VJAS 1998 AWARD WINNERS

Virginia Junior Academy of Science
1998 Award Winners

AGRICULTURAL AND ANIMAL SCIENCE
Honorable Mention: Lauren M.Connolley Atlee High School
Honorable Mention: Caroline M.Jett Atlee High School
Honorable Mention: Michelle E.Kunec Yorktown High School
Third Place: Cameron S. Taliaferro Cave Spring High School
Second Place: Linda Z. Wong
Melissa A. Pendergast
Ocean Lakes High School
First Place: Jeanetta L. Walters Southwest Virginia Governor's School
ANIMAL BEHAVIOR (ETHOLOGY)
Honorable Mention:Douglas J. HonseGloucester High School
Honorable Mention:Abdulrahman I. KenyattaRichmond Community High School
Honorable Mention:Eleanor N. VawterGloucester High School
Third Place:Rene J. StokesRichmond Community High School
Second Place:Mathias W. DanielsRichmond Community High School
First Place:Gwen M. Gisiner Washington-lee High School
BOTANY 'A'
Honorable Mention: Edward A. Booth Tuckahoe Middle School
Honorable Mention: Kari M. Cox Stonewall Jackson Middle School
Honorable Mention: Joyce Dominick Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Third Place:Jessica K. Ball Roanoke Valley Governor's School
Second Place:Lisa B. Boyette Gloucester High School
First Place:Jessica L. Burton New Horizons Governor's School
BOTANY 'B'
Honorable Mention:Tracey L. KeiterPatrick Henry High School
Honorable Mention:Dale S. KimDozier Middle School
Honorable Mention:Katherine LedinhKenmore Middle School
Third Place:Adrian J. Holloway Warwick High School
Second Place:Anna L. Krome-Lukens Gloucester High School
First Place:Tushar HalgaliYorktown High School
BOTANY 'C'
Honorable Mention:Evan W. MeixnerTuckahoe Middle School
Honorable Mention:Andrea E. NiculescuChesterfield Co. Math & Science High School
Honorable Mention:Lauren M. PutnockyChesterfield Co. Math & Science High School
Third Place:Kimberly P. Millan Yorktown High School
Second Place:Stephan P. Ramaley Gildersleeve Middle School
First Place:Melissa L. Pollock Gloucester High School
BOTANY 'D'
Honorable Mention: Melanie Sasser Williamsburg Middle School
Honorable Mention: Grayson E. Williams Williamsburg Middle School
Honorable Mention: Lauren B. Willis Roanoke Valley Governor's School
Third Place: Devryck S. Weaver Phoebus High School
Second Place: Amol K. Tripathi Governor's School for Gov't & Int'l Studies
First Place: Veronica Sikka Governor's School for Gov't & Int'l Studies
CHEMISTRY 'A'
Honorable Mention: Seth R. Davis Southwest Virginia Governor's School
Honorable Mention: Dan H. Fenwick Swanson Middle School
Honorable Mention: Russell M. Gordley Thomas Jefferson Hs for Science & Tech
Third Place: Christine M. Bobal Williamsburg Middle School
Second Place: Joanne M. Cunningham Atlee High School
First Place: Paul J. Bracher Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech
CHEMISTRY 'B'
Honorable Mention: Jason H. Karnes Governor's School for Gov't & Int'l Studies
Honorable Mention: Nicholas A. Kimbrell Williamsburg Middle School
Honorable Mention: Michelle Minaskanian Mills E. Godwin High School
Third Place: Evan S. Krygowski Thomas Jefferson Hs for Science & Tech
Second Place: Vincent M. Maniscalco Atlee High School
First Place: Stepahnie A. Horney Southwest Virginia Governor's School
CHEMISTRY 'C'
Third Place: Mike A. Pohl Hines Middle School
Second Place: Leana J. Siochi Warwick High School
First Place: Lara E. Pawlow Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Honorable Mention: Nadia Djafarnia Tuckahoe Middle School
Third Place: Megan C. Glass Central Shenandoah Valley Governor's School
Second Place: Nicholas R. Summers
Josh S. Robertson
Yorktown High School
First Place: Mitchell R. Huff Central Virginia Governor's School
CONSUMER SCIENCE 'A'
Honorable Mention: David Bae Cave Spring High School
Honorable Mention: Jenna Berk Williamsburg Middle School
Honorable Mention: Brenton S. Carson Chickahominy Middle School
Third Place: Michael W. Ailsworth Warwick High School
Second Place: Erin K. Cleary James River High School
First Place: Stefan L. Coleman Norfolk Academy
CONSUMER SCIENCE 'B'
Honorable Mention: Bryan E. Hartenberg Tuckahoe Middle School
Honorable Mention: Robert B. Kolick Williamsburg Middle School
Honorable Mention: Melanie P. Loftus Yorktown High School
Third Place: Amber K. Felts Cave Spring High School
Second Place: Stacy E. Frances J.R. Tucker High School
First Place: Brian C. Gross Cave Spring High School
CONSUMER SCIENCE 'C'
Honorable Mention: Catherine C. Mullins Tuckahoe Middle School
Honorable Mention: Daniel J. Park Williamsburg Middle School
Honorable Mention: David W. Rakestraw Southwest Virginia Governor's School
Third Place: Gregory C. Nightingale Williamsburg Middle School
Second Place: Emily V. Paarmann Chickahominy Middle School
First Place: Jennifer E. Miller Gloucester High School
CONSUMER SCIENCE 'D'
Honorable Mention: Joanna M. Sarsfield Harry F. Byrd Middle School
