FARRELL/WHEATLAND - Ted Pedas has spent much of his life gazing at the stars and explaining them to people.

As a teacher, astronomer and scientific cruise leader, Pedas, 73, has traveled far to witness eclipses, followed comets and pondered the dark side of the moon. He's never forgotten his Farrell roots, however.

"You remind us of the importance of staying connected," Farrell Area School Board President Terry Harrison said Monday, after Pedas made his 43rd cash donation to the district.

"I want to personally thank you," Harrison said.

Education, community and family are pillars in Pedas' life and he reminds the district of that commitment each year, Harrison said.

"I hope that my legacy is that I helped the citizens of Farrell and Wheatland," Pedas said.

"We appreciate it," Superintendent Lora Adams-King said.

Pedas' $30,000 check brings the total of his contributions to $655,132.34

The money will fund cash awards for students of the month and year, and employees of the month and year for non-instructional staff.

It will underwrite the model rocketry in education program and pay for the alumni hall of fame.

The bulk of the cash will go toward supporting the Ted Pedas Planetarium and provide 100 days of instruction there.

"We don't take it for granted," Adams-King said.

She was happy to assist Pedas in handing out the student of the year awards - which include a $100 check.

Terry Stefanick, a jack-of-all-trades in the district who works in its copy center and as a computer technician and is also senior class adviser and theater arts coordinator, was honored with a $1,000 check as the non-instructional employee of the year and the Men of God Plus, a group that mentors the district's youth, was chosen as citizen(s) of the year and presented with a $1,000 check.

Philanthropist Pedas to donate $30K to Farrell School District

FARRELL, Pa — Philanthropist and Farrell Area School District Planetarium Director Emeritus Ted Pedas is donating $30,000 this year to the district.

Pedas said he is planning to make his donation to the Farrell School Board at its Monday meeting.

He says the donation will break down as follows:

• High-school Student of the Month awards, $2,700 for 54 cash awards of $50 each to be presented this school year to students in grades seven through 12.
  
• Elementary school Student of the Month awards, $1,350 for 54 cash awards of $25 each to be presented this school year.
  
• Elementary and high-school "Student of the Year" awards, $1,200 for awards of $100 given to one student each in grades one through 12.
  
• Employee of the Month awards for noninstructional staff, $1,200 for awards of $100 to be given each month of the year to secretarial, clerical, custodial, maintenance and cafeteria employees.
  
• Employee of the Year award for noninstructional staff, $1,000.
  
• Citizen of the Year volunteer award, $1,000 for a resident of Farrell or Wheatland who has made a significant contribution to the Farrell schools.
  
• Model Rocketry in Education award, $1,000 for supplies and other costs for a science program that explores building and launching model rockets.
  
• Planetarium equipment, supplies and maintenance, $15,550.
  
• Farrell Alumni Hall of Fame, $5,000 for banquet expenses.
  

FARRELL/WHEATLAND - For the first time, children receiving the Farrell's "student of the year" awards attended the school board meeting to collect their checks in person from school benefactor Ted Pedas, who received many, many thank yous from board members and 30 residents.

The alumnus and planetarium director emeritus, who has donated $625,132 to the district in 42 years, smiled as the children were recognized and announced he'll add some new awards this year in addition to funding for the school's planetarium and programs. Pedas' donation this year amounts to $30,000.

"It's a nice feeling for them, the kids were beaming today," he said of those receiving their awards. "Recognition is a very, very powerful thing."

Twelve students in grades one through 12 received $100 checks for their work in the 2010-11 school year. They were the third annual "student of the year" awards.

The two new awards Pedas announced are an "employee of the year" award for non-instructional staff and a "citizen of the year" volunteer award - for those in the school or community - both set at $1,000.

"I have long believed that giving merit for people going beyond the call of duty should be rewarded," he said. "In business and the professional world, merit pay plays a big part in the success of the organization."

Kavonne Whitman, whose son Jaden South received the fourth-grade "student of the year" award, said she was honored.

"A lot of people look at the town and have their own opinion of it ..." she said. "I'm just thankful he gives the awards and he continues to as long as he can. I think it's such a blessing what he does for the school."

Jaden said he thinks he received the award because he was "real good the whole year," and his mother said through the help of teachers and staff, Jaden overcame a slight learning disability and improved his reading skills.

Pedas said the "student of the month" and "student of the year" awards have provided him with the most joy because they've provided 1,698 students with more than $45,500 combined.

