Sto-Rox Jr./Sr. High School played host on Saturday to a community arts festival that was headlined by a Peace Walk in memory of Denise Zellous. Zellous was the founder of the Zellous Hope Project and a pillar in the Sto-Rox community; she is greatly missed. Participants holding signs decrying violence walked from Focus On Renewal to the Jr./Sr. High School with a police escort.
The Peace Walk and Community Arts Festival, organized by Sto-Rox Thrives Together, was well-attended and featured lots of food, fun, and activities. Sto-Rox Thrives Together is anti-violence and community project created in partnership by Focus on Renewal and the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work. The district is proud to be involved with these organizations and all those who took part, including but not limited to:
Zellous Hope
Pittsburgh Area Community Schools (PACS)
Welcome To The Table Project
Noble Design Studio
The Pittsburgh Passion
Cure Violence - McKees Rocks
ACTES
Animal Friends
Boy Scouts of America
Becoming a Man (BAM)
Mad Dads
Gemini Children’s Theater
The event also featured performances by the PACS After School African Drumming Program, Kulture Dance Academy, and other Sto-Rox students. In addition, several Sto-Rox football players volunteered their time to help organizers. Attendees were also treated to arts and crafts, a caricature artist, arts and crafts, face painting, yard games, and much more.