Report from Awards Night 2018

Submitted by Suzy Hartmann, Chair-Elect

The 2018 Edition of Awards Night was held Monday, April 9, at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Brentwood. The evening honored our region’s Outstanding College Juniors, winners of the High School Chemistry Contest, and the recipient of the High School Teaching Excellence Award.

After dinner, Natalie LaFranzo, (Immediate Past Chair) welcomed the guests, and spoke about the benefits of professional networks. Suzy Hartmann (Chair-Elect) introduced the keynote speaker, Dr. Tony Wallner, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Webster University. Dr. Wallner presented an overview of Webster’s new interdisciplinary science building, Browning Hall. He also offered advice to the college-seeking members of the audience, outlining college experiences that are linked to life preparedness. Among the experiences he listed were class projects, internships, extracurricular activities, and having caring professors who made students energized about learning.

Thirty high school students were recognized for their accomplishments in the High School Chemistry Contest and seven college juniors were recognized for their outstanding achievement. Thanks to Dr. Wallner’s presentation, we now know that Webster has a Chemistry program and will be eligible to nominate a student for next year.

The evening concluded with the presentation of the High School Chemistry Teaching Excellence Award. Elizabeth Hobbs of Washington High School was given an energetic introduction by last year’s recipient, Kathleen Dwyer.

Congratulations to all winners and a special thank you to Leah O’Brien for her hard work in making this event run so smoothly every year. And to Jim O’Brien for his able services as a photo-documentarian. The full album of photos from the event can be viewed here.