The Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award is awarded annually to an alumni from Woodland Hills who has made an impact on our current students and/or community. The ideal winner will have not only achieved excellence in their career but also has volunteered or given of themselves and their time in an exemplary way.
The honoree will be asked to attend the 2025 Starry Night Gala at Edgewood Country Club at 6 PM on Saturday, March 8, 2025. There, the awardee will be celebrated for their achievements with the opportunity to address Gala guests.
A committee consisting of our Host Committee (community members representing the District, parents, business owners, Rotary clubs, etc.) as well as Woodland Hills Foundation board members, will choose the 2025 Alumni of the Year, using a predefined rubric.
The committee will choose the winner based on a rubric to award points to the top alumni nominee based on, but not limited to the following:
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The nominee has displayed exemplary achievement in the nominee’s area of specialization
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The nominee has received recognition, honors, and/or awards on the local, regional, national or international level
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The nominee was nominated by another alumni
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The nominee has demonstrated service to the community in which they live or have lived
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The nominee currently lives in, works in or has a business located in Woodland Hills School District
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If the nominee has children, the children live in Woodland Hills School District
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The nominee has been actively involved in the Woodland Hills Foundation or has provided support for the Foundation (either through volunteerism, financial support, in-kind support or other acts of charity or guidance).
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2025 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI OF THE YEAR NOMINEES:
Rashad Chambers
Class of 1997
After graduating from Woodland Hills in 1997, Rashad went on to Morehouse College, from which he earned a degree in 2001. He then matriculated at The Ohio State University, where he complete a dual JD/MBA program. Rashad moved to New York to pursue his dream of becoming a Broadway producer. Since making that transition, he has worked as a talent representative, developed numerous projects, and served as producer for a eight Broadway plays (and counting), including hit plays like Fat Ham and American Son starring Kerry Washington, and musicals like Ain't Too Proud (featuring fellow Woodland Hills alumnus E. Clayton Cornelius) and the recent revival of The Music Man starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster. Through his success, Rashad has remained connected with his roots at Woodland Hills, and visits frequently with staff and students. He remains the same diligent and humble human that he was in High School. Woodland Hills Performing Arts should be extremely proud of Rashad.
Rashad's productions have earned him 6 Tony Award Nominations and 2 wins: Best Play in 2020 for The Inheritance, and Best Revival of a Play in 2023 for Topdog/Underdog. Rashad is a founding member of The Industry Standard Group as well as a board member of On Broadway Performing Arts Training Program and Houses on the Moon Theater Company.
Valerie Gaydos
Swissvale School District Class of 1970
Look at what this woman has accomplished for this area...spent her lifetime building the Studio G Dance Company, while working as a Swissvale and WH School secretary until retirement, and as a consulting choreographer for HS MUSICALS for 50 years!
I would bet that any person that has met Val over the years remembers her smile and her kindness....Her vivacious and warm personality. What an ambassador for our district!Everyday she dealt with hundreds of students, parents, teachers, and administrators as a school secretary and a dance studio director and dance teacher. Unbelievable reach across the school district!
Ja'Juan Hill
Class of 2018
Ja’juan Hill should be the 2025 Distinguished Alumni of the Year because not only does he truly embody how hard work pays off, he consistently shows a genuine interest in the health and success of the people in his community and the generations coming behind him.
Jajuan landed a job in marketing without a marketing degree, wrote and self published 3 books before the age of 25, makes business connections with top brands through his presence on social media and so much more.
Jajuan continues to give back to the community by always spreading positivity and speaking life into others. He recently put together an event in Pittsburgh for black local creatives to have a space to showcase their work. In the 3 books he wrote, he talks back to the younger generation with encouraging and uplifting messages. Those books led him to speaking in front and college classes and to classes right at WHHS. Through his social media accounts he uses his platform to share his knowledge on marketing, encourage yoga & meditation, suggests mentally stimulating books. He is always putting positivity, light and love back into the community.
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Emily Mahler
Class of 2000
I strongly believe that Emily Mahler, a 2020 alumnus of the Woodland Hills graduating class, is a deserving recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni of the Year and would be an outstanding representative of their Alumni body. Emily is a Partner in Margolis Edelstein's Employment and Labor Law Group. She represents corporations, small businesses, non-profit organizations, public entities, and individuals in all phases of labor and employment litigation in federal and state courts in Pennsylvania. She also represents employers in federal, state and local administrative proceedings and investigations. Emily also counsels and advises employers and insurers concerning all aspects of employment related best practices, prepares comprehensive employee handbooks and policies, and conducts training and educational seminars on labor and employment compliance.
Emily is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the state of New Jersey. She is also admitted to practice in the United States district courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Pennsylvania, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. Emily is committed to the education and mentorship of associate attorneys in employment and civil litigation. She is a member of the firm's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and has served as a member of the Pennsylvania State University's College of Liberal Arts Alumni Task Force. As busy as she is with her clients, Emily invariably finds time to volunteer at her church, her children's school and food banks around the city.
