing instruments. It truly is something they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.”
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The Future of Music To sustain a quality music program takes a commitment to excellence. It also takes incredible support, just to maintain the basic equipment needs for a program like our district offers, which serves hundreds of students at a time. Ask music faculty members and they’ll always have an opportunity (or ten!) for the community to get involved. Marching band uniforms, for example, are aged and deteriorating—half are 14 years old and half are 24 years old! Uniforms are not like your favorite pair of jeans—they don’t get better with age! New uniforms are a critical item for providing proper functionality, comfort and appearance for current and upcoming classes of students. Instruments show their age as well. The main stage piano in the auditorium is overdue to be replaced, as are many of the department’s larger instruments such as bass clarinets, tenor saxophones and percussion equipment. Leskowicz says the district does a great job supporting the music program at all levels, but with the nature of the activities—which require tangible items such as uniforms, equipment and instruments—there’s an ever-present gap. “It’s true, the needs we have outweigh and outnumber the available resources,” says Leskowicz. “We are grateful for the generosity of parents, families, and friends—these gifts help us meet the needs for more kids.” Leskowicz stresses that financial support, attendance at concerts and events, and spreading the word about the music program all help to make a difference. “When we look back, 20 or 50 years from now, what do we want to be able to say about how much we valued music and the arts for our students?” Leskowicz says. “I would like for us to be able to say we placed a high value on these areas because they truly generate a high reward. They benefit all students with lifelong skills.”
How You Can Help Remember that the community gets to enjoy many of the benefits of the music program, too. A robust arts program yields a stronger, more vibrant community, with plenty of opportunities to see students at their best. Leskowicz encourages the public to attend concerts and performances. Even if you don’t have a student in the program, he says, the performances are a great way to connect with the community and to hear and see students at their finest. He is confident that just one performance is enough to demonstrate why they deserve your support. l
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The Most Devoted Teacher Honoring the Late Marion Bressler In nominating the late Marion Bressler, former student Woodrow Deitrich called her “the most devoted teacher you could imagine,” citing how she graded “huge numbers of written blue-book exams, reading all of them twice to determine a fair grade for each student.” He went on to say, “Mrs. Bressler was an outstanding and memorable teacher of AP History for decades. Among the many students she influenced was the famed political scientist, Francis Fukuyama (Class of 1970).” This excerpt from Marion’s obituary, upon her passing in 2013 at the age of 91, tells a beautiful story of a life well-lived: "In 1948 she married Leo A. Bressler. In 1951 the couple moved to State College with the first of their two children. Marion Bressler taught American history at the University Park campus of Penn State until 1959, when she joined the faculty at the newly-built State College Area High School. In 1960 she introduced the Advanced Placement program at SCAHS, making this among the first public high schools in the nation to adopt the Educational Testing Service curriculum. She joined ETS as a consultant, served by invitation as a reader/grader for AP exams at Princeton, NJ, and conducted seminars for AP American history teachers from throughout the Northeast. In the mid-1960s she served as president of the State College Area Education Association. From 1965 to 1983, while still a full-time faculty member at SCAHS, she also taught in the Penn State Continuing Education program. From 1971 to 1975 she offered in addition a PSU summer graduate course in humanities for secondary-school instructors. With her husband she co-authored two books on modern social and political issues published by Prentice Hall (1970, 1977), and co-edited a collection of readings in American history issued by Houghton-Mifflin (1972). As an educator, she remembered fondly her cooperation with then Assistant Coach Joe Paterno as she tutored members of the PSU football team, including several of its greatest players. After her formal retirement in 1983, Marion
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continued as a regular substitute at SCAHS, and as an ETS consultant. She found new fulfillment in designing and teaching courses for the Community Academy for Lifelong Learning (CALL), continuing this involvement well into her ninth decade. In 2000, the Centre County Bicentennial Committee honored her as a Central Pennsylvania “Living Legend” in education. She never stopped dreaming of a return to the classroom and recapturing the thrill she experienced in sharing her love of American History. During her last years she remained in communication with generations of her students, and she was touched to the heart by those who continued to send appreciative notes and fond greetings even after she could no longer respond in kind.
