Shaler area student news for the week of April 25, 2023

Tribune-Review | Tuesday, April 25, 2023 7:01 a.m.

Courtesy Carrie Butler

Courtesy Carrie Butler Academic Games team leader Dennis Reagle with members of the all-female Shaler Area team, Dear Mrs. President, that competed at the Tri-Bowl.

Shaler Area students traveled to Grove City College for a two-day state-level competition known as Tri-Bowl. At Tri-Bowl, all the academic games qualifiers from each of the 64+ school districts in western PA gather to compete and determine who is the best-of-the-best in Pennsylvania. In the presidents competition, the all-girl Shaler Area team named “Dear Mrs. President” claimed first place. The following students have earned the ability to compete at Nationals this year: Abigail Maher, Chloe Long, Natalia Villella, Nora Leskowak, Elizabeth Dunlevy and Charlie Chiang.

Catherine Cole of Texas Tech University and Michael Pennington of Widener University were initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

Nathan Brake earned a master of science in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta in December 2022.

The Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh’s Asian Studies Center jointly hosted the 26th Annual High School Japanese Speech Contest at the University of Pittsburgh on March 3. This year, 46 students from the region presented their speeches, participated in Japanese cultural activities, and watched a special presentation by Pittsburgh Taiko. Japanese language students of all levels and students who are involved in Japan-related cultural activities participated in one of five speech levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced, advanced plus, and heritage) or the poster contest. Students from Shaler Area Middle School submitted artwork for a vote during the awards ceremony. First place in the Advanced category was awarded to Quinne Vulakovich from Shaler Area High School. First place in the Intermediate category went to Kathryn Luft from Shaler Area High School.

Shaler Area High School biology teacher Jade Leung has been selected to be part of the Carnegie Science Center’s Teacher Advisory Council. Leung is one of 12 elementary, middle and high school teachers in the region invited to collaborate on lesson plans for the Carnegie Science Center and provide insight into educational programs and exhibits.