Press release

March 10, 2009

Norwalk, CT— The Science Fair Awards Assembly will be held at Norwalk High School, April 6th, Monday evening at 6:30 PM in the auditorium. The Special Award recipients, the first, second, third, and honorable mention winners will be recognized. The Best of Fair awards will be conducted at the end of the program.

The science fair was held February 2 through February 4 at West Rocks Middle School. The objectives of the science fair include the following: to stimulate students’ interests in the sciences and provide them with opportunities for experimental research, for creative inventions and for opportunities to interact with real scientists. The students in Norwalk have come a long way! Based on the judges’ observations last year, the caliber of the experimental research and the unique design of the inventions have shown a significant improvement in terms of sophistication and creativity. Many of the high school students have received awards at the Connecticut State Science Fair. The science fair has been one of the major vehicles for demonstrating the fact that Norwalk students have a great deal of scientific talent.

“Every year I continue to be impressed with the exceptional scientific talent, creativity, and hard work that is demonstrated by our students,” commented Ken Martinelli, science instructional specialist.

On the average a total of $10,000 of prize money has been donated.

Northrop Grumman Norden Systems will provide $1500 in funding for the “Best of Fair Awards”, at the elementary, middle and high school levels, which are the fair’s most prestigious awards, as well as providing judges for the fair.

The Leo and Libby Nevas Family Fund of the Fairfield County Community Foundation sponsor all first, second and third place awards. (First place winners received $100, 2nd Place $50 and 3rd Place $25.)

Winners of special awards receive checks, gift certificates, savings bonds or other prizes, and provide judges from local industry and service organizations, such as: Arch Chemicals, Inc., Brooks Laboratories, General Electric Company, Sidney Gerhard Memorial, King Industries, Inc., MBI, Inc., Norwalk Kiwanis Club, Norwalk Lions Club, Norwalk Woman’s Club, Pepperidge Farm, Purdue Pharma, L.P., Benedict Rich, D.D.S., Stew Leonard’s, R. T. Vanderbilt Chemical Company, Inc.

A cadre of judges from corporate sponsors, the community and Norwalk Public School teachers volunteered to serve in the 2 day judging process.

Brien McMahon student receives prestigious award

Druha Karunakaran has been honored for his exemplary volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award.

The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country, was presented by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards on behalf of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. Druha participated in the Spirit of Community program this year as a representative of Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk where he is a student.

Sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program recognizes young people across America for outstanding community service activities. More than 250,000 young people across America have been considered for these awards since the program began in 1995.

“The recipients of these awards vividly demonstrate that young people across America are making remarkable contributions to the health and vitality of their communities,” said John R. Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial. “They truly deserve all of the praise and encouragement we can give them.”

“The young people recognized by the Spirit of Community Awards demonstrate an enormous capacity for giving and reaching out to those in need,” said Gerald N. Tirozzi, executive director of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. “NAASP is proud to honor them as they are wonderful examples of the high caliber of young people in our nation’s schools today.”

Program applications were distributed last September through all public and private middle level and high schools, Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, American Red Cross chapters, YMCA’s, and affiliates of HandsOn Network. After local honorees were named, state-level judges selected State Honorees, Distinguished Finalists, and Certificates of Excellence recipients. Volunteer activities were judged on criteria such as personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact, and personal growth.

NAASP, based in Reston, VA, is the preeminent organization of and national voice for middle and high school principals, assistant principals and aspiring school leaders from across the United States and more than 45 countries around the worlds. Prudential Financial, based in Newark, NJ, provides more than 50 million individual and institutional customers worldwide with life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management, and real estate services.

Category: Announcements