Melissa Sypulski of East Brady earned first place in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University Biologist annual research presentations in the cell and molecular category.Sypulski was also inducted into the Phi Kappi Phi Honor Society.She is a senior biology major at Clarion University and is planning to attend Ohio State Veterinary School in August.Sypulski is the daughter of Walter and Sherry Sypulski of East Brady.———

Blake McCarty of Cranberry Township received the 2011 S. Truett Cathy Scholar Award from Chick-fil-A for $1,000.Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy personally selected the recipients alongside a panel of Atlanta civic and business leaders.McCarty has worked for Chick-fil-A for more than five years at the Cranberry location.He is studying entrepreneurship at University of North Texas, Denton.A 2011 graduate of Mars High School, McCarty was active in Boy Scouts of America, youth group and Future Business Leaders of America.———

Luke Franchuk of Butler was honored for the best paper presented on his panel at the Western Pennsylvania Regional Phi Alpha Theta conference March 17 at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe.Franchuk’s paper, “Thank Allah for Oil: Saudi Arabia, Royal Succession, and Religious Tradition,” was written for a course on monarchs and dynasties.Franchuk is the son of Gary and Patrice Franchuk of Butler, a graduate of Shady Side Academy and a Westminster College senior history major.———

Lauren Hemphill of Butler was accepted to Edinboro University to study graphic design.She attends Butler Senior High School and the Butler County Vocational-Technical School.Lauren is a member of the National Technical Honors Society and is involved in dressage, graphic and traditional art and photography.She is the daughter of Ken and Leah Hemphill of Butler.