Letter from the Director of Development

Welcome to Our Home on the Hill, 6th edition. 

In this issue, alumni are popping up everywhere — Thank you, Ambassadors! We celebrate legacy Hilltoppers, recent grads, scholastic achievements, and share reunion weekend details. 

As we look ahead to celebrating our nation's 250th Independence Day, the entire Westmont Hilltop family extends our warmest wishes for a safe and joyful Fourth of July. 

Pictured: Rob Gleason, 2026 Distinguished Alumnus, '56, and Janie Solomon, Director of Development, celebrating Distinguished Graduates at Sunnehanna Country Club, May 14, 2026.

Distinguished Graduates must meet 7 markers of 11 criteria for an invitation to the banquet, and are presented with a medallion from Principal Aurandt to wear at graduation, defining their status as Distinguished Grads. The Education Foundation awarded three students $1,000 each.

In addition to celebrating 31 exceptional seniors from the Class of 2026, the district also honored distinguished alumnus Rob Gleason, Class of 1956. His long list of credentials and appointments made this a Hilltop keynote for the books!

Thank you, Mr. Gleason, for your decades of service to the district.

WHSD will continue the tradition of recognizing both high school seniors and alumni at next year's and future banquets.

Enter your nominations here for future Distinguished Alumni.

Student Speaker, Molli Lazzari

Enjoy photos from the event, provided by Bridge Perspective

NCAA Division II National Champion, 2004, Javelin (Slippery Rock University)

Named one of the PSAC's 75 Greatest Female Athletes, 2025

3-Time Division II All-American

3-Time PSAC Champion

PIAA Bronze Medalist, Javelin, 1999 and 2000

Don't see your class listed below? Join our Ambassadors Club! We have 24 ambassadors representing 19 classes, and always looking for more alumni to help grow the Westy Network!

To get involved or to find members from your class, Contact Janie: 814-255-8711, [email protected]

Celebrating Hilltopper Legacy Athlete, Gary Pagano, and his framed #14 jersey at the Hilltopper Classic Basketball Tournament.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Pagano Family and Friends. Gary will forever be remembered as a Westmont Hilltopper Legacy Athlete.

• All-time lead basketball scorer: 1,968 points (all 2-pointers!)
• 3-year Varsity starter (Freshmen did not play Varsity)
• 2-time Skip Pristo award winner
• 2-time District scoring champion
• 3rd Team All-State Class B
• 76 Varsity games played, never scoring less than double digits

How to be this good? Practice. Practice. As a young student, Gary would practice every day, even in the snow, with his father rebounding for him. "That's where records are built. Not just on game night, but on that random Tuesday in the snow, when no one is watching," from the evening's introduction by Assistant Coach and '93 Alumnus, Casey Craig.

This year's new Gary F. Pagano Memorial Scholarship Fund was awarded to Senior basketball player, Captain Jack Wesner, who demonstrated excellence both on the court and in the classroom.

Sports and Clubs had a triumphant second semester!

We are proud of our athletes and clubs doing what they do best, and... Best in Class.

It's worth a mention...
Varsity Boys Basketball's trip to the state quarterfinals was its first since 1952!

Varsity Softball became District Champions for the first time in 30 years!

The Pennsylvania School Boards Association recognizes Westmont Hilltop School District with a Great PA Schools Designation.

The 4-year term is assigned to school districts that provide students with access to rigorous programming, are community-centric, demonstrate financial well-being, and display resilience.

From WHSD Superintendent of Schools, Tom Mitchell, 'Each part of a school system relies on others; it's a circle of interdependence with no beginning or end, but one that must exist for students and communities to excel.'

The award is both an honor and a true reflection of a system working together. Go Westy!

Westmont Hilltop School District was one of four Pennsylvania districts selected to share our success in literacy achievement at the elementary school level at the 2026 Pennsylvania Literacy Coalition Summit in Harrisburg, PA. 

This report details a "Curriculum by DIY" approach, in which WH teachers identify and address gaps in learning.

Westmont Hilltop's story and statistics, titled "The Power of Teacher-Driven Evolution in a Changing Suburban Landscape," begins on page 18 of the report.

Celebrated as school #datasuperheroes, Vicki Erdley, Special Education, and Jessica Bonachea, PIMS Coordinator, were the 2026 recipients of the Data Governance Award of Excellence at the Pennsylvania Department of Education Data Summit.

Setting an example for Pennsylvania schools, they were recognized for improving the quality, security, and administrative accuracy of district reporting.

Through their leadership and commitment, they continue to elevate how WHSD grows, plans, and serves our Hilltoppers!

Enjoy a buffet-style dinner, cash bar, and open seating. 

$42.50 per person
Dress code: Come as you are!
RSVP by Sunday, 9/6/26

If paying by check, please make payable to:

Westmont Hilltop Education Foundation 

Mail to:
Westmont Hilltop Education Foundation 
222 Fair Oaks Drive
Johnstown, PA 15905

Please include Year of Graduation!

Help us get the word out and share our newsletters and social media with your Westy network! 

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