average salary in Pennsylvania. During our meeting, I commended Dr. Ghilani for emphasizing STEM education because a greater role for these skills at the high school level will be essential to keeping the United States globally competitive. In short, Dr. Ghilani has not only guided Upper St. Clair High School to academic success, he has transformed USC into a more dynamic place in which to learn. Congratulations on this well-deserved Pennsylvania Principal of the Year honor! n Tim Murphy U.S. Congressman for the 18th District of Pennsylvania 2332 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-2301 • Fax: 202-225-1844 504 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228 Phone: 412-344-5583 • Fax: 412-429-5092 2040 Frederickson Place, Route 136, Greensburg, PA 15601 Phone: 724-850-7312 • Fax: 724-850-7315 Website: http://murphy.house.gov
be because there’s a Pen’s game on. Other hobbies include cooking dinner for my friends and family, gardening, and reading, whenever time permits. What is your initial impression of USC High School? I’ve often heard the analogy of comparing it to working for the New York Yankees (although, I’d prefer to say working for the Pittsburgh Penguins). I am thankful to be part of such a competitive environment, as it certainly mirrors the way life works outside of our school building. The expectations are high, as they should be, and everyone recognizes and embraces this pressure. Therefore, the team mentality has been what impresses me most about USC. Whether it is the administrative team and the support they have given me, the teachers in the classroom, the technology support, or the students and parents that I’ve met, this District’s collaborative mindset is incredibly impressive. I look forward to future interactions and I am hopeful to continue forming relationships necessary for continued success. I, and the employees of this District, have a personal commitment to rigorous training, strive to always be learning, value collegial feedback, have respect for evidence, are responsive to parents, colleagues, and students, are always striving for excellence, and go far beyond the requirements of the written contract. It’s pretty great to say I work in a place like that. n
SD
Introducing Sheila Gorgonio, Director of Advancement
One of the new faces in the District this school year is Director of Advancement Sheila Gorgonio. Sheila grew up in Sweetwater, Texas, and earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing and her master’s degree in mass communications from Texas Tech University. Her professional career includes 22 years in higher education and healthcare fundraising for organizations that include Texas Tech University, West Virginia University, Washington & Jefferson, Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham University, and St. Clair Hospital. When asked about her initial goals as Director of Advancement, Sheila responded, “My initial goals are to meet with those individuals in the School District and in the community that have been most involved with the District’s fundraising efforts to gain their insight and input and to begin working Sheila Gorgonio with the committee on the Celebrate Our Schools Gala, scheduled for Saturday, February 22 at Valley Brook Country Club.” Sheila and her husband, Joe, live in McMurray with their son, Sam, a second grade student at Pleasant Valley Elementary School in Peters Township. Like so many moms, Sheila spends most of her time outside of work at Sam’s extracurricular sports activities, which include football, hockey, and baseball. In between those activities, Sheila said, “I love to bake and decorate for every holiday!” n
Welcome to USC School District’s new hires. Administrative: Daniel Beck (USCHS), Sheila Gorgonia (Central Office) Professional: Nicole Boyd (USCHS, Fort Couch, Boyce), Laura Carlino (USCHS), Jourdan Chahine (Baker), Matthew Cosgrove (Eisenhower), Michael DaVia (Fort Couch), Anne DiDesiderio (Boyce), Natasha Dirda (USCHS), Holly Fisher (Baker, Boyce), Kaitlin Houser (Boyce), Emily Huber (Streams), Leah Humes (USCHS), Mary Grace Kelly (Fort Couch), Megan Loughran (Boyce), Alissa McLellan (Eisenhower), Denise Naumann (Eisenhower), Amanda Parr (Streams), Julianne Rehwald (Baker), Katherine Ruth (Fort Couch), Sara Shoemaker (USCHS, Fort Couch, Boyce), Dennis Stocke (Boyce), Joel Thompson (USCHS, Fort Couch), Kellee Kruse Urso (Streams), Kristin Weaver (Fort Couch) Classified: Diane Battaglia (Eisenhower), Kathleen Kappert (Eisenhower), Lori Krakoff (Boyce), Sandra Quinn (Boyce), David Reinhardt (Bus Garage), Maura Schmidt (USCHS), Jonelle Stambaugh (Boyce), Anita Steve (Streams), Robert Williams (Bus Garage)
Hail
Thank you to the District retirees for their years of service. Administrative: Karen Brown Professional: Robin Forgerson-Pleta, Paul Fox, Anna Marie Glowaski, Carolyn Idler, Anne Johnston, Kathleen Kuzma, Leslie Leeds, Gail O’Hara, Barbara Peresie, Neelaveni Sankar, Michele Scureman, Robin Shoup, Barbara Starr, Zoltan Toth, Kimberly Watt, Barbara Williams, Patricia Zapp Classified: Susan Bosco, Eileen Dobbins, Sondra Fetter, Dara Georges, Maryann Kress, Linda Moses, Hedy Pitcairn, Carolyn Seymour, Regis Sweeney, Ruth Underwood, Elizabeth Willard, Robert Winchel
Farewell Winter 2013
UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
33