Students
Mars Area Centennial School fifth-grader Alena Salvini earned an Individual Performance Award at the Junior Theater Festival (JTF) West 2023, held February 17 to 20 in Sacramento, Calif.
Alena was one of 14 students selected to receive the award from out of more than 800 participants for her portrayal of Jennifer in “The Big 1-Oh! Jr.”
She attended the festival with her team from Jeter Backyard Theater in Gibsonia, where she has portrayed Annie in “Annie KIDS” and Young Fiona in “Shrek Jr.”
The festival brings together student musical theater troupes from all over the world and asks troupes to perform 15 minutes from a Broadway Junior show for adjudication in front of a panel of musical theater experts. The event also features professional development for teachers, workshops for students and parents, and a New Works Showcase, featuring new musical adaptations soon to be released, and concludes with a grand finale concert, headlined by various Broadway performers.
The Junior Theater Festival is sponsored by Playbill, Disney Musicals and Music Theatre International.
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The Cranberry Sunrise Rotary recently honored the January and February Students of the Month during a recognition breakfast at Rowan Elementary School in the Seneca Valley School District.
The February Student of the Month was Logan Ramer. The January Student of the Month was Vivian Swann.
The Cranberry Sunrise Rotary Club has honored the Student of the Month at Rowan Elementary since 2008. Recipients are selected by the school’s faculty.
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Three Mars Area High School students were selected as the top winners of the Mars New Year Student Art Competition.
Sophomore Maggie Lyker received first place, senior Tori Rojas second place, and sophomore Alyssa Hipsky third place. All winning entries will be displayed at the Mars New Year celebration June 9 and 10 in downtown Mars.
Entrants were asked to submit works on the prompt, “Journey to Mars.” Contest judges included Mars New Year Committee members and NASA representatives.
