Butler was well represented at the 8th annual Western Pennsylvania All-Academies Ball Dec. 29 at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland. The ball honors and thanks cadets and midshipmen for their sacrifices, present and future, to their country.

Cathy Berger-Reese, ball chairwoman whose son, Jay Berger, center, is a member of the Class of 2007 at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and Mike Reese.

Anita Backstrom; Nathaniel "Ike" Backstrom, a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy; Nancy McCaskey; Elise McCaskey, U.S. Naval Academy midshipman; and Lindsey McCaskey. All are from Butler.