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Cranberry Student’s Positive Attitude Nets Him Polamalu Award

adminarenda — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:35:38 +0000

Click here to watch the video for the story.

“It’s just a flesh wound,” said the bespectacled 12-year-old Brendan Allen of Cranberry — a wry reference to a Monty Python skit in which a dueling fencer refuses to concede defeat despite the loss of a couple of limbs to his opponent.

Brendan, a new amputee, saw a clip of the skit during a recent birthday party and it stuck with him in light of the fact that he would soon be losing a limb to medical amputation.

Flash forward, and now Brendan is sitting in a wheelchair at the Haine Middle School in Cranberry where the sixth-grader expresses a matter-of-fact view of the 10 surgeries he has sustained in his young life.

The most recent was on April 3, when the leg below his left knee was removed. Brendan’s attitude: excitement for the possibility of using a prosthesis that he hopes will allow him to play this summer in the competitive division of the Miracle League, a ball team for special needs kids.

That attitude — positive, full of humor and forward thinking — helped him stand out from the hundreds of applicants for famed Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu’s student of the month award for April. Each month, Mr. Polamalu picks a student from somewhere across the country to receive the honor — as well as a big basket full of prizes.

Brendan got the word during an in-school choral concert May 8.

He said it was a “big surprise” and that the “best part was looking out at all the kids standing up and cheering for me.”

Indeed, principal Steve Smith said that, across the board, the school’s 700 students, its staff and its volunteers, know of Brendan’s courage in the face of trial and are inspired by him.

“We only hope that, as educators, we’re able to teach Brendan as much as he’s taught us about how to live life and face obstacles,” Mr. Smith said.

Brendan was diagnosed as an infant with neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that can cause deformation of bones, curvature of the spine and tumors in the brain, on cranial nerves or on the spinal cord.

Brendan’s NF caused him to require a leg brace since he was 11 months old. He also has some learning disabilities, said his mother, Dana Allen.

She and her husband, Brian, and their other children, Nolan, 14; Connor, 9; and Kaitlyn, 7, have spent the past 12 years “taking it one day at a time and trying to help Brendan to do as much as he is able to do. We try to have a positive attitude about things.”

That spirit has become a part of Brendan’s character.

“I’m excited about things getting better. I want to get out of this wheelchair and learn to use my prosthesis so I can walk without limping and run,” he said.

Mr. Smith said he recently heard of the Polamalu student of the month award and immediately thought of Brendan.

“He has been an inspiration since the first day he came into the school [as a fifth-grader]. In everything he says and does, it comes through that he only sees the positive in things,” Mr. Smith said.

One of his teachers, Ann Tanda, had a hard time keeping the nomination letter to the required 300 words. In part, she wrote: “The inspiration that Brendan shares with everyone is so overwhelming. He looks at this situation as a new chapter in his life that he is excited to get started. He has decided to come back to school next week [only 12 days after surgery] and is ready to get back to normal.

“Brendan is the type of student that you meet once in a lifetime.

“He has taught me so much about accepting things that life gives you and making the best of every opportunity.

“If I could use one word to describe this incredible young man, it would be AMAZING. He is a hero beyond heroes, and is someone that I am so grateful to have touched my life.”

Brendan’s can-do attitude is expressed daily. Mr. Smith said Brendan had his amputation on a Wednesday and returned to school within days.

Staff was concerned about setting up the lunch table to accommodate Brendan’s wheelchair, figuring that a seat on the end would be most helpful.

“But, oh no, Brendan wheeled right up to the middle and hoisted himself out of his chair and into his place. He didn’t need or want any special accommodation,” Mr. Smith said.

Mrs. Allen said it’s the family’s practice to seek as few accommodations for Brendan as possible.

“We have always wanted to allow him to do as much as he could do on his own.”

“Our students look on him as a role model,” Mr. Smith said, referencing the spontaneous joy they felt when it was announced May 8 that Brendan had won the Polamalu award.

In addition to the honor of being picked, Brendan won gifts such as a signed Steelers jersey, headphones, an iPad, a Troy T-shirt, a Steelers hat, a sweatshirt, a watch, a Terrible Towel and a Steelers throw, among other gifts that overflowed a large wicker basket that was presented to him during the choral concert.

Mr. Smith said he couldn’t quite see Brendan’s reaction to the news of his honor May 8: “I was too teary-eyed – me and just about every other adult in the room!”

Brendan said he remains “really surprised” that he was picked for the award.

“I’m like, ‘Oh my God!’ Oh, seriously?’ Nothing this big has ever happened to be before.”

