Summer Vacation is Here!

The administration would like to extend congratulations to the class of 2008. We also hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable summer. As you relax this summer please keep the following in mind:
** class changes must be made prior to July 1st
** Remember summer work for advance classes. Failure to do it does not
constitute a reason to drop the class in the fall. This will not be
permitted.
** Based on certain criteria, you may be scheduled for additional math
classes to help you improve your math skills. Some may be able to opt out
of this program.


See you in August!

Three Wrestlers Advance: One Goes to States

Even though the South Allegheny wrestling team has not been around for that long they are just as competitive as any other team around. Coached by Keith Gephart and led by seniors Alex Humpfries, Chris Hrutkay, and Jeremy Murn, the wrestling team competed in the section tournament at Charleroi High School on Saturday February 16th. Murn along with juniors Wesley Weston and Robert “Buddy” Blotzer, advanced to the Regional Tournament, the next round of competition at Charleroi High School. After hard practices, struggling with maintaining the weight, and not having their original line-up they are ready for the competition. Congratulations boys and Good Luck! Senior- Chris Hrutkay
What are your plans for sports after high school?
“I plan on running cross country and maybe wrestling.”
What was it like to play sports your senior year?
“There was definitely a different mentality in mind.” “It was a little harder because I knew this was going to be my last year.”
Is there anything you wished you would have done differently?
“I wish I’d of worked harder during the off season.”
Mr. Gephart– Head Wrestling Coach
Can you describe this years wrestling team?
“They are average. The continue to improve every year. Something more improves. For example last year in the Allegheny County tournament there was one finalist and one winner, Phil Sorrentino. This year at the Allegheny County tournament there were two finalists Wesley Weston and Buddy Blotzer and one winner Buddy Blotzer.”
How many wrestlers do you expect to make it past WPIAL’s this year?
“4-5”
Are there any obstacles the team will have to overcome this year?
“We already have overcome obstacles this year. Functioning with the line-up has been difficult. We don’t have the original line-up due to injuries.”
How do you see the wrestling program now as to when it started?
It got very competitive in a short period of time.”
Injury Report:
Dean Vhiel– Shoulder
Ryan Weston– Knee

Sections were held Saturday February16th at Mount Pleasant.
After sections were completed Wesley Weston, Buddy Blotzer, and Jeremy Murn were qualified for WPIALS.
WPIAL’s were held Friday February 22– Saturday February 23.
Ryan Weston was ranked 3rd in the 140 lb. weight class but did not compete due to a knee injury. Buddy Blotzer was also ranked 3rd in the 135lb. weight class.
Wesley Weston wrestled at the 152 lb. weight class.
Jeremy Murn wrestled at the 171 ib. weight class.
Buddy Blotzer wrestled at the 130 lb. weight class.
After WPIAL’s were completed Murn went two and out, Wesley was forced to take 4th place due to a concussion forfeit, and Buddy took 2nd place with the match score of 3-2 to Mitch Spencer of Avella.

New Faces

By Mark Ptak
Here at South Allegheny, it seems nothing stays the same for very long. But one thing is certain: each year brings a handful of hopeful new faces. Two of which, Aaron Beck and Jesse McPherson, are prospective teachers fresh to the SA staff. Both coming from different backgrounds, they shared similar beliefs and ideas in their careers.
Currently a building substitute, Mr. Beck came here already familiar with the background of this school. As a proud SA graduate, it was one of the reasons that influenced his acceptance of the job offer. From high school, he attended Waynesburg University, a college just outside of Pittsburgh. Surprisingly enough, teaching was not his first choice as a major. “When I started off in college, I planned on majoring in communications, but I realized I didn’t want to do that as a full-time job. So I went into history and saw that I could do that full-time.” Instead, he earned a degree in teaching and secured a job as a substitute teacher here at SA, hoping to give back to the community.
His charitable attitude was reflected in his assistance of Mr. Edward’s recent production, “Employees Must Wash Hands… Before Murder.” Beck also hopes to revive the theater productions, making them an even bigger hit.
His belief was that a good teacher was, most importantly, adaptable, able to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of students, and able to plan their lessons accordingly. If given the opportunity, Beck hopes to apply this to his career, possibly as a full-time teacher at South Allegheny.
On the other hand, Mr. McPherson came to this school with experience already under his wing. This year would mark his third year of teaching, previously a teacher at Fox Chapel.
The decision to undertake education as a career was influenced by the fact that his father shared the same profession. He went through with his aspirations, attending Allegheny College, but found the university did not have a teaching program. After graduating, McPherson worked at a bank for a period of time but went back to college to obtain a master’s degree.
Here at South Allegheny, he teaches Algebra I as well as SAT prep. He hopes to gain a good experience, as well as working with the close-knit staff members. Another benefit of his job is being able to incorporate the brand new technology recently contributed to the ninth grade staff. On the topics of effective teaching, McPherson believes, “A good teacher needs to know how each of their students learn, as well as being caring for their students.”
Proudly, McPherson supposes maintaining a high quality of teaching while still being involved is one of his greatest achievements. As a former coach of soccer and basketball, he would know about dedication and hard work. Working at SA long-term is definitely an option for McPherson, though it would depend on his personal life, being a recent newlywed and wanting to hopefully settle down.

