West Mifflin Area and East Allegheny school districts last night sent their A teams to Duquesne on a mission to welcome Duquesne high school students.

	Rebecca Droke, Post-Gazette Vanessa Mobley, center, a parent of a former Duquesne High School student who will be a senior, talks to guidance counselors from East Allegheny High School last night. Click photo for larger image.

Their presentations to an audience of about 250 were so enthusiastic that the session was more like a recruitment than a forced arrangement.

"We're going to make history, and we're going to do it the right way," said West Mifflin Area Superintendent Patrick Risha.

"We're here for education," said East Allegheny Superintendent Roger D'Emidio, who pledged to educate every child who comes to the district.

Both received applause from the audience.

Combined, the superintendents brought about two dozen school representatives to emphasize that the students are welcome, will be safe and will have a wide array of academic and extracurricular offerings. Officials in both districts emphasized that staff will get to know the students and that help such as tutoring is available.

The atmosphere was in stark contrast to contentious meetings that have taken place in recent months in all three districts since state Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak recommended closing the academically and financially troubled Duquesne High School and sending the students to nearby districts.

Last week, the state Legislature approved the final piece of the plan, and Dr. Zahorchak named West Mifflin Area to receive 65 percent of the students and East Allegheny to receive 35 percent, based on the sizes of the two districts. About 200 Duquesne students are expected in grades nine through 12.

Some uncertainty remains because East Allegheny plans to file a lawsuit, but Dr. D'Emidio said that had nothing to do with the district's transition team.

Students will begin making their choices today. They must go to the Duquesne Education Center to register for one school or the other today, tomorrow, Monday or Tuesday. The hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day as well as 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday.

If too many select one school, a public lottery will take place Aug. 3. Assignments will be mailed the week of Aug. 6. Both districts will begin classes Aug. 27.

Constance Correll of Duquesne, whose son, Tyrone, will enter the 10th grade, said she had been concerned after the negative publicity surrounding the move.

"I feel a lot better. I feel reassured," she said after last night's meeting.

She said they are leaning toward East Allegheny because it is smaller but have not decided.

Laurina Carter, who will enter 12th grade, prefers West Mifflin Area.

"It just seemed better, the clubs and stuff. It seemed like a better school and it's closer," she said.

She still, though, would rather be in Duquesne.

"I'd rather be at my school, but I'm going to go where they put us at," she said.

Charles Robinson, who will enter 11th grade, plans to choose West Mifflin because he thinks he will have more sports opportunities and it is closer. But he won't believe things will be as rosy as painted until he sees it.

Malik Washington Jr., who will be a senior, thinks his chances to play football and basketball are better in East Allegheny.

He thinks he can get more help in a smaller school, too, if he needs it.

Others also gave similar reasons for their choices. Some of those favoring East Allegheny cited its smaller size. East Allegheny has 590 high school students, compared with 1,101 in West Mifflin.

Some of those favoring West Mifflin Area cited its closeness and the array of activities. West Mifflin Area High School Principal Mark Hoover noted the school has more than 40 clubs and organizations as well as more than 17 junior varsity and varsity sports teams. Duquesne High School had just basketball and football.

Twanda Thomas, whose daughter Tiondra will be a senior, said that it has been hard not knowing about the options because so much was kept "hush hush."

She said the meeting was very informative. She and her daughter, who was not present, will sit down, review the materials given to take home and discuss the options, with the ultimate decision left to her daughter.

Thomas Sgriccia, special assistant to the education secretary, said he was "very pleased" with the information and assurances given by the districts.

Faculty in both districts will receive two days of special training early next month.

West Mifflin Area also invited students who choose it to visit the school Aug. 7 or Aug. 10 for scheduling. Transportation from Duquesne will be provided.