Student directory
JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley students in Dan McKosky’s video production classes won four awards at Robert Morris University’s 30th Annual Digital Media Arts Consortium student video festival in April. The festival was the first in-person one in three years. The event was held on the Robert Morris campus and featured student representatives from dozens of Western Pennsylvania schools.
Sophomore Mason Ahl won best in category in the special effects group for his film “Shape Transitions.” The “Seneca Says” crew won in the morning announcements category. Senior Emily Lopez won in the black and white photography category for her photo titled “Thoughts on Time.” Lastly, junior Taylor Bowers won in the feature package category for her news story on the new senior high library.
Seneca Valley students and SVTV volunteers submitted work in 10 different categories. Over 500 students from Western Pennsylvania participated in the contest. This event provides students with the ability to interact with other students and see clips from productions from across the region. Additionally, the event gives students a chance to compare their skills and achievements to their peers, while also providing ideas for upcoming shows and projects.
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SLIPPERY ROCK — Three cadets from Butler County were among 13 senior cadets from the U.S. Army ROTC program at Slippery Rock University who received their branch assignments, and they will soon be commissioned as officers with the rank of second lieutenant, including 11 who participated in SRU's commissioning ceremony Friday in the Smith Student Center Ballroom.
Maya French, a political science major from Portersville, was assigned to active duty, Ordnance; while Andrew Gaudish, a criminal justice major from Slippery Rock, was assigned to active duty, Infantry; and Jared Titley, a homeland security major from Butler, was assigned to National Guard, Signal Corps.
Cadets are assessed into one of 17 branches of the Army based on their preferences and where they rank on the Army Cadet Command's Order of Merit List, which consists of more than 5,000 senior ROTC cadets at colleges and universities across the country.
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JACKSON TWP — Several Seneca Valley students hit the high notes as they advanced to the 2022 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) All-State Festival and Conference.
There were 16 Seneca Valley musicians who progressed to the state level of PMEA, which is part of the annual PMEA All-State Festival and Conference. For the first time in three years, the PMEA Festival was held in person with full public performances featuring nationally recognized guest conductors. The PMEA All-State Festival and Conference took place at the Kalahari Resort in Pocono Manor, Pa.
The All-State Choir was conducted by Amelia Garbisch, director of music education and assistant professor of choral music at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. Seneca Valley students rehearsed with Garbisch over the course of two days that culminated with a performance on April 8. Choir participants included Trey Hixon, Colton Marley, Anya Maschmeier, Grace Fawcett, Eli Peel, Leta Hixon and Elizabeth Hixon.
The All-State Wind Ensemble was conducted by Professor Paula Crider, retired professor at the University of Texas and director of the acclaimed University of Texas Longhorn Band. The All-State Concert band was conducted by Jonathan Helmick, director of bands and associate professor of music at Slippery Rock University. Both ensembles performed a concert April 9 to close the entire festival and conference. Band participants included Rebekah Heltzell, Sydney Thompson, Jackson Scherzer, Peter Ko, Raymond Walter, Sreya Padamati, Alaina Althouse, Katie Sylves and Katelyn Livorse.
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ALLIANCE, Ohio — Two Butler County natives were among University of Mount Union students acknowledged at the institution's Senior Recognition and Honors Convocation.
Drew Kolek of Freeport was awarded the Alpha Lambda Delta Senior Certificate. Senior Certificates are awarded from the National Office of Alpha Lambda Delta and go to those senior members of Alpha Lambda Delta who have maintained at least a 3.5 grade-point average.
Gretchen Koken of Cranberry Township was awarded the Elmer George Prize and All-Ohio Athletic Conference Outstanding Academic Status. The Elmer George Prize is awarded to a junior student majoring in psychology, neuroscience or human development and family science, with the highest grade-point average. Koken is part of the women's tennis team at the university. These student-athletes are recognized as achieving varsity status and holding at least a 3.5 cumulative grade-point average during the current academic year.
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SCRANTON — Diana Lozinger, a sophomore counseling and human services major from Cranberry Township was among the 20 University of Scranton students inducted into Theta Alpha Kappa, the national honor society in theology and religious studies. For induction into the honor society, students must have completed 12 credits in theology, have a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher in theology classes, and have an overall grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.
