Eleven Greensburg Central Catholic High School students were recognized for their academic improvement and achievement, attendance record, and community service endeavors through The Challenge Program awards. In addition to a certificate of recognition, each student received cash awards in the range of $250 to $1,000.

Seton Hill University sponsors the Challenge Program at Greensburg Central Catholic High School. The University’s Director of Admissions, Sherri Bett, commented: “As a Catholic university right here in Greensburg, Seton Hill jumped at the chance to underwrite The Challenge Program at Greensburg Central Catholic. We appreciate how hard the student honorees worked to reach their goals and look forward to their continuing success.”

The Challenge Program, Inc. motivates students to perform well by providing financial incentives for successes they achieve while in school, as well as by building a bridge between high school students and the business community. The program recognizes students in grades 10 through 12 with awards in four categories: Most Improved in the Class, Attendance, Community Service, and Best Overall GPA in the Class.

The Challenge Program was founded in 2004 at one school by Johnstown, Pa. businessman Dan Perkins, founder and chairman of MTS Technologies. The program now works with 140,000 students from 110 schools in 20 counties spanning Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Delaware. Since May 2004, The Challenge Program has awarded $1 million to students.

Students recognized at Greensburg Central Catholic High School include:

Name, Award, Hometown

Stephen Astalos, Community Service Grade 12, North Huntingdon

David Bertoty, Community Service Grade 10, Irwin

Danielle Hastings, Most Improved Grade 12, Blairsville

Jessica Jones, Most Improved, Grade 10, Greensburg

Jill Lantzy, Best GPA Grade 10, Greensburg

Matthew Mathos, Best GPA, Grade 11, Irwin

Louis Miller, Best GPA and Best Attendance Grade 12, Greensburg

Nora Munson, Community Service, Grade 11, Murrysville

James Newman, Best Attendance Grade 10, Greensburg

Natalie Sarneso, Best Attendance Grade 11, Greensburg

Emily Tressler, Most Improved Grade 11, Greensburg