Hall of Distinction
The Avonworth School District has established a Hall of Distinction to recognize Avonworth High School alumni, community members, and employees of the Avonworth School District that have made outstanding accomplishments and/or achievements in their career or in service to the school district community. Please consider nominating someone for the Avonworth Hall of Distinction.
Criteria
- Anyone can make a nomination
- Avonworth alumni (including graduates of Ben Avon High School, the Emsworth School, and the Ohio Township One-Room Schoolhouses), community members, and district employees are eligible for nomination.
- Nominees should be ten years beyond graduation for alumni and employees must have completed their employment with the District with five years separation from the District.
- Posthumous nominations will be accepted.
- Nominations are valid for a period of five years.
- Nominees must be of good character and high moral standards.
Nomination Form
If you are interested in nominating someone to the Avonworth Hall of Distinction, please download and complete a nomination form. View the Hall of Distinction Nomination Form here.
Please mail the nomination form to the following address:
Avonworth School District
258 Josephs Lane, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Previous Award Winners
Mr. James Knox - 2019 (Inaugural Class)
Mr. James Knox was a lifelong resident of Emsworth and a graduate of Bellevue High School. Mr. Knox had a very distinguished career in public service in Western Pennsylvania, serving as County Controller, chairman of the Nationality Council, and head of the Intercultural Educational Exchange Fund. One of Mr. Knox’s fondest accomplishments was helping to establish the Irish Room as part of the Nationality Rooms at the University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Knox also served our country as a commanding officer in the US Navy.
Dr. Bruno Raso - 2019 (Inaugural Class)
Dr. Bruno Raso was an Avonworth School District employee for 35 years, from 1963 to 1997. After playing one year of professional football with the Buffalo Bills, Dr. Raso served our country in the Army. Upon returning home, Dr. Raso began his career at Avonworth School District. During Dr. Raso’s career at Avonworth, he held the positions of teacher, football coach, elementary principal, and superintendent. Dr. Raso was recognized as the Allegheny County Elementary Principal of the Year and the Allegheny County Outstanding Superintendent. He also served as Chairman of the YMCA Board in Bellevue. Dr. Raso was known to his students, players, and colleagues as a kind-hearted, loyal, helpful, understanding, and dedicated educator.
Mr. Robert Schulz - 2019 (Inaugural Class)
Mr. Robert Schulz is a graduate of Avonworth High School, as well as a former employee of the Avonworth School District. During his time as an Avonworth student, Mr. Schulz was a multi-year letterman in both basketball and baseball. While employed by the school district, Mr. Schulz was a Health and Physical Education teacher, boys and girls basketball coach, and served as Athletic Director for 18 years. Mr. Schulz’s greatest passion was the game of basketball and there is no questioning his success as a coach. While coaching basketball at Avonworth, Mr. Schulz compiled a record of 533 wins and 233 losses, earned one WPIAL Class AA Gold Championship, one WPIAL Class A Silver, eight Section Championships, and received the Don Barth Annual Coaches’ Recognition Award.
Mr. John Lenzner and Mr. Charles Lenzner - 2019 (Inaugural Class)
Mr. John Lenzner and Mr. Charles Lenzner have been lifelong residents of Ohio Township. John graduated from North Catholic HIgh School and Charles from Avonworth High School. The Lenzners’ family-owned business, Lenzner Coach Lines, was established over 70 years ago in Ohio Township.
The Lenzners have been integral partners and benefactors to the Avonworth School District, sponsoring the Lenzner Family Awards Scholarship and donating funds to upgrade and improve the athletic field which now bears their name. Charles also serves on the board of the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence. John has held many distinguished positions associated with busing and transportation and received the Western Pennsylvania Family Business of
the Year award in 1998.