MCSF Awards
6th Grade
| Raman | Harilal | Leona Libby Middle School | Honorable Mention |
| Rohan | Nune | Leona Libby Middle School | Honorable Mention |
| Otto | Kovarik | Leona Libby Middle School | Third Place |
| Audrey | Hsu | Christ the King School | Second Place |
| Akshath | Motkuri | Leona Libby Middle School | First Place Life Science |
| Caroline | Stover | Christ the King School | First Place Physical Science |
7th Grade
| Lilli | Henley | Christ the King School | Honorable Mention |
| Henry | Kincaid | Christ the King School | Honorable Mention |
| Mark | Saunders | Christ the King School | Honorable Mention |
| Alemitu | Cox | Christ the King School | Third Place |
| Owen | Rothwell | Leona Libby Middle School | Second Place |
| Prayrona | Choudhury | Leona Libby Middle School | First Place |
8th Grade
| Aashrita | Bhamidimarri | Enterprise Middle School | Honorable Mention |
| Caetlyn | Kovis | Christ the King School | Third Place |
| Lily | Deng | Chief Joseph Middle School | Second Place |
| Sanah | Khan | Chief Joseph Middle School | First Place |
9th Grade
| Brianna | Collyer | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Hanna | Fuentes | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Ashley | Gabino | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Laura | Gonzalez-Sanchez | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Cristina | Leyva | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Mya | Morales | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Mia | Ruiz-Lara | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Claire | Sheehan | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Emily | Trevino-Medina | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Brisa | Longoria-Sosa | Sunnyside High School | Third Place |
| Advaitha | Motkuri | Richland High School | Third Place |
| Keanna | Negrete | Sunnyside High School | Third Place |
| Lila | Rice | Sunnyside High School | Third Place |
| John Phillip | Custodio | Hanford High School | Second Place |
| Navaj | Nune | Hanford High School | Second Place |
| Evelyn | Herrera | Sunnyside High School | First Place |
Senior Division
| Maribella | Almaguer | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Juanita | Cortez | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Stephanie | Flores | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Maria | Herrera | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Luna | Longoria | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Jessica | Marin | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Gabriela | Quiroz | Eisenhower High School | Honorable Mention |
| Haley | Rodriguez | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Jared | Sheehan | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Celeste | Vergara-Borges | Sunnyside High School | Honorable Mention |
| Erik | Zuroff | Southridge High School | Honorable Mention |
| Mia | Dang | Sunnyside High School | Third Place |
| Erica | Fajardo | Sunnyside High School | Third Place |
| Sandra | Leyva | Sunnyside High School | Second Place |
| Selene | Rojas | Sunnyside High School | Second Place |
| Anika | Halappanavar | Richland High School | First Place |
| Ourania-Maria | Glezakou-Elbert | Hanford High School | Grand Prize |
| Emmaline | McKinnon | Hanford High School | Grand Prize |
| Ruth | Wise-Maldonado | Sunnyside High School | Grand Prize |
Sivaraman Award
The Sivaraman Award is to recognize creativity, hard work, perseverance, and the ability to take risks – attributes needed to solve the most pressing problems in the world. This year’s winners are:
Ourania-Maria Glezakou-Elbert, Hanford High School
Emmaline McKinnon, Hanford High School
Ruth Wise-Maldonado, Sunnyside High School
Special Awards
Special Awards: U.S. Military
We thank those serving in our United States military. Today we have awards provided by the United States Air Force; and the Office of Naval Research, which supports both the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps.
