Meet the Teachers by Mike Ravas
Unless you have been sleeping under a rock for the past month, you may have noticed they’re a lot of new teachers walking around OLSH. You may be wondering how you are going to learn about all the new teachers. Well not to worry, the people down here at the clarion decided to help you out and send me to interview all the new teachers in the school. The first person that we interviewed was Mrs. Kregar.
Mrs. Kregar was born in Pennsylvania, but not here in western PA, but up north a little bit where she went to Slippery Rock High School. She then went to Grove City College where she majored in Spanish and Education. Some things she likes to do in her spare time include photography, reading fiction books, scrapbooking, and (something you would have never guessed) archery. She also likes listening to Christian and country music.
After a while, she saw an opening here and she decided to apply for the job and got it. I asked her why she decided to apply here and she responded by saying the location is really great and she is really excited because teachers get develop all the young students here into college-ready adults. Another reason it has been so enjoyable is all the teachers have been very friendly to her and she feels apart of the OLSH community. So far she loves it here at OLSH teaching Spanish 1, Spanish pt.1, and Spanish pt.2. So I say we keep giving her a warm reception here because she is the perfect person to teach all the freshman about Spanish.
Meet Meghan Witcop by Alexandra George, 2013
We are living in the age of technology, with the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) being the fields most in demand for jobs. There are more opportunities now more than ever to cultivate and expand interest and knowledge of the scientific nature. Meghan Witcop, a freshman at OLSH, recently participated in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) at Keystone Oaks High School. The event, bringing together middle and high school students interested in science, occurred on February 5. 
In order to compete in PJAS, students must conduct an experiment and put together a presentation about it. The presentation is given to a set of judges who then ask a few questions and decide what place each student will rank.
This was not Meghan’s first time. She participated in the event in eighth grade as well, with a project testing if sunlight can clean contaminated water. This year, she entered in the microbiology category for her project titled “What is more efficient in bacterial transformation?” She used two processes to transform e-coli cells so that they would be resistant to antibiotics. The two processes she used were electroporation, which is when you use a machine that sends electrical waves through the cuvette to make the cells porous so the plasmid can enter the cell and change the DNA, and heatshock, which uses a high temperature to make the cells porous so the plasmid can enter the cell and change the DNA.
The outcome of her project was that electroporation was more efficient than heatshock. In other words, the electroporation process transformed more e-coli cells to be resistant to antibiotics. The project was conducted at the University of Pittsburgh. Performing the experiment, she said, was her favorite part.
Something else that is really impressive is that she came up with the idea for this project mostly by herself. She got ideas from different websites and kind of combined them together to get her final project. Next year she hopes to get a hold of some cancer cells and work with those. Meghan is interested in science and plans to pursue a career in the sciences.
Meghan placed 2nd in the competition, and we are very proud of her! Her future looks very promising and maybe one day, she will even find the cure for cancer!
Meet Vinnie Smith by Lauren McDonald, 2012
Every year, every senior has to deal with the ultimate question. Where do they go to college if that is the road that they choose to go? Each senior has taken the SAT’s, ACT’s, and have the grades that they need. Then comes the application process and the endless waiting. But once you are accepted, the truly difficult decision comes down to, where to go?
Guidance counselors have many suggestions when it comes to making such a decision, and one of those is a visit to each school. Vinnie Smith, on March thirteenth and fourteenth, visited Ohio State University in Columbus Ohio in order to assist in the making such an important decision. While down there for the “Go Buckeye Day” event with his parents, Vinnie had the opportunity to listen to a lecture by the Director of Arts and Humanities, had a campus tour, library tour, he took a downtown tour of Columbus, and still had time to visit with a friend who is a current student at Ohio state. 
“My favorite part was really getting the feel of what it would be like to be a Buckeye. I loved the campus and can really see myself going to college there.” Vinnie has demonstrated the effectiveness of college visits and how they can help in the decision process, and it really helped him. College trips can help in ways that we can’t imagine, especially since you will be living at that college for at least four years. It is the first step in a hole new adventure.
