[naviga:h3]Students shine at science fair[/naviga:h3]

More than 1,000 students representing schools throughout the region competed earlier this month in Carnegie Science Center's 80th annual Covestro Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair — one of the oldest and largest science fairs in the nation. Awards totaling more than $1 million in cash and scholarships were announced at a ceremony at Heinz Field.

Category Award winners receive cash prizes and medals. First-place Category Award winners were also given the opportunity to display their project board in the lobby of Carnegie Science Center through April 7.

The first-place Category Award winners are:

Intermediate Division (Grades 7-8)

- Behavioral and Social Science: Anthony Spalvieri, Saint Killian Parish School

- Medicine/Health/Microbiology: Colton Brenneman, Freeport Middle School

- Physics: Jesse Hilko, Freeport Middle School.

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JACKSON TWP — Two Seneca Valley freshmen brought home hardware from the 80th Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair, held at Heinz Field March 29.

Nathan Smith won fourth place in the senior division physics category for his research on instigating nuclear fusion using muons, and Veronica Pimenova won two sponsor awards from PPG Industries and Harrisburg University for her research on creating a longer lasting glow-in-the-dark paint.

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Cole Hepler of Sarver was recently inducted into Delta Mu Delta at Lebanon Valley College during the College's annual Inquiry celebration.

Hepler, a graduate of Freeport High School, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in business administration.

Delta Mu Delta, the Business and Economics Department honor society, is open to business, accounting and economics majors. Selection is made by department faculty. Membership is open to those with junior or senior status, a department GPA of 3.4 or higher, and a College GPA of 3.25 or higher.

Kayla Soltis, of Valencia, was recently initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Soltis was initiated at University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

Soltis is among about 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year.

Cassandra Sherman, of Butler accepted a lifetime membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the nation's preeminent certified honor society for high-achieving first- and second-year college students.