Science Scholarship Winners
2nd Quarter, 2008

StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 2nd Quarter, 2008, Science School Scholarship is Andrea taglione . "Hi! My name is Andrea, and I am currently a junior at Michigan Technological University, where I'm studying exercise science and psychology. Once I graduate from MTU, I'm hoping to continue on to medical school, hopefully in the field of pediatrics. When I'm not in class, I enjoy being involved on campus and in my community. Last year I served as state president of an organization called HOSA - Health Occupation Students of America. Through connections made in this program, I have been invited to speak and give presentations to medical professionals and educators across the state, and have attended national leadership conferences. Currently, I am a member of an advisory board for a health occupations program in my community and will be completing an internship at the local hospital this fall. In my free time, I participate in many campus activities such as social dance club, the university cheer and stunt team, campus concert band, orientation team leader, and commuter mentor. I also enjoy skiing, snowboarding, playing the piano, and teaching students in the after-school program where I work. I've studied abroad the last two summers in Italy and Costa Rica, and hope to continue my international studies through the upcoming years."

Please click here to read a portion of Andrea's winning essay.

3rd Quater, 2007 StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 3rd Quarter, 2007, Science School Scholarship is Annie Ciernia . I was born and raised on a farm in rural Minnesota and attended Ulen-Hitterdal School in Ulen, Minnesota. During my senior year I took several college classes in Moorhead, Minnesota which sparked my interest in science, especially psychology and biology. I will graduate in May from North Dakota State University, Fargo with dual majors in biotechnology and psychology. During the last three years I have conducted several research projects in the Department of Psychology’s NIH-funded Center for Visual Neuroscience at NDSU. I have also worked as a research assistant in a pathogenic microbiology laboratory. Last summer I joined a molecular neuroscience laboratory at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota as a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow. I am currently interviewing at several universities to pursue my Ph.D. in Neuroscience. After completing a doctoral degree, I plan to join the research community as a principal investigator. I am particularly interested in neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize in structure and function in response to experience. Pursuing this area of research will require the exploration of both the biological and psychological aspects of brain function. Outside of science I enjoy the arts, reading, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. My special interest is in running and competing in races. I ran my first marathon last fall in the Twin Cities.

Please click here to read a portion of Annie's winning essay.

2nd Quarter, 2007 StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 2nd Quarter, 2007, Science School Scholarship is Richard Rodriguez . Aside from being the first in his family to graduate from high school, Richard Aristeo Rodriguez has also accomplished the feat of being the first, therein, to attend college. Currently attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Richard is enrolled in the School Of Science and is pursing a major in Pre-Med Biology with a minor in Philosophy. At Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Richard is gaining both factual scientific knoweldge and practical experience as a lab assistant to Dr. Donna L. Bedard. Aside from typical lab assistant duties, he has also become increasingly involved with experimental research method and computer based data analysis. Richard plans to become involved in undergraduate researcher under Dr. Bedard’s Lab this upcoming year.

Please click here to read a portion of Richard's winning essay.

Please click here to read a portion of Salmahn's winning essay.

1st Quarter, 2007 StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 1st Quarter, 2007, Science School Scholarship is Salmahn Alam . "I recently graduated from SUNY Binghamton University with a BA in Biology and a minor in Arabic. My university years were the best years of my life. Here, I was able to pursue all of my interests and make great friends. I enjoyed participating in the Harpur's Ferry Ambulance Squad and the American Cancer Society as well as the Muslim Student Association. Starting August 2007, I will be attending Buffalo medical school. Outside of my academics, I love to play sports. Sports are a hobby, a diversion from the daily rigors of life, and a mode of relaxation for me. They are not just a way of staying fit or healthy, but a constructive way for me to take my mind off of the difficulties or worries in life. I love to play basketball, football, golf and tennis. Furthermore, I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling to visit other family members. My family is what keeps me grounded in life, and they have always been a great support system for me. I enjoy traveling to places like Arizona, Minnesota, Florida and NYC."

Please click here to read a portion of Salmahn's winning essay.