Announcement: April Student of the Month

adminarenda — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:39:41 +0000

I’m very happy to announce 6th grader Brendan Allen of Haine Middle School as my April Student of the Month. Being born with Neurofibromatosis Type I, at just 12 years old Brendan has endured far more than most many times his age, and the poise with which he’s handled his situation is inspiring to say the least, and not just to me, but to all around him. Brendan has already been using his situation and experience in selfless ways to positively affect others, and I’m confident he will continue to affect and inspire many, many more. To do full justice to Brendan’s story, I have included at the bottom of this post the essay his teacher sent in. Please take a moment to read it, I think you will be touched.

I have sent Brendan the gift basket pictured right as a small thanks for the big inspiration that his life is.

Thanks so much to Ann Tanda for writing in about Brendan, as well as everyone that wrote in about their students last month.

Be watching out for the next opportunity to nominate your students in the near future.

God bless!

————

From Brendan’s Nominating Teacher:

Brendan Allen is a 12 year old, sixth grade student at Haine Middle School. He was born with Neurofibromatosis Type I, which causes tumors and/or bone malformation to occur. He had struggled with numerous surgeries as an infant to correct his left tibia. Throughout these surgeries, Brendan would continue to have a positive attitude and a constant smile on his face. He has been in casts constantly throughout his young life, with using walkers, and wheel chairs and often crutches to assist him. Never once has Brendan complained or felt sorry for himself. Instead he laughs and smiles at everyone he comes in contact with. His determination to make every day count is so evident in his life. Brendan is the second oldest of four children. His parents have taught Brendan to be independent and a self-advocate for himself. They keep the daily routines of his everyday life as normal as possible. He has the same responsibilities of everyone else in the home. Everyone pulls their own weight!!!

Brendan is one of the spokesperson for the Miracle League of Western PA. He thrives on coming to school and working hard to do his very best. He has a warm and bubbly personality that just lights up a room. He encourages others when they are down, and is always willing to help everyone. In the past, Brendan has had surgeries that involved putting pins into his tibia, and within two-three days later, Brendan would be back at school ready to take on the day. Brendan has never uses his ailments as a way to get out of anything.

Just recently, it was decided that the best option for Brendan was to amputate the lower part of his left leg. This would allow him to have a prosthetic, and give him the opportunity to walk and be more mobile. On April 3, 2013, Brendan underwent a four hour surgery at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. Seven hours after the surgery, he was walking the hospital unit on crutches. This young man was home from the hospital in two days, and actually came to school to have lunch with his classmates, five days later. He returns to school on Monday, April 15. This is an unbelieveable story of determination and passion!

The inspiration that Brendan shares with everyone is so overwhelming. He looks at this situation as a new chapter in his life that he is excited to get started. He has decided to come back to school next week (only twelve days after surgery), and is ready to get back to normal. Brendan is the type of student that you meet once in a life time. He has taught me so much about accepting things that life gives you and making the best of every opportunity. If I could use one word to describe this incredible young man, it would be AMAZING. He is a hero beyond heroes, and is someone that I am so grateful to have touched my life.

Giveaway: April Student of the Month

adminarenda — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:11:39 +0000

***UPDATE: Entry form is now closed. Stay tuned for the announcement of a winner in the next week or so. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Hey teachers,

I’m excited to kick off an opportunity for you to nominate your students for the month of April. You can use the form below to submit an entry for one of your students you feel deserves recognition for going above and beyond.

All grade levels are eligible for nominations, including college. The only restrictions are that you must be a teacher and the student you are nominating must be from a class that you teach. Just fill out the form below fully and completely before end of day Friday, April 19th. Then, I’ll review your submissions and announce the winner towards the end of this month. Looking forward to reading about some outstanding students this month!

- Troy

Fill out my online form.

Announcement: February Student of the Month

adminarenda — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:07:56 +0000

Hey everyone,

I’m very pleased to announce the February Student of the Month is 8th grader Cole Kocjancic of Fairview Middle School. A leader among his peers, he played quarterback and was named captain of the team, was elected President of student council, and plays point guard for his basketball team. The core of what makes Cole such a great leader is that he shows a great deal of kindness and concern for the benefit and well being of those around him. It seems that Cole has grasped at a young age that being a good leader comes from a humble desire to make things better for everyone, rather than an egotistical desire to be better than everyone.

As a token of appreciation, I have sent Cole the gift basket pictured here.

Big thanks to teacher, Justin Zona, for writing in and nominating Cole, and everyone who wrote in and nominated their students.

Be on the lookout for the opportunityto nominate students for the month of March in the near future.

Until then, God bless!

Troy

Giveaway: February Student of the Month

adminarenda — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:56:57 +0000

***UPDATE: form is now clsoed for submissions. Be looking out later this month for the announcement of this month’s winner.

Hey teachers,

Now that students are settled into this semester, I’d like to get my Student of the Month giveaway rolling again. The form below is now open for submissions for the month of February. If you’ve submitted in the past, you know what to do, and yes, you may continue to submit if your student hasn’t been selected before.

