Sto-Rox students and staff members gathered at the Jr./Sr. High School on Wednesday evening to learn new lessons - including some from each other - about the impact of hate in their community, and the world. The Sto-Rox SAVE Club, led by teacher Paula Dugan (center, first photo), held a screening of “Repairing the World: Stories for the Tree of Life.”
The documentary recounts the Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting and its aftermath; the shooting in Squirrel Hill in October of 2018, the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. Members of the SAVE Club saw the documentary when they attended the second annual Eradicate Hate Student Summit in October of 2024, and its impact led to the formation on Wednesday’s event.
Following the screening of the documentary in the school auditorium, dinner was served in the cafeteria. Students, staff, and community members discussed ways to fight hate in their community.
“I wanted to send a special thank you and shoutout to everyone who attended,” said Dugan following the event. “And for those who were unable to make it, but wanted to, you’re in luck! The folks that attended last night want to do it again in the spring.”
People attended and supported Wednesday’s event include:
• Ed Pierce (“Coach Ed”), Sto-Rox Parent-Community Liaison
• Members of Cure Violence
• Michael Pietragallo, Sto-Rox Director of School Safety and Security and district security personnel. Pietragallo shared his experiences of working on the day of the Tree of Life attack,
• Teachers Shyanne Rippole and Lauren Ferragonio for their support of the SAVE Club
• Special Assistant to the Superintendent Mike Hauser
• Technology Director Chris Christiansen
• Steel City Impact
• Ms. Smith, who helped bring students and community members together
• District Social Worker Alex Gariepy
Details about a spring showing of “Repairing the World” will be released as they become available.