Maria Yezovich
Class of 1998
Maria exemplifies the Woodland Hills Alumni spirit. She has remained steadfastly engaged in the WH community since high school, particularly in her involvement as a community organizer with the WH Performing Arts Guild and performing artist in the Guild’s Alumni Musical Benefit Concerts. She was a wonderful student leader during high school as student President of the marching band, regular performer in regional and All-State music festivals as a singer and bassoonist, representing our school community with pride and distinction. She
continues her leadership as an alumnus with the same excellence, engagement and love, and I can imagine no Wolverine more deserving of this special honor.
She is a wonderful community organizer and performer with the WH Performing Arts Guild. As a community leader, she ongoingly promotes WH student and alumni events of all kinds, across the school district community.
Devan Zapadka
Class of 2014
Devan graduated in 2014, and in that 10 years, she has done nothing but excel in her time since being a student at Woodland Hills High school. After graduation, she attended Carlow University where she obtained her nursing degree in 2018. She found love caring for children and spent countless hours treating in the emergency room at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. She found her true calling there so she returned to Carlow in 2019 to obtain her Masters in Nursing. She graduated in 2021 as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She treated in general family practice for some time, but decided to continue pursuing her love for pediatrics so she joined the UPMC Pediatric Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship Program with a focus in Gastroenterology and Nutrition. She is certified in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Nursing and works for the Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. She sees a wide range of GI patients and also treats in the Infant Feeding Clinic.
Outside of her amazing career journey, Devan has found time to return to Woodland Hills to discuss college admissions, career pathways in healthcare, and is always available and open to the faculty to speak and give back to the school district that provided her with the education and confidence to succeed. She truly embodies the definition of compassion and selflessness when it comes to her students that she mentors and precepts for, the patients she treats, and the person she is to everyone.
For the third year, our Distinguished Educator of the Year Award recognizes the influential role our educators play in shaping future leaders. This award honors and celebrates educators in Woodland Hills School District for their outstanding accomplishments and commitment to education.
The honoree will be asked to attend the 2025 Starry Night Gala at Edgewood Country Club at 6 PM on Saturday, March 8, 2025. There, the awardee will be celebrated for their achievements with the opportunity to address Gala guests.
A committee consisting of our Host Committee (community members representing the District, parents, business owners, Rotary clubs, etc.) as well as Woodland Hills Foundation board members, will choose the 2025 Educator of the Year, using a predefined rubric. The committee will choose the winner based on a rubric to award points to the top educator nominee based on, but not limited to the following:
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The nominee has displayed exemplary achievement in the classroom
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The nominee has received recognition, honors, and/or awards on the local, regional, national or international level
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The nominee was nominated by another teacher, student in the Woodland Hills School District
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The nominee has demonstrated service to the community in which they live or have lived
The nominee has been actively involved in the Woodland Hills Foundation or has provided support for the Foundation (either through applying for mini-grants or dream book items, through other classroom collaborations, volunteerism, financial support, in-kind support or other acts of charity or guidance).
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2025 DISTINGUISHED EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR NOMINEES:
Paul Beard
Mr. Beard is more than deserving of this year’s Educator of the Year due to his unwavering devotion to the district and its communities. Mr. Beard is honest, unfailingly kind, and more patient than most teachers I know. His students and colleagues adore him- as do his family and friends. He is a quiet warrior- constantly coming to work and doing the best he can for his students without demanding attention for his own efforts. Tech Ed, while not a tested subject, is monumentally important for the success in life- but is rarely recognized as such. Mr. Beard helps to educate his students while keeping them safe and engaged.
Beyond the classroom- Mr. Beard is one of the high school yearbook sponsors, one of the Senior class sponsors, one of the track coaches, and the Cross Country Coach. He does after school study tables, and maintains the high school’s VEX program. He makes every student and staff member with whom he comes in contact feel welcome and at ease in his presence. He has been in Woodland Hills for such a long time- he is a staple in the district and the community. Any time anyone in the district needs something created- such as awards for Academic Awards Night or Memorabilia for special guests and honorees- the staff immediately turns to Mr. Beard.... And he always rises to the occasion!
Nicole King
Mrs. King has been a strong educator in the WHSD for over a quarter of a century. She exceeds in spending unlimited hours with her students. She donates her time running the Ball Room Dancing Program. She also coordinates the Education Partner for her school. Her students and their parents always tell her she is their favorite and they always want their children in her class. She continues to share her talents with her peers and colleagues alike. She spends endless hours at home doing things for her class. She is an excellent example for all teachers to follow. She is a true professional and is well0informed on all changes that entails her career. She is always at work early and meets her students with a smile every day. She is a true asset to the Woodland Hills
School District.
She does tutoring of students after school. She runs the Ball Room dancing programs from the start of the program (6-8 year). She is easily accessible to her students for everything. She spends her own money on various crafts and other things for the students to do, which keeps the students involved and motivated in classroom work. She is an experienced example for all teachers to learn from. She loves the job and enjoys teaching. All students have that one teacher they love and Mrs. King is that teacher. We ran into a former student the other day at his job and he recognized Mrs. King and he stated that he learned a lot from her and she was his favorite teacher and she was also for his siblings. When out in the public, parents of students always approach her and
thank her for what she has done for their children. She exceeds in all areas. She is willing to help any and every one at all times.
