Challenge Program kicks off at J-M
JEFFERSON – 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 the Jefferson-Morgan High School.
The program partners with businesses to motivate high school students to excel, both in and out of the classroom. Alpha Natural Resources serves as the sponsor of The Challenge Program Inc. at the school.
Five students from each of the sophomore, junior, and senior classes who excel in the areas of attendance, academic excellence, academic improvement, The STEM Award and community service this school year will receive an award in the amount of $200 for their efforts. The awards total $3,000.
During the assembly, junior and senior students who were randomly chosen from among those ranked in the top 10 percent of the award categories last year, were awarded checks of $250. Karen Zalom, Jordan Cario and Lori Dayton with Alpha Natural Resources were on hand to present the awards.
Since 2003, through the generous 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.