Memo

To:Dr. Linda Besett, Superintendent

From:Monica Luján, Communications Specialist

CC:Nate Southerland, Content Development Specialist

Mr. Chuck Trujillo, KMS Principal

Date:May 10, 2004

Re:Recognition for Winners of the State & Regional Science & Engineering Fairs.

Student Recognition

I respectfully request that the Central Consolidated School Board of Education recognize nine students and their teacher from KirtlandMiddle School who have displayed “high student achievement” in the area of science at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

Dawn Hamilton, Shandiin Copeland, Kelcy Halverson, Jonathan Schmitt, Shawndon Jones and Allison Young, Koda Yazzie, Nickole Yazzie and David-James Lucero, all of KirtlandMiddle School, represented CentralConsolidatedSchool District with distinction at the San Juan Regional Science March 12 & 13 at San JuanCollege and Engineering Fair. Those students who placed first and second at the regional fair went on to compete at the New Mexico State Science and Engineering Fair, April 2 at New Mexico Tech in Socorro. These students competed against 500 science scholars from around the state of New Mexico

The students, along with their teacher Ms. Nichole Atencio, and Keith Weiss, science fair coordinator, are to be commended for the time and dedication it takes to research and complete a Science Fair Project. The awards the students have amassed are impressive and I believe it is fitting for the CCSD Board of Education to recognize these students for their efforts.

If you have any questions, please let me know. I appreciate your consideration of this request.

Attached is a list of the students and their accomplishments.

New MexicoState Science & Engineering Fair, NM Tech, April 27, 2004

Dawn T. Hamilton,KirtlandMiddle School, Second place for her exhibit “H20 and Suspended Particles,” Junior Division – Environmental Science.

  • Hamilton received a pin, certificate and invitation to enter Discovery’s Young Scientist Challenge which is awarded to junior high students for good science and the ability to communicate it.

At the Regional Level, Hamilton:

  • Placed Third in the Junior Division, Environmental Science Category.

Shandiin C. Copeland, KirtlandMiddle School, Second place in the Research Paper Competition for her exhibit, “Cool Clear Water? Spring Water Quality in the Oil and Gas Field.”

  • She also received a cash award and subscriptions to Lite Geology and New Mexico Geology from the New Mexico Bureau of Geology for a project that demonstrated excellence in geoscience.
  • Also, received a $50 cash award and tote bag from the New Mexico Network for Women in Science and Engineering.

At the Regional Level, Copeland:

  • First Place, Environmental –Junior Division, certificate and $50;
  • Third Placein the New MexicoJuniorAcademy of Sciences Paper Competition, Junior Division;
  • Special Award from the Association for Women Geoscientists – certificate to female student whose project exemplifies high standards of innovativeness and scientific excellence in the geosciences;
  • Special Award from the American Vacuum Science and Technology Society- Junior Division, First Place, $125 prize and certificate. Cash award for both student and teacher Keith Weiss;
  • Special Award from the Friends of the NatureCenter, a one year tree membership to the NatureCenter for student and teacher;
  • Best Overall – Junior Division, 2nd Place $75 award; and
  • Invitation to enter Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge.

San Juan Regional Science and Engineering Fair, March 12 & 13, 2004, San JuanCollege

Shawndon Jones, Kirtland Middle School, Junior Division, First Place Behavioral and Social Sciences for his exhibit “Does Classical Music Help Kids Do Math Better?”

Kelcy Halvorson, KirtlandMiddle School, Junior Division, Second Place Chemistry for her exhibit “Materials and Dyes.”

Allison Young and Koda Yazzie, Kirtland Middle School, Junior Division, Team Projects, Second Place, for their exhibit, “Colorific.”

Carl Johnathan Schmitt,KirtlandMiddle School, Junior Division, Zoology, First Place, “Chicken Chums.”

Nickole Yazzie, KirtlandMiddle School, Junior Division, Third Place, Chemistry, “Where Did All The Steak Go?”

David-James Lucero, Kirtland Middle School, Junior Division, Honorable Mention, Earth and Space Sciences, “Gauss Riffle.”

Ms. Nicole Atencio, their sponsor, for encouraging and motivating students to participate in the Science Fair.

And Keith Weiss for sponsoring the science fair at KMS.

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