Dr. George Vagionis

Dr. Vagionis was born January 5, 1932 in Ambridge, PA to Greek immigrants. After graduating from Ambridge High School, he went to the University of Pittsburgh to study bacteriology and joined the Army JROTC while there. He was then stationed at Fort Lee in Virginia where he worked as a quartermaster supplying the troops. He joined the Vandergrift Army Reserve in artillery and eventually ended his military career as a First Lieutenant. 

Someone suggested that Dr. Vagionis become a teacher so he decided to apply for a chemistry teaching position at Leechburg High School. While there he went to IUP for a Masters in Counseling. Soon after, he received a job at Allegheny-Hyde Park as a junior high school counselor. He eventually earned his doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh and became the Assistant Superintendent for the Kiski Area School District. Dr. Vagionis was married to his wife Betty, a Vandergrift native, for 62 years and raised two children. Both children graduated from Kiski Area and his daughter Maria Cutone taught at the high school.

Dr. Vagionis passed away on August 17, 2022.