1990s
The 27th Alumni Reunion was held at WPSD, drawing a record-breaking 542 attendees. The event featured the presentation Along the WPSD Trail, with Stephen Rute ’74 narrating the history of the school from 1868 to 1950 and Valentine Wojton ’76 covering the modern era from 1951 to 1990.
A Garden Club Beautification Award was presented to WPSD for its efforts in creating an attractive campus with landscaped floral areas in 1990.
In 1991, the WPSD girls’ basketball team claimed victory in the CSSD Tournament championship, defeating the Wisconsin School for the Deaf 41-33.
That same year, the spring dance (Prom) was held off-campus for the first time, taking place at the Edgewood Cot Club. An Annual Senior Reception was introduced to celebrate graduating seniors. During the event, the Alumni President spoke about how the Alumni Association supports WPSD and encouraged seniors to join the association.
In 1992, WPSD hosted a lecture series on Deaf Culture for staff members. The series featured presentations by Nancy DeWitt ’80, Mary Ann Stefko, Stephen Rute ’74, and Valentine Wojton ’76.
That year also saw the opening of the long-anticipated Alumni Museum, proposed in 1987, with Stephen Rute ’74 serving as curator.
After being inactive since 1972, the Boy Scouts returned to WPSD with the approval of Dr. Bill Craig. Eight boys joined Troop 25, part of the East Valley Area Council of Boy Scouts, under the leadership of Mark Kite ’78 in 1992.
In 1993, the Boys’ Vocational Building, constructed in 1904, was demolished after failing a building inspection. The woodshop class was relocated to the Porterfield Gymnasium, where a new ramp was added to improve wheelchair accessibility.
Superintendent Dr. Bill Craig retired in December 1993 after 24 years of dedicated service to WPSD. Donald Rhoten was appointed as the school’s ninth superintendent, assuming the role in January 1994.
Kim Bucha ’93 made a significant impact in athletics, earning the YMCA Outstanding Performance Award and being invited to play on the Pennsylvania Girls’ Roundball Classic Team. She was named a Deaf All-American in basketball three times and received All-American honors in volleyball and softball. Kim set a new WPSD basketball scoring record with 2,037 points, surpassing Valerie Somogyi’s previous record of 1,144 points.
In 1994, WPSD formed a new chapter of the Junior National Association of the Deaf (Jr. NAD). This program aimed to promote leadership among students and encourage community service. The Alumni Association generously donated $1,000 to support its establishment.
WPSD also rejoined the Eastern Schools for the Deaf Athletic Association (ESDAA) in 1994. That year, the school sent its wrestlers to the American School for the Deaf and its boys’ and girls’ basketball and volleyball teams to the Maryland School for the Deaf. While no teams finished higher than third place, the renewed participation marked an important step in reestablishing athletic connections.
The Boys’ Gymnasium was packed to capacity as Deaf Wrestlefest ’94 brought excitement to the school. With tickets completely sold out, 450 eager fans filled the stands to witness seven thrilling matches featuring 13 semi-professional wrestlers. Among them was the well-known wrestler “Dink”, whose presence added to the electrifying atmosphere of the event.
That same year marked a significant step forward in accessibility and communication at the school. Sign language proficiency standards were established for all staff, ensuring that every member of the educational community could effectively communicate with students. Additionally, the school introduced the All-Inclusive Communication Environment (AICE), a framework designed to meet the diverse communication needs of every student. This initiative reinforced the school’s commitment to providing an inclusive and accessible learning environment.
The WPSD Boys’ Track Team achieved great success by winning the ESDAA championship at the Rhode Island School for the Deaf, with the girls’ team earning a commendable fourth place.
On June 30, 1994, WPSD hosted the inaugural Elroy Face Golf Invitational at Champion Lakes in Ligonier. The event drew 115 participants, including celebrities Joe DeNardo, a well-known weatherman, and Pittsburgh Pirates players Bill Mazeroski and Kent Tekulve. Proceeds from the tournament supported the Parent/Infant Program.
