School briefs

Last update: May 13, 2008 - 5:09 PM

ST. PAUL

Charter school winner

Sara Stevens dropped out of high school and had a baby daughter, now 8 years old. But Stevens, now 27, always hoped that she could return to school. Thanks to Blue Sky, a virtual charter school, she has. And on May 7, Stevens was honored as the grand prize winner in Minnesota's 5th annual charter school public school writing contest. She was honored in a ceremony on the steps of the State Capitol.

Stevens is one of 26 winners from throughout the state in a number of categories and age groups. The contest this year attracted more than 900 entries.

"We were deeply moved by Stevens' eloquence, courage, and persistence," said Joe Nathan, director of the Center for School Change, Humphrey Institute, whose organization sponsors the contest.

JAMES WALSH

ST. PAUL

Science team excels

St. Paul Central's state champion Science Bowl team did not win a national title in Washington, D.C., this month -- but it came pretty close.

The squad, made up of prodigies, phenoms and hard workers, won a spot in the Sweet 16 of the Department of Energy's National Science Bowl. Not bad, considering the Central team was one of 67 regional champions competing at the event.

For finishing in the top 16, Central's team won $1,000 for the school's science department.

More than 12,000 students competed in regional science bowls this spring. The 67 regional winners received all-expenses-paid trips to the nation's capital for the national finals. The Department of Energy created the National Science Bowl in 1991 to encourage high school students to excel in mathematics and science and to pursue careers in those fields.

Varsity team members are: Danie Monahan, Elwood McCreary, Jennifer Wei, Jon Schellenberg and Martin Camacho. Other team members are: Ian Hedberg, Sage Hellerstedt, Omar Usman, Meryl Spencer, Simon Gebrehiwet, Wendy Lang, Zach Kagan, Christine Lee and Sam Ihlenfeldt.

JAMES WALSH

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