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GCC celebrates Math Science Scholars of the Year

By Billie Owens

Science projects took center stage for a select group of GLOW region middle school students who were honored by Genesee Community College's Accelerated Enrollment (ACE) Programs during an awards ceremony on June 4, 2015. This winter, ACE Partner school districts across the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming County region recommended more than 100 students for the fourth annual 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 participate in their first year of the Math Science Preparatory (MSP) program. Two students were selected from among ten Scholar of the Year finalists to win the annual award, and all the finalists were recognized at the science fair competition and awards event on June 4 at GCC. The scholarship winners and 2015 Math Science Scholars of the Year are Ariana deSa-Frias, of St. Joseph's School, and Kellen Bell, of Perry Central School (See photo).

Ariana Frias earned the highest mark in the competition by performing exceptionally well on the competitive placement examination - scoring well above the entrance criteria for the program. Her score was combined with her exceptional science fair project demonstrating the use of electronics and software to measure and resolve a common problem in dance – precise timing! Outside of the classroom Ariana is a competitive dancer and avid musician, and sings with the Eastman Children's choir.

Kellen Bell's experiment in atmosphere creation astonished the judges. His creative application of biochemistry to generate CO2 inside of a biodome may likely be applied in the future as he pursues his plans to explore the universe. With a strong desire to become an agent of change, Kellen dreams of contributing to a world where knowledge is free to everyone, and he sees science as a means to achieve ambitious goals.

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. "The application process this year required students to demonstrate their individual interest in learning math and performing science. The results were impressive and the entire Math Science Preparatory Team is looking forward to working with these exceptionally bright and ambitious students," reports Ms. Finucane.

In alphabetical order, students accepted to participate in the 2015 cohort of the MSP Program include:

Isabella Asmus    ~ Akron Central School

Amelia    Beckman ~ Batavia City Schools

Sophie    Beckman    ~ Batavia City Schools

Kellen    Bell *    §    ~ Perry Central School

Jason    Berry    ~ Batavia City Schools

Julianna Bizub    ~ Alden Central Schools

Caleb Carr    ~ Perry Central Schools

Alwyn Cayea ~    Medina Central Schools

Emily Chaback    ~ Byron-Bergen Central Schools

Anthony Cometto *    ~ Alden Central Schools

Ricky    Denson    ~ Byron-Bergen Central Schools

Zachary Dimick    ~ Attica Central Schools

Eden Dodge    ~ Alexander Central Schools

Ava Flores    ~ Oakfield Central Schools

Tate Fonda    ~ Batavia City Schools

Ariana    deSa - Frias *    §    St. Joseph's Schools Batavia

Katy Geiger *    ~ Akron Central Schools

Sara Goodman *    ~    Byron-Bergen Central Schools

Jared Graham    ~ Oakfield – Alabama Central Schools

Carter    Green    ~ Medina Central Schools

Zachary Hall    ~ Oakfield - Alabama Central Schools

Ashley    Harmon    ~ Attica Central Schools

Autumn Harris    ~ Letchworth Central Schools

Mikayla Hickey    ~    Alexander Central Schools

Paige Jegierski    ~ Alden Central Schools

Natalie    Karmazyn    ~ Akron Central Schools

Ian Kemp    ~ LeRoy Central Schools

Colby Leggo    ~ Byron-Bergen Central Schools

Pierce    McPherson    ~    Letchworth Central Schools

Connor Mooney*    ~ Caledonia Mumford Central Schools

Rowan Nothnagle    ~ Caledonia Mumford Central Schools

Danica    Porter *    ~ Oakfield – Alabama Central Schools

Derek    Pruski    ~ Oakfield – Alabama Central Schools

Abigail    Richter    ~ Caledonia Mumford Central Schools

Andrew Ricupito    ~ St. Joseph's School Batavia

Ethan    Riggs    ~ LeRoy Central Schools

Victoria Russell    ~ Warsaw Central Schools

Shawn    Searls *    ~ St. Joseph's School Batavia

Bernard Skalny    ~ Batavia City Schools

Ethan Tillotson    ~ Pavilion Central Schools

Elissa Uveino    ~ Perry Central Schools

FaithAnn Vanderwalker *    ~ Medina Central Schools

Zachary Wagner    ~ Batavia City Schools

Lucas    Wicks *    ~    Akron Central Schools

Key:

* Scholar of the Year Finalist

§ 2015 Math Science Scholar of the Year

ACE Programs offer area high school students a variety of opportunities to pursue college credit concurrently with their high school education. MSP is an enrichment opportunity leading to an accelerated degree completion opportunity through which participating students will be able to make significant progress toward an associate degree in Math and Science or Engineering, and a few very determined students can earn their high school diploma with an associate degree later the same year!

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