ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EXPLODES!!!

Little minds that peaked with interest in the field of science were showcased and recognized at the 2023 Science Fair awards assembly held at Malta Elementary on Tuesday, Feb. 28th. This year 90 enthusiastic contestants made the decision of the judges a little more complicated the day before with their displays, experiments, illustrated talks and lessons.

Held annually, and hosted by PIE (Parents Involved in Education), this year the definite increase in participation was overwhelming. Last year the entries were in the 50's.

Accepting the challenge of judging the completed projects and entries, the judges for this year were Jake Kunze, Tyler Arnold, Dennis Fitzgerald, Darlene Kolczak, Alesha Ereaux, Michael Peter, Cheyenne Young, Bridgett Ereaux, Deanna Arnold, Gretchen Boardman, Trenton Dovre, Damien Austin, Taylor Sjostrom, Daniel Kinka, and Amanda Engstrom.

The class with the most participation won a pizza party, and Mrs. Ost's class will enjoy that award, as there were nine entries from her class. With three other classes having eight entries each, Mrs. Veit, Mrs. Wiederrick and Mrs. McFadden will celebrate with root beer floats with their class.

Participating first graders were Aspen Shepherd, Nellie Salveson, Gunnar Lefdahl, Wylie Pankratz, Rhett Salveson, Bryndle Webb, Kyson Morrison, Vera Handley, Cote French, Caylynn Rickett, McCoy Hould, Jaci Has The Eagle, Calum Webb, Kash Brendt, Caroline Nelson, Kaser Murray, KaiLynne Drabbs, Brody Bain, Bailey Squires, and Burke Pankratz. They received a Participation Certificate and a ribbon.

Seventeen 1st graders participated with eight in the Chemical area: Dannylinn Haynes, Ellie Newman, Hannah Ziegler, Sage Mahan, Sonnie Davis, Mary Yellow Earrings, Kambyr Boardman and Emma Solberg. The medal winner for Judge's Choice and High Point Award went to Emma Solberg.

Three students chose the field of Earth: Liam Starkey, Eden Domire and Tenny LaBrie. Eden Domire received the Judge's Choice Award and Tenny LaBrie received the High Point Award.

In the Physical category four students competed: Tavi Lulloff, Tessa DeVries, Lilly Warren and Ryden Warren. Judges awarded Tavi Lulloff the Judge's Choice award, Tessa DeVries was awarded High Point and Lily Warren also received the Judge's Choice selection.

Two students were in the Life category; Will Brown won High Point and Chet Prestwich won the Judge's Choice.

Emma Solberg received the 1st grade trophy for the overall choice of judge's and perfect score.

Four students in the 2nd grade participated in the Chemical category and they were Rosemary Green, Holden Crossland, Brylee LaFountain, and Bellamey Williamson.

Three entered the Earth category for the second grade and they were Cyrus Lefdahl, Gemma Wright and Jackson Nelson.

Knox Sorenson, Kinley Young, Kage Morrison, Emmdin Witmer and Lucy Salveson impressed the judges with their knowledge of Physical Science, and the Life category had two entries of Molly Hould and Avery Schwartz.

Second grade results were: Rosemary Green (Judge's Choice), Holden Crossland (High Point); Cyrus Lefdahl and Gemma Wright (tie for High Point); the judges selected Lucy Salveson (both High Point and Judge's Choice); and Life category Avery Schwartz (Judge's Choice) and Molly Hould (High Point).

Molly Hould was the trophy winner for Judge's Overall Choice. Each of the students in the second grade achieved a blue ribbon on their entry, which added to the decision making dilemma of the judges.

The third graders were well prepared, and entries in the areas were: (Chemical) Haidyn Hould, Camri Salveson, Brooklyn Moog, Cooper Pankratz, Kasen Boardman and P.J. Bibbs; (Earth) Clyde Lankford, Lettie Davis; (Physical) Reagan Bleth, Liam LaBrie, Kesi Salveson, Nathan Domire, Maria Meneely, Erin Solberg; and (Life) Adalee Score.

Kasen Boardman and Cooper Pankratz tied for High Score and Judge's Choice. Clyde Lankford received the High Score and Judge's Choice medals. Reagan Bleth was selected for the Judge's Choice Award and Erin Solberg won High Point honor; Adalee Score was the medal winner as Judge's Choice. Clyde Lankford was the selection for the trophy for third grade.

Entrants in the 4th grade Chemical competition were Izzy Oshio, Jakobi Yellow Earrings, Kaelyn Young/Macey Lien, Mary Simons, and Brishley Witmer with Kaelyn Young and Macey Lien selected as Judge's Choice and High Point. Earth entries were created by Jayne Young, Tenley Lien, Hennessey Williamson/Etta Hanson, and Miley Weaver with Jayne Young receiving the Judge's Choice Award and Tenley Lien winning the High Point selection.

Cord Newman and Lyla Warren composed the entries for the Physical category and Anna Brown entered the Life entry. Cord Newman received the nod for the Judge's Choice and High Point with his entry; Anna Brown was the Judge's Choice selection and she was also the 4th grade Judge's Overall choice.

The 5th grade science entries were in the Chemical area, where Kallie LaBrie was a medal winner as Judge's Choice; in the Physical entries were Alethea Austin/Jenna Johnson, Mariah Hould, Cameron Spencer/Braun Simms, and Kori Kelsey/Emmett Harms. Spencer and Simms were selected as the Judge's Choice and High Point Award.

Two entries comprised the Life category, they were Seterah Pekovich and Ellie Norville. Seterah was selected as the Judge's Choice and High Point medal winner. Kallie LaBrie was handed the 5th grade trophy as the winner of the Judge's Overall Choice.

Kudos and congratulations to all those who participated – what an opportunity you were given! It is so rewarding to see energy, time, skills, creativity and talents directed in such a positive adventure and outcome. You are a fine example for all the youth and our community members as well.