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The Stories Behind the Scholarships: The Medic Family Farm

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 17:57:00 -0500

The Stories Behind the Scholarships: The Medic Family Farm Scholarship

Every scholarship has a story behind it: the people who created it, the experiences that inspired them to give and the students whose futures it may help shape.

For the first installment of The Stories Behind the Scholarships, the Norwin School District Community Foundation visits the Medic Family Farm in Shafton, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1924, the farm has been part of the Norwin area and surrounding communities for more than a century.

A Bond Across Generations: A Message from NAFA's President

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 15:52:00 -0500

One of the things I have always appreciated about the Norwin community is the way people remain connected to it long after graduation.

As a retired Norwin teacher, I had the opportunity to watch students grow up, graduate and begin lives of their own. Years later, some returned as parents, teachers, coaches, volunteers or supporters of the schools they once attended.

2026 Class of Distinguished Alumni Return to Norwin to Share Their Stories

Fri, 22 May 2026 11:54:49 -0500

For one evening in May, graduates spanning more than three decades of Norwin history returned to be recognized alongside a longtime Friend of Norwin and two recent scholarship recipients. The May 21, 2026 Distinguished Alumni celebration brought together former classmates, families, educators, students, and community members to recognize achievement while renewing the connections that continue long after graduation.

A Decade of Support: NAFA Celebrates 10 Years at Knight of Appreciation

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 03:17:00 -0500

On September 10, 2025, the Norwin Alumni and Friends Association (NAFA) and the Norwin School District Community Foundation (NSDCF) gathered with friends, families, and community partners at the Stratigos Banquet Centre for a very special evening—our Knight of Appreciation.

The NSDCF Awarded over $190,000 in Scholarships in 2025

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 12:00:00 -0500

In May 2025, the Norwin School District Community Foundation (NSDCF) awarded more than $190,000 in scholarships to Norwin High School students to support their continued education. This total includes 45 awards across 30 Foundation-facilitated scholarships. Since 2007, NSDCF has awarded over $1.35 million in scholarships.

NSDCF administers scholarships on behalf of families and organizations who wish to honor a loved one or give back to the Norwin school community. Each fund is managed as a savings account or endowed investment, providing an annual scholarship while continuing to grow so that it can support students in perpetuity.

A Night of Celebration and Gratitude for Norwin's Latest Class of Distinguished Alumni

Fri, 23 May 2025 03:17:00 -0500

On May 22, 2025, the Norwin community gathered alongside alumni to honor the achievements of eleven Distinguished Norwin Alumni, one Distinguished Friend of Norwin, and the NAFA Scholarship recipient. It was an evening of celebration, reflection, and gratitude. Those honored include:

Those honored include Mr. Matthew Bertoty ‘14, Ms. Betsy Frye née Bouldin ‘80, Dr. Jodi A. Burns née Pezek ‘87, Ed.D., Mr. Michael Doyle ‘92, Ms. Kelly Doyle née Sickels ‘91, Ms. Allison Leigh Fedorka ‘03, Mr. John S. Howell ‘79, Ms. Annetta L. Marion ‘83, Ms. Sarita Nair ‘91, Ms. Ashley Popojas ‘05, and Mr. Trey G. Quealy ‘15. Mr. Bill Priatko was honored as a Friend of Norwin, and the 2025 NAFA Scholarship recipients were Mr. Nikolas G. Kelly ‘25 and Mr. Adam D. Guskiewicz ‘25. You may read about each recipient in the 2025 Distinguished Alumni section.

Now Accepting Nominations for the 2024 Class of Distinguished Alumni

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 08:00:00 +0000

The Norwin Alumni & Friends Association, in cooperation with the Norwin School District Community Foundation, is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Class of Distinguished Alumni.

The 2024 class will feature up to twelve alumni who have had careers of distinction since their days at Norwin High School. Nominees must be graduates of Irwin High School, North Huntingdon High School or Norwin High School and have been graduated from high school for at least ten years. In addition, the NAFA Executive Board may select one Distinguished Friend of Norwin to be honored for service to Norwin schools and community.

It was a wonderful Knight of Distinguished Alumni

Sat, 27 May 2023 12:01:00 -0500

On May 25, 2023, members of the Norwin community and past graduates came together in celebration of the accomplishments of fifteen Distinguished Norwin Alumni and our graduating NAFA Scholarship recipient.

The Norwin Alumni & Friends Association, together with the Norwin School District Community Foundation would like to thank the community for their support and a wonderful evening.

