Magnet Programs

Paladins Win Fairchild Challenge.

May 15, 2009

Categories: General News

For the second consecutive year, South Plantation High students won the Fairchild Challenge, a multi-disciplinary environmental competition. They earned $1,000 to help with their environmental projects next year. More than 67 schools in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties entered. The Paladins with 2577 points edged out Miami Killian Senior High (2572) by only two points. The other top schools were Miami Palmetto (2475), Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart (2370), Our Lady of Lourdes (2340) and MAST Academy (2198). “I am really proud that our students are able to rise to this level of achievement,” said teacher Pamela Krauss who coached the team. “It is more difficult every year as more schools become involved.” The year-long regional competition has10 options are available for students to enter including art, photography, drama, science, language, debate, journalism, architecture, culinary, gardening, research, alternative energy and environmental outreach. The Paladins tied for first in the Eco-Skit: “What a Waste.” Vivian Gil and Debbie Desravines performed with teacher Matt Zealy (a requirement of the skit). Other first place winners were Kyra Berman-Gestring (Deerfield Beach) and Natasha Borja (Davie) for their Newsletter in Two Languages; Vincent Mariano (Plantation) for his Solar Invention; Dominic Lindsay (Plantation) for Debate. Kelly Duffy (Plantation) was the student coordinator who won Honorable Mention award for her opinion paper on Comparing Carbon Footprint Calculators, for her photographs on Plants and Their Pollinators, and her Environmental Action Scrapbook. “The options let teens feel like they can make a difference,” she said. “You don’t have to be eco crazy because there is art, writing, cooking and so on.” Other honorable mentions went to Arielle Acevedo and Ariella Benayoun for their Fairchild Challenge logo design; Laura Carlton and Alexis Villacastin for their watercolors; Anthony Karpinsky, Nasreen Shad and Michelle Morris for Debate; Kamal Gray for his EcoAlley; Shawn Abrahams for a Phenology study of cypress trees; and Sigal Semesh and Samantha Khandakji for their Green Cuisine. A team of 45 students won honorable mention for the School Garden. The Fairchild Challenge fosters interest in the environment by encouraging students to appreciate the beauty and value of nature, develop critical thinking skills, understand the need for biodiversity and conservation, tap community resources, become actively engaged citizens, and recognize that individuals do indeed make a difference. Contact Fairchild Gardens high school coordinators Netiva Kolitz or Nancy Famulari for more information at 305-663-8074 or 305-669-4091. All results are posted on the website: www.fairchildgarden.org.