Farrell Area School District is rare in giving such monetary awards to students, he said.

Many other awards were announced, and this year marks the second in a row for the revived "employee of the month" award, which Pedas said he was happy to bring back.

Three years ago, Pedas also revived the "Model Rocketry in Education" project after 10 years of dormancy. During the last two school years, Tom Cimoric's science classes have learned to build and launch model rockets, and Pedas will donate $1,000 to the program this year.

Pedas is also donating $15,550 to the planetarium, which he said gives more than 100 presentations for grades one through 12, and $5,000 to the Farrell Alumni Hall of Fame, recognizing outstanding alumni for the seventh year in a row.

Upkeep of the planetarium is increasingly important, Pedas said, because there were once 323 school planetariums in the state and now there are 21.

"I've always felt very strongly about giving back, and the community is small enough I can make an impact ... and I just love giving these little gifts and helping people out," Pedas said.

He noted in the past, he's found some children were not able to cash his checks because they didn't have accounts, but he told his bank if they refuse to cash one of this checks he'll close his account there.

"Many of us have disadvantages and unfortunately sometimes that carries on through generations," he said. Each school board member praised Pedas for his work.

"This (generosity) didn't just start with you now, it's always been in you," board member Allen Harrison said. "It lets students know someone cares."

FARRELL - Everyone owes "a debt of gratitude" to their hometown, Ted Pedas told Farrell Area School Board members.

"To our school and community and to those individuals who paved the way for us,"he said.

In Pedas' case, he's paid up, and then some. He came to Monday's school board meeting toting a check for $30,000 to continue a lifetime of philanthropy. This was Pedas' 41st annual donation to the school for a total of $595,132.34 that he's given to the district.

The money will pay for programs at the school that are near and dear to Pedas' heart, foremost among them instruction in the planetarium that's named in honor of him.

Pedas is also underwirting the school's model rocketry program, its cash awards for elementary and high school students of the month, cash awards for students of the year, support for the Farrell Area School District Alumni Hall of Fame, maintenance of the district's Web presence and support of the Farrell Area School District Foundation, which he said he hopes to revitalize.

New this year are cash awards for a non-instructional employee of the month in the districts.

"These are the people behind everything we do and I think they should be recognized," Pedas said.

Following his presentation, Superintendent Lora Adams-King and school board members again expressed their gratutude.

"Thank you, thank you, and thank you," Mrs. Adams-King said. "This has been said several times before."

She's mentioned Pedas' support to a state Department of Education official and they were astonished to hear about his continued cash support of the district.

"This kind of stuff doesn't happen everywhere," the state bureaucrat told her, she said: "We're glad it happens in Farrell," Mrs. Adams-King said.

Pedas, a 1956 Farrell graduate, has been an educator at the high school and college levels and is an astronomer and scientific cruise leader. He still volunteers at the district's planetarium.

"Ted has given us a concept that avove all else, education is first," board member James Guerino said. "He gives his heart and mind to education and that's really what it's all about."

Pedas announces contributions totaling $30K, adds new awards.

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FARRELL — Ted Pedas has become as constant as the changing of the seasons.

In fact, every fall for the last 40 years, the former teacher and director of the Ted Pedas Planetarium of the Farrell High School has appeared before the Farrell Area School Board to make a personal contribution to the school district.

It has been Pedas who has created such recognition as the "Student of the Month" and the "Farrell Alumni Hall of Fame" and he's been a regular benefactor of equipment for the planetarium that the school district named in his honor.

He came back to the school board this week, announcing contributions totaling $30,000 this year, bringing his 40 year total to $565,132 to enhance school district programs, activities and facilities, benefiting students and the community.

He said the gifts have been a “small token of appreciation” to the school district which provided an education for him, his brothers and his sister.

Pedas announced the creation of two new awards this year — Elementary and High School Student of the Year and Employee of the Month for noninstructional staff.

Pedas, who said he is a believer in merit pay, said he is activating the Employee of the Month award to give recognition to employees who contribute beyond expectations.

He said he'd like to see Farrell be a pacesetter in the use of the bonus system.

In addition to his monetary gifts, Pedas said he will continue to Personally fund the Farrell Area School District, the FHS Alumni, and the History of Farrell, Pennyslvania web sites. He had funded the creation of all three.

