TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Zachary Diethorn of Seven Fields is part of the University of Alabama robotics team that won first prize in a NASA contest.

Alabama Astrobotics took the top prize at the NASA Robotic Mining Competition, besting student teams from more than 50 other institutions in the challenge to build a robot capable of navigating and excavating simulated Martian soil, or regolith. The team has won the top honor four years in a row.

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BEREA, Ohio — Christopher Banfield of Valencia was inducted into the Baldwin Wallace University chapter of Upsilon Pi Epsilon, International Honor Society for the Computing and Information Disciplines, in the spring 2018 semester. Banfield, a graduate of Mars Area High School majoring in computer science, shared the honor with 13 other students.

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BEREA, Ohio — Savanah Craig of Chicora, a graduate of Butler High School majoring in biology at Baldwin-Wallace University, received the Dr. James M. Ruegsegger Biology Prize. The prize is awarded to a biology major who has excelled in biology and plans to continue studies in the biological sciences.

Samantha Gallaher of Chicora, a graduate of Karns City High School majoring in French and international studies, received the Dr. William D. and Mary Pendell Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is presented to a student proficient in the study of French who hopes to study abroad.

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BRADFORD — Cody Stephenson, a senior engineering cience and energy science and technology student from Portersville, earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

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MARS — Two Mars High School students were selected to receive Society of Women Engineers — Pittsburgh Section Certificates of Merit.

Senior Meghana Jayaraman and junior Vincenzia Vargo were selected for their outstanding ability and high achievement in mathematics and science as well as their interest in pursuing careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) related fields.

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BEREA, Ohio — Holly Lisco of Cranberry Township was inducted into Baldwin Wallace University’s Alpha Mu chapter of Sigma Iota Rho, Honor Society for International Studies, in the spring 2018 semester.

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Alyssa Nusser, a Butler County Community College graduate, received a Workforce Pathways award for entering the workforce after receiving an associate’s degree or certificate from a community college. Nusser is among eight community college graduates from across the state to receive the award, according to the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges.

To be eligible for the award, students need to be enrolled at a community college, carry a minimum 3.5 grade point average, complete a minimum of 12 college-level credit hours, be on track to receive an associate’s degree or certificate and plan to enter the workforce after earning their credential.