CV Alumnus Ryan Quinn wins 2nd Emmy Award

Chartiers Valley 2006 alumnus, Ryan Quinn, just added another Emmy Award to his resume of video production and editing accomplishments. 

The 2017 Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards were presented on September 9, 2017, when Ryan was announced as winner of the prestigious award and professional recognition.  At the ceremony in Hershey, Pennsylvania, The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences honored Ryan with the distinguished Emmy Award for his outstanding work as the video editor for the NBC/WPXI 5PM Newscast Evening programming for larger markets. 

Ryan was responsible for electronic news gathering (ENG) and complete video editing of multiple featured stories – including sports edits and promotional spots of the Steelers, Pirates, and the Stanley Cup winning Pittsburgh Penguins.  Ryan created numerous pump-up videos for the 2017 Penguin Stanley Cup playoff games premiering during pre-game broadcasts on NBC/WPXI, receiving network recognition and accolades from live broadcast professionals.

In addition to winning Emmy Awards in 2015 and 2017, Ryan is also a three-time Emmy nominee in 2015 and 2016 for broadcast video editing in larger markets and spot news categories.  His 2015 video for the Football Hall of Fame Induction of Steeler Jerome Bettis also received NBC/WPXI broadcast accolades during the live pre-induction ceremony broadcast.

Ryan is a 2006 graduate of Chartiers Valley and 2010 graduate of Penn State, University Park.  He was the Student Marshal in Film/Video at Penn State, where he wrote and directed films that received national recognition and awards.

CV Alum Pursues Legal Career

Joe Caruso, Chartiers Valley Class of 2009, recently graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law with a Juris Doctor and Carnegie Mellon University’s H. John Heinz III College of Information Systems and Public Policy with a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management.

As Joe prepares for the Pennsylvania Bar exam, he is also exploring career options that would allow him to serve as an investor advocate and help combat financial crime.

Joe’s journey began when he was in High School at Chartiers Valley, where he was a member of the National Honor Society and President of the Spanish Club. He really enjoyed watching law and order episodes with his father who is a retired police Sergeant. In addition, he was also very interested in the courses he took in high school that related to domestic politics.

“While I was the beneficiary of many great teachers at CV, I would say that I fed off of Mr. Robert Rodrigues’ passion for American politics,” said Joe. “Having the opportunity to be instructed by a college professor while in high school was invaluable and I still hold on to lessons from his class like using ‘direction of evidence (DOE)’ in my writing.”

Joe also noted that many of his Chartiers Valley teachers challenged him to further refine his writing and critical thinking skills, which has helped him achieve success in his academic accomplishments since high school.

In addition to taking rigorous courses throughout his high school career, Joe challenged himself on the soccer field.

“Many of my favorite memories came on the pitch,” said Joe. “Even now, there is still a smell in the air come soccer season that triggers memories to flood back.”

The varsity soccer team won the section title during Joe’s senior year. In addition to serving as the team’s captain, Joe was named All-Section, All-WPIAL, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette West All-Star and the Almanac Elite Eleven honorable mention.

“While playing in college is special in its own right, there is something unique about winning with the kids you grew up with while representing the area that you’re from against often familiar foes.”
Joe continued his academic and athletic career at Allegheny College, where he majored in political science with a minor in English. While at Allegheny College, Joe served a term as a senator with ASG and was selected to sit on the academic honor committee. In addition, he played soccer and was an NSCAA Scholar All-Region selection.

Following his graduation from Allegheny College, Joe moved on to the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. As a certified legal intern with Pitt law’s securities arbitration clinic, Joe secured the largest settlement in clinic history.

At CMU, Joe and several of his fellow students worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Health under the oversight of RAND Corp. to develop a data-driven strategy to expand first responder access to Heroin antidote naloxone. Governor Tom Wolf recently acknowledged his efforts. In addition, Joe was recently mentioned in the May 2017 issue of Whirl magazine (page 15) for an event he organized as the Heinz Finance Club President.

Computer Science: Unplugged

Chartiers Valley alumnus, Bryan Gallo, recently returned to his alma mater to give third and fourth grade students a lesson in computer science, sans computers.

After graduating from Chartiers Valley High School in 2013, Bryan went to Westminster College where he is currently a senior majoring in Computer Science.

As his capstone project, Bryan is researching two different methods of teaching computer science activities to elementary students. One method was to let a class start an activity with only a brief introduction to it, while the other method provided students with a detailed lecture about the activity before allowing them to actually try it.

Bryan tested his methods with Mr. Quinn’s third grade class and Mrs. Kantner’s fourth grade class at CVIS.

“I was thrilled to have my capstone project at Chartiers Valley, but before I got to the class, I didn’t know what to expect from the current elementary students,” said Bryan. “The students I had in Mr. Quinn and Mrs. Kantner’s classes had such a great academic attitude. They were attentive, perceptive, and genuinely cared about the lessons.”

