FREE! JUNE 2017 Vol. 14, Issue 1
Read us online at Pet Adoption Day Event Held in North Belle Vernon Page 13
messengerpaper.com McMurray Student Earns Every Boy Scout Merit Badge Page 46
St. Spyridon in Monessen Holds Spring Tea and Fashion Show Page 59
Ringgold Music Educator Melanie Sandrock to Receive WCCF’s Dr. Howard Jack Outstanding Public Educator Award The Washington County Community Foundation (WCCF) has named Melanie Sandrock, a music educator from Ringgold School District, the recipient of this year’s Dr. Howard Jack Outstanding Public Educator Award. Criteria for the award are that the educator inspires students of all abilities, has earned the respect of colleagues, students, and parents, and is actively engaged in the community. Sandrock, who teaches chorus, guitar, the Celtic harp, and music, graduated from Bethany College in West Virginia with a degree in music education, and with the exception of one year spent teaching elementary school immediately following college, she has spent 41 years teaching at Ringgold Middle School in Finleyville. She initially envisioned teaching music at the high school level. “The goal of most graduating music teachers is to be a high school music teacher,” she notes. “But that was my plan. This is God’s plan. And when you’re where God wants you to be, you’re in the right place.” Sandrock has clearly been in the right place, inspiring, guiding, and encouraging her students, helping them to discover talents and abilities they often didn’t know they had. She has played a large role in the evolution of the school’s music program, which includes the Ringgold Harp Ensemble. Sandrock also works with the school’s string band, the Rustic Rhythms, and its show choir, which is performing at Disney World this year. Many of her students have gone on to careers in performance: several are at Disney World, and one works with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. “Music,” she says,” has always been part of my life.” Sandrock’s mother is a pianist and church organist. There was always music in her home, and (Continued on page 48)
Melanie Sandrock, center, and members of the Ringgold Harp Ensemble.