SOPHOMORE SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAM AT PITT
BPHS SOPHOMORE FINISHES IN SECOND PLACE IN CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION
ethel Park
BETHEL PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT