James G. Blaine, who grew up in West Brownsville and is the only Washington County resident to ever run for president on a major party ticket, is getting a “glow up,” thanks to a new Netflix drama series featuring President James Garfield’s brief term in office.
The Washington County Historical Society recently listed Blaine as “one of our most famous statesmen of the 19th century and one of Washington County’s most distinguished sons,” but few people around here seem to know much about him and his local ties despite his outsized role in national politics.
Blaine was born Jan. 31, 1830, and grew up in a house that once stood on Main Street in West Brownsville Borough not far from the banks of the Monongahela River.
Astonishingly, he enrolled at Washington College in 1843 at age 13 and studied at the school until graduating in 1847. While going to the school that would become Washington & Jefferson College a couple of decades later, Blaine lived at a house on South Main Street in the city that still stands today – with an exterior plaque that bears his name –
and is now a home decor shop.
A few years after graduating from college, Blaine relocated to Maine and called that home for much of his adult life as he moved up the political ladder in the Republican Party. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1863 until 1875 – being elevated to speaker for several years – before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1876.
Known as the “Magnetic Man From Maine,” he had dreams of running for president, even becoming “warped” by the idea, according to the book, “Destiny of the Republic,” by Candice Millard.
Blaine put his name into the mix during the Republican National Convention in Chicago in 1880, but was defeated by the unassuming candidacy of Congressman James Garfield of Ohio.
But the political opponents were also longtime friends from their time together in Congress, and when Garfield won election later that year, he tapped Blaine to serve as his Secretary of State.
It’s here where the story of Blaine takes some of the spotlight in the Netflix drama, “Death by Lightning,” that features the unexpected political rise of Garfield and his abbreviated presidency when an assassin’s bullet and subsequent infection took his life months later. Bradley Whit-
ford, who is known for his acting roles in movies such as Billy Madison and the television series, “The West Wing,” portrayed a white-bearded Blaine who was a close ally and confidant to Garfield.
After Garfield’s death in September 1881 – more than two months after he was shot with Blaine by his side and just six months into his term – Blaine briefly remained as Secretary of State under the deceased president’s successor, Chester Arthur, until leaving his post at the end of the year.
But Blaine’s political career wasn’t over. In 1884 at age 54, he secured the Republican Party’s nomination for president, but narrowly lost to Grover Cleveland in the general election.
Washington County Historical Society Director Clay Kilgore, who was researching Blaine for a possible “Laid Back History” video, was surprised when there were no mentions of him as a “hometown boy” in campaign stories in the local papers when he ran for president.
“He becomes this pretty prominent person. Are people (here) still following him?” Kilgore said of his research in local newspaper clippings discussing his political rise. “And there’s nothing in the papers.”
of Washington County’s most distinguished sons’ CONSUMER, BEWARE
By Karen Mansfield kmansfield@observer-reporter.com
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is urging citizens to be aware of the recent rise in utility-related scams.
Sunday said in a release on Wednesday that scammers are using different tactics to obtain private information, and posing as utility provid-
ers to access personal details. Those tactics include using fake utility websites to lure customers onto the site, claiming that they have missed payments to intimidate them into disclosing private payment information.
“We are hearing of increases in impersonation scams involving utility providers. As always, I encourage Pennsylvanians to be vigilant and
cautious online and anytime they are solicited,” the attorney general said. “Consumers should be wary when someone asks for your personal or banking information over the
phone — especially during an unexpected incoming call. Scammers aim to frighten and pressure their targets, so if you have such an experience, cease communications
PennWest looks to cut academic majors, minors
Launching new certificate degrees
By Karen Mansfield kmansfield@observer-reporter.com
Pennsylvania Western University is looking to end four academic majors and 34 minors at its three campuses in California, Clarion and Edinboro while increasing the number of undergraduate certificates offered as part of a comprehensive restructuring.
Students already enrolled in those programs can finish their degrees at their home campus.
PennWest plans to sunset four undergraduate degrees: digital technology, commercial music technology, theater, and legal studies. Two associate degrees – digital media technology and engineering technology – also are slated to be placed in moratorium.
Graduate programs to be cut across all campuses include athletic training, corporate communications, legal studies, and professional accountancy.
At California’s campus, the following programs will no longer be offered, pending approval: graphic design, studio arts, and secondary education - art education.
Minors slated to enter moratorium are: applied data analytics, Arabic, arts administration, athletic coaching, climate change, communication sciences and disorders, creative writing, deaf studies, digital marketing, digital media technology, entrepreneurship, earth and space science, event planning and management, forensic accounting, game programming, geography, global business, health science, human resource management, literature and culture, management information systems, nutrition and fitness, parks and recreation management, personal financial planning, professional writing, sales, social media, social work, Spanish, supply chain management, tourism and hospitality management, theater, theater history and literature, and web programming.
At the same time, PennWest plans to add 18 undergraduate certificates, increasing its certificate offerings from 19 to 37. PennWest spokesperson Wendy Mackall said some minors will be redesigned as skill-focused certificates.
“For example, PennWest plans to offer undergraduate and
immediately.”
Sunday warned of a rise in scams involving websites posing as legitimate utility providers, which can be found via Google searches as a scam lure.
According to Sunday, when customers click on the site, scammers, posing as employees, will make claims that payments are past due and attempt to frighten the victim into turning over personal information or making a payment. He advises customers to take the following advice to protect themselves from potential utility scams:
n Access your utility company’s website directly. The website is often provided on your bill.
n Call the customer service number provided on your
utility bill or other official correspondence from the utility company.
n Be wary of urgent payment demands. Utility companies do not require immediate payment by unconventional methods such as wire transfers, gift cards, or peerto-peer payment apps such as Venmo, CashApp, Zelle, or others.
n Do not call numbers you see on advertisements online; these ads are often paid for by scammers who are hoping to take advantage of the “convenience” they are offering by putting their scam number in front of a consumer.
n If you are using a search engine to find your utility’s contact information, use the name of the utility company
COURTESY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
James Blaine
MIKE JONES
A historical marker was placed at the site of James G.
Blaine’s childhood home on Main Street in West Brownsville just below the Lane Bane Bridge.
KAREN MANSFIELD/OBSERVER-REPORTER
Three earn Eagle Scout status
The Upper St. Clair-Bethel Park Rotary Breakfast Club recently recognized three Eagle Scouts from Troop 366 in Upper St. Clair.
