Our Founders
Project SEED was founded by Joanne Cecchi and Ruth Carson, two retired educators from the New Kensington-Arnold School District who have devoted a combined 74 years of service to the district. Day after day, and year after year they saw children who were in need of healthy food during the times they were away from school--children who were unable to focus on learning because they didn't have enough to eat.
Ruth Carson passed away in August 2016, and Project SEED continues on in her memory--thanks to her efforts, kids are getting the food they need to succeed! Help us to keep Project SEED going strong in honor of Ruth.
Joanne Cecchi
Education
2000: Post-Graduate Studies in Educational Administration to acquire Superintendent's Letter of Eligibility, University of Pittsburgh
1979: Master's Degree in Education, University of Pittsburgh
1976: Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, Graduated Cum Laude, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
1974: Associate Degree in Applied Science, Westmoreland County Community College. Honored as Distinguished Alumni, 1986
Professional Experience
Assistant Superintendent, New Kensington-Arnold School District, 2003-2008
High School Principal, Valley High School, New Kensington-Arnold School District, 1997-2002
Assistant Principal, Valley High School, New Kensington-Arnold School District, 1993-1997
Instructor, Westmoreland County Community College, 1979-1990
Business Education Teacher and Department Chair, Valley High School, New Kensington-Arnold School District, 1976-1993
Awards
KDKA Hometown Hero Award Recipient, 2023
Lions Club International, 25 years of service to Lionism Award - 2023
AARP 2021 Community Service Award for outstanding service to AARP and Joanne's efforts to improve her community. Recognized for "the tremendous gifts of time and talent."
Volunteer of the Year, 2016-17, by Alle-Kiski Valley Chapter of PA Association of School Retirees - for logging over 1600 hours with Project SEED
Paul Harris Fellow - awarded by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International for Project SEED community service June, 2014
Melvin Jones Fellow - awarded by Lions Clubs International Foundation for Outstanding Humanitarian Service - August, 2014
NAACP Allegheny-Kiski Valley, John C. Lovelace Human Rights Award, October, 2014, for initiating Project SEED
Glimmer of Hope Award Recipient - American Cancer Society 2012
Community Service/Volunteerism
Member of UPMC Patient & Family Advisory Council, St. Margaret Hospital, Aspinwall, PA
Board Member & Treasurer, Alle-Kiski Senior Citizen Center, New Kensington, PA
Member of Westmoreland County Community College Alumni Committee for current Capital Fund Project
Fund-raiser & Committee Member, Alle-Kiski Relay for Life, American Cancer Society
Advisory Board Member, Westmoreland County Community College, Alle-Kiski Center
Member, PA Association of School Retirees
Member, New Kensington Lions Club
Graduate of Leadership Alle-Kiski Valley (LAKV Class 7). Elected as class representative to the LAKV Board of Directors
Education
1976: Received Reading Specialist Certification from Indiana University of Pennsylvania
1972: Graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with Master of Education Degree
1966: Graduate of Clarion University with Bachelor of Science in Education Degree
1962: Graduate of Springdale High School
Professional Experience
42.5 Years (January 1966 – June 2008) as an Educator in the New Kensington-Arnold School District as Head Start Summer School Teacher, Classroom Teacher Grades 4-6, Kindergarten Teacher, Reading Specialist Grades 1-9, and Federal Project Coordinator
Awards
2015 Volunteer of the Year, Alle-Kiski Chapter of PA Association of School Retirees
Inducted to the Allegheny Valley School District Alumni Hall of Fame for outstanding community service and humanitarian efforts, April, 2015
Paul Harris Fellow - awarded by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International for Project SEED community service - June, 2014
NAACP Allegheny-Kiski Valley, John C. Lovelace Human Rights Award, October, 2014, for initiating Project SEED
Children’s Champion Award – United Way of Westmoreland County – March 2005
Innovative Projects
Parent/Child Created Summer Reading Tips with Comcast TV
Exciting Summer Reading Program
Title 1 Pre-K Program with strong Head Start Collaboration
Even Start Program with collaboration with the Private Industry Council, Valley Point YMCA, and Alle-Kiski Learning Center
Pre-K Counts Program Community Collaboration with Early Childcare Providers
Passions
Conducting a Community Bible Study Group each Monday Night for 13 years
Being Aunt Ruth to nieces Julie and Jen, nephew Jason, great nieces Brook & Emma and great nephews Zack, Parker, Nate, James, Lucas, and Joshua
Most Admired Educator
Marian Wright Edelman, a lifelong advocate for disadvantaged Americans and President of the Children’s Defense Fund