Page 4 Tonight sProgram
Page 5 AmyDavisMcShane
Page 6 MarkGorman
Page 7 JosephGrubich
Page 8 CrystalHall
Page 9 JoshVerbanets
Page 10 PHSDistinguishedAlumni—OurStory
Page 12 OfficersandCommittee
Page 13 AlmaMater
Page 14 TheDistinguishedAlumni
Page 16 GreetingstoHonorees
Page 19 SponsorsandCongratulations
Page 33 Thanks
Back Cover NominationApplication
Special thanks to Carena Dapra, the PHS student designer of our exceptional program cover art!
September 28, 2023
5:30p.m. Cashbarandhorsd’oeuvres
6:30p.m. Pre-DinnerActivities
MicheleGallagher,emcee,introduces candidatesandStudentAmbassadors:
AmeliaFaust,NHSPresident
SophieAnderson,NHSVicePresident
LaurenDepkon
KateMonick,NHSSecretary
ThereseSchollaert, PlumSchoolBoardStudentRepresentative
PledgeofAllegiance
AlmaMater(foundonpage13)
RemarksbyDr.RickWalsh,Superintendent
Invocation,MaryBethFord
Dinner
7:15p.m.
InductionCeremony
Introductions
PresentationofDistinguishedAlumniAwards
RemarksbyInductees
Amy Davis McShane, class of 1989, has worked in both formal and informal education for more than 30 years. She earned her undergraduate degree in Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh. Most recently McShane received a gifted endorsement from Millersville University.
In 2007, the Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU) hired McShane for a newlycreatedpositioninwhichshewoulddirectcareereducation, gifted education, and academic competitions for Allegheny County. In that role, she created the STEM Design Challenge, an elementaryandmiddleschoolcompetitionthatquicklyexpanded statewide with every Pennsylvania intermediate unit now offering the competition that draws more than 5,000 student participants annually.
McShane’s role at the AIU has expanded in recent years. Now servingonbehalfofthe PennsylvaniaDepartmentofEducation as theWesternPennsylvaniaGiftedLiaisonandCareerReadyPALead, she provides professional development and resources on gifted and career education to teachers throughout the state and has spoken on those topics at state, national and international conferences.
Prior to joining the AIU, McShane served 10 years at the Carnegie Science Center’s coordinator of Children’s Programs. There, she createdandlaunchednewcampsand classesandanationalSummerCamps Exchange, a networking group for summer camp coordinators in science museums.
McShane has also served on boards for the Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education, Smart Futures, National Association for Gifted Education Standards Committee, and the Plum Borough Community Library.
Graduating from Plum Senior High School in 1978, Mark Gorman credits his accomplishments to his supportive family and close circle of friends. Some stubborn independence also helped. The summer after high school graduation, while working for a local roofing company, Mark suffered a life-changing injury when he fell off a roof resulting in burns and an L1 spinal injurywithparalysis. Overcomingobstacles,hecontinuedhis education and earned a BS degree from Wright State University. He furthered his education at Northwestern Medical School where he became a Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist (CPO). For 30 years he has helped many folks needing various braces and artificial limbs in a center that he co-founded in 1993, Morgantown Orthotic and Prosthetic Center in Morgantown, West Virginia. It is estimated that this facilityprovidesmobilitytomorethan1200peopleperyear.
In 1999, Mark was approached to help a medical charity, Central American Medical Outreach (CAMO), to develop a program to teach local people in Honduras the science of orthotics and prosthetics. He has traveled to Honduras twice annually to provide free care to the needy and to teach his tradetoHondurans.Thisworkcontinuestoday.
For years, Mark participated on numerous wheelchair basketballteams,mostnotably thePittsburghSteelwheelers. He was named to various all tournament teams and all conferenceteamsover his35years of wheelchair basketball He was a member of a national team in 1990 that traveled to Venezuela. Mark also won the Pittsburgh Great Race10Kwheelchairdivisioninthe
80’s while also enjoying adapted tennis, running 10K’s and the mile onthetrack.
A Plum native, Colonel Joseph Grubich was a highly decorated combat veteran and military leader, earning five Bronze Stars in his 30-year career. Highlights of leadership roles include: Chief of Joint Exercises and Training within the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, controller of
MEDEVAC and CAS operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and facilitator of Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations during the US drawdown in Iraq, though he was most proud of servingasaBattalionCommandertonewArmyrecruits.
Grubich was a graduate of Plum Senior High is 1980 and was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 1984. Colonel Grubich’s civilian and military education includes: Bachelor’s Degree in English from Washington and JeffersonCollege;Master’sDegreeinManagement,Webster University;InfantryOfficerBasicCourseandInfantryOfficer
Advanced Course, Ft. Benning, Georgia; Ranger School, Jumpmaster; Air Assault; Command and General Staff College which prepares officer to leadlargerunitsandcommandon joint and combined battlefield operationswith sister services ina joint environment and with international forces in a combined environment and Joint/Combined WarfareSchool.
Colonel Grubich had an astonishing and rewarding military career which spanned three decades where he demonstrated his compassion and dedication to his country. Colonel Grubich’s posthumous award will be accepted by his son, NicholasGrubich.
Crystal Hall attended Carnegie Mellon University where she earned degrees in both Decision Science and Policy and Management. She then studied Social Psychology at Princeton University, earning both a Master’s and PhD. After completing her graduate studies, she moved to Seattle, Washington to join the faculty at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance. Her research and teaching explore the integration of psychology into the design and implementation of social policy - with a particular focus on race, equity, and decision making in the context of poverty. She has also served United States government agencies at the local, state,and federal level, including an appointment as a Fellow on the White House Social and Behavioral Sciences Team from 2015-2016. She has received numerous awards recognizing her research, teaching, and service to thefield.
In additiontoher scholarly pursuits,shecompleted her 300 hour yoga teaching certification in 2014. Her personal practice and teaching style emphasizes the physical aspects of yoga as tools for meditation, healing, and the pursuit of selfdiscipline and well-being. Yoga has also been a great complement to the other sports she has practiced over the years, including running, cycling, swimming, and boxing. She met her husband, Dominic Muren, while they were both students at Carnegie Mellon. They are the proud parents to triplets:Noah,Carter, and Simone. In the rest of her free time, she loves exploring the outdoors with herfamily.
Josh Verbanets is a Pittsburghbased singer, songwriter, performer, and proud Plum High School graduate, best known as the front-man for indie-rock band Meeting of Important People and as one-half of celebrated children’s performing duo Josh & Gab. As a live musician and event volunteer, Josh has hosted and performed benefit events for charity organizations such as UPMC Childrens Hospital, Auberle Foundation, Spina Bifida Association, Mario LemieuxChildren’sHome,andmanyothers.
Alongside co-creator Gab Bonesso, Josh's award-winning musical-comedy programming has been featured in over 800 schools across 15 U.S. States and abroad in Mexico, leading to television partnerships with both KDKA and WQED television, and honors as one of Pittsburgh's "40 Under 40" by Pittsburgh Magazine in 2013. In both 2009 and 2016, hometown radio station WYEP-FM named Meeting of Important People albums the top local releases of the year, with many of the band’s songs going on to be featured in television programming such as E's Keeping Up With The Kardashians, MTV's The Real World & Jersey Shore,andCBS'TheGhostWhisperer. Joshisalsoanactive real estate agent with hometown property brokerage Riva Ridge, and currently resides in Allison Park with his wife Kate andtwodaughters,Alice and Anya.
It was in January of 2006 that Bob Ford, retired Plum Borough school teacher, decided that distinguished alumni of Plum Senior High School should be recognized. Ford initiated the distinguished alumni wallconceptwitharequest toSchool BoardPresidentJeffMatthews, seekingsupport in some waytohonor Plumalumni whohad given to the community or excelled in their chosen fields. Bob and Jeff established a committee which studied 50 school districts’ alumni recognition programs and began to organize one to fit the needs of PlumHigh.
