PUPILS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

PUPILS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Winners announced
The winner of the recent Elementary Prep Bowl competition, sponsored by the Trumbull County Educational Service Center, was a team from Hubbard Reed Elementary School. Runner-up was a Howland Middle School team.
The academic competition involved various grades and all areas of study. It was held at the Trumbull Career & amp; Technical Center over three evenings.
Members of the Reed team are Eddie Zitnik, captain, Jonathan Wlodarski, Evin Luthern and Alex Sargent. Alternate team members were Stephan Senediak, Krystina Greene and Megan Malara. Tracey Hoover coached the team.
Members of the Howland team are: Shawn Hardin, captain, Emily Davis, Amy Fetchko and Michael McClearn. Alternate members were David Savage and Simon Zhang. Sarah Buzulencia and Jackie Potashnik coached the team.
Students advance
YOUNGSTOWN -- Steve Smolinsky and Jeremy Frazer, pupils at St. Matthias School, are the seventh- and eighth-grade champions of the school-level Reader's Digest National Word Power Challenge competition and will advance to the state competition, scheduled for Feb. 27 in Dayton. At the school level, pupils answered written and oral questions on vocabulary.
State champions, as well as their teachers or escorts, receive a trip to the national championships in March to compete for college scholarships.
History contest
POLAND -- James Meehan, a junior at Poland Seminary High School, was among 25 Ohio high school juniors and seniors to place in the final round of Ohio University's 57th annual American History Contest in December. James, son of James and Susan Meehan, placed 19th and received a Certificate of Superior Achievement Award.
The two-hour final round essay examination included questions dealing with the American Revolution, the Civil War, the origins of the Cold War and American conduct in World War II.
K-12 NEWS
Open house
HOWLAND -- Word of Life Christian Academy will hold an open house from 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 4 at the school, 8957 E. Market St. The school uses classroom, gymnasium, administrative and other space in the First Baptist Church of Howland building but is non-denominational. It is a state-chartered K-8 Christian school.
The event includes tours and an opportunity to meet teachers, administration and staff, and learn about the school's curriculum, mission and activities. Enrollment information will be available.
For further information, call (330) 856-1454 or visit www.wolcaonline.com.
College finance program
GIRARD -- An hour-long "Making College Financing Count" program will be presented to students in grades nine through 12 and their parents at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the high school.
The free program answers questions about developing a college fund strategy and putting a child through college without risking the family's financial future. Financial aid and planning for college costs also will be discussed.
Charity event
YOUNGSTOWN -- Ursuline High School hosts its 14th annual Wake-a-Thon for the Homeless event beginning at 7:30 p.m. March 20. The 11-hour event, sponsored by the high school's Home and School Association and its student council, is set up for students to raise money for the area homeless. Funds will go to the Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley, the St. Vincent de Paul Society and Beatitude House.
Send donations to an Ursuline High School student or to Wake-a-Thon, Ursuline High School, 750 Wick Ave., Youngstown 44505.
Schools approved
COLUMBUS -- The Ohio Department of Public Safety recently approved 35 schools statewide to continue teaching driver's education courses in 2004. The five Mahoning Valley schools approved were Wellsville Local Schools Driver Training; United Local Schools, Hanoverton; Hubbard High School; Howland High School Driving Academy, Warren; and East Liverpool High School.
Mock trial competition
WARREN -- The issue of voluntary confessions is the topic of the 2004 Ohio Mock Trial Competition, sponsored by the Ohio Center for Law Related Education. A local first-round district competition is from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday at Trumbull County Common Pleas Court and is sponsored by the Trumbull County Bar Association.
Students take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses and argue both sides of a hypothetical case. Panels of judges and attorneys select winning teams and choose the best student "lawyers" and "witnesses" for special recognition.
More than 3,000 students representing more than 250 high schools are competing at 29 district sites across Ohio. The top 48 teams will advance to the state finals in Columbus in March.
Prep Bowl competition
WARREN -- The Trumbull County Educational Service Center recently completed its annual High School Prep Bowl competition, an academic contest for pupils in various grade levels. Questions come from all areas of study. The competition was held at the Trumbull Career & amp; Technical Center and took place over two evenings.
Winning the high school competition was the Lordstown High School team of Bryan Hionas, Max Gibson, Todd McConahy and Kyle Schofer. Alternate team members were Anna Gibson, William Vennette, Courtney Gibson and Erica Gibson.
High school runner-up was the Niles High School team of Matt Williams, Eric Kelley, Christopher Campbell and Chuck Wilson. Alternate members were Taylor Begalla, Christopher O'Meara and Cody Havaich.
COLLEGE EVENTS
Nursing degree meeting
CANTON -- The Malone College School of Nursing hosts an information meeting on its bachelor's and master's degree programs at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Mitchell Hall 201 on campus, 515 25th Street N.W. For more information or to make a reservation, call (330) 471-8166 or visit www.malone.edu.
College seminar
HIRAM -- A free seminar, "College Camp: A Training Program for Parents," will be Feb. 21 at Hiram College. High school guidance counselors and representatives from several colleges will discuss college searches, financial aid, admissions and career preparation. To register, visit www.hiram.edu/collegecamp or call (330) 569-5288.
SCHOLARSHIPS/CONTESTS
Seven Seventeen awards
WARREN -- Seven Seventeen Credit Union will award six $1,000 scholarships to eligible area high school seniors. One scholarship each is awarded to a student at Youngstown State University, the University of Akron and Kent State University's main, Trumbull, Salem and Stark campuses. Applicants or a parent must be a Seven Seventeen member. Visit a high school guidance counselor or an SSCU office for an application.
Scholarship deadline
The deadline is March 31 to submit applications for the National Federation of Independent Business/Daniel J. Mirto Free Enterprise Scholars Award that was recently established by the NFIB Education Foundation and the NFIB/Ohio Leadership Council. Scholarships of $1,000 will be awarded annually to Ohio high school seniors who display entrepreneurial spirit and initiative. The scholarship is named for the late Dan Mirto, a leader in NFIB and the small business community. A member of the NFIB/Ohio Leadership Council must nominate applicants. Applications are available at www.nfib.com/education or by calling Chantel Bartlett at (800) 634-2669.
Essay contest
The National Endowment for the Humanities invites eligible 11th-grade students and 16- and 17- year-old home-schooled students to enter the 2004 Idea of America Essay Contest by the March 15 deadline.
The 1,200 word essays will be based on the question, "How does President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address reflect America's founding ideas, and what is the relevance of the speech today?"
Author of the winning entry will receive a $5,000 cash prize and five national finalists will each receive cash prizes of $1,000.
For specific guidelines for entering the contest, contact the endowment's Web site www.NEH.gov.