MHS Senior Wins Siemens Award for AP Math and Science

senior, Ilana Porter, and Holmdel High School senior, Bowen Lu, were named the New Jersey state winners of the 2011 Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement today. This signature program of the Siemens Foundation, which provides more than $7 million annually in support of educational initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the US, is administered by the College Board.

The Siemens Award acknowledges the country's top achievers in AP science and math courses and awards them with a $2,000 college scholarship. One female and one male per state are awarded. Additionally, two national winners are acknowledged and each win $5,000. This year, 101 students were recognized: 96 seniors, 4 juniors, and 1 sophomore.

“These students lead the nation in performance on Advanced Placement math and science courses and we are proud to recognize them for their academic excellence,” President of the Siemens Foundation, Jeniffer Harper-Taylor, said.

ILANA PORTER

Total AP Courses Taken to Date: 10

Favorite AP Class:  Computer Science

Notable Accomplishments: Chosen to attend the New Jersey Governor's School in the Sciences for 2011

Plans for College Study:  Mathematics, Chemistry, and Computer Programming

Career Aspirations:  Researcher

Hobbies:  Marching and symphonic band

What sparked her interest in science & math?  Playing a “Math questions game” with her brother and father

BOWEN LU

Total AP Courses Taken to Date: 11

Favorite AP Class:  Computer Science

Notable Accomplishments:  2011 Congressional Award, Silver Medal

Plans for College Study:  Computer Science and Physics

Career Aspirations:  Entrepreneur

Hobbies:  Choir and track

What sparked his interest in science & math?  When he received a sticker for winning his first math contest in elementary school

“Over the last 13 years, AP exams have become the gold standard of academic rigor in schools across the world,” said College Board president Gaston Caperton. “Today, the College Board and our partners at the Siemens Foundation recognize 101 students who have risen to meet this standard and exceed it. I am incredibly proud of the hard work put in by each and every one of them, and I look forward to watching them grow up to change the world.”

For a complete list of winners and to view multimedia assets associated with this release, please click here.   Follow the Siemens Foundation on Twitter (www.twitter.com/sfoundation) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/SiemensFoundation).