Honorable Mention: Garrett D. Urban Harry F. Byrd Middle School
Honorable Mention: Joseph G. Whitley Isle of Wight Academy
Third Place: Michael H. Wall Norfolk Academy
Second Place: Judith A. Topich James River High School
First Place: Rebekka O. Sprouse Atlee High School
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
Honorable Mention: Heather L. Kraus Isle of Wight Academy
Honorable Mention: Meredith A. Whitley Gloucester High School
Honorable Mention: Molly C. Wotcik Yorktown High School
Third Place: Jessica L. Debusk Southwest Virginia Governor's School
Second Place: Shane C. Smith Roanoke Valley Governor's School
First Place: Alexander N. Pyke Yorktown High School
ENGINEERING 'A'
Honorable Mention: James D. Dixon Cave Spring High School
Honorable Mention: Lauren M. Edgar Yorktown High School
Honorable Mention: Andrew J. Hutsell Yorktown High School
Third Place: Kevin L. Cross Gloucester High School
Second Place: Eli T. Crownover Williamsburg Middle School
First Place: Jakob B. Harmon Atlee High School
ENGINEERING 'B'
Honorable Mention Erin M. Sparnon Yorktown High School
Honorable Mention: Patrick J. Walsh H.B. Woodlawn
Honorable Mention: Elisabeth A. Miller Roanoke Valley Governor's School
Third Place: David D. Wilson
Zach D. Burt
David Keiser
Roanoke Valley Governor's School
Second Place: Graham B. Rollins
Shawn P. O'Hargan
Cave Spring High School
First Place Emelia M. Spencer
Brian W. Graves
Julia A. Bright
Roanoke Valley Governor's School
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 'A'
Honorable Mention: Rebecca A. Brooks Menchville High School
Honorable Mention: Matthew G. Eddy Washington-Lee High School
Honorable Mention: Jared D. Edgar Central Virginia Governor's School
Third Place: Emily J. Fraker H.B. Woodlawn
Second Place: Caroline L. Burnet Warwick High School
First Place: Joshua T. Dietz Roanoke Valley Governor's School
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 'B'
Honorable Mention: Lee A. Greenwood Yorktown High School
Honorable Mention: Thomas L. Harmon Atlee High School
Honorable Mention: Carrie E. Ianuzi Maury High School
Third Place: Abhishek Gupta Douglas Freeman High School
Second Place: Matthew W. King Gloucester High School
First Place: Alexander C. Herzick
Gloucester High School
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 'C'
Honorable Mention: Alexander L. Miller Gloucester High School
Honorable Mention: Arash Mostaghimi
Azeem Sherali
Blacksburg High School
Honorable Mention: Elizabeth M. Rhodes Roanoke Valley Governor's School
Third Place: Mary E. Matyskiela Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech
Second Place: Naveen K. Rao Mills E. Godwin High School
First Place: Eric C. Moore Gloucester High School
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 'D'
Honorable Mention: Alex R. Seamon Roanoke Valley Governor's School
Honorable Mention: Caitlin A. Swain Roanoke Valley Governor's School
Honorable Mention: Christopher S. Wynne Bishop O'Connell High School
Third Place: Morgan R. Wood Dozier Middle School
Second Place: Tyler L. St. Clair Poquoson Middle School
First Place: Tiffany M. Smith Petersburg High School
GENETICS AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY
Honorable Mention: Katie R. Foster Swanson Middle School
Honorable Mention: Salim H. Ahmed Thomas Jefferson HS for Science & Tech
Honorable Mention: Latrissia L. Archer Southwest Virginia Governor's School
Third Place: Sumeet Sarin Blacksburg High School
Second Place: Sherry L. Forbes Central Virginia Governor's School
First Place: Jessica D. Kessler Mills E. Godwin High School
MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS
Honorable Mention: Loren K. Hoffman Governor's School for Gov't & Int'l Studies
Honorable Mention: Chris K. Storm Woodberry Forest School
Honorable Mention: Jacob G. Foster Woodberry Forest School
Third Place: Grace Hou Poquoson Middle School
Second Place: Jennifer K. Murrill Atlee High School
First Place: Nick B. Carter Governor's School for Gov't & Int'l Studies
MEDICINE AND HEALTH 'A'
Honorable Mention: Sarah E. Brown Yorktown High School
Honorable Mention: Sarah P. Bryan Gloucester High School
Third Place: Matthew F. Branch
John R. Knapp
David W. Spencer
Magnet School for the Science and Health Professions
Second Place: Hannan I Ahmed Wakefield High School
First Place: James F. Cahoon Maury High School
MEDICINE AND HEALTH 'B'
Honorable Mention: Christopher M. Lahy Tuckahoe Middle School
Honorable Mention: Konstantin Y. Lantsman Tuckahoe Middle School
Honorable Mention: Catherine R. Lewis Mills E. Godwin High School
Third Place: Alexa J. Merchant Mills E. Godwin High School
Second Place: Sara C. Leavitt Yorktown High School
First Place: Nisha Nagarkatti Blacksburg High School
MEDICINE AND HEALTH 'C'
Honorable Mention: Kelly L. Shea Gloucester High School
