Top projects advance to regional fair

BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

WARFIELD — The Martin County Middle School 2021-2022 Science Fair went off with a bang last week.

The top 3 winners in each seventh and eighth grades advance to regionals at the East Kentucky Science Center, initially set for March 12 but rescheduled due to weather.

“Ms. [Dovi] Ray and I, along with the staff here at Martin County Middle School, can’t praise all these students enough,” teacher Denise Butcher said. “All the hard work and just the learning atmosphere of listening to the students present has been music to all our ears here at MCMS.”

Seventh-grade winners advancing to regionals include Jarrod Haney, first place; Alyssa Hale, second place; and the duo of Hayden Ray and Faith Caldwell, third place.

Eighth-grade winners competing in the regional fair are Wesley Rosensteel for his first-place project, Karson Hammond and the duo of Kennedy Evans and Marlee Grayson for their second-place projects (tie), and the duo of Dovie Harless and Maleah Jarrell for their third-place project.

Honorable mention awards went to the hard work of Logan Hale, Caleb Hughes, Johnathan Johnson and Raina Noble.

“Ms. Ray and I would like to give a huge thank-you to all of our wonderful judges who took time out of their day to help us out,” added Butcher. “Also, special thanks to all of our awesome staff here who helped us put together an amazing opportunity for these kids.”

With Saturday’s cancellation, the East Kentucky Science and Engineering Regional Fair will be conducted virtually this week. Winners have until Wednesday to upload their projects, and judging starts Thursday. The regional includes Martin, Lee, Letcher, Magoffin, Menifee, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Wolfe counties.

The East Kentucky Regional Science and Engineering Fair is affiliated with the International Science and Engineering Fair, the most prestigious science fair for high school students in the United States. Its name is well known among colleges and universities, and the scientific community.

Six “Best of Fair” projects will receive $100 checks and medallions, and three “Honorable Mention” projects will receive $50 checks and certificates.

One project from the EKSC regional fair will advance directly to the ISEF competition March 26 in Richmond.

“Let’s wish our winners good luck,” said Butcher. “Represent Martin County Middle School with pride.”

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