Rotarian Brian Schill presented certificates to Caden Sarkett, Nolan Sarkett and Alex Swanson at their Court of Honor ceremony held at the Upper St. Clair Community and Recreation Center. Schill noted the strong similarities between Scouting and Rotary – leadership,
community service, personal development, teamwork, and of course, having some fun along the way. He thanked the parents, troop leadership, and fellow Scouts for supporting the young men throughout their Eagle journeys. The Eagle projects were as follows:
Caden Sarkett’s project benefited SHIM and worked with Pass the Bricks, a charity that spearheads the reuse of LEGO bricks so they can be
accessible to children in need.
Nolan Sarkett’s project benefited Mt. Lebanon Evangelical Presbyterian Church and involved organizing the IT/ AV room, including building a desk to support the equipment used to stream church services.
Alex Swanson’s project benefited the Allegheny Land Trust, specifically the Bethel Green site, and included conservation work performed at that location.
America’s next top chef is a toddler
Every mother has, at one point or another, gazed into the crystal ball of daydreams and imagined her eldest son’s future as an Olympic runner, or a composer whose symphony fills the halls of history, or a movie star sinking his hands into Hollywood’s concrete, or a sweet, neurotic neat-freak who innovates the garbage disposal industry (that last one just me, or?).
My son is, in my biased opinion, quite extraordinary, but I’ve recently been blown away by his much-advanced culinary prowess. I do believe I am raising America’s next top chef, and America’s next top chef is 2 years old.
My son’s first solid was avocado. He loved picking up pieces of that creamy green vegetable and mashing them between his gums. One afternoon, when he was about 8 months old, I watched my son reach for an avocado. Wearing a delighted grin, he bit into the avocado as though it were an apple. I laughed and stretched out my hand, ready to catch the rind he would inevitably spit out. Instead, I looked on in amazement as he chewed, swallowed, and went in for another big bite.
teeming with blueberries and bits of tortilla chips, meant to be enjoyed one spoonful at a time. My son paired unlikely flavors and textures, and his discerning tastebuds knew a winner, even when I wondered what in the world he was doing.
son’s culinary creativity. I was determined to fight my way through every forkful, grateful for a full belly. But, of course, I let my dearly beloved take the first bite.
“These are good,” he said unironically. I took a small taste. And the stuffed peppers were… actually … good. Like, I’d-have-seconds good. My 2-year-old had, somehow, managed to take a traditional dish and elevate it to haute cuisine.
The greatest chefs are known not just for their daring, but also for their presentation, and my son has recently begun challenging the notion of contemporary plating conventions. Why, he wondered, serve butter noodles on a plate or in a shallow bowl when they might more interestingly be served in an espresso cup?
His plating is clever, and often serves as social commentary; for instance, he insists on drinking water only from the cup his dinner date is drinking from, which invites diners to discuss who actually owns water, and how we might provide water to those whose cups are empty.
post-graduate certificates in Personal Financial Planning and Speech Language Pathology (Communication Sciences and Disorders) as well as undergraduate certificates in Social Media, Nutrition and Human Performance, and Athletic Training, all replacing minors in the same or similar subjects,” Mackall said in an email.
Other examples: PennWest will offer undergraduate certificates in Arabic, professional writing, and entrepreneurship, along with certificate-based programming for teaching the deaf, making the minor in those studies unnecessary, the university said.
In other instances, students in low-enrolled minors will be “better served by more workforce relevant programming already offered or in development.”
“PennWest already offers a certificate in Geographic Information Systems that we believe is more directly relevant to students that our current minor is Geography. We plan to develop certificates in Sustainability, and Weather and Climate Risk Management, that will better serve students than our current minor in Climate Change,” Mackall said in a press release.
It also plans to develop a certificate in performing arts and launched a minor in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
Some PennWest students and alumni have expressed concern about the cuts and changes to the art programs.
PennWest California student Koa Knopsnider has launched an online petition asking the university not to sunset the arts programs on
n Do not provide your banking or personal information unless you have confirmed that you are speaking with your legitimate utility provider. Verify the phone number or website using the tips above.
you are working with (UGI, MetEd, PPL, etc). Scammers are hoping you use phrases such as “utility phone number” or “how to pay my utility bill” when you are searching online and this may show you sponsored ads for scam companies.
n The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s website has lists of utility providers and the contact information for utility companies. PUC can also be reached by calling 1-800-692-7380.
campus. So far, the petition has garnered more than 1,270 signatures.
Angela Schnupp, an art teacher at Connellsville Area Middle School in Fayette County, is a 2009 summa cum laude graduate and presidential scholar from California University of Pennsylvania with dual degrees in studio art and education with a K-12 art certification. She worries about the changes.
“While it may seem like the degree programs with lower enrollment – like art, music, and theater – are easy to cut for financial reasons, they provide local students with more opportunities to enter those fields,” wrote Schnupp. “I graduated from Brownsville Area High School and lived in the district while commuting to PennWest. I wouldn’t have been able to attend a school further away due to the cost of living on campus. I know the same to be true for the students I teach. Families appreciate that PennWest is within driving distance from their home and affordability is definitely a factor.”
She added, “The administrators at PennWest want to believe that students will migrate to their Edinboro campus. But what I know is that distance is a barrier to education for the students from this area.”
If approved, the new academic program offerings will be available to students in the 2026 fall semester.
Classes for spring semester resume on Jan. 20, and students were not on campus to share reactions to the academic changes last week.
“Our commitment to PennWest students is to deliver the most accessible, affordable, and transformative experience possible, so that students graduate as confident, career-ready, and
n If you fear you are in an emergency utility-related situation, dial 911 before attempting to contact your utility provider.
career-adaptable lifelong learners and leaders,” said Dr. James Fisher, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at PennWest. “This process of strengthening our academic programs and the student experience overall furthers that commitment to our students and our commitment to serve and strengthen communities in Western Pennsylvania and beyond.”
PennWest said programs were reviewed using several factors, including enrollment trends, student demand, and workforce needs.
University officials said the review of its programs included feedback from students (more than 1,300 participated in a survey), faculty, and staff.
“The primary motivation is to strengthen academic choice and to position PennWest to deliver programs aligned with today’s workforce needs,” said Kelly Repinski, Vice President for University Communications and Marketing via email.
The schools aren’t laying off any faculty at this time. However, more than a dozen employees at PennWest’s California and Clarion campuses were furloughed in the fall due to declining enrollment and other reasons.
