Faculty and Staff Honored at Virtual Opening of School Assembly


On Friday, September 4, Sewickley Academy held its annual Opening of School assembly via a Zoom webinar. 

Students, parents, faculty, staff, and trustees tuned in for the event, which opened with a performance of "This Land is Your Land" by Mr. Buckley and Mr. Heavner. Middle and Senior School students introduced new faculty and staff members, and Prateek Adurty, student government president, and Claire Chuisano, student government communications director, gave speeches about the unprecedented start of school and our new normal. Head of School Mr. O'Connor then introduced the Class of 2021 and recited parts of "Ithaka," a story the Sewickley Academy community has come to know and love. 
 
Four faculty and staff members were then honored with awards for their commitment and service to the Academy, its students, and the community. School Nurse Beth Brown presented Mike Elson, a member of the Buildings & Grounds team, with the Jerry Smith Award; Kindergarten teacher Karen DiMaio presented Ben Spicer, Senior School science teacher, with the Elizabeth Bishop Martin Award; Chair of the Board of Trustees Kate (Poppenberg '82) Pigman presented the Clark Faculty Chair to Middle School history teacher Christy Mulhollem, and Mr. O'Connor presented Senior School math teacher Shane Mills with the Simmons Family Chair for Excellence in Teaching. 
 
The ceremony concluded with the singing of the Alma Mater, performed again by Mr. Buckley and Mr. Heavner. 
 
Congratulations to all, and cheers to a great school year!

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