Pawprints...
... a USC Parent Teacher Council Feature Cont. from page 43
the 2020–21 school year looks very different than past years, the PTO is working to provide alternative and creative ways to connect classmates, support teachers and our school, and engage with families and the community at large. Together, we’re adjusting activities, exploring possibilities for virtual connections, adapting roles for volunteers, increasing outreach efforts, and taking stock in what’s most important. We’re embracing the power of unity by sharing ideas with the District’s other PTAs and PTOs. The halls of Eisenhower are abuzz again with the laughter of children, the enthusiasm of teachers, and the dedicated efforts of staff. Things look different this year as students greet each other with smiling faces through the grid view of iPad screens, share distanced elbow bumps, and air hugs with teachers. The PTO looks different this year, too. But we look forward to working together with patience, kindness, perseverance, and grit as we “Stand United as One Community” to make this a fantastic year for Eisenhower! Errata Please accept our apologies for an error on page 46 of the fall edition of TODAY. Listed as president of Eisenhower Elementary’s PTO for the 2020–21 school year should have been Kristin LeBeau. See the information below to learn more about Kristin. Name: Kristin LeBeau Spouse: Shane LeBeau Children (ages): Braden (12), Hadley (9), Maren (7) Occupation: Dance educator and choreographer; currently on the dance faculty at Dance Conservatory of Pittsburgh and teaches music and movement classes for students at Westminster Nursery School Hobbies: Running, yoga, attending kids’ sports and activities, volunteering at Eisenhower Elementary and Westminster Church
Streams PTO Michelle Holzer, President Going into the 2020–21 school year, we knew there would be challenges. We knew this school year would look unlike any other in recent history. Yet, we also knew that we could overcome obstacles if we came together for a common purpose. That is the textbook definition of unity: the state of being joined together for a common purpose. So, when the opportunity presented itself to support the PTC’s #UnitedStClair initiative and show that “United We are Standing Together as a Community,” the Streams PTO was certainly up to the task. We’ve united as a community early in this school year in so many ways! First, PTO sponsored a card and artwork drive for the Streams staff. It was a fun project that brought our Streams families together to show support for the school’s teachers and staff. Additionally, we’ve leaned on one another as we’ve adapted our typical meetings and events by going virtual. Though none of us were experts at using tools like Google Meet and Zoom, we came together, learned from each other, and successfully facilitated a number of virtual meetings. The New Family Welcome meeting was well attended, and it was a great way of welcoming many new faces to the Streams community. Now that the general PTO meetings are being held virtually, we are excited to see new attendees participating, as well. While these new circumstances have presented many new challenges for all of us, they have also encouraged more collaboration and brainstorming among our PTO members and families. We’ve necessarily questioned status quo, brainstormed in new ways to do things, and executed our plans in completely different ways. In many aspects, it has brought us closer together, and we look forward to what the rest of this year brings! Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the retirement of Streams’ principal, Dr. Claire Miller (see page 34 for an article). She has been an incredible guiding light for our students, our families, and our PTO. Following along in our theme of unity, I can say with certainty that we are all united in our feelings about her absence. We miss her tremendously, but we wish her all the happiness that she deserves in her retirement! n
Kristin LeBeau 44
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Winter 2020
Speech & Debate
Rushikesh Kulkarni This past June, USCHS student Rushikesh Kulkarni earned the school’s highest finish ever at the NSDA national Speech & Debate tournament, placing eighth in the International Extemporaneous Speaking event. Rushikesh’s performance automatically qualified him to compete in next year’s national tournament as a semifinalist. Originally planned for Albuquerque, New Mexico, the national tournament was moved to an online format due to COVID-19. Debate, Congress, and Extemporaneous Speaking rounds were performed live. Speech rounds were recorded the prior week, and judges from around the country evaluated them as if they were live. In a speech event, an octofinalist ranks in the top 60 nationally, a quarterfinalist in the top 30, and a semifinalist in the top 14. The Public Forum Debate team of Yash Jajoo and Devan Ekbote ended their high school careers with a break to the third day of competition, finishing in the top 100, in what is typically the most competitive event in Speech & Debate. Annika Chaves also advanced to the Dramatic Interpretation octofinals in her second career nationals break. Annika added a terrific run in Poetry Reading, her supplemental event, in quarterfinals. Basir Khan was the last debater standing from the team graduating in 2020. He went undefeated on the first day of supplemental Extemporaneous Debate and competed for more than 16 hours in two days to finish 6–2 in the largest event at NSDA Nationals to finish in the top 30. Maddie Nolen took advantage of the time off from school this past spring to prepare three different supplemental events in addition to her main event, Humorous Interpretation. Maddie advanced to octofinals in Prose and Storytelling, and semifinals in Prepared Prompt Speaking, finishing ninth overall. Antara Cleetus took a similar path to success, equaling Maddie’s semifinal appearance in Prepared Prompt Speaking, finishing 14th. Also qualifying for Nationals were Matt Hornak, Vivek Babu, Samuel Levy, and Dev Patel. n The USCHS Speech & Debate Team is coached by teachers Ben Edwards, social studies; Dave Watson, English; and Kate Shuey, social studies; as well as Ben Stalnaker and Reed Karsh.