The Association for Computing Machinery has a list of academic goals for students from K-12, so Bryan selected activities from “Computer Science Unplugged” to meet some of the goals.

“These activities are designed to introduce computer science concepts to young students without the use of a computer,” explained Bryan.

Over the course of three days, Bryan introduced and modeled the binary number system, as well as several algorithms used for searching and sorting data in computers.

Next he introduced the linear method for sorting large quantities of data, which students found to be pretty slow. Bryan also modeled the hashing method, where students sorted data based on a code or equation. Students got to play a battleship game simulation to demonstrate the hashing method, which they found to be quicker and more efficient than the linear method. Bryan related that method to how computers have advanced to process information faster and more efficiently.

Finally, Bryan worked with students to consider data sorting methods. Students used balance scales and small weighted canisters. Students worked in small groups to systematically sort the canisters based on weight, and noted the number of operations it required to sort the canisters from lightest to heaviest.

While Bryan selected specific activities to help students meet the goals outlined by the Association of Computing Machinery, his ultimate goal was to capture their interest.

“I hope students gained interested, and were more curious about computer science [after my lessons],” said Bryan.

“Our students had a unique opportunity to use abstract and critical thinking,” said Mr. Quinn. “We were happy to have the chance to learn new strategies to figure out a variety of conditions.”

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From Crayons to Creative Director

As soon as he could hold a crayon, drawing became a major part of Larry Levine’s life.

“I started drawing at a very young age,” said Larry, who graduated from Chartiers Valley in 2003. I’ve always had a general interest in the arts.”

As Larry grew, so did his interest in drawing. By the time he reached Middle School, Larry was nearly certain whatever career he pursued, it would involve drawing.

“Early in my pre-teens, I became interested in technology and I think that is what inspired me to pursue a design career,” said Larry. “Design is the perfect blend of creativity and strategy – it wasn’t purely expressive and allowed me to use the computer as a tool.”

By the time Larry reached High School, he was eager to take a variety of courses that related to his interests.

“It was a combination of Visual Communication courses and art classes that kept me excited about coming to school every morning,” said Larry.

Larry constantly challenged himself – and sometimes even his teachers – to learn more about graphic design and the programs that were (and still are) used in the professional world. Based on the experience Larry gained while he was in high school, he landed an internship at a local ad agency named Larson O’Brien at the age of 18.

After high school graduation, Larry went to La Roche College where he earned a degree in Graphic & Communication Design with a minor focus in illustration and typography. Today, Larry is a Creative Director for Celerity’s Digital Experience Team.

Since his graduation in 2003, Larry has often returned to Chartiers Valley to speak to students about design as a potential career path. However, this year, his return to the high school is a bit different.

In addition to his full time career, Larry is also working with the students in Mr. Clayton McGalla’s class Advanced Graphics and Photography class. With guidance from Larry, students have a unique opportunity to attempt to create a fresh colt logo for Chartiers Valley athletics.

Larry visited Mr. McGalla’s classes in November to teach students about the design process and tips for tackling such a major project.  In addition to speaking with the classes, Larry has been available to answer questions via email and will be offering feedback on the students’ designs this spring.

“We’re fortunate that Celerity has allowed Larry to take the time to work with our students,” said Mr. McGalla. “It gives them a unique opportunity to learn from – and work with – a talented design professional.”

“My primary objective was to give students a rudimentary knowledge of how to approach designing an identity or logo for the new face of the Colts,” said Larry. “At the very least I hope that they walked away feeling excited and inspired.”

In addition to working with Mr. McGalla’s classes this year, Larry has previously visited the High School to talk to students about design as a potential career path. He also encourages all students to make the most of their high school education. 

“Take advantage of what Chartiers Valley has to offer you,” said Larry. “You have a wealth of knowledge, support and resources at your disposal. It’s something you don’t realize until later in life.”

A special thank you to Larry for taking the time to work with Chartiers Valley High School students this year!

CV Alum Selected for the "So You Want To Be A Coach" Program

Chartiers Valley alumna, Jackie Stewart, was recently selected for the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's (WBCA) "So You Want To Be A Coach" program.

During a three day workshop, Jackie will have the opportunity to meet with college basketball coaches. The workshop will take place in March, coinciding with the NCAA women's basketball final four in Dallas.

Jackie was nominated for the "So You Want To Be A Coach" program by the Grove City College head coach, Coach Chelle Fuss.  She then went through an interview process with the WBCA.

After graduating from Chartiers Valley High School in 2013, Jackie attended Grove City College where she was a four year letter winner in basketball. Jackie is majoring in Sociology and intends to graduate from Grove City College in May 2017.

Congratulations to Jackie on this outstanding achievement!

Read more from the WBCA>>

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