Meet Kristen Hayes by Alexandra George, 2013
If asked where one has traveled, maybe they would respond to another state or even another country. But not many people can list several countries. Many people also desire to travel to other countries, for various reasons. For Kristen Hayes, a junior at OLSH, she will make this dream become a reality this summer. This came about through her involvement with the organization called People to People.
Kristen found out about People to People through a letter. She had to go through a process that involved interviews and other selection criteria. The organization was started in 1956 by U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower. It was promoted because he believed that contact with ordinary citizens of other countries would help bring about world peace. This mission is still carried on today with the many programs that People to People offers. One phase of this is the Student Ambassador program in which students are representatives of their community while they travel to and experience other countries. (More information on this can be found at www.peopletopeople.com).
The Student Ambassador program is how Kristen is involved. She says, “It is an organization that takes young kids to different countries to experience cultures.” This summer, she will visit Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England. Kristen is looking forward to what is called a “home stay” where she will get to stay with a family in one of the countries for a night. She is also looking forward to white water rafting, learning how to Irish Step dance, and going to school in Ireland for a day.
But most of all Kristen is “hoping to learn about other cultures and to broaden her perspectives on life outside of America.” I am excited to hear about Kristen’s experiences in the U.K. and how she is doing her part to bring about world peace.
Meet Kelsey Miksch by Lauren McDonald, 2012
This time of year is a big moment for high schools and their musicals. Along with OLSH, many schools participate in the Gene Kelly Awards, which recognize excellence in the performances. It is not uncommon for students from other schools to go see other musicals, as Kelsey Miksch did. Kelsey, along with a group of friends that included Morgan Osheka, Merritt Donoghue, Vinnie Smith, Hannah Devlin, Brian Hammel, Ruby Nowakowski, Angela Kilburg, and Rachel Cahalan, went to see Pine Richland’s performance of “The Wedding Singer” on March 16th.
Meeting up at Pine Richland to see the show, Kelsey’s favorite part was one of the scenes where a character sat down and then water fell from the ceiling. She thought that it was great because she had never seen something like that before. Students can learn a great deal from attending other shows, and appreciating the fine points and good aspects of each show. It is an amazing opportunity for students to go out and have a cultural experience with every new show as well.
When asked what Kelsey may want the reader to know about her trip, Kelsey said, “It was a really great show. I enjoyed it very much.” On another note, she said, “However I did get stage envy because their stage is way bigger than ours is.” The group had a great time at the show, and plan to attend more in the near future. No one can say that musical season in the high schools is not an amazing experience for anyone who wishes to enjoy good music and dancing, as well as have a good time.
Meet Angela Kilburg by Lauren McDonald, 2012
When we go to performances, we enjoy the show and the story. Do you also appreciate the music and the point being made? Angela Kilburg definitely did on her field trip to the Hazlett Theatre to see “The Elephant Man” on February 28, 2012. OLSH’s Character Committee took a number of students to see the show in order to impress upon them a better understanding of the harmfulness of bullying. Angela said that she just really liked the play because of the superior acting. The play, based on a true story, is an impressive teacher and eye opener to the cruelty of the world towards those who are different.
In today’s world, understanding and acceptance are so important. Adverse affects of certain behaviors towards others can lead to disastrous results, as we as a people have seen become all too clear of late. No one deserves to feel negative about themselves because they are different. No one deserves to feel unwanted. Bullying is an all too real and serious situation in today’s world, and we as a people own it to ourselves and others to move forward and teach the future generations that nothing good will come from the world unless acceptance, understanding, forgiveness, and hope guide our lives. 
Angela and her classmates that also attended the performance certainly got the message loud and clear. Seeing it before you in a performance definitely reinforces the concept. When asked if there was anything that she wanted us to know about the trip, Angela answered, “ The Elephant Man was put on display because of his deformity. Every time we make fun of someone who is different for whatever reason, it is like we are “putting them on display.””
Meet Jillian Iurlano, 2013 by Alexandra George, 2013
Easter is a special time of year for all Christians. It is the greatest mystery of our faith, yet the most important of our beliefs. This year, OLSH junior Jillian Iurlano decided to celebrate the meaning of Easter in a new way. She is participating in a passion play called “Why Must He Die?” It explores the meaning of Christ’s death and resurrection. There are special appearances from other holy people in the Bible who tell about their personal experiences with Jesus before his death. Jillian says it is really about coming to know Jesus and why he died for us.
Jillian first heard about this exciting opportunity when Mrs. Jarvis, OLSH music teacher, told her about it. She thought it would be fun to do. When she auditioned she enjoyed the people and she felt like they needed her. Jillian plays the character of Martha’s sister Mary. OLSH junior Stephanie Ruggiero plays Martha. The two get to sing a duet, as well as participate in the chorus. They have been practicing for about a month at St. James and St. Stephen’s, both in Sewickley. The play is under the direction of Linda Wallace.
For Jillian, this has been a really great experience. She told me, “I learned to sing better, made new friends, and learned more about the Bible from the other characters involved.” The cast of the play will be performing all throughout Lent at various locations. Jillian would possibly do this again, if it doesn’t conflict with her other musical commitments. This is such a great way to grow closer to God during this Lenten season. I can’t wait to see the play!
Meet Luke Iyengar by Lauren McDonald, 2012
Every year, OLSH students attend the annual March For Life in Washington D.C. It is an unparalleled experience, showing great unity among the people of this country in the face of grave injustice. Luke Iyengar also attended the March with the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma, Ohio, ByzanTeens for Life. Not only was the group present in D.C. for the March, they also spent a great deal of time at related events, such as the Vocations Fair, an exhibit by the Sisters of Life, the Pro-Life Mass and Rally, and of course, the March for Life.
After such an experience, Luke was asked what he really wanted to bring forward about his trip. The things he talked about were not the tourist attractions or the amount of time spent there. It was all about the reason for the March for Life. When asked to list some of the things Luke wanted the public to know about the March, he said, “The March for Life is BIG. It is the largest march in D.C. We’re determined. We’re not about to give up. The tide is turning. Last year was an enormous year for the movement, and this year has the potential to be even bigger.” He also said, “The pro-life movement is young. Seriously, there were an awful lot of people there who aren’t even voting age yet. None of my group’s leaders could have been over thirty-five. In short, being pro-choice is on its way out,” he said, clearly standing behind his beliefs and turning an optimistic glance towards the future.
Meet Evan Johnson by Alyson Sved, 2012
“I still recall every summer night like it was yesterday; the times would never end and my friends were family. Nothing mattered more than the loyalty we had.” (Unknown).
Due to the diverse atmosphere of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School, every summer vacation was spent at least a little differently. For instance, Senior Evan Johnson has always had a love for cars and his family. When he was given the opportunity to fix up an old 1980 Corvette Stingray with his Grandpa he quickly accepted. They started all the hard work the week that we were finished with finals. The car was kept at his Granddad’s house and they would meet there to work on it. When they first received the car it was in very bad shape. “Where did you come across a car like this?”, I then asked. He then explained that the car had belonged to his mother when she was younger but they had just placed it in a storage unit for the past twenty years due to its bad condition.
The car contained many projects within itself. A new fuel pump had to be purchased and put in, they had to replace the ascending unit along with taking out the carburetor and rebuilding it. The project did not stop there though. Next they took out and cleaned the intake manifolds, followed by bleeding the brakes. Then came the more decorative jobs such as buffing and waxing the car, countless times, and changing the seats. Lastly, the two had to change the oil and clean out the gas tank. Now with all this done it meant the car was ready to drive.
The project was finished in the beginning of August. Evan concludes, “It was really nice working with my Granddad. We had a lot in common and we’ve always been close. This was a great bonding experience for us though.” The car now belongs entirely to Evan so plan on seeing it around in the school parking lots. It’s definitely a sight! What a great way to spend a summer.
