These local students have recently distinguished themselves:

— Cherry Chahal, of Schenectady will travel to London, England, focusing on theater and dance to gain appreciation for the perspectives of playwrights, directors, performers, and the audience. Chahal is a neuroscience and French and francophone studies major at Union College in Schenectady;

— Caitlyn Collins, of Schenectady, will travel to London England, focusing on theater and dance to gain appreciation for the perspectives of playwrights, directors, performers, and the audience. Collins is a psychology major at Union College in Schenectady;

— Carley Perez of Voorheesville will travel across India, learning about politics, heritage, history and culture. Perez is a biology major at Union College in Schenectady;

— Ryan Gallagher of Schenectady has been named a member of the State University of New York Delhi’s Professional Golf Management Club for the 2013-14 academic year.

Gallagher is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in professional golf management.

The Professional Golf Management Club is a student-run organization with a purpose to promote fellowship among its members through golf-related activities. Students attend tournaments on a regular basis, such as a trip to the United States Golf Association in New Jersey,. Members also plan and implement fund-raiser and community service activities that foster their enjoyment of the game while enhancing their education;

— Elizabeth McMahon of Schenectady was recently initiated into Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. McMahon is pursuing a degree in biology at Syracuse University.

McMahon is among approximately 32,000 students, faculty, professional staff, and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors, having at least 72 semester hours, are eligible for membership;