listing/roster of Charleroi, Pennsylvania High School Graduates/Alumni


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    THE 70's
      John Woodward, '77
      Andrea Todora, '74
      James R. Moon, '73
      David Mudrick & Cindy Colvin, '74
      George Braunegg, '75
      Bob Burns, '76
      Bill Woytovich, '73
      Michael 'Reed' Popovich, '74
      Karen A. Theys, '74
      Keith Spear, '74
      Vicki DuJordan, '71
      Leslie Kibler, '77
      Valerie Marraccini, '76 & Dennis J. Stitch, '78
      Janey Potts, '75
      Joseph R. Scaccia, '75
      Cheryl Deep, '74
      Mark Mascara, '74
      Jeff Kossol, '71
      Philip J. Kellman, '72
      Sheri Monack, '75

The sky's the limit for Charleroi native... By Amanda L. Hazen, for THE VALLEY INDEPENDENT, September 20, 2003
Andrea Todora(Ross) has soared to new heights since she flew away from the Mon Valley eight years ago. After the breakup of her 18-year marriage, Todora, now 47, decided to 'spread her wings' and follow her dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot. It took her to Mesa Pilots Training and Development in Farmington, NM, where she earned a multi-engine commercial license.

The desert climate did not agree with her, being 'light years away' from southwestern Pennsylvania's climate. Todora also didn't like being so far away from her family. So she moved back East to Jacksonville, FL.

Todora was born and raised in Charleroi, and her immediate family still resides there. She graduated from Charleroi Area High School in 1974 and lived in Pittsburgh until deciding to pursue her pilot's license.

While flight school trained her for an immediate job with Mesa Airlines, she had to turn down her dream job. She did it though, for her beloved pets. Todora has four dogs: Kramer, Skylar, Jessi and Sniffles. Andrea also has a gold and blue macaw. "It was a conflict because of their health and well-being," she said. "I didn't want to neglect them." Another factor, she said, was the high number of airline industry layoffs that followed the September 11, 2001, terror attacks. "That was something I took very personally. It was an attack on my industry," she said.

Todora decided to pursue a degree through the University of Phoenix Jacksonville campus. With only two classes left to complete, she soon will graduate with a bachelor's degree in business management.

Todora said that after graduation, she might consider a move back to the Mon Valley, although she admitted her timing may be off. "I was home for my grandmother's funeral for a few days in March," she said. "As I was driving down (Interstate) 79 from the airport, there was a rock slide. Then, the next morning at 4 a.m., my brohter called me to get up and help him. The cars were sliding off the driveway because of the ice storm and he needed me to help put cinderblcks beneath the tires."

Todora may not be flying full time, but she's not grounded. She has volunteered with Angel Flights for the past three years. Angel Flights is a national volunteer organization that transports donor organs and patients in need of transplants. "They look for people who own their own planes or those who are willing donate their time," she said. "I usually volunteer as a co-pilot."

Her class schedule limits her volunteer time, she said. Todora said she would love to combine her love of flying with her love of animals, and is looking into an organization named Flights for Paws, which does much the same for pets as Angel Flights does for humans.

With her degree almost completed, Todora hopes that, "God willing," she will be able to spend more time in the sky.

Amanda L. Hazen is a student intern from California University of Pennsylvania.