For those who haven’t submitted before, and as a general refresher, all grade levels, K through college, are eligible for nominations. Only restrictions are that you must be a teacher and the student you are nominating must be from a class that you teach. Just fill out the form below fully and completely before end of day Friday, February 15th. Then you can be looking out for the announcement of my February selection toward the end of the month.

Really looking forward to reading about some great students this month!

- Troy

Fill out my online form.

North Hills Senior Honored by Troy & Theodora Polamalu in Nationwide Competition

adminarenda — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 03:07:11 +0000

(via northhills.patch.com)

North Hills High School senior Jennifer Wright was chosen as the November Student of the Month from among 300 applications in a nationwide contest conducted by Troy43.com, an arm of the Troy and Theodora Polamalu Foundation run by the Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety and his wife.

Jennifer was nominated by North Hills English teacher Mark Franks for her principled and selfless behavior. Her application was hand-selected from hundreds submitted by the Polamalus, who were impressed by her dedication to charitable causes and her model personality for other teenagers.

“Jennifer chooses to present herself as a moral, well-adjusted and happy young adult. She lives deliberately. The manner in which Jennifer Write attempts to live herlife is commendable,” wrote Franks in his application to the charitable foundation.

Jennifer volunteers wrapping bread for Thanksgiving for a local charity and also at the Dick’s Sporting Good Pittsburgh Marathon. She is involved with a youth group musical with her congregation to raise money for those in need in Chimbote, Peru and poverty-stricken Appalachia regions in Kentucky.

Wright was notified of her success by a surprise visit from Theodora Polamalu on Dec. 12 during her English literature class. She was presented with a gift basket that included an iPad, Beats by Dr. Dre headphones, Pittsburgh Steelers attire and a football autographed by Polamalu, exclusive Brand Legendary apparel from Polamalu’s clothing line and Head and Shoulders products among other items.

Troy43.com has presented the Student of the Month award to deserving young adults across the nation for the past three years. Teachers of all grade levels from kindergarten to college are eligible to nominate a student in any of their current classes for the award. For more information on the Troy and Theodora Polamalu Foundation, visit www.Troy43.com.

Thoughts on coming back from injury, life, and recent events…

adminarenda — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:11:30 +0000

After being out for so long, God has reminded me of why football is so important in my life. Time away has this effect on me anyway, but especially when coupled with the sudden and sad news in Kansas City. This game has aligned many things for me, and despite the recent challenges, tragedies, and growing concern for player health, it has enforced virtues, tempted passions, and it has helped reveal to me my own spiritual deficiencies.

I cant help but feel fortunate, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to play this game. I am a better man than I was, still learning and growing, yet far from good enough to be counted among the worthy. May God give us the strength to overcome the many adversities life brings. Thank you all for your sincerest kind words and prayers. I am eternally thankful for them. Pray not just for me, but for all of us who are in need. Many times the veil of money, a smile, even laughter conceals the inner turmoil one goes through.

-Troy

Giveaway: November Student of the Month

adminarenda — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 15:32:09 +0000

***Form is now closed for entries. Stay tuned for a winner announcement in the near future.

Hey everyone,

I’m now taking submissions for Student of the Month nominations for the month of November. If you submitted in previous months but didn’t get chosen, keep submitting! There’s always a chance your student could still be selected.

Students from all grade levels, K through college, are eligible. As the nominator, you must be a teacher and the student you are nominating must be from a class that you teach. Just fill out the form below fully and completely before end of day on November 30. You can be looking out for a winner announcement later this month.

Looking forward to reading about your students!

God bless,
Troy

Survey: Polamalu is most-liked player in NFL

adminarenda — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 21:10:35 +0000

(via TribLive)

Troy Polamalu is the NFL’s most popular player, by a hair.

The Steelers safety, limited to one full game this season by a calf injury that will keep him out Sunday as well, leads the NFL likeability survey conducted for Forbes Magazine by Nielsen, in collaboration with E-Poll Market Research.

Polamalu’s reckless style and wildly flowing hair — seen constantly in his Head & Shoulders commercials — contribute to his popularity, as does the fact that he plays for a prominent team.

Polamalu’s appeal rating of 63 percent put him slightly ahead of Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Packers defensive back Charles Woodson (both 62 percent), Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (59) and Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (both 58).

October Student of the Month Winner

adminarenda — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:20:59 +0000

Hey all,

This month I’ve chosen 13-year-old Paige Daly from Hampton Township Middle School as my October student of the month. I was pleased to hear about someone being such a pillar of her community at a young age. From volunteering at a camp serving those dealing with emotional and physical disabilities, to participating in community projects and assisting her church’s Sunday school classes, she’s already well established as a great influence and leader to those around her.

I will be sending Paige a gift basket to show my appreciation for her great character.

Thanks so much to Glenn Geary for nominating Paige and making me aware of her.

Be on the lookout for the next opportunity to nominate your students soon.

God bless,
Troy