The Cherokee County School District (CCSD) was well represented at the 72nd Georgia Science & Engineering Fair for middle and high school students. A total of 11 students placed in the event, including two first-place awards and three Best in Category honors.

The state competition was held virtually over several weeks, with judges reviewing Regional Fair first-place winning entries from around the state, including 24 projects from CCSD. Students also could earn special awards and scholarships at the State Fair from various sponsoring organizations.

The importance of preparing students for STEM careers continues to grow, and were so proud of these young scientists for their achievements at the regional and state level, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. Congratulations as well to the teachers who coached them in their work and helped spark their interest in science. 

Woodstock HS senior Isabel Plower earned the states Best in Category honor in the senior division of competition for her Energy: Chemical entry.

Three eighth grade students from E.T. Booth MS earned top honors in the State Fairs junior division. Cristina Garcia earned first place and the states Best in Category honor for Plant Sciences as well as the National Association of Biology Teachers Biology & Life Sciences Project Award and UGA Mathematics Department Award. Cara Holland earned the states Best in Category honor for Cellular & Molecular Biology as well as the National Association of Biology Teachers Biology & Life Sciences Project Award and UGA Cellular Biology Department Award. Bella Postel placed first at the State Fair in Plant Sciences. Woodstock HS senior Zakwan Khan earned second place at the State Fair for his Translational Medical Sciences project. Woodstock HS junior Mackenzie OConnor competed in the Earth & Environmental Science category and earned the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Taking the Pulse of the Planet Award.

Five more E.T. Booth MS students placed at the state fair: sixth-grader Theresa Ramos-Jackson, third place, Earth & Environmental Science; eighth-grader Lydia Wooley, third place, Earth & Environmental Science; eighth-grader Carter Mentzel, third place, Materials Science; eighth-grader Jack Kennard, third place, Plant Sciences; sixth-grader Jared Riddick, fourth place, Earth & Environmental Science, and recipient of the U.S. Metric Association Award.