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North Allegheny Distinguished Alumni Gala

Distinguished Alumni Gala
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Honoring Alumni Achievement & Supporting Student Success

The 2027 Gala Will Be Held
January 28, 2027 at Holy Trinity Events Center, McCandless Crossing

click here to view the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Gala Photo Gallery

2026 Highlights

A smiling woman in a black dress holds an award in the foreground, while a man in a suit is seen from behind in the background.
A family poses for a photo in front of a backdrop of balloons and a repeating logo, with the father holding an award.
A group of seven people, dressed formally, pose for a photo in front of a backdrop with a repeating logo, surrounded by gold and black balloons.
Four people pose for a photo in front of a backdrop with a repeating logo, flanked by black and gold balloons.
A man in a suit speaks into a microphone at a formal event, with blurred guests seated at tables in the background.
Four people stand on a stage with a white curtain backdrop, while a man speaks at a podium in the foreground.
A large screen displays %22Welcome to the North Allegheny Foundation 2026 Distinguished Alumni Gala%22 above a room full of people seated at round tables, with some standing and mingling.
A woman stands between a young woman and a young man, holding an award, with a backdrop of the %22North Allegheny Foundation%22 logo and balloons.
A man in a suit holds an award in front of a backdrop with the %22North Allegheny Foundation%22 logo repeated.
A smiling woman in a black sweater stands next to a man in a suit holding an award, with a backdrop of repeating %22North Allegheny Foundation%22 logos.
A woman in a black suit holds a glass award in front of a backdrop with the %22North Allegheny Foundation%22 logo repeated.
A woman with dark hair and glasses speaks into a microphone at a podium, with a soft, curtained background.
A woman in a black suit and turtleneck speaks at a podium with a microphone and award in the foreground, while a softly lit curtain forms the background.
An older gentleman in a suit speaks at a podium with a microphone, while a sheer curtain hangs in the background.
A man in a suit and tie stands at a podium with a microphone in front of a draped white backdrop.
A woman in a black dress holds a glass award in front of a backdrop with the North Allegheny Foundation logo.
A man in a suit and tie holds an award in front of a backdrop with a repeating logo, flanked by balloons.
A man in a suit smiles and speaks into a microphone at a podium, with a draped white curtain in the background.
A man in a suit and tie speaks at a podium in front of a draped curtain.
A man in a suit speaks at a podium with a microphone in front of a draped curtain background.
A woman in a red dress speaks at a podium in the foreground, while a seated audience watches in the background.
Several glass trophies with black bases are arranged on a black tablecloth in the foreground, with more trophies and a blurred background of a room.
A distinguished man in a suit holds an award in front of a backdrop with the %22North Allegheny Foundation%22 logo.
A man in a suit holds an award in front of a backdrop with a repeating logo, while a cluster of gold and black balloons stands to the right.
A smiling man in a suit stands at a podium with a microphone, while a sheer curtain forms the background.
A woman in a red dress holds a crystal award in front of a backdrop with the %22North Allegheny Foundation%22 logo.
People in formal attire are seated at round tables in a banquet hall, with a speaker visible in the background.
A man in a suit speaks at a podium in the foreground, while a screen displaying a portrait and text, along with a crowd of seated people and balloons, are visible in the background.
In the foreground, a woman in a black top holds a wine glass while conversing with a man in a suit, while in the background, a cluster of gold and black balloons and other guests are visible.
A string quartet plays in the foreground with a backdrop of a wall adorned with logos and a blurred event space.
A woman embraces a man in uniform in the foreground, while a banner and balloons are visible in the background.
In the foreground, three people are gathered, with a man in a light suit and two women, one in a black top and another in a colorful embroidered jacket, while the background features a wall with a repeating logo and people seated at tables.
Three women stand between tall balloon columns of black and gold, posing in front of a banner with a repeating logo.
Yellow roses with black ribbons adorn place cards on a black tablecloth, with blurred tables and chairs in the background.
A yellow blanket with %22NORTH ALLEGHENY%22 and a tiger design is in the foreground, with various programs and papers scattered on top, and a yellow graduation cap visible in the background.
A formal place setting for the North Allegheny Distinguished Alumni Gala features silverware and a program in the foreground, with a black gift bag and a glass of water in the background.
A table displays a collection of vintage athletic memorabilia, including a worn helmet and jackets, against a plain wall.
A tiger mascot trophy stands prominently on a table set for an event, with black and gold decorations and place settings visible in the blurred background.
A table centerpiece with illuminated photos sits on a mirrored surface, with a table number and folded napkins in the foreground, and blurred chairs and bags in the background.
A group of formally dressed people stand on a patterned carpet in front of a backdrop with a repeating logo, while gold balloons add a festive touch to the background.

click here to nominate an alumnus

 

What Are the Distinguished Alumni Awards?

Since 2018, the Distinguished Alumni Awards have been sponsored by the North Allegheny Foundation.

It is an honor bestowed upon graduates of North Allegheny High School to recognize alumni who have made significant contributions to society or outstanding professional accomplishments in the areas of: Arts, Business, Community Service, Education, Government, Law, Medicine, Science and Young Alumni (40 and under).  

How to Nominate an Alumnus

Do you know a graduate of North Allegheny High School who is deserving of the title of Distinguished Alumni? The nomination process is now available year-round! Applications must be received by July 1 of each year for nominees to be considered in the Distinguished Alumni class for the following calendar year. Nominations will only be accepted through our online form.

