Several Butler Catholic School students placed high last month in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science Regional Competition at Slippery Rock University.

Fourteen seventh and eighth graders participated on Feb. 28, receiving 11 out of 14 first place awards and three second place awards.

Additionally, former student Julie Kasunic received first place on both of her projects.

First place awardees were: Tre Bartony, Skylar Geibel, Justin Higgins, Logan Lindey, Mia Maher, Sarah Preston, Thomas Preston, Anthony Ravasio, Julia Singleton, Ava Swanson and Thomas Voelker.

Second place awardees were: Abigail Book, Leah Bowden and Spencer Brackett.

Special awards were given to Ava Swanson and Tre Bartony. Ava received a perfect score of 5.0; Tre received a perfect score of 5.0 and the SRU Biology Award of $100 with a corresponding award of $200 for the sponsor teacher, Jayne Chobot, for science classroom supplies.

Julie Kasunic received the Outstanding Junior Award in which she was awarded a $3,000 per year scholarship to Slippery Rock University should she choose to attend there.

The state competition will take place May 17 to 19 at Penn State University.