Gwinnett Daily Post

The Siemens Foundation recently honored the winners of the 10th annual Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement. Pamela Fedas, a teacher at Wesleyan School, won a Teachers Award.

The Siemens Foundation honors winning high school math and science teachers with a $1,000 award. Educators with a minimum of five years of experience in teaching a math, science or technology course are selected for their exemplary teaching and enthusiastic dedication to students and the AP program.

"We celebrate our 10th year of the Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement in partnership with the College Board at a time when math and science education is most vital in the United States," James Whaley, president of the New Jersey-based Siemens Foundation, said in a news release. "At Siemens we understand that an investment in our nation's future begins with investing resources in the lives of students, teachers and high schools who will inspire our next generation of innovators."

The $300,000 program was first established in 1998 and is one of five Siemens Foundation programs that support math and science education from grade school through graduate school.

Auburn Elementary student's science project wins honor

An Auburn Elementary School student recently received first place in a regional competition at Athens Technical College.

Draven Lehman's project, titled "How does temperature affect popcorn," also won honors at the Barrow County school.

Other school winners were Jetaine Vang, William Warren Aliff, Jarrett Bennett, Jose Cabrita and Jennifer Brown. Honorable mentions were awarded to Ivey Vaugh, Ashley Phillips, Quentin Garrison, TJ Johnson and Will Jernigan.

Before the science fair took place, fourth- and fifth-grade teachers taught the students about the scientific method.

Peachtree Ridge students win pageant awards

During the fifth annual Miss Peachtree Ridge Scholarship Pageant on Feb. 23, 52 young ladies competed for the title of Miss Freshman, Miss Sophomore, Miss Junior and Miss Peachtree Ridge 2008. The event was sponsored by the Peachtree Ridge Foundation.

The following students received awards:

Miss Freshman 2008 competition

Miss Freshman: Katie Turner

First runner-up: Lauren Persichetti

Second runner-up: Stephanie Lennox

Third runner-up: Summer Peabody

Fourth runner-up: Baillie Burmaster

Academic Award Winner: Summer Peabody

Spirit Award: Katie Turner

Miss Congeniality: Sally Crocker

Miss Sophomore 2008 competition

Miss Sophomore: Becca Smith

First runner-up: Savannah Butler

Academic Award Winner: Becca Smith

Spirit Award: Tatum Harmon

Miss Congeniality: Tatum Harmon

Freshman/Sophomore Pageant Photogenic Award

Miss Photogenic: Lauren Persichetti Winner of a $1,000 portfolio by Mossy Creek Photography)

Runner-up: Katie Turner

Miss Junior 2008 competition

Miss Junior: Lauren Bennett

First runner-up: Chelsey Perry

Second runner-up: Aoife Healy

Third runner-up: Lauren Corley

Fourth runner-up: Devin Harmon

Academic Award Winner: Devin Harmon

Spirit Award: Breanna Hill

Miss Congeniality: Ellie Winfrey

Miss Peachtree Ridge High School 2008 competition

Miss Peachtree Ridge 2008: Mary Kathryn White (Winner of a $1,000 cash scholarship sponsored by Cory Lesko of Classy Nails and Tan)

First runner-up: Chelsea Jennings

Second runner-up: Arvisse Suanders

Third runner-up: Jessica Holcombe

Fourth runner-up: Lindsey Griffith

Fifth runner-up: Hannah Oliver

Top 10: Megan Frank, Arvisse Saunders, Layne Oldfield, Jessica Holcombe, Lindsey Griffith, Mary Kathryn White, Asya-Lorrene Morgan, Chelsea Jennings, Hannah Oliver and Catherine Placek

Academic Award Winner: Layne Oldfield

Spirit Award: Stephanie Russell

Miss Congeniality: Arvisse Saunders

Junior/Miss Peachtree Ridge Pageant Photogenic Award

Miss Photogenic: Mary Kathryn White Winner of a $1,000 portfolio by Mossy Creek Photography)

Runner-up: Chelsey Perry

Heather Darenberg writes about education. Good News From Schools appears in the Sunday edition of the Gwinnett Daily Post.