On Friday, April 22, 2022, 6 local Students In Action teams from across South Western Pennsylvania gathered for Public Service Pitch Day to present live to a panel of community judges including Ellen Rossi from the EQT Foundation, Bethany Hemingway from the Staunton Farm Foundation, and Matthew Zarit from Slippery Rock University.

In addition to completing a written reflection prior to the event, each Students In Action team had 6-8 minutes to present their service projects, reflect on their impact, and recognize and celebrate their achievements, as well as their peers, while, through their tremendous efforts, earning the following awards: 

  • 1Nation Mentoring, Brashear High School: Silver Banner, Rookie of the Year Award 
  • Brownsville Area High School: Gold Banner, Most Outstanding SIA Team (Regional Winner) 
  • Fort Cherry Junior/Senior High School: Gold Banner 
  • Intermediate Unit 1: Laboratory Campus: Silver Banner, Student Choice Award 
  • Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship: Silver Banner 
  • Pine-Richland High School: Gold Banner, Best Written Reflection 

The 2022 Pittsburgh Regional Winner of Public Service Pitch Day, Brownsville Area High School, focused on creating a sustainable peer mentoring program that includes connecting high school students to 6th graders for weekly meetings to learn about mental health and coping strategies, while forming close connections. Throughout the course of their project planning, execution, and reflection – Brownsville Students In Action impacted nearly 100 people through direct and in-direct service, as well as education of mental health. 

The Brownsville SIA team shared, “Our Falcon Friends program addresses mental health by teaching de-escalation, healthy coping skills, positive expression, and interpersonal abilities, through weekly activities. This initiative impacts the community by allowing students to form healthier relationships at home and school." 

Congratulations to Brownsville Students In Action, and all of our participating teams, for sharing your stories of service to impact and inspires others, creating a ripple effect and MULTIPLYING GOOD in your communities! 

Next up, Brownsville Area High School will represent the Southwestern Pennsylvania region at Multiplying Good's prestigious National Celebration of Service in Indianapolis, Indiana, June 21–23, 2022!