Honorable Mention: Veronica Sikka Governor's School for Gov't & Int'l Studies
Honorable Mention: Angela M. Wiseman Southwest Virginia Governor's School
Third Place: Mythili G. Rao Poquoson Middle School
Second Place: Kara R. Pond Governor's School for Gov't & Int'l Studies
First Place: Lien T. Phan Bethel High School
MICROBIOLOGY 'A'
Honorable Mention: Matthew H. Cahir Bishop O'Connell High School
Honorable Mention: Johny John Roanoke Valley Governor's School
Honorable Mention: Bethany C. Lobo Hines Middle School
Third Place: James J. Buchino Bishop O'Connell High School
Second Place: Hillary D. Major Atlee High School
First Place: Melissa A. Larkin Chesterfield Co. Math & Science High School
MICROBIOLOGY 'B'
Honorable Mention: Tiffany N. Nightengale Warwick High School
Honorable Mention: Brian M. Perkins
Daniel G. Jones
Hines Middle School
Honorable Mention: Meredith K. Rogers Bishop O'Connell High School
Third Place: Amr S. Ragab Blacksburg High School
Second Place: Praveen K. Rao Mills E. Godwin High School
First Place: Minh-Hai Tran-Lam Atlee High School
PHYSICS 'A'
Honorable Mention: Kevin R. Cahill Swanson Middle School
Honorable Mention: Dean L. Camp Tuckahoe Middle School
Honorable Mention: Robert P. Cannon Bishop O'Connell High School
Third Place: David J. Bloomberg Yorktown High School
Second Place: Brain S. Dean Tuckahoe Middle School
First Place: Clinton M. Davis Chesterfield Co. Math & Science High School
PHYSICS 'B'
Honorable Mention: Daniel P. Harlan Swanson Middle School
Honorable Mention: Kevin E. Hechtkopf Yorktown High School
Honorable Mention: Jason R. Murray Tuckahoe Middle School
Third Place: Michael A. McCartin Yorktown High School
Second Place: Brent J. Evans New Horizons Governor's School
First Place: Rebecca M. Kallem Yorktown High School
PHYSICS 'C'
Honorable Mention: Lauren D. Russo Roanoke Valley Governor's School
Honorable Mention: John W. Sells Governor's School for Gov't & Int'l Studies
Honorable Mention: Haider Sharifi Washington-Lee High School
Third Place: Lindsey A. von Kaenel Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Second Place: Mary W. Vause Menchville High School
First Place: Jamie L. Williams Central Virginia Governor's School
PSYCHOLOGY - GENERAL
Honorable Mention: Kathryn D. Hively Atlee High School
Honorable Mention: Sharon S. Lynch Yorktown High School
Honorable Mention: Tommy D. Siegel Tuckahoe Middle School
Third Place: Laura A. Clark Governor's School for Gov't & Int'l Studies
Second Place: Maura C. Walz Governor's School for Gov't & Int'l Studies
First Place: Samantha V. Debicki Yorktown High School
PSYCHOLOGY - LEARNING & PERCEPTION 'A'
Honorable Mention: Andrew C. Barr Tuckahoe Middle School
Honorable Mention: Nancy C. Brothers Chesterfield Co. Math & Science High School
Honorable Mention: Angela M. Garcia Washington-Lee High School
Third Place: Justin J. Green Yorktown High School
Second Place: Taylor M. Beck Tuckahoe Middle School
First Place: Kevin M. Ennis Chesterfield Co. Math & Science High School
PSYCHOLOGY - LEARNING & PERCEPTION 'B'
Honorable Mention: Chandani K. Kohli Chesterfield Co. Math & Science High School
Honorable Mention: Mollie C. Marr Governor's School for Gov't & Int'l Studies
Honorable Mention: Michelle M. Mattson Gloucester High School
Third Place: Theresa A. Mcculla Governor's School for Gov't & Int'l Studies
Second Place: Karla L. Malloy Mills E. Godwin High School
First Place: Gena Kolin Washington-Lee High School
PSYCHOLOGY - LEARNING & PERCEPTION 'C'
Honorable Mention: Elaine M. Pour Atlee High School
Honorable Mention: Abigail L. Robbins Tuckahoe Middle School
Honorable Mention: Frances M. Webb Central Virginia Governor's School
Third Place: James R. Sagar Yorktown High School
Second Place: Edward F. Southern, III Southwest Virginia Governor's School
First Place: Sara N. Tsuchitani Yorktown High School
PSYCHOLOGY - SOCIAL
Honorable Mention: Emily K. Anthes Yorktown High School
Honorable Mention: Roger S. Kuo Governor's School for Gov't & Int'l Studies
Honorable Mention: Jodi M. Steiger Norfolk Academy
Third Place: Brian D. Walsh Chesterfield Co. Math & Science High School
Second Place: Katie Rutter
Rachel Copperman
Yorktown High School
First Place: Alison V. Rapp Yorktown High School
ZOOLOGY 'A'
Honorable Mention: Peter T. Boyer Gloucester High School
Third Place: William E. Brenzovich, Jr. Atlee High School
Second Place: Tiffany M. Lane Central Virginia Governor's School
First Place: Jennifer N. Lewis Gloucester High School
ZOOLOGY 'B'
Honorable Mention: Shannon M. Scott Chesterfield Co. Math & Science High School
Honorable Mention: Brittany M. Timmons Chickahominy Middle School
Honorable Mention: Ngoc B. Vu Gloucester High School
Third Place: Cathy N. Young Chickahominy Middle School
Second Place: Anh-Chi T. Phan J.r. Tucker High School
First Place: Brittany A. Peterson Yorktown High School


