North Allegheny teacher honored for spearheading student jump rope fundraiser

Like any good teacher, Dean Boronyak knows that making things fun can often be a great way to motivate kids.

So when the North Allegheny physical education teacher was looking for ways his students could raise money for charity, he came up with a solution that channeled their boundless energy while making them healthier at the same time — jumping rope.

Boronyak and his colleagues in the district’s physical education departments spearheaded a fundraiser across the district’s seven buildings called Jump for the Hills, which raised nearly $46,600 for North Hills Community Outreach.

For his efforts, Boronyak recently was awarded NHCO’s annual People Helping People Award.

“Each year the People Helping People Award is given to someone who NHCO feels has done a fantastic job carrying out our mission in the community,” said Erica Cochran, the nonprofit organization’s director of development. “There is no doubt that Dean and the entire physical education and health department within North Allegheny school district have done that.”

Boronyak said finding ways to help others in need is a valuable lesson for children.

“When our department chose to work with NHCO, I knew this would be a great partnership where we both could make an impact on our community,” he said. “I know our team and myself teach to make a positive impact in the lives of our students and others that come into our lives.

“NHCO’s message of people helping people is the message we want to instill in all our students. What a better world we would live in if we all truly loved and helped others, especially those in need,” he said. “I am humbled and blessed to receive this award on behalf of our entire department and the North Allegheny community.”

Cochran said getting students involved in fundraising for the needy builds on the foundation Boronyak tries to provide his students.

“In addition to consistently teaching students kindness, sportsmanship and the value of giving back to the community; they are educating all their students on the services that NHCO provides and reducing the stigma of using social services from a young age. That is priceless,” she said.

The People Helping People award is one of the highest honors given each by NHCO, said executive director Tom Baker.

“It showcases just how large of an impact that Dean, his colleagues within North Allegheny, and his amazing students in the district made for our organization,” Baker said. “The students, with Dean’s leadership and passion, achieved at an incredible level with their Jump for the Hills this year. We greatly appreciate all of their efforts.”