Oct 22, 2012 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – The Challenge Program Inc., a regional nonprofit organization designed to provide high school students with incentives for success, recently kicked off the program with an orientation and awards assembly at Waynesburg Central High School. The program partners with businesses to motivate high school students to excel, both in and out of the classroom. Consol Energy serves as the business sponsor at the school.The assembly was titled “Waynesburg Central High School’s Got Talent.” Student volunteers participated in four game challenges, which focused on the skills needed to succeed in school and in the workforce. During the assembly, four sophomore and four junior students were awarded checks of $250 for their performance last year in The Challenge Program’s four award categories of attendance, academic improvement, academic excellence and community service. Senior award winners were awarded with their checks last spring. The total amount of awards is $3,000.Since 2003, through the support of businesses, foundations and individuals, The Challenge Program Inc. has been introduced to more than 330,000 students and checks totaling more than $2 million have been presented to over 8,000 high school students in more than 100 high schools in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio.For additional information about The Challenge Program Inc., call either Mary Dreliszak, director of program development at 724-984-0860 or Barbara Grandinetti, executive director of The Challenge Program Inc. at 814-533-7401.The Challenge Program Inc. was developed by Dan Perkins, president and CEO of MTS Technologies and is designed to provide students with incentives for success.