Beaver County juvenile public defender and lawyer George Patterson was appointed to a vacancy on the Hopewell  School Board last night, according to Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano.  Patterson is replacing Lesia Dobo who resigned recently Solicitor John Salopek said  Patterson will be sworn in  a day or so. Students from Independence Elementary School came to the board and talked about their recent  STEM  event ,  Dr. Jacie Maslyk, assistant superintendent  ssid the PTA put together the event earlier this month.  Second grade teacher Mrs. Ronnie Albanese applauded them for their efforts.  The students, within the program extracted DNA from a strawberry.