Nathan Huffman (Bishop McCort Class of 2013) worked towards his Eagle Scout Award through a project to improve the landscaping between the railroad tracks and school parking lot at BMCHS. This project involved removing weed and plant overgrowth, planting new trees, mulching, and erecting two new benches to create an outdoor seating area. Nathan was responsible for the planning and implementation of this project, including coordinating volunteers who helped support him with the manual labor.
Pictured (L-R): Charles Kleman, Wyatt Jackson, Jim Gruss, Eric Johncola, Elizabeth Anderson, Carrie Barnhart, Nathan Huffman, AJ Papcunik, Frank Illuzzi, Noah Huffman and Patrick Unger
Click here to see more photos of all the volunteers and their hard work.
BMCHS honored with Private High School of the Year Award from American Red Cross
A total of 49 individuals, businesses, and organizations from 23 counties throughout the 100-county American Red Cross Blood Services, Greater Alleghenies Region, were honored at The Greater Alleghenies Region’s annual "Celebrating Champions" meeting. The meeting was held Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at CONSOL Energy Center, Lexus Room, Pittsburgh.
Bishop McCort Catholic High School received the Private High School of the Year Award from the American Red Cross. This awards was selected by a group of Red Cross volunteers and staff members, and represent the highest quality of service to the Red Cross and hospital patients.
Pictured:Seated (L-R): Samatha Slezak, Spencer Yingling, and BMCHS Blood Drive Coordinator Mary Clare Piatak Standing (L-R): Olivia Leventry, Patrick McKinney, Katie Kovacic, Kevin Walker, Emma Thomson, Mary Woloschuk, Principal Kenneth Salem, and Lucas Walkowski.
Bishop McCort held its first Red Cross blood drive in 1990 and now holds two blood drives annually, and also encourages students to hold a scholarship drive during the summer. During the previous four years blood drives held during the school year netted just over 165 units annually. During 2011-12, a total of 186 donations were given during the school year. The school’s January blood drive earned it a spot in the list of Everyday Community Sponsors published in USA Today in recognition of achieving 110% of the assigned goal.
The school’s efforts, led by the National Honor Society and student advisor Mary Clare Piatek, include sign-up tables, the school’s intranet, Facebook, and direct recruitment. The school ensures that sufficient trained volunteers are in place. It is a Bishop McCort tradition that parents donate blood early in the morning before going to work, while behind the scenes in a kitchen down the hall, students cook them a homemade breakfast using fresh bacon, eggs, and bread picked up that morning from a generous local business.
Each student volunteer wears a red Bishop McCort Catholic High School T-shirt. In a school where uniforms are required, the National Honor Society students were permitted to stand out for the event on this special day and show pride in their school.
Bishop McCort Catholic High School will be celebrating its 90th Anniversary beginning in June, and plans to involve the American Red Cross in this celebration by hosting a special homecoming blood drive on a larger scale, inviting alumni and parents of past students to participate. Principal Ken Salem, blood drive coordinator Mary Clare Piatak, and several students were present to accept the award.