Mrs. Bressler was an outstanding and memorable teacher of AP History for decades. Nothing brought her greater joy than spending time with her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren. Although she did not live to see the birth of her first great-grandchild, expected in the summer of 2013, her happiness at the announcement last fall knew no bounds. Her devotion to family, friends, and teaching defined Marion Bressler; her deepest wish for her students, friends, and descendants was that they should continue to see family and education as the very anchors of the Christian life.” Marion was also a devoted friend to many, an active member of Faith United Church of Christ for nearly sixty years, and a volunteer for local non-profits. She is survived by children William Bressler, M.D. and his wife Linda Mowery Bressler (Huntingdon, PA); her daughter, Ann Lee Bressler, Ph.D. and her husband Robin B. Barnes, Ph.D. (Davidson, NC); as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. l www.scasdfoundation.org
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Couple Honored for Dedication to Their Students Steve and Carol Gentry Show Same Dedication to Community in Retirement Steve and Carol Gentry have been traveling the world together since their retirement. Now, they’ll do something else together: be inducted into the Maroon & Gray Society as part of its inaugural class. The Gentrys A SCAHS student-athlete, Steve earned two state titles in cross country and was the one-mile state champion in 1965. He continued to compete at the collegiate level for Penn State, but it wasn’t long before Steve found himself back at State High, teaching and sharing his passion for track and cross country with his students. Steve’s goal over his 21 years spent coaching and 30 years teaching wasn’t just to help his students succeed in their sport and studies; it was to help them grow as individuals. “Creating an atmosphere on the track or in the classroom which allowed the students and athletes to mature and grow to accomplish their goals was a source of pride for me,” he says. His athletes did succeed on the track. During his coaching tenure, Steve led his athletes to five PIAA AAA cross country championships, a PIAA outdoor track title and a PTFCA Indoor Track title. Carol, a dedicated English teacher for 30 years, credited others for her success in the classroom. “I was surprised to be included in the inaugural class,” she said. “In my teaching career, I was fortunate enough to be mentored by several colleagues who set the standard of excellence.” Reflecting on her career, Carol said she always tried to instill her students with confidence and encouraged them to recognize their power as writers. “My objective was to have them understand that the magic of composition was not my possession, but rather, theirs that I just helped to guide.” Now that they are both retired, Steve and Carol are dedicated to putting their energy into the community. “When I was teaching, I was not engaged in the community,” Carol said. “My days, after-school hours and weekends www.scasdfoundation.org
were spent working with students, acting as their advisor and preparing and grading their assignments. I had no time to volunteer! Now we can!” They keep a full plate of volunteer engagements. Both are involved in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Penn State, where they serve as members of the Curriculum Committee. Carol has served as Chair since 2009, and Steve serves on the Leadership Council. Both serve on the Board of Governors and are tour guides at the Centre Furnace Mansion. They have served on Penn State’s Alumni Council, and served as volunteer docents at the Alumni Center. Steve spent six years organizing the officials for the Penn State track and field and cross country teams, and he has officiated First Night since its inception. Retirement has allowed Steve and Carol the freedom to travel the world. Although they are seasoned travelers, Happy Valley is always home.
