On April 23rd, a preliminary budget plan was presented at a public Finance Committee Meeting.  The proposed budget, on-track to be passed at the June Public Voting Meeting, calls for taxes to remain at their current rate.  The presentation can be viewed by clicking here.

Three teams from the District placed at the state Odyssey of the Mind competition on April 18th in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
 
Receiving Third Place for Problem No. 5, Superstition, was a team from Penn Hebron coached by Laura White and composed of 4th Graders Emily White and Jacob Russell and 5th Graders Joshua Russell, Madison Salego, Victoria Remmick, and Samantha Pugliese.  Superstition required two documented superstitions, an original superstition created by the team, and the events that led to the original superstition.
 
Fourth Place for Problem No. 1, Earth Trek, was awarded to a team from Linton.  Coached by Amie Lubawski, the team was composed of 6th Graders Kristen Lubawski and Makayla Kotanichek, 7th Graders Douglas Remmick and Taylor Jensen, and 8th Grader Kaitlyn Salego.  Earth Trek required the team to design and build a small vehicle, traveling to four different locations.

 
Eighth Place for Problem No. 5, Superstition, was awarded to a second Linton team coached by Alana Stephens.  The team was composed of 7th Graders AnnaMarie Kun, Kelsey Doherty, Erica Brent, DaeMon Palmer, Brianna Barbarino, and Christine Verzinskie.

Six students received recognition at the 70th Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair held on April 3-4 at Heinz Field.

Two Linton 6th graders were awarded second and third place in the Physical Science Category.  Justin Dumm received Second Place for his project, "All Shook Up to Make Light," and Jesse Hong received Third Place for his project, "Nerf Darts:  Accuracy and Velocity."

Two Linton 9th graders received honorable mentions at the competition. Alexandra Newby received an Honorable Mention in the Physics Category for "How Thick-otropic is Your Ketchup?"  Kristen Kralik received an Honorable Mention in the Behavioral and Social Science Category for "Project Penguin."  Kristen also received a scholarship from Chatham College.

Linton 9th Grader Julie Richards received a monetary award from The Aviation Foundation and certificate of achievement and medal from the American Meteorological Society.  Senior High School 10th Grader Chris Dumm received monetary awards from the National Electrical Contractors Association and Emerson Processing Management Association.

On April 20th, the Congressional High School Art Competition, An Artistic Discovery, was held at the University of Pittsburgh in conjunction with the 14th Congressional District's Forum on the Arts.  This forum provides students from the 14th District an opportunity to showcase their artistic talents.  Each of the 12 schools participating was permitted to send six entries to be considered in the competition.  Penn Hills had two students finish in the Top 5.  A total of 55 students participated from across the area.
 
Junior Chloe Weiss received 2nd Place for her color pencil artwork entitled, "Bullseye."  Chloe will have her artwork on display for one year in the Capitol Building in Harrisburg.  Junior Sidney Turba was awarded 5th Place for "Skittles," also a color pencil drawing.  Sidney's work will be on display in the McKeesport office of Congressman Mike Doyle, 14th Congressional District Representative.
 
Receiving Honorable Mention and a ribbon was an untitled space painting by Junior Carly Otte.  Senior Lauren Tucci and Juniors Julian McClain-Hubbard and Chloe Regan received certificates for participation.
 
Senior High School Art Teacher Jason Korpa said this year was the best ever for the District.  "Year after year," he explained, "We don't always win but the artwork is amazingly done."  Schools against which Penn Hills students competed included Woodland Hills, Carrick, and CAPA.  "I am so proud of them," Korpa said, adding, "Some of the pieces they submit, win or lose, they are outstanding." 

Senior Alyssa Haynes was recognized by the Penn Art Association at a recent review of student artwork and academics.

The competition required presentation of a portfolio of work, written essay, and grade transcripts.  Alyssa, who currently ranks 1st out of 426 students in the graduating class, received a $500 scholarship in recognition of her artwork and grades.  She will be recognized at an event at the Senior Center on May 12th.  Alyssa plans on attending the University of Pittsburgh.