Student Success Celebrated as STEM Program Seeks Nominations for its Sixth Cohort

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MSP scholarship winners, Katarina Luker and Anna Slenker from Alexander Central School District

BATAVIA, NY (11/30/2016)(readMedia)-- Nicholas Allen of Alexander High School, Carrie Hathaway of Geneseo High School, Kolbee Koch of Alexander High School, Justina Pruski of Oakfield Alabama High School and Kiara Santiago of Pembroke High School all have one number in common-a 4.0 GPA on their Genesee Community College transcript! These high school students were recognized as this year's "Profiles in Student Excellence" at the fall 2016 Math Science Preparatory (MSP) Program /Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) administrator luncheon hosted by the Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) Office at GCC. Together, they illustrated how their passion for math and science is driving them toward an early college degree and stellar careers in the future. Since the 7th grade, these extraordinary students have been immersed in college level coursework, and GCC is currently inviting the next cohort of students to join the MSP/STEM program that provides this pathway to success.

To learn more about the program, interested students and parents from area middle schools should RSVP to attend one of the following mandatory information sessions scheduled at GCC's Batavia Campus:

• Tuesday, December 6, 4:30pm

• Wednesday, December 7, 4:30pm

• Saturday, December 10, 10am

• Tuesday, December 13, 4:30pm

• Saturday, December 17, 10 am.

Each fall, all Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming County region middle schools can nominate their top 6th and 7th grade students for GCC's MSP/STEM enrichment program. The affordable two-year preparatory program was developed for the unique needs of gifted students and is staffed by GCC's full-time math and science faculty. The MSP Program offers an opportunity for middle school students to earn up to 10 college credits before they enter high school and at one-third the usual tuition cost.

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Student Scholars from Alexander Central Schools Win Scholarships

Within the MSP application process this past spring was a full scholarship opportunity for two students to participate in their first year of the Math Science Preparatory (MSP) program. The winning students were selected from the top ten Scholar of the Year finalists, but all the finalists presented and were recognized at the science fair competition and awards ceremony on July 18, 2016. The scholarship winners and 2016 Math Science Scholars of the Year are Katarina Luker and Anna Slenker both representing Alexander Central Schools in the competition, and fully illustrating that girls are just as capable of excelling in math and science as boys!

Katarina Luker demonstrated how to separate components of a mixture by their individual unique properties. She is the second sibling in her family to participate in the Math Science Preparatory (MSP) Program, an active member of several music and sport organizations and plans to pursue a career in math or science education.

Anna Slenker impressed the judges by demonstrating the process of spherification (turning liquid or pureed food into spheres that burst in your mouth) and identifying the ideal PH level for achieving the highest quality outcome. Anna is also a very active at Alexander Central School participating in several clubs, music, sports and she holds a Junior Blackbelt in karate.

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Participating in any of GCC's ACE (Accelerated College Enrollment) programs allows students to gain transferable college credit at a greatly reduced tuition rate, 1/3 the regular in-state tuition charged by GCC. Exceptionally motivated ACE students have earned enough college credits to earn an associate degree alongside their high school diploma. While MSP program kicks off the accelerated course of study in middle school, the STEM enrichment program encourages high school students to continue their achievements and potentially complete an associate degree.

Middle schools have already begun distributing invitations to students, and all interested parents and students are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming MSP Information Sessions in December, or request information about the nomination process and program through GCC's ACE Program or their with a school counselor.

For more information contact: Karlyn M. Finucane, Program Specialist, ACE Programs, (585) 343-0055 ext. 6320 or email kmfinucane@genesee.edu. The ACE website is http://www.genesee.edu/home/ace/.

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Editor's Note:

For a photograph of MSP scholarship winners, Katarina Luker and Anna Slenker from Alexander Central School District go to:

http://marketing.genesee.edu/images/ACE Scholars K_Luker A_Slenker.jpg

For photographs of the students of excellence who earned at 4.0 contact

http://marketing.genesee.edu/images/ACE Student_Justina_Pruski.jpg;

http://marketing.genesee.edu/images/ACE Student_Kiara_Santiago.jpg

http://marketing.genesee.edu/images/ACE student_Nicholas_Allen.jpg