PUPILS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

PUPILS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
2 attend academic camp
LIBERTY -- Liberty High School students Ashley DeGregorio and Katie Reyzis attended the Summer Honors Institute for gifted and talented high school students at Wittenburg University in Springfield. Topic of the weeklong residential academic camp was "Who? Me?! How We Develop from Teens to Grownups." Ashley is the daughter of Melinda DeGregorio of Youngstown. Katie is the daughter of Lev and Alla Reyzis of Youngstown.
Coloring-contest winners
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Summer Festival of the Arts' coloring contest, sponsored by Farmers National Bank, announced winners in three categories.
Five or under winners are: Jared Fonner, Struthers, first place; Nell Lapaze, Boardman, second; Ethan Schwendeman, Boardman, third. Ages 6-8 winners are: Gia Amendola, Lowellville, first; Gianna Parella, Canfield, second; William Whetstone, Campbell, third. Ages 9-11 winners are Michele Awad, Canfield, first; Jennifer Toth, Poland, second; Ashley Douglas, Youngstown, third.
The Summer Festival of the Arts is presented by Youngstown State University and the Arts Council of Youngstown and Mahoning County. Each child received a gift certificate and a YSU coloring book.
K-12 NEWS
Sponsors for charters
COLUMBUS -- The Ohio Foundation for School Choice and the Thomas B. Fordham Institute have announced the launch of a two-year, $1 million project to recruit, train and support new sponsors for Ohio charter schools. The Bill & amp; Melinda Gates Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation each donated $250,000 to the project. It is also supported by the Ohio Department of Education and a $500,000 state Ohio Charter School Sponsor Institute allocation. The National Association of Charter School Authorizers will offer expertise. Sponsors approve, oversee and evaluate charter schools. Nonprofit groups are encouraged to participate. Call (513) 404-2499 or write SponsorInstitute@OhioCharterSchools.org.
Sign-ups for event
Registration deadline is Sept. 15 for middle schools wanting to attend a "Smart and Sober Celebration" to be held in Columbus on Oct. 15. The event focuses on the dangers of underage drinking and the importance of living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Among participants are Ohio first lady Hope Taft; Gov. Bob Taft; Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Marc Denis; and Tom Farley, brother of actor Chris Farley, who died at 33 of a drug overdose. It is a free event for pupils in grades five to nine. To register a school, visit www.smartandsober.org/celebrate or call (614) 995-2000.
COLLEGE HAPPENINGS
Free food for students
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State University students can earn free food through a new offering from Campusfood.com and local eateries. The Web site has partnered with local restaurants to offer students a way to order delivery and take-out food online, instead of by phone. The site is free to users and offers menus and discounts, and any student who logs on and places an order between Sept. 16-30 wins a free 12-inch pizza or an order of General Tsao's Chicken -- delivered. Local restaurants available on the site are Buon Appetito, China House, Papa's Pizza & amp; Things, Paul's Carry Out, Belleria Pasta & amp; Pizza and The Point Cafe.
Accreditation granted
YOUNGSTOWN -- The St. Elizabeth Health Center School for Nurse Anesthetists Inc., affiliated with the Youngstown State University master of science in nursing program, has been granted continued accreditation by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. The program received continued accreditation for the maximum 10 years.
One of five such programs in Ohio, it is sponsored by Bel-Park Anesthesia Associates and partnered with Humility of Mary Health Partners.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Courses for adults
AUSTINTOWN -- The Austintown Adult Basic and Literacy Education program will begin a free program offering math, science, social studies, English, reading and writing courses to people 18 and older. Programs start at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Austintown Middle School on Mahoning Avenue, Room 131. Call (330) 797-3923 between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
Paralegal certificate
MONACA, Pa. -- The Office of Continuing Education at Penn State Beaver offers a paralegal certificate program held weekly beginning 6-9 p.m. Sept. 17. Eight courses are required for a certificate. A new credit option offers a means to move into an associate's or bachelor's degree. Call (724) 773-3700 or visit www.outreach.psu.edu/StatewidePrograms.
Training to be a tutor
MONACA, Pa. -- Adult Literacy Action of Penn State Beaver offers free 12-hour Tutor Training Workshops for those interested in serving adult learners as one-on-one tutors or classroom aides in reading, writing, math and daily survival skills. One session will be held from 6-9 p.m. Sept. 15, 17, 22 and 24; another is Oct. 21, 23, 28 and 30. Call (724) 773-7810, visit www.adultliteracy.org or e-mail ALAction@psu.edu.