By Carmen Rodgers
Elmore/Autauga News
Elmore County Schools recently held a Countywide Science Fair that incorporated all schools in the district.
The winners from each category were announced on Monday, Jan. 23 at the ECBOE Central Office.
“I feel it is our job as educators to bring forth the hidden talents of our students. Students from each school gave their best and I congratulate all of our participants,” STEM coordinator for Elmore County Schools, Tracy Wright, said.
Elmore County Board of Education’s Director of Secondary Schools, Mr. Steven McKenzie, also showed support for science fair winners.
“Great job. We are very aware of all the hard work and effort that the students as well as the parents who support these students put into these efforts,” he said. “There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes. And we just want to recognize you for your due diligence. Great job for all the hard work that our work is paying off with your recognition today.”
While students in elementary school did participate in the countywide science fair, they were not allowed to move on to the next level of competition, McKenzie encouraged elementary students to stay engaged and carry the love of science with them to the next level.
“The one thing I would also like to say for our students at the elementary school level, I would encourage you to continue to stay involved in the science fair project process as you move forward into the middle school level where you can advance past the school and district level and it’s great that we’re recognizing these students today, but please continue to stay the course, participate,” he said.
Elmore County Schools offers many STEM activities which give students the opportunity to gain hands-on skills. These STEM programs and activities would not be possible without a few key players.
“Fortunately, in Elmore County we have so many opportunities in the science field for the students to be involved with, as well as all the STEM programs and opportunities out there. Great job, again, thank you to the parents for supporting these students. Congratulations students. And last but not least, I would also like to recognize Mr. Tracy Wright and Dr. Vilardi in supporting this process. There is a lot of effort that goes into facilitating this. Congratulations to the students in Elmore County. Thank you very much,” McKenzie said.
Winners:
100 Animal, Plant, Computational & Bioinformatics Sciences:
1st place Jake Norrell – WHS
2nd Zara Batzell and Baylee Pugh –Stanhope Elmore High School
3rd Carlie Lanier and Izzy Shaw –Holtville High School
4th Anna Godwin and Emily Eady –Holtville High School
200 Behavioral & Social Sciences:
1st Rachel Allen – Elmore County High School
2nd Jessica Patton -Stanhope Elmore High School
3rd Emilee Cabral- Holtville High School
4th Sarah Grace -Stanhope Elmore High School
300 Cell, Molecular, Microbiology & Biochemistry:
1st Ashtyn Roberts -WHS
2nd Chance Pate & Seth Vaught-Wetumpka High School
3rd Rilyann Moore -Stanhope Elmore High School
4th Kaite Broch -Stanhope Elmore High School
400 Chemistry:
1st Whitley Schull –Wetumpka High School
2nd Hayden McKenzie & Connor Page –Wetumpka High School
3rd Anna Caver and Danny Wellman – Elmore County High School
4th Gustavo and Jenifer Resendez–Stanhope Elmore High School
600 Energy: Sustainable Materials and Design:
1st Faith Garrison –Wetumpka High School
2nd Nick Frazier -Stanhope Elmore High School
700 Earth and Environmental Sciences:
1st Rhett Pinkston – Wetumpka High School
2nd Parker Thompson – Wetumpka High School
3rd Katherine Fenn and Jaycee Wisdom–Holtville High School
800 Medicine, Health & Translational Medical Science
1st John Belew – Wetumpka High School
2nd Timothy Hughes –Wetumpka High School
3rd Hannah McClurg & Kendall Grier- Holtville High School
900 Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics & Materials Science
1st CJ Allen–Stanhope Elmore High School
2nd Addison Sims and Anna VanErmen –Wetumpka High School
3rd Taylor Gunn – Wetumpka High School
1100 Robotic Systems and Communication Technology
1st Jackson Rodriguez- Wetumpka High School
1200 Bioengineering
1st Lily Vilardi- Wetumka High School