The first meeting was held on March 28, 2006, and was attended by Bob Ford, Jeff Matthews, Pam Kinzler, Plum High School Principal, and Dawn Check, Plum’s Communications Co-ordinator. Other members of The Committee were Lt. Commander Lou Balot, Judy Fluent, Bill Stezoski, and Carol Woods. Their stated objective was:
“To establish a program that recognizes Plum High School alumni who have distinguished themselves in various fields of excellence or have made a major contribution to society.”
By March 2008, The Committee was ready to proceed. Dawn Checkwroteagrantthatwasreceivedfor$10,000throughthespecial efforts of Pennsylvania State Senator Sean Logan. New members including designer Jerry Churik, Paul Houde, Plum Senior High School Assistant Principal, Rena Lynn Koteski, retired School Board member, Ray Supak, retired Principal of Steel Valley High School, Loretta White, Plum School Board member, and Linda Zucco, Plum’s Magistrate,wereadded. The following officers were elected: Bob Ford, President, Lou Balot, Vice-President, Loretta White, Secretary, and Rena Lynn Koteski, Treasurer. Mary Beth Ford, Events Coordinator for Washington & Jefferson College, agreed to serve as a consultanttothecommittee.
The Committee solicited the community for nominations and chose four alumni to be honored. The new committee worked through the year and finalized plans for a banquet at Oakmont CountryClub,withMissCarolynSeeleybeingourmembersponsor.
The first banquet to recognize the inaugural class of Plum DistinguishedAlumniwasonSunday,April19,2009. Beginningwitha social hour, the banquet included a message of Welcome from Distinguished Alumni President Bob Ford and an Invocation by School Board President Thomas McGough. National Honor Society students began the tradition of serving as Student Ambassadors accompanying the Inductees. The evening culminated with the presentation of awards and remarks from Inductees Dr. Patricia Barthalow Koch, COL Gregory John Argyros, and COL James C. Lord, and Kenneth Tometsko on behalf of his late father, Inductee Andrew Tometsko.
The Honorees toured the high school on Monday, April 20, 2009,wheretheyweretreatedtobrunch,visitedclassesintheirareas of expertise, and were interviewed by Rick Berrott’s TV Productions students for future use. That evening the Honorees were introduced at the National Honor Society induction ceremony, were presented with Pennsylvania Senate Proclamations by Tim Joyce, Deputy Chief of Staff to State Senator Sean Logan, and the Wall of Distinction was unveiledinthelobbyofthehighschool.
The Wall, containing pictures of the Inductees, was designed and constructed by members of The Committee and Jerry Churik, who said he wanted it “…to project a strong feeling of the alumnus, especially intended to develop a sense of involvement for current students,makingthemawarethattheytoocansucceed.”
Following the successful first Induction Banquet, nominations continued to come in to The Committee from within the Plum community and beyond. For ten successive years The Committee selected classes of worthy Plum High School Distinguished Alumni. They were inducted at spring banquets at Oakmont Country Club, andsharedtheirinclusionontheWallofDistinctionwiththeNational HonorSocietyInductionCeremony.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in March of 2020 the Distinguished Alumni Committee made the decision to postpone the InductionBanquet forthe Class of2020. Meetingswere heldremotely while everyone looked forward to the time when this patient class of Distinguished Alumni could finally be inducted, and there were no classesselectedfor2021or2022.
Beginning with the new fall induction of the Distinguished Alumni Class of 2020, Thursday evening Induction Banquets kick off induction festivities. Friday then allows Inductees an opportunity to come home to PHS to visit classes, and for the unveiling of their placesontheWallofDistinction.
