Pittsburgh Public School students are looking forward to a bright future with the Lights On Afterschool initiative. At the student development presentation last Thursday, speakers, such as Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Superintendent Mark Roosevelt and State Representative Jake Wheatley emphasized the importance of investing in extra-curricular activities. Currently, 26% of Pennsylvania’s K-12th-graders are responsible for themselves after 3 pm, according to research by the Afterschool Alliance.

The event also highlighted current after-school programming with a Peabody cheerleader pep-rally, CAPA student dance performance and Bethany House Ministries African drumming. The audience was filled with youth-oriented, service and development organizations, as well as 500 enthusiastic elementary school students.

Special thanks to hosts State Representative Jake Wheatley, Wireless Neighborhood and Peabody Principal John Vater.

Read more about the event in the Post Gazette and Tribune Review