Friendswood High School students participated in the 2011 Galveston County Science & Engineering Fair that was held on Saturday, Feb. 26 in Levin Hall at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.  A total of 14 schools were represented at the event and 30 students represented FHS.
            FHS students came away with certificates, trophies and cash prizes for their projects. Ninth grade winners won $40, $25 and $15 for first, second and third places respectively. Senior Division winners won $50, $25 and $15.
            In the Ninth Grade Division, four students received awards in the Environmental Sciences. Julia Conger received first place with Caroline Landon second, Janae Bonnen third and Daniel Bradley in Honorable Mention.
            In Computer Science, Roma Pradhan received first place.
            In Engineering, Benjamin Burdick received first place with David Bordelon in second place.
            In Physics, Derek Janak won first place with Jamie McCullough in second.
            In the Senior Division for grades ten through twelve, students won awards in nine categories.
            In Behavioral/Social Sciences, Briahna Yarberry won first place with Shannon Ellis in second.
            In Biochemistry/Microbiology, Ryan Bynum received first place.
           Sheena Mohebalian was in first place in Environmental Science.          
           In Medicine/Health, Ariana Rivera received first place with Karmina Martinez in second.
           Gabriella Quintana won second place in Zoology.
           In Chemistry, Madeline Landon received first place with Traci Bordelon in second and Matthew Laitkep in third.
            In Computer Science, Joe Rogers won first place.
            In Engineering, Michael Laitkep won first place with Steven Auzenne in second, Alexandra Wilson in third and Nader Asgari-Tari an Honorable Mention.
           In Physics, Laura Bradley won first place, Chandika Silva second and John Coates third.
           Several special awards were given to FHS students.
            Naval Science Awards were presented by Lt. Dabney of the US Navy and given to Steven Auzenne, Rachel Goeken and John Coates.
            The James L. Cooper Excellence in Engineering Award given by UTMB Southeast Region was given to Steven Auzenne. He received a plaque and $100.
            Joe Rogers was awarded the Dr. Allan and Anne Brasier Award in honor of Robert Brasier. The award was presented in the senior division, computer science.
            The $2500 Texas A&M University at Galveston Scholarship was given to  Senior Joe Rogers.
            In the 9th grade Overall Division Awards, Derek Janak took first place and received a plaque, $100 and a restaurant gift card. Caroline Landon received second place with a plaque and $75. Benjamin Burdick received third place and $50. Julia Conger received fourth place with Jamie McCullough in fifth palce and Roma Pradhan an Honorable Mention.
            In the Senior Overall Division Awards, Gabriella Quintana received first place with a  plaque, $200 and a restaurant gift card. Madeline Landon was in second with a plaque and $150. Traci Bordelon placed third and received $100. Sheena Mohebalian placed fourth with Laura Bradley in fifth place and Briahna Yarberry an Honorable Mention.
            Sponsoring organizations of the science fair are Galveston College, Texas A&M University at Galveston and the University of Texas Medical Branch with generous corporate donations coming from many Galveston area businesses. 
            Friendswood students were awarded over $1850 in cash and prizes and $2500 in scholarships.  
           Dawne Welch, Rebecca Clark and Susan Kirkpatrick were teacher chaperones for the event. 
           In early April a total of thirty-one students from FHS will  be competing in the Science Engineering Fair of Houston.