JACKSON TWP — Siona Sharma, a senior at Seneca Valley High School, was named a National Merit Scholarship winner.

She was one of 2,500 Merit Scholars chosen from more than 15,000 finalists in the 2016 program.

She was a finalist in Pennsylvania and among those finalists judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors

This year’s competition for National Merit Scholarships began in October 2014 when more than 1.5 million juniors in 22,000 high schools took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

By the conclusion of the 2016 program, about 7,500 finalists will have earned the Merit Scholar title and received a college scholarship.

—–—

ANNVILLE — Ian Brown of Grove City was recognized for academic achievement at Lebanon Valley College’s Spring Awards and Recognition Ceremony. The ceremony recognizes excellence in natural sciences, social sciences and humanities.

Brown, a graduate of Grove City High School, is pursuing a bachelor of science and bachelor of arts in health science and music.

He also won the Pickwell Memorial Music Award.

—–—

PHILADELPHIA — Brenna Ritzert of Chicora will give up summer vacation to remain on campus at Saint Joseph’s University as a member of the Summer Scholars Program.

She is one of 95 students who will engage in faculty-mentored research and creative projects at the university this summer.

The program will require students to produce a written description of their research that will be published by the university, and to present their findings next spring during the Celebration of Student Achievement event.

Ritzert, an English major, will work on the project “Writing a Mystery Novel: The Detective of Craterwell.”

—–—

Five high school students from Homeacre Christian Academy participated in the Accelerated Christian Education Regional Convention in Michigan and returned with awards.

Alexand Bryce Kulin, Mackenzie Fasone and Noah and Sarah Thompson took second place in Handbell/Hand Chime Choir. Sarah Thompson placed second for the dress she made and third in String Solo Bowed.

Mackenzie Fasone and Sarah Thompson placed sixth for Science Exhibit Research. Noah Thompson won a fifth place award in Color Still Life photograph.

––—

JACKSON TWP — The Seneca Valley Biology Club won first and second place in the Butler County Envirothon Competition.

First place team members included Sydney McGahey, Jonnie Poepoe, Hannah Hale, Mariah Mack and Kathryn Hines. The first place team will attend the state level competition at Susquehanna University.

The second place team members included Audrey Lang, Maya Albanowski, Nora Gavaghan, Hannah McCann and Thalia Muno.

Four Seneca Valley teams participated in the competition.

Seneca Valley Biology Club members have qualified for state level Envirothon Competitions for the past 30 years.

The biology club prepares students to compete in two environmental team competitions during the school year.

Topics include identification of animals and plants, aquatic ecology, forestry, soils and land use, current environmental issues and wildlife management.