Maria Savannah of Butler was selected as one of three drum majors for the Syracuse University Marching Band (SUMB) for the 2015-16 season.

The dean’s list student has been a member of SUMB for two years and in leadership both years. She is a student mentor for her major, music industry.

She received the Founder’s Scholarship from Syracuse University, the Supply Corp Scholarship from the U.S. Navy Supply Corp Fund and the William Lenherd Scholarship from the Butler Musical Theatre Guild.

Savannah is an intern with the Butler Symphony Association and held an internship with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra last year.

She is a 2013 graduate of Butler High School and the daughter of Michael Savannah and Christina Sanzotti Savannah of Butler.

Student participate in scholars forums

INDIANA, Pa. — Local students participated in the Undergraduate and Graduate Scholars Forums at Indiana (Pa.) University. The events showcased original student research, artwork or performing arts compositions. They were judged by faculty and administrators on content and the quality of presentations.

Nolen Fetchko of Sarver presented “An Examination of the Correlation between Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Habits in Undergraduate College Students.” He is a food and nutrition graduate student.

The following undergraduate students also participated:

Elizabeth Christy of Butler presented “Substance Use in Adolescents.” She is a sociology major, the daughter of Pete and Judy Connor and a graduate of Knoch High School.

Elon Denio of Cranberry Township presented “Analyzing Protein-Protein Interaction in Zebrafish Kidney Stem Cells.” Denio is a recipient of the Chemistry Academic Award, and he is a biochemistry major. He is the son of Rete Denio and is a 2012 graduate of Seneca Valley High School.

Matthew Eperesi of Mars presented “Case Analysis of Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s.” He is an accounting major and a recipient of the Scholar Athlete award. He is the son of Mike and Lisa Eperesi and is a 2013 graduate of Mars High School.

Andrew Harvey of Sarver presented “GIS Development for the Neighborhood Revitalization of Wick City, Kittanning, Pa.” He is a regional planning major, the son of Roger and Linda Harvey and a graduate of Freeport High School.

Dylan Hiles of Butler presented “Survival and Growth of Naturally Occurring Plants on a Green Roof in Western Pennsylvania.” He is a biology/ecology/conservation/environmental biology major. He is the son of Laura and Chris Hiles and is a 2010 graduate of Butler High School.

Cassandra Krul of Cranberry Township presented “Exploring Native Pennsylvania Plant Species as Candidates for a Green Roof” and “Insect Preference for Native and Non-Native Plants, Using New Image Analysis Software to Determine Herbivory.” She is an ecology/conservation/environmental biology major. She is the daughter of Karen Krul and Russell Krul of Mount Juliet, Tenn., and is a 2011 graduate of Mars High School.

Charlotte Kralik-Smith of Cowansville presented “Mennonite Perspective on Modern Social Problems.” She is a sociology major, the daughter of Mary Kralik of Denver and John Smith and is a 2011 graduate of Cocalico High School.

Sarah Macshane of Sarver presented “It Is Finished (Spoken Word).” She is a middle level education English/language arts major, a dean’s list student, a provost scholar, a recipient of a Valedictorian Scholarship and a member of Phi Kappa Phi honors society. She is the daughter of Donna Wissinger and James Macshane of Sarver and is a 2011 graduate of Freeport High School.

Andrew Selker of Valencia presented “Management and IT in North America’s Whole Clubs: Sam’s Club.” Selker is a management information system major and a recipient of a Sutton Scholarship. He is the son of James and Linda Selker and is a 2013 graduate of Mars High School.

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NEW CASTLE — Cheyenne Beran of Renfrew, Connor Choate of Valencia and Rhiannon Conrath of Mars recently graduated from Commonwealth Connections Academy, a public cyber charter school serving students statewide.

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The Challenge Program recently awarded scholarships to seniors at Karns City and Seneca Valley high schools.

Students received awards for attendance, academic improvement, academic excellence, community service and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Chicora Medical Center and Sugar Creek Rest sponsor the program at Karns City.

Karns City awardees were LeErin Jones, attendance; Ethan Conto, STEM; Bridget Klein, community service; John Ferris, academic improvement; and Matthew Yough, academic excellence.

Westinghouse-Cranberry sponsors the program at Seneca Valley.

Seneca Valley recipients were William Drambel, academic excellence; Joshua Focht, attendance; Zachary Bryson, academic improvement; Bailyn Bench, community service; and Valerie Jordan, STEM.

The Challenge Program partners with businesses to motivate high school students both in and out of the classroom.