Two Juniors Awarded Significant Honors in STEM Fields

GPS teachers are given the opportunity to nominate students to be considered for various scholarships. This year Lisa Wilkes, Chair of the Math Department, and Tracie Marlin Durham ’80, Chair of the Science Department, recommended two students for scholarships at separate New York institutions.

Every year since 1933, Bausch + Lomb honors outstanding high school science students with the Bausch + Lomb Honorary Science Award. Winners of the award are automatically considered for the Bausch + Lomb Science Scholarship at the University of Rochester (New York). Only high school juniors who have completed three years of science are eligible to apply. The selection criteria are high achievement and rigor in science studies, high PSAT math scores, and positive contributions to their school and within the larger community. This award, presented to Leightta Sherrill, qualifies her to be a candidate for a scholarship worth at least $10,000 a year for a total of $40,000 over four years to the university.

For more than 100 years, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (New York), in conjunction with high schools around the world, has awarded the Rensselaer Medal to promising secondary school students who have distinguished themselves in math and science. Students must exhibit the following characteristics: excel in advanced mathematics and science, demonstrate potential for success in a science- or technology-related field, demonstrate consistent achievement in testing performance, and adhere to rigorous academic standards. Awarded to GPS junior Astra Burke, the official Rensselaer Medallion will be presented to her during Honors Convocation in the fall of her first year at Rensselaer if she applies, is accepted, and enrolls, awarding her with a minimum of $25,000 per year in merit scholarship, leading to at least $100,000 during her time at the school.

Congratulations to these two outstanding juniors.