In February 1995, SIGNSHINE was introduced as an after-school program with advisors Marlene Schechter-Connors and Janie DiSanti-McTighe. Its goal was to promote deaf awareness through high school student performances, including ABC stories, Deaf culture showcases, signed songs, and creative movement.
That same year, the Parent/Infant Program hosted the first annual Family Learning Weekend, offering families a deeper understanding of deafness and educational resources.
WPSD gained national attention in June 1994 with the feature article “Life at WPSD” in Life magazine. While the 1994 graduation ceremony was for only six students, the article highlighted the physical and celebratory aspects of Deaf Culture, describing hugs as “an embrace of love and celebration.”
In 1995, the school expanded its support for families with the launch of the first annual Family Learning Weekend, hosted by the Parent/Infant Program. This event was designed to help families gain a deeper understanding of deafness, communication, and educational opportunities for their children. Through workshops, discussions, and hands-on learning, families connected with educators and one another, fostering a stronger support system for their children’s future.
The Annual Summer Camp, aimed at helping students embrace their identities as deaf individuals, was renamed the Chad Brown/WPSD Summer Camp for Children with Hearing Loss in 1995.
In 1996, WPSD collaborated with the Pressley Ridge School to create the P.R.I.D.E. Program, a joint effort to support deaf students with emotional challenges.
The Ft. Pitt Chapter of Bell Atlantic Telephone Pioneers contributed significantly to campus improvements. They painted a large map of the United States on the tarmac outside the Main Building and donated a fully operational model technology classroom. This classroom featured a multimedia projector connected to a Smart interactive whiteboard, enabling teachers to deliver interactive lessons.
A new Special Studies Independent Living Apartment was introduced in 1996 to teach students vital independent living and self-care skills. This space provides opportunities for learning skills necessary for support or competitive employment in fields like food service and domestic cleaning.
The Mighty Mite soccer program expanded, and WPSD joined the Edgewood soccer league. The program focused on skill-building, teamwork, and understanding league rules for Under 8, Under 10, and Under 12 teams.
In a remarkable moment of recognition, SIGNSHINE performed the national anthem at the AFC Divisional Round game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills at Three Rivers Stadium on January 6, 1996.
In 1997, a new corridor was added to connect the Main Building and The Center on Deafness, enhancing accessibility and convenience for students and staff.
Sign language proficiency standards were established for all staff. AICE (All-Inclusive Communication Environment) was also established to ensure that the communication needs for every student will be met in 1994.
In 1995 the Parent/Infant Program hosted the first annual Family Learning Weekend, which was designed to provide families with a great understanding of deafness and educational programs.
The Board of Trustees worked on a long-term strategic plan to look at WPSD and its programs for the future. In 1995, the Special Studies Department, the independent living skills area, a transition class, added an expanded kitchen and classroom, a play area, and a woodshop in the basement of the old Girls’ Side building.
WPSD’s girls’ volleyball team, coached by Amy Newland, won the ESDAA championship for the first time by beating the American School for the Deaf.
WPSD hosted the ESDAA Boys’ Basketball Tournament in 1998, bringing together teams from the American, Lexington, Marie Katzenbach, Maryland, New York, and Western Pennsylvania Schools for the Deaf. Coach Terry Matthews ’63 led WPSD to its first ESDAA basketball championship in 50 years. For the first time, the WPSD cheerleading team competed in the ESDAA Cheerleading Tournament, which was held at WPSD.
At the ESDAA Wrestling Tournament, hosted by the American School for the Deaf, Ken Lloyd ’00 won the 189-pound class and was named Most Outstanding Wrestler.
WPSD’s girls’ track team won the 1998 ESDAA Track Tournament at the Maryland School for the Deaf by defeating St. Mary’s School for the Deaf, 117-91.
In 1997, WPSD’s Main Building is listed as a Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmark.
Bobbie Jo Kite ’99 attended Chatham College to take a Psychology 101 course. She had a note taker and interpreter to help her.