A music scholarship has been established in honor of North Hills High School graduate and former school board member Annette Lois Giovengo.
The $500 scholarship is supported by Giovengo’s husband, Kevin Nolish, and son, Andrew Nolish, through the North Hills Foundation. It will be awarded annually to a graduating North Hills senior demonstrating excellence academically and in the symphony orchestra.
A lifelong Ross resident, Giovengo died Feb. 15, 2025, after a five-year battle with multiple myeloma. She was 63.
After graduating from North Hills High School in 1979, Giovengo earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Carnegie Mellon University, where she continued her study of the violin. While pursuing a doctorate in history, she minored in violin and was active in musical ensembles and performed in community orchestras throughout her life.
She worked as a business consultant for the steel industry, a senior administrator in higher education, an independent writer and a board governance consultant for higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations, as reported in her obituary.
Giovengo was elected to the North Hills School Board in 2013 and served two four-year terms through 2021.
“She was a tremendous board member who understood the big picture and the impact that our decisions have on students,” Superintendent Patrick J. Mannarino said. “Her heart was always in the arts and music programs and she worked passionately to ensure that North Hills students had the best opportunities possible.”
Giovengo was president of the North Hills Instrumental Parents Association from 2011 to 2015. She worked with Len Lavelle, North Hills High School band director and music department curriculum chair, to grow the program.
“Annette changed the lives of people and students that she never even met through all that she gave,” Lavelle said. “She was brilliant, remarkable and unwavering, but her heart always laid here in North Hills as an alumna, parent, and community member. A graduate of our music program, Annette knew the difference music education makes in the lives of young people and she wanted all our students to have the best education possible here at North Hills.”
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must have participated in the North Hills High School symphony orchestra, completed at least one Advanced Placement course with a grade of B or higher and successfully auditioned for a Pennsylvania Music Educators Association district or regional orchestra or been accepted into a college program requiring an audition. A brief essay is also required.
The application deadline for 2026 is April 24. In future years, the deadline will be April 15. The awardee will be announced at the high school’s annual senior awards night.