Final Newsletter - The Student's Perspective

"TEAM CONNECTICUT" is home. I was going to say a few words, but we asked each student to express their thoughts on the trip. I am sure you will agree, their words say it all.

From Rob Sobleman, Senior, Staples High School

My ISEF experience was incredible. At first, it seems that I went home empty-handed but that is far from true. Although I have lots of convention junk that says "Intel" or "Applied Materials" on it, that is not what I'm talking about either. What I went home with was inspiration and friends. I have a new inspiration that there are so many students out there like me who are interested in science at the forefront and interested in competing at the highest levels. In addition, the friends that I made in our delegation will definitely last. They were wonderful and I am honored to say that I attended ISEF 2004 with them.

From Christine Persampieri, Senior, Brewster High School

Our journey ended with a trip to the movies to see Troy (starring *Brad Pitt*.) Stephen, Rob, Mr. Mo and myself enjoyed our final "Oregonian" activity before heading home. Mr. Muller picked us up at 1:00am and it was off to our "home" for three hours of sleep. Sophie and I were awakened at 4:00am by our final "special wake-up call." Mr. Muller and Mr. Miller mastered the art of arranging the suitcases and we waved good-bye to Portland. The ride to the airport came close to a "perfect run" but none of the car riders were willing to credit the van's performance. With some breakfast-to-go it was onto the first flight to Chicago (none of which I remembered as I had a nice nap.) Then to Connecticut. We said our good-byes and were surprised to discover how close we had grown over the week (my Oregon family.) With Mr. Mo's great navigational skills we headed back to New York and it was over. This morning there was no wake-up call, breakfast in room #307 or ISEF chatter which I had become a familiar comfort over the week. It was a memorable experience with new friends, but its good to be back in Brewster.

From Sophie Lintermans, Senior, Staples High School

The past week was filled with enjoyment and intellectual endeavors that made ISEF an invaluable experience to me. Not only did I meet up with four other great Connecticut students that share my passion, I also met people from Malaysia, Germany, China, Japan and Australia (just to name a few) who all shared and presented their scientific work. The adult crew was just great! Mr. Wisner, Mr. and Mrs. Muller planned an unforgettable trip, Mr. Muller and Mr. Miller could drive a car like no other, Mr. Mostransky had a great sense of humor, Mrs. Miller added her warm personality to the group and last but certainly not least, it was a pleasure to have Mrs. Muller as a mom for the week.
The food was great, the pacific beach was beautiful, and the friendships I made will last a lifetime.

The Westport and Connecticut science fairs are very valuable experiences. They lead you to the ultimate - the ISEF - the priceless science fair competition I enjoyed and will remember forever.

From Anna-Katrina Shedletsky, Senior, Brewster High School

The end of ISEF marks the end of my final science season, something that has become as much a part of me as my affinity for ice cream. Though reluctant at first, the science experience has been vital to my development as a person, a thinker, and a scholar. Though at times, it seems like pure fun (shoving Steve into a pickle car) it has always been a learning experience (the effects of ice cream sandwiches in large quanitites). From the beginning, the CT delegation came together in a team effort, despite individual competition -- and we remained that way. I think it is an experience that all of us will be able to smile (and smirk) about for years to come.

From Stephen Ingraham, Junior, New Fairfield High School

ISEF 2004 was one of the most significant experiences in my life. The people were amazing: I got to network with some of the brightest young minds in the world and interact with a panel of Nobel laureates. In addition to becoming better friends with the students from the Connecticut delegation, I made friends with students from all over the US and from Germany, India, and China. It is very encouraging to know that there are so many students who love science as much as I do.

The city of Portland, Oregon was also fascinating; unlike any city I have ever seen. There is so much to do and see and the inhabitants are very unique, to say the least. It was an ideal setting for this event.

While I deeply regret that the ISEF had to end, I know that the most important things the trip gave me are intangible and will remain with me for the rest of my life. Specifically, I know that the photo of me in the pickle car is going to be distributed throughout the world via Anna's website, thereby destroying any sense of credibility that I could ever have hoped to attain in life. I mean, physicists just do not do that sort of thing.

Note: The attached pictures are of the team and the discussed "pickle car".
L-R: Rob, Christine, Stephen, Anna, Sophie