Seven educators at Catholic schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh have received the 2021 Golden Apple Award:
- Meloni DiPietro Guthoerl- teacher, Seton LaSalle High School
- Lisa Radzanowski- teacher, Ave Maria Academy
- Robert Childs- associate principal, Serra Catholic High School
- Darci Smith- teacher, Archangel Gabriel Catholic School
- Mallory Gurney- teacher, Blessed Francis Seelos Academy
- JoLynn Clouse- principal, Saint Wendelin School
- Emily Janocha- teacher, John F. Kennedy Catholic School
The award recognizes their excellent performance in the classroom, church and community. Each educator will receive a monetary prize, thanks to the generosity of the Donahue Family Foundation.
The Pittsburgh Catholic is featuring a Golden Apple honoree each week until the start of school.
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Golden Apple Award Winner: Meloni DiPietro Guthoerl
School/position: Seton LaSalle High School, biology teacher
Quote: “I know this is where I’m supposed to be. Our students find out not only that we care about them not, but we care about the people they’re going to become.”
Meloni DiPietro Guthoerl isn’t just trying to educate students. She wants to “make better people for the world,” as she puts it.
She is one of seven select teachers and administrators chosen for the prestigious Golden Apple Award in Catholic schools, and is very appreciative.
“I’m just so honored to bring this award back to my school,” said DiPietro Guthoerl, who teaches biology at Seton LaSalle High School in Mt. Lebanon. “We need to make better people for the world.”
A teacher at Seton LaSalle since 2008, DiPietro Guthoerl is also the head swimming coach and is involved in Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and Big Sisters.
She was born in the U.S Virgin Islands and grew up in Latrobe, attending Catholic grade school and public high school. After earning a bachelor of science in biology from Allegheny College, she did zoological work in Zambia, Africa. Returning to the states, she earned a masters degree in secondary education at Carlow University.
DiPietro Guthoerl is a strong supporter of Catholic education. “This is where I’m supposed to be,” she said. “We help our students strengthen their faith and grow closer to Jesus.”