US Air Force
The US Air Force provided a US Air Force Certificate of Achievement. The winner of the US Air Force Award is:
Claire Sheehan, Sunnyside High School, United States Air Force Certificate of Achievement
Office of Naval Research
The Office of Naval Research, on behalf of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, supports the Regional Science Fair. Each winning student receives a certificate of achievement, letter of congratulation, and medallion. Additionally, the two winners from the Senior Division must submit an on-line award verification form to receive a $50.00 e-card educational recognition award. The winners of the Office of Naval Research awards are:
Prayrona Choudhury, Leona Libby Middle School, Office of Naval Research Junior Award
Otto Kovarik, Leona Libby Middle School, Office of Naval Research Junior Award
John Phillip Custodio, Hanford High School, Office of Naval Research Senior Award’
Emily Hernandez, Eisenhower High School, Office of Naval Research Senior Award
Agriculture Awards
Agriculture is an important industry in the mid-Columbia. The following projects involving plant science were awarded:
Jacob Gray, Southridge High School, Distinguished Project
Alexis Montiel, Southridge High School, Distinguished Project
Kylie Splattstoesser, Southridge High School, Distinguished Project
Future STEM Professional Award
This award was given to the student whose science fair project exhibits the characteristics of inquisitiveness, proactivity and professionalism that we need in our society.
Alexia Mendoza, Sunnyside High School, Future STEM Professional award.
American Chemical Society
Founded in 1876 and chartered by the U.S. Congress, the American Chemical Society is one of the world’s largest scientific organizations with more than 155,000 members in 150 countries. ACS mission is to advance the broader chemistry enterprise and its practitioners for the benefit of Earth and its people. The ACS vision is to improve people’s lives through the transforming power of chemistry.
Leah Nguyen, Christ the King School, Karen Grant Memorial Excellence in Chemistry Award
Caroline Stover, Christ the King School, Karen Grant Memorial Excellence in Chemistry Award
Columbia Chapter Health Physics Society
The Columbia Chapter of the Health Physics Society is a professional organization whose members are specialists in radiation safety. These Health Physicists are dedicated to maximizing the beneficial use of radiation while minimizing the risk to people and the environment.
Brynn Lenz, Christ the King School Middle School
Ourania-Maria Glezakou-Elbert, Hanford High School High School
American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), Columbia River Professional Chapter (CRPC)
Founded in 1977, the AISES is a non-profit organization who’s goal is to substantially increase the representation of American Indian and Alaskan Natives in science, technology, engineering, math and other related disciplines. The CRPC, founded in 1991, supports these national goals, while working at the local and regional level.
Brianna Dorminy, Eisenhower High School, Good Effort
Rory Folsom, Eisenhower High School, Good Effort
Leah Nguyen, Christ the King School, Good Effort
Elena Rivera, Eisenhower High School, Good Effort
Fatima Sanchez Stewart, Eisenhower High School, Good Effort
Fernando Benitez-Deaquino, Sunnyside High School, Outstanding
Gigi DeMartino, Homeschool, Outstanding
The Links and WOW Tri-Cities
The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation, established in 1946. The membership consists of more than 16,000 professional women of African descent in 292 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom. It is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.
Women Of Wisdom Tri-Cities also known as WOW Tri-Cities is a non -profit 501(c) 3 charity human services organization in Eastern Washington. WOW provides a way for women to work together for the common good, transforming shared beliefs and hopes into action. Women of Wisdom Tri-Cities serves African American, Black, Indigenous and People of color in our community. Their mission is EQUITY. Women of Wisdom Tri-Cities facilitates programs and outreach that bridge the gap of access to nutrition and mental wellness, health and wealth disparities, provide access to technology and human services for women and their children developing the WHOLE family.
These two organizations have gotten together to honor African American participants in the Mid-Columbia Regional Science and Engineering Fair. This year’s winner is:\
Alemitu Cox, Christ the King School, For Scientific excellence and ingenuity in the 2022 Mid-Columbia Regional Science and Engineering Fair.
