WASHINGTON, D.C.—The White House opened applications to the 2011 Race to the Top Commencement Challenge. Students from public high schools across the country are invited to demonstrate how their school prepares them for college and a career by going to www.whitehouse.gov/ commencement and submitting an application. The winning school will host President Barack Obama as their 2011 commencement speaker.

“I’m looking for the school that’s doing the best job of preparing students for college and careers,” said President Obama. “The winning school will understand that their number one priority is making sure that our kids are learning what they need to succeed in this 21st century economy.”

Bynums Marketing & Communications, Inc., in partnership with The Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, is launching the 19th annual African American History Contest In celebration of Black History Month. This year’s contest will focus on the contributions of African-American pioneers in med­i­cine and healthcare. Sponsors of this year’s contest include Bynums Creative Institute and Highmark.

Clink, clank, clunk! That’s the sound more than 17,200 students throughout western Pennsylvania and West Virginia will soon hear as they pour their pocket change into collection jars to support Olive Garden’s 17th annual Pasta for Pennies program benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s School & Youth campaign. Last year, Olive Garden’s Pasta for Pennies collected $6.1 million nationally, bringing the total amount donated since the program’s inception to more than $53 million.

Now through March 28, Project Prom, an initiative of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, is accepting public donations of formal attire at One Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15222 (in the first floor lobby) from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday.

All donations must be undamaged and clean and be appropriate for current fashion styles. Suggested donations include gowns (if worn, please dry clean); accessories, including wraps, formal handbags, new hosiery, and new makeup; formal prom shoes (silver, gold and black preferred); and jewelry (new or gently worn). All earrings, however, must be unused and in their original packaging.

Monetary donations can also be made to help purchase tuxedo rentals and dresses in hard-to-find sizes. Checks can be written to the “DHS Donations Fund” and mailed to: Project Prom, One Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15222. Please write “Project Prom” in the memo line.