He's also put $25,000 into the Farrell Area School District Foundation and told the school board that he is seeking to revitalize the foundation and take it in a new direction.

A breakdown of this year's contributions shows:

• $2,700 — High School Student of the Month providing 54 cash awards of $50 each to be presented September through May to students in grades 7-12.

• $1,350 — Elementary School Student of the Month providing 54 cash awards of $25.00 from September through May for students in grades 1-6.

• $1,200 — Elementary and High School Student of the Year, providing an award of $100 to be given to one student at every grade level.

• $1,200 — Employee of the Month for noninstructional staff, providing $100 monthly awards one to be presented each month of the year.

• $5,000 — Farrell Alumni Hall of Fame. The organization's fifth recognition dinner will be October 17.

• $18,550 — Planetarium equipment, supplies and maintenance. The planetarium has scheduled 144 presentations for students this year.

  In addition to his monetary gifts, Pedas will also give of his time.

  He said he will be working in the planetarium as a volunteer assisting instructors (paid for through his planetarium contribution) who will be handling the student presentation.

  ---

  Ted Pedas — Index of News Articles

Four decades of philanthropy were celebrated Monday night when Ted Pedas made his annual donation to Farrell Area School District.

Pedas said he was "aiming for 50" as he came with a $30,000 check to give to the district's students and staff this year.

His 40th donation funds "some of my favorite projects," he said.

Among them are $50 awards for students of the month in grades seven through 12 and $25 awards for students of the month in grades one through six.

"I think these 108 awards are my favorite. It isn't a lot of money, but it helps," Pedas said. Through the years, the program has rewarded 1,458 students and distributed $35,000, Pedas said.

"It's always nice to have that little extra incentive," Pedas said.

He's expanding the program this year to include $100 awards to "students of the year" in grades one through 12.

A longtime advocate of "merit pay" for the district's staff, Pedas reinstated this year $1,200 - $100 per month - to reward employees of the month for the noninstructional staff.

"This award pleases me greatly because it upholds my long-held belief in giving merit for going beyond set duties," Pedas said.

He'll also continue to fund the planetarium program which follows state science guidelines, he said.

In addition to rewarding the present students and staff, Pedas is continuing support of the Farrell Area School District Hall of Fame, a program led by alumni secretary Judi Pendel and alumni board chairman James A. Raykie Jr.

The Hall of Fame's annual induction ceremony is set for Oct. 17 at the high school cafeteria. "The Hall of Fame's good work in recognizing Farrell alumni who have made significant contributions throughout the country and the world for that matter, is possible mainly because of Ted," Raykie said. "Our community is blessed to have such a benevolent person."

School board members were unanimous in their appreciation of Pedas.

"He has always been a great friend of Farrell schools," board member Ronald Weston said."I hope you're here from 41 to 50 and beyond that," board member Chuck Branca said. Other members made similar statements as Pedas concluded his annual visit to the board.

"I'll be back for 41," Pedas said.

Pedas is a former astronomy teacher and international cruise leader and a 1956 graduate of Farrell High.

While the upcoming United Way fundraising campaign is a major local event, it's always good to find area people who already give back plenty to the community. One of those is Ted Pedas.

Pedas, former Farrell High teacher and now a world-traveler, this past week announced his donation of $30,000 to the Farrell Area School District.

It marked his 39th annual contribution for a total of more than $535,000 in the span of his benevolence. Now that's giving back to a community!

Over the years, Pedas has directed how his grants should be used. The school's planetarium - Farrell is one of the few schools in the state to have such a resource - has always been one of the key recipients of the astronomer's funding.

He also has provided almost $5,000 to reinstitute the school's rocketry studies, a program he started in the mid-1960s during the height of interest in the United States space program.

One of the more interesting uses of his money is to inspire students to work harder in school and get better grades.

We know of some parents who reward their kids with $5 or $10 for every "A" on the report card. But Pedas really steps up to provide monetary awards for top students.

He offers $2,700 for "Student of the Month" awards in the high school and $1,350 for similar awards at the elementary level.

Pedas has doubled the value of the high school awards, which were discontinued because of the lack of interest by recently fired Principal Lee McFerren. The funding provides for 54 awards of $50 each to students in grades 7-12. Elementary students will receive $25 each.

Pedas has said those awards have provided the most joy for him because they have touched so many students. You can bet the students also get great delight in receiving them.

