IN Mars Area Spring 2020 | Page 9

“Benjamin’s Field.” You can read more about the book, and Jim Knights, at JamesKnightsBooks.com, and on Amazon at amzn.to/2XAJ8CM. NORTH PITTSBURGH QUILTERS GUILD QUILT SHOW IN APRIL The NPQG quilt show is a biennial event and will be held Apr. 24-26 at the Ross Township Community Center. This year’s theme is “Log Cabin Fever.” Over 100 quilts will be displayed and there will be a variety of vendors, chances to win a dream basket and sewing machine, and a quilt appraiser. Entry submissions are open to the public for this juried show. Tickets to win the Log Cabin Raffle Quilt are being sold by members and available in local quilt shops. The guild invites you to join as a member or a visitor to enjoy these beautiful handmade quilts. For more information about the show or to become a member go to NPQG.org. THE CHALLENGE PROGRAM, INC. KICKS OFF AT MARS AREA HIGH SCHOOL Students at Mars Area High School were recently introduced to The Challenge Program, Inc. during a kick-off assembly at the school. The assembly theme was Future Influencers: #WhyNotMe. It featured a powerful video outlining how the program works, revealed to students the positive outcomes of the important choices they make every day for career readiness and success both in and beyond the classroom, and provided information on how to earn cash incentives. During the assembly, students in the sophomore, junior, and senior classes were introduced to local career opportunities. Throughout the year, they will be eligible to compete for financial awards in five areas linked with academic and workplace success: Attendance, Academic Improvement, Academic Excellence, STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) and Community Service. The business partner for Mars Area High School during the 2019-2020 school year is Lutheran SeniorLife. The Challenge Program’s mission is to build sustainable business and education partnerships while motivating students to develop the good habits required to succeed in school and in their future careers. MARS BANK’S STEFANIE TODD RECEIVES STATEWIDE BANKING AWARD Stefanie Todd, Vice President, Loan Operations at Mars Bank, received the Developer Award at the Pennsylvania Bankers Association’s annual Emerging Leaders Conference. The Developer Award is presented as part of the new Highlighting Young Professionals’ Excellence (H.Y.P.E.) program, which recognizes the accomplishments of young banking professionals (40 or younger) within their financial institutions, the banking industry and their communities. The Developer Award recognizes a professional who has a natural knack for building talent and wants to see others succeed and grow to their fullest potential. Todd has over a decade of experience in finance and banking including commercial lending and operations experience. She currently manages loan operations at Mars Bank and serves on multiple cross- department initiatives. Her nomination highlighted her initiatives to develop a proactive problem-solving system in her role at Mars Bank and involvement in industry-wide technology testing groups and training. “This award is not a surprise,” said James V. Dionise, Mars Bank President and Chief Executive Officer. “Stefanie is clearly an emerging leader within our organization and the industry. It is heartening to see PA Bankers recognize her talent and professionalism through the H.Y.P.E. awards.” Mars Bank is “one true community bank” focused on combining the products and technology that its customers need while maintaining its focus on long-term customer relationships. n Left to right: Melissa Hanlon, Lutheran SeniorLife (Business Partner); Mason Koma; Bella Fratto; Macy Barschick; Carly Kern; Gabriell Carney, Lutheran SeniorLife; Dale Sleva, Assistant Principal. MARS AREA ❘ SPRING 2020 7