IN Greensburg Salem Spring 2018 | Page 38

Metzgar’s Third Graders Happy to Spread Kindness GSEF Announces Upcoming Events Authentic Coach, Michael Kors and a huge selection of other designer bags will be raffled off at the Greensburg Salem Education Foundation’s Designer Handbag Bash at Marion Hall in Crabtree on March 3, 2018. The $25 tickets include lunch, beverages and the opportunity to walk away with a new purse. With the exception of the final drawing, winners need not be present, so please purchase a ticket to support GSEF and its initiatives! Each year, Greensburg Salem Education Foundation honors one or more graduates from Greensburg Salem High School at the Distinguished Alumni Banquet for their dedication to public service and their community and for being a role model for youth. This year, the Foundation will recognize Ray Charley, owner of the Greensburg and Murrysville Shop ‘n Save stores as the recipient of this year’s award. Thomas Manion, author of Brothers Forever and founder of the Travis Manion Foundation, will be the evening’s guest speaker. Reservations are required for the event. For additional details about either event, please contact Melissa Bowman at 724-832-2907 or [email protected]. 36 GREENSBURG SALEM Club “Interacts” to Make a Difference Greensburg Salem High School Senior Melissa Paravate has had a busy year making a difference in her school, community and the world through her volunteer efforts. Melissa is the President of the National Honor Society, Interact Club and Executive Club, an active member of the Red Cross Club and Student Council Association, a manager for both Stage Crew and the Swim Team, and somehow manages to squeeze in representing Greensburg Salem at the Westmoreland County Interscholastic Reading Competition, acting as a Senior Mentor, volunteering as a church camp counselor and traveling abroad for mission trips. Melissa recently talked about her involvement with the Interact Club and the group’s revival over the course of the past year. Several years ago as a freshman, I joined the high school’s Interact Club, a Rotary Club-sponsored group whose members give their time to do service projects in the community. Toward the end of my junior year, under new leadership, the club became more active in community and Rotary Club activities. We worked hard to grow our membership to get more students involved and brainstormed new events that would spread the word about what our club represents. Members now have many opportunities available to rack up volunteer hours. In the few short months since school began, we have sent representatives to The Delmont Apple Festival, the World Affairs Institute, Westmoreland County Diversity Coalition’s Unity Celebration, the Interact Symposium, Overly’s Country Christmas and a Rotary Club luncheon. The club also took time to write and collect over 1,000 Christmas cards for veterans from Interact members and Mr. Pantalone’s and Mrs. Carnicelli’s elementary art students to thank the vets for all they do. Our biggest event this year was held in November. With the help of sponsors, teacher and student players, club advisor Melissa Bowman, and all of the Interact volunteers, we hosted the Harlem Wizards, a basketball team that travels across the country to perform and play against teams of teachers and students. It was a