Cranberry Township native Ashley Biernesser will receive a 2013 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program fellowship. Selection was based on abilities and accomplishments, as well as the potential to contribute to strengthening the vitality of the U.S. science and engineering enterprise.

Ashley is a second year graduate student at Boston College working on research in chemistry-chemical catalysis. She is the daughter of Jim and Beth Biernesser of Cranberry Township. She is a 2007 graduate of Seneca Valley High School and a 2011 graduate of Duquesne University.

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Samantha Hoffman was inducted recently into Chi Eta Sigma, the commerce honorary society at Thiel College. Chi Eta Sigma recognizes academic excellence and promotes the collegiate study of accounting, business administration and economics.

Hoffman is a junior accounting and business administration major from Slippery Rock.

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Seven local middle and senior high school students were winners at the regional History Day competition at Westminster College. This year’s theme was “Turning Points in History: People, Ideas and Events.”

Michael Sutton from Mars Middle School won first place for junior individual exhibits.

Michael Long from Seneca Valley Intermediate High School won second place for senior division papers.

Jacob Young of Fombell, a PA Cyber Charter School student, won third place for junior division papers.

Taylor Mortimer from Grove City High School won third place for senior division papers.

Mark Benkhart, Ashley Blazczak and Caelen Hinterlang of Holy Sepulcher won third place for junior group exhibit.

More than half a million students participate in the National History Day contest. Regional winners will advance to the state contest.