Scholarship presented in honor of late McKeesport teacher
By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
Retired McKeesport Area High School Academic Principal John Bertoty and his wife Sandra visited the school’s campus this week to pay tribute to their late daughter, Debra Bertoty.
A dedicated life skills teacher for 23 years at Francis McClure Elementary School, Debra died Feb. 16 due to an unexpected complication with her liver. She was 46.
On Wednesday morning, with help from a group of teachers who were friends with Debra, the couple surprised 18-year-old senior student Ta’Jia Herriott with a scholarship in Debra’s name.
“Is it me? Did I get chosen as the scholarship winner? Did I really win the scholarship? I can’t believe it,” Ta’Jia said as she walked into the high school courtyard where the Bertotys were waiting to surprise her with an oversized check.
In the fall, Ta’Jia will attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she will study to become a dietitian. A member of the high school orchestra, Ta’Jia plans to minor in music and culinary arts, which she studied at the district-run McKeesport Technology Center. Ta’Jia also studied cosmetology at the center and played on the high school soccer team.
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