Keystone Oaks High School celebrated its 59th graduating class on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Read more about the academic and athletic accomplishments of the Class of 2023:
Beginning with the Keystone Oaks High School Class of 2023, Keystone Oaks now recognizes students who have excelled academically, served their community extensively, and maintained a leadership position within the school or community. We are proud to introduce Keystone Oaks High School's inaugural class of Distinguished Graduates:
Bakhtiyor Alimov has earned more than 100 of community service by volunteering for Dormont Park, the Salvation Army, Little Dribblers, St. George Greek Orthodox Food Festival, and EdCorp. He was also a KOHS Student Ambassador and manager for the varsity boys basketball team. This year, he was the lead designer for the student-run business Golden Oaks Designs. Bakhtiyor is planning to attend the University of Pittsburgh to study computer science.
Ivy Lynn Ball earned her community service hours by volunteering for the Upper St. Clair Library, Dormont Elementary School, and Kane Regional Center. This year, Ivy served as the secretary for the French Club. She is planning to study computational biology at the University of Pittsburgh.
Benjamin Baron Burke has volunteered for South Park Township, the Keystone Oaks Marching Band Parent Society, and for Junior Achievement Day at Aiken, Dormont and Myrtle Avenue elementary schools. Ben has served as the Drum Major for the Keystone Oaks High School Golden Eagle Marching Band for two years. He will attend Westminster College to study mathematics and music performance.
Ava DeLisa Conner earned more than 200 community service hours by volunteering at Dormont Elementary School, First Presbyterian Church, and the FPCP Food Bank. She has also been an assistant Sunday school teacher. Ava is planning to attend Penn State University Park to study graphic design and anthropology.
Mia Yolanda Dalessandro earned more than 450 community service hours by volunteering for Fred L. Aiken Elementary School, the Green Tree Athletic Association, the Salvation Army's Teddy Bear Holiday, Golden Oaks Designs, the middle school library, robotics tournaments, Green Tree SportsPlex, youth clinics, and for Junior Achievement Day at Aiken, Dormont, and Myrtle Avenue elementary schools. This year, she served as president of the Technology Education Club. She will attend the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg to study data analytics.
Gavin Michael Fehl earned his community service hours by volunteering for Dormont’s community garden, the KOHS library, Easterseals, Odyssey of the Mind, track meets, and for KOMS Earth Day. He has also volunteered to provide IT assistance and home repairs in his neighborhood. This year, Gavin was president of the Science Club. He will study computer science at the University of Pittsburgh.
Lauren Grace Foti earned more than 150 community service hours by volunteering for Green Tree Borough's summer and winter recreation programs, Green Tree Baseball, and the Green Tree Little Kickers. This year, she served as president of the Pep Club and was captain of the varsity softball team. She will study business administration, English, and pre-law at Penn State University Park.
Emily Renee Gibbons earned her community service hours by volunteering for City Reach Church, the Potomac Avenue Street Fair, and to assist with an Eagle Scout project. She also volunteered for stage crew and to paint the set for the musical, assisted in the ceramics room, knitted baby hats for Children's Hospital, and helped in the high school library. During her senior year, she served as president of the Allies Club and as captain of the Visual Ensemble in the Golden Eagle Marching Band. She will attend Penn State Altoona to study biology and pre-med.
Leah Olivia Harmel volunteered for Camp Invention, Green Tree SportsPlex, Dormont Elementary youth pitching clinic, Junior Achievement Day at Aiken, Dormont and Myrtle Avenue elementary schools, GreenTree Borough, Hemlock Fields concession stand, and youth softball clinics. This year, she served as the secretary for the National Honor Society. Leah will study pharmacy at the University of Toledo.
Kiera Elizabeth Hathaway earned 170 hours of community service by helping in the ceramics room, serving as a KOHS Student Ambassador, volunteering for middle school track, and by assisting with the Varieties Talent Show. She also volunteered at Green Tree Sportsplex, The Children's Institute, Camp Invention, Green Tree Borough soccer program, Kane Regional Center, Lift-a-thon, and Junior Achievement Day at Aiken, Dormont and Myrtle Avenue elementary schools. She is vice president of the Senior Class. Kiera will attend West Virginia University to study sports and exercise psychology.
Jane K. Harvey earned more than 120 of community service by volunteering for the Upper St. Clair Library, an online writing boot camp, Kane Regional Center, and the Pitt EXCEL summer program. This year, she was treasurer for the French Club. Jane will pursue a dual major in English and statistics at Marquette University.
Benjamin Joseph Hrivnak volunteered for the Castle Shannon summer recreation program, Golden Eagle youth basketball camp, and the Keystone Oaks Gridiron Club flag football program. This year, he was a captain for the varsity football team. He will attend Robert Morris University.