NASA Earth System Science Award
Earth system science is the study of the complex system and the interconnections that occur on Earth. The Earth’s spheres interact in complex ways. The different spheres that make up our Earth system are the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere (snow and ice), and biosphere. Changes in one sphere affect other spheres because they are all interconnected. NASA is developing a scientific understanding of how Earth’s system responds to changes that are occurring as a result of natural and man-made causes. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Earth System Science Project Award goes to the student whose project offers the Greatest Insight into Earth’s Interconnected Systems. This year’s winner is:
Jessica Marin, Sunnyside High School, NASA Earth System Science Project Award
YALE
Yale Science and Engineering Association, Inc. provides an award for Most Outstanding 11th Grade Exhibit in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This year’s winner is:
Ourania-Maria Glezakou-Elbert, Hanford High School, Most Outstanding Eleventh Grade Exhibit in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Ricoh Corporation
Ricoh Corporation presents the Ricoh Sustainable Development Award presented to the student whose research has demonstrated the Principles and Technical Innovations that offer the greatest potential for Sustainable Development. This year’s winner is:
Selene Rojas, Sunnyside High School, Ricoh Sustainable Development Award
Tri-City Astronomy Club
Tri-City Astronomy Club recognizes projects related to astronomy. This year’s winner is:
Ourania-Maria Glezakou-Elbert, Hanford High School, Science Award
Mu Alpha Theta
Mu Alpha Theta, the National High School and Two-Year College Mathematics Honor Society, presents the Mu Alpha Theta Award for the project that demonstrates the most challenging, original, thorough, and creative investigation of a problem involving mathematics assessable to a high school student.
This year’s winner is:
Anika Halappanavar, Richland High School
STEM Enthusiast
The STEM Enthusiast awards recognize middle school projects that best demonstrate students’ creativity and innovation in exploring the world around them. Students will be receiving a certificate and gift card.
Raman Harilal, Leona Libby Middle School, STEM Enthusiast
Lilli Henley, Christ the King School, STEM Enthusiast
Elias Larson, Three Rivers Homelink (Richland), STEM Enthusiast
Riley Saffell, Christ the King School, STEM Enthusiast
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers is a not-for-profit membership organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing, career enrichment, and skills development across all engineering disciplines. Founded in 1889 by a small group of leading industries, ASME has grown through the decades to include more than 120,000 members in over 140 countries around the globe.
Winners of the ASME awards are:
Alemitu Cox, Christ the King School, Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Award
John Phillip Custodio, Hanford High School, Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Award
Lily Deng, Chief Joseph Middle School, Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Award
Sanah Khan, Chief Joseph Middle School, Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Award
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is a professional association for electronic engineering and electrical engineering (and associated disciplines). IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.
The IEEE award winners are:
Prayrona Choudhury, Leona Libby Middle School, IEEE 7th grade
Lily Deng, Chief Joseph Middle School, IEEE 8th grade
Advaitha Motkuri, Richland High School, IEEE 9th grade Software Engineering
John Phillip Custodio, Hanford High School, IEEE 9th grade Robotics
Anika Halappanavar, Richland High School, IEEE Senior Division
INMM
We are the Institute of Nuclear Material Management, Pacific Northwest Chapter. Our official slogan states, “We are dedicated to the safe, secure and effective stewardship of nuclear materials and related technologies through the advancement of scientific knowledge, technical skills, policy dialogue, professional capabilities, and best practices.” But put more simply, we exist because the power of the atom demands that we exist. How does Spiderman state it? “…with great power comes great responsibility…” Well that’s what we’re all about. The power of the atom is the most abundant energy source known to humankind – it powers the sun! But that kind of power creates problems – safety, security, and environmental waste. We have to do it right, and the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management is all about doing nuclear the right way. With that in mind, we want to award a project that not only does great science, but ensures it’s done the right way – with safety, security, and environmental stewardship in mind from start to finish.
Marisabel Zarazua Gomez, Sunnyside High School, INMM-PNW award
Inspiring Excellence, Inc
Inspiring Excellence, Inc. supports science fair students with awards for demonstrating excellence. Excellence is displayed by the following traits: interest, desire, enthusiasm, perseverance, diligence, scholarship, and a positive attitude. The following students are recognized for excellence in their chosen project:
Juanita Cortez, Sunnyside High School
Raman Harilal, Leona Libby Middle School
Lilli Henley, Christ the King School
Luna Longoria, Sunnyside High School
Claire Sheehan, Sunnyside High School
Erik Zuroff, Southridge High School
Inspiring Excellence, Inc., also wishes to recognize a teacher who inspires their students to reach excellence. This year’s winner is:
Debbie Ellefson, Leona Libby Middle School Teacher, Inspiring Excellence
Computer Science
In presenting this award, our judges hope to encourage increased participation in computer science, one of today’s fastest growing fields, and an important source of innovation for the 21st century. The winner of the Computer Science Award will receive an Award certificate and a $100 award.
