Leslie Savisky stories, Page 4
Student creations featured at Monroeville library during Youth Art Month
The gallery space at Monroeville Public Library will come alive in March with Gateway School District’s K-12 student art show. This annual exhibit celebrates Youth Art Month and is organized by Gateway High School Visual Arts Department Chair Greta Severson. “The art show presents student art from every school in...
Gateway school counselors focused on helping students meet career goals
National School Counseling Week was Feb. 3 - 7, and this year’s theme was “Helping Students Thrive.” Promoted by the American School Counselor Association, the week highlights the important role counselors play in helping students succeed in school and plan for life after graduation. To mark the week, the Gateway...
Game changer: Former Monroeville Ulta space becomes Pickle Parlor
Bryan Kiger has been eyeing Monroeville Mall’s former Ulta Beauty store space for a few years now. “This corner anchor location is highly visible with ample free parking,” Kiger said of the 10,000 square-foot space. “It is an ideal location for indoor pickleball courts.” The Monroeville resident, along with co-owner...
Gateway plans field improvements, readies for U.S. Open parking
Gateway school board will vote next week on a proposal to replace the batter’s box and pitching areas at the high school baseball and softball field at a cost of $11,937. Director Jack Bova voiced concerns that the district recently installed new turf at the field. Bova wanted to know...
New Monroeville pastor hopes to mesh with the community
Parishioners at the 60-year-old Monroeville Church of the Brethren have a new pastor, Oyango Burney. The Philadelphia native accepted the position starting in January. “I’m simply excited to be the new pastor of Monroeville Church of the Brethren,” Burney said. “Everyone has been so hospitable and helpful.” The pastor brings...
Monroeville library uses food, fun for solar system lesson
Monroeville Public Library is holding a three-part children’s series on space, where participants learn fun facts about the sun, planets, stars and asteroid belt. The first session this month was conducted by the newest staff member of the children’s department, Allyson Wetherhold, who joined the library in October. Children made...
Monroeville school embraces canines during Catholic Schools Week
Monroeville’s Divine Mercy Academy kicks of Catholic Schools Week each year with a Mass at St. Bernadette Church on Sunday, followed by an open house for current and potential families. The remainder of the week is filled with activities for the students, such as dress up days, treats, games and...
Gateway school board votes to settle racial discrimination lawsuit
Gateway school board members voted unanimously Monday to approve a $50,000 settlement in a racial discrimination lawsuit filed by an alum who claims she was not hired as the district’s athletic director because she is in an interracial marriage. The vote for the settlement was 8-0; board President Leslie McBride...
Gateway hires new human resources director, will vote on credit recovery program
Gateway school board last voted unanimously to approve the hire of Kevin Bringe as the human resources director at a salary of $120,000. The vote was 8-0, with Jack Bova absent. The board’s Jan. 27 took place after this issue went to press. Visit TribLive.com for more coverage. At the...
Crafters use Monroeville library’s MakerLab to showcase their talents
A variety of unique pieces, all created in the Monroeville Public Library’s MakerLab, will be featured during an exhibit next month. “Library MakerLab Creations” runs from Feb. 1-25 in the library’s Gallery Space. The show will feature a variety of unique pieces, all created in the MakerLab by local artisans...
Tamburitzans alumni sponsor ‘Legacy’ show in Monroeville
Traditional folk dance and music from a variety of Old and New World cultures comes to Monroeville in the new Tamburitzans show, “Legacy.” For the second year in a row, the event is being sponsored by Erin and Frank Bozicevic – both Tamburitzans and Duquesne University alumni. The show begins...
Gateway’s makerspace is ‘hub of creativity and innovation’
A new, inventive makerspace dubbed Gator Commons at Gateway High School’s Library Media Center is becoming “a hub of creativity and innovation,” according to teacher Dawn Nicolazzo. Equipped with a button maker, Cricut design space computer, sublimation station and printer, heat and die presses and other supplies and tools, students...
