Magazine honors area businesswoman

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

A Rostraver Township business owner was recently selected as a Woman of the Year by a national quarterly magazine.

Alexis Faust Punturiero, owner of Rostraver Dance & Gymnastics Academy in Rostraver Township, was named a “Readers Choice” winner as part of Gladys Magazine’s 2020 Women of the Year.

She was nominated by longtime friend Tina King, who called Punturiero “not your typical studio owner.”

“She truly puts blood, sweat and tears into what she does,” King said. “She is kind hearted, nonjudgmental and treats each child as if he or she were her own.”

Punturiero has owned the studio for the past 20 years.

“I have known Tina for about seven years, since her daughter started at my studio when she was 3 years old,” Punturiero said. “My son and her daughter were in the same pre-school class and now they are 11.”

She had no idea she was nominated for the honor.

“It was very humbling to me,” Punturiero said. “It was a total shock to me when I first found out.

“When I saw what she had to say about me, it was one of those moments that just brought me a sense of gratefulness, to know that someone recognizes and appreciates what I do.”

King said Punturiero helps her students “shine” on stage.

“No matter what the child’s background is, she is able to help them grow and to gain confidence,” King said. “She let’s them shine on stage and does not ever let them feel as if they are less than or inadequate.”

To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Tuesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.