Anika Halappanavar, Richland High School, Computer Science Award
U.S. Metric Association
The U.S. Metric Association provides one award for the Best use of SI, the International System of Units, in a science fair project. This year’s winner is:
Aashrita Bhamidimarri, Enterprise Middle School, Best use of SI
Washington State Science and Engineering Fair
The Washington State Science and Engineering Fair (WSSEF) provided one award for Outstanding Research Based Project Achievement. The award recipient receives a complementary registration fee to the Washington State Science and Engineering Virtual Fair on March 26, 2022 (grades 9-12) and April 9, 2022 (Grades 6-8). This year’s winner is:
Evelyn Herrera, Sunnyside High School, Outstanding research based project achievement award
Rosalind Franklin Award
This award is given in honor of Rosalind Franklin. “The scientist whose work was crucial in solving the structure of DNA but did not receive the Nobel Prize.” The Rosalind Franklin Award is sponsored by Dr. Rama Devagupta, who holds a PhD in Bioorganic Chemistry from Texas A&M University. Rama is a National Board Certified Teacher, AP Reader for College Board, Murdock Partners in Science Fellow, and 2022 NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellow. As a sponsor of the Rosalind Franklin Award, Rama seeks to promote budding young scientists who perform research without access to traditional lab equipment or facilities. This year’s winners are:
Keshav Karkamkar, Chief Joseph Middle School, Rosalind Franklin Award
Veronica Sanchez-Rivera, Sunnyside High School, Rosalind Franklin Award
GENIUS Olympiad
Rochester Institute of Technology and the Terra Science and Education, Inc., have sponsored the Exceptional Genius Olympiad Award to honor projects that display excellent work in the environment. The exceptional Genius Olympiad Award grants the student participation in the Global Environmental Issues (GENIUS) Olympiad to be held virtually, between June 6-11, 2022. Winning students must submit their application which includes a video by April 15 with a $50.00 application fee. The participation fee is $25.00 after the project finalists are announced on May 5. Dr. Richard S. Stark Memorial Scholarship ($200.00) will pay for the application and participation fees. Participation and Presentation deadline is May 15. The director will have to register the student in the Genius Olympiad website.
Winners of the Exceptional Genius Award are:
Selene Rojas, Sunnyside High School, Exceptional Genius Award
Ruth Wise-Maldonado, Sunnyside High School, Exceptional Genius Award
Lila Rice, Sunnyside High School, Exceptional Genius Award (Alternate)
American Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association has provided an award for outstanding research in psychological science under the category of behavioral and social sciences or any category related to psychology. This year’s winner is:
Emmaline McKinnon, Hanford High School, Achievement in Research in Psychological Science
ANS, Eastern Washington Section
ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society. This year’s winner of a $1000 scholarship from the Eastern Washington Section of the American Nuclear Society is:
John Phillip Custodio, Hanford High School, $1000 Scholarship
Regeneron Biomedical Science Award
Regeneron Biomedical Science Award is presented to an exceptional student scientist who not only demonstrates an impressive command of biomedical sciences but also embodies Regeneron’s core values, known The Regeneron Way. These include Lead with Science, Take on Big Ideas, Make it Happen, Be Great Together, and Do What’s Right. The award includes a certificate and a $500.00 prize.
This year’s winner is:
Navaj Nune, Hanford High School
Society for Invitro Biology (SIVB)
The Society for In Vitro Biology provided an award for the most outstanding 11th grade project exhibiting in the areas of plant or animal in vitro biology or tissue culture.