Every school district would love to have a dedicated alumnus like Pedas. His dedication to Farrell students has been legendary. He has supported projects benefiting not only current students, but others such as Farrell Area School District Hall of Fame, which recognizes outstanding alumni.

Pedas, in presenting his annual awards, also offers advice. This year's words of wisdom were:

• A new superintendent should live in the community.
  
• Merit pay should be given to employees who exceed expectations.

While they may be difficult to institute because of residency-requirement laws and teaching contracts, they are items to consider.

However, there is no barrier to offering the Farrell-Wheatland community's thanks to a dedicated alumnus who has always lived up to the words of the 1960's Beach Boys hit song, "Be True to Your School."

FARRELL, Pa. — It wouldn't be fall without Ted Pedas' annual donation to the Farrell School District.

Pedas dropped off a check for $20,080 Monday night to the Farrell School Board to fund a bevy of programs he helped institute in the district.

This is Pedas' 36th annual donation. He has contributed $454,632 to the district in that time.

Pedas said the money is a small token of his appreciation to the district that provided an education to him and his brothers and sister.

"Each of us, in our own way, owes a debt of gratitude to our school, community and those dedicated individuals who paved the road for us," he said.

The money is used to fund several monthly awards including student of the month, employee of the month and money to fund the school's planetarium. Pedas is the planetarium director emeritus.

The money also is used to pay for the school district's Web site and a hall of fame that recognizes outstanding alumni in conjunction with the city's annual homecoming festival.

Part of Ted Pedas' annual donations to Farrell Area School District over the last few years was set aside in hopes that one day outstanding alumni could be recognized.

The 65-year old retired teacher and director of the district's planetarium said he wanted to create a Hall of Fame for those distinguished graduates.

And now, after years of hoping and collecting money for the project, it seems that Pedas' dream will finally come to fruition: The first class of honorees is to be inducted next year.

Pedas made the announcement - and his 35th annual donation - at Monday's school board meeting.

He began his presentation quoting British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, author Mark Twain and Hidu poet Tagore. Pedas said he came “with a sense of love for the board, his school and the community.”

He has shown that love for more than three decades by donating about $35,000 a year to the district until his retirement a few years ago. At that time, he decided to donate his retirement earnings to the district to fund 12 areas of activities.

Monday, Pedas presented Superintendent Richard Rubano a check for $20,080 that will be used to fund those activities and programs.

Pedas said he had been donating money to fund a Hall of Fame, but it never materialized, so this year, he decided to tranfer the $3,500 for it to another program.

Then Rubano called him and told him a committee was forming for the Hall of Fame program, and Pedas said he couldn't have been happier.

“I'm elated; absolutely elated,” he said. “This is something that was very dear to my heart. I felt that this type of recognition is important because Farrell has had many people become successful...”

The first Hall of Famers will be announced in July in conjunction with the fifth annual Farrell Citizen of the Year award ceremony.

Monday's donation brings the total of Pedas' 35 years of donations to $434,552. He called the money “a small token of appreciation” meant to give back to the district that gave him and his siblings - children of immigrant parents - an education so they could make their mark on the world.

Pedas - a world traveler and internationally known astronomer - has been a science magazine and newspaper writer for three decades. He continues to lead archaelogical and astronomical cruises around the world and is also a retired planetarium lecturer at Youngstown State University.

“My motivation is that I want every single student to receive an award while they're in school,” he said. “And now I'm even more motivated.”

From students who improve themselves to nontraditional students who are at least 25 years old looking to have a try at college learning, to custodians, secretaries and other non-instructional staff, Pedas said everyone in the district is important and valued, and the awards reflect that:

And while he said he is overjoyed when students and others thank him for his generosity, giving to others is just something that makes him happy.

“I feel that I've been very fortunate and when you've been fortunate, you should give something back,” he said. “I can think of nothing better than giving to the kids.”

School directors Monday showered Pedas with praise. Board member Edward Zappa called him “a Farrell guy all the way.”

“I think we would be a better world if more people gave a little more of themselves, be it money or effort. Giving is most important,” Pedas said.

As he has done for more than three decades, Ted Pedas delivered his 34th annual check Monday to the Farrell Area School Board.

This year -- as in every other year -- Pedas' contribution of $20,480 will go toward enhancing the district's programs, activities, buildings and the Farrell and Wheatland communities.

Before presenting his check, Pedas made several observations about the last year.