Current Officers and Committee Members
Mrs.MargieEvans,President
Mrs.IlonaBeatty,Vice-President
Mrs.LyndaDougherty,Secretary
MissPennyAntolovich,Treasurer
Ms.RachelBegg
Mr.PatDerry
Ms.JoyPorterDrum
Mrs.LynnForbeck
Mr.BobFord
MissMaryBethFord,AdHoc
Mrs.MicheleGallagher
Mrs.ErinMorris
Mrs.MelissaNonnenberg
Dr.TerryStepnick
The Committee’s purpose is to recognize, celebrate, and honor alumni who have distinguished themselves through accomplishments in public service, academic achievement, including the arts, and professional contributions to mankind.
We’llbetruetothee,PlumHighSchool,everandaday.
Flagsunfurledofplumandgold,inaproudarray.
Almamater,Almamater,glorious,grand,andtrue, Wewillbeforeverfaithful,hail,allhail,toyou.
Ruth Grant
Rena Lynn Koteski
Carolyn Nonnenberg
Bill Stezoski
Carol Woods
Class of 2009
ColonelGregroyArgyros, Classof1979 Medicine
PatriciaAnnBarthalowKoch Classof1968 Education
ColonelJamesC.Lord Classof1983 Military
AndrewM.Tometsko Classof1956 Science/Invention
Class of 2010
JackieDempsey Classof1984 PerformingArts
RichardEvanchec—Classof1998—Government
RuthO’BlockGrant Classof1949 Business
RenaLynnKoteski—Classof1961—PublicService
Class of 2011
NickDIaloiso Classof1981 PerformingArts
MargaretConryEvans Classof1967 Education
LisaVeitch Classof1979 Science/Engineering
JudgePaulZavarella Classof1949 Law
Class of 2012
RobertDeMichiei Classof1983 Business
LisaMulhollandFischbach—Classof1965—Women’sEd/Counseling
MartinHoffman Classof1971 Humanitarianism
MarciaRosal Classof1969 ArtTherapy
LieutenantColonelJohnWasko Classof1987 Military
Class of 2013
MichelleFisherFreeman Classof2001 Medicine
JudgeLeeJ.Mazur Classof1957 Law
SelenaEvansMiller Classof1969 FineArts
CarolynYoungNonnenberg Classof1961 Education
LaurenMurraySnyder—Clasof1981—Theology/Humanitarianism
Class of 2014
FrankJones Classof1963 Law
EllaMortlandKoscik Classof1983 Business/Humanitarianism
RobertJ.McCann Classof1976 Business/Philanthropy
HarrietMulhollandMiller Classof1966 Entrepreneur/Author
RobertP.O’Block Classof1961 Business/Philanthropy
ColonelGeorgeA.Pivik Classof1989 Military
Class of 2015
ReneeDeMichieiFarrow Classof1976 Entrepreneur/Author
RichHrivnak Classof1983 Politics
RichardKelly Classof2008 Artist
CommanderWilliamA.Lind Classof1987 Military
ToniGrantVerstandig Classof1970 InternationalBusiness
Class of 2016
MarciaCackowskiBallinger—Classof1979—Education
RandyKoslosky Classof1980 Music
BenSampson—Classof1965—Business/Conservation
MylesSampson Classof1977 Business/Philanthropy
JamesSims Classof1977 PublicService
Class of 2017
ChristopherCooley Classof1990 Education/CommunityService
JosephF.Gassette,Jr. Classof1977 Engineer
StevenFabianLisowski Classof2002 BroadcastTelevision
JamesNesbit Classof1977 Musician/Instructor
SuzetteM.(Shaffer)Schultz Classof1978 Engineer/Mentor
Class of 2018
LindaTrescoBelfus Classof1967 MedicalPublisher/Mentor
GaryA.Getz Classof1972 GlobalStrategyConsultant
MatthewJ.Kelly Classof1987 OrthopaedicSurgeon
KeithJ.Kondrich—Classof1979—Non-profitAdministrator/Deacon
DeborahA.Lange Classof1975 Civil/EnvironmentalEngineer
Class of 2019