Pat Monroe New to SA

By Tom Miller
47 year young, Pat Monroe was hired to be Special Programs Coordinator and new head football coach for South Allegheny School District this past month by the school board.
Coming from the now disbanded Duquesne High School, Monroe is looking ahead for stability in the SA program. “I am very excited to be at South Allegheny and would encourage everyone to be a part of building a tradition (here).
Although Monroe was across the river for 15 years, and established a strong 118-51 record for the Dukes, he expects to fit in well at SA. “I have a long affiliation with SA. My wife graduated from South Allegheny and I have a lot of friends here too.” Darnel Richardson and Dave Opfer, two members of the 1977 Big Ten team, are two of those friends.
Seeing himself as a cross between Joe Paterno and Bill Cower, Monroe has a genuine concern for the
student and tremendous intensity for the game. “I want to set the tone early,” Monroe said. His main plan for this year: “detail and game preparation.”
This was evident after school on March 5 in the “back-gym,” when Monroe had almost 60 student-athletes participating with a visitor from Geneva College present various techniques that could help develop their athleticism.
Ties to the community, more involvement with the student-body, a fantastic resume, and an intense desire for success seem to be fairly desirable qualities for a head football coach. With the help and support from the South Allegheny community, this just might…

Phoenix Comes to SA

By Ashley Kennedy
On January 31, 2008 Richard Fine, Director of Secondary Education at South Allegheny School District, explained Project Phoenix as a “new beginning for students.”
According to Fine, Project Phoenix is a program designed for students who “have trouble keeping up with other students in their grade.”
“It isn’t necessarily for ‘bad’ students,” Fine said, “but more for students who have behavioral problems that are keeping them from doing their best at school.”
The normal school day at South Allegheny runs from 7:30a.m. to 2:25p.m. During this time they attend elective as well as core classes.
Students in Project Phoenix start school at 3:00p.m. and finish at 7:00p.m. Unlike students in school through the day, these students attend their core classes only. According to Fine, this allows the students to focus on the basics with limited distractions.
And while these students will not be seen in school during the day, they will not be seen at other school functions (sporting events, dances, musicals…) either. This is another expectation of the Phoenix program.
The administration at South Allegheny really hopes “that students who are involved in this program will show a change for the better and enjoy learning again.”
Guidance Counselor Chad Smith, who is also a part of the Phoenix team, said, “I can already see a difference in the kids, they are actually enjoying school.”
Other members of the Project Phoenix staff include teachers Lisa Duval, Sherry Roskov, Amy Huwalt, Tom Bauman, Kristin Jackiel, Jennifer Oesterich, and Derek Pavolvic.

Doc Skraly Bids Farewell

By Kris Hawkins
Dr. Janice Skraly will be retiring from South Allegheny High School upon completion of the 2007-2008, school year, after 29 years of teaching here.
From a very young age the aspiring Chemist wanted to be a doctor. She explained that her desire to become a Chemistry Major goes back to her High School days. Skraly graduated from McKeesport Area High School in 1959.
“I obtained my PhD at Pitt in 1983,” she said. From that point on she would be known as Doctor Janice Skraly. She has accumulated more than 30 years of teaching experience, including her 29 years teaching South Allegheny students, 2 years in New York and she is also a “College Adjunct,” which defined her career as a College Professor.
When asked what the highlight of her career has been, she responded “The Winners that are produced through the Science Fairs,” and “Seeing the many Scientists created at South Allegheny.” She really enjoys the challenge and variety of working with young people.
Skraly has taught Kindergarten through college and finds teaching the High School level the most challenging, “As a High School teacher, you really know you’re alive!”
She explained that she has had “so many,” memorable experiences at S.A.H.S., including a group of dedicated students and pipes freezing, giving the Chemistry room an “ice-cave look.”
Through these experiences she has influenced many people, but her hero is Marie Curie. “She was one of the first women scientists, at a time when that wasn’t cool.” Skraly, though, is admired by her many students.
One of her senior students, Nick Aquilante, tells about how she had a huge influence on his career choice. “I wasn’t doing very well in Doc’s class as a sophomore (Chemistry I), but she called home and told me how much potential I had.” His realization of this potential paid off and now Aquilante will be attending Penn State in the fall of 2008, majoring in Electrical Engineering.
“I am most proud of my students who wise up,” Skraly says, “I’m really most proud of my students who understand why they are in school.” She tries to work her students to the best of their ability and then some. She believes that the students who want to succeed will and do show initiative.
Her favorite philosophy on life and school is, “There Is No Magic, Only Magicians.” Which means if you want something, you have to make it happen, it won’t happen of its’ own accord.
After her retirement from S.A. she will continue to teach as a college professor and fulfilling her many Hobbies. “I have many Hobbies, I collect Gems, I read, OH! And I love Music… I play Piano.”
The expression of her students on her retirement is that she will be greatly missed as a teacher and mentor, and her current students are (simply) grateful to have had “Doc,” teach them.