This fall, enrollment at the 10 universities that make up the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) saw its first system-wide enrollment increase in more than a decade, with a 0.6% rise to over 83,000 students. In 2015, enrollment at PASSHE schools was more than 107,000.
PennWest’s enrollment decreased 2.6% from the last school year, but the campuses saw an 8% increase in online enrollment.
A final decision will be made during the spring semester.
“Oh, no, we don’t…” I began. Then it hit me: my son had, at his tender age, realized something it takes many adults years to understand, that while avocado is delicious on its own, the experience might be elevated by adding more texture to every bite.
Soon after learning about texture and how it can make or break a dish, my son started experimenting with flavor. To heck with bland purees. He wanted apples dipped in peanut butter, eggs dripping in Heinz ketchup, toast smothered in butter and homemade blackberry jam.
The kid was adventurous in the kitchen; if it was on my plate, my little boy wanted to try it, and he developed a penchant for bold flavors. You can keep your jarred peas, my son seemed to say, I want a bowl of quinoa and sweet potatoes drowning in chimichurri!
My son began inventing his own culinary concoctions. There was Fried Rice Tea, an inventive appetizer that is equal parts room temperature orange hibiscus tea, chilled water, and homemade fried rice. There was Why Not Dip It In Hummus, a bowl of hummus
Blaine
FROM PAGE A1
He thought that was especially interesting, considering many people in this region “hold onto these things” by fondly remembering successful local residents even after they leave the area.
“People (here) almost forgot about him,” Kilgore said.
Blaine returned to Washington County in October 1886 for the first time in many years, according to the historical society, visiting his childhood home in West Brownsville and later traveling to Brownsville and Washington during his trip. But politics soon came calling once again as Blaine served as Secretary of State for President Benjamin Harrison from 1889 until his health began failing in 1892.
After retiring from office, Blaine stayed in Washington, D.C., where he died Jan. 27, 1893, just four days shy of his 63rd birthday. He was originally buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in the nation’s cap-
On a recent afternoon, as I readied my daughter for an outing, my son opened the fridge. Good, I thought, he’ll entertain himself for a few minutes by looking at all the vegetables, and this whole leaving-the-house-duringwinter thing will go more smoothly. I’d just zipped my daughter into her laughably big, blue winter onesie when my son’s sweet voice called to me from the kitchen.
“Mama, cook!” he said.
“You’re cooking!” I encouraged from the other side of the divider, which separates our kitchen and dining room.
“Mama, cook!” he said again.
I knew his tone; he wanted an audience. I put on a wide smile, picked my daughter up off the floor, and marched excitedly into the kitchen, where my son stood, fridge door wide open, a bottle of near-empty oyster sauce on the floor beside him, stirring a Dutch oven full of stuffed peppers with a small spatula.
“Oh, you’re really cooking,” I said, not sure whether to laugh – because oyster sauce stuffed peppers! – or cry – because oyster sauce stuffed peppers!
“Cook!” he said again, gleefully stirring.
The stuffed peppers were a gift from a friend, who had, upon delivering dinner, informed me they “weren’t the best” and “could use a little something,” perhaps a pinch more salt. When, the following evening my husband reheated the stuffed peppers, I didn’t have the heart to tell him they’d been “enhanced” by our
My son also pioneered the Pour and Serve technique, in which a diner receives two bowls, one filled with their dinner and the other empty, and watches in amazement as the chef deftly slides the meal from one bowl to the other while several bites fall to the ground, a beautiful, postmodern dinner dance that provokes the eater to think more deeply about what it means to serve and be served.
As I write this, my son begs for more coffee – he takes his with a spoonful of sugar and a splash of milk – and I smile at the thought of him and his big, brown eyes and his four-word sentences enthusiastically running a kitchen full of people and appliances bigger than he. I may be half-joking that my son is destined for greatness, but I am a very biased mother who is sure that, even if he is never crowned America’s Next Top Chef, my sweet little boy will, at the very least, grow up to be a man who knows how to cook a mean stuffed pepper.
Katherine Mansfield is a former staff writer for the Observer-Reporter who recently published her first novel, “Original Works by Katharine Hughes.”
ital, according to the historical society, but his body later was reinterred in his adopted hometown of Augusta, Maine. The village of Blainsburg –located on top of the hill within West Brownsville Borough – was named in his honor in 1906, and a historical marker
stands at the site of his childhood home on Main Street just below the Lane Bane Bridge. But there are few other local references of the man from Washington County who nearly became president and has newfound stardom thanks to Netflix.
Katherine Mansfield
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Caden Sarkett, Nolan Sarkett and Alex Swanson recently earned their Eagle Scout status and were presented their certificates by Brian Schill.
MIKE JONES While attending Washington College from 1843 until 1847, James G. Blaine lived at this house on South Main Street in the city that is now a home decor shop.
Tax filing season starts Jan. 26
Monday, Jan. 26, marks the opening of the nation’s 2026 tax filing season, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
Taxpayers have until Wednesday, April 15, to file their 2025 tax returns and pay any tax due. The IRS expects to receive about 164 million individual income tax returns this year, with most taxpayers filing electronically.
This year, several new tax law provisions of the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” will become effective, which could impact deferral taxes, credits and deductions.
There are online tools and resources available for taxpayers to use before, during and after filing their federal tax income at IRS. gov. Information that can help lower tax bills and potentially increase refund amounts are available at https://www.irs.gov/ newsroom/one-big-beautiful-bill-provisions.
Tools and resources available include the ability to access an individual’s account online, using the new Schedule 1-A, parents and guardians having the ability to establish a new type of individual retirement account for their children and assistance in finding a taxpayer assistance center.
“The Internal Revenue Service is ready to help taxpayers meet their tax filing and payment obligations during the 2026 filing season,” said Frank Bisignano, IRS chief executive officer. “As always, the IRS workforce remains vigilant and dedicated to their mission to serve the American taxpaying public. At the same time, IRS information systems have been updated to incorporate the new tax laws and are ready to efficiently and effectively process taxpayer returns during the filing season.”
Senior places first in Carnegie Library Teen Media Awards
Upper St. Clair High School senior Ava Wynne earned first place in the 2D Art & Design category of the Carnegie Library Teen Media Awards for her piece titled “Wistful Affection.”
The work, she explained, is a personal reflection on her early high school years.