Pedas, who normally spends his summers traveling the world, said he decided to spend this summer at home in Farrell. He said he was happy to see the wonderful news coverage about local communities, but was unhappy to read about the downward spiral of community organizations.

"There are 17 organizations ready to fold because there's no community spirit," he said.

Pedas said he would like to see more emphasis on volunteerism. His volunteer of the year award, which is open to students, parents and community members, is one he said he would like to enhance.

Pedas said he would be willing to buy T-shirts that say "I am a Farrell volunteer," to jumpstart a community volunteer day. Volunteerism could start at the high school, which is more than 30 years old and in need of minor repairs.

Another change Pedas is hoping to see is on the school's Web site. He said he'll continue to pay for the Web sites containing information on Farrell alumni and Farrell's history. The school district site, however, is temporary and will be replaced with one produced and built by students, something that should be an integral part of the computer class curriculum that involves student participation, he said.

Pedas was hired by the district in 1969, but retired two years ago to ease the district's financial woes. He is director emeritus of the school planetarium, which is named for him. This year's contribution brings his total donations to the district to $417,473. He makes the annual donations, he said, as a small token of appreciation to the district "which has provided an education for my brothers and sister and me, enabling us, as children of immigrant parents, to make our way in the world."

"Each of us in our own way owes a debt of gratitude to our school, community and those dedicated individuals who paved the road for us," Pedas said.

Each school board member thanked Pedas for his unselfish generosity after Superintendent Richard Rubano and board President Lester Robinson presented him with a certificate of recognition.

"We always appreciate what you do for Farrell High School and the community. No matter what success you've achieved, you've never forgotten where you come from," Robinson said.

"You'll see me again for the 35th time next year unless you tire of me," Pedas told them.

Pedas continues annual donations

By Joe Pinchot
Herald Staff Writer The Herald (Sharon, Pa) —Tuesday, September 9, 2002

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When Ted Pedas announced he was retiring as planetarium director at Farrell Area School District, he overheard some unflattering chit-chat.

"We won't see him again," Pedas said people commented about him.

But even though he no longer is being paid by the district, he still is making his annual donation for a host of programs.

"He's not done yet," said Superintendent Richard R. Rubano Jr.

Monday, Pedas, presented the school board a check for $30,980.

It was Pedas' 33rd annual donation, lifting his total to $396,992.

"I plan to be here again next year," said Pedas, who acknowledged only being "kind of retired."

But Pedas, 63, of Farrell, also will be donating more than money to the district: He has agreed to contribute some of his time.

Pedas will return to the district as a planetarium volunteer.

The 1956 Farrell High graduate proposed working about 30 days a year, and he would choose different grades to work with each year. For this year, he wants to focus on grades nine through 12.

Pedas noted that the number of school planetariums has fallen statewide from 300 when he started in 1969 -- the year Farrell's was built -- to fewer than 30. He blamed the decline on budget cuts and districts losing interest in planetariums when key staff people leave.

Of the 14 programs Pedas is funding, the largest is for supplies, equipment and maintenance of the planetarium, which bears his name.

"I don't expect the district to provide any monies for the upkeep of the planetarium," he said.

Pedas, who organizes science- and history-themed sea cruises, said he also would be available to conduct astronomy, space and science workshops for teachers and staff.

"I do this because I love the school and the community, and I will do this as long as I can," he said of his philanthropy. "I make this oath to you."

School board members took turns praising Pedas' generosity.

"Thanks to people like you, Farrell is still a good place to raise your kids," said board membe Lester Robinson Jr.

Before Ted Pedas delivered his annual check to Farrell Area School District Monday, he offered some observations of things he has seen recently:

A Farrell post office employee helping an elderly man fill out a money order.

Students asking him what happened and how he is in response to seeing a bandage on his head. He had whacked it into the school planetarium dome.

A school board member fixing Pedas' bike when he noticed Pedas kept stopping while riding.

Those little acts of kindness, Pedas seemed to be saying, are as important as his annual big act of kindness.

"These are the things that happen in a small community," Pedas said.

Pedas, director of the school planetarium that is named after him, presented a check for $31,980 in his 32nd year of giving back to Farrell schools.

In total, Pedas has donated $364,192 to the district.

Some of the programs he funds recur from year to year -- such as the Student of the Month. Awards and Students Motivational and Improvement Awards -- but he always adds one or two new ones.

