Ten Shaler Area High School students were celebrated at a recent assembly for the skills and character that employers value most, thanks to The Challenge Program, Inc. and the generous support of local business partner CDI Printing.
Five current seniors and five current juniors each received a $200 cash award in recognition of their accomplishments during the 2025–26 school year. The Challenge Program, Inc. works to build lasting partnerships between businesses and schools, encouraging students to develop the qualities that lead to success after graduation. Honorees are recognized for work ethic, personal improvement, community impact, STEM, and overall excellence.
The timing of the ceremony is intentional. Students in Grades 10 and 11 are selected for Challenge Program awards at the end of each school year, and their achievements are celebrated at the start of the following year. This fall’s assembly gave the high school community a chance to look back and recognize the growth and effort these students demonstrated last year.
The awards are made possible through the financial support of CDI Printing, whose investment in Shaler Area students creates a meaningful bridge between the classroom and the workplace.
“Their investment in our students provides a meaningful connection between the classroom and the workplace and reinforces the importance of developing the skills needed for future success,” said Julie M. Yacoviello, Transition Coordinator at Shaler Area High School.
The Challenge Program reflects Shaler Area’s broader commitment to preparing students for life beyond high school, whether their next step is college, the workforce, the military, or a skilled trade. Partnerships like this one show students that their local business community is invested in their success and that the habits they build now matter well beyond graduation.
Congratulations to this year’s honorees, recognized for their achievements during the 2025–26 school year:
Current Seniors (recognized for their junior year)
Steven Chanataxi Lema, Improvement Award
Lillian Hughes, Impact Award
Brandon Aryee, STEM Award
Alexis Bannkowski, Excellence in Trade/Grade Award
Kiera Heyl, Work Ethic Award
Current Juniors (recognized for their sophomore year)
Shawn Gray, Improvement Award
Jordan Kelly, Impact Award
Caitlin Martin-Adler, STEM Award
John Grindland, Excellence in Trade/Grade Award
Logan Balsomico, Work Ethic Award
The Class of 2026 honorees, who were recognized at graduation time in May, also earned Challenge Program awards for their senior year: Nathan Katich, Improvement Award; Isabella Hoffman, Impact Award; Cole Wandel, STEM Award; Oskar Aquino Batista, Excellence in Trade/Grade Award; and Martin Gordon, Work Ethic Award.
Shaler Area thanks The Challenge Program, Inc. and CDI Printing for investing in our students and their futures.
