The high school sports staff at USA TODAY has named the Konkrete Kids as one of the five most unique high school mascots in Pennsylvania.

USA TODAY is sponsoring a contest through which fans can choose the best high school sports mascot in the country. The sports staff has chosen 255 of the nation's most unique high school mascots – five per state plus Washington D.C. Fans can choose the winners by voting, which began Feb. 25.

One winner from each state plus Washington, D.C., will advance to the second round, where contestants will be divided among six regions. Voting for this phase began March 6 and will continue through March 14. Six winners then will compete for votes March 15-25.

The national winner will receive $2,000 for its athletic department. Second place will be awarded $1,000, third will get $500, fourth $250 and fifth $100.

To Vote go to http://contest.usatodayhss.com/.

Go Konkrete Kids!

Odyssey of the Mind: The Odyssey of the Mind regional competition takes place, starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 9, at Pocono Mountain West.

School board meeting: The school board will meet 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 11, in the district offices on Laubach Avenue. The public is invited.

PTA and PTSA meetings: The high school PTSA will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, at the Northampton Area High School.

The middle school PTA meets 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, at the school.

All are welcome to attend.

PSSAs: The PSSA writing tests will be administered March 11-15 to students in grades 5 and 8.

PSSA tests are required by the state. Students should get plenty of rest, eat a good breakfast and make sure to be in school that week.

Bus trip: Northampton PAGE (Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education) is sponsoring a bus trip May 11 to New York City to the Tenement Museum and 911 Memorial.

The bus departs at 7 a.m. from the Northampton Area High School and returns at 7 p.m.

Ticket price includes bus transportation, two tours at the Tenement Museum and admission to the 911 Memorial.

At the Tenement Museum, visitors can take an outdoor walking tour of the lower east side of New York and one of two indoor tours.

For more information, contact Chuck Longacre at 610-837-8365 or Stephanie Test at 610-462-1109.

Do you have any school news? This is a column of upcoming events in the Northampton Area School District.

Teachers, administrators, parents, students, coaches, PTAs and club advisors and community members are invited to share news of activities.

Email me at jamb87@hotmail.com with the subject "Northampton Press" at least a week before an event.