Anika Hana Loper volunteered for Green Tree Borough’s Little Kickers program, Junior Achievement Day at Aiken, Dormont, and Myrtle Avenue elementary schools, tree planting at Girty's Woods, ornament-making and Christmas caroling at Kane Regional, and as a finish line volunteer for the Dick's Sporting Good's Pittsburgh Marathon. This year, she also served as a captain for the varsity girls soccer team. She is planning to major in political science.
Kaitlyn Fay O'Brien has earned more than 100 community service hours as a volunteer for Junior Achievement Days at Aiken, Dormont and Myrtle Avenue elementary schools, Title I Reading Night at Myrtle Avenue Elementary, Lakemont Farms Food Bank, Hemlock Field concession stand, Camp Invention, ornament-making and Christmas caroling at Kane Regional, Little Kickers soccer program, and the Aiken Elementary Poetry Cafe. She is a Bridgeville Lions Club Collection Veteran. Kaitlyn is planning to study criminology and psychology at Penn State University Park.
Reagan Olivia Shartle has earned more than 150 community service hours by volunteering for Castle Shannon’s summer recreation program as well as at the concession stands at Castle Shannon and Dormont sporting events. She is the secretary for the Senior Class.
Polia V. Vladeva has earned her community service hours as the volunteer team manager for the varsity boys tennis team and by assisting with events for the Bulgarian Macedonian National Educational and Culture Center (BMNECC). This year, she was a captain for the girls varsity tennis team. Polia will study biology and dentistry at Pennsylvania Western University Clarion.
Allison Morgan Voss has earned nearly 150 hours of community service by volunteering for Unity Presbyterian Church’s Vacation Bible School, the Green Tree Library, Junior Achievement Days at Aiken, Dormont and Myrtle Avenue elementary schools, the varsity boys volleyball team, the KOHS Student Ambassador program, and by participating in ornament-making and Christmas caroling at Kane Regional Center. This year, she is the president of the Senior Class and a captain of the varsity swim team. Allison will be studying physical therapy at the University of Pittsburgh.
Tia Elizabeth White volunteered as an assistant for the varsity track and wrestling teams, coordinated a blood drive at the high school, and volunteered at concession stands at youth sporting events. This year, she was president of the Medical Careers Club. Tia will attend Duquesne University, where she will study to become a physician's assistant.
Class of 2023 Accolades
Excellence in Education Department Awards
Art - Emily Gibbons
Business - Mia Dalessandro
Data Science - Anthony Paladino
English - Kiera Hathaway
Family & Consumer Science - Emily Schoedel
Foreign Language - Isabel Schwarz
Math - Ben Hrivnak
Music Department - Ben Burke
Physical Education - Kiera Hathaway & Damian Szuch
Science Department - Gavin Fehl
Social Studies Department - Anika Loper
Technology Education - Abby Branik
Society of Women Engineers Certificate of Merit
Future Business Leaders of America State Qualifiers
Jackson Rullo
Gavin Fehl
Anthony Paladino
Eagle Scout
Community Service Award
Castle Shannon Borough - Gianna DiGiacomo
Dormont Borough - Ava Conner
Green Tree Borough - Mia Dalessandro
Challenge Program - 1st Semester
Academic Excellence - Allison Voss
Academic Improvement - Isabel Schwartz
Community Service - Lauren Foti
STEM Award - Jane Harvey
Attendance - Nathaniel O'Neil
Challenge Program - 2nd Semester
Academic Excellence - Tia White
Academic Improvement - Ethan Hutchinson
Community Service - Mia Dalessandro
STEM Award- Gavin Fehl
Attendance - Logan Walters
South Hills Area School Directors Association Distinguished Student Performance Award
Alexis Maad
Isabel Schwartz
National Merit Scholarship Commended Students
Benjamin Hrivnak
Anika Loper
Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence
PMEA All-State Music Festival Wind Ensemble
Keystone Oaks Education Association Memorial Scholarships
Future Teacher Scholarship - Allie Van Goor
Future Teacher Scholarship - Emily Schoedel
Post-Secondary Scholarship - Kiera Hathaway
Post-Secondary Scholarship - Tia White
Presidential Educational Excellence Silver Award
Ilya Abbasian
Shane Bonnett
Jackson Rullo
Presidential Educational Excellence Gold Award
Bakhtiyor Alimov
Vincenzo Bain
Ivy Ball
Benjamin Burke
Ava Conner
Tyler Feeney
Gavin Fehl
Cameron Grabowski
Leah Harmel
Jane Harvey
Benjamin Hrivnak
Hayden Kenny
Anika Loper
Anthony Paladino
Andrew Palmer
Alexander Ruskin
Rowan Tupper
Allison Voss
Tia White
National Honor Society
Ivy Ball
Abigail Branik
Benjamin Burke
Ava Conner
Mia Dalessandro
Gianna DiGiacomo
Tyler Feeney
Gavin Fehl
Lauren Foti
Emily Gibbons
Cameron Grabowski
Kiera Hathaway
Leah Harmel
Jane Harvey
Mariah Howard
Benjamin Hrivnak
Hayden Kenny
Anika Loper
Isabella Mathews
Kaitlyn O'Brien
Nathaniel O'Neil
Anthony Paladino
Andrew Palmer
Brent Quarles
Emily Schoedel
Reagan Shartle
Sydney Taylor
Alexandra Van Goor
Allison Voss
Polia Vladeva
Parkway West Career & Technology Center National Technical Honor Society
Kaley Knight
Raine Metzger
Brent Quarles
Courtney Smith
SkillsUSA State Qualifiers
Students Committed to the Armed Services
Dakota Arroyo, Marines
Danae Andraca, Army
Ethan Hutchinson, Army
Mekhi Murray, Air Force
Damian Szuch, Navy
Class of 2023 Athletic Accomplishments
Tyler Serakowsi and Ishaan Patel competed on the varsity golf team, which finished the season with a 10-1 record and earned the title of AA Section 4 Champions. This was the team's first section title in a decade.