4th Quarter, 2006 StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 4th Quarter, 2006, Science School Scholarship is Jennifer Humphrey . She is a current Freshman in the University of South Carolina Honors College and is a Biology/Pre-Med major planning on attending Medical School in order to become a Pediatric Oncologist. "I was born in Clinton, Maryland, and grew up right outside Annapolis, Maryland- the perfect location for a kid always wanting to get her nose into things. From a young age I loved going to museums: exploring, touching (though often frowned upon), and finishing up with the quintessential vendor hotdog with my grandfather. When I was in seventh grade, my youngest brother, Colin, was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, a rare form of leukemia for children. At that young age, I was filled with hurt and confusion wondering why my one-year-old brother would have to suffer for an outward cause I could not see. At that point in my life, I realized that my "calling" in life was to discover the genetic causes for cancer, as well as the most appropriate and effective methods in which to treat such a painful illness. Colin passed away one year and one week after diagnosis, and heartbroken, I made my ambition to make my brother better my goal in life -- to decrease, to the best of my ablity, the number of families that had to go through such heartbreak.

Please click here to read a portion of Jennipher's winning essay.

3rd Quarter, 2006 StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 3rd Quarter, 2006, Science School Scholarship is Courtney Loftus. "I am currently a senior at Governor Thomas Johnson High School, attending Frederick Community College. Volunteering at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. is the best part of my week. I began as a keeper aide in the Amazonian Exhibit and traveled with the National Zoo to the Amazon Rainforest in Peru on a Biological Research Expedition. Currently, I volunteer as a Large Mammal Interpreter: educating visitors about the Asian elephants and the problems facing them. I also participate in the Behavior Watch Program for the sloth bear and giant panda by observing the animals and supplying data to the zoo's researchers.

Please click here to read a portion of Courtney's winning essay.

2nd Quarter, 2006 StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 2nd Quarter, 2006, Science School Scholarship is Jada Ingalls. Jada Ingalls is a 22 year old York, PA resident. Jada is currently a senior at Eastern University in St. David's, PA. At Eastern Jada is studying for her B.S. in biology with a pre-med emphasis. Additionally, Jada has minors in chemistry and missions. In addition to her studies, Jada is very active in her campus community. She has been a campus ministry leader, co-president of Eastern's Student Mission Fellowship, and lead one of Eastern's international mission trips to Bolivia this past summer.

Please click here to read a portion of Jada's winning essay.

1st Quarter, 2006 StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 1st Quarter, 2006, Science School Scholarship is Lauren Griffin. She is currently a Biology Major and a "Science, Technology & International Affairs" minor, and she hopes to pursue genetic research.

"Understanding of science is essential to understanding of life. This has been my motivation for academic pursuit and intellectual development. However, this was not always so. When I was creating my schedule for my first year of high school, my guidance counselor gave me the choice of taking an art class or a science class. Being a young, naive thirteen-year-old, I saw no comparison, and quickly chose the art class. Since my school only requires three years of science courses, this seemed to me, at the time, a logical choice."

Please click here to read more of of Lauren's winning essay.

4th Quarter, 2005 StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 4th Quarter, 2005, Science School Scholarship is Elizabeth Frank .

"Mommy, why is Grandma sick?" Little did I know the impact that that question would have on my life. I was no older than eight and very curious for my age. For my entire life I had seen my grandmother either lie in bed or sit in a wheelchair, and she could never move without assistance. Her illness was normal to me, since I had never seen her otherwise. However, I eventually realized that she could not have always been this way.

Please click here to read a portion of Elizabeth's winning essay.

3rd Quater, 2005 StraightForward Media is proud to announce that the winner of our 3rd Quarter, 2005, Science School Scholarship is Michelle Lorica. She is currently a sophomore at Georgetown University in Washington, DC majoring in biology and minoring in "Science, Technology & International Affairs."

Michelle was born in the Philippines and moved to the United States with her family when she was four-years-old. After moving around the country for several years, the family finally settled in Potomac, MD. Michelle's interests extend far beyond biology and chemistry. She is a highly trained vocalist who has performed at the Kennedy Center and was the 2004 recipient of the Holton-Arms Award for Excellence in Drama.

Please click here to read a portion of Michelle's winning essay.

StraightForward Media is proud to announce that a previous winner of our inaugural Science School Scholarship is Jingjing Tian of Conroe, Texas. Jingjing will attend Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ this August where she will pursue Biomedical Engineering.

She was born in the People's Republic of China and moved to the United States with her parents at the age of nine. She has participated in the Houston Science & Engineering Fair for all four years of her high school career as well as taking part in the Texas State science fair. Her science fair projects have involved physics and environmental science. She was also the President of the Biotechnology Club at her high school and has participated in competition all four years. She is also interested in politics: founding a Junior Statesmen of American chapter at Conroe High School her sophomore year and participating in Lincoln Douglas Debate as well as Extemporaneous Speaking. She has played the piano since the age of five.

Please click here to read a portion of Jingjing's winning essay.

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