INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Education Foundation of Indian River County has announced that 13 students, representing seven public and independent schools, took top honors at the 59th State Science & Engineering Fair of Florida.
The competition was held April 10 at the Lakeland Center in Lakeland, Fla.
The Indian River County Award Winners are:
- Evan C. MacKay who won the Division Grand Award
- Botany – Junior Division
- Fourth Place: Anirudh Mysore, Saint Edward’s School, Teacher: Mr. Les Rogers;
- Recognition: Lillie A. Harris, Sebastian Charter Junior High, Teacher: Mrs. Ruth Brooker – Lillie also received a certificate and medallion from the United States Navy Science Awards, Office of Naval Research and $100 from the Florida Museum of Natural History
- Botany – Senior Division:
- Fourth Place: Annabel Lee V. Sessoms, Vero Beach High School, Teacher: Mrs. Heather Holden – Annabel also received a Scholarship Nomination of $14,000/year from the Florida Institute of Technology
- Chemistry – Junior Division:
- Second Place: Adam G. Wolf, Gifford Middle School, Teacher: Mrs. Jennie Flynt – Adam also received a nomination to submit research to Broadcom MASTERS
- Computer Science Junior Division:
- Fourth Place: Omar Shareef, Saint Edward’s School, Teacher: Dr. Kerryane Monahan
- Environmental Sciences – Junior Division:
- Fourth Place: Gustav C. Brugger, Sebastian River Middle School, Teacher: Mr. Mike Coffey
- Fourth Place: Stephen A. Kaiser, Saint Edward’s School, Teacher: Dr. Kerryane Monahan
- Microbiology – Junior Division:
- Special Award: Katelyn V. Wahl, St. Helen Catholic School, Teacher: Ms. Joan Silo – Katelyn received $25 from the Tomoka Regional and Engineering Fair
- Recognition: Sana Shareef, Saint Edward’s School, Teacher: Dr. Kerryane Monahan – Sana also received $50 from the Friends of the Science Fair (Miami-Dade County PTA/PTSA)
- Physics and Astronomy – Junior Division:
- Recognition: Rachel E. Presti, Sebastian River Middle School, Teacher: Mrs. Kelly Schneider
- Physics and Astronomy – Senior Division:
- Fourth Place: Martha A. Grudens, Sebastian River High School, Teacher: Ms. Karyn Pawlowski – Martha also received Certificate, Medallion and $75 Gift Certificate – United States Navy Science Awards, Office of Naval Research
- Zoology – Junior Division:
- Third Place: Olivia J. Lazorik, Saint Edward’s School, Teacher: Mr. Karl Leonhardt
- Zoology – Senior Division:
- First Place: Evan C. MacKay, Vero Beach High School, Teacher: Mrs. Heather Holden – Evan also received $500 and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agriculture Award; A scholarship nomination of $14,000/year from Florida Institute of Technology; $1,000 and the Dr. Nelson Ying Scholars Grand Awards; $300 and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Winner Awards; A scholarship nomination from New College of Florida; A $20,000 scholarship nomination from Rollins College Cram Scholarships; $150 from Florida Agriculture in the Classroom; and $100 from Florida Entomological Society.
The Education Foundation of Indian River County would also like to recognize the following students for participating in the competition: Nikki Bouldin of Vero Beach High School, Alexi Dong of Sebastian Charter Junior High, Evan Robinet of Storm Grove Middle School, and Griffin Wagner of Storm Grove 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. A special thank you to Heather Holden who also chaperoned.
Additional recognition is given to:
The scientific review committee: Dr. Susan O’Toole-Evans, M.D. Mr. Charles Evans, Assistant Principal, and Mrs. Josie Lieberman, Retired Educator, MBA.
The state bid coaches who prepared students for the competition: Mr. Brian Mayo, Dr. Attila Ondi, Dr. Randy Niedz, Dr. Rakesh Jain, Dr. Stephen Lapointe, Mrs. Karen Lanphier and Dr. Scott Ferguson.
State Sponsors: George E. Warren Corporation, Piper Aircraft, Toyota of Vero Beach, Quail Valley Charities and Wells Fargo Bank.
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 17 students received their state bids on Feb. 6, at Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center.
The program is supported through private donations and grants. To learn more about the program visit: www.edfoundationirc.org.