This year, Pedas took the advice of teacher Marge McCaslin-Gillern in starting an elementary literacy project.

Ms. McCaslin-Gillern said she loves reading and wanted to pass that on to her students.

Pedas said her comment was mindful of what Librarian of Congress Dr. James Billington and his predecessor, Dr. Daniel Boorstin, have told him about the state of reading in the United States.

The scholars, who have attended the historical and scientific ship cruises Pedas sets up for Royal Olympic Cruises of, New York, said people are not reading as much as they used to and publishers are releasing fewer books.

"They are concerned we're going to have a generation that's not reading," Pedas said.

Pedas is donating $1,250 to encourage students to read 25 books during the school year, meeting the state standard.

Pedas' second new program is actually one he announced at the Farrell Centennial Celebration: a school district Hall of Fame honoring outstanding alumni.

Pedas, who was named the Farrell Centurion at the Centennial Celebration, awarded $1,250 and hopes to see that 20 inaugural alumni will be named at the Farrell Homecoming in July.

The alumni awards would be named at the same time as the newly created Farrell Citizen of the Year and Junior Citizen of the Year awards.

Pedas publicly announced that he will retire at the end of the school year.

In one last act of kindness for the night, Pedas, seeking to stop potential heart attacks of school board members, said he will continue his annual check presentation and funding of existing and new programs.

Pedas, who was hired in 1969, said he decided to retire to ease the district's financial straits.

He noted the board's decision to raise taxes while the budget fund balance, its rainy day savings account, drops to an "unacceptably low amount."

He will work at the school about 45 days a year to guide students through the planetarium and will donate whatever he earns during that time -- plus his pension -- to the school district.

"I'm not giving up on you," he said.

The school board members took their turns thanking Pedas for his commitment to the district.

"Thanks again, Mr. Pedas," said school Director Larry Manilla. "I'll fix your bike anytime."

Ted Pedas got a letter recently from a "financial guru" who said he could have been a millionaire by now if he had invested the money he donates to his old school.

“I care more about people,” Pedas told the Farrell Area School Board Monday. “I care about human resources. That's why I'm doing this.”

What Pedas did Monday is what he's done every year for 31 years — give money to the school district to support existing programs and implement innovative ones.

Pedas, an astronomer who directs the school planetarium named after him and organizes scientific and historical sea cruises, turned over a check for $32,230, the largest amount of money he has ever given at one time. It brought his 31-year total to $327,212.

Aside from an outlay for maintenance and upkeep of the planetarium and continuation of existing programs, such as the Student Motivational and Improvement Awards for graduating seniors,Student of the Month Awards at the high school and elementary school and Volunteer of the Year Awards, Pedas created four new allocations.

Two of the new programs relate to the City of Farrell's 100th birthday next year. He has given $1,250 for the school district and city to get together and create a program that benefits students in conjunction with the Centennial Celebration.

“I don't want it to be hot dogs or wings,” he said. “I want to it be significant.”

Pedas suggested a contest or gift that reflects Farrell's history, which Pedas said was built on steel, foreign and domestic immigration and varied ethnic backgrounds.

“I think I was much richer for having had this diversity,” he said.

The second idea is an old one: instituting a school Hall of Fame honoring outstanding alumni. Pedas said he has talked about the idea for 20 years and three different superintendents have told him “next year.”

“I'm not going to ask,” he said. “I'm just going to give you the money.”

The amount: $1,250.

The former Youngstown State University professor envisions the first set of honorees being named during the Centennial Celebration, and an in-school display for academic achievement that rivals the athletic trophy cases.

Pedas said one of his fondest memories of growing up was watching the festivities of the Farrell Golden Jubilee in 1951 from his father's store at Broadway Avenue and Federal Street.

His other new programs are creating year-end $100 cash awards for the top Wheatland students in grades 1 through 12, and $2,000 for the Farrell Day Care Center, an idea he said came from district business office employee Debbie Bordell.

“You've been a model for kids to emulate,” said Superintendent Richard R. Rubano Jr. after the board gave Pedas a standing ovation. “You've been a model for superintendents to emulate. No one prods you. You do it because you want to.”

Ted Pedas challenged the Farrell Area School Board to better recognize the contributions of Wheatland. He put his money where his mouth is Monday by giving the district $1,200 for Wheatland Student of the Year Achievement and Recognition Awards.

