Photo Provided BELLAIRE HIGH School students recently received money awards for their strives in education. Back row, from left, are Cole Porter, attendance; Trenton Wilson, academic excellence; Heather Mehlman, community service; Skyler Wells, academic improvement; and Guidance Counselor Joe Bell. Middle row, from left, Paige White, STEM; Lauren Klempa, academic excellence; Madelyn Crawford, community service. Front Row, from left, Kaleigh Leigh, attendance; and Ashley McCarthy, academic improvement. Not pictured is Tanner Schmidli, STEM.

BELLAIRE — The Challenge Program, Inc. distributed financial awards to the underclassmen at Bellaire High School for excelling in the areas of Attendance, Academic Improvement, Academic Excellence, STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) and Community Service last year during the 2018-19 school year.

The program partners with businesses to motivate high school students to excel and introduce them to career opportunities in their own communities. XTO Energy was the partner of The Challenge Program, Inc. at Bellaire High School last year.

In total, $2,000 was distributed. There were 10, $200 awards. Five of the awards were given to the Juniors from last year and five of the awards were given to the sophomores from last year.

Students given awards included Cole Porter, attendance; Trenton Wilson, academic excellence; Heather Mehlman, community service; Skyler Wells, academic improvement; Paige White, STEM; Lauren Klempa, academic excellence; Madelyn Crawford, community service; Kaleigh Leigh, attendance; Ashley McCarthy, academic improvement; Tanner Schmidli, STEM.