Bethel Park High School senior Sophia Iorio has been awarded Gannon University’s prestigious Presidential Scholarship, a four-year full-tuition award valued at nearly $170,000.
Iorio, who plans to enroll in Gannon’s five-year physician assistant program, was among 75 students who competed for the scholarship. Eligible candidates were required to apply and be accepted to Gannon by Dec. 15, with the top 10 percent of applicants invited to participate in the competitive selection process.
“I received an email in December notifying me that I had qualified, and in January, I learned more about the competition,” said Iorio, who carries a 4.4 weighted GPA. “The contest took place in February, and it was an intense but rewarding experience.”
For the essay portion, Iorio wrote about her cousin, Liz Shirley, a practicing physician assistant who played a significant role in her upbringing and inspired her to pursue the profession. Her art project, a collage featuring Pittsburgh’s yellow bridges, symbolized the pillars of her character in alignment with Gannon’s mission statement.
The final stage was a 30-minute in-person interview before a panel of faculty members.
Iorio has been deeply involved in her high school’s youth ministry programs, making it fitting that she learned about her scholarship in that setting.
As she prepares for college, Iorio hopes to return to her hometown to practice as a physician assistant. Reflecting on the journey, she emphasized how the combination of her interview and art project helped set her apart.
“I think those were a big deal,” she said. “That artwork is worth $170,000 — I’m definitely framing it.”
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Abraham Lincoln Elementary School teacher Patricia Esposito, along with 39 fellow educators from western Pennsylvania, participated a lesson planning blitz aimed at creating interactive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) lessons earlier this month.
The day commenced with a welcome from the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, setting a collaborative tone for the sessions. Educators worked together to brainstorm innovative lessons that combined the STEELS standards with hockey themes.
During breaks, participants took to the ice at PPG Paints Arena, equipped with shoe spikes, sticks and pucks to showcase their skills.
A photo opportunity with Iceberg, the Penguins’ mascot, added to the day’s excitement.
The group also enjoyed a tour of the Penguins’ locker room.
This fall, Esposito looks forward to piloting the lessons developed during the blitz with her students while providing feedback to the Children’s Museum.
“I just want to thank the Penguins and the Children’s Museum for their gracious hospitality, allowing us to participate in this fabulous experience,” she said.
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Bethel Park junior Ben Campbell, an bonors German IV student, was recently named among the Top 100 U.S. High School Students learning German by the American Association of Teachers of German.
Based on his performance on the 2025 AATG Level 4 National German Exam (on which he scored in the 96th percentile nationally) and the STAMP world language proficiency exam, the AATG declared Ben to have “significant promise in (his) continued study of German.”
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Bethel Park School District received three significant awards for excellence in communication in the 2024 PenSPRA Excellence in Education Communication Contest, which highlights school districts from across the commonwealth for their digital and print communication.
Most notably, the district claimed the prestigious Award of Excellence in Writing category for its efforts following last summer’s attempted assassination of President Trump by a former Bethel Park student. It also earned the Award of Merit for its District Profile. It was given Honorable Mention recognition for its Best in Class special projects website, highlighting the new elementary school slated to open in 2026.
“I would like to thank our communications team, led by James Cromie, for its tremendous work on behalf of our school district. His dedication and expertise continue to elevate our communications and strengthen our connection with the Bethel Park community,” said District Superintendent Dr. James Walsh. “We are proud of these recognitions, which reflect Bethel Park’s commitment to fostering meaningful engagement and strengthening connections within our school community.”
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Jacob Cunningham, a third-grade student at Memorial Elementary School, recently returned from an unforgettable international experience after participating in a Real Madrid Academy Training Camp in Spain.
Cunningham earned the opportunity to train in Madrid after impressing soccer coaches at a Real Madrid camp he attended over the summer. His performance caught the attention of the academy’s staff, leading to an exclusive invitation to train at the club’s world-renowned facilities.
While abroad, Cunningham spent the week honing his skills at the Real Madrid training complex, touring historic landmarks in the city, and visiting some of Spain’s most iconic soccer stadiums. A highlight of the trip included attending a match between Real Madrid and Leganés.
Cunningham’s talent continued to shine during the camp, earning him the title of Most Valuable Player for the 2014–2015 age group. In recognition of his outstanding performance, he was awarded a full scholarship to attend the Real Madrid summer training camp in Pittsburgh.