Highlands Recognizes Dr. Nick Staresinic
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Dr. Staresinic began his career in education in 1951 as a Health and Phys. Ed. teacher in the Har-Brack High School. With his varying capabilities and diverse skills, Dr. Staresinic was a Social Studies teacher, Faculty Manager of Athletics, Guidance Counselor, and Assistant Principal of Har-Brack High School, Administrator of Special Services and the Director of High Schools (Har-Brack and Tarentum). He advanced to the Superintendent position in 1968 and retired in 1985.
Dr. Staresinic was an extremely effective leader in times of change and was instrumental in the merger of Har-Brack and Tarentum High Schools into Highlands Senior High School in 1968.
Dr. Staresinic received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1951 with certifications in history, biology and health and physical education. He later also became certified as a guidance counselor, and received his Secondary Principal and Supervising Principal certificates in 1962. In 1974, he earned his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Staresinic was an avid sports fan. Many former athletes in the area may recall him as the Assistant Football Coach from Har-Brack High School in 1951 to 1953 and as Head Football Coach of the team from 1956 to 1958. He also was the Assistant Baseball Coach at Har-Brack High School from 1953 to 1956 and the Head Baseball Coach of the team from 15954 to 1965. He won five section titles and a WPIAL Championship as baseball coach. Dr. Staresinic also was a member of the Highlands Football Alumni Association. The former football stadium (current soccer field) was named Staresinic Stadium in 1985.
Although Dr. Staresinic retired as Superintendent, he remained active in the field of education. He was a member of the American Association of School Administrators and acted as a substitute administrator for several area schools, including a return to Highlands for a short period in 2007. He was an active member of the Pennsylvania Association Boards Administrators in several executive roles, a former president of the Eastern Area Association of School Administrators, a member of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and the Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association. He remained an Education Consultant up to his passing, contributing to the Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3 and to the District Attorneys Office for the Safe Schools Initiative.
Dr. Staresinic was a US Navy veteran, enlisted in 1943. He was a member of Our Lady of Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Natrona Heights.