Patch thanks the Perkiomen Valley School District for submitting the following story:
Perkiomen Valley School District students in grades 5-8 participated as the “Suns of Vikings” in the 19th annual Philadelphia Junior Sprint Rally held June 2 at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Ten out of the 10 top awards went to Perkiomen Valley team members, which included fifth-graders from Schwenksville, South, Skippack and Evergreen elementary schools, sixth-, and seventh- and eighth-graders from Perkiomen Valley East and West middle schools.
In all, 65 Perkiomen Valley students collaborated, designed and engineered 25 solar-powered cars in the competition. The children exhibited creativity and innovation throughout the 12 weeks they met during solar club meetings. Their diligence and enthusiasm gave way to great fun, competition and superb achievement.
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Ten out of the 10 top awards were given to the “Suns of Vikings,” and many teams also earned honorable mention recognition for creativity and technical merit. Here are the top winners:
- Middle School East students Kyle Thomas and Aaron Yeiser, who earned the grand prize for 2012 Overall Best Junior Solar Sprint Car.
- Skippack fifth-graders Prem Ganesh and Cameron Barrie earned the first-place trophy for Junior Solar Sprint Speed Honors.
- Evergreen fifth-graders David Stuart and Connor McShea earned the second-place trophy for Junior Solar Sprint Speed Honors.
- South fifth-graders Tyler Paquette and Mark Vitelli earned the third-place trophy for Junior Solar Sprint Speed Honors.
- Evergreen fifth-graders Stephen Bafaloukos and Connor Letterio placed fourth for speed.
- Middle School East sixth-graders Ethan Sowa, Connor Brant, and AJ Coates earned the first-place trophy for Junior Solar Technical Merit Honors.
- Middle School West seventh-graders Kimberly Hane and Jenna Pupillo earned the first-place trophy for Junior Solar Sprint Creativity Honors and third-place trophy for Junior Solar Sprint Technical Merit Honors.
- Middle School West eighth-graders Becky Hane and Anna Hansen earned the second-place trophy for Junior Solar Sprint Creativity Honors and second-place trophy for Junior Solar Sprint Technical Merit Honors.
- Schwenksville fifth-graders Jordan Wenning and Emma Kerwin earned the third-place trophy for Junior Solar Sprint Creativity Honors.
Elementary and middle school gifted support teachers Tracy Moreno, Diane Raspen and Missy Kashey helped lead the teams to victory.
