Eight Freeport Area high school and middle school students brought home first-place wins and more from the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science Region 9 competition held on Feb. 25 at Slippery Rock University. Pictured, from left, are Jake Franks, Eli Magness, Alex Claditis, J.J. Nicolls, Audrey Gregori, Scarlett Sather, Marcy Mattivi, Elise Whitlinger and technician Aiden Williams. Submitted Photo

A group of secondary students were the pride of the Freeport Area School District after bringing top scores home from the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science Region 9 competition held Feb. 25 at Slippery Rock University.

Alex Claditis, a sixth-grader, was awarded $100 for his Outstanding Engineering Project, for which he earned a perfect score.

Elise Whitlinger, a senior, also earned a perfect score plus the Nicholas Award for Outstanding Zoology Project. She also received a $100 award.

Two eighth-grade students, Marcy Mattivi and Scarlett Sather, earned $30 gift cards from Staples for their first place wins.

Marcy won the Microbiology Region Director’s Award and Scarlett the Botany Region Director’s Award.

Also taking first place awards were seventh-grader Eli Magness, sophomores Jake Franks and J.J. Nicolls, and junior Audrey Gregori.