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


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    THE 60's
      Margie Surovchak, '68
      Sam Woncheck, '69
      Paul Valovich, '61
      Jerry Parola, '69 IN MEMORIAM
      Stan Kemp, '63
      Libero A. (Lee) Tremonti, '60
      John M. Valovich, '63
      Don Saunders, '63
      Carol Semantic Claybaugh, '62
      Paul Hubinon, '60
      Pat Sanders Murphy, '66
      Cal Mongomery, '66
      William 'Gus' Pagonis, '60

Woncheck Charleroi Area head of security?... By Chris Buckley, VALLEY INDEPENDENT, September 1, 2004
Before the Charleroi Area School District had its own director of security, Sam Woncheck often responded to calls at the Fallowfield Township campus.

The former Fallowfield police chief soon could be walking familiar hallways in the district.

Woncheck is expected to be named director of security the next time the school board meets.

Board President Ken Wiltz acknowledged that Woncheck will be recommended for the position when the board meets for either an agenda session Sept. 21 or a special meeting that could come sooner.

The board must also fill the vacancy left by the resignation last month of business manager George Safin. The field has been narrowed to three candidates, said Wiltz, who declined to identify the finalists.

If a consensus is reached prior to the Sept. 21 session, a special meeting will be held, Wiltz said.

The director of security position became available when Ottie Caruso left to take a similar post in the Ringgold School District. Caruso is a retired Charleroi police chief.

Wiltz said he would vote for Woncheck.

"I'm assuming he will have the five votes," Wiltz said. "I think we're pretty comfortable with Sam."

Woncheck retired from the Fallowfield police department in February 2003 after 30 years on the force, the final 22 as chief.

Experience was a major factor in considering Woncheck, Wiltz acknowledged.

"He's familiar with the community, the police department, the fire department," Wiltz said. "He knows the community. He's well connected in that way.

"He has a lot of pluses if he is the successful candidate."

Since leaving the force, Woncheck has worked as a special investigator for the state Office of Inspector General before taking a job as an instructor for the ICM School of Business in Pittsburgh. He worked in the school's associate degree in criminology program.

Over the past 24 years, he has taught at Indiana University of Pennsylvania's police academy and in the Beaver County Community College criminology department. He has taught continuing education classes for police officers.

Woncheck said he would continue to teach, if time permits.

"If I get the job at the high school, there will be many young people pursuing careers in criminal justice," Woncheck said.

"I could guide them in what college credits they will need and even what courses they will need to take at the high school level."

This week, Woncheck was at the campus working security for the district on a per diem basis. He will return, if needed, Woncheck said.

Woncheck said that if hired, he would look forward to working with local police officers he has known for years.

Chris Buckley can be reached at cbuckely@tribweb.com OR 724-684-2642.