Briefs – March 12
(pix) Duncan Thompson of Mt. Lebanon placed third in the Junior Paper Division of the National History Day Pittsburgh Competition held March 1 and 2 at the Senator John Heinz History Center. Duncan is a seventh-grader at Kentucky Avenue School in Shadyside and a former Almanac carrier.
The Washington County Department of Parks and Recreation will offer the Homeschool Outdoor Classroom “Terrific Trees” at Mingo Creek County Park, Shelter 6, on March 13 for children ages 5-11. Learn about trees and making maple syrup, and do tree activities.
Two free sessions are available: Session I will begin at 10 a.m. and Session II will begin at 1 p.m.
Preregistration is required by calling 724-228-6867.
Deaf and hard-of-hearing students are eligible to compete for cash prizes and more in national contests sponsored by Rochester Institute of Technology. The SpiRIT Writing Contest for deaf and hard-of-hearing high school students will award the winners – two 10th and two 11th grade students – their choice of a scholarship and travel expenses to the Explore Your Future program at NTID, or $500.
Contest guidelines and entry information are available at www.rit.edu/NTID/WritingContestNR. For more information, contact WritingContest@ntid.rit.edu or call 585-475-7695 (voice) or videophone 585-286-4555.
The second national competition is RIT’s annual Digital Arts, Film and Animation Competition for high school students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Students in grades 9-12 can compete for a $250 cash prize in each category.
The competition recognizes students’ artistic expression with awards in film, graphic media, interactive media, photo imaging, 3-D animation and Web page design. Students may submit up to two entries.
Online entry forms, contest rules and other details are available at www.rit.edu/NTID/ArtsNR.
The deadline to enter is March 17.
Outreach Teen & Family Services will provide a free four-week workshop for boys in grades 6-8 titled “Thrive.” Led by Outreach counselor Rocco Vallecorsa, M.S. Ed., the workshop will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m. March 18 and 25, and April 1 and 8 at the Mt. Lebanon Public Library.
Boys will strengthen social skills, develop greater emotional awareness and learn to make healthier choices. Attendance at all four sessions is mandatory, and registration is required by calling 412-561-5405 or emailing info@outreachteen.org.
The Peters Township High School PTSA will award up to three scholarships to seniors based on need and merit who are planning to attend a 2- or 4-year college in the fall, and one $500 service scholarship to a senior based on demonstrated service to PTSA and district activities. Deadline is April 30 and applications are available in the PTHS Guidance Office.
The Allegheny County Health Department is sponsoring its 15th annual environmental poster contest for students in grades 6-8. The theme of this year’s contest is “Travel Green, Travel Clean!” and students are being asked to depict how they can help keep the environment clean by “traveling green,” and how they can encourage family and friends to help cut down on pollution.
The deadline for entries is April 11. Teachers who would like to have their classes participate in the poster contest should contact the Health Department for details.
For more information and entry forms, visit www.achd.net/air/postercontest.html or contact Alaina Conner at 412-578-8106 or aconner@achd.net.
Edgar Snyder & Associates encourages Western Pennsylvania high school seniors to enter its Eighth Annual “Words to be Heard” Scholarship Contest by creating programs that will prevent their peers from underage drinking, drunk driving or distracted driving. Entry options include videos, PowerPoint presentations, brochures, websites, essays or any other approach to convey their message.
High school seniors entering the contest must plan to attend a four-year college or university in the summer or fall of 2014. All submissions must be postmarked on or before March 28.
For official rules or more information, visit www.edgarsnyder.com/scholarship, or call 1-800-394-3660 ext. 4412.
The National Society of Accountants Scholarship Foundation is accepting scholarship applications from promising accounting students across the country.
The foundation awards scholarships to undergraduates majoring in accounting at an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the U.S.
Applicants for awards are judged on the basis of scholastic achievement, demonstrated leadership, participation in school and community activities, honors and work experience. They must have a “B” (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better grade point average. Applications are due March 31. To apply, review application guidelines and for more information, visit www.nsacct.org/about/nsa-scholarship-foundation.
The Giant Oaks Garden Club awards a $1,000 scholarship each year to a high school senior entering into an environmental field of study or a field of biology (other than the medical field). High school guidance counselors have the scholarship packets. For more information, call Cathy Rager at 412 653-1988. Deadline to apply is April 1.
Boyce and Fort Couch Middle Schools have been re-designated as Donald Eichhorn “Schools to Watch” for the third time. The mission of the program is to assist Pennsylvania middle grades schools build capacity and recognize schools achieving academic excellence, based on criteria established by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform.
Fort Couch Middle School in the Upper St. Clair School District has been designated as a LEED Certified Building and has been awarded a LEED Certification at the Silver Level by the US Green Building Council. This designation represents about $605,740 in PlanCon reimbursement to Upper St. Clair School District from the Pennsylvania Department of Education over the 30-year life of the bonds. Fort Couch Middle School, along with Boyce Middle School is one of the first LEED Certified Public Schools in Allegheny County. Boyce Middle School received the designation in October 2013.
The Aubrey Rose Foundation and its social enterprise, Writely Sew, are hosting a nationwide fundraising challenge to find the nation’s top college student, who will win $1 million.
The challenge runs through Dec. 31, 2015, and will be divided into six academic semesters, three a year for two years.
Students will create and execute their own plans to raise development dollars for the Aubrey Rose Foundation. The individual who generates the greatest development gift to the Aubrey Rose Foundation over the length of the challenge will receive a $1 million annuity. The winner will be determined on Dec. 31, 2015. In addition, the top fundraiser for each of the six semesters will be awarded with a $100,000 annuity at the end of each semester.
For official rules, visit aubreyrosefoundation.org/DreamsToDollars.
Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA has school programs available for preschool through college students in Washington County.
For more information, call 724-223-5477.