Lori McDowell
Lori goes above and beyond her role as an educator, making her classroom a dynamic, inclusive, and nurturing environment. Her teaching is characterized by creativity and relevance—she employs hands-on projects and real-world applications to inspire students and foster a love for learning. Lori’s lessons often extend beyond textbooks, integrating social and emotional learning to ensure that every child feels valued, understood, and supported. Her commitment to students doesn’t end with the school day.
Beyond academics, Lori dedicates herself to helping new teachers in the district, sharing her expertise and passion to ensure that future educators carry forward her legacy of excellence. She has also spearheaded initiatives to promote equity and inclusivity in the classroom and meet all students where they are coming from. She founded and led fundraising events like “Dancing with the Teachers” that have raised thousands of dollars for the classroom.
Lori’s service extends through leadership of The Caileigh Lynn McDowell Foundation, which provides scholarships and support programs that benefit the district. Her kindness campaigns have influenced the culture of WHSD, instilling values of empathy and community in her students. Her dedication to her classroom, her students, and her district goes beyond the expectations of any educator. Lori’s service has profoundly shaped the lives of countless students, inspiring them not only to achieve academically but also to embrace compassion, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning. No one is more dedicated to WHSD than Lori. She has committed her entire career to our community, and after 30 years as an exemplary educator, she still approaches every day with the same enthusiasm and dedication she had on her first day in the district.
Sara Rodgers
She nearly leaves me speechless because she is just that incredible!! The passion. The spirit. The pure heart that she has. She was born for this role!! The engagement with her students currently, but the bond and rapport she has created with students she had in the past still exists and is growing. I have witnessed her at every event for the students and families which made me question her role in the district. So many months...okay, a couple years it took for me to realize she was not just a parent, but an actual teacher!!! I'm not used to teachers who take time outside of the position although I know they exist. I see it more each day, but still seeking hope for more.
It is the little things that matter!! So yes, participate in spirit weeks!! Put a sticker on your door to signify you're a safe person!! Create little handshakes or nicknames if the student allows! This is the perfect example of WHO we need in our education system!
My son, comes home every single day just in awe about school, but his teacher! She needs recognition for being so impactful! Thank you for all that you did and continue to do for these children and our families! Remembering these are children and yes you have a job to do, but the most important job we all have is creating these little humans into their fullest potential!! Children are our future!! It takes a village!!! We need to keep
building this village!
Andrea Sisk
Andrea Sisk places the students at the center of her approach, encouraging and challenging them to reach their fullest potential in the mathematics classroom and beyond. Creating teachable moments through unique projects and meaningful experiences, Ms. Sisk designs authentic STEAM applications to affect the lives of her students. Ms. Sisk is a proud alumna and resident of Woodland Hills, and enjoys supporting her current and former students, whether at a football game in Westmoreland County or a musical in Cleveland.
Ms. Sisk was featured in the Fall 2024 issue of the Carnegie Magazine, which highlights her work with the Carnegie Museum of Art. Through that work, Ms. Sisk’s students view math through various lenses, including 2- and 3-dimensional art, culminating in field trips to the Museum. In 2021, she and Mr. Kevin McGuire were awarded the Mathical Book Prize on behalf of Woodland Hills. Ms. Sisk has worked with the Pittsburgh CLO to incorporate a STEAM perspective to their Gallery of Heroes program. She also leads professional development in technology integration in the math classroom, in teaching both English Language Learners and LGBTQIA+ students, and was voted the Scribo Ambassador by her colleagues for the 2023-2024 school year.
Ms. Sisk currently serves as the Chair of the Math Department; she was the Executive Producer of many Department of Performing Arts musicals; she co-founded the Woodland Hills Performing Arts Guild; and previously, she partnered with the WH Foundation to lead students through a project culminating in a trip to see Hamilton (before it was on Disney+!).
Michelle Sperduto
Michelle Sperduto exemplifies dedication far beyond the standard expectations of an educator. Michelle personalizes learning by understanding each student's unique strengths and challenges, crafting individualized plans that boost academic success and foster a love for learning. In addition to academic support, she offers emotional and social guidance, creating a safe and inclusive classroom environment where every student feels valued. She acts as a mentor and confidante, helping students navigate personal and social challenges with compassion and understanding. Michelle recognizes the importance of family involvement, maintains strong communication with parents and guardians, ensuring a collaborative approach to each student’s education and well-being. She has personally taken the time after hours to accommodate my busy schedule to review my son's personal growth due to his condition.
Michelle also impacts her peers by sharing innovative teaching strategies and leading professional development sessions. Her influence helps to raise the overall quality of education within the school, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration. Furthermore, she engages students in community service projects, teaching them the value of civic responsibility and empathy while positively impacting the local community.
Overall, Michelle's extraordinary commitment to not only her students, but her colleagues, and community makes her a standout educator. Her tireless efforts to provide personalized support, a nurturing environment, and engage with the community highlight her remarkable dedication to education, making her well deserving on becoming a candidate for the 2025 Distinguished Educator of the Year award. She is not only dedicated to students' academic growth but also their personal growth.