Special Awards

Botany Section Award, Given by the Botany Section of the VAS, to the best paper on a botanical subject.($75.00)

Jessica L. Burton -- New Horizons Governor's School


VJAS Neuroscience Awards supported by the Virginia Neurological Society and the Auxilliary of the Virginia Neurological Society are given to four outstanding papers in the field of neuroscience ($75.00 Each).

Ashwin Nambiar -- Atlee High School

Emily K. Smith -- Bishop O'Connell High School

Sara N. Tsuchitani -- Yorktown High School

Frances Webb -- Central Virginia Governor's School


Mathematics, Computer, and Statistics Award for the paper that evidences the most significant contribution in the field of mathematics. ($100.00)

Nick B. Carter -- Governor's School for Gov't & Int'l Studies


Smith Shadomy Infectious Disease Award in honor and Memory of Dr. Smith Shadomy given by the Virginia Chapter of the National Foundation of Infectious Diseases. ($50.00)

Alexa J. Merchant -- Mills E. Godwin High School


Roscoe Hughes Award for the best paper in the field of genetics ($100.00)

Jessica Kessler --Mills E. Godwin High School


Rodney C. Berry Chemistry Award for the paper that evidences the most significant contribution in the field of chemistry.($100.00)

Stephanie A. Horney -- Southwest Virginia Governor's School


The Dr. and Mrs. Preston H. Leake Award in Applied Chemistry ($200.00) Will be given to the author of a research paper which best exemplifies how chemicals, chemical principles, or chemistry have been used, are used, or might be used to enhance or even to save life.

