Giving back to the community
Seneca Valley Community RGMS
Pictured L to R: Mr. Bob Heffelfinger, PSATS Executive Board officer; Dr. Tony Babusci, Principal of Ryan Gloyer Middle School; Anthony Hernandez, student representative; Tiffany Hernandez, parent representative; Dr. Sean McCarty, Assistant Superintendent for K-6 Instruction; Karen Newpol, Cranberry Township Board of Supervisors; Mike Manipole, Health and Physical Education Teacher and Cranberry Board of Supervisors Chairman; and Dan Santoro, Cranberry Township Manager
Seneca Valley School District received the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) Youth Award, a statewide community service award recognizing ways in which students give back and better their community. The award was presented to representatives from Seneca Valley and Cranberry Township on April 17 at the PSATS Conference in Hershey, PA.
Cranberry Township nominated the district based on the ongoing, collective efforts that connect the school, students and community. Throughout the year, hundreds of students team up with Cranberry Township to beautify and improve the area through several volunteer projects such as Community Grown, Leaf Angels and a Tree Planting Blitz, where students from Ryan Gloyer Middle School (RGMS) plant 200 trees to further sustainability in the community.
“Collaboration was truly the cornerstone of these award-winning projects,” said Mr. Mike Manipole, RGMS Health and Physical Education Teacher and Cranberry Board of Supervisors Chairman. “The key takeaway here is the power of unity and teamwork among everyone involved — employees, administrators, teachers, students and the Cranberry Township/SV partnership. This collaborative effort not only made the event a success but also contributed significantly to the planning process.”
The purpose of the PSATS Youth Award is to recognize youth groups that make valuable and lasting contributions to improve life in Pennsylvania’s townships and encourages greater youth involvement in township government. The PSATS Youth Award was presented to four winners and Seneca Valley was the only school recognized. Seneca Valley School District received a plaque and a $500 cash prize.
“Kylee Eyth from the township was instrumental in the design and execution of the project,” added Mr. Manipole. “It was inspiring to see how everyone came together, each playing their part, to achieve such remarkable results. The kids and their teachers were awesome, and they worked together with township employees from all of our departments and as well as administrators from the SV district! The unity and cooperation exemplify the very best of teamwork and community spirit, making it a standout aspect of the award-winning achievement.”