This recognition means that I can reflect on the wonderful years when I was teaching and coaching. “I have traveled to 52 fascinating countries,” Carol said, “but it is always a delight to come home to Centre County. This is a special place, steeped in academia and culture, surrounded by green space and focused on the future.” Being honored by the school district that is so special to Steve and Carol is something they truly treasure. For Carol, it is the culmination of her life’s work. “Because of the contact that I have had with my former students and their parents since my retirement in 1999, I know that my life’s work has been valued. This honor acknowledges that.” For Steve, it is an opportunity to think back on his students, and he is humbled to be part of such an inspirational group of nominees. “This recognition means that I can reflect on the wonderful years when I was teaching and coaching,” he says. “It is a great walk down memory lane.” l The Foundation | 7
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He’s Got Spirit Joe Boris Keeps His Enthusiasm for State High Alive By Staying Involved After Retirement Many Little Lions will remember Joe Boris as a role model: someone they could look up to in the classroom or on the basketball court. From Joe’s perspective, his career as an educator—and as Commissioner of the Intramural Basketball Association—is simply part of who he is. “Teaching was never a job for me. It is and always Joe Boris will be my life,” Joe said. Joe was nominated for the Maroon & Gray Society by Robin Smith Chiavetta ’83, a former student. Joe said being selected for the honor was unexpected, but meaningful. “I was surprised,” he said, “but the recognition means so much to me.” Joe’s career includes many highlights. To name a few, he created the Introduction to Sociology class and revived the
Intramural Basketball Association, for which he still serves as Commissioner. For Joe, the most notable aspect of his career, and what he calls one his “greatest honors” was serving as spirit leader. “I loved getting out in the middle of the gym or the quad to get everyone excited by yelling: we are all LIONS!” he said. “These school spirit activities are an integral part of bonding for our students, giving everyone a reason to take pride in their school.” Now retired, Joe is honored to provide a connection between today’s students and State High’s traditions through his continued involvement with intramural basketball and substitute teaching whenever possible.
I loved getting out in the middle of the gym or the quad to get everyone excited by yelling: we are all LIONS! These school spirit activities are an integral part of bonding for our students, giving everyone a reason to take pride in their school.
In addition to his State High pride, Joe loves the State College community and said he can’t imagine being anywhere else. “I am so lucky to have been able to make a life here in State College. I hope all of the students I had the pleasure of teaching enjoyed my classes and I want them to know I always tried my best for them.” l
“We are all LIONS!” Rallying students as the spirit leader. 8 | The Foundation
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Student Achievements Rise Above All Else Retired Music Educator Richard Victor Gives Back through Music Richard Victor’s impact on the State College music community is well known. This retired music educator’s career in State College began in 1975, and has taken him around the globe. Of his nomination to the Maroon & Gray Society, Victor is grateful. “I am honored to be recognized, especially along with these other great educators!” he says.
An Award-Winning Career Richard’s 36-year career includes so many highlights, it’s tough to name them all. “In 1975, I began the High School Jazz Band, before expanding it to two bands at the high school, then into the middle school,” he recalls, proudling adding: “Taking the band on five tours of Europe, with performances at the North Sea Jazz Festival, Disneyland Paris, the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy, the Jazz a Vienne and Jazz a Juan in France, and the Montreux Jazz Festival, students gained valuable international experiences that compare to none other. We were also selected as finalists four Richard Victor times for the prestigious Essentially Ellington Competition, run by Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center,” he proudly adds. Richard’s dedication to music education led him to roles of president for both the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association and the Pennsylvania Unit of the National Association of Jazz Educators, as well as serving as Coordinator of Music for SCASD and guest director for the 2013 PMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble. He also earned numerous awards, including: the James R. Stewart Distinguished Service Award by PMEA in 2007; the Walter J. DeLacy Excellence in Instruction Award given for
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Outstanding Service to Public Education in 2008; the Penn State Outstanding Music Educator Award in 2009, of which he was the first ever recipient; and Bandmaster of the Year by the Nu Chapter of Phi Beta Mu in 2011.
I enjoy celebrating the successes of my former students, many of whom have told me that the skills they learned in band, particularly in the pursuit of excellence, helped to shape their careers.
Giving Back in Retirement Today, Richard continues to share his passion, serving as an Adjunct Instructor for the University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education Online, teaching courses in music program leadership and jazz instruction. He is an instrumental music adjudicator for Music in the Parks and a clinician for the Conn-Selmer Division of Education. He is also serving as the national chair for the National Association for Music Education Council for Jazz Education. He also enjoys giving back to his community through music. “I’m active as a member of the Board of Directors for the State College Choral Society, and I frequently serve as a consultant and guest lecturer for the music education programs at State College and Penn State,” he say. Even with these awards and accolades, Richard’s most treasured accomplishment is the achievements of his students. “I enjoy celebrating the successes of my former students, many of whom have told me that the skills they learned in band, particularly in the pursuit of excellence, helped to shape their careers.” l
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Veteran with a Distinguished Military Career Reveals his Life’s Greatest Achievement Maroon & Gray Honor is Close to Matt Berrena’s Heart Matt Berrena, a 1979 alumnus, wasn’t sure we had the right guy when he heard of his nomination to the Maroon & Gray Society. “When I found out, I was shocked, to say the least! I thought, ‘Was it really me?’ I was very humbled,” Matt said. His brothers, on the other hand, saw it coming. “They said they knew I’d be the one in the family to receive something like this.”