Alexa J. Merchant -- Mills E. Godwin High School

Russell J. Rowlett Award for the Best research paper of the year.($100.00)

Clinton M. Davis -- Chesterfield Co. Math & Science High School

The Virginia Psychological Foundation Meritorious Research Awards recognize outstanding presentations of research in the various fields of psychology. Each award includes a prize of $75.00.

Samantha V. Debicki -- Yorktown High School

Kevin M. Ennis -- Chesterfield Co. Math & Science High School

Gena Kolin -- Washington-Lee High School

Sara N. Tsuchitani -- Yorktown High School

Alison V. Rapp -- Yorktown High School


Virginia Sea Grant College Program Award is given by the Virginia Sea Grant College Program for outstanding marine or coastal research. ($100.00)

Alex Herzick -- Gloucester High School


American Cancer Society Award - This award is to recognize outstanding science papers related to cancer research. A certificate to each and to 1st Place - $500, 2nd Place $300, 3rd Place $125, and Honorable Mention $75. There will be a ribbon with a pin for each winner. These awards are provided by the American Cancer Society (Virginia Council). These awards are being presented by Erika Bloom, Cancer Prevention, Vienna Office and Dr. Richard B. Brandt, member, Virginia Council American Cancer Society Board of Directors.

Honorable Mention - ($75) --Nisha Nagarkatti -- Blacksburg High School

Third Place - ($125 -- Catherine R. Lewis -- Mills E. Godwin High School

Second Place - ($300) -- Alexa J. Merchant -- Mills E. Godwin High School

First Place - ($500) -- Jessica Kessler -- Mills E. Godwin High School


The Gamma Sigma Delta Award (Agriculture). Presented by the VPI & SU Chapter of the Honor Society of Agriculture. This Award of $100 is presented in recognition of excellence in research dealing with application of new technologies and/or concepts in agriculture forestry, or veterinary medicine.

Jeanetta Walters -- Southwest Virginia Governor's School

W. W. Berry Award. This Award is given by Va Power in Honor of Mr. W. W. Berry who was a past Chairman of the Board of Va Power. This Award of a $500.00 savings bond will be presented to the best engineering paper.

Jacob B. Harmon -- Atlee High School

The Joyce K. Peterson Award is presented for the outstanding paper by a middle school student. It is presented in honor of Mrs. Joyce K. Peterson who has been an outstanding teacher in the Arlington County Schools.

Adam Shipp -- Williamsburg Middle School

Trip to AJAS - AAAS Meeting for two students and two alternates for presenting outstanding papers. The meeting will be held in February in Anaheim, CA

Winner -- Jessica Kessler -- Mills E. Godwin High School

Winner -- Eric C. Moore -- Gloucester High School

Alternate: -- Veronica Sikka -- Governor's School for Gov't & Int'l Studies

Alternate: -- Brittany A. Peterson -- Yorktown High School

Honorary Membership - AAAS Given to two students.

Meredith Bailey -- Douglas Freeman High School

Tom Harmon -- Atlee High School

Honorary Membership - VAS Given to a student.

Eleanor Wenger -- Maury High School

Bethel High School Scholarship - This $1,000 Scholarship Award comes from the interest earned from a $10,000 endowment contributed by the students of Bethel High School, Hampton, Va., over a two year period. Accompanying this scholarship is a rotating plaque to be displayed in the student's school for the next year. This award is based on both the students presentation and paper.

Nisha Nagarkatti -- Blacksburg High School

Frances and Sydney Lewis Environmental Scholarship: A $14,000 Scholarship ($3,500 per Year for Four Years) for the Best effort by a student in grades 9 to 12 in the field of environmental science. This scholarship is in the name of Frances and Sydney Lewis and is given by the Virginia Environmental Endowment.

Alex Herzick -- Gloucester High School

E.C.L. Miller Science Teacher of the Year award is given to an outstanding science teacher. An all-expense-paid trip to next year's AAAS which will be in Anaheim, CA

Sybil Young -- Gildersleeve Middle School

VJAS Distinguished Service Award, Most prestigious award given by the VJAS, Is presented to a person for exceptionally outstanding service to the VJAS.

Donald R. Cottingham