Na’Zere Johnson knew when he joined Valley Jr.-Sr. High School’s ski club earlier this year that he’d be expected to brave wintry weather.
But this week, Johnson and his peers traded the slopes and skis for hills and shovels.
A group of ski club members has spent afternoons this week shoveling out district bus stops throughout New Kensington and Arnold so children can safely wait for the bus when they return to classroom instruction.
“We don’t want people standing in the middle of the street waiting for the bus,” said Johnson, 17.
After a weekend snowstorm dropped 10 to 13 inches of snow across the Alle-Kiski Valley, every school district was closed or held virtual instruction days Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Some even called for virtual days the rest of the week.
The group of ski club members traveled around New Kensington and Arnold to clear the most-populated school bus stops, and clear space for fire hydrants.
“The snowstorm has been rough,” said student Graysen Mator, 16. “As soon as we got here, we saw somebody stuck in their car, so we wanted to go out there and shovel them out.
“We just want to help out people.”
Ski into service
The ski club has adopted the role of service club.
Valley reactivated its ski club three years ago. It’s one of the most popular clubs at the school, with 88 students involved this year, said co-sponsor Graycen Vitale.
The club accepts skiers of all skill levels, and they practice at Boyce Park in Plum, Vitale said. Last year, 61 Valley students learned how to ski, she said.
“Unfortunately, skiing is profoundly financially exclusive,” said co-sponsor Rachael Link. “Therefore, we diligently work in tandem with our students to minimize the financial burden, with the goal of getting any member of our school community to learn.
“The catalyst of why our club thrives is that we provide the ski lessons, and a ripple effect occurs. Graycen and I instruct, experienced members teach new members, and now we have a fiercely loyal group of alumni who come back to pay forward their love of skiing.”
And although high temperatures were in the teens this week, the ski club still made shoveling fun — there were a few snowballs thrown around, Johnson said.
“The overall environment built around the ski club is positive,” Johnson said. “I wanted to be a part of it.”
Giving back
Elsewhere in the Alle-Kiski Valley, the Highlands boys basketball team shoveled driveways for elderly residents within the Highlands School District; and members of Cub Scouts Pack 965 shoveled driveways throughout West Deer to raise money for a new roof atop East Union Community Center and Church.
Valley Athletic Director Joe Skura said Link, who also is the district’s tennis coach, requested a list of the district’s most populated bus stops early Monday while planning to get students together to shovel.
“Coach Link didn’t only notice the problem, but she found the solution and was part of it in getting the shovelers out there,” Skura said. “This is her (way) with everything. She’s not just a team player, she’s a class-act leader who devises a plan and makes things happen.”
Link said club members also coordinated two community beautification days in New Kensington.
“Their commitment to enhance our school community is proof that passion for the betterment of our fellow human has no boundaries,” Link said. “The bonus is they get to learn there is nothing more exhilarating than being in nature skiing down a mountain.”
Ben Mehalick, 17, joined the club last year because he enjoyed snowboarding. He recognized the club’s mission is to give back to the community.
“It’s giving the community awareness that we care about them and that we didn’t give up on them, when other people have,” he said.