Two Seneca Valley Students Named 2017 Alcoa Scholars

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PA - Two Seneca Valley School District students are bound for backpacking adventures and environmental study this summer after being chosen as 2017 Alcoa Scholars.

Katie Hickmann, who just graduated from Seneca Valley High School, and rising senior Nora Gavaghan, will spend two weeks each exploring a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s world heritage site.

Hickmann next month will embark on a Shenandoah exploration, where she’ll spend time backpacking along the Blue Ridge Mountains. In August, Gavaghan will backpack and conduct scientific research in the Yosemite High Country.

“I am extremely excited and humbled to be a part of this Alcoa Scholars Program,” Hickmann said. “It is a great opportunity to meet new people, explore a National Park, and help the environment while learning about it.”

Said Gavaghan: "I am honored to receive this opportunity and extremely excited to connect with an international group of environmentally-minded students.”

The pair were selected for the honor from an applicant pool from Alcoa communities around the world. Candidates were chosen for displaying a demonstrated passion for the environment, extensive community involvement and a desire to learn more about the world in a team setting.

Scholars will present their research at the conclusion of the program, which is funded by the Alcoa Foundation.

Photos via Seneca Valley School District.