Students across the Mars Area School District are earning recognition in academics, athletics and the arts while the district also moves forward with a major facility project aimed at preparing for future growth.
Here is a look at some recent highlights from Mars schools.
Centennial Expansion Project moves forward
Mars Area School District officials continue planning for the Centennial School Expansion Project, a facility improvement designed to address growing enrollment and modernize learning spaces at Mars Area Centennial School.
The school serves students in grades 5 and 6, and district leaders say the project will expand classroom capacity and improve instructional space to meet future needs.
Additional details about the project are expected to be shared as planning continues.
Mars hockey team reaches Penguins Cup semifinal
The Mars Area High School varsity boys hockey team advanced to the PIHL Penguins Cup Class A semifinals after a strong season on the ice.
The Fightin’ Planets finished the regular season 15–1 and defeated Plum in the quarterfinal round before falling to Quaker Valley in the semifinal game on March 11.
Mars student-athletes sign college letters of intent
Mars Area High School recently celebrated a group of senior student-athletes who signed letters of intent and commitments to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.
The students will compete in sports including football, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, golf, volleyball, baseball and cheerleading.
Student-Athletes Sign Letters of Intent to Continue Their Careers in College
Several Mars Area High School student-athletes recently signed letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. Family members, coaches, teammates, and school administrators gathered to celebrate the athletes’ accomplishments and dedication.
Adam Budzilek – Football
PennWest Clarion University
Mars senior Adam Budzilek has signed a letter of intent to continue his football career at PennWest Clarion University, where he plans to major in biology.
A four-year member of the Mars varsity football team, Budzilek helped lead the Planets to the 2025 WPIAL Class 4A quarterfinals. He earned WPIAL All-Conference honors on offense, was named to the Greater Allegheny All-Conference First Team, and was selected to play in the PSFCA East-West Big School All-Star Game.
At Mars Area High School, Budzilek is also a member of the Spanish Club and Tech Ed Club.
Riley Carrel – Cheerleading
Bowling Green State University
Mars senior Riley Carrel will continue her cheerleading career at Bowling Green State University, where she plans to major in nursing.
Carrel is a four-year member of the Mars varsity cheerleading squad and competition cheer team, which competed in the WPIAL Class 3A Competitive Spirit Championship and the 2026 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championships.
She is also a four-year member of the Mars varsity track and field team and participates in numerous school organizations including National Honor Society, Student Council, Science National Honor Society, Best Buddies Club and Class Council. In the community, Carrel coaches youth cheer and works as a lifeguard and instructor.
Logan Coone – Soccer
Bloomsburg University
Mars senior Logan Coone has committed to play men’s soccer at Bloomsburg University, where he plans to study business management.
Coone was a four-year member of the Mars varsity soccer team, helping the Planets reach the 2025 WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals. He earned All-WPIAL Class 3A honors and was named to the Butler Eagle All-County First Team.
Michael Duffy – Lacrosse
University of Mount Union
Mars senior Michael Duffy will continue his lacrosse career at the University of Mount Union, where he plans to major in sports business.
Duffy played four years on the Mars varsity lacrosse team, which captured its ninth consecutive WPIAL championship and advanced to the PIAA Class 2A quarterfinals in 2025.
He is also a member of the Investment Club and works locally at Giant Eagle.
Sean Franklin – Football
University of Pittsburgh
Mars senior Sean Franklin has signed to play football at the University of Pittsburgh.
Franklin was a four-year member of the Mars varsity football team and earned numerous honors, including PA Football Writers’ Class 4A All-State recognition, WPIAL All-Conference offense, and Greater Allegheny All-Conference Second Team defense. He was also selected for the PSFCA East-West Big School All-Star Game.
In addition to football, Franklin played three years of varsity basketball and is involved in Spanish Club, Student Council and the Science National Honor Society.
Gabe Hein – Football
Sacred Heart University
Mars senior Gabe Hein will continue his football career at Sacred Heart University, where he plans to major in psychology.
Hein was a four-year member of the Mars varsity football team and earned PA Football Writers’ Class 4A All-State honors, along with WPIAL and Greater Allegheny All-Conference recognition.
He also competed in baseball and track and field at Mars and volunteers in the community with Mars Home for Youth and Friends Helping Friends.
Colin Krafjack – Baseball
Bethany College
Mars senior Colin Krafjack has signed to play baseball at Bethany College, where he plans to major in exercise science.
Krafjack is a four-year member of the Mars varsity baseball team, which reached the WPIAL Class 5A quarterfinals in 2025.
Frank Knezovich – Soccer
Seton Hill University
Mars senior Frank Knezovich will continue his soccer career at Seton Hill University, where he plans to major in finance.
A four-year member of the Mars varsity soccer team, Knezovich helped the Planets reach the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals in 2025 and earned All-Section and Butler Eagle All-County honors.
He also played varsity football and volunteers with the Kickin’ for Kids Soccer Camp.
Ethan Kresinski – Football
John Carroll University
Mars senior Ethan Kresinski has signed to play football at John Carroll University, where he plans to study international business.
A four-year member of the Mars varsity football team, Kresinski earned Greater Allegheny Conference All-Conference Second Team Defense honors.
He also participated in basketball and track, and is active in several school organizations including Creative Writing Club, German Club and INVEST Club.
Rain Moran – Wrestling / U.S. Navy
Mars senior Rain Moran has committed to serve in the U.S. Navy Seabees construction battalion following graduation.
Moran was a two-year member of the Mars varsity wrestling team and will continue his service and training through the Navy’s construction and engineering program.
Makenna Myler – Golf
John Carroll University
Mars senior Makenna Myler has signed to play women’s golf at John Carroll University, where she plans to major in finance and data analytics.
A four-year member of the Mars varsity golf team, Myler advanced to the WPIAL Class 3A individual finals in 2025 and earned Butler Eagle All-County recognition.
She is also active in FBLA, National Honor Society and Student Council, and participates in Irish dance, where she also teaches.
David Renner – Lacrosse
Penn State Harrisburg
Mars senior David Renner will continue his lacrosse career at Penn State Harrisburg, where he plans to major in criminal justice.
Renner played four seasons on the Mars varsity lacrosse team, which won nine consecutive WPIAL titles and reached the PIAA Class 2A quarterfinals in 2025.
Chad Santoro – Basketball
Baldwin Wallace University
Mars senior Chad Santoro has signed to play basketball at Baldwin Wallace University, where he plans to major in sports marketing.
Santoro was a four-year member of the Mars varsity basketball team, which qualified for the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs during the 2025-26 season.
He is active in several school organizations including German Club, INVEST Club and the Orbit News staff, and volunteers in the community.
Elijah Stasiowski – Soccer
Geneva College
Mars senior Elijah Stasiowski will continue his soccer career at Geneva College, where he plans to major in finance.
A four-year member of the Mars varsity soccer team, Stasiowski earned All-WPIAL and All-Section honors while helping lead the Planets to the WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinals.
Rylee Wooldridge – Volleyball
Seton Hall University
Mars senior Rylee Wooldridge has signed to play volleyball at Seton Hall University, where she plans to major in marketing.
Wooldridge was a four-year member of the Mars varsity volleyball team, which reached the PIAA Class 3A quarterfinals in 2025 after finishing third in the WPIAL championships and winning the Section 2-3A title.
She also earned Butler Eagle All-County honors and volunteers with Inspired Hearts & Hands.
Elementary robotics team earns regional award
Mars Area Elementary’s “Martian Stack Force” robotics team earned the Collaboration Excellence Award during the Hopewell Unified Robotics Competition.
The team competed against more than two dozen schools from across the region and will return to competition April 16 at South Fayette School District.
Centennial students recognized at science fair
Mars Area Centennial School recently hosted its 2026 Science Fair, highlighting student curiosity and innovation.
Sixth-grade students Alex Chernkyh and Max Veneziano earned the Best Overall Project Award for their project titled “Power from the Air: Building a Homemade Wind Turbine.”
Additional awards were presented for creativity, enthusiasm, presentation and scientific method.
Students explore wildlife at Pittsburgh Zoo
Several Mars Area Centennial and Elementary students recently participated in the Wild Investigations educational program at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium.
The hands-on program allowed students to interact with animal ambassadors and participate in activities designed to explore wildlife and environmental science.
Students Inducted into French National Honor Society
Several Mars Area High School students were inducted into the French National Honor Society (Société Honoraire de Français) Chapter.
Inductees are juniors Alexis Abbey, August Coffield, Fathima Dheen, Reagan Dunn, Josephine Fitzerald, Edyn Giammatteo, Soleil Herbst, Alexa Knowlton, Emma Ladesic, Hannah Mallick, Nathan Murphy and Alayna Renton.
French National Honor Society, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French, recognizes excellence in and dedication to the study of the French language and culture.
Kindness Club launches phone recycling drive
Mars Area Centennial School’s Kindness Club is collecting used electronics to support wildlife conservation efforts.
Residents may donate old cell phones, tablets, chargers, headphones and other accessories through April 22. Recycled materials will help support gorilla conservation programs through the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium.
Kids of Steel program encourages young runners
Students in grades K–6 are invited to participate in the district’s Kids of Steel running program, which promotes healthy exercise habits.
Participants log miles throughout the spring before taking part in the 1.2-mile Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh Kids Marathon on May 2 along Pittsburgh’s North Shore.
Pi Day activities planned for fourth graders
Mars fourth-grade students will celebrate Pi Day through a series of interactive learning stations organized with Butler County Community College education students.
The activities connect the mathematical constant π (pi) to lessons in math, art and writing.
High school musical brings “The Wizard of Oz” to Mars
Mars Area High School students are preparing to perform the spring musical “The Wizard of Oz.”
Performances are scheduled for March 13 and March 14 in the high school auditorium.
Entrepreneurship class hosting dodgeball fundraiser
Students in the high school’s CHS Entrepreneurship class are organizing a Dodgeball Tournament fundraiser scheduled for April 1.
Students may register individually or as teams of six, with proceeds supporting class initiatives.
Elementary student honored in regional art exhibit
Mars Area Elementary fourth-grader Mary Jane Eichenauer received the Gary L. Miller Award in Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV’s Very Special Arts Exhibit.
Her artwork, “Out of There,” will also appear on the exhibit’s official event T-shirt.
The exhibit will be on display March 12–21 at Grove City College’s Pew Fine Arts Center.