Bart.A.Berkey Classof1985 Hotelier/Author
RobertW.Farrow—Classof1974—CityofPittsburghEMSChief
EdwardJ.Kachurik Classof1975 GlassArtisan
AndreaMiller—Classof1999—Veterinarian
AndreaFerracoRedinger Classof1997 Educator
Class of 2020
KathleenDudasBostick Classof1976 TransportationIndustry
FrancisP.Ferragonio Classof1973 LawEnforcement
RobertMcCutcheon—Classof1985—Business/Philanthropy
ToniKasmochZelickson Classof1972 Children’sTelevision
From the School Board President
Itismydistincthonorandprivilegetocongratulateyouon behalfofthePlumBoroughSchoolDistrictBoardof Directors,asthe2023PlumDistinguishedAlumni.This year’srecipientsareallaccomplishedandwellrespected individualsintheirpersonalandprofessionalcircles.Itis agreathonortograduatefromthePlumBoroughSchool District,however,tomakeanimpactasyouleavethese fourwallsshowstheworldhowgreatittrulyistosayyou arefromPlum. Tonight’sindividualsarefromavarietyof backgroundsandprofessions.Thetime,energyand devotiontheyhaveputinisfeltacrossmanyindustriesas wellascharities.
Youallareatrueinspirationtothenextgenerationof Plumgraduates.Ourteachersandstaffcanonlytellour studentswhatisouttherewaitingforthem,andthatthey havetheopportunitytobegreat.Tonightisashowcaseto provethosewordsandshowthattheyholdtrue.
BeinginthecompanyofsomanysuccessfulMustangsis humbling.Toseethehonors,awards,recognitions,and accomplishmentsofsomanywhocamebothbeforeand aftermytimeatPlum,isinspiring.
Asyouleaveheretonight,continuetodowhatbrought youheretonight,continuetobegreat!
CongratulationsfromallofMustangCountry!It’sagreat daytobeaMustang!
Sincerely,
MichaelDevine President,PlumSchoolBoardofDirectors
IwishtoextendmysincerecongratulationstoCrystal Hall,AmyDavisMcShane,MarkGorman,JoshVerbanets, andthefamilyofJosephGrubichastheDistinguished AlumniClassof2023.Whetheritbeinacademia,thearts, communityservice,oranyothersphereofinfluence,our distinguishedalumnihaveconsistentlydemonstratedthe valuesofthePlumBoroughSchoolDistrict.Their intellectualprowess,creativity,andresiliencehave propelledthemtogreatheights,andtheir accomplishmentshaveearnedthemrecognitionwithin ourcommunityandintheirfield.
Inordertohavethishonorbestowedupontherecipients, eachoftheesteemedindividualshaselevated themselvesthroughtheiraccomplishments. Each honoreeexemplifieswhathardworkanddedicationto youreducation,yourcareer,andyourcommunitywill allowyoutoaccomplish.Bysharingtheirtalentsand expertisetheyhavenotonlybeenabletoexcelintheir fields,butalsogivebacktotheircommunitiesand advocateforwhattheyarepassionateabout.
Iwouldliketoexpressmygratitudefortheircontinued representationofPlumBoroughSchoolDistrict.They serveasaninspirationtoourcurrentstudents, showcasingthelimitlesspossibilitiesthatawaitthose whoarewillingtoputinthehardworkand determinationrequiredtoachievesuccess.
Congratulations!
Dr.RickWalsh Superintendent
ThePlumDistinguishedAlumniCommitteeisproudto honortheClassof2023forexemplaryachievementin theirfieldaswellasservicetotheircommunityandto theircountry. Wecongratulateyouforyour accomplishmentsineducation,policyandresearch,the military,songwritingandperformance,anddevelopment inprosthetics.
