Three teams from Penn Hills will be going to the State Odyssey of the Mind Competition to be held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on April 9th.  Two of those teams had first place finishes at the Southwest Regional Odyssey of the Mind Competition held on March 5th at Moon.

 

Linton Team 1 (Division II):  Coached by Laura White, 1st Place

Problem:  Le Tour Guide

Tori Remmick

Joshua Russell

Jacob Russell

Sarah Salego

Emily White
 

High School Team (Division III): Coached by MJ Gula, 1st Place (perfect score of 350)

Problem: Mouse Mobiles

Andrew Gula

Peter Gula

Grant Van Horn

Sarah Krchnavy

Kristen Kralik

Alexandra Newby
 

High School Team (Division III): Coached by Diane  Kun, 2nd Place

Problem: Full Circle

Erica Brent

Patrick Campbell

Brianna Cook

Kelsey Doherty

AnnaMarie Kun

Daemon Palmer

Erin Slagle

Thanks to the generosity of a Penn Hills alumnus, there is a full scholarship available at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) for Penn Hills graduates from the Class of 2009 and later.  Eligibility requirements for this "High School to Careers Scholarship" include having a 2.75 GPA and working toward an Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science Degree in one of the following areas:

• Applied Service and Trade Technologies
• Electrical Construction Technology
• Business Careers in Accounting, Administrative Assistant, or Paralegal
• Computer and Information Technology
• Engineering and Science Technologies
• Health Careers.

For more information and to download an application, please visit the CCAC website here.

When Senior High Athletic Director John Peterman first returned to his alma mater in 2007, he said in an interview that his interest in all sports would lead him to a marbles tournament if one was being played.  This love of sports, in a career that has encompassed playing, coaching, and overseeing, has resulted in his being chosen for induction into the Penn Hills Sports Hall of Fame this April.

 

Before graduating from Penn Hills in 1985, John participated in both football and wrestling at the varsity level.  He started playing football in first grade, while participating in the Penn Hills Midget Association. His wrestling career began in fourth grade. While wrestling, John finished his junior high career undefeated with a record of 37-0, winning 3 section titles. He became the first wrestler in Penn Hills history to accomplish that feat. He also won a junior Olympic state title in wrestling in 7th grade at the age of 12. At the varsity level, John earned 3 letters, winning 3 section titles and a WPIAL championship in 1984.  He also finished 6th at the PIAA state championships.

 

In football, John lettered 2 years, earning All East Boro after his junior season as a member of the 1984 squad that gave up only 3 points in the first 7 games of the year and ranked #1 in the state during the season. John earned All Quad East in his senior season. After high school, John went on to participate in football at Clarion University, earning 4 letters while starting 3 years at strong safety. He finished his college career with a total of 289 tackles. John was named First Team All-PSAC after his junior year. In his senior year, John led Clarion's defense with an amazing 136 tackles, including 27 tackles in a game against Shippensburg University, earning First Team All-PSAC for the second year. He was also named Kodak 2nd Team All-American. Adding to his accomplishments, John was honored to be named 1st team All East region after both his junior and senior seasons.  Not just an athlete, John graduated from Clarion University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1990.

 

John is somewhat reticent when it comes to discussing his own athletic achievements, so it is left to those who have been seen him in action over the years to talk about what drives him.  District Director of Business Affairs Richard Liberto was a fellow wrestler during John's Penn Hills years.  The thing he remembers most about his fellow athlete was his intensity and how he loved to compete.  When asked if he was surprised that John had returned to Penn Hills as athletic director, he said he was not.  "This was the only job he ever wanted," Mr. Liberto explained, adding, "As you know, he bleeds red and gold."  He went on to say that John brings with him a long history for the District as well as the foundation upon which Penn Hills sports has been built.

