ALASKA STUDENTS WIN 2012-13 SIEMENS AWARDS FOR ADVANCED PLACEMENT
Siemens Foundation Recognizes Bennett Amodio of Anchorage and Sabrina Pralle of Wasilla for STEM Achievement
ISELIN, NJ, February 6, 2013 — Bennett Amodio, a senior at West Anchorage High School, and Sabrina Pralle, a senior at Colony High School in Palmer, today were named the Alaska state winners of the 2012-13 Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement, a signature program of the Siemens Foundation administered by the College Board. The awards recognize the nation's top achievers in Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) courses in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with a $2,000 college scholarship to one male and one female student in each state. Two national winners (one male and one female) are also recognized, each receiving a $5,000 scholarship.
This year, 101 high school students in all 50 states – including 93 seniors and 8 juniors – were honored. "We commend this year's Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement winners on their hard work and dedication to STEM subjects, and we thank the teachers, parents and schools who supported their scholarship," said Jeniffer Harper-Taylor, president of the Siemens Foundation. "We are proud to join our partners at the Siemens Foundation in recognizing these exceptional students. Today's award-winners have the foundation to achieve great success in some of today's most exciting, innovative careers," said David Coleman, president of the College Board.
BENNETT AMODIO
Total AP Courses Taken to Date (all disciplines including STEM): 11
Favorite AP Class: Chemistry
Advice to other AP students: "If you find that certain courses interest you more than others, take those because you'll probably do better and have more fun."
Proudest Accomplishments: Attended Research Science Institute; qualified for USAMO
Plans for College Study: Computer Science, Physical Science, Engineering or Math
Anticipated Career: Scientific researcher or engineer
Favorite nonacademic pursuits: Plays piano and cello in the Anchorage Youth Symphony
SABRINA PRALLE
Total AP Courses Taken to Date (all disciplines including STEM): 5
Favorite AP Class: Biology
Advice to other AP students: "Study books and flash cards are worth the money and time, and when it comes down to it, it is really up to you whether you learn the material."
Proudest Accomplishments: Recognized at Rotary Youth Leadership Awards as a "born leader"; traveled as a People to People Student Ambassador
Plans for College Study: Molecular Biology or Biochemistry with focus on PreMedical
Anticipated Career: Medical field or research
Favorite nonacademic pursuits: "Soccer is my one addiction outside of academics."
The Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement
Established in 1998, the Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement (http://www.siemensfoundation.org/en/advanced_placement.htm) awards $2,000 college scholarships to students from each of the 50 states who have earned the greatest number of scores of 5 on exams in the following AP® courses: Biology, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Computer Science A, Environmental Science, Statistics, Physics C Mechanics and Physics C Electricity and Magnetism. Each state potentially has two winners, one male and one female.
For complete information and photos of this year's Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement winners, please visit: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/60242-siemens-foundation-award-students-for-advancedplacement-exceptional-stem
The Siemens Foundation
The Siemens Foundation provides more than $7 million annually in support of educational initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the United States. Its signature programs include the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement, and The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, which encourages K-12 students to develop innovative green solutions for environmental issues. By supporting outstanding students today, and recognizing the teachers and schools that inspire their excellence, the Foundation helps nurture tomorrow's scientists and engineers. The Foundation's mission is based on the culture of innovation, research and educational support that is the hallmark of Siemens' U.S. companies and its parent company, Siemens AG. For more information, visit www.siemens-foundation.org. Follow the Siemens Foundation on Twitter @SFoundation and Facebook at SiemensFoundation.
The College Board
The College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education. Today, the membership association is made up of more than 6,000 of the world's leading educational institutions and is dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education. Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success — including the SAT and the Advanced Placement Program. The organization also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators and schools. For further information, visit www.collegeboard.org.
Siemens Foundation press release