“This piece was inspired by a certain type of sad nostalgia that many students may feel as the end of the school year approaches,” Wynne said. “Through the use of muted greens and blues, I strived to foster a sense of serenity. Similarly, I embroidered colored string to mimic the effect of ripples in water to emphasize a gentle yearning for childhood whimsy. ‘Wistful Affection’ was a result of my own reflection upon my former years of high school, which I had previously taken for granted.”
In addition to her firstplace recognition, Wynne received an Honorable Mention for her mixed-media work titled, “The Blue Identity.”
Wynne has been an active member of the USCHS Art Club since ninth grade and has served as its president
for the past two years. She is enrolled in Advanced Placement Art and has taken numerous art classes throughout high school. Her leadership extends beyond the classroom – she has hosted both an art show and an art workshop, donating all proceeds to the Pittsburgh Women’s Shelter.
In addition to her accomplishments in the visual arts, Ava excels musically. A flutist, Ava currently serves as the senior drum major of the USCHS Marching Band and is a member of Tri-M Music Honor Society. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and Natural Helpers.
Last spring, Wynne was honored with an Art & De-
sign Book Award from the Rochester Institute of Technology. Following graduation in June, she plans to pursue a degree in industrial design.
The Carnegie Library Teen Media Awards recognize student work in seven
categories – 2D Art & Design, 3D Art & Design, Short Film, Fashion, Music, Photography and Short Comic. View all of the award-winning art work: https://www. carnegielibrary.org/announcing-winners-of-the2025-teen-media-awards/
South Fayette junior selected New Voters 250 Fellow
A South Fayette junior is one of 125 students from across the country selected for a national initiative to have high school students more involved in shaping their communities. Elly Simon was selected as a New Voters 250 Fellow.
The New Voters program began in 2017 as a high school club in Berwyn, Pa., registering more than 85% of eligible students for the 2018 midterm elections. In 2020, the program launched nationally and has supported registration
drives in more than 500 high schools.
New Voters is designed for students curious about civic engagement and ready to step into leadership.
New Voters launched a 250 Fellowship in conjunction with the nation’s 250th
birthday, giving high school sophomores and juniors the opportunity to shape the next 250 years of democracy. Simon will be participating in a four-day training program at the University of Maryland.
FELICITY GRACE HARMON
October 23, 2025
St. Clair Hospital
Parents: Andrew & Katie
Harmon, Cecil Township
Grandparents: Bob & Gloria Smith
Mike & Barb Harmon
COLSON WILLIAM FRITZ
August 7, 2025 UPMC Washington
Parents:
Conor & Sarah Fritz Claysville
Grandparents: Carol & Tracie Fritz
Chuck & Sherri Kleinhans
CAMPBELL MAE WHITFIELD
August 22, 2025 St. Clair Hospital
Parents: Michael & Jillian Whitfield Washington
Grandparents: Gregory & Connie Nicodemus
Thomas & Susan Whitfield
RILEY GRAY
MEGEESCHLEICHER
December 17, 2025
UPMC Washington
Parents: Joseph & Crista Megee-Schleicher Washington
Grandparents: Joseph & Pamela Schleicher
AUTUMN GRACE ARDENO
October 20, 2025 West Penn Hospital
Parents: Michael & Brittany Ardeno Washington
Grandparents: Michael & Michelle Ardeno
Timothy & Kimberly Grego
JAXSON OLIVER STORY
January 12, 2026
UPMC Washington
Parents: Michael Story & Madison Beck
Grandparents: Denise Beck
Keith Franks
Jim Beck
Evelyn Beck
Mike Story Candia Hess
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Ava Wynne’s award winning piece, “Wistful Affection”
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Ava Wynne
Please Help Oscar
Oscar, a hound, and a companion dog were abandoned on a mountain in West Virginia. When rescuers found them, Oscar was crying over the body of his companion. It is likely that he had been shot or run over by a vehicle. The rescuers did not have the resources to save Oscar. The best that they could do was to provide some food and a garbage can for shelter. Angel Ridge Animal Rescue learned of Oscar’s plight and brought him to our Rescue.
Oscar has a serious injury to his carpal joint on his left front leg and it must be surgically fused. This is a complicated surgery, but it is necessary for Oscar to live a relatively pain-free life and be able to run again. The surgery will be performed at OSU at a cost of $7,000. Please help us to pay Oscar’s surgery bill. He is a loving dog and his life matters to us!
Send your tax-deductible donation to:
Angel Ridge Animal Rescue, PO Box 94, Meadowlands, PA 15347
Name Phone
Address
Amount
You can also donate through PayPal at aranres@yahoo.com
ST. CLAIR HEALTH OB/GYN PHYSICIANS AND PRACTICES
ST. CLAIR MEDICAL GROUP OB/GYN
BETHEL PARK Village Square Outpatient Center 2000 Oxford Drive, Suite 415 Bethel Park, PA 15102 412.942.5380
MT. LEBANON Professional Office Building 1050 Bower Hill Road, Suite 205 Mt. Lebanon, PA 15243 412.942.1066
ROBINSON 1 Robinson Plaza, Suite 410 Pittsburgh,
The Digital Dominators were runners-up in the championships and qualified for the state championships. Members of the team included Tessa Bins, Pragnya Chetlur, Srinidhi Senthil Kumar, Shreya Nambiar, Seetha Muthiah and Grace Li.
The Starfish Quartz qualified for the Pennsylvania FLL championships. Members of the team included: Kara Benedetto, Kendall Brown, Ishanvi Kuppili, Claire McCluskey, Nabanya Raja, Priyal
The Steel Synapse qualified for the state FLL championships. Members included Tarun Bharath, Porter Guarino, Aditya Singh, Siddh Patel, Ben Rovner, Ayan Sharma, and Rayansh Kature.
USC robotics teams advance to state FLL championships
The teams – Digital Dominators, Starfish Quartz and Steel Synapse – earned their state berths among a field of 77 teams from across the region.
Digital Dominators, a team of sixth-graders, placed second overall and received the second-place Robot Performance Award.
Team members are Tessa Bins, Pragnya Chetlur, Srinidhi Senthil Kumar, Shreya Nambiar, Seetha Muthiah and Grace Li.
