The Northside Leadership Conference (NSLC) held its 36th Annual Scholarship and Awards Dinner on Thursday, June 13 at the Priory Grand Hall. The theme of the evening was “Northside is… Under Construction!”

Photos by Ashlee Green

In the program for this year’s event, Mark Fatla, executive director of NSLC, wrote about new and ongoing developments in the Northside, including the completion of the Northeast Fountain in Allegheny Commons Park, the groundbreaking for the Allegheny City Stables Apartments, developments in affordable housing and projects in the business districts.

“The most welcome site in a neighborhood is a contractor’s pick-up truck because it means another homeowner or business is reinvesting in Northside,” wrote Fatla.

“The buzz is positive, our markets are growing and our neighborhoods are attracting investment from longtime Northsiders as well as newcomers.”

Scholarships in the amount of $1,000, which were underwritten by various sponsors, were awarded to 15 Northside seniors. The Rotary Club of Pittsburgh’s Northside also provided seniors with Amazon gift cards. Neighborhood and Business Awards, Northside Service Provider Awards, and Lifetime Achievement Awards were also presented.

NSLC is a multi-neighborhood coalition of organizations and stakeholders that are dedicated to addressing the issues and promoting the image and vitality of Pittsburgh’s Northside.

Scholarship Awards and Sponsors

Scholarships were presented to 15 Northside seniors and underwritten by various sponsors. In addition to a $1,000 award, students were given Amazon gift cards from the Rotary Club of Pittsburgh’s Northside.

• Cameron Brown, Manchester, Barack Obama Academy, Allegheny General Hospital
• Lauren Krebs, Summer Hill, North Catholic High School, Alco Parking
• Mikaela DeCarlo, Brighton Heights, Barack Obama Academy, Dollar Bank
• Isaiah Dean, Perry Hilltop, City Charter High School, Faros Properties
• JaVaughn Corbett-Sparks, Spring Hill, City Charter High School, First National Bank
• Savanna Zink, Observatory Hill, City Charter High School, Highmark Insurance
• Melvina Black, Charles Street Valley, Pitsburgh Perry High School, Huntington Bank
• Lidia Pietrusza, Spring Hill, Pittsburgh CAPA, Key Bank
• Sharon Soergel, Summer Hill, Agora Cyber Charter School, Northwest Savings Bank
• Isabella Johnson, Fineview, Central Catholic High School, Peoples Gas
• Myra Samuel, Charles Street Valley, Sewickley Academy, PNC Bank

• Lani Owens, Observatory Hill, Barack Obama Academy, Rivers Casino
• Domenique Ross, Brighton Heights, Pittsburgh CAPA, SSB Bank
• Kianna Copeland, Brighton Heights, Pittsburgh CAPA, Stella Kalaris Scholarship
• Brady Walker, Brighton Heights, Pittsburgh Science & Technology Academy, WesBanco

Representatives from various organizations underwrote the 2019 scholarships. This year’s awards were given to 15 Northside high school seniors.

Neighborhood and Business Awards

2019 Neighborhood and Business Awardees

• Allegheny West Civic Council, Holly Pultz
• Brighton Heights Citizens Federation, California Coffee Bar
• Charles Street Area Council, Isreal Williams
• East Allegheny Community Council, Dennis Ginther
• Fineview Citizens Council, Matt Indovina
• Observatory Hill Incorporated, JoAnn Pomietto
• Perry Hilltop Citizens Council, Rev. Eleanor Williams
• Spring Hill Civic League, Jim & Lois Hurray
• Summer Hill Citizens Committee, Keith and Annette Simmons

Northside Service Provider Award

Jamie Younger, right, president of NSLC, presents Urban Impact Foundation with the 2019 Northside Service Provider Award.

• Urban Impact Foundation

Lifetime Achievement Awards

2019 Lifetime Achievement Award Winners

• Jane & Rich Sestric, Observatory Hill
• Alan Perry, Manchester
• Randy Gilson & David Paul Francis McDermott, Allegheny City Central