More than 100 students from local junior and senior high schools competed March 23 in the regional History Day competition at Westminster College.

The theme, "Innovation in History: Impact and Change," was portrayed by students in one of nine categories: individual or group exhibits, individual or group performance, individual or group documentary, group or individual Web site design, or individual paper.

Schools from Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer and Venango counties participated.

Those placing first or second in any category advance to the state contest to be held May 12 and 13 at Millersville University.

Local winners include:

• Junior group exhibits, first place:

Maria Castello,

Nikki Macri,

Erica Mendel,

Rachel Schratz,

Jessica Capra, "Telegraph, Telephone, Telecommunications" of Holy Sepulcher.• Senior group exhibits, first place:

Emily Bucha, Erica Cyphert, Sara Merkle, "The Sewing Machine: Putting the Pieces Together" of Grove City High School.• Senior individual exhibits, first place:

Kiley Shuman, "Joseph Holmes: A Master of Natural Light Photography" of Seneca Valley Intermediate• Senior individual exhibits, second place:

Kyle Gallagher, "NextGen: The Future of Safe Air Travel" of Seneca Valley Intermediate.• Senior individual papers, first place:

Jack Kooser, "The Frontier Nursing Service: Affordable Health Care in Rural America" of Seneca Valley Intermediate.• Senior individual papers, second place,

Simon Brown: "Innovating Greed: The Progression of the Federal Reserve Act of 1913" of Seneca Valley Senior High.• Junior group performance, first place,

Renee Decker and

Elizabeth Paparone, "Argument of the Century" of Grove City Middle School.• Junior group performance, second place tie,

Nathan Albensi and

Allen Shaffer, "The History of the Television" of Holy Sepulcher, and

Morgan Miller and

Brianne Blancha, "The International Red Cross" of Grove City Middle School.• Senior individual documentary, first place,

Adam Zahren, "Theater: An Influence on American Values" of Seneca Valley Senior High.———The Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania announced its scholarship recipients.

Julie Muckle of Cranberry Township earned a scholarship to attend the CRNA program at the University of Pittsburgh.———

Jared Schneider of Butler accepted admission to Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, where he will study secondary education, German and history. He is the son of Gary and Sharon Schneider of Butler.———

Christa Lema of Portersville accepted admission to Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, where she will study graphic design. She is the daughter of Joe and Lisa Lema of Portersville.