Holiday tradition continues as Mon Yough Catholic students, Kane McKeesport seniors mingle

A dozen residents of John J. Kane Regional Center of McKeesport broke bread with 25 eighth-graders from Mon Yough Catholic School at Round Hill Park on Monday, continuing a decade-long tradition for regional Catholic schools.

“This was a project of St. Michael's school (in Elizabeth) for years, and it was passed on to St. Joseph Regional (in Port Vue) when that school closed,” teacher Sally Gooch said. “When St. Joseph and St. Angela Merici merged in 2012 to form Mon Yough Catholic School, it became a service project for students there.”

Gooch said service plays a major part in Catholic education as schools stress the value of helping others.

“It's important to give back to others,” eighth-grader Lauren Whitney said. “Especially today, we're meeting some people who might not get to celebrate with their families. We can celebrate Thanksgiving with them.”

Classmate Tyler Lemak said he enjoyed the day because he listened to residents' stories and learned about their lives. He sat with Clairton native Herman Washington, 81, who spoke about his time as a deacon at Morningstar Baptist Church.

“It's wonderful that these kids want to come and spend time with an old man like me,” Washington said with a laugh.

Teacher Diane Johnston said seniors and students alike benefit from the conversation and kind acts that come with their Thanksgiving tradition.

“This is a wonderful experience for everyone,” Johnston said. “The kids are able to share this time with people who don't often interact with children anymore.”

Kane recreation therapy supervisor Ken Schmigel said residents always are thankful for their annual trip to Round Hill.

“Whenever they see it on the activities calendar, there's a mad scramble to sign up,” he said.

Kane often partners with school districts and community groups for programming. Schmigel said that when residents have an opportunity to attend an event with young people, it brings enjoyment to their lives.

“They reminisce about how they were when they were that age,” he said. “We have a woman here who is 100 years old today. She was born in 1914, and she's giving kids her perspective on how it was back then.”

For both groups, the meal was as enjoyable as the company. They feasted on roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans and cranberries, with a choice of apple cake or pumpkin pie for dessert.

“I come every year,” Mildred Blagovich, 100, said. “The mashed potatoes are amazing every time.”

Jennifer R. Vertullo is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-664-9161 ext. 1956, or jvertullo@tribweb.com.