Jessica Schaney

of Butler was recently awarded a $1,000 nursing education grant from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Foundation.

She is the daughter of George and Zema Schaney of Butler and a 2001 graduate of Butler High School and Butler County Vocational Technical School.

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Joseph Kasprzyk

, a freshman engineering major in the Schreyer Honors College at Pennsylvania State University, State College, will participate in an industry tour in France in May.

Kasprzyk's team was judged one of the top teams in a design competition in his Honors Introductory Engineering Design class, in which his team worked with a team of students from France to solve an industry-sponsored design problem.

He will be one of 10 Penn State students who will participate in the tour.

Kasprzyk is the son of Joseph and Deborah Kasprzyk of Center Township.

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Paul West

from Butler was recently accepted in to the refrigeration, heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology program at Triangle Tech in Pittsburgh.

West is a 1983 graduate of Butler High School.

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Senior nursing major

Kristi Steighner

of Butler was recently featured in The Student Column in On the Edge-the official newsletter of the International Association of Forensic Nurses.

Her column, titled "Breaking the Cycle of Pain," addresses a nurse's role in treating patients who respond to their emotions through self-mutilation.

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Mars Middle School eighth grade student

Max Meese

recently won the "Ought to Be a Law" competition sponsored by state Sen. Jane Orie, R-40th.

The contest challenges seventh and eight graders attending public, private or parochial schools in the 40th senatorial district to submit a proposal for a new law in Pennsylvania.

Meese's winning proposal was for a law to protect people's privacy by making it illegal to give out social security numbers, except for government purposes. At Orie's request, the Legislative Reference Bureau will formally draft the proposal as legislation.

He is the son of David and Renee Meese. He was honored this week with a special citation from the Senate during a visit and tour of the State Capitol.

Cadet Melody Ginter,daughter of Ben and Cathy Ginter of Cabot, was selected for a term of four months as regimental executive officer in the cadet chain of command at the U.S. Military Academy.The executive officer directs, coordinates and supervises all staff actions and ensures they meet the commander's guidance.Ginter graduated from Knoch High School in 2000. She is concentrating her studies in chemistry and life sciences and plans to attend medical school at the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Maryland, upon graduation in May 2004.---Matthew Rutkoskiof Freeport was recently named the recipient of the Board of Governors Science/Math Honors Scholarship. He is a biology and chemistry major at Edinboro (Pa.) University.He is the son of Jan Rutkoski and is a graduate of Freeport High School.

Jordan Radakerof Butler has been accepted to Edinboro University.He is the son of John and Gloria Pollock and Joseph Radaker.---Jonathan Puvakof Butler has recently accepted an Outstanding Leadership Award from Bridgewater College.He is the son of Ron and Mary Puvak of Butler and plans to enter law school.---Julie Tollertonof Juniata College has been selected to present her undergraduate research to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research. Her research titled, "Use of metaphor as a rhetorical strategy in the 2002 film Chicago," was selected according to national research standards.She is a 2000 graduate of Seneca Valley High School and is studying expressive communication at Juniata College.She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Tollerton of Evans City.