North Hills Awards First Distinguished Alumni Awards

When Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge Judith Ference Olson attended , she had a flair for the dramatic and loved theater, while pediatric cardiologist Timothy Hoffman often times could be found excelling in math and science courses.

Memories of those days flooded back Monday as each climbed the winding road to North Hills Senior High School where they were recognized during North Hills Senior High School’s Academic and Activity Achievement Award Recognition Night. 

Olson and Hoffman were the first recipients of the district’s new Distinguished Alumni Award.

“It is such an honor to get this award,” said Olson, while holding her glossy black plaque bearing her photo.

“There are no words to describe it. I will hang it in a place of honor.”

A Distinguished Alumni Wall will showcase award winners’ plaques in the senior high school lobby. For North Hills students honored during the awards night, seeing successful graduates gives them confidence for what lies ahead, says John Kreider, senior high school principal.

“They can see firsthand the results of the confluence of North Hills School District’s strong academic curriculum and community and staff support as they set off for a successful future.”

Olson graduated from North Hills in 1975 and obtained her undergraduate degree at St. Francis College before receiving her law degree from Duquesne University. She was elected to the Pennsylvania Superior Court after serving as an Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas judge, according to a district press release.

During her career, she has been named one of the Top 50 female lawyers in Pennsylvania and Law and Politics magazine noted her as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer for business litigation.

Hoffman was a member of the Class of 1984 and serves as medical director for the Heart Transplant and Heart Failure Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He also educates future physicians as an associate professor at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. Hoffman holds the distinction of preforming a domino heart transplant on some of the youngest recipients in the nation at ages 3 and 5 months.

“This award represents a journey of people - a proud community that shares common goals and morals,” Hoffman said. 

“We thrive in North Hills on this pride, commitment and inner strength. This school, this community is the foundation for all of our successes.”

From the bench, Olson says she also draws on her North Hills roots.

“I use the educational foundation North Hills gave me every day. I couldn’t do my job without what I learned here.”

North Hills Board of Directors established the award in August 2010. Nominations for each year will be accepted through Nov. 15, according to a district press release.

Nominees must be North Hills Senior High School or former West View High School graduates from at least 10 years prior and will be chosen upon professional contributions, academic achievement, business or professional accomplishment and civic involvement.