• Two Peters seventh-graders were winners in the recent national Junior American Citizens Competition sponsored by the Bethel Fife and Drum Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Devan Evanovich and Jayson Lee prepared artwork pertaining to the 2007-08 theme of " America's Everyday Heroes." Devan developed a detailed poster addressing the theme, while Jayson applied his skills to designing a postage stamp.

Prior to being recognized at the national level, both boys had been recognized with first-place awards at the state competition and in the eastern division encompassing Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland.

• Education and history intersected when eighth-graders from Belle Vernon's Bellmar Middle School and Charleroi Area Middle School recently competed in the California University-sponsored National History Day competition.

Thirty-one students from Bellmar and five students from Charleroi entered the program with individual and group projects.

In the individual category, the first-place winner was Kari Spear, the second-place winner was Samantha Peer, and tied for third place were Brittney Mae Truesdale and Jared Sullenberger, who was the only winner from Charleroi.

In the group division, first-place winners were Steven Stulock, Jonathon Keffer, and Garrett Campbell; second-place winners were Tyler Thomas, Christian Boff, and Brian Nichols; third-place winners were Brandon Pazak and Lauren Swisher.

All are Bellmar students.