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In this Update:
Bedford County Student Artists Come Out on Top
This week, Alexia Young of Chestnut Ridge Middle School was honored in Harrisburg as one of 13 Pennsylvania student artists featured in the Office of Attorney General’s annual Drug-Free Calendar. Fifth-grade students throughout the commonwealth were invited to create original artwork with a drug-free message. From the entrants, 13 students’ artwork were selected to appear in the calendar to educate the public about the dangers of drug use and the benefits of being drug free. Great work, Alexia!
Additionally, this week, Bedford Area High School was named the winner of PennDOT District 9’s Paint the Plow competition. Bedford scored the “Fan Favorite” title by receiving 1,338 votes, topping the six other competing schools. Congratulations to these student artists! Fayette Chamber Hosts National Civics Bee in 2025
The Fayette Chamber of Commerce will be hosting Fayette County’s first local National Civics Bee Competition in 2025. Middle school students in grades 6, 7, and 8 are invited to participate in this exciting event. The students’ journey begins with an essay submission, as an opportunity to share their ideas, and contribute to shaping the future of our community and beyond. The top 20 essay winners will move on to Fayette’s Local Competition, where they’ll compete for cash prizes. To enter, students will answer three thought-provoking questions, available on the registration page. For more information including the essay guide, highlight video, contest rules, and application visit the chamber’s website. The application deadline is February 4, 2025. The National Civics Bee is a nationwide initiative, organized by local chambers of commerce in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. This competition empowers middle school students to learn about civics, engage with their communities, and become active participants in democracy. Supporting PA Veterans and Military Families
Pennsylvania owes a debt of gratitude to all the brave men and women who have defended our freedom, as well as the citizens who continue to protect our nation and its interests across the globe. Senate Republicans passed bills this legislative session to support our veterans and their families that were all signed into law. One new law expands access to benefits for disabled veterans. Another provides additional community outreach services to help ensure that all veterans are aware of the resources available to them. Because mental health often impacts veterans, we also passed a law that would allow them to fish for free in therapeutic recreation events and programs. The relocation associated with being a military family can present a challenge for children in school. To help with that, we passed laws to provide educational support for children of National Guard and Reserves members and ensure students receive in-state tuition when their military parent is re-assigned out-of-state. Read more about legislation to honor our veterans and defend our freedoms. New Military License Plates to Honor PA Veterans
Pennsylvania now offers six new license plates to honor military veterans. Three of the plates recognize service members who received medals or honors for individual achievements or deployments. They include the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Registration Plate, the Operation Inherent Resolve Veterans Plate and the Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Registration Plate. For $26, the plates – which bear a graphic of the medal awarded – can be used on cars or trucks. The other three new plate designs recognize female veterans. Two are available for motorcycles and the third is for cars and trucks. They include the Women Veteran Motorcycle Registration Plate and the Women Veteran Registration Plate both for $26 and the Honoring Our Women Veteran Motorcycle Registration Plate for $41. Driver Training Program to Improve Work Zone Safety
A new, statewide training program is available to all motorists – particularly new drivers – to improve driver safety and roadway worker protection. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s program uses videos, infographics, knowledge checks and testimonials to teach new drivers work zone laws, signage and key facts. It also offers real-life scenarios to enhance understanding. The free, 35-minute virtual course is available in English and Spanish. There are more than 1,400 work zone crashes across Pennsylvania annually, with more than 600 resulting in injuries and 15 in death. Giving the Gift of Education with PA 529
If you’re still looking for a gift for the children in your life, consider the gift of education. A gift made to their PA 529 College and Career Savings Program will help make their future bright, no matter what path they take. PA 529 offers two plans: the PA 529 Investment Plan and the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan. Friends and family can also help save using Ugift, a free gifting platform. The unique code they need to contribute to your child’s account can be found in your PA 529 account online. Contributions to a PA 529 account made by Dec. 31 qualify for deductions on 2024 PA state income taxes, including those made by a gift giver. 2025-26 FAFSA Form is Live
The online and paper form of the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available now. Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid students are eligible to receive. The aid may include grants, scholarships, work-study funds and loans. Students must apply for aid every year. The Department of Education addressed issues with the FAFSA system and modernized internal systems and processes. It also updated resources to help students and families better navigate the FAFSA form and process. Learn more.
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