IN Peters Township Spring 2014 | Page 32

Highlights from Around the District PTHS Students Earn Math Awards Two PTHS juniors have earned Certificates of Distinction in the American Math Exam. Nicholas Roberts and Roy Wang will both move on to the next level of the contest on March 13. In addition, sophomore Connor Schwartz will receive a Young Student of Achievement Certificate for his high score on the exam. The American Math Competitions are designed to engage students in effective mathematical problem-solving that are consistent with curricular goals, and prepare students for future mathematical success. and Wen Quan Zheng finished in first place, earning the honor of competing at the state level in Harrisburg on March 7 and 8. In the individual standings, we also had six students rank in the top 10: Pratiik Kaushik, 1; Wen Quan Zheng, 2; Garrett Langley, 5; Kyle Kroboth, 7; Tyler Bove, 8; and Mark McFarlin, 10. Prudential Spirit of Community Award Senior Casey Kirwan has been named a Distinguished Finalist in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. Casey is among only 234 students from across the nation to be recognized for their outstanding volunteer service. Casey has raised $8,000 for Autism Speaks and the district’s support programs for students with autism by organizing an annual walk and sale. PE TE RS TOWN SH IP SC H OO L DI S TRI C T NE WS eters Township PTHS Senior Named National Merit Finalist Pittsburgh Day Pittsburgh Day at Bower Hill On February 28, Bower Hill students celebrated their Pittsburgh pride in their annual Pittsburgh Day Celebration. The event is the culmination of their social studies unit on Western Pennsylvania and the students had a chance to take part in many local traditions – they learned to polka, made pierogies, created their own Andy Warhol style art and more! MathCounts Team Earns First Place A team of students from PTMS took part in the MathCounts competition on February 17 at Washington and Jefferson College. The team of Pratiik Kaushik, Garrett Langley, Mark McFarlin, 30 Peters Township Peters Township High School senior Max Lindsay has been named a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Max is among an elite group of nearly 15,000 students nationwide to earn this honor and will now be included in the scholarship awards competition. The students are evaluated based on their academic record, information about the school’s curricula and grading system, two sets of test scores, a written recommendation, information about the student’s activities and leadership, and a personal essay. Zonta Club Recognizes PTHS Student PTHS Junior Angela Krak has been named a 2014 Amelia Earhart Honoree for her outstanding community service. Angela was among 15 areas students chosen on the basis of her overall spirit of volunteerism and her documented hours of community service in the past year. In the past year, Angela has spent more than 120 hours of service supporting such organizations as The Washington Hospital, The Washington City Mission, Rose Garden Community Pool and Paramount Senior Living Center. Each honoree received an Award Certificate and a $100 scholarship check. Musician Earns State Honors On February 26-18, sophomore Kyle Johnson took part in the Western Region Orchestra Festival at Trinity High School. At the event Kyle placed 4th chair out of 18 cellists based on his audition, earning an opportunity to take part in the PMEA All-State Orchestra Festival in Hershey. National History Day Winners Seventeen students from Peters Township Middle and High Schools competed in the recent National History Day Regional competition along with more than 400 students across the region. Nine Peters Township students returned from NHD-Pittsburgh with medals, and in some cases cash awards and have earned a spot in the national competition. First place awards went to Nick Larimer and Ryan Williams for their group documentary; Sydney Hannah, Angela Roberts and Shreya Sharma for their group website; and Mekhela Santebennur and Shruthi Shivkumar in the junior group performance category. Junior Alex Franco earned a second place award for his individual performance, and junior Delaney When earned a third place award for her historical paper. Students Earn Writing Honors from Penn State Three PTHS students were honored as finalists in the Penn State Essay contest sponsored by the University’s Program in Writing and Rhetoric. Matt Gummersbach, Tyler Mattes and Nicholas Roberts were selected out of 75 entries from many of the best student writers across the state. The contest charged students with the question “Based on your own experience, what book has helped you develop ‘emotional or ethical life skills’?” They then had to plan, draft and revise their essay in only one hour. These outstanding writers will be recognized at a luncheon at Penn State.