Awards and Banquet Day

After getting back from dinner last night, most of us got to bed by 11:30. However, they were full of energy and found it challenging to fall asleep. It was evident this morning that a number of them were suffering of sleep deprivation. It's really amazing how they all have bonded closely.

We started with breakfast at 8AM and the team strolled directly to the Exhibit Hall afterwards. The school buses were rolling in and the hall was packed with school children visiting and checking out all the great projects. There was plenty conversation between students and Finalists as well as Finalists with other Finalists.  We had parents and grandparents there as well. We were fortunate to have Devika's parents, aunt and uncle join in on all the excitement.

When the public viewing session concluded at noon, the students walked back to the dorm to eat their leftovers from yesterday's dinner. They only had a few hours before leaving for the ceremonial hall. We boarded the yellow school buses and went down to the St Claire College Centre for the Arts. This was about a 5 minute ride. Even though Favian forgot the tickets that indicated the seating arrangements, we were able to sort it out and have an awesome view of the action from the centre of the theatre.

It was a slow start to the awards but it began with Meaghan winning the Challenge Award for Environment with a $750 cash prize. Then Devika won the first medal - a bronze; this was followed by Denny and Cindy also winning also winning a bronze; Sonia followed soon after winning a bronze as well. The bronze medals carry a $100 cash prize. Meaghan closed with winning a silver which includes a $300 cash prize. Not everyone won awards, but I'm sure all our Finalists have gained some valuable experience that will help with next year's projects.

Below is a summary of the prize winnings:

Uncovering The Truth About Coal Dust in South Delta

Meaghan MacKenzie

Western University Scholarship

Silver Medallist - $2000 Entrance Scholarship ($2 000.00)

Excellence Award - Intermediate

Silver Medal ($300.00)

Challenge Award - Environment

Intermediate ($750.00)

Free-Space Laser Communication

Devika Vishwanath

Western University Scholarship

Bronze Medallist - $1000 Entrance Scholarship ($1 000.00)

Excellence Award - Intermediate

Bronze Medal ($100.00)

Monitoring Medication Adherence: Part 1

Sonia Stewart

University of Ottawa Entrance Scholarship

Senior Bronze Medallist - $1000 Entrance Scholarship ($1 000.00)

Western University Scholarship

Bronze Medallist - $1000 Entrance Scholarship ($1 000.00)

Excellence Award - Senior

Bronze Medal ($100.00)

Photodynamic Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (PACT) for Eradicating Mould Pathogens

Cindy Huang and Denny Choi

Excellence Award - Senior

Bronze Medal ($100.00)

Western University Scholarship

Bronze Medallist - $1000 Entrance Scholarship ($1 000.00)

University of Ottawa Entrance Scholarship

Senior Bronze Medallist - $1000 Entrance Scholarship ($1 000.00)

Excellence Award - Senior

Bronze Medal ($100.00)

Meaghan being presented with the Challenge Award for Environment

Devika being presented with a Bronze Medal

Cindy being presented with a Bronze Medal

Denny being presented with a Bronze Medal

Sonia being presented with a Bronze Medal

After the awards ceremony concluded at 5PM, we had an intermission until 6PM for dinner. We took this opportunity to share in our team's achievements and had pictures taken with everyone.

A truly fine bunch of students!

Dinner was excellent. We started with a nice salad and then moved to the main course with roasted chicken and scalloped potatoes. Dessert followed soon after with a rich chocolate cake with strawberry sauce.

After dinner concluded around 8PM, the Finalists were able to let off some steam upstairs on the dance floor. All our finalists had fun up there. Susan and I stopped in for a few minutes to see our team shaking the night away.

We left the Centre for the Arts at 10PM and caught a bus back to the university. Susan and I wanted to let our team know how incredibly proud we are of their achievements. This has been the best that South Fraser has performed. We have truly been blessed with an amazing group of students to share in this experience.

Recognize these boys?

Tomorrow is another day of public viewing and later a take down of the projects. Scheduled for later in the day is a sendoff dinner at the Riverfront Plaza. We hope the weather is favourable. It's lights out at 11PM and up for breakfast at 8AM.

Not a lot of walking today. Pedometer says 8,109 steps for today.