Stephanie Cicero, 15, daughter of Stephen and Cecelia Cicero of Center Township, recently received first place in the American Legion District 26 Oratorical Contest for her oration on the electoral college.A freshman at Butler High School, she was sponsored by the American Legion Post 117 in Butler after receiving first place in both the local and county-wide contest levels.Cicero is involved in the Student Council, Watch program, marching band, symphonic band and jazz band at the school. She is also involved in competitive baton twirling, Girl Scouts and her church youth group.---

Chiara Laconi of Butler was recently inducted into the Sigma Delta Pi honor fraternity for excellence in the study of Spanish language and literature at Slippery Rock University.She is a 2003 graduate of Butler High School.---

Laura Vollmer, the daughter of Raymond and Linda Vollmer of Butler, recently participated in the Undergraduate Research Symposium at Westminster College.A recent graduate in the molecular biology program, she has been accepted to Duquesne University, where she will pursue a master's degree.Vollmer is a graduate of Butler High School.---

Marsha Thalhofer of Butler recently received the Undergraduate Award for Excellence in biology at Saint Vincent College.---

Amber Thompson, daughter of Ron and Lynn Thompson of Butler, has been named a United States National Award Winner in history and government.She is a student at Portersville Christian School.---

Alexis Brockway, daughter of Larry and Tracy Brockway of Cranberry Township, has been selected to participate in the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Talented Elementary and Secondary Students.A fourth grade student at Evans City Elementary School, she will participate in the Introduction to Architecture program.---

Katherine Stenner of Mars received the James D. Thorne Education Award and was inducted into the Alpha Theta Mu chapter of the Mortar Board honorary at Grove City College.---

Stephen Pichler of Butler was recently inducted into the Round Table honorary for men at Grove City College.---

Laura Slater, daughter of Alan and Berdie Slater of Prospect, was named a United States National Award Winner in history and government and mathematics/geometry.She is a freshman at Portersville Christian School.---

Shawn Slater, son of Alan and Berdie Slater of Prospect, was named a United States National Award Winner in history and government and mathematics/pre-calculus.He is a junior at Portersville Christian School.---

Jennifer Brinkleyof Worthington was recently presented the Lewis H. Bardo Memorial Award at the Pennsylvania College of Technology.She is a student in the welding and fabrication engineering technology program.---

Ryan Roche, son of Dennis and Lotty Roche of Butler, has been named an orientation leader at Saint Francis University.---

Matthew Celestin, son of Cody and Mary Lou Celestin of Butler, was recently selected for membership into the National Society of High School Scholars.He is a student at Butler High School.