 

While a student at Penn Hills, John's football coach was Bernie Storer.  He recalls that John "was a coach's dream; he had great focus, enthusiasm, athletic ability, and a motor that would not yield to anything."  He was an All-WPIAL two-sport athlete (football and wrestling), as well as a WPIAL Champion wrestler who passed up Division I wrestling scholarships to play football at Clarion University because of his love for the game.  In addition to his All-American status at Clarion, he eventually went into the University's Hall of Fame.  "His greatest asset is, and continues today," Mr. Storer said, that "he is a team player and he exemplifies the words BIG TEAM, little me."  He relates a story of when John truly stood out on the football field in a game versus North Hills.   Penn Hills was trailing at the end of the game on their own 8 yard line with less than 2 minutes on the clock.  John took the handoff and raced 92 yards for the winning score, out racing a future pro athlete to the end zone.  Mr. Storer takes no credit for John's success.  What little he did do, he said, was believe in John, adding that he still does.

 

"John will always be John" Mr. Storer said, adding that this is his strength and will always be his strength.  "He follows what is right and has the confidence that will guide him to success," he explained.  He said he always had great confidence in John and feels he is the perfect athletic director for Penn Hills.  "He is a positive force behind the Penn Hills athletes.  John will one day be remembered as one of the best if not the best athletic director in the WPIAL. His past history dictates his future."

 

It isn't just the adults who find John to be an inspiration.  Former football player Brandon Ifill, now a freshman playing football at the University of Pittsburgh, remembers his former athletic director as being dedicated to improving the District's sports program and holding each athlete accountable for their actions.  Brandon said that John prepared him for the real side of college sports and instilled in him the realization of how blessed he is to have the opportunity to play sports at the next level.   When asked what he thought people should know about John, Brandon replied that "people should know how much he really cares about his athletes and how much he is trying to change the face of the Penn Hills School District" overall, not just the sports program.  He feels John is well deserving of this honor.  "He has been a big part of my sports career," Brandon said, "and I will never forget what he has done for me and my family through the whole recruiting process."

 

George and Elizabeth Ifill, Brandon's parents, said that John "helped prepare us for all that would be expected of Brandon academically to further his education."  They added that their experience with him made them understand that "it is his heart's desire that all student athletes are able to further their education."  During the coaching change for the football team, the Ifill's said that John "supported and encouraged Brandon to continue to strive to be successful both on and off the field."  "He held Brandon accountable for his leadership and academics to ensure that Brandon would be qualified to be accepted into the university of his choice," they explained, adding that the experience led to a friendship with John and his wife that they are proud to acknowledge.

 

Varsity Golf Coach and Freshman Basketball Coach Charlie Buttgereit echoed many of these sentiments.  "He respects and has time for every student-athlete at Penn Hills, whether they are an all-state performer or a reserve who rarely gets in the game," Mr. Buttgereit said.  John recognizes that his athletes are all making great sacrifices to be a member of a varsity sport as well as the time commitment it takes to be a student-athlete. "He is willing to do whatever it takes to see that each student-athlete has an opportunity to succeed beyond their high school career," he added.  As coach of the golf team, Mr. Buttgereit said John is extremely supportive in providing all necessary resources to give the team the best chance to succeed.  And despite being extremely busy overseeing all sports at Penn Hills High School, he said that John makes sure he comes to some of the matches to support the team.

 

Mr. Buttgereit calls John extremely deserving of the honor of being inducted into the Penn Hills Hall of Fame, an honor he says is long overdue.  "John bleeds red and gold," he stated, adding that "it is his strong desire to see all Penn Hills sports back where they belong as a perennial power in all sports." 

 

John is an excellent choice and long overdue for the Hall of Fame, Mr. Storer said, adding, "I am proud to be part of his life; he has touched mine and made it better."

Annual Fire Essay Contest Winners 

On February 25th, the Annual PTA Volleyball Game was held to raise money for the PTA Council Scholarship Program.  Teams from each school (with two from both Penn Hebron and Linton) as well as one from administration competed for top honors.  In the final round, the Linton 1 Team defeated the Penn Hebron Yellow Team to take the trophy.

  

MVP for the tournament was Linton Physical Education/Health Teacher Allan Bilinsky.  Scoring and refereeing duties were performed by members of the boys' and girls' varsity volleyball teams.  Brackets were organized by Jay Mitlo, who also served as announcer for the event.  Additional photos are available on the District website under the Senior High School Photo Gallery.