This year’s winner is:
Mireya Gutierrez, Sunnyside High School, Outstanding Achievement for Ability and Creativity in In Vitro Biology
AWG
The Association for Women Geoscientists award is presented to the female student whose project exemplifies high standards of innovativeness and scientific excellence in the geosciences. This year’s winner is:
Sanah Khan, Chief Joseph Middle School, Outstanding Project
American Meteorological Society
The American Meteorological Society presents a Certificate of Outstanding Achievement for excellence in atmospheric or related sciences. This year’s winners are:
Stephanie Flores Sunnyside High School
Water Environment Federation (WEF)
The Stockholm Junior Water Prize Regional Award of Excellence for a water related science research project goes to winning projects aimed at enhancing the quality of life through improvement of water quality, water resource management, or water and wastewater treatment. All high school students in 9th-12th grades, at least 15 years old by August 1st, 2022, who have conducted water related science projects have the opportunity to enter their State Stockholm Junior Water Prize Competition. Students must enter the 2022 Stockholm Junior Water Prize State Competition on-line by April 15, 2022.
Stephanie Flores, Sunnyside High School
Luna Longoria, Sunnyside High School
Lila Rice, Sunnyside High School
NOAA
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provided NOAA’s 2022 “Taking the Pulse of the Planet” award. This award is presented to the student whose research has demonstrated the principles and technical innovations that offer the greatest potential for an improved understanding of the Earth’s dynamic processes. This year’s winner is:
Prayrona Choudhury, Leona Libby Middle School
ASM Materials Education Foundation
AMS Materials Education Foundation provides an award to the Most Outstanding Exhibit in Materials Science. This year’s winner is:
Owen Rothwell, Leona Libby Middle School, Most Outstanding Exhibit in Materials Science
National Geographic:
National Geographic Society, sponsored “That’s Geography!, Cultivating Empathy for the Earth Award”, for the development of an innovative geography project. The award will include a $100.00 award and certificate to a student who is seeking solutions to the Earth’s most pressing challenges around ocean, land, wildlife, human history and cultures, and human ingenuity. This year’s winner is:
Briseida Godinez, Sunnyside High School
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
The Society of Women Engineers takes a very active role in encouraging young women to investigate technical career paths. Best Female Science Project winners are:
Audrey Hsu, Christ the King School, 6th grade honorable mention
Caroline Stover, Christ the King School, 6th grade winner
Ria Mascal, Enterprise Middle School, 7th grade honorable mention
Prayrona Choudhury, Leona Libby Middle School, 7th grade winner
Sanah Khan, Chief Joseph Middle School, 8th grade honorable mention
Lily Deng, Chief Joseph Middle School, 8th grade winner
Marisabel Zarazua Gomez, Sunnyside High School, 9th-10th grade honorable mention
Advaitha Motkuri, Richland High School, 9th-10th grade winner
Erica Fajardo, Sunnyside High School, 11th-12th grade honorable mention
Mireya Gutierrez, Sunnyside High School,11th-12th grade winner
The Lemelson Early Inventor Prize
For the development of an outstanding invention exhibited at a Society for the Science & Public Science-Affiliated Science and Engineering Fair. The prize includes a $100 award for a 6th – 8th grade inventor. The deadline for the submission process for payment of the award is July 1, 2022. This year’s winner is:
Prayrona Choudhury, Leona Libby Middle School, outstanding invention
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
The United States Agency for International Development provided the Science Champion Award for scientific excellence and using science innovatively to create a potential solution to international development challenges.
This year’s winner is:
Navaj Nune, Hanford High School, Science Champion Award
Broadcom MASTERS Nominees
The Broadcom MASTERS® (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars), is the national competition for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who participate in affiliated fairs.
The top 10% of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade participants have been selected for this honor.
Each nominee needs to complete an online application to continue in the national competition and be eligible for valuable prizes and awards. The online entry must be submitted by the June 15, 2022 deadline to enter the next phase of the competition.
This year’s nominees are:
Prayrona Choudhury, Leona Libby Middle School
Sanah Khan, Chief Joseph Middle School
Akshath Motkuri, Leona Libby Middle School
Caroline Stover, Christ the King School