VERO BEACH — The Education Foundation of Indian River County is pleased to announce that fifteen students, representing seven public and independent schools, took top honors at the 57th State Science & Engineering Fair of Florida. The competition was held on April 5 at the Lakeland Center in Lakeland, Florida.
Indian River County Award Winners:
Botany:
Junior Division:
Fourth Place: Rohan H. Sadhwani, Gifford Middle School, Teacher: Mrs. Jennie Flynt
Senior Division:
Third Place: Jacob L. Mingear, Vero Beach High School, Teacher: Mrs. Heather Holden
Third Place: Unnati Jain, Vero Beach High School, Teacher: Mrs. Heather Holden
Chemistry:
Junior Division:
Second Place: Autumn L. Consalo, Storm Grove Middle School, Teacher: Mrs. Erica Napoleoni
Earth and Planetary Science:
Junior Division:
Third Place: Sana Shareef, Saint Edward’s School, Teacher: Ms. Kerryane Monahan
Engineering:
Junior Division:
Third Place: Sven P. Hall, Sebastian River Middle School, Teacher: Mrs. Kelly Schneider
*Sven also received Naval Research Certificate and Medallion – United States Navy Science Awards, Office of Naval Research Plaques, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Award.
Environmental Sciences:
Junior Division:
Fourth Place: Rachel L. Wolf, Gifford Middle School, Teacher: Mrs. Jennie Flynt
*Rachel also received a plaque from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Senior Division:
Third Place: Brooke A. Evans, Sebastian River High School, Ms. Karyn Pawlowski
*Brooke also received an all-expense opportunity to attend NYSC Camp – the National Youth Science Camp Award.
Mathematics:
Senior Division:
Recognition: Emily M. Salvador, Saint Edward’s School, Teacher: Mr. Gerry Roy
*Emily also received a $50 Savings Bond and Certificate from the United States Army.
Microbiology:
Junior Division:
Honorable Mention: Katelyn V. Wahl, St. Helen Catholic School, Teacher: Mrs. Jenae Collins
*Katelyn also received a $200 and FAFP Membership to the Florida Association for Food Protection.
Physics and Astronomy:
Junior Division:
Honorable Mention: Kimberly J. Toperzer, Storm Grove Middle School, Teacher: Mrs. Kristin Shaw
Zoology:
Junior Division:
Honorable Mention: Catherine G. Brumit, Storm Grove Middle School, Teacher: Mrs. Joan Martinelli
Honorable Mention: Hava T. Stenn, Gifford Middle School, Teacher: Mrs. Jennie Flynt
Senior Division:
Second Place: Evan C. MacKay, Vero Beach High School, Teacher: Mrs. Heather Holden
*Evan also received $150 and certificate from the Florida Agriculture in the Classroom
Third Place: Michael A. Kaiser, Saint Edward’s School, Teacher Mrs. Kerryane Monahan
We would also like to recognize the following students for participating in the competition: Alexi Dong of Sebastian Charter Junior High, Evan Robinet of Storm Grove Middle School, Emri Stenn of Vero Beach High School, and Adam Wolf of Gifford Middle School.
The Education Foundation would also like to thank Mr. Patrick “Pat” Hiser and Sarah Rhodes-Ondi for their hard work as district science coordinators who chaperoned the students at the state fair.
Additional recognition is given to:
The scientific review committee: Dr. Susan O’Toole-Evans, M.D. Mr. Charles Evans, Assistant Principal, Mrs. Josie Lieberman, Retired Educator, MBA, Dr. Laura Baldwin, DVM, Mrs. Margot Kornicks, RN, MBA, and Dr. Linda Clerch.
The state bid coaches who prepared students for the competition: Mr. Brian Mayo, Dr. Attila Ondi, Dr. Linda Clerch, Dr. Randy Niedz, Dr. Rakesh Jain, Dr. Stephen Lapointe, and Dr. Scott Ferguson.
State Sponsors: George E. Warren Corporation, Piper Aircraft, Syngenta, and Quail Valley Charities.
The Education Foundation of Indian River County, in partnership with the School District of Indian River County, manages and implements the Indian River Regional Science & Engineering Fair where all 19 students received their state bids on January 21, 2012, at Gifford Middle School.
The program is supported through private donations and grants.
To learn more about the program, visit: www.EDFoundationIRC.org.