When I found out, I was shocked, to say the least! I thought, ‘Was it really me?‘ I was very humbled. Despite his humble nature, Matt has lived a life of meaning and made significant contributions to the local community and to our country, including a 22-year career in the Army as an Airborne Ranger, serving in the 1st, 3rd, and Regimental Headquarters, and rising to the rank of Sgt. Major E9. Throughout his distinguished career, Matt’s missions included the invasions of Grenada in 1983 and Panama in 1989, as well as Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iris Gold in the 1990s. He was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2013 for outstanding and courageous service.
This nomination shows my boys that they can achieve whatever they want to achieve in life. While Matt’s military career took him around the world and earned him honors, the Maroon & Gray Society induction
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Matt Berrena with his wife Marcia and sons Matthew and Luke.
is a distinction that is close to his heart because it is close to home. “This nomination shows my boys that they can achieve whatever they want to achieve in life,” he said. Today, Matt is co-owner of Joseph T. Berrena Mechanicals Inc., and volunteers much of his time to Good Shepherd Catholic Church and Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, where he serves in the religious education programs. He also volunteers for Boy Scouts of America, the Wounded Warrior Project and local Veterans’ Day celebrations. As a distinguished veteran and a successful business owner, Matt has a lot to be proud of. But when it comes to what he calls his “greatest accomplishment,” Matt names neither of these things. “My greatest accomplishment is my family… meeting my wife and having my boys,” he said. “I’m most proud of my love for my wife, Marcia, and my sons, Matthew and Luke.” l
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Bob Drafall Reflects on his Legacy, Looks Forward to Keeping Tabs on Future of State High Music Program Facilities Improvements are Music to his Ears If you know Bob Drafall, it will come as no surprise to you that he was selected to be one of the inaugural honorees of the Maroon & Gray Society. As for Bob, he was shocked to be chosen from among many worthy candidates. In his 19-year career at State High, Bob served as director of choirs and, for four years, as music coordinator. “My goodness, when I think of the former faculty, staff, and students who have passed through the halls of State High over the years and their truly amazing accomplishments, I feel so honored to have been selected!” Bob exclaimed, when we caught up with him to talk about the honor. Looking back, Bob acknowledged that he had some tremendous accomplishments, but mostly he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to create such a proud legacy along with his fellow faculty and students. “I have been blessed to teach thousands of truly outstanding young adults, and my profession as a choral conductor allowed me the unique opportunity to often work with students for up to four years. I appreciated the opportunity to watch these students mature,” he says. Throughout Bob’s tenure, the State High Choir appeared at many state and regional conventions of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, as well as the National Association for Music Education and the American Choral Directors Association. He also led choirs in six European concert tours, showcasing their talents in some of the greatest historical venues around the world, including San Marcos Basilica in Venice, Saint Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, Winchester Cathedral in England and Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. In addition, Bob led State High’s master singers as one of four choirs selected nationally to perform Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requieum to a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Although his list of accomplishments is impressive, Bob
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measures his success by the impact he has had on his students. “Honestly, my favorite memories of my career at State High are from daily instruction in Room 38N. I cherish the process of teaching more than anything,” he says. “In addition, nearly two dozen of my former Bob Drafall students are choral music educators, including my successor, Erik Clayton, who was a freshman my first year at State High!” Today, Bob is retired, but he continues to stay connected to the music community, both through former students, as well as his wife Lynn, also a music educator. She plans to retire in June from the Penn State School of Music, where she served as Professor of Music Education and Director of Choral Activities. Together, they have been enjoying Bob’s retirement and traveling extensively. Bob also remains in contact with many of his former students, offering advice when they seek it and helping them as best as he can with life decisions. Bob shows the same dedication to community as he did to teaching. He actively supports the State College Food Bank, Global Connections, Centre County PAWS and The United Way. He also remains connected to the district and is thrilled about improvements to the facilities and what they mean for the music program. “I have made a point of staying in touch with my former colleagues. I’m excited for the new facilities and cannot wait until the new Performing Arts wing is complete,” he says. l
