• Antonio Caruso, English teacher at North Allegheny Senior High School, has been selected by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, part of the U.S. Department of State, to receive a Teaching Excellence and Achievement grant.

The grant will enable Mr. Caruso to participate in the International Leaders in Education Program in spring 2011, during which he will be involved in a two-week international cultural exchange.

• Heath Gamache, a science teacher at Ingomar Middle School in the North Allegheny School District, will receive the Ann Moniot Outstanding Middle Level Teacher award at the Pennsylvania Middle School Association state conference. Ann Moniot, an educator from Pittsburgh, was the second president of the National Middle School Association.

The award recognizes educators who have had a positive influence on middle level education and students.

Mr. Gamache was nominated for the award by Kristen Silbaugh, assistant principal at Ingomar Middle School.

• The Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania have presented Jessica Pauline Tarantine with the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting.

Jessica has been Troop 1035 member for 12 years. She is the daughter of Richard and Deborah Tarantine and is a senior at Fox Chapel Area High School.

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