Alumni Advice

Chartiers Valley hosted our second annual alumni advisory luncheon on Dec. 19, 2012. The entire CV class of 2012 was invited back and 25 alumni attended.

 

In addition to catching up with their classmates, teachers and principals, the alums shared valuable feedback regarding how well Chartiers Valley prepared them for their lives after high school. They also took some time to share their advice with current students. Here's what they had to say:

 

• Take as many College in High School and AP classes as possible – especially the ones that have to do with your major.
• Challenge yourself in high school and take the harder courses.
• Overall, it’s not about the GPA. Many students took easier courses to get a higher GPA, but the harder courses better prepare students for college.
• Don’t procrastinate.
• Don’t be afraid to use your school counselor.
• Use your teachers as resources.
• Make sure you do all of your reading. Set a schedule for yourself.
• Pay attention to the syllabus. It comes in handy.
• Plan ahead – start thinking about your future freshman year. Focus your last years in high school on preparing for college.
• Balance work time and play time. Learn time management.
• Take it seriously and get good grades. High school is not a joke.
• Take advantage of the arts in high school.
• When you have a deadline for an assignment – meet it. Don’t ask for extensions, you won’t get them in college.
• Enjoy your time in high school, college is much harder.

P.S. Current seniors -- we want to hear from you next year. Check back here or visit  www.cvsd.net around Thanksgiving 2013 for information about the Class of 2013 alumni advisory luncheon.

Welcome home, Ross Ventrone!

Chartiers Valley alum, Ross Ventrone, was added to the Pittsburgh Steelers offseason roster. Welcome home, Ross!

Read the Trib Total Media story>>

Class of 2012 Alumni Advisory Luncheon

The Chartiers Valley Class of 2012 is invited to participate in our annual Alumni Advisory Luncheon.

We want to know how well Chartiers Valley School District prepared you for your life after high school. Your feedback is important and will help us improve our instructional programs for current and future students. Please join us!

December 19, 2012

Chartiers Valley High School

LGI Room

Noon - 2 p.m.

Don't miss this opportunity to catch up with your classmates and teachers. Lunch will be provided. We hope to see you there.

Please RSVP by December 4. RSVP online at bit.ly/alumniRSVP or by calling 412-429-2390.

Happy Holidays!

Below Average Genius

The first time Mike Buzzelli ever performed in front of an audience was when he was in High School at Chartiers Valley. As a class assignment Mike, Chartiers Valley Class of 1981, performed a Shakespearean play with his friend Heidi. The duo managed to make the whole class laugh – sparking Mike’s interest in performing.  

“It was so much fun,” explained Mike. “I got genuine laughs from the class which made me thrive. I’ve been seeking laughs ever since.”

Today Mike is a comedian and writer. He wrote “Below Average Genius” – a nonfiction collection of brisk, humorous tales collected from his weekly humor column at the Washington Observer-Reporter. Each narrative essay explores the ridiculousness in an otherwise normal situation in roughly 500 words or less. 

For example, “It’s a Blurry, Blurry World” chronicles Mike’s inability to snap a decent photograph at Disneyland, while “Come on, Come on to My House” explores the dynamic of watching a movie or television show at another person's home.

“We all have a lot going on. Everybody has so much stress,” said Mike. “If I can make people laugh, then I’m doing my job.” 

“And if I can make money doing that, all the better,” he added.

Years ago, Mike took a chance and followed his dream – all the way to Los Angeles – where he pursued his writing and comedy career for ten years. Although Mike was nervous and intimated when he first arrived in LA, he soon became confident and excelled in his new environment. 

“I would tell all students today to keep doing what they love and never be afraid to go somewhere or try something new,” said Mike. “I’ve found that the only person who can hold you back is you!”

Today Mike is back in Pittsburgh – Scott Township, to be exact – and he’s still pursuing his dreams.

Mike said his time at Chartiers Valley helped prepare him for his life after high school – from his first live performance when he decided to become a comedian, to his time writing for the CharValiant, which guided him toward his writing career. 

