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Always the Right Time to Congratulate Winners! USC Boys Soccer Team—PIAA Class AAA Champions November 17, 2012, was a great day for USC when the high school boys’ soccer team defeated West Lawn Wilson 1-0 in the finals of the PIAA Class AAA championship to bring home the title! The victory gave Upper St. Clair its third boys state soccer championship and its first since winning back-to-back Class AAA titles in 2003 and 2004. USC goalkeeper Joe Conlon made four critical saves in the final minutes of the game, while Wes Burdette set up sophomore midfielder Doug Hapeman’s winning goal to capture the AAA soccer title. Coached by Uwe Schneider, the Panthers featured a core group of seniors with a number of talented underclassmen, as well. Among the graduating seniors are Wes Burdette, Tommy Churchill, Joe Conlon, Ethan Dysert, Jon Erdman, John Gurtunca, Connor Mielcusny, Kevin Muck, Pat Myron, Tommy O’Connor, and Josh Sourbeer. n
The Panthers finished 22-2-1 overall, beating neighboring rivals Canon-McMillan in the PIAA quarterfinals. USC finished runner-up to Peters in WPIAL Section 5. n
USCHS boys’ soccer team nets a PIAA win!
USCHS Students Host Spaniards Joanna Darakos, USCHS Spanish Teacher This past October, students from Upper St. Clair High School hosted 17 Spanish high school students for a new exchange program. The visiting students came from Colegio Santa María de la Hispanidad, a high school located in Madrid, Spain. The school received Madrid’s Award of Excellence in December 2011. During their stay in Upper St. Clair, the students attended classes at the high school, visited the Andy Warhol Museum and Carnegie Science Center, and spent a day in Washington D.C. For many of the visiting students, this trip was their first ever to the United States. While getting accustomed to the American way of life, 16-year-old María Girón noticed a difference in schedules right away. “In Spain, we do everything later. We wake up later, have lunch later, and have dinner later,” she said. Her classmate, Andrea Fernández, also 16, says she learned something new about her hosts. “Americans are very nice with strangers. They helped us whenever we needed help and they are always smiling.” Andrea said she also found this stereotype to be untrue: “Americans are fat because they eat fast food every day.” Fernandez’s host, USCHS senior Megan Adamo, says she was unsure about what to expect going into the exchange. “The Spanish kids were so nice and happy that we were hosting them,” said Megan. “I really bonded with them and with all the other (USC) kids in the exchange.” The Spanish students were amazed by the technology and course selection at USCHS. “It is a very nice school,” said 16-yearold Alberto Rodriguez. “It is like the ideal American school.” Fifteen-year-old Luna Contreras was overwhelmed by the hospitality of her host family. “They are incredible people, and brave because not everybody opens their doors to an unknown person to give him or her all that they can give to make them a happy person,” said Alberto, who was hosted by Sarah Mantel, a USCHS junior. Cephus Moore, who teaches Spanish and French in the World Languages Department at USCHS, initiated and organized the exchange. He said the program got off to a strong start, thanks to 36
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Spring 2013
the hard work of the host families. “The Spanish are known for hospitality themselves,” said Cephus. “I think they were blown away by the hospitality they experienced here.” Cephus had assistance from other Spanish teachers in the department, including Janet Ali and Leslie Leeds, who hosted the teachers that traveled with the Spanish students. Latin teacher Constantina Lardas and social studies teacher Ron Sivillo shared in the hosting responsibilities, and Spanish teacher Joanna Darakos assisted by matching students to their host families and with other details. Many USC students wanted to host so that they could be closer to the culture and language of Spain. Nick Sembrat, a USCHS senior, says he was confident speaking with the visiting students. “Whenever I said a Spanish word, they understood it. That was a really good feeling,” Nick reflected. Three weeks later, the Spaniards departed for home. As their hosts bid them farewell, lots of jokes, hugs, and tears were exchanged. “It was one of the best ways to spend a part of my senior year,” said senior Mike Seitanakis. Cephus and representatives from the school in Madrid are organizing a trip so that the USC students who hosted, and possibly others, can visit Spain this summer. n
Seventeen students from Madrid’s Colegio Santa María de la Hispanidad visited Washington D.C. with two teachers from their school and two USC high school students during the Spanish exchange program at USCHS.