Mr. Allemang teaches 10th grade English, a senior writing class, and Journalism.

What college did you attend?

“I went to Duquesne University for a total of six years to get my master’s degree in education.”

What made you interested in English and writing?

“I was always good at writing and growing up I would always love to write short stories, usually scary stories.

“Then in high school, English was one of my strongest subjects.

“I always had really good English teachers throughout high school, and when I was a senior, I had Mr. Youngs, who currently teaches here.

“He [Mr. Youngs] is the one who inspired me to become an English teacher.”

Did you grow up in Bethel Park?

“Yes, I have lived in Bethel [Park] my whole life.”

When did you start teaching at BPHS?

“This is my fifth year here and I taught one year at Seton-La Salle before working here [BPHS].

What is your favorite childhood memory?

“Just growing up with my cousins.  I was always really close with them.

“Over the summer we’d always get together, pretty much on a daily basis, and play sports, get angry at each other, get in fights *laughs*…

“Most notably, one summer, we decided to put together a bunch of music videos and we called ourselves The Phonies.

“We picked various songs that were popular at the time and we basically just danced to them in front of a camera and did crazy stuff.

“We would also make videos of us making fun of our uncles, because they were characters to say the least *laughs*.

“Yeah we had a lot of fun.”

Speaking of music, what is your music genre preference?

“I prefer post-rock and also indie-rock.”

Do you have a favorite band or artist?

“Yes, one of my favorite bands is called Sigur Rós; they’re from Iceland.

“I like them so much, that my son’s middle name is the nickname of the lead singer of  the band (Sigur Rós), Jónsi.

“I also like Explosions in the Sky. They are a post-rock band.”

Do you have a favorite song that has been streaming your iTunes or Spotify playlist lately?

“Well I’m always up for a good Sigur Rós song.

“One song that I keep listening to though is called “Kveikur.

“It’s the title song off their album, Kveikur, that came out in 2013.”

Aside from music, are you more of a “tie-guy” or a “bow-tie-kind-of-guy?

“I’d probably say ties. I haven’t worn a bow-tie ever, besides my wedding.”

Do you have a favorite tie?

“Oh yeah, I like Jerry Garcia ties, because they always have intricate designs on them.”

Are you more into the “fancy and classy” ties or are you more into the “funny and cheesy” ties?

“I don’t have a lot of funny and cheesy ties, although I wish I did.”

Would you wear something like Santa Clause on the beach surfing tie?

“Oh yeah, I might ask for one for Christmas now.”

Do you have a favorite quote?

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us” by Gandalf the Grey in The Lord of the Rings.”

Mr. Allemang also advises the BPHS Journalism Club, that writes for the school newspaper Hawk Eye.

Thanks Mr. Allemang!

Tessa Helfer