peers while giving them a chance to exercise public speaking skills in English . Students were required to describe the dish and its history in a written report and provide the recipe . Correlating with the ESL program , a newly formed Cultural Club is providing a social gathering opportunity for students from different countries . The club is giving new students a chance to network with other teens in the school and to exchange information about language , culture , and customs . Over 30 students have been attending the meetings on a regular basis under the sponsorship of Mrs . Bartholomew and teachers Marlynn and Steven Vayanos .

Sisters Juana and Maricela Pastor Gonzalez made and shared delicious rice and chicken tamales wrapped in palm leaves for the Food Around the World event .

Biryani , a spicy Iraqi dish , was one of the many foods offered at the cultural luncheon .

Cultural Club is providing a social atmosphere for students to discover the customs and culture of peers .

44 CARLYNTON-MONTOUR

Greetings for the Season

The artwork of junior Julia

Roussos was selected for the annual school district holiday card this year . A design contest was held in November , facilitated by art teachers Michelle Dzurenda and Marlynn Vayanos . Four card designs were selected as finalists and displayed in the high school office for faculty , staff , and students to “ vote ” for a favorite . In addition to Julia ’ s card , finalists included senior Piper Stevens , and juniors Cameron Heiser and Alexis Jolly . In recognition of her work , Julia received a Barnes and Noble gift card .

A holiday tree recently on display at the Pittsburgh International Airport featured ornaments made by Carnegie Elementary students in Diane Criste ’ s art classes . The tree was adorned with handmade paper ornaments fashioned to feature familiar architecture and landmarks of Pittsburgh , including the incline , bridges , downtown buildings ,

Ornaments made by Carnegie Elementary students were displayed on a tree at the Pittsburgh International Airport during the holiday season .

the Kennywood Park arrow , and designs featuring the logos of the Pirates , Penguins , and Steelers . Prior to making the ornaments , students researched and studied the history of Pittsburgh ’ s most popular sights . The tree remained on display throughout the holiday season and was featured among a half dozen others with ornaments made by students from neighboring school districts . This is the third year students of Carnegie have participated in the decorating contest .

Thirty-seven pints of blood or plasma were donated at the first annual blood drive of the year , equating to 111 lives saved . High school students , teachers and staff , and several community members participated in the drive that took place on the auditorium stage in January . In association with the American Red Cross , the blood drive created advocacy and awareness for donor demand and the importance of saving lives in hospitals and disaster recovery . Members of the Interact Club and National Honor Societies sponsored the event . They will host a second drive March 26 . Individuals interested in donating blood can email teacher Jamie Sonnie at Jamie . sonnie @ carlynton . k12 . pa . us to schedule an appointment .

Junior Lacey Rybacki receives a high five from classmate Alexis Dixon during a blood drive held at the junior-senior high school . Every donor was paired with a friend who offered support and encouragement .

Crafton Elementary second graders in Jessica Bigler ’ s class participated in a service project in cooperation with Scholastic Books by holding a pajama drive . Scholastic gives a book and the pjs to children deemed atrisk for every pair of brand new pajamas donated . Collectively , the class gathered