Michael T. Mondak speaks about his writing

Many years ago, the commonwealth of Pennsylvania judged me to be proficient in writing as part of the 2002 Pennsylvania System of School Assessment.

That was the same year that I spoke out in my junior year English class vehemently opposing the commonwealth’s plan to affix seals on the high school diplomas claiming that it could give folks with learning disabilities an unfair disadvantage.  After I spoke out, I would be asked each day if there were any new developments relevant to what I spoke out in opposition to.  Before the 2001-2002 school year was over, the commonwealth eventually abandoned their plans to affix seals on the high school diplomas in favor of awarding separate certificates marking a minimum of proficiency in math, reading and writing.  As I mentioned earlier, I was judged to be proficient in writing, so I did receive a certificate confirming that proficiency in writing.

There was one day in the fall of 2003 when I sat down at my computer and I just started typing on my word processor software program.  I was writing a situation comedy about a Pittsburgh theater writer, actor and director who wants his kids to follow in his footsteps despite their own individual ambitions.

Many years later I wrote another situation comedy about a resident of Jefferson Hills who was a children’s event coordinator by day, a coed roller derby referee by night, and lived with his two favorite aunts.  But he was a bachelor who was longing for his lioness.

Until next time, help in the fight against childhood cancers by contributing to the Four Diamonds Fund.  And please take care of yourself and each other.