(Events, News)

College Aid for MAHS Seniors: More than $40,000 in scholarships, grants and awards is available to McKeesport Area High School seniors again this year, the Consortium for Public Education has announced.

In addition, several new scholarships are available this year. But the deadline for applications is fast approaching.

The scholarships are available thanks to the generosity of alumni, family members and friends, and other supporters in the Mon-Yough area, says Linda Croushore, president of the McKeesport High School Alumni and Friends Association.

The alumni association, now in its 23rd year, is a project of the Consortium for Public Education.

"These scholarships and awards have been underwritten by proud McKeesport alumni and others who want to extend a helping hand to today's students as they contemplate that next, important step in their educational careers," Croushore says.

"We want to stress that they are open to all seniors intent on pursuing post-secondary education, whether they are college-bound or headed to career or technical schools, business school, art school or culinary institute," she says.

All seniors have received flyers announcing the scholarships and grants at home and at the high school, a Consortium spokeswoman says.

New awards for 2010 include the:

• Bechtol Family Scholarship, providing one $500 award for a student who plans to pursue a teaching career;


• Zon Fleckenstein Memorial Scholarship, providing two $500 awards;


• Vern G. Sharbaugh Scholarship, providing $500 for a varsity football player who demonstrates excellent character, dedication and leadership; and the


• Lou Guarascio Memorial Award, providing $250 for a member of the marching band who plans to go on to post-secondary education.

In addition, The Garden Club of McKeesport Scholarship, providing $600, has returned after a one-year absence.

Deadline to apply for most awards is March 31. Applications can be found in the high school guidance office and library and online at the Consortium for Public Education's website.

To contact the alumni association, call The Consortium for Public Education, 410 Ninth St., Downtown, at (412) 678-9215, or email mhsalumni@tcfpe.org.

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Kiwanis Club Slates Banquet: The Kiwanis Club of McKeesport-White Oak will hold its Valentine's Day Banquet at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Viking Lounge, 3413 Versailles Ave., Grandview.

Dinner will be served buffet-style and the cost is $30 per person. Reservations are required and must be received by Feb. 2.

To RSVP or get additional information, call Chris Del Signore at (412) 400-6559.

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Penn State Sets Health Care ConEd: Penn State's campus in McKeesport will offer two courses to train health-care professionals in March.

From March 1 to 22, Greater Allegheny Campus will offer the required 120-hour nursing home administrator training program in the Frable Conference Center. All courses are approved by the state Board of Nursing Home Administration for individuals interested in receiving licensure. They may also meet continuing education requirements for other professionals.

Each individual course has also been approved for Pennsylvania State Nurses Association contact hours, a university spokeswoman said.

In addition, the program is approved for Trade Adjustment Assistance and Workforce Investment Act funding through PA CareerLink.

From March 12 through April 19, continuing education will hold personal care home administrator training. This is a 100-hour course approved by the state Department of Public Welfare to enable participants to become personal care home administrators.

The course also includes the required certification testing for those attending the training sessions. It will be offered in the Frable Conference Center.

This training program, as well as some additional modules, also is offered to current certified personal care home administrators and direct care workers to assist in fulfilling the annual requirement for 24 hours of training. Courses cover a variety of topics.

To register or get additional information, visit the university's website or call (412) 675-9051.