Work of alumni, students continues

Cheryl Walter, who worked for 19 years as director of choirs and music department chairwoman at the high school, said she was at a meeting of the alumni board of Carlow College in fall 1998, when she was told Christmas stockings were needed for children living at Hearth Transitional Housing for Women in Pittsburgh.

That first year, in 1998, Norwin chorus and choir students collected money during caroling to benefit the children at Hearth — and made stockings for them. When Mrs. Walter called to see when they should bring the stockings, a woman at the shelter was upset that a group expected to perform for the children’s Christmas party had canceled.

Mrs. Walter came to the rescue by bringing Norwin’s show choir to sing. Ever since, the Norwin High School choruses have put on a Christmas party and sung for children at the shelter.

When Mrs. Walter retired in June, she realized she could no longer run the charity from the high school. But with the help of new Norwin choral director Bridget Faulk, the program has continued.