|
|
In recognition of our WMHS scientists and mentors
Letters to the Editor
|
To the Editor:
On Wednesday, Jan. 14, the Intel Corporation will announce the names of the 300 high school students selected as the 2009 Intel Science Talent Search semifinalists from over 1,600 entries nationwide. This event always receives a great deal of media coverage, and is considered by many to be the "Nobel Prize" for high school scientists. The students of Ward Melville High School have consistently achieved a high level of recognition, ranking highest in the nation last year with 13 semifinalists. This is the highest number our school has ever had. The unfortunate fact is that the 1,300 students not recognized by Intel have worked just as hard, sacrificing their weekends, holidays and vacations to complete a significant research effort at a very early stage in their lives; a remarkable feat for anyone, a milestone for a 17 year old.
The Three Village area is blessed with an unusually high percentage of industrious, motivated students who strive to attain their intellectual and physical potential. One reflection of this ethic is the large number of students participating in the InSTAR program at Ward Melville. These young scientists dedicate their final summer as high school students not to basking at the beach with friends, but in laboratories across Long Island, completing their research projects, which are submitted to the Intel Science Talent Search, the Siemens Westinghouse Science Competition, and the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair during their senior year. We need to congratulate these students for their exemplary efforts above and beyond what is required, whether or not they are recognized by judges for the national and international science fairs. To honor their achievements, I proudly present the names of the 31 WMHS students who devoted significant time to work on a research project for submission to the 68th Intel Science Talent Search. From Brookhaven National Lab: Emil Fine, Ivan Vanya Kirillov and Adam Rhoades-Brown; from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory: Kay Chen; from the Polytechnic Institute at NYU: Hiba Khan and Nida Khan; and from Stony Brook University: Karina Alventosa, Jake Bryant, Benjamin Coman, Anita Fei, Adam Foda, Daniel Fourman, Amanda Fox, David Gittin, Michael Gurevich, Peter Gustafson, Jason Karelis, Luke Legakis, Amy Lin, Yuchen (Charley) Liu, Michael Loiacono, Jie Min, Naureen Osman, Taejoong Park, Sara Roncero-Menendez, Robert Sampson, Preya Shah, Christine Shrock, Kushagra Singhal (HTI), Wayne Yu and Yuanchi (Victor) Zhao. Please give them your praise when you next see them; they have earned it.
A group of people to whom we are indebted for our students' achievements are the mentors who have so willingly devoted their time, resources, knowledge and guidance; helping our high school scientists as they formulate research plans and embark on their arduous activities. Whether from SBU, BNL, NYU or CSHL, without these mentors our students would not garner the rich research experience they have enjoyed to date. We owe these selfless people and institutions a great debt of gratitude. With heartfelt thanks, I present the Mentors of the Class of 2009. From BNL: Dr. Fritz Henn, Dr. Ivan Kotov, Dr. Boris Podobedov and Daniela Shultz; from CSHL: Dr. Clinton Whipple; from the Polytechnic Institute at NYU: Kodandaraman Viswanathan and Dr. Richard Gross; and from SBU: Dr. Bassem Allam, Dr. Jorge Benach, Dr. Karim Berrada, Dr. Henry Bokuniewicz, Jean Brutus, Dr. Ira Cohen, Dr. James Dilger, Dr. Michael Egnor, Dr. J. Peter Gergen, Dr. Avram Gold, Dr. Samuel Goldwasser, Dr. Luis Gruberg, Dr. Greg Hajcak, Jesse Hornstein, Joshua Keller, Dr. Irwin Kurland, Dr. Roy Lacey, Dr. Hsi-ming Lee, Elizabeth Maas, Patricia Marinaccio, Dr. Andreas Mayr, Dr. John Noe, Dr. Iwao Ojima, Dr. Gustavo Palacios, Dr. Joav Prives, Dr. Miriam Rafailovich, Dr. Kathleen Shurpin, Dr. Carlos Simmerling, Dr. Peter Tonge, Dr. Fred Walter, Dr. Lin-Shu Wang, Jane Wu, Shiyou Yang and Edison Zuniga. I apologize in advance for any omissions or misspellings.
The final group of InSTAR heroes consists of our parents, teachers and administration. The success of any one person is never due exclusively to the efforts of a single individual; but is rather the culmination of the lifetime of contributions from all those involved. Again, the Three Village community is fortunate to comprise an involved, dedicated group of parents and teachers. I offer a well-earned tip of the hat to parents and educators alike; you know who you are, and you have done well.
George J. Baldo, Ph.D.
Dr. Baldo is director of the InSTAR science research program at Ward Melville High School, a former research assistant professor at SBU and a longtime resident of the Three Village area.
Thanks, Three Village
To Our Friends in 3V:
We shall always remember your concern and generosity during a very sad time of our lives. A bad fire destroyed much of our home and everything in it. You opened up your hearts to us. Thank you for being such caring friends and acquaintances. Please know that your many kindnesses will never be forgotten.
Steve, Chris, Marianna and Stephanie Vitkun
Poquott
| |
|
|
|
| |