Starfish Quartz, also composed of sixth-graders, finished third overall and earned first place in Core Values. Team members in-
clude Kara Benedetto, Kendall Brown, Ishanvi Kuppili, Claire McCluskey, Nabanya Raja, Priyal Baskota, Callisto (Callie) Chen and Lilly Qian. Steel Synapse, a team of seventh-graders, placed seventh overall and earned second place in Innovation. Team members are Tarun Bharath, Porter Guarino, Aditya Singh, Siddh Patel, Ben Rovner, Ayan Sharma, and Rayansh Kature. In total, 14 Upper St. Clair middle school robotics teams competed at the regional championship. All USC teams finished in the top half of the field in the Robot Game, with 13 of the 14 teams placing in the top third.
Teams were evaluated in four categories: Robot Design, Innovation, Core Values and Robot Performance. In addition to the state-qualifying teams, three Upper St. Clair teams earned special recognition.
Circuit Breakers, a team of seventh- and eighthgrade students, placed fifth in Robot Performance. Next Gen Builders, a team of fifth-graders, finished sixth in Robot Performance. Cyber Quantum Hydro Plasma Waves, a rookie team of fifth-graders, received the Rising Star Award.
The FIRST LEGO League Challenge emphasizes collaboration and creativity as students in grades 4-8 engage in research, engineering, coding and problem-solving. Teams design and program LEGO robots to complete a series of missions, while also developing innovative solutions to real-world problems connected to an annual theme.
The Pennsylvania State FLL Championship will be held Feb. 14 in Hershey.
Baskota, Callisto (Callie) Chen and Lilly Qian.
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Juliette Leroux
Who is she: South Fayette High School senior who recently scored her 1,000th career point in basketball
Age: 18
Birthdate: Sept. 27
Parents: Francois and Lori
Siblings: Ava and Quinn
Sports: Basketball, volleyball
GPA: 4.1
College choice: Florida
Atlantic
Major: Health Science.
Career: “I’m hoping to become a physician’s assistant or a nurse anesthetist.”
Color: Pink
Food: Seafood. “I love scallops and shrimp.”
Restaurant: Saga Steakhouse & Sushi Bar in Robinson
Music: Sisqó “I do love country music, too.”
Book: “Throne of Glass” by Sarah J. Maas. “I’m on the third book in the series.”
Athlete: Dallas Wings point guard Paige Bueckers
If you could have dinner with anybody, dead or alive, who would it be: Kevin Hart or Dwayne Johnson
Saying: Everything happens for a reason. I say that at least once a day.
Life lesson sports has taught you: Not to give up when things get hard. “We all have bad practices and bad days. You can’t let them get in your head and make you spiral. Don’t give up. You will come out on top.”
Guilty pleasure: Tanning “I love to tan. I start in March.
In the winter I get so pale.
People ask me if I’m okay because I look like I’m ill.” People might be surprised to know this about you: My brother and I are twins. It’s great sharing birthdays and some of the same things. He plays volleyball, too. But we have two separate lives.
It’s cool being a twin. We have twin telepathy; like whenever one of us is walking in a door and the other walking out, and we’re thinking the same thing.”
COMPETITIVE DRIVE PUSHES LEROUX TO GREATNESS
South Fayette senior scores 1,000 points
By Eleanor Bailey ebailey@thealmanac.net
Juliette Leroux developed the speed and quickness that vexes opponents on the basketball court as a means of survival.
“I’ve always grown up in an athletic family. Being active. Eating healthy. High energy and competing with my siblings over the tiniest things.
“My sister chased me around the house a lot,” Leroux continued. “So I had to be fast.”
Leroux added that the compilation of her childhood adventures enabled her to become the player and person she is today. They also determine her future.
“Competition realistically allows you to accomplish future aspirations. It’s the nature of jobs. It’s what employers like to see in employees. I’ve been around competition 24/7. If you are not competing, then you are losing out because you are not pushing yourself every day to become your best.”
Currently, Leroux rates among the best to have played basketball at South Fayette High School.
A multi-district champion and PIAA state winner, having been named the Player of the Game in last year’s Class 5A final, Leroux ranks among the leading scorers in the WPIAL this winter with a 17.2-point average.
“Since her freshman year, Juju has continued to develop her skills. She is driven to improve and consistently puts in the work at practice each day,” said South Fayette head coach Bryan Bennett.
“By continually adding new elements to her game, she has es-
tablished herself as one of the top players in the state.
Leroux sets herself apart from her peers, says Bennett, because of her offensive versatility.
“She has the ability to score at all three levels. If you close out hard on her, she can blow past defenders and finish at the rim; if you sag off, she’ll confidently knock down the three.”
Bennett continued regarding Leroux and the legacy she’s leaving on South Fayette basketball
“Juju has done the little things for us,” he said. “She is defending and rebounding at an elite level. She works incredibly hard to get open on the offensive end and is always willing to make the extra pass to her teammates when they have a better look.”
On Jan. 10, however, Leroux had the best looks, not to mention the touch. She exploded for a career-high 31 points to lead the Lady Lions to victory, 70-32, against Norwin, which won the 2024 WPIAL Class 6A title. She finished with five, 3-point field goals, including the final one with 1:31 to play that enabled her to reach the 1,000-point milestone in her career.
“This is definitely the highest honor I received,” Leroux said. “It’s incredibly hard to achieve and an extreme goal.”
Only two other times in her career did Leroux score 30 or more points. Once occurred during an AAU contest, when she poured in 40 points for SLAAM. During the Archbishop Hoban Tournament held recently in Ohio, when the Lady Lions upended the host club, 75-65, Leroux fired in 30 points.
“I didn’t know if I could hit 30 again but I talked to my dad. I needed 31 points and I wanted to do it at home. He said, ‘try your best’ and ‘prove yourself wrong.’
My teammates kept feeding me the ball and I was extremely hot that game.”
In follow-up games, where she scored 14 points on the road against Mars, 92-36, on Jan. 15, and 18 points in a win against West Allegheny, 76-38, on Jan. 19, Leroux finds it incredulous that she is in an elite club at South Fayette.
“I still can’t wrap my head around it,” Leroux said. “My name is going to be on that (1,000-point) banner forever. It’s crazy.”
Maddie Webber was one of those monikers. After a two-year stint at Villanova, Webber is aver-
aging 11.3 points for the University of Illinois.
“I always looked up to Maddie,” Leroux said. “Now, I hope other young girls look up to me.”
