Student Directory
2 awarded scholarships
A Butler County Community College student who wants to teach children about the alphabet, shapes and colors, and another whose goal is to help adults manage mental health challenges will receive full-tuition scholarships toward completing a bachelor's degree at a Pennsylvania public four-year institution of their choice.
Jaysa Ditty of Kittanning and Sydni Smith of Cranberry Township have been selected to the 2021 All-Pennsylvania Academic Team by Phi Theta Kappa, an international academic honor society for two-year colleges and programs.
Selections receive a scholarship funded by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education to attend one of its 14 four-year institutions, which include Clarion, Indiana and Slippery Rock Universities of Pennsylvania.
The All-Pennsylvania Academic Team is composed of students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa and enrolled in transfer programs at a Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges institution such as BC3. Students must also have earned a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.5 while completing at least 36 credits.
Recipients “want to make a difference”
Ditty and Smith, who have been named to BC3's dean's list or president's list, attend BC3 additional locations and plan to graduate debt-free this spring with associate degrees, Ditty in general studies and Smith in psychology. Each intends to transfer to Slippery Rock University.
Ditty, 19, is a 2019 graduate of Armstrong Junior-Senior High School, where she earned six college credits through BC3's College Within the High School program. She intends to pursue a bachelor's degree in education at Slippery Rock toward her goal of teaching pupils in kindergarten through sixth grade.
Smith, 21, is a 2018 graduate of Seneca Valley High School, and transferred to BC3 from a private four-year university in eastern Ohio. She plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in psychology at Slippery Rock, then a master's degree toward her goal of becoming a mental health therapist.Students prep for Science BowlStudents from Mars Area and Pine-Richland school districts are preparing for an upcoming science competition that determines who will represent the region the in the 31st U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science's National Science Bowl finals in May.The National Science Bowl is a nationwide academic competition that tests students' knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics.Thousands of secondary students will soon pit their math and science skills against one another in regional competitions across the country.Teams are comprised of four students, one alternate and a teacher who serves as an adviser and coach.Competitions start this month, with each team facing off in a fast-paced, question-and-answer format. Regional tournaments are being held across the country through March.Preliminary rounds will be held for all regional champions to determine the top 32 teams that will participate in the Elimination Tournament.The Elimination Tournament will be held virtually May 8 for middle school teams and May 22 for high school teams.All regional winning schools will receive $500 for their schools' STEM activities.The top 32 teams will receive additional funds for their schools, depending on how far they advance through the tournament.The top two teams will receive $5,000 for their schools.For more information, visit www.energy.gov/science.
