To kick off the 2016-17 program year, students from Ringgold and Chartiers-Houston high schools and Western Area Career and Technology Center recently were introduced to the Challenge Program Inc. during an orientation assembly at their schools. The theme was an Olympic trial that demonstrated the interview screening process to help students qualify for success. Sophomores, juniors and seniors were introduced to local career opportunities with Noble Energy, MarkWest Energy and Range Resources. Throughout the year, students 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. Award winners from Ringgold, whose business partner is Noble Energy, are, from left, Dawn Vazzana of Noble Energy; Isaac Ramsey, academic achievement; Mackenzie Miller, community service; Elizabeth Levandosky, STEM; Ashley Kotlar, attendance; Jackson O’Conner, academic excellence; Nathan Leaver, academic improvement; and Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll Township. Not pictured are Noah Trunzo for attendance, Taylor Pust for community service, Maria Lengwin for academic excellence and Michaela Pry for STEM.

Award winners from Chartiers-Houston High School, whose business partners are MarkWest Energy and Range Resources, are, seated, from left, Andrew Geray for academic improvement; Savannah Wheeler, community service; Ling Xue, attendance; and Emily Lickert, STEM; and standing, Rob McHale of MarkWest Energy; Tyler Evans, STEM; Donald Yanak, attendance; John Minor, academic improvement; Hunter Saieva, academic excellence; Ryan James, community service; and Christina Colalillo of Range Resources.

Award winners from the morning classes at Western Area Career and Technology Center, whose business partner is Range Resources, are, seated, from left, Victoria Klepsic for academic improvement; Chelsea Wasnick, academic improvement; and Christina Colalillo of Range Resources; and standing, Tanner Coughenour, community service; Emily Chase, attendance; and Nathan Baker, academic excellence.

Award winners from the afternoon classes at Western Area Career and Technology Center, whose business partner is Range Resources, are, seated, from left, Brian Walter for attendance; Christina Colalillo of Range Resources; and Josh Camacho, academic excellence; and, standing, Nathan Neff, community service; Douglas Halo, STEM; and Finn Wilkinson for STEM.