Rachel Wendling of Butler, a recent graduate of Philadelphia University's Fashion Design program, took two of the top awards for her hand-beaded evening collection presented May 8 at Philadelphia University's annual gala Fashion Show at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia.Wendling won Best Senior Collection and the Frank Agostino Award for Evening wear in front of the sold-out crowd of 2,400 students and their families, faculty and administrators, fashion designers and top fashion industry officials.A 2005 graduate of Butler High School, Wendling majored in fashion design at Philadelphia University.———

Joseph Lawecki of Freeport was chosen to participate in the Commendation Scholar program at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.Lawecki and 13 classmates were selected as students who display exceptional academic and leadership abilities as well as outstanding potential for future success.The program enhances each scholar's education through priority registration, special advising and other benefits.Lawecki plans to major in mechanical engineering technology.A graduate of Freeport High School, he is the son of Sidney and Lisa Lawecki of Freeport.———

Connor McGinnis of Butler was selected to participate in the C-MITES summer program for academically talented students.He attended the Ancient Rome class at Carnegie Mellon University from Monday to Friday. He is a fourth grade student at Center Township Elementary School and is the son of Laura and Robert McGinnis of Butler.———The following students participated in the 15th annual Richard J. Fasenmyer Engineering Design Conference at Penn State Erie, the Behrend College:•

Herbert Brittner of Zelienople presented "Sensor Implementation Using Mixed-Signal FPGAs," a group research project.•

Matthew Cantrell of Valencia presented "3 Phase Motor Drive," a group research project.•

Joel Erickson of Sarver presented "Design of an Improved Mid-Frequency Isolator," a group research project.•

Nicole Frisbee of Valencia presented "Development of a Low-Cost Multi-Viscosity Helical Turbine Meter," a group research project.•

Chad Green of Butler presented "Redesign of an Equipment Trailer to Reduce Cost and Weight," a group research project.•

Louis Grenci of Butler presented "Evaluating Methods of Joining Polyurethane Tubing to Polycarbonate End Components," a group research project.•

Andrew Harmon of Karns City presented "Family Mold Runner Balancing and Automated Assembly of a Toy Car," a group research project.•

Christopher Karkowsky of Cranberry Township presented "Sensor Implementation Using Mixed-Signal FPGAs," a group research project.•

David Karls of Butler presented "Simple Tools for Civilian Explosive Ordnance Disposal Robots," a group research project.•

Bryan Ramsey of Butler presented "Cast-Aluminum to Plastic Part Conversion for John Deere Cornhead Assembly," a group research project.•

Trevor Sepich of Saxonburg presented "Effects of Geometric and Shear-Induced Imbalances in Multi-Head Extrusion Blow Molding Tooling," a group research project.•

Matthew Shuster of Butler presented "BAH Source Code Assessment Project," a group research project.•

Zachary Stefanik of Butler presented "Development of a Warpage Index for Injection Molding Materials," an individual research project.•

Ryan Stephan of Valencia presented "Design of a Reactor Cavity Neutron Streaming Shield," a group research project.•

Michael Wargo of Cranberry Township presented "Design of a Joystick for Underground Mining Environments," a group research project.•

Stephen Winfield of Zelienople presented "Design of a High-Capacity Support Structure," a group research project.———

Bridgette Abramson of Evans City accepted admission to Edinboro University. A graduate of Seneca Valley High School, she is the daughter of Karen Abramson.