Press release:
The best and brightest sixth-grade math and science minds in the GLOW region were honored during an awards breakfast at Genesee Community College today.
In February, school districts across the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming county region nominated 70 students for the inaugural cohort of the Math Science Preparatory Program at GCC. Embedded within the competitive application process was an opportunity for two students to earn a full scholarship to Math Science Preparatory Program at GCC for their first year in the program.
Two students were selected from among 21 Scholar of the Year finalists to win the first-ever award, and all the finalists were recognized today (May 29, 2012). The scholarship winners and 2012 Inaugural Math Science Scholars of the Year are Triton Adamski of Pembroke Central School, and Kiera Gross of Pavilion Central School.
Triton earned the highest score in the competition by performing exceptionally well on the competitive placement examination (placing into college-level mathematics). Combined with his excellent classroom grades in math and science, a thoughtful essay on the role of LEGOS ® in the better understanding of math and science, and an educational Powerpoint presentation, Triton clearly earned top honors. Triton also received awards for reading and character, and has been asked to tutor younger students in reading and math. He is an active member in team sports, his school's band, and the SADD club at Pembroke. Triton's mother, Denise Adamski, told the ACE program that he is looking forward to a wonderful and challenging experience at Genesee Community College.
Kiera demonstrated an exceptional understanding of the scientific method with her essay about the use of crash-test dummies in safety experiments. An active sixth grader at Pavilion Central School, Kiera is a member of PageTurners, as well as Sixth-Grade Band and Chorus. Kiera is also a black stripe belt at Cain's Taekwondo Academy, where she is a member of SMAC Competition Team and GOLD (Guidance on Leadership Development) Team. She also helps run craft activities for kids in grades one through four in Kids Count Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at Akron Free Methodist Church. She is a Cadette Girl Scout and a member of 4-H. She enjoys caring for animals, camping, and making her own science experiments.
ACE program specialist Karlyn M. Finucane says she and other members of the GCC ACE team are looking forward to working with all of the students who were nominated for the Math Science Preparatory Award throughout the next several years.
"While the inaugural cohort was limited to 48 students, the overall quality of the applicants and overwhelming interest expressed by the community for this type of program has prompted the research and development of several additional math and science enrichment opportunities to meet the educational needs of our region's top performing students," says Finucane.
In alphabetical order, students nominated by their school districts in Genesee County for the Math Science Preparatory Program include:
• Triton Adamski, Pembroke Central School *◦§
• Landon Bish, Oakfield-Alabama Middle School *
• Logan Cadieux, Oakfield-Alabama Middle School *◦§
• Kim Davis, Pavilion Central School ◦
• Cassandra DeLelys, Elba Central School ◦
• Trevor Fitzgibbon, Alexander Central School *◦§
• Samantha Gibbs, Alexander Central School
• Cassidy Graham, Alexander Central School ◦
• Kiera Gross, Pavilion Central School *◦§
• Cameron Hausfelder, Alexander Central School *
• Gabrielle Havens, Batavia Middle School *
• Kelsey Hilburger, Elba Central School ◦ *
• Madison Hoerbelt, Batavia Middle School
• Lauren Hume, Alexander Central School ◦
• Ethan Hutchins, Batavia Middle School *◦§
• Tara Jagodzinski, Pavilion Central School *◦§
• Logan Kellogg, Oakfield-Alabama Middle School
• Jora Kusmierski, Alexander Central School
• Jay Lewis, Batavia Middle School *
• Nathan Loria, Batavia Middle School ◦ *
• Michal Lullo, Batavia Middle School *
• Joseph Marchese, Batavia Middle School
• Aaron Michalak, Batavia Middle School *◦§
• Christa Moscicki, Batavia Middle School
• Madison Murray, Batavia Middle School ◦
• Jason Normandin, Pavilion Central School ◦ *
• Callee Norton, Elba Central School ◦
• Anand Patel, Batavia Middle School *
• Benjamin Pflaumer, Elba Central School ◦
• Justina Pruski, Oakfield-Alabama Middle School ◦ *
• Lauren Reding, Oakfield-Alabama Middle School ◦ *
• Erik Scharlau, Alexander Central School
• Kylie Schlagenhauf, Oakfield-Alabama Middle School ◦
• Jordyn Schmidt, Batavia Middle School
• Trevor Schoonover, Pavilion Central School ◦
• Chloe Schrier, Pavilion Central School ◦
• Edward Skalny, Batavia Middle School *◦§
• Benjamin Slenker, Alexander Central School *◦§
• Job Smith, Alexander Central School ◦
• Ethan Stone, Pembroke Central School *◦§
• Nicholas Ventola, St. Joseph's School *◦§
• Grace Vogler, Pembroke Central School *◦§
• Moira Werner, St. Joseph's School ◦
• Emma Whalen, Pavilion Central School ◦
• Claire Zickl, Batavia Middle School *◦§
• Bethany Zwolinski, Pembroke Central School ◦
Key:
* Accepted for Math Science Preparatory Program
◦ Nominated for Math Science Scholar of the Year Award
◦§ Award Finalist