Pedas said he read about the Wheatland residents who want to leave the Farrell school district and join West Middlesex or Hermitage. He said he was moved by their comments and wanted to start the award program, which will tender $100 to the top Wheatland student in grades 1-12 at the end of the school year.

“I went to school with Wheatland kids,” he said. “I was happy to hear some of them say they were glad they went to Farrell.”

Pedas challenged the board to make sure Wheatland residents know “they do fit in” at Farrell schools.

“See what you can do to recognize our Wheatland citizens,” he said.

“Ted Pedas is a hell of a guy to begin with,” said Jim Weiser, one of the Wheatland parents who formed WHEAT, Wheatland's Educational Alternatives Taskforce. “For Ted Pedas to say that is awesome. That means a lot coming from that guy.”

Superintendent Richard R. Rubano Jr. responded that Wheatland is a part of the school system.

Director Lester Robinson Jr. reiterated that the board makes decisions based on what's best for all students. "We try to be as fair as we possibly can."

Robinson said the Wheatland complaints were a "great eye-opener for us."

George Pedas turned over a check Monday for $23,030 to Farrell Area School Board on behalf of his brother, Ted, who has donated money to the district for various programs for 30 years.

Pedas' three-decade total is $291,982.

“Giving away Ted's money is one of the easier jobs my brother has given me.” George Pedas quipped Monday. George Pedas is the school's technical education director and his brother the director of the school's Ted Pedas Planetarium.

Ted Pedas is in Hamburg, Germany, participating in the development of a new cruise ship for Royal Olympic Cruises. The ship is being designed to be the fastest cruise ship in the world, he said in a letter. Pedas arranges cruises to see astronomical phenomena, such as eclipses, and historical sites.

Ted Pedas is following up his $10,000 gift in January to create the Farrell Area School District Foundation with another $5,000, which he hopes will spur others to give. The foundation was created to develop, promote and finance educational programs for the district.

He also is giving $1,200 to create Employee of the Month Awards for non-instructional staff, a companion program to his Secondary and Elementary Educator of the Year Awards, which give $1,500 to a teacher from each school.

The remaining programs Ted Pedas is funding:

• 12th annual Student Motivational and Improvement Award for seniors graduating in 2000. The award goes to students who display the greatest positive change, improvement and motivational drive in their senior years. One student receives $1,000 and a second gets $500.

• Secondary and Elementary School Achievement and Recognition Student Awards with $250 going to high school students and an equal amount to elementary students.

• Eight High School Student of the Month Awards, covering 54 cash awards of $25 each to students in grades 7 through 12. Students also receive a certificate.

• Five Elementary School Student of the Month Awards, covering 54 cash awards of $20 each to students in grade 1 to 6. Students also receive a certificate.

• Volunteer of the Year Awards for parents, guardians, students and community members, $1,000 total.

• Ted Pedas Planetarium equipment, supplies and maintenance, $5,000.

• Great Idea! Grants Programs $2,000 for small grants to develop innovative educational opportunities.

• Fourth John G. Sava/Ted Pedas/Pennsylvania State University-Shenango Campus Legacy Award, $1,000. The award goes to a non-traditional undergraduate student from Farrell or Wheatland. It is matched by $1,000 from Sava, the former Farrell schools superintendent, and $1,000 to $2,000 from Penn State.

• Farrell Elementary School PEG/PTA and the Farrell Area High School Parents and Educators Network for Students, $200 for each group.

Pedas' donation for this year totals $18,830

FARRELL —Ted Pedas has done it again.

The Farrell native and director of the Ted Pedas Planetarium at Farrell High School made another of his annual financial contributions to the planetarium and various special school programs Monday.

He's been doing it each fall for 29 years and has given a total of $258,952 to the district to enhance student and community programs, activities and facilities, many of which he started.

Pedas, who is spending most of his time these days coordinating astronomical and archaeological tours around the world, didn't attend Monday's school board meeting, but he sent his money and a list of how it is to be spent.

His letter was read by Richard Rubano, schools superintendent.

Pedas, an administrator emeritus of Youngstown State University and a former science columnist for The Vindicator, gave $18,830 this year.

TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARDS —Pedas noted that in addition to funding most of these same programs last year, he gave the school district $3,000 to launch a Secondary and Elementary School Educator of the Year award.

The program wasn't implemented and that money is still available, he said, urging school officials to start it this year.

"It is my intent to fund this award on an annual basis", Pedas wrote.