It was a day to remember for five outstanding young women from Shaler Area High School. At the 2026 STEAM Competition held at Pine Richland, Zoey Cieslak, Alexis Frisbee, Kaylee Graf, Bella Hoffman, and Elise Williams stepped onto a competitive stage alongside teams from 14 schools across the region — and left having made their building and district genuinely proud.

The team’s standout achievement came in the competition’s main build challenge, where their vehicle design earned them the prestigious Best Design award. It was a fitting recognition of the creativity, technical skill, and careful collaboration the girls poured into their work. But the accolades didn’t stop there. When the final scores were tallied, Shaler Area claimed 3rd place overall — a remarkable finish that came down to a narrow margin separating them from 2nd place Trinity and 1st place Allderdice.

More than the awards, what stood out was the way these five students carried themselves throughout the day — representing their school and their community with dedication, grace, and teamwork. STEAM competitions like this one challenge students to think creatively, solve problems under pressure, and work together toward a shared goal, and by every measure, this team rose to the occasion. Congratulations to Zoey, Alexis, Kaylee, Bella, and Elise — Shaler Area is lucky to have you!