CSF - Connecticut Science Fair

Perhaps a day late, but we wanted to inform you of our final days at the fair. After an exciting Thursday evening from Special Awards, our students gorged themselves on ice cream back at the hotel. The room service folks said it was one scoop - we're debating whether it was one pint . . . Friday morning, with the leftovers melted outside the rooms, we gathered for a quick breakfast and headed over to the auditorium for the Government Awards. As many of you have heard by now, Anna socked up a number of awards including a trip to Space Camp in Alabama this summer. Lisa also cashed in from the US Navy and Marine Corps. Wow! The totals keep adding up - after working with these students, I can definitely say that it is well deserved.

We gathered together for lunch in the hotel; most were enjoying soup and sandwiches. Then it was back to the auditorium for the Grand Awards. The hall was set up for this grand event. All of the lights and video were up and running again. Music was blaring through the sound system and there was certain excitement in the air. After several speeches, the host began to announce category placement. "Fourth place" first - no one from Connecticut announced - is this a good or bad omen? "Third place" awards - no one announced again. Tension building. "Second place" awards - In the category of Biochemisty - Alexander Mittal, a few more names, Joia Ramchandani. The students walk to the stage, background music gently playing, they shake hands with a dignitary, they line up on stage, the camera passes and we see them close up on the jumbo screen. "First place" awards - in the category of Earth and Space Sciences - Lisa Glukhovsky - - - - - in the category of Medicine and Health - Anna Shedletsky. Now for category winners - Lisa wins her category! More speeches, more special awards, the final award - Intel Foundation Young Scientist ($50,000) - the three best in the entire fair. How excited were we when we heard them announce Lisa's name. The confetti falls from the ceiling of the stage and the rush of emotions fills the halls. This has truly been an amazing experience.

We head to the stage to take pictures and give congratulations. There are many members of the press on stage snapping pictures and recording video. As the stage slows down, we head to the press area, which is just as electric. More pictures, phone calls home, more interviews.

We are now back at the hotel, things begin to calm down. Chatter changes to dinner - we head out to a Greek restaurant down the street. Everyone is joking with Lisa - "Can I have a loan," "The big winner has to pay for dinner." We enjoy a meal together and head back to the hotel because we are going to the movies later that evening. We are proud and in awe of all of our students. In total all of our students have collectively earned over $80,000.

Saturday brings an early rise, bags packed and our candy apple red stretch limo arrives with a town car. We were supposed to have three town cars, but we won't complain. As we drive away from the city towards the airport, we watch the buildings get smaller. We play some CD's on the limo's sound system. Cleveland was good to us and we will miss her. After a brief lunch in the airport, we board our plane. How did we all get the exact same seats again? Returning to Bradley, we say our goodbyes, promise to keep in touch, and smile. Words just can't express the magic of this past week.

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I hope you have enjoyed spending some time with us this past week. It has been my pleasure to be able to communicate with you. Thank you for your support of the Connecticut Science Fair and these five amazing students.

Warmest regards,
Frank LaBanca, Teacher
Stamford High School
For The Connecticut Science Fair