Now Accepting Nominations for the 2022 Class of Distinguished Alumni

Sat, 02 Oct 2021 12:00:00 +0000

The Norwin Alumni & Friends Association, in cooperation with the Norwin School District Community Foundation, is now accepting nominations for the 2022 Class of Distinguished Alumni.

The 2022 class will feature up to twelve alumni who have had careers of distinction since their days at Norwin High School. Nominees must be graduates of Irwin High School, North Huntingdon High School or Norwin High School and have been graduated from high school for at least 10 years. In addition, the NAFA Executive Board may select one Distinguished Friend of Norwin to be honored for service to Norwin schools and community.

Remember to apply for the 2021 Norwin Alumni & Friends Association Scholarship

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 11:16:27 -0500

The Norwin Alumni & Friends Association (NAFA) will award a $500.00 scholarship to a graduating Norwin High School student who has been accepted to a college or trade school, and has at least one parent who is a Norwin graduate. The successful scholarship applicant will be one who shows active school and community service during their high school years.

Welcoming the New NAFA President

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 01:00:00 -0500

The Norwin Alumni & Friends Association proudly welcomes its new president, Ms. Lynn Clark,‘75 and looks forward to a bright future under her leadership.

Read about Dan Priatko, '80, in the new book A Noble Knight

Thu, 29 Oct 2020 04:23:00 -0500

Dan Priatko, '80 was honored as one of Norwin’s Distinguished Alumni in 2018. Many of you know Dan Priatko and his compelling life story. A Norwin High School and United States Military Academy graduate, Dan was critically injured in an automobile accident while on a return trip home from visiting West Point. Dan has never given up, and he continues to be an inspiration to many.

2020 Knight of Distinguished Alumni Recognition Dinner Postponed, Rescheduled

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 11:02:00 -0500

As a result of the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Norwin School District Community Foundation and the Norwin Alumni & Friends Association have decided to reschedule their annual Knight of Distinguished Alumni.

The Knight of Distinguished Alumni, originally scheduled for May 27, 2020, has been postponed. The event has been rescheduled to May 20, 2021, with additional information available in the coming months.

Announcing Norwin's Distinguished Alumni for 2020

Sat, 25 Jan 2020 09:51:00 -0500

The Norwin Alumni & Friends Association, in coordination with the Norwin School District Community Foundation, is proud to announce the 2020 class of Distinguished Alumni.

Apply Now for the 2020 NAFA Scholarship

Fri, 24 Jan 2020 21:15:00 -0500

Now Accepting Nominations for the 2020 Class of Distinguished Alumni

Sat, 05 Oct 2019 09:00:00 +0000

Nominations for the 2020 Class of Distinguished Alumni are no longer being accepted. Thank you for your interest and support.

The Norwin Alumni & Friends Association, in cooperation with the Norwin School District Community Foundation, is now accepting nominations for the 2020 Class of Distinguished Alumni.

The 2020 class will feature up to 10 alumni who have had careers of distinction since their days at Norwin High School. Nominees must be graduates of Irwin High School, North Huntingdon High School or Norwin High School and have been graduated from high school for at least 10 years. In addition, the NAFA Executive Board may select one Distinguished Friend of Norwin to be honored for service to Norwin schools and community.

Congratulations to the 2019 Norwin Community Scholarship Recipients

Sat, 20 Jul 2019 12:15:00 -0500

The NSDCF oversees over 25 community scholarship funds, in addition to its own Norwin Alumni & Friends Association scholarships. For 2019, we’re proud to recognize the recipients of the James L. Dudley Memorial Scholarship, Richard W. Murdock Scholarship, David J. Nelson Memorial Scholarship, Paul and Anne Smiy Scholarship, and Thomas J. and Gladys Sowash Stoker Scholarship.

Thank you for our third successful Knight of Distinguished Alumni

Thu, 30 May 2019 12:43:00 -0500

On May 23, 2019, members of the Norwin community and past graduates came together in celebration of the accomplishments of seven Distinguished Norwin Alumni, one Distinguished Friend of Norwin, and our graduating NAFA Scholarship recipient.

Those honored included George Koury, Jr. (1977), Heather Newell (1988), John Tirpak (1986), Rebecca Gediminskas (1974), Robin Sleigh Dillon (1973), Ted Kopas (1991), and Tim Kotch (1974). In addition to our distinguished alumni, Robert Neil Faust was honored as a Distinguished Friend of Norwin and Victoria Saunders was received the 2019 NAFA Scholarship.

Congratulations to our Luck & Loot Raffle Winner

Tue, 28 May 2019 16:26:00 -0500

The NSDCF would like to congratulate this year’s lucky NAFA Luck & Loot raffle winner, Jude Abraham. Jude was excited to take home $500 along with $100 in instant lottery tickets while helping support NAFA’s mission.

