Seminar pushes students to get involved
Editor’s note: This is the final story of a three-part series about a recent workshop for Connellsville Area High School students. Former Connellsville resident, now Duke University professor Dr. Galen Wagner, formulated and conducted the study for participants to identify a problem and through research, develop a solution that would help with the revitalization of Connellsville. By Patty Yauger Herald-Standard
CONNELLSVILLE – Connellsville Area High School juniors and seniors that took part in a recent workshop are now putting the final touches on their graduation projects that evolved from the three-day event.
While the students could close the book on this chapter of their high school requirements, all have been inspired through the process to become involved with their community.
The mid-summer workshop was the inspiration of Dr. Galen Wagner, a Connellsville native who is now is a professor at Duke University in Durham, N.C.
He had returned home, said high school assistant principal Indy Lynn, to a community he no longer recognized.
Stores, shops and businesses that he had once frequented as a child and young man were now vacant and deteriorating. A once bustling community, Connellsville was not the city he remembered.
Lynn said that Wagner made several trips back to his hometown following the class reunion to meet with city leaders and officials and offer his help when possible.
Utilizing his background in cardiology research and mentoring others in research development and analysis, Wagner developed a similar scientific process for the high school students to encourage them to strengthen their ties to their hometown.
The seminar drew 17 students and a dozen community leaders that would help them identify a problem and through research, resolve the matter.
Working in groups, students chose six projects with four tied to the Great Allegheny Passage, one in the business district and another at the historic East Park.
“I was impressed by the 17 students, who were naturally reluctant at first, but became more enthused and worked hard as the challenging four workshops were presented by Dr. Wagner,” said Connellsville native Nino Merendino. “I hope their endeavors prove to be helpful to their educational goals. It would be nice if more students were encouraged to become proactive in the rebirth of Connellsville through this initial group of students.
“I personally learned a lot and am glad that I participated; young people keep us young.”
Students Elizabeth Fiano, Katlyn Norris and Brittany Witt, whose project “Art Park” developed a plan to utilize East Park for year round activities, said that they would like to see their proposal become a reality.
“I would like to see Connellsville become a better city with good opportunities like it used to be,” said Norris.
Nicole Shipley, who worked with Courtney Suitor and Belen Aguilar to develop a business plan to renovate the now dormant Brimstone building, said that the city’s vibrant past could play a key role in its future.
“I learned about the art of Connellsville (during the workshop) and it really brought out to me how many vacant buildings there are that have beautiful art work and could be used to help our community,” said Shipley. “I’d like to finish this project and restore the (Brimstone) building.”
Utilizing the Youghiogheny River was the project selected by juniors Ameesha Mickens, Stacy Hunter, Taylor Napolillo and Allison Grenell and the foursome believe locals and tourists would take advantage of kayaking, tubing, wall climbing and other river-related activities if their plan was implemented.
“After seeing all of Connellsville’s history and realizing that we do have potential and room to grow, I am considering taking a more active role in my community,” said Grenell.
Wesley Health Center executive director Marilyn Weaver said that the adult participants must support the young people of the community.
“Since Connellsville needs its young people to stay or some day return to give back, we must take what they see as possible and want to climb on their bandwagon,” she said. “These young people made very clear to the adults present what they see as missing for the youth of Connellsville. There is nothing for them to do; no in-town movie theater, no places to safely hang out.
“We, the older generation, need to see Connellsville through younger eyes, and be willing to help make for them what we have, perhaps, forgotten we had when we were their age.”
For seniors Justine Poorbaugh, Elizabeth Butt and Kelly Barko, a farmer’s market that would bring together area producers and consumers is a possibility they are willing to support.
Their project, “Veg-de-ville” created community gardens and a weekly market at a parking lot adjacent to the Amtrak train station and within walking distance from the downtown or riding distance from the Great Allegheny Passage.
“Through this workshop I’ve realized how simple it is to be an active member of your community,” she said. “There are various degrees of work that can be done, so a person can decide how much time they are willing to give; it can be a few hours or a regular part of your week.”
Connellsville Councilman Brad Geyer, meanwhile, said he was impressed with the students’ enthusiasm and creativity.
“We need more people to step forward in an effort to improve our community,” he said. “It was great to watch as the students came up with creative and innovative ideas that can have a positive effect on Connellsville.”
Jessica Corvin who worked with Nicole Raupach to revamp a former foundry from its now vacant status into “Club Earth” an eco-friendly restaurant and under 21 club, said that through the workshop she has discovered there is a need for young people to become involved in their community.
“During this project I’ve realized how much we could do to improve the Connellsville area and how little effort each person would have to contribute if more people would help and volunteer.”
Resident Jim McIntire, who served as a mentor during the three-day session said that he was proud of the students’ accomplishments.
“From the (introductory) main street tour, the students chose their own projects and teams and then used their imagination as to what they would like to accomplish; put their thoughts and ideas to print and finished the workshop with commonsense, doable projects,” he said.
It was the introductory tour of the trail and city landmarks that allowed juniors Trey Vanek and Brad Wendell to formulate their project – the renovation of the P= train trestle that crosses the Youghiogheny River and would connect the proposed Westmoreland County Coal and Coke Trail to the Great Allegheny Passage.
“After doing this project I am considering taking a more active role,” said Vanek. “This workshop has taught me many things about Connellsville that interests me.”
Connellsville Historical Society President Karen Hechler, who introduced the area’s rich history to the students, said that that if the workshops are to continue, participants need to have a clearer vision of their roles.
The student workshop guide, too, should be more adapted to the high school level, she added.
“We need an overall view of what is being sought in such an experience,” said Hechler.
For a first time event, said Connellsville Cultural Trust President Michael Edwards, the participation and outcome was “tremendous.”
“The Trust is proud to have helped with the organization of this initiative,” he said. “I hope we will be able to continue to support the students’ ideas.”
Wagner, meanwhile, termed the workshop as successful and a building block for the future.
“As the students prepare to cross the bridge into the after-school phases of their lives, they have great potential to lead their and my hometown across the bridge from a strong industrial past into a strong tourist future,” he said. “Connellsville is strategically located along the almost competed Potomac National Scenic Trail that connects the end of the Potomac and the beginning of the Ohio rivers and Connellsville is also the hub of trails linking many surrounding communities.
“I look forward to the enjoyment of watching these students as they complete their own projects and introduce this ‘problem solving through research’ process to their classmates.”
Others taking part in the workshop included members of the Trail Town Outreach Corps, Widmer Engineering Inc. engineer Glenn Wolfe, Charleroi Federal Savings Bank branch manager David Marchewka, Yough River Trail president Ted Kovall, Connellsville Area Chamber of Commerce president Bryan Kisiel and Trail Town program manager Amy Camp.