“I had an amazing journalism teacher at Chartiers Valley,” said Mike. “He was instrumental in helping me decide to pursue a journalism career and move forward with writing.”

In addition to his book, Mike writes for the Washington Observer-Reporter and the Chartiers Valley Patch. He also does stand-up comedy and has been the Master of Ceremonies at many events.

View “Below Average Genius” on Amazon>>  

For the Love of the Law

After graduating from Chartiers Valley High School in 1978, Stacey Vernallis – then Stacey Fleckenstein – knew she wanted to pursue a law career. 

“Mr. Oliverio was my homeroom teacher at Chartiers Valley and every morning I would challenge him on some point,” said Stacey. “After four years of homeroom, he said that I was getting so good at defending my points, I should consider going to law school.” 

Taking Mr. Oliverio’s advice to heart, Stacey went to Penn State where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science. After that she went to law school at the University of Pittsburgh and graduated on law review in 1985. Today, Stacey is a shareholder at Goehring Rutter & Boehm and manages the litigation practice. 

“After graduation I started working and haven’t stopped since,” said Stacey, who specializes in product liability defense work.

Stacey formulates trail and defense strategies as well as writes product warnings on behalf of the manufacturer. Currently, Stacey is heavily involved in the helmet industry and creates the warnings based on data and feedback from UPMC Sports Medicine to help prevent athletic related head injuries such as concussions. 

“I really enjoy working with helmet manufacturers to keep athletes – many of whom are in high school – safe,” said Stacey. 

But Stacey says her favorite part of the job is teaching young lawyers how to think – a skill she first learned at Chartiers Valley.

“Mr. Sopko and Miss Hannon (later known as Dr. Gori) taught history and English. They taught me how to think and how to write,” explained Stacey. “Then Miss Lutz made sure my grammar and syntax were excellent. I came out of CV with exceptionally strong skills.”

“The other extraordinary thing about Chartiers Valley is that there were extensive leadership opportunities,” said Stacey. “I took advantage of as many of those opportunities as possible.”

Stacey is also grateful for the strong role models she found in many of the Chartiers Valley teachers who were working mothers. 

“As a young woman in the 70s, you might not have unified support when you told people you wanted to be a lawyer,” said Stacey. “But the working mothers who were teachers at CV assured me I could – and should – pursue my dreams.”

Chartiers Valley Reunion Honoring the Classes of 1973-1982

A reunion for the Chartiers Valley Classes of 1973-1982 will be held at Nevillewood on Saturday, November 24, 2012.

The Club at Nevillewood 

Saturday, November 24, 2012

6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Join your classmates for dinner, dancing, prizes and more. 

The cost for the reunion is $45/person until September 30th. 

As of October 1st, the price will be $50/person. 

Send checks to:

CV Class of 77

c/o Tony Williams

1 Elwyn Avenue

Carnegie, PA  15106

Accommodations

Rooms have been blocked at the Courtyard Marriott for the night of November 24 at $119 + tax. They have a shuttle that will take all guests to and from Nevillewood, but it stops running at 11 pm. It can be reserved for a $100 fee.

If you plan to reserve a room at the Marriott, please let Marcia Thomas know. She will block additional rooms, if needed. 

Courtyard Marriott Website

If you have any questions, contact Marcia Thomas at 412-762-3710 or marcia.thomas@pnc.com

The 25th Anniversary Reunion is sponsored by the Class of 1977 Committee: Tony Williams, Pres. (412) 638-4790 and Marcia Thomas, V.P.

Sergeant Ron Strang

Sergeant Ron Strang, Chartiers Valley Class of 2003, has been through a lot since graduation. His remarkable story of dedication and perseverance recently made national headlines.

Read the New York Times story>>

Read the ABC News story>>

Read the Evansville Courier & Press story>>

Watch the KDKA story>>

"I am so proud to have taught this young man," said Mrs. Sally Shollenberger. "He is truly a Chartiers Valley hero."