Submissions are reviewed by members of the North Allegheny Foundation, previous recipients of the award, past & current NA teachers, as well as community members. Please note, alumni are only permitted to win the distinction of Distinguished Alumni once, regardless of how many categories they are nominated for.

To submit an individual, complete our online application process today!

 

 

Past NA Distinguished Alumni

ARTS

  • 2018 Wayne Brinda, Ed.D. (1968)
  • 2019 Jeff Sewald (1979)
  • 2020 Dan Smyers (2006)
  • 2021 (V) Greg Joseph (1981) and Rob Hertweck (1984)
  • 2022 Jay Woffington (1990)
  • 2023 Frank Nicotero (1987)
  • 2024 Jay Dudt (1977)
  • 2025 Debbie Chase Van der Bol (1974)
  • 2026 Kirsten Chambers (1993)

BUSINESS

  • 2018 Tom Bowman (1973)
  • 2019 Yle-Hsin Hung (1980)
  • 2020 Dave Robbins (1978)
  • 2021 (V) Patty Hayes (1973)
  • 2022 William Rothenbach (1972)
  • 2023 Bernadette Coleman (1976)
  • 2024 Julie Lancaster (1992)
  • 2025 Mark Donovan (1984)
  • 2026 Mark Wagner (1991)

COMMUNITY SERVICE

  • 2018 Kimberly Boucek (1985)
  • 2019 Larry Richert (1976)
  • 2020 Steven D’Achille (2001)
  • 2021 (V) Wayne Atwell (1965)
  • 2022 Jay Adzema (1981)
  • 2023 Alan Shuckrow (1987)
  • 2024 Kathleen Beaver (1984)
  • 2025 Scott Cunningham (1976)
  • 2026 Craig Poole (1967)

EDUCATION

  • 2018 Mark Nordenberg JD (1966)
  • 2019 Gregg Behr (1991)
  • 2020 Mark R. Dollhopf (1973)
  • 2021 (V) Daniel M. Gurtner, Ph.D. (1992)
  • 2023 Bob Tozier (1988)
  • 2024 Dr. Brian White (1992)
  • 2025 Karen Hooker (1974)
  • Maria Paluselli (1988)

GOVERNMENT

  • 2018 Larry Schweiger (1968)
  • 2019 Gloria Flora (1973)
  • 2020 Hon. Melissa A. Hart, JD. (1980)
  • 2021 (V) Brigadier General (ret) Gregory J. Touhill (1979) 
  • 2022 Bob Stone (1992)
  • 2023 Bill Martin (1973)
  • 2024 Dr. Thomas McNaugher (1964)
  • 2025 Scott Kofmehl (1999)
  • 2026 Bradley Harbaugh (1996)

LAW

  • 2018 Laura Ditka, Esq. (1981)
  • 2019 Jerry Richey, JD (1967)
  • 2020 Mark Allen, JD (1973)
  • 2021 (V) Paul McTighe Jr. JD (1966)
  • 2022 David Leslie (1967)
  • 2023 Joseph Milcoff (1988)
  • 2024 Anthony Ditka (1988)

MEDICINE

  • 2018 Robert Hillman, Ph.D. (1970)
  • 2019 William Kearns, Ph.D. (1970)
  • 2020 Mark Lanasa, Ph.D., M.D. (1991)
  • 2021 (V) Amanda J. McCoy, MD, MPH, FCS (ECSA)
  • 2022 Mary Wall-Komorowski (1974)
  • 2023 Robert Potter, MD (1974)
  • 2024 Dr. Gary Schmidt (1993)
  • 2025 Dr. Samir Singh (2004)
  • 2026 Dr. Daniel McKeone (2003)

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

  • 2018 Warren (Woody) Hoburg, Ph.D. (2004)
  • 2019 Timothy Hoellein, Ph.D. (1996)
  • 2020 Thomas Braun, DMD, Ph.D. (1965)
  • 2021 (V) Anne Milasinic Andrews, Ph.D. (1980)
  • 2022 Paula Garcia Todd (1998)
  • 2023 Guy Gardner (1973)
  • 2024 Mark Russinovich (1985)
  • 2025 Michael Talkowski (1994)
  • 2026 Thomas Jones (1972)

YOUNG ALUMNI (40 & UNDER)

  • 2018 Jessica Jackley (1996)
  • 2019 Ben Butler (2010)
  • 2020 Kirsten Lin, MD (1998)
  • 2021 (V) Michael Semanchik (2003)
  • 2022 Aishwarya Arjunan (2006)
  • 2023 Rosanna Breaux (2007)
  • 2024 Sara Makin (2010)
  • 2025 Katie Grennan (2006)
  • 2026 Alexandra Sansosti (2011)

SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS

  • Chris Jackson—PA Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year, 2019
  • Dean Boronyak—PA Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year, 2020
  • Eric Kofmehl, Ph.D.—Spirit of North Allegheny, 2021
  • Dave Gray (1988)—Spirit of North Allegheny, 2023
  • The Soergel Family—Spirit of North Allegheny, 2025
  • Dan Stack (1992)—Community Impact In Memoriam, 2026
  • Dr. Lawrence Butterini—Spirit of North Allegheny, 2026

Are you interested in becoming a sponsor of the North Allegheny Foundation?
Contact us at nafoundation@northallegheny.org to learn more about the opportunities that are available!

 

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