Ryan Sestak of Grove City recently received the Board of Governors Math/Science Scholarship for the 2009-10 academic year at Edinboro (Pa.) University.The scholarship is offered annually to students who have exhibited academic excellence and who plan to be enrolled full time during each semester of the award.Sestak is the son of John and Patricia Sestak and is a Grove City High School graduate.-------

Tara Karns, a senior psychology major at Saint Vincent College, was awarded the Psi Chi Regional Research award at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association March 5 to 8.She received the award for her senior thesis, titled "Applying Inattentional Blindness to a Realistic Event." The prize was $300.Karns is the daughter of Brett and Robin Karns and is a 2005 graduate of Freeport Senior High School. She is a member of the Psi Chi Honor Society, dean's list and the Psychology Scholars Program. After graduation, she will pursue a Ph.D. in developmental psychology at West Virginia University.-------

Alison Gerginski of Harmony,

Susan Davidson of Renfrew,

Sarah Burkot of Cranberry Township and

Louis Simeone of Mars were recently selected for membership in Mortar Board at Westminster College. The Mortar Board Society honor society recognizes seniors with leadership, scholarship, and service skills.Candidates must have a grade point average in the top one-third of the junior class and have demonstrated leadership on and off campus to be considered for membership. This year's Mortar Board members raised several hundred dollars through a variety of activities to support FirstBook and other community literacy efforts.New members will be recognized at the Spring Honors Convocation in Orr Auditorium.-------

Jorden Beatty of Butler, a student at Indiana (Pa.) University, won a journalism scholarship for a second consecutive year.He was chosen to receive the David J. Rovnan Memorial Scholarship. The one-year award of $1,000 is intended for editors and staff of the university's student newspaper, The Penn.Beatty, a junior journalism major, has held the positions of staff writer, news editor and photographer. This year he is photo editor.-------

Jacob Shay of Parker was awarded the Promise Scholarship from the Imagine America Foundation. Shay attends Triangle Tech in Du Bois and is studying welding and fabrication technology.Honorees are previous recipients of the Imagine America high school scholarship who have maintained a minimum 3.5 grade point average and at least a 95 percent attendance record while attending an Imagine America participating career college.Imagine America Promise scholarships are sponsored by the Bridgestone-Firestone Trust Fund, Nelnet and contributors to the 21st Century Workforce Fund.-------Westminster College student

Keri Biedka and Brittany Bivens presented their research at the American Chemical Society Student Affiliation "In Miniature" Symposium 2009 at Duquesne University.Biedka, a sophomore chemistry major, is a daughter of Mark and Amy Biedka of Harmony and a graduate of Seneca Valley High School.Her work with another student, "Qualitative analysis and prospective quantification method for laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)," was one of 22 posters presented by undergraduates from various schools in the region.Their research, which could be used for quality control purposes, used LIBS to differentiate between the coating and bulk of pharmaceutical materials.In addition, they attempted to quantify the mineral content of the pharmaceutical materials using innovative approaches. Because LIBS spectra are so complex, quantification proves to be very difficult.-------

Kurtis Rodgers was recently awarded a Mercy Presidential Scholarship from Mount Aloysius College in Cresson.He plans to attend the school and major in psychology.Rodgers is a student at Karns City High School.-------

Kristen Sherman of Butler was accepted for enrollment at Edinboro (Pa.) University.She plans to enroll this fall and will major in elementary education.Sherman is a senior at Knoch High School and is the daughter of Dana and Loretta Sherman of Butler.-------

Daniel Arnett of Butler was accepted for enrollment at Edinboro (Pa.) University.He plans to enroll this fall and will major in fine arts applied media.Arnett is a senior at Butler High School and is the son of James and Patricia Arnett of Butler.-------

Jordan Hammer of Renfrew was accepted for enrollment at Edinboro (Pa.) University.He plans to enroll this fall and will major in business administration and marketing.Hammer is a senior at Butler High School and is the son of Doug and Ginny Hammer of Renfrew.-------

Henry Cypher of Cabot was accepted for enrollment at Edinboro (Pa.) University.He plans to enroll this fall and will major in health and physical education.Cypher is a senior at Knoch High School and is the son of Mike and Cindy Cypher of Cabot.