Yoursignificantcontributionsinyourfielddemonstratea passionforyourcareerthatwillinspireandmotivate Plumstudentstowardstheircareerandlifeendeavors.As DistinguishedAlumni,youserveasrolemodelsfor studentsinourschooldistrictandresidentsinour community. Itiscriticalforourstudentstounderstand thathardworkandattentiontogoalsprovidethepathto futuresuccess. Yourdedicatedserviceandgenerosityto yourcommunityandtoyourcountryinstillinourstudents theimportanceofhighstandardsinlife.
Asyoucelebratethisevening,pleasereflectontheimpact youhaveonstudentsinthePlumBoroughSchoolDistrict. Thepridewesharethiseveningreflectsonyour perseverance,alongwiththecombinedsupportand strengthofyourfamily,friends,oureducationalsystem, andthePlumCommunity.
CongratulationstothenewestmembersofthePlum DistinguishedAlumni!
MargieEvans President,PlumDistinguishedAlumni
Dear Crystal,
I can’t think of anyone who deserves the warm glow of success more than you.
Your strong work ethic, abilities, and character have molded the achiever that you were in high school and college.
The sun shines not on you, but in you. The river flows not
In the gratitude journal of my heart, your name comes up again and again.
Sharing your joy, Marilyn Bott
www.dannymoriarty.com
Facebook: @dannymoriarttyphotography
dannymo66@gmail.com
412.377.9655
To view, purchase, or download photos by Danny Moriarty that were taken at the banquet, go to
Distinguished Alumni Class of 2018
For your continued generosity!
The beautiful glass awards presented to our Inductees are the workof Ed Kachurik, PlumDistinguished Alumni Classof 2019. A creator of unique glass sculptures, Ed’s work can be seen in museums and galleries throughout the country. His work can be found in the homes and offices of many distinguished leaders and companies throughout the world. His glass sculptures include glass art pieces, awards, recognition gifts, and cremation sculptures for people and pets. To see Ed’s amazing work up close, please visit our Wall of Distinction in the High School. This year’s Inductees will have their portraits unveiled on The Wall at a ceremony tomorrowat5:30p.m.
Want to stay up-to-date with the Distinguished Alumni? Join our mailing list at plumdistinguishedalumni.com/mailing-list-sign-up
An update to our Wall of Distinction was finalized for our Class of 2020 Wall Unveiling on October 7, 2022. The expansion wraps around the corner in the main hallway of thehighschool,withincreasedvisibilityforall.
The Wall now includes a history of the Plum High School Distinguished Alumni Committee, explaining who we are and why we endeavor to recognize the Distinguished Alumni of Plum Senior High School. Also featured are the current student-designed cover of the Induction Banquet program and portraits of the Student Ambassadors who guideourInducteesthroughtheweekend'sactivities.
Auniquelargerglasspieceinthesamecolorsanddesignas the Distinguished Alumni Award is on permanent display, along with information about the Distinguished Alumni and portraitsofallpreviousInductees.
This expansion and refurbishment ensured that there will be plenty of room to grow with each new Distinguished AlumniClassformanyyearstocome.
OurthankstoinitialWallDesigner,JerryChurik.
The PHS Distinguished Alumni Committee extends sincere gratitude to the following:
OakmontBakery(cake)
VinceBarbieri (cake)
OakmontCountryClubStaff
Mr.AndyBronkaj, Stringsteacher
Mr.RickBerrottandNHSofficers
Mr.BrianR.Kelly,OCCSponsor
Mr.DanMoriarty,Photographer
Mr.DennisSwogger, Programdesignsbystudent: CarenaDapra
Ms.MaryBethFord,Consultant
Dr.RickWalsh,Superintendent
Dr.AdamSzarmach,PHSAssistantPrincipal
Ms.MelanieRush,PHSAssistantPrincipal
Mr.TomFlajnik,Videographer
HighSchoolFacilitiesStaff
HighSchoolSecurityOffice
Mr.RobertO’Block,PHSClassof1961
DistinguishedAlumniClassof2014 plumdistinguishedalumni.com
On-line nominations accepted at plumdistinguishedalumni.com .