The Clark County School District is partnering with 8 News NOW and Southwest Airlines to present the annual “Test for Excellence” program.

Students from Del Webb, Fertitta, Harney and Martin Middle Schools will compete Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Martin, 200 N. 28th St.

The program required middle school social studies students to read and watch local, national and international news for six weeks and listen for the question of the day on 8 News Now. Students are tested weekly on their knowledge.

The highest-scoring students are placed on the school’s team of eight to compete in an oral and written competition tonight for a chance to win a team trip with a teacher to Sea World in San Diego, Calif. in late May.  

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) in partnership with Coca-Cola awarded laptop computers to the 40 winners of an essay contest that asked local high school seniors to write a 500-word essay on how they can reduce their carbon footprint by using the services offered by the RTC.

"The level of participation was remarkable. We received hundreds of essays from students on how they use our growing transit system, bicycling amenities and other environmentally friendly services to reduce our carbon footprint," RTC General Manager Jacob Snow said.

The essay contest was open to all high school seniors graduating in 2011. Each essay was judged equally on its content and the quality of the writing.

Advantages Online Private School invites all Clark County high school students to take part in a $1,500 Scholarship Essay Contest. Students can enter by visiting www.AdvantagesSchool.com, filling out an entry form and completing a 200-word essay. 

The submitted essay should describe, from the perspective of the student, the biggest challenge they face in high school (as related to education) and how they are conquering it.

When the contest concludes on April 29, Advantages founders will select two winners and each will receive a $750 scholarship to cover the cost of a single course. Winners can select from various mathematics, language arts, social science and science courses, as well as Spanish or French I and II.

"We are excited to offer this scholarship contest to public or private school students throughout Clark County," said Pam Dion, director and co-founder of Advantages Online Private School.