MONESSEN - Arnold Valley Middle School student Seth Anderson said he had never heard of Monessen.

Classmate Abigail Delk says they got lost three times trying to find the city.

But the students received a crash course in Monessen history and downtown architecture Friday as they prepared for the 14th annual Westmoreland County Design Challenge.

The Arnold Valley students were among several groups of Westmoreland County school district students - including some from Monessen - to take a walking tour of the "design challenge" area in the 500 block of Donner Avenue on Thursday and Friday.

There are divisions for both middle and high school students.

Sponsored by the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, this teams will create a model renovation of the former Monessen Savings & Trust Building at 500 Donner Ave.

Their design must feature a facade of the south side of Donner Avenue, between Fifth and Sixth streets, comprising the former bank, a vacant lot, the old G.C. Murphy building-mini mall, a parklet, Alley Gatto's Pizzeria, the vacant Speers building and Citizens Bank.

The foundation selected Monessen as a host city for the competition after being contacted by the Greater Monessen Historical Society.

"We're thrilled they selected the city this year," society member Susanna Swade said.

The teams met Friday morning at Orchard Christian Fellowship Church, where they were welcomed by the Rev. John Custer and historical society President Vito C. Beneccio.

After learning about the design challenge, the students were led on a walking tour by society volunteers and Pittsburgh History and Landmarks members Louise Sturgess, executive director, and Karen Cahall.

As the students surveyed the building Friday they used their cell phones, digital cameras and camcorders to record images and jot down notes.

Ryan Pallone, an Arnold Valley student, along with his sixth grade classmates, agreed they have a lot of exciting plans for the building.

"It's a cool old building," Pallone said. "I think we can work with this."

Franklin Regional High School gifted program students took part in a guided tour with historical society volunteer Candis Kelly, who explained the former bank was built with pressed brick, stone and steel.

The students received photos of what the building and the block looked like when it was a booming steel city with dozens of businesses.

Franklin Regional senior Morgan Hill says she can envision the building being used for apartments, as many students attending Douglas Education Center live in the city.

"I think it definitely has a lot of potential," she said.

Their teacher, Susan Sunseri, said she can imagine what the city once looked like in its heyday.

"These old buildings have a lot of character," Sunseri said. "I think the kids should try and keep that character and history in their designs."

The middle school teams will present their designs Feb. 22. The high school teams will show their models on Feb. 23.

Last year, Belle Vernon Area High School's gifted support students won first place for their design of a building in Vandergrift.

Monessen's middle school team won first place in excellence and the student choice award last year.