• Nov. 12, 2018

    High school program celebrates veterans

    Veterans Day program Upper St. Clair High School honored its school community veterans on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018. The program titled, “Honoring Past, Present and Future USC Veterans,” featured three USC seniors who will be enlisting in the military following graduation: Asa Gander, U.S. Marines; Nathan Pica, U.S. Marines; and Alaina Serrapere, U.S. Navy.

    Joining the students on stage was a panel of six veterans. Comprised of current and former faculty and staff members, veterans shared their experiences including what inspired them to join the military; the most interesting places they visited while in the armed forces; why they selected their particular branch of the military; and what their boot camp training was like.

    In addition, the Veterans Day program included performances by the Chanteclairs and the USCHS marching band. Organized by Assistant Principal Dan Zelenski, the program was led by members of the Armed Forces Club including juniors Juli Tarcson, Cosette Bayles and Alli Neas; and freshman Ethan Hiester.

    Current and retired members of Upper St. Clair faculty and staff who are veterans or serving members of the U.S. Armed Forces were recognized for their service.

    • Lee Altman, school bus driver, served in the U.S. Air Force from 1962 to 1966 before being honorably discharged at the rank of senior airman.
    • Michael Belak, school police officer, served in the Army National Guard from 1988 to 2001.
    • Ed Callahan,former high school science teacher and curriculum leader, served in the U.S. Navy from 1965 to 1969.
    • Tom Dailey, school bus driver, served in the U.S. Marine Corps from April 1963 through January 1969. Mr. Dailey served overseas in the Philippines and Vietnam. Interestingly, Sgt. Dailey extended his deployment in Vietnam for six months so he could save his recently drafted brother from serving a year there. 
    • Bill Jordan, high school custodian, served in the U.S. Marine Corps as an aircraft recovery technician from 1980 to 1984. 
    • Robert Marshall, school bus driver, served in the U.S. Air Force from 1963-1967.
    • Christine McCown,Fort Couch Middle School teacher aide, served in the United States Army Reserves from 1988 to 1996 as a specialist in the engineer battalion of Kittanning.
    • Gary McCullough, Boyce Middle School science teacher, is still serving as a pilot for the Air National Guard and served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
    • Glenn Pawloski, high school custodian, served in the U.S. Navy (submarines) from 1974 to 1979. As an electrician mate second class, he completed submarine training in New London, Conn., and was stationed at the submarine base in San Diego.  
    • Fred Peskorski,high school technology education teacher, served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1992 to 1998. 
    • Tom Smedley, former high school math and physics teacher and curriculum leader, served on active duty and in the Pennsylvania National Guard from 1974 to 2004.
    • Kevin Stretavskl, high school nutrition center employee, served in the U.S. Army from 1972 to 1976, honorably discharged as a specialist fourth class. He received the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
    • First Lt. Rob Sully,Boyce Middle School social studies teacher, is serving in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and was recently deployed with the Air Force in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
    • John Trainor, Fort Couch Middle School custodian, served in the U.S. Navy from 1981 to 1986. Mr. Trainor was a cryptologist technician interpreter and interrogator. In addition, he was a qualified Navy diver stationed in Rota, Spain and served on five surface ships and five submarines. He was also a Farsi linguist, graduating from the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif.
    • Gregory L. Wagner,assistant athletic director and assistant girls soccer, basketball and track coach, served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1966 through 1970. He is the father of High School Associate Principal Dr. Timothy Wagner.
    • David Walk, former Upper St. Clair School District supervisor consultant, served on active duty in Vietnam in the U.S. Navy from 1965 through 1967. Mr. Walk also served in the Navy Reserves from 1967 through 1971.  
    • Peter Wray, high school security officer, served in the U.S. Army Reserves.