Chalked Up: Local student takes silver in national competition; new playhouse leader named
When members of the Coraopolis NAACP first met Mia Clemons, a rising sophomore at the Lincoln Park Performing Arts School in Midland, they knew that the young writer had a gift and passion that set her apart from her peers.
"Mia is a special talent and the gifts that she has in writing, it just can't be taught," said Carter Spruill, president of the Coraopolis NAACP. "Mia just turned 15 and if you read her writings, you would think that someone more than twice her age wrote it."
Those impressive writing skills recently helped Clemons shine during the national Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) competition in Boston. During the competition, Clemons impressed judges with her talent for performance and word-craft on the national stage, earning the Farrell native a silver medal in the Poetry Performance category.
Clemons was first awarded for her skills during the local ACT-SO competition at Robert Morris University in April, earning her a gold medal in the Poetry Performance and Original Essay divisions of the competition. In both categories, Clemons' original work impressed judges and audiences, prompting members of the Coraopolis NAACP to help get the Farrell native to the national ACT-SO competition in Boston.
"We were at the awards ceremony yesterday when they announced all of the winners," Spruill said. "They announced the poetry performance last, and when they called her name, we both jumped up and screamed. When she ran up on stage, I started crying. I have tears in my eyes right now just reliving the moment."
In addition to her powerful poetry performance at the competition, Clemons submitted her original essay titled "Glass" for consideration. The composition details the personal experience she had during a school bus crash, explaining why she can no longer ride the bus to or from school. While this did not place during the national event, judges at the local competition praised the powerful story.
"The way she has crafted a sentence, the thought that she puts into it before she puts it on paper, is what really sets her apart from everyone else," Spruill said.
Beyond the awards stage, Clemons' poetry has been featured at several local events, including the Sewickley Juneteenth Community Event and the Coraopolis NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet. Clemons' work may also appear on the big screen, as she was also recently approached about composing a poem for a film by Emmy award-winning director Emmai Alaquiva.
Point Park University names Center Township native as new director of Pittsburgh Playhouse
The newest managing and artistic director at the Pittsburgh Playhouse will bring a mix of Hollywood experience and Beaver County roots to the popular stage.
Point Park University named Kiesha Lalama, who recently celebrated her 15-year anniversary as a professor of dance at the school's Conservatory of the Performing Arts, as the new director of the playhouse in mid-July. In her new role, Lalama will focus on developing artistic partnerships with the Pittsburgh community, developing audience experiences and supporting various multi-discipline artistic projects within the university's programs.
“I’m honored to have been offered this amazing opportunity,” said Lalama. “The Pittsburgh Playhouse is a crown jewel of the University and Downtown Pittsburgh. I’m thrilled to be able to work with artistic partners, colleagues, and community stakeholders to create programming that befits the Playhouse’s iconic reputation and to take a leading role in continuing to build and revitalize our city’s vibrant Downtown.”
In addition to her experience teaching, Lalama has worked on the choreography for several film and television projects, which include “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” “Sorority Row,” PBS's documentary series “Broadway or Bust,” WGN's “Outsiders” and Showtime's “American Rust.” She is also the creator of three successful dance theater productions, "The Bench: Journey into Love," "HeartShakes" and "Bound in Before."
“We are thrilled to welcome Kiesha to this exciting new role at the Pittsburgh Playhouse,” said Ted Black, senior vice president of institutional advancement and strategy at Point Park University. “Kiesha’s creative vision is a recognizable brand in Pittsburgh and we believe her energy, focus and creative know-how will be a tremendous asset to the Pittsburgh Playhouse.”
Other education news to note:
On Aug. 17, members of the Beaver County Children & Youth Services Truancy Intervention Program will host a "School is Cool" event at the Beaver Valley Mall. The event, which hopes to raise awareness for school attendance in the region, will take place from noon to 4 p.m. and offer opportunities to talk to service providers, health screenings, family activities, fun for kids and giveaways. Immunizations will also be offered at the event by the UPMC Mobile Unit for all families with school-age children.
After a long career at the head of Hopewell High School, principal Mike Allison announced via social media that he has retired from his role at the school on July 31. In a letter to the community, Allison thanked the community for their support throughout his career and said "it is always is, and always will be, a good day to be a Viking." At this time, Hopewell Area School District has not commented on who will fill this role.
Point Park University has announced that its board of trustees unanimously approved the decision to officially appoint interim president Chris Brussalis as the ninth president of the university on July 26. According to the board, members were impressed with the administrator's "exemplary performance" after taking the role in February of this year. Brussalis is expected to release a strategic plan for the university during the fall of this year.
The Challenge Program, an educational nonprofit focused on fostering education and business relationships at schools in Pennsylvania, has named Mark Kudlawiec as the group's newest executive director. According to a release, Kudlawiec was selected due to his experience in leadership within Cambria and Bedford counties' school districts. Locally, the group offers programs at Aliquippa, Ambridge, Beaver Falls, Blackhawk, New Brighton, Rochester and South Side high schools, as well as at Beaver County CTC.
After the recent Supreme Court ruling on student debt, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency is advising borrowers to remain cautious of scams that are targeting those with student loans. According to the state agency, scammers are using several forms of communication to contact victims in attempts to steal financial data and commit identity theft.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Chalked Up: Local student places in NAACP competition
