Restored mural, new courtyard provides students with fresh opportunity

A piece of Steel Valley and Mon Valley history has been restored and is now the centerpiece of a new outdoor space for Steel Valley High School students.

A version of Robert Qualters’ painting “Made With Homestead Steel” adorned the exterior wall of Steel Valley High School for nearly 20 years. Weather battered it over the years and caused the color to fade. But thanks to the efforts of a team of community members and business owners, the mural has been restored. A version hangs outside of Golden Age Brewing in Homestead, while a vinyl version has been returned to the exterior of the high school.

The refreshed mural adds a splash of color and local history to another recently completed exterior project – the creation of a courtyard equipped with tables and chairs for senior students to use during lunch.

“This is something that we’ve been trying to do. We met with the seniors a couple of years back, just to kind of think about what they want in the school. One of the things was to maybe get some outside time during the course of the day,” Steel Valley Athletics and Activities Director Mr. Shawn McCallister explained.

With no quad or courtyard available like some schools have, Mr. McCallister and the district leadership took feedback from the seniors, student government, and athletics and worked to create a student-driven space near the main entrance. Patrick Dolan of Heavy Tree Service, a Steel Valley alum, helped with the courtyard project.

“He’s a graduate of Steel Valley and a great guy,” Mr. McCallister said. “He worked with us and we coordinated with the contractor to get it done. It really took shape this summer.”

Access during lunch is reserved for seniors, but the space is also available for teachers to use during classes.

“We’re giving them some opportunity during lunch to get out and enjoy the outdoors a little bit,” Mr. McCallister said. “It gives them time to be with their friends in a different setting than the cafeteria.”

As for the mural, a version had previously been on the wall of Chiodo’s Tavern in Homestead, and the original hangs in the First Commonwealth Bank in the Waterfront. A team that included the owners of Golden Age Brewing, Lamar Advertising, an artist who learned under Qualters, and retired Steel Valley High School teacher Mark Fallon worked to get it restored and painted outside of Golden Age Brewing. Mr. Fallon then worked with Mr. McCallister to get the additional version for the high school.

“He did a nice job getting it to us and getting it up,” Mr. McCallister said. “It adds some nice color out there.”

Mr. McCallister said that the plan is to continue working on the outdoor space, including incorporating an alumni area in the form of sponsored benches or plaques to recognize former Steel Valley students. In the meantime, current students can enjoy some sunshine during lunch while viewing a piece of local history.