Parents of Our Lady of Peace School students attend the Taste of OLP event inside the school’s gymnasium.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
Our Lady of Peace School celebrates the milestone with special events
Keith Yaiko, left, and Louis Costanzo, volunteer to cook burgers at OLP’s Back to School Picnic.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
Clockwise, from left: Terrence Nealon, of Clarks Green, with wife, Mary Elizabeth, and daughters, Caroline, 5, and Gigi, 8, at the Back to School Picnic.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
OLP students do the limbo during the Back to School Picnic.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
CLARKS SUMMIT — Our Lady of Peace School is celebrating its 70th year. The Falcon Family Alliance (FFA), which is organized by students’ parents, have been organizing events to celebrate this milestone.
“We have such a great community at the school,” said FFA member Kolia Perez, whose daughter Rio is a first-grade student. “So many gracious parents that donated their time and services for this specific event.”
And this event is the school’s first-ever Taste of OLP, which was a kick-off social event and fundraiser held at the gymnasium on Friday, Sept. 13. It featured samples of specialty dishes prepared by local restaurants.
Co-owner of both Epicurean Delight and Backyard Ale House Patrick Nasser brought chicken sliders, roast red peppers, homemade pierogies with red onion marmalade, and sausage-stuffed mushrooms all from Epicurean Delight. He also brought smoked chicken wings from Backyard Ale House to the event.
“It’s not only good for the school but a nice opportunity for parents to connect with each other,” he said about Taste of OLP.
Patrick attended OLP from 4th grade to 8th grade. His children are current students at OLP. His son Miles is in 5th grade and his daughter Pearl is in 1st grade.
There were also crab cakes from State Street Grill and a large variety of pizza from Colarusso’s at the event. There was also music provided by Leighann & Company featuring Andy Sleboda. Leighann Lehman is also a 3rd-grade teacher at OLP.
“It’s a beautiful event,” she said. “The Falcon Family Alliance did a good job putting it together.”
Proceeds from Taste of OLP are going toward expanding OLP with building improvements as well as supporting art and theater programs.
The 70th celebration continued with the Back to School Picnic on Sunday, September 15. This was more of a gift to the community as parents and students enjoyed a sunny day of free food cooked on the grill by volunteers, ice cream provided by Jitty Joe’s, and music provided by a DJ, and face painting by OLP cheerleaders.
Michael Giannetta, who graduated from OLP in the late 1970’s, came to the picnic with his son Michael (5th grade) and daughter Tricia (2nd grade), who are both students at OLP.
“Everything here still looks the same,” he said. “Walking through here brings back a lot of memories.”
FFA members plan to keep celebrating 70 years for the rest of this year.
“We like to celebrate 70 years and keep it going,” said FFA member Katie Costanzo. “It’s a great, beautiful school with a wonderful community.
Other FFA members include Mary Ann Morgan, Donna DeNaples, Kathy Stofko, and Katie Perez.
