The Western Area Career & Technology Center has honored these students in the following categories: Joshua Aloia, of Trinity Area, and Jacob Mark Beaver, of Fort Cherry, auto mechanics; Cody Pattison, of McGuffey, heating and air conditioning; Meredith Russo, of Chartiers-Houston, and Angela Burns, of Peters, child care; Travis Holmes, of Trinity Area, culinary arts; Kaitlin Cushey, of Chartiers-Houston, emergency and protective services; Larry Jenkins, of Trinity Area, and Matthew R. Leichty, of Peters, collision repair technology; Justin Yetsick, of Trinity Area and Eric M. Ferris, of Fort Cherry, carpentry.

• These are some of the California Area High School students who received May Day Awards: Alyssa Morris, California Area Band Association award; Steven Ventura, California Area Band Association Award in Memory of Jason Conaway; Megan Silbaugh and Brandon Miller, Scholastic Excellence award from the U.S. Marines; Natalie Granato and William Rook, Semper Fi (Band) Award from the U.S. Marines; Emily Dowler, Senior Community Service award; Lindsey King, Most Improved award for seniors; Joshua King, attendance award for seniors; Megan Silbaugh, Highest GPA for seniors.

• Hannah Yingling and Derek Brouwer who both graduated last month from Peters Township High School placed 10th in the U.S. competition for National History Day.

Their exhibit, "Fights, Forks, Forts: How Indian Diplomacy at Easton Influenced Pennsylvania's Future, featured events associated with the French and Indian War.

Matthew Dixon, who will enter his freshman year, ranked 14th with his Web site design, The Whiskey Rebellion, which recounts the saga of Western Pennsylvania's revolt against the Whiskey Tax of 1791.

National History Day is an educational research program that annually involves more than 500,000 students preparing historical papers, exhibits, documentaries, performances, or Web sites pertaining to an historical theme.

• Scott Ketelaar, 13, a Peters Township Middle School pupil, finished fifth statewide in the grade 6-8 division of the PTA Reflections contest for "Raindrop Rhythms," a composition he wrote for piano or keyboard.

His piece won first place at the middle school, the PTA Area Council and PTA Region 4. Scott was one of 15 Region 4 entrants who won or placed at the state level.