The NBA star created a buzz when he walked onstage and challenged last year’s winner, 14-year-old Kavya Shivashankar, to a spell-off for his “Shaq Vs.” reality show.

GAME?ON—Basketball star Shaquille O’Neal, right, asks 2009 Spelling Bee winner Kavya Shivashankar to give him a two-word margin of error in a proposed spelling match between them, at the 2010 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, June 4.

The Pittsburgh Public Schools, Westinghouse Senior Class Sponsors, and Westinghouse Alumni Association hosted the Miss Westinghouse Pageant, a spectacular event held at the school.

MISS WESTINGHOUSE CONTESTANTS—From left: Maurissa Harrison, 9th grade queen; Shaina Wallace, 11th grade runner up; Chelsea Shields, contestant; Toya Cooper, contestant; Andrea Lewis, 11th grade queent; Desirae Lane, 9th grade runner up; Andrea McCoy, 12th grade runner up; Eva McKissick, contestant; Tatayanna Cox-Taylor, Miss Westinghouse; Noni Wilson, contestant; and Kijev James, contestant.

The pageant was held May 21, in the school auditorium. The purpose of the pageant is to recognize young women in grades 9-12 whose academics and character demonstrate school pride, confidence, and success as well as a desire to pursue a post-secondary education.

A capacity crowd at the “Do the Write Thing Challenge” dinner celebration were wowed by the presentations of Jazmyne Robinson, Woodland Hills Junior High School; and Angelo Madison, South Hills Middle School. Both of their writings were chosen from among the 1,103 submissions from middle school students of the Pittsburgh Public and the Woodland Hills School districts. WQED’s Chris Moore served as host of the dinner celebration and remarks were offered by surprise guest, the Hon. Justice Max Baer of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS—Jazmyne Robinson and Angelo Madison received their special gifts after their presentation. At right: Joining the two, from left: Alex Matthews, Judge Dwayne Woodruff, Joy Woodruff and Evan Frazier. Matthews and Frazier are with Highmark.

“My wife and I feel called by God to work with youth. I see far too many youth in my courtroom each day who have been involved with or impacted by violence and giving them the opportunity to discuss violence with their teachers and in written form is a most important step in eliminating this societal problem.”

The Quaker State Funeral Directors Association of Western Pennsylvania hosted a shopping spree for the winner of their raffle, which raised funds for the Floyd C. Coles Sr. Scholarship Fund at the Giant Eagle on Frankstown Road in East Hills.

“The shopping spree was excellent. It was my very first one and it was fun,” Funeral Director and Association President Michael J. Aldrich, of Aldrich Funeral Home said. “Debbie Hickman (owner of the Giant Eagle) was an excellent host.” He also extended his thanks to the six other funeral homes that participated.