KO Students Win Challenge Awards

partnered with Carpenter Powder Products of Collier Township and The Challenge Program to present the school's third annual Challenge Awards on Thursday.

This year's winners are Olivia Lippert ’12 and Gina Nerone ’13 for community service; Mike Bender ’12 and Justin Curran ‘13 for academic improvement; Chelsea Chrisman ’12 and Ryan Rosato ’13 for attendance; Alison Hosko ’12 and MaKenzie Kunig ’13 for academic excellence.

The awards—which include cash prizes of $250— are designed to encourage students to develop skills they will need when they enter the workforce.

The Challenge Program is a nonprofit organization that partners with local businesses to encourage success for high school students.  The partnership helps instill good habits in students and provides local businesses with tangible results for their investments.  KO is one of 100 Pennsylvania high schools to participate in the program. 

Carpenter Powder Products is Keystone Oaks' sponsor. Production Supervisor Jake Hoelle and Process Engineer Jason Simmons joined the Challenge Program’s Melissa Firman to address the students about the importance of consistently showing up on time and working hard in school and later when they hit the work force.

"At CPP we believe that the sooner we can start instill the fundamental qualities that help make people successful, the better chance they'll have at doing well down the road," said Hoelle.

Carpenter Powder Products has awarded more than $9,000 to Keystone Oaks students during its three-year sponsorship.