Clubs and Special Events 

Yough Band Festival

Written by Kaylee Hall

The 18th Annual Yough Band Festival was held on September 27th, 2025. Various band divisions attended, ranging the whole way from 1A-AAAA. Bands included: Serra Catholic, Connellsville, Belle Vernon, Mt. Lebanon, Mars Area, McKeesport, Springdale, Fox Chapel Area, Southmoreland, Deer Lakes, Norwin, and Yough. The Yough Marching Band performed their 2025 show, titled “Icarus,” scoring a 77.9, which is the highest score Yough has ever received at our home festival! The band would like to thank Doc McGrew, Dylan Sleasman, Marley Best, Olivia Kegg, all of YBA, Mrs. Hartnett, and of course, Mrs. Chmay herself for leading us through the season for an amazing performance. Also, congratulations to the 8th and 9th graders in the marching band for working so well and helping us reach our goal! 

PIMBA Championship

Written by Kaylee Hall 

The Yough High School Marching Band attended the PIMBA Championship competition on October 18, 2025. The competition, hosted by Deer Lakes High School, included 16 bands. The Yough band’s 2025 “Icarus” show includes the songs: Smells Like Teen Spirit, Flying, Lux Aurumque, War Pigs, Burn from "Hamilton," and Black Hole Sun. The talented soloists for the show are Lindsay Moskyok in Smells Like Teen Spirit, a trio with Lindsay Moskyok, Cullen Cooper, and Bryce Middlekauff also during Smells Like Teen Spirit, and Cullen Cooper in Black Hole Sun. The band received a final score of 80.05, placing seventh in Class AA. Congratulations to the marching band for an incredible show and season, and thank you to everyone who helped out! 

Living Treasures Field Trip

Written by Izabella Seaton 

On September 26, 2025, Mrs. Gallagher’s AP Biology students took a trip to Living Treasures. Gina Caldwell was their tour guide, an Adjunct Professor at WCCC. She taught them about the behaviors and adaptations of kangaroos, camels, and wolves. After their tour, they were provided with lunch while having a front row seat to the pigs and horses. The students were then able to roam around while seeing and feeding the animals with carrots and kibble. Students had an amazing and fun experience while seeing the animals. Thank you to Mrs. Gallagher and Mrs. Mance for the opportunity to see the animals and be toured at Living Treasures.

Fall Pep Rally 

Written by Izabella Seaton 

On October 3rd, 2025, Yough had its first pep rally of the year! Students and teachers joined to watch a special performance from the choir and chamber choir, singing the National Anthem. The school band also got to show off its skills, with the drummers putting on a true show! Everyone also got to see all of our senior athletes sign the Fall Athletes Banner, giving credit to all the seniors who put in the work. Of course, we got to kick off the pep rally with a grand performance from our very own cheerleaders and football players. They did impressive stunts and a beautifully choreographed dance to show off their strengths. We thank all the athletes and choir for participating, along with Dr. Newlin for announcing!

Red Ribbon Week 

Written by Kat Smith 

The CAP/SADD club held Red Ribbon Week from October 27th to October 31st. CAP/SADD stands for Community Action Program-Students Against Destructive Decisions. Red Ribbon Week is a nationwide anti-drug campaign. Throughout the week, Yough students participated in drug-free themes like "Team Up Against Drugs" and "Scare Off Drugs." Students received free anti-drug bracelets for signing a pledge to be drug-free. The members of CAP/SADD made and sold amazing baked goods. The president of CAP/SADD, Blake Sullivan, shared how proud he was of the week.  "It was wonderful to see people caring about a cause that CAP/SADD is so passionate about! We hope to have made a positive impact on our peers by enthusiastically promoting drug-free communities." 

Powderpuff

Written by Kat Smith

The class of 2026 (seniors) faced off with the class of 2027 (juniors) on Cougar Mountain on November 3, 2025. Head coaches, Corbin Reinstaller and Ryan Sarver, assistant coaches, JR, Jackson Pore, and Jayden Taylor led the seniors to their second victory, two years back to back. Kylee Odelli, Brea King, Hailey DeFazio, and Carly Fitzgibbons (2) scored for the seniors, making the victory 28-0. Ryan Sarver was quoted after the game saying ¨The Team played great! The girls came together and played as a team for both halves and gave a lot of energy and effort.¨ Even though the juniors lost, their optimistic attitudes were not. Head coach Ilya said, ¨There are winners and losers in everything. Yes, we lost on the scoreboard, but we won in our hearts and minds.¨ There were great plays by each team. A play that stood out to people was when Haley Omasta (senior quarterback) threw a 40-yard pass to Hailey DeFazio, which was caught beautifully, scoring a touchdown. Brooke Kowalski, junior quarterback, put up a great fight, being able to reach multiple first downs. All in all, it was a great game by both teams.