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From Great Leadership to Great Success How one man’s vision shaped the lives of the 1979 State High championship baseball team When State College Area High School won the state title in 1979, under the leadership of Coach Ken Barto, it wasn’t just a victory for the team; it was a victory for the community. “The State College community rallied around this team throughout the entire season,” recalls Mike Sullivan, who served as one of the team’s relief pitchers. “From the local Little League, Teener League and Legion, all of the coaches worked together to develop a cohesive program that fed into the high school team.” Coach Barto’s mission to develop well-rounded players didn’t stop once they left the field. In fact, the impact that individual players have had on their home town and local communities has been felt for many years. “It all started with Coach. The first day of practice, he handed a pamphlet to each player, and the number one goal on it was to learn to be a gentleman,” Sullivan remembers. “Coach stressed this every single day, and, in hindsight, it set the table for many of us to understand how important it was to be a person of character.” And it worked. From Coach Barto to senior team leadership, each player understood what was expected of them: a valuable tool that carried them through to the championship.
Today, many of his former teammates have continued the “humble, but hungry” mentality that was instilled in them as young men. “I think being part of that team taught each of us to understand how being of good character would serve us
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well throughout life. I see it in many of my former teammates today – how they contribute to the State College community or in the communities they are now living,” explains Sullivan. And the efforts have been farreaching and sentimental. For example, upon learning of a former teammate, Bob Perks’, passing, Mark Bernlohr made a phone call to see if there was any interest in getting the team together for a reunion and doing something in his honor. True to form, nearly the entire team gathered, some from as far away as Texas, to raise more than $20,000 for the Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund, based here in State College.
It all started with Coach. The first day of practice, he handed a pamphlet to each player, and the number one goal on it was to learn to be a gentleman. Coach stressed this every single day, and, in hindsight, it set the table for many of us to understand how important it was to be a person of character. Sullivan, like the rest of his teammates, is humbled to be part of the inaugural Maroon & Gray Society nominations. “I think this honor is a true testament to the objectives that Coach Barto had set out for this team,” he says. Winning both on and off the field, the 1979 State High baseball team is thankful to one man’s great leadership and vision for building not just baseball players, but honorable young men. www.scasdfoundation.org
The Foundation in action
Gear Up for Centre Gives Centre Gives is scheduled for May 8-9, and SCASD Education Foundation will be among this year’s participants. That means your support can go even farther, making an impact for our students. Centre Gives—our community’s annual 36-hour online giving event—results May 8-9 in thousands of gifts and millions of dollars for local organizations each year. In addition to your generous
donations, a $200,000 stretch pool of grant dollars is available from the Centre Foundation, along with $25,000 in prizes for milestones, like the most unique donors. Help the SCASD Education Foundation make a run for these extra dollars! Centre Gives begins at 8 a.m. sharp on May 8, so watch your email for the link that will take you directly to our giving page. Thanks for helping to make our participation in this big event a success!
New Grant Program Announced Bringing Innovative Ideas from Faculty and Staff to Life As the foundation got off the ground, faculty and staff from across the district reached out to us to share their ideas for projects and initiatives that could benefit students, if only extra funding was available. Could we help? We can! The foundation is pleased to announce the Student Opportunities Grant Program. This program will award funds for projects and initiatives based on maximum impact, innovation and creativity. Faculty and staff will apply through a formal process that evaluates projects based on the goal of expanding learning and extracurricular opportunities beyond what is possible in the existing school budgets. Student Opportunities Grant Program will help to assure that your gifts to SCASD Education Foundation make a direct and significant effect on students. We are eager and excited to launch this program with support from you and the SCASD community. Thanks to community support, SCASD Education Foundation has supported student-led projects, supplemented worthwhile activities, and impacted students from elementary grades through high school. Let’s do even more together this year. At the center of our partnership with you and our community is a commitment to excellent and innovative public schools that provide opportunities for every student. On behalf of our administrators, faculty, staff and students, thank you for considering a gift to support strong public schools!