Cameron Grabowski, Leah Harmel, Kaley Knight, and Sydney Taylor competed on the varsity cross country team, which earned the title of WPIAL AA Section 3 Champions for the first time in Keystone Oaks history.
Varsity football player Christian Flaherty was named the Century Conference Defensive MVP for the 2022 season.
Varsity tennis players Polia Vladeva, Allison Voss, and Ava Conner competed in the WPIAL AA Section Doubles event. Polia and her doubles partner earned 3rd place and advanced to the second round. Varsity tennis player Hayden Kenny qualified to compete in the WPIAL AA Section Individuals.
Varsity tennis player Polia Vladeva received the prestigious AA Western PA Girls Tennis Sportsmanship Award.
Varsity girls basketball player Eriona Neal scored her 1,000th career point this season and was selected to compete in the Roundball Classic at Geneva College.
Varsity swimmer Allison Voss qualified to compete in the 100 backstroke event at the WPIAL championships.
Varsity wrestler Christian Flaherty earned the title of WPIAL AA Heavyweight Champion. He earned 4th place in the PIAA southwestern wrestling tournament and advanced to the PIAA state wrestling championships in Hershey.
Sydney Taylor earned the title of WPIAL AA triple jump champion. She advanced to the PIAA Track and Field championships, where she earned 5th place with a jump of 37.75”, setting a new Golden Eagle record.
Shawn Reick advanced to the PIAA Track and Field championships, where he qualified for the long jump event.
Congratulations to the following varsity athletic teams that qualified for the WPIAL playoff this year and to the seniors who competed on these teams:
Ten KOHS senior student athletes were named to the All-Section or All-Conference teams for their respective sports.
Eight senior football players were named to the WPIAL Century Conference Academic Team, which recognizes student athletes who earned a starting position and maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher during the first quarter. Two senior hockey players received PIHL Academic Awards for earning a GPA of 3.5 or higher during the first semester.
The following student athletes were also recognized for competing in three or four sports during the 2022-2023 school year:
Christian Flaherty- Football, Wrestling, Track
Leah Harmel- Soccer, Cross Country, Swim, Softball
Collin Harris- Football, Basketball, Track
Hayden Kenny- Football, Swim, Tennis
Tyler Serakowski- Golf, Hockey, Baseball
Madelyn Skoncey – Volleyball, Basketball, Track
Damian Szuch- Football, Wrestling, Track
Sydney Taylor- Cross Country, Cheer, Track
Congratulations to the Class of 2023 graduates who have committed to playing sports at the collegiate level:
Nick Buckley - Marietta College, football
Mia Dalessandro - University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, softball
Christian Flaherty - Pennsylvania Western University Clarion, football
Tyler Serakowski - University of Pittsburgh, hockey
Sydney Taylor - Carlow University, track
Polia Vladeva - Pennsylvania Western University Clarion, tennis
We wish the 132 graduates of the Keystone Oaks High School Class of 2023 nothing but happiness and success as they head out into the world to pursue their dreams. We are #KOProud of their accomplishments and look forward to watching them soar as they prepare for their chosen career at post-secondary institutions and workplaces throughout the world!
Post-Secondary Institutions & Workplaces
Bright Horizons Program
Carlow University
Community College of Allegheny County
Duquesne University
Edinboro University
Electrician Apprenticeship
Florida Atlantic University
Grand Canyon University
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Kent State University
National Guard of the United States
Marietta College
Marquette University
Marshall University
Montclair State University
Penn State Altoona
Penn State Behrend
Penn State University Park
Pennsylvania Western University Clarion
Pittsburgh Job Corps
Pittsburgh Technical College
Point Park University
Robert Morris University
Salon Beleza
Select Motors
Slippery Rock University
Steamfitters Union
Temple University
Tronix 3D
United States Air Force
United States Army
United States Marine Corps
United States Navy
University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
University of Toledo
Virginia Tech
West Chester University
Westminster College
West Virginia University
Areas of study / career paths: