JOHNSTOWN — The Challenge Program distributed financial awards to seniors at Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School and Knoch High School.

At Butler County Vo-Tech, the recipients were Kirk Gibson for academic improvement; Nicholas Snyder for academic excellence; Emily Einstein for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); Dalton Timblin for attendance; and Russell Weitzel for community service.

At Knoch High School, the recipients were Shyana McCommon for community service; Vincent Gray for STEM; Alyssa Srock for academic excellence; Brett Miner for attendance; and Greg Brooks for academic improvement.

XTO Energy, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, sponsors the program at both schools.

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PITTSBURGH — Brian Urbaniak of Slippery Rock was selected as the new assistant drum major for the Pitt Band at the University of Pittsburgh.

Urbaniak is a chemical engineering major. He is a member of the Heinz Chapel Choir and Kappa Kappa Psi fraternity.

He is a 2012 graduate of Slippery Rock High School.

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. — U.S. Navy Machinists Mate Third Class Brandon Bridges of Prospect received an appointment for the 2018 class of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

He will study for a bachelor’s degree and then receive a commission as an officer in the U.S. Navy or Marines.

Bridges joined the Navy following his graduation from Slippery Rock High School in 2013 and has participated in the Nuclear Training Program at the Naval Weapons Station in Goose Creek, S.C.

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WASHINGTON, D.C., — Alexandra Steighner received an appointment for the 2018 class of the United States Air Force Academy.

Steighner will study for a bachelor’s degree and then serve as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force.

She is a 2014 graduate of Seneca Valley High School.

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MIDLAND — The following students graduated from Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School:

Evans City: Lynea Csefalvay

Harmony: Elijah Davis and Collier Streitman

Ellwood City: Taylor Dean, Joshua Recce and Morgan Vandergrift

Valencia: Samantha DeMarco and Dylan Evans

Prospect: Brynn Hambley

Slippery Rock: Kelly Ireland

Mars: Areo Keller

Cranberry Township: Christianne Sadaka