Every week in this space, we give a spotlight to some of the best and worst news. Sometimes it’s a smaller aspect of a bigger story. Sometimes it’s a piece from one community that might have been missed by others.
This week, we know what the lance is. Everyone knows what the worst news was as we continue to grapple with the Butler County shooting of GOP nominee Donald Trump that claimed the life of Corey Comperatore, 50, of Buffalo Township and hospitalized two others.
Instead, let’s use our spotlight to recognize the bright moments swallowed up by the darkness.
Laurel: To building support. We can often see ways police departments reach out to kids with things like bike derbies that promote safety and shop-with-a-cop events that foster trusting relationships. It is more rare to see the support flowing in the other direction.
But Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center students, with carpentry instructor Chris Serena, did that. They took an old high school band trailer and put the skills taught by the school to work, refurbishing it into a mobile command center for the Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department.
This does more than support one officer or even one community. Allegheny Valley Regional Police serve Springdale Township, East Deer and Cheswick. The command center has already been used in the field, including at an East Deer concert event at Pittsburgh Brewing Co.
The students were able to see how their work can support their communities by supporting the department. It’s a valuable, hands-on lesson.
Laurel: To leaving something behind. When Matthew Sarnowski heads to Penn State, he will leave more than a Penn-Trafford High School discus record and a WPIAL championship title as his legacy.
He is also leaving a hefty investment in a new playground at Trafford Elementary, where he started his education.
Sarnowski started fundraising in March with $3,500 in donations and pledges. Throws for Trafford collected one penny for every foot Sarnowski threw in discus, shot put and javelin. By season’s end, that translated to $8,100 for the $165,000 total project.
The fundraiser is a great example for Penn-Trafford students. Today’s games can build tomorrow’s success — and a way to help those who come after you.