The Chartiers Valley School District Distinguished Alumni program recognizes alumni who have made outstanding contributions to society at the local, state, national and global levels. The program is based on three fundamental ideas:
· Outstanding contributions made in their chosen profession
· Characteristics of academic, professional or business achievements
· Community or civic consciousness
Community members are encouraged to nominate an exceptional alumnus by clicking on the link below. Nominees are required to have graduated from CVHS or Bridgeville High School a minimum of ten (10) years prior to the date of presentation. Nominations for the Distinguished Alumni Class will be accepted through the first week of December. Inductees will be selected in February and asked to speak during the Spring awards ceremony. A Distinguished Alumni wall honoring each inductee will be located in the new Chartiers Valley High School. Should you have any questions, please contact Kelly Irvine at 412-429-2201 / kirvine@cvsd.net
Commander Jason Deichler
Chartiers Valley Distinguished Alumnus, 2019
While there were several highly qualified and impressive candidates, Commander Jason Deichler was ultimately chosen as the 2019 Distinguished Alumnus. After graduating from CVHS in 1995, Deichler went on to earn a degree in Mathematics from Carnegie Mellon University.
He was commissioned in the Navy and went through the Navy Nuclear Propulsion program as a submariner. His career took him to the USS West Virginia, then to Charleston, S.C., where he served as an instructor of a prototype training unit. Commander Deichler has been all over the world, serving in various capacities, from engineering officer to most recently, the Commander of the USS Pittsburgh.
Commander Deichler was nominated by high school teacher Frank Brown who has followed his former student’s career over the years. Deichler is a true ambassador not only for the United States Navy, but for Chartiers Valley too. He credits much of his success to the strong foundation he received at CVSD.
Commander Deichler recalls his football coach Gus Marquis telling him he could be a leader in the military, and math teacher Richard “Dick” Schubert sharing stories from his submarine days in World War II.
“It’s a reflection of how great Chartiers Valley is as a school,” he said of all he’s done. “And for me to be able to spread that word globally is great.”
As Commander Deichler was on assignment during the 2019 Academic Excellence Celebration, his sister Kristin Deichler accepted the award on his behalf.
Special Agent Lorraine Fascetti
Chartiers Valley Distinguished Alumnus, 2020
Class of 2005
The Distinguished Alumni Committee selected two honorees for the 2020 Distinguished Alumni class, Lorraine Fascetti (2005) and Major General Kenneth Merchant (1976). Due to COVID-19 closures and gathering restrictions, the District was unable to recognize these individuals in the spring of 2020. Both Ms. Fascetti and MG Merchant will be honored with the Distinguished Alumni Class of 2021.
Lorraine Fascetti, a 2005 CVHS graduate, serves as a Special Agent for the Office of the Attorney General Child Predator Section since 2012. Currently, Ms. Fascetti works with the FBI on the Crimes Against Children Task Force, and previously as a police officer.
In addition to being a graduate of the Special Agent Training Academy and Beaver County Police Academy, Fascetti holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Point Park University and an Associate of Science Degree from the Community College of Allegheny County.
As a cadet, Fascetti was nominated President of her class by her peers and finished ranked in the top five. In 2019, the FBI awarded Fascetti with the LEAD (Law Enforcement Agency Directors) Award in recognition for Outstanding Performance in Law Enforcement for her tenacity in investigating and prosecuting a seemingly impossible-to-track-down perpetrator.
In addition to her professional contributions to society, Fascetti volunteers within the Chartiers Valley community to speak about internet safety in both CV High School and Elementary schools. She also serves as the Director of Cheer and a coach for the CV Youth Football and Cheer program.
Fascetti credits the work ethic and drive acquired at Chartiers Valley for helping her succeed as a young female in an often male-dominant field. As a Special Agent, Fascetti has had to work with and for families and individuals with all types of backgrounds. Fascetti says that having grown up in the diverse Chartiers Valley community has contributed to her success in that respect. "Character, Virtue, Honor and Scholarship... These are the values instilled at Chartiers Valley," she said, "values I use every day as I continue protecting [my community]."
Retired USAF Major General
Kenneth Merchant
Chartiers Valley Distinguished Alumnus, 2020 Class of 1976
The Distinguished Alumni Committee selected two honorees for the 2020 Distinguished Alumni class, Lorraine Fascetti (2005) and Major General Kenneth Merchant (1976). Due to COVID-19 closures and gathering restrictions, the District was unable to recognize these individuals in the spring of 2020. Both Ms. Fascetti and Maj. Gen. Merchant will be honored with the Distinguished Alumni Class of 2021.
Major General Kenneth Merchant, a 1976 CVHS graduate, was commissioned in 1980 through the Air Force ROTC program at Grove City College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in engineering management. In addition to attending Squadron Officer School and earning several military certifications, Merchant also holds two Master of Science degrees -- one in Management from Troy State University and one in National Resource Management from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
The general is highly decorated, having earned the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, and Air Force Commendation with oak leaf cluster. Merchant was also the recipient of the General Bernard A. Schriever Program Management Award in 2001.
As a program manager, he served on numerous weapon system development and production programs, including Air Force One. Before retiring in 2014, the general served the United States Air Force in many capacities, including Director of Logistics, Headquarters Air Mobility Command at Scott AFB, and as Program Executive Officer for Weapons at Eglin AFB. Most recently, he was the Director of Global Reach Programs for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition at the Pentagon in Washington, DC.
Currently, Merchant is the Vice President of F-35 Global Sustainment at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. In this capacity, he is responsible for ensuring F-35 mission readiness around the world. In addition to his military and career contributions, Merchant contributes to the community through his volunteer work with Building Homes for Heroes and Helping A Hero organizations.
Ret. Maj. Gen. Merchant resides with his wife in Forth Worth, TX.
Please use the link above to nominate an exceptional alumnus. The Distinguished Alumni Committee will then ask nominees to complete and submit a full application, which includes a resumé, brief narrative, and photo. The Committee will then choose one or more alumni to be honored during an event in the spring. Nominees who have not been selected will roll over to the next year's pool of graduates.
