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Part of a series highlighting Steel Valley academics and programs.
The fifth and sixth graders in the Steel Valley gifted and talented program could be described as a dramatic bunch. Not because of how they interact with each other, but because of their love of the theater. With that kind of passion for the stage, it was only natural for them to gravitate toward finding a way to take part in a unique performance.
Instead of doing a traditional stage show, they would develop their own production for Ms. Briahna Bell’s life skills class. Together, they would create character masks, just like the Ancient Greeks did, and put together a short show.
“(The students) were especially excited about the idea of creating their own production, but rather than just performing for Mrs. Bell’s class, they thought it would be much more meaningful to include her students in the experience,” gifted program supervisor Ms. Nicole States said. “This led to a truly collaborative project where everyone could take part in bringing ancient stories to life through acting and creative mask-making.”
In late October, Ms. States’ students and Ms. Bell’s students gathered for the performance. With the fifth and sixth graders serving as coaches, they collectively acted out a short piece. The collaboration was a hit.
“My students love to interact with their peers, but they need a comfortable and familiar environment to make the most of the interaction,” Ms. Bell said. “Inviting the gifted program into our classroom did just that!”
“When the students first heard about the project with Ms. Bell’s class, they were both excited and a little nervous. They really wanted to make sure the younger students had a great experience and understood that they would be acting as “mentors” throughout the process,” Ms. States said. “This inspired them to practice everything carefully — from storytelling and expressive movements to working one-on-one during rehearsals.”
The collaboration extended beyond the mask-making and performance. Ms. Bell said her students explored the gifted support room, where they utilized the STEAM equipment and socialized in that environment.
“There is so much to be learned about kindness, empathy, patience, and compassion from the collaborative efforts of students from diverse backgrounds,” Ms. Bell said. “Fostering these connections and relationships capitalizes on social skills that all students need, especially in middle school. The teamwork and trust that we are able to build with our students transfers across multiple settings to create a positive, inclusive, and accepting school environment.”
“I hope that all the students walk away from this experience with a deeper sense of connection, confidence, and pride in what they accomplished together,” Ms. States said. “More specifically, I hope the students realize that great things happen when we include everyone and work as a team. Whether they were guiding others or being guided, they were all contributing to something meaningful.”
This is Ms. States’ first year running the gifted program, and the collaboration with Ms. Bell’s class is the kind of opportunity she wants to make a regular occurrence for her students. They’ve already shown strong academic skills, so the key is to find new, creative ways to challenge them and engage them.
“You can be creative, do what you like to do and not what you have to do,” fifth grader Lora McCartney said. “My brain works better when I am challenged.”
“I can learn beyond what I am learning in fifth and extend my education,” added fifth grader Donlea Krysinski. “I get to use trial and error in gifted and my brain works differently, I find solutions in many ways.”
Most students are typically identified as gifted in third or fourth grade, but the program is open to younger students who show an advanced ability in one or more subjects. Students are recommended for the program by a parent or teacher. They are given an assessment, where they must show an aptitude in specific areas and meet state qualification standards.
This year, 53 students are currently part of the K-8 gifted program. There is also a program for high school students run by Mr. Shawn McCallister. Students in grades K-4 are brought to the middle school once a week, where they spend 60 to 90 minutes with Ms. States. Middle school students in grades 5–8 have periods where they can come into her classroom to do extra work if they are finished with work in their scheduled class.
Along with collaboration and creativity, Ms. States’ students are diving deeper into technology, especially with the opening of Steel Valley Elementary on the horizon in August 2026. At various grade levels, students are familiarizing themselves with borescopes and endoscopes, preparing to use the middle school wood shop, coding with Raspberry Pi, learning how to use 3D pens, and exploring how to use the 3D printer.
“I wanted them to have a baseline for the relevant technology skills coming up. I know with our new elementary school is going to have all of the bells and whistles,” Ms. States said.
The exploration of technology and engineering challenges have resonated with sixth grader Temi Wierzbowski, who cited them as a highlight of the program. Those projects also bring new challenges to the students, which Wierzbowski said, “is very important because I get bored in my regular classes and gifted gives me a place to expand my brain.”
In January, six students in the gifted and talented program will take part in the International Academic Competition, which will have one of its regional tournaments at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit office at The Waterfront. Students must take a qualifying test, and six Steel Valley students will take part across all grade levels. The competition will feature a National Science Bee, National Geography Bee, and National History Bee.
Whether it’s competing in the tournament, experimenting with new technology, connecting with peers in the life skills program, or taking part in other potential collaborations, the goal is to find opportunities for the students to explore new concepts, take on new challenges, be challenged to become leaders, and boost their confidence.
If those opportunities can happen alongside their classmates just like their Ancient Greek theater performance, then it creates a positive impact on the entire school.
“Shared creative experiences, such as acting or crafting, help all students connect in a fun, authentic way,” Ms. States said. “These moments often become the most memorable parts of their learning, sparking curiosity and strengthening friendships across learning styles and abilities. In short, these interactions help create an inclusive, supportive school culture where every student feels seen and heard—something that benefits the entire community.”