Photographer uses his lens for ‘A Different Perspective’ at Monroeville library
Jim Meehan’s love of photography began in the 1990s. He got his first film camera so he could participate in a school photography contest, and the Pittsburgh native discovered a passion for capturing the world around him. Meehan started out photographing landscapes and events, as his passion for travel, art...
Winter play returns to Gateway with ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’
Gateway High School theater will perform “The Importance of Being Earnest” at the Robert A. Read Performing Arts Center this month. The winter play returns after a three year hiatus. “I had some students come to me last spring asking me to help make the winter play happen,” producer Mary...
New Year’s Eve ball drop welcomes 2025 early
People celebrated the new year early at a noon ball drop on New Year’s Eve at Monroeville Mall. The free, all ages event marked its third year. It is hosted by Monroeville Public Library. Festivities started at 11:30 a.m., when families mingled, learned about the library and put their names...
Gateway students distribute groceries for ‘Do Good December’
Every December, members of Gateway High School’s Chick-fil-A Leader Academy decide on a service project where they can positively impact the community. This year, for “Do Good December,” the group of 25 students collected nonperishable foods for the school’s backpack program and monthly food pantry. “The students decorated and dropped...
East End Kids celebrates 35 years of showcasing teen talent
Larry Cervi began East End Kids, a nonprofit professional teen song and dance ensemble, to showcase student talent several times a year while giving back to the community. “I found it ridiculous that the dance students (from other organizations) were only performing one show at the end of the season,”...
Personal experience inspires Monroeville business owner to become author
Monroeville resident Shadia Garvin came up with the idea for her “Weekly Reflection Journal” when her youngest son, Ronnie III, was having open heart surgery. The mother of two recalled not sleeping for eight days. “Parents, and people in general, go through so many emotions when they’re watching a loved...
Old Stone Church once again site of Monroeville’s holiday kickoff
“This time of the year is for faith, family and friends,” said Master of Ceremonies Mike Wargo as he kicked off the 55th annual tree lighting and holiday concert Nov. 26 at the Old Stone Church in Monroeville. Wargo, a financial adviser and previous master of ceremonies, went on to...
Gateway chooses new board leaders, therapy dog introduced
Gateway School Board has a new president and vice president after a reorganization meeting on Monday. With five votes, Director Leslie McBride was selected as the new president for 2025. Robin Mungo, current president, received four votes. Valerie Warning was nominated as vice president, receiving five votes from board members....
Tamburitzans are a family affair for many Pittsburghers
For Erin and Frank Bozicevic, performing with the Pittsburgh-based Tamburitzans is a family affair. The Monroeville residents met at Duquesne University, and started dating while performing in the group. Decades later, Frank still volunteers by driving the tour bus and creating musical arrangements. He’s also on the board of directors...
Jingle Jams musical events in Monroeville, Irwin to benefit children’s charity
Children can soon experiment with musical instruments and jingle bells, scarfs, props, rhythm sticks and a parachute, with proceeds going to a good cause. Music Together will host its second annual Jingle Jam this year, with all profits from the event going Tickets For Kids, which provides free trips to...
Monroeville resident helps followers fold their way through the holiday
Madonna Yoder’s Advent of Tessellations is back for a third year of folding fun. Also called tiling, tessellation is the process of covering a surface using geometric shapes with no overlapping. The technique of origami tessellation creates detailed, repeating patterns by folding a piece of paper, making a grid of...
Monroeville Public Library: 60 years in the books
“We’re able to make a difference because of you.” Those were the words of Monroeville Public Library Director Nicole Henline during a 60th birthday party for the institution this month, thanking the community members for their continued support. Mayor Nick Gresock presented the library with a proclamation and declared Nov....
Community fridge set to open at Garden City Food Pantry in Monroeville
Garden City Food Pantry in Monroeville is hosting an open house Nov. 17 to showcase its new community refrigerator. Located next to Fire Company No. 6, the site is at 500 Laurel Drive also is home to Garden City United Methodist Church. The indoor food pantry is open the second...