Announcing Norwin's Distinguished Alumni for 2019

Thu, 07 Mar 2019 11:45:00 -0500

The Norwin Alumni & Friends Association, in coordination with the Norwin School District Community Foundation, is proud to announce the 2019 class of Distinguished Alumni.

Throughout their lives, these honorees have demonstrated how the quality education they received, along with the support of a nurturing community, can serve as a springboard to great achievements:

Sponsor an ad in the 2019 Knight of Distinguished Alumni Program Booklet

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 14:34:00 -0500

The selection process for the Third Annual Knight of Distinguished Alumni Recognition Dinner is well under way. Norwin has a long tradition of producing outstanding alumni, but some go even further in life. This event is a celebration of Norwin’s past, present, and future as we honor the achievements of some of our most distinguished alumni and a graduating student on Thursday, May 23, 2019 at the Stratigos Banquet Center.

Apply Now for the 2019 NAFA Scholarship

Wed, 20 Feb 2019 11:16:27 -0500

Why is a high school alumni association needed?

Mon, 18 Feb 2019 10:40:33 -0500

Why, all of a sudden, is there this need to create an alumni association for Norwin? Perhaps, the real question should be, why has it taken so long?

High school alumni groups have been around for many years. Although there may be relatively few in western Pennsylvania, the eastern part of the state has had many high school alumni groups for years. This is also true for other states across the nation.

Now Accepting Nominations for 2019 Distinguished Alumni

Mon, 01 Oct 2018 12:38:27 -0500

Nominations for the 2019 Distinguished Alumni are no longer being accepted. The Norwin Alumni & Friends Association thanks you for your interest.

Download the 2019 Nomination Form

The Norwin Alumni & Friends Association (NAFA) is seeking nominations for the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award to be presented at the Third Annual Knight of Distinguished Alumni Recognition Dinner in May 2019. This honor is awarded on the following criteria:

Thank you for a successful Knight of Distinguished Alumni

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 10:44:25 -0400

On the evening of May 24, two-hundred and fourteen guests came together to celebrate the lifetime accomplishments of ten Distinguished Norwin Alumni, one Distinguished Friend of Norwin, and our graduating NAFA Scholarship recipient.

Those honored included William Caruthers, Esq. (1973), Hon. Mark Critz (1980), Dr. Constance DeMore (1991), Dr. Robin Dillon (1973), Dr. Heather Newell (1988), Mr. Dan Priatko (1980) and Mr. Rich Siniawski (1966). In addition, Mr. Casey Harper was honored as a Distinguished Friend of Norwin.

Nominations for the Second Annual Knight of Distinguished Alumni Begin January 2nd

Sun, 25 Feb 2018 17:06:49 +0000

The Norwin Alumni and Friends Association will host the second annual Knight of Distinguished Alumni Banquet on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at Stratigos Banquet Centre. The event will feature a cash bar and full buffet dinner followed by the presentation of the 2018 Class of Distinguished Alumni.

Nominees must be graduates of Irwin High School, North Huntingdon High School or Norwin High School and have been graduated from high school for at least 10 years. Nominations will be accepted beginning January 2, 2018 with the deadline for nomination being 4:00 pm on February 2, 2018. Click here to access the 2018 Nomination Form.

Distinguished Alumni 2018 Nominations

Fri, 15 Dec 2017 13:30:39 +0000

The Norwin Alumni and Friends Association will host the second annual Knight of Distinguished Alumni Banquet on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at Stratigos Banquet Centre. The event will feature a cash bar and full buffet dinner followed by the presentation of the 2018 Class of Distinguished Alumni.

Thank you for making the First Annual Knight of Distinguished Alumni a Success

Sat, 27 May 2017 12:35:03 +0000

For the first annual Knight of Distinguished Alumni, 174 guests came from across the country to honor the the accomplishments of Norwin alumni.

On behalf of both NSDCF+NAFA, we’d like to thank the community for all of their support that allowed us to turn an initial idea into a successful first event.

Knight of Distinguished Alumni 2017

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 12:37:49 -0500

The Norwin Alumni and Friends Association will host A Knight of Distinguished Alumni on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at Stratigos Banquet Centre. The event will feature a cash bar and full buffet dinner followed by the presentation of the inaugural class of distinguished alumni.

The inaugural class features 10 alumni who have had careers of distinction since their days at Norwin High School. In addition, one Distinguished Friend of Norwin will be honored for service to Norwin schools and community.