December 16, 2007

Pitt stars visit Kiski elementary school

By Michael Aubele
VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH
Sunday, December 16, 2007

North Washington Elementary School students did their best Friday to make Chris and Scott McKillop feel like they were running onto Heinz Field for a Pitt Panthers football game.

The McKillop brothers, one a recent Pitt graduate hoping to play in the NFL and the other a star on this year's team, walked into the school's cafeteria to the sound of Pitt's fight song and high-pitched cheers from about 140 students in kindergarten through second grade.

Friday marked the culmination of Kiski Area School District's week-long telethon -- a fundraiser that benefits The Salvation Army and St. Vincent DePaul Society. Teachers and staff at the school treated students to a visit from the McKillops as a thank you for their efforts last week to raise money.

The McKillops -- Kiski Area graduates -- attended kindergarten at the school. Teacher Joan Ferrara said she asked the McKillops to deliver an encouraging message to the students, who raised $575 for the telethon.

Hands went up and it was confirmed that Santa Claus would arrive later this month and that they had been good.

McKillop, a junior who played middle linebacker, told the students to listen to their teachers lest they get a lump of coal in their stockings.

When McKillop offered the students a chance to ask questions, second-grader Shelby Gill asked, "Have you ever gotten a lump of coal in your stocking?"

McKillop said he never did, but quipped, "I'm sure I deserved one."

Chris McKillop said, "It's an honor to me and my brother for you guys to have us here today." A defensive end, Chris recently graduated.

After the McKillops' presentation, second-graders Sydney Cipriani and Alexis Moyer said they were excited beyond words to have the Pitt football stars visit their school.

"We love Chris and Scott!" Sydney said.

And Alexis, "I'm excited because I've never been to a Pitt game."

Friday was to be the last telethon broadcast from outside Kmart in Allegheny Township.

Kim Poleski, high school teacher and student council sponsor, said the money hadn't been counted as of Friday, but that the district hoped to at least equal the amount collected last year -- about $21,000.

"So far, so good, even though we don't have an overall total," she said.

A silent auction for donated gifts worth more than $25 each and a raffle for gifts worth less than $25 were included in the fundraiser, Poleski said. She said 56 items would be auctioned and 92 raffled.

She also said The Salvation Army let the students serve as bell ringers during telethon hours from 4 to 8 p.m. each night.

Also as part of the event, Poleski said students from each of the schools were invited to speak on air when their school was scheduled to make check presentations.

Poleski said the telethon is at least 30 years old. She said, "I graduated 20 years ago, and they had it when I was here."

Michael Aubele can be reached at maubele@tribweb.com or 724-226-4673.