Gifts to foundation fuel stadium, STEM upgrades at Derry Area School District

Donors are needed to help the Derry Area School District Foundation keep driving forward with projects to enhance athletics, academics and agricultural and arts programs for students.

That’s the goal of the foundation’s Four A’s Initiative, a Trojan’s Spear Alumni Association effort.

The initiative has raised $450,000 in charitable contributions toward much-needed improvements to the high school stadium entrance. Additional donations are being sought for the project, which carries an estimated cost of $550,000.

The district expects to begin seeking project bids within the next month or so, according to Business Manager Scott Chappell.

Meanwhile, the foundation and the Four A’s Initiative Steering Committee are looking to assist with other needs at Derry Area.

“This is not just a one-project initiative,” said Sarah Crispin-Thomas, a local insurance agent who chairs the steering committee. “We are looking to complete this (stadium) project and, hopefully, engage the public to want to be involved in future projects to help the district.”

That project wish list includes new STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) software and technology, new sound systems for the auditorium and gymnasium and replacement of the greenhouse used by the district’s agriculture and horticulture program.

“Agriculture is such a big part of the district and an important offering for the county,” Crispin-Thomas said. “We’re the only district in Westmoreland County that has an ag-hort program.”

Long-range plans include improvements to the district baseball and softball complex.

The Four A’s began with a major gift from a community member in memory of the late Edward F. Sobota, a Derry High School graduate who, with his wife, Diane, founded TechSpec Inc. — now known as TSI Titanium. That gift initially was intended as seed money for an athletic capital project, but it sparked a larger initiative encompassing all aspects of the school district.

Including gifts from other alumni and community members, the initiative has raised more than $500,000 to help with the stadium entrance and other district projects, according to Sarah Mikeska, a Derry Area special education teacher and president of the district foundation.

“Derry recently purchased drones to enhance the robotics curriculum and help students to learn valuable coding and programming skills,” Mikeska said in a foundation news release. “Support also enabled the school district to purchase Glowforge 3-D laser printers to enhance students’ technical and artistic capabilities and craftsmanship, and other equipment to enhance our science and technology classes in the high school.”

The stadium project will include a new separate concession stand, two ticket booths and restrooms. The current structure that houses both concessions and restrooms is slated for demolition.

The district may hold off on installing new fencing until later.

“The entryway is overdue for an upgrade and some new aesthetics,” said Brett Miller, district director of athletics and transportation.

The project design presented by consultant Axis Architecture features buildings with a castle-like facade. The concept, which might still be tweaked, is “based on the walls of Troy, images our architect was able to search,” Miller said.

The hope is to have the upgraded stadium entrance ready for home games next fall.

“That’s the hope,” Miller said. “Realistically, we need to expect some delays with the supply chain issues and current economic situations we’re all facing.”

Those interested in contributing to the Four A’s Initiative should contact Chappell at schappell@dasd.us or 724-694-1401, ext. 1403.