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Ways to Give You can make your contribution: 1. Online at scasdfoundation.org. 2. Through a planned gift, such as a bequest, by naming the State College Area School District Education Foundation as the beneficiary in your retirement or life insurance plan, or by leaving gifts of property or real estate to the SCASD Education Foundation upon your passing. Contact Executive Director Paul Olivett at 814-883-8067 or pgo11@scasd.org for more information on planned giving opportunities. 3. By responding to requests for support through the mail.
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The Foundation in action
Why does SCASD Education Foundation Exist? Do we really need a school foundation in our community? Every year, graduating seniors receive financial awards and scholarships thanks to generous contributions made by donors in our community to 100+ funds managed by the Centre Foundation, our local community foundation. Some of these funds also support academic and extracurricular programs that benefit students throughout their K-12 experience in SCASD. All of these funds were created and supported by passionate donors to support, for example, specific areas of study or to honor deceased loved ones. Strong community support for SCASD students is evident in the generosity of these donors.
How an education foundation impacts students in our schools
the partnership between districts and their communities. Ultimately, this public-private partnership creates more investment in an important resource: local students.
New opportunities in education State College Area School District relies on taxpayer dollars to give all students access to a high quality education. As the world demands better education and more highly skilled workers, the district is seeking to provide innovative and new opportunities to prepare students for higher education and the workforce. Funds generated by the SCASD Education Foundation are dedicated to these types of opportunities.
312 There Are
School Foundations
Number of Foundations
School foundations exist in Pennsylvania and across the country to supplement public school budgets and to deepen
30
23
15
8
0
1970
Representing
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of school districts in the commonwealth
1983
1995
2008
2020
Year
Number of School foundations has grown significantly in the past decadE
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The Foundation in action Well-rounded experiences for all students Public education is about more than just the classroom experience. Students participate in an array of extracurricular activities, such as the arts, athletics, academic competition teams, special-interest clubs and more. Activities assure that students become well-rounded and learn important skills like teamwork, leadership and time management. Taking part in activities should not depend on a family’s ability to afford necessary items, like equipment, uniforms and travel. SCASD Education Foundation strives to enhance opportunities for activities and make sure all students reap the benefits of full participation.
Tax credits dedicated to public schools Pennsylvania offers the opportunity for individuals and businesses to earn tax credits for making a contribution to an approved education improvement organization, such as a public school foundation, through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. In order to participate in EITC, school foundations must be a 501(c)3 non-profit and must receive state approval on projects that will be funded.
SCASD Education Foundation worked with the district’s administration and board of directors to identify opportunities that could impact the most students if funding was available. Currently, the foundation is approved to receive EITC funding for two initiatives: an Oracle certification program and a K-5 STEM program. More than $60,000 in EITC contributions has already been secured from local businesses and individuals.
Special events to engage the community At the heart of the foundation is a partnership between SCASD and the community, focused on impacting students. Opportunities for fun and stewardship are an important part of growing this partnership. SCASD Education Foundation has established an annual event, the Maroon & Gray Society Banquet, to bring together families, friends, alumni, and businesses in support of students. Every year, the event will honor alumni, faculty members and friends of the district who have made a significant impact. It will also benefit a specific initiative in the district. This year’s event is almost here (see page 2). Proceeds of the 2018 Maroon & Gray Society Banquet will benefit the marching band by supporting the purchase of new uniforms.
Top 3 ways PA foundations raise funds:
Individual donations
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Special events
EITC contributions
(Educational Improvement Tax Credits)
The Foundation | 15
240 Villa Crest Drive State College, PA 16801
Nonprofit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID State College, Pa. Permit No. 2
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The Maroon & Gray Society Banquet will support the purchase of new uniforms for the State High Marching Band — get your tickets! 16 | The Foundation
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