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Kaelei Whitlatch

Hi, I'm Kaelei and I'm a senior at Southmoreland. I'm a member of National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Concert Band, Show Choir, Highlander Choir, Musical Arts, Music Theatre club, The Future is Mine, Random Acts of Kindness, and Journalism. I love to play clarinet, write, and perform on stage. I plan to attend Robert Morris University with a major in Communications.

Latest posts by Kaelei Whitlatch (see all)

• Fox enjoying successful music career by ‘Chance’ - May 3, 2019
• Greenawalt attending state music education program - April 5, 2019
• Price, King earn full scholarships to ‘dream schools’ - April 1, 2019

Dr. John Molnar always tries to make it to as many events for the arts in Southmoreland School District as he can.

“I’ve always been an advocate of kids being involved, be it in theatre, athletics, music, or art,” Dr. Molnar said.

Throughout his years of being superintendent, he has supported the band, chorus, and more throughout the Southmoreland primary, elementary, middle, and high schools.

“I do what I can here to support music and the arts,” Dr. Molnar said. “Any chance we discuss budget cuts, I always be sure to lead the discussion away from cutting the arts. I believe there are many things that could be cut before music and art.”

Dr. Molnar knows first-hand how important the arts are, growing up singing in a children’s choir in his church, playing trombone in the marching and concert bands, and singing in chorus.

“I continued singing in my church choir through most of my adult life. I met my wife there, who was the organist of the choir,” Dr. Molnar said. “My wife and I still sing in a choir and play in a bell choir. The arts have always been important to me.”

Since he has such a passion for the arts, he has been awarded with the 2017 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Outstanding Superintendent Award.

“It’s exciting to be recognized in such a way,” Dr. Molnar said. “It’s especially an honor since I was nominated by people within the Southmoreland School District. It was quite a surprise to me.”

This is a prestige honor since only one superintendent in the state of Pennsylvania receives this award.

“I overheard the music teachers were going to nominate me,” Dr. Molnar said. “I thought, ‘What are the chances? There are over 500 school districts in Pennsylvania.’”

Dr. Molnar, high school choral teacher Mrs. Michele Zamperini, high school band director Mrs. Jamie Gore, and selected students from the chorus, Tri-M music honor society, and concert band will travel to Harrisburg for the PMEA Advocacy Day on March 20.
Dr. Molnar said that winning this award “worked out well for our district. It gives us a chance to put Southmoreland on the map and let people know what’s going on here. We are a pretty well-kept secret.”