All her life, Leroux has always looked up to her sister and not because Ava stands 6 feet, 4 inches tall. Ava, like Leroux, played basketball and volleyball in high school before matriculating to Elon University. Ava suffered adversity from a serious car accident to nagging injuries, but is now thriving and playing basketball at Robert Morris University.
“Ava messed up her ankle. Then she had a bone infection. She just had her wisdom teeth removed,” Leroux said.
“Ava is the strongest person I know. I look up to her a lot. She’s been extremely influential. We also competed against each other and whether I had a tough practice or game, she would always tell me to keep my head up and think positively.”
Leroux added that Ava enabled her to keep an upbeat outlook during the recruiting process. She coached her on ‘what to say’ and ‘whattoask’coacheswhocalledher. There were many, including those from Colgate, Brown, Cornell, Boston,EasternMichigan,Iona,LaFayette,WilliamandMary,Massachusetts,Delaware,ClevelandStateand St.Bonaventure.
Leroux committed to Florida Atlantic, which is located in Boca Raton. She plans to major in health science with the expectation of becoming a physician’s assistant or a nurse anesthetist.
“It’s going to be different,” Leroux said. “The pace is very fast and the game is on a different level because of the height of the girls. Most all of them are over six feet, built and strong. It’s going to be fun but a big adjustment.”
One of the hardest adaptations for Leroux will be a life without volleyball. She earned four letters playing the sport and also competed in the WPIAL championships.
“Basketball is my No. 1 love but volleyball will always have a place in my heart,” she said. “It was tough but always fun and came natural to me. So it will be hard to give up.
Leroux also noted that Ava was most influential for her in that sport, too.
“I always wanted to follow in her footsteps,” she said. Because of their height, the sisters played at the behest of a teach-
basket during action in last year’s PIAA state championship game. The South Fayette senior led the Lions in scoring and rebounding, pumping in 15 points and pulling down seven rebounds in a 45-37 win over Archbishop in the Class 5A championship contest played March 29 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
er friend of their mother, Lori. Leroux developed into a standout middle hitter and the skills she acquired, such as jumping, were “interchangeable” with basketball.
“I love hitting for volleyball. If I’m really angry, I can slam it down,” Leroux said. “It’s my chill sport.
“Basketball is more complex,” she added. “You are thinking more. There are so many parts going on, like offense, defense, rebounding. You have to put them into a bunch of different compartments.
“So many good things have happened with basketball,” she continued. “It’s been really rewarding.”
While especially gratifying, accomplishments, like 1,000 points, do not come without an abundance of work and teamwork.
“Juju scoring 1,000 points is an impressive accomplishment,” Bennett said. “It’s a clear testament to her durability, consistency, and commitment over time. Reaching that milestone requires not only talent, but also a strong work ethic. It highlights the impact she has had on her team and her growth as a player.”
Leroux agreed. “It is a big milestone,” she emphasized but I could not have done it without a supportive team. I feel like we have such an unselfish team. We are all extremely talented but we share everything.”
South Fayette’s camaraderie extends beyond the basketball court. After practices, the players go out and eat together. They enjoy runs to Starbucks, Sincerely Yogurt, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Chipotle.
“On and off the court we have
this connection. We laugh a lot. We don’t get mad at each other. We are friends outside of sports. I think that’s really important and why we have been so successful.” Undefeated in section action and 6-1 overall, the Lady Lions appear on their way to another championship season. They have won four section titles in a row and were WPIAL Class 5A champions for three straight seasons before losing last year to Peters Township. They won the first state title in girls basketball history last March when they topped powerhouse Archbishop Wood, 45-37, at the Giant Center in Hershey. Leroux sees the Lady Lions achieving their goals of defending their state title and regaining supremacy in the WPIAL.
“We have a lot of talent and we hope to go all the way this year. I am excited for the team and what the future holdsbecause ourcoach is so good, especially with film sessions, and the players have a good attitude. We are playing well. Doing the little things, like rebounding and defending. Scoring isn’t everything. There are other ways than scoring to win games.”
Mentality and psychology play roles, too. That is why Leroux feels South Fayette’s loss to Miami Country Day School, 56-54, on Dec. 27 in the Tampa Bay Invitational benefits the team.
“They humbled us for sure,” she said. “We learned lessons that allow you to only go up from there. You need to remember that feeling and use that anger to fuel you.
“Some of the teams we play are good and they will put up a good fight. So we have to be prepared. Bring our A game and stay on it each game.”
Bethel Park to celebrate women in sports
By Eleanor Bailey
ebailey@thealmanac.net
Ladies Night Out is scheduled for Feb. 3 in Bethel Park, and it’s sure to be a packed house in the high school gymnasium when the Black Hawks host rival Baldwin in a boys/girl basketball doubleheader.
A pre-game reception at 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria kicks off the festivities in recognition of National Girls and Women In Sports Day. The boys varsity tips off at 6 p.m.
Before the girls take the court in the featured contest at 7:45 p.m. there will be
a pregame women in sports ceremony.
Bethel Park has “invited” all of its female sports team members from middle school and high school to attend the game and reception. The high school sponsors 17 girls sports, including flag football, and a complement of activities at the middle school level for females. Female athletes from Duquesne, including the university’s women’s basketball team, are expected to be among the special guests, which also include alumni and other sports professionals.
While she did not graduate from Bethel Park, Laura Grimm is a former
scholastic standout. Inducted into the WPIAL’s Hall of Fame for basketball, Grimm serves as the athletic director at Bethel Park High School. A Colgate University graduate, she owns career records for points, steals and 3-point field goals at Serra Catholic. She is a four-time WPIAL finalist and a PIAA state champion.
Through a conversation with the Bethel Park girls basketball booster organization, Grimm collaborated.
“They were looking for a meaningful way to recognize National Girls and Women in Sports Day,” Grimm said.
“From there, the concept grew into a broader celebration of girls’ athletics across both the high school and middle school levels, with the shared goal of bringing programs together rather than spotlighting just one team.”
Grimm added the event is a “great opportunity” to celebrate the many girls and young women in Bethel Park who are involved in athletics, as well as the coaches and supporters who help make those opportunities possible.
“Any time we can highlight our student-athletes in a positive, community-focused way, it’s something we’re
proud to support,” she said.
Expectations for the event are twofold.
“Our hope is that it feels inclusive, celebratory, and inspiring — not only for the athletes currently competing, but also for younger students who may one day see themselves in those roles. It’s a chance to recognize participation, commitment, and the sense of community that girls’ sports help foster.”
According to Grimm, the event is just the beginning.
“We see this as a great starting point,” she said.
ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC
Juliette Leroux (14) poses with her teammates after reaching the 1,000-point plateau in her playing career. Leroux scored 31 points during South Fayette’s 70-32 win against Norwin on Jan. 10 in a
sights & sounds
By Brad Hundt bhundt@observer-reporter.com
When it comes to being inspired to pursue a career as a singer, Matthew Soibelman owes more of a debt to Sammy Davis Jr. than Placido Domingo. Growing up in California and possessing a cavernously deep voice, Soibelman had toyed with becoming a disc jockey and joined the campus radio station at the communi-
ty college he was attending. But then he started spinning his parents’ Davis and Frank Sinatra discs and thought “crooning might be a way to go.”
Instead, Soibelman found his way to the Juilliard School in New York, and now the 29-year-old is in the second year of a residency with the Pittsburgh Opera. After tackling roles in recent Pittsburgh Opera productions of “Tosca,” “Armida” and “Fellow Travelers,” he will be portraying the
what’s happening
LEBO REC
The Mt. Lebanon recreation department offers the following: Art Factory for students in grades 1 through 8. The fiveweek program begins Jan. 26. Image Art is offered at 4 p.m. Clay and sculpture begins at 5:15. Cartooning starts at 6:15 p.m. as does Kpop Demon Hunter Drawing.
Canvas Creation for kindergarten through sixth grade. Students will paint a Penguin on an 11x14 stretched canvas from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 16. Basketball for boys and girls in first grade begins Feb. 23. There are two meetings per week at Mt. Lebanon elementary school gyms.
Additionally, the recreation department offers an array of exercise and fitness classes as well as learn-to-skate and play hockey programs. Visit mt.lebanon.org for more details or to register.
The Mt. Lebanon recreation department is also looking to hire the following: part-time recreation center maintenance person; part-time skate guard; pool manager and supervisors for the upcoming summer season. Visit the Human Resources page at mtlebanon.org for more information.
PANCAKES
The Rotary Club of Bethel-St. Clair will host its 66th annual all-you-can-eat pancake festival from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 7 in Fellowship Hall of the Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 2040 Washington Road. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children
‘CURLEW RIVER’ Pittsburgh Opera stages show for regional premiere
Abbott in the Benjamin Britten opera “Curlew River,” which is being performed for the first time in the Pittsburgh region. Some of the most wellknown operas, such as “La Traviata” and “Otello,” are based on plays, and for “Curlew River,” Britten drew from the Japanese play “Sumidagawa” for its story of a woman driven to madness over the fate of her missing son. The composer, who is best known for the operas “Death in Venice,” “Billy Budd” and “War Requiem,” saw “Sumidagawa” in Japan in the 1950s and reworked it as a Christian parable. It debuted in
1964 in a church on England’s southeastern coast, and it is being staged by the Pittsburgh Opera at Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside.
Given the nature of the production, which is sung in monastic plainsong, “It seemed like the church is the perfect place to do it,” Soibelman explained.
“Curlew River” is not what one would typically imagine an opera being – there are no elaborate sets and, given the setting, arias won’t be belted into the furthest reaches of the balcony. Britten himself indicated in a 1969 interview with
The New York Times that he was not necessarily interested in being bound by any expectations or sense of convention.
“I have absolutely no feeling that music should go in a certain direction,” Britten said.
“The development of art does not interest me.” Soibelman counts Giuseppe Verdi as one of this favorite composers, and before he completes his residency with the Pittsburgh Opera this year, he will take on the role of Pistola in “Falstaff,” Verdi’s comic opera that’s based on William Shakespeare’s “Merry Wives of Windsor.”
And since “Curlew River” is being staged in the dead of winter, when colds and flu and other nasty viruses are circulating, it’s worth asking how Soibelman protects voice from the ravages of the season. He doubles up on zinc, and avoids some of the diversions that enchant some of his contemporaries.
“I went clubbing one time,” he said. “And that’s exactly the opposite of what I want.” Showtimes are Jan. 27 at 7 p.m.; Jan. 30 at 7 p.m.; and Feb. 1 at 4 p.m. For information, go online to pittsburghopera.org or call 412-456-6666.
under 12. Call 412-292-0922 to purchase tickets or for additional information.
LIONS CLUB
A bingo, benefiting the Lions Club, will be held March 14 at the Library Fire Hall. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Tickets are $35 each and include cards for 10 games. In addition, there will be raffle baskets, including a $250 gift card and $250 lottery basket.
COIN CLUB
The South Hills Coin Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Bethel Park Municipal Building located at 5100 West Library Ave. All members and the general public can attend the program, which will discuss counterfeit currency. A 50/50 will be offered and children’s prizes will be awarded. Applications are now being accepted for membership.
Call 724-984-6611 for details.
The South Hills Coin Club will hold its 66th anniversary coin show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb 7 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel & Suites Pittsburgh South, 164 Fort Couch Road. Admission and parking are free.
Call 724-984-6611 or 412-8544022 or email: dale827@verizon.net for further information.
AARP
The AARP Chapter 3016 meets the second Thursday of the month at Unity Presbyterian Church, 1146 Greentree Road.
Doors open at 11:30 a.m. The meeting starts at noon.
The group offers trips, picnics, programs and holiday parties. Ages 55 and older can attend.
Call 412-563-3961 for more details
TOPS
Chapter 475 of the Take Off Pounds Reasonable group meets every Thursday at Carnegie Lifespan Center, 300 Lincoln Ave. Weigh-in is at 1:30 p.m. Class starts at 2 p.m. The group offers programs, contests and exercise.
Call 412-276-5056 for information.
BP MARKET
The next Bethel Park winter indoor market will be held Feb. 3 at the community center, located at 5151 Park Ave.
Hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Future dates are: Feb. 17, March 3, 17 and 31.
No-Cook Tuesdays begin March 3 and run through April 28.
COMEDY
A Jewish comedy night, featuring Ami Kozak, will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 15. Address will be provided upon RSVP. Couvert is $54. Purchase tickets at Chabadsh.com/comedy/.
PT REC
The Peters Township recreation department is offering the following events. Register at www.peterstownhip.com or call 724-942-5000 for details.
Social Media 101 will be offered from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 29. Participants should bring their own cellphone, tablet or computer and will learn the ins and outs of popular apps such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and X. Fee is $5 ($8 nonmembers).
Commit To Fit begins Feb. 1. Participants walk along the
indoor track and document their miles throughout the month. The contestant with the most miles wins a prize. Entry is free to all members. Sign-up required by Jan. 31.
Snowflake: Science & Art will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Jan. 29. Ages 6 to 10 will learn about snowflakes in a winter wonderland while making a one-of-a-kind creation. Fee is $5 ($8 nonmembers) and includes supplies and a snack.
Glow Night will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 6 at the community recreation center located at 700 Meredith Dr. Designed for mothers and sons, the evening features glowing lights, energetic games and interactive activities for ages 12 and under. Pizza and snacks will be provided. Fees are $20 per couple with $10 for each additional child. Nonmember fees are $30 per couple and $15 for each additional child.
Safe Sitter Class from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 26 and 27. The first session is held at the recreation center and the second session is held at the Peters Township Fire Station, located at 245 E. McMurray Road. Students in grades six through eight are eligible for this course, which will instruct on safety when home alone watching siblings or while babysitting others. Emergency skills, including CPR, will be taught. Fee is $65 ($97.50 nonmembers).
EXPO
The Remodeling Expo 2026 will be held Jan. 30 through Feb. 1 on the UPMC Club Lounge level of Acrisure Stadium. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5
p.m. Sunday.
Visit homeshowcenter.com for free tickets.
Visit pittsburghremodelingexpo.com for further information.
SHSSL SIGNUP
Registration is being accepted for the South Hills Senior Softball League. Players 55 and older are eligible.
The league, formed more than three decades ago, attracts more than 150 players each year. Games are typically played at fields in South Park, Pleasant Hills, Baldwin, Brentwood, Bethel Park and Pittsburgh.
One division of the league plays on weekday evenings. Another set of teams plays on weekday mornings. Teams in both divisions normally play twice a week. Tryouts and a draft are held in April. Dates to be announced to registered players later.
Email: SHSSLeague@yahoo. com for information regarding how to register. Forms are due March 30.
BOOK SALE
The Church of the Atonement’s annual book and jewelry sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 30 and from 9 a.m. to noon and reopen from 1 to 2 p.m. Jan. 31 at 618 Washington Ave. in Carnegie.
Used books, from bestsellers to children’s stories, puzzles and costume jewelry will be available for purchase along with other miscellaneous items.
Cash only for purchases.
Donations will be accepted.
Call 412-279-1944 for more
information.
Church services are held at 10 a.m. every Sunday. Coffee hour follows.
BLOOD DRIVES
The following blood drives will be held at: Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center in Washington from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 29 Penn West University’s Natali Student Center in California from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 29; Steel City Harley Davidson (upstairs showroom), 1375 Washington Road from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 31. Visit vitalant.org to make an appointment or call 877-2584825.
FOOD GALA
WOMEN of Southwestern PA Inc., an all-volunteer nonprofit, will hold its 17th Symphony of Food Gala at Bella Sera Event Venue on Friday, Jan. 30. The event’s emcee will be Ashley Dougherty, WTAE-TV meteorologist.
The organization supports women and children in need in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and has donated more than $1.2 million to local nonprofits over the past 25 years. Tickets and more information are available at www.womenofswpa.org.
PBPS MEETS
Plant Based Pittsburgh South holds its monthly meetings at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at Sunnyhill Church, 1240 Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon. Contact naomiherman@msn. com for more information.
COURTESY OF PITTSBURGH OPERA
“Curlew River,” which debuted in England in 1964, is based on a Japanese play.
COURTESY OF PITTSBURGH OPERA
Matthew Soibelman plays the Abbott in “Curlew River.”
AP FILE PHOTO Benjamin Britten, the late composer of “Curlew River” and such operas as “Billy Budd” and “Death in Venice”
COURTESY OF PITTSBURGH OPERA
Benjamin Britten’s “Curlew River” is being given its regional premiere by the Pittsburgh Opera.
COURTESY OF PITTSBURGH OPERA
“Curlew River” is being staged in Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside.
OBITUARY
Richard Cenedella
On Wednesday, December 31, 2025 Richard Cenedella,
a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away in Denver, Colo. He was 86.
Born to Josephine and Joseph Cenedella of Mount Lebanon, Richard was a graduate of Mount Lebanon High School, where he fostered his passion for science, the outdoors, and played varsity football as a lineman. He graduated from Penn State University, where he studied biochemistry, played one year of college football and met his wife of 58 years, Andrea. They married in 1964. After earning his PhD in Biochemistry at Thomas Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, they moved to West Virginia and started their family of three children, David, Laura, and Susan. In 1976, they moved to Kirksville, Mo., where Richard became Chairman of the Biochemistry Department at A.T. Still University.
At A.T. Still University, Richard investigated molecular mechanisms of cataract formation, among other research topics. Throughout his distinguished teaching and research career, he received 35 years of National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant support, published more than 110 research papers, and was the first person at A.T. Still to be named a Fulbright Scholar. Dr. Cenedella inspired an entire generation of A.T. Still students and faculty and was thus honored by the alumni association’s Living Tribute Award. He retired in 2009 as a Professor Emeritus.
Richard and Andrea retired to Isle of Palms, S.C. enjoying the beach where they hosted their much loved children and grandchildren, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. This included taking them surf fishing for sharks.
Richard was a passionate outdoorsman enjoying big game hunting in Missouri, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming, which included harvesting deer, elk and antelope. His greatest enjoyment came from fostering and sharing these life experiences with family. When his family was young, he loved traveling with them, broadening their experiences of the world together. Richard remained a big football fan throughout his life and he and Andrea were huge Steelers fans.
Richard was predeceased by his wife, Andrea; his parents; and his brother, Raymond.
He is survived by son, David (Anne) Cenedella and their children, Joseph Cenedella, Nicholas Cenedella and Louis Cenedella; daughter, Laura (Gene) Hugunin and her children, Taylor (Aubrey) Schoenekase, Kendall Schoenekase, and Madison (Patrick) McAnulty; daughter, Susan (Jim) Sherrow and their children, Ashley (Alex) Dwyer, Sabrina Sherrow, and Michelle Sherrow; as well as two great-grandchildren; and his sister, Arlene Cenedella.
Services are planned to be held in the spring. He will be laid to rest with Andrea in South Carolina. All will miss his passionate curiosity, devotion to family, and sense of humor.
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