Viewfinder: 2011 Sarasota Regional Science, Engineering And Technology Fair Awards Ceremony

Thursday evening, 192 K-12 students from Sarasota County schools were recognized for winning first, second, or third place in 12 different categories of research in this year's Regional Science Fair.

Superintendent Lori White, along with district leaders, donors and school officials presented the ribbons, with cash awards going to all first place winners.

This year, nearly 900 Sarasota County students from 51 public, private and home schools submitted 739 individual and team projects in the science fair. More than 70 volunteer judges helped to determine the winners in each of the 12 categories, that were featured in the Sarasota County Fair last month.

During Thursday's ceremony, a number of students received prestigious awards.

The $1,000 Faulhaber Foundation Prize for the Scientific Exploration of Nature was awarded to two Sarasota High Students, Garrett Moler and Nathan Elsishans, and Britanny Wegner of Out-of-Door Academy received the $500 Dart Foundation Award for Medicine & Health.

Moler and Wegner, the two overall winners of the high school contest, will be competing internationally next month in California, representing Sarasota County at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). The ISEF, now in its 61st year, is the world's largest pre-college science competition for students in grades 9-12. This year, more than 1,500 students from 65 countries will be competing for over $4 million in scholarships and grants as well as scientific equipment and trips.

Two Omar Y. Cooper Student Achievement Awards were given this year to Devon Gales of North Port High and Amanda Holly of Sarasota High. Both students were granted a $2,000 prize as well as one year of mentorship with professionals in the scientific field of their choice.

Venice Elementary School, Laurel Nokomis School, and Sarasota High received the Christoper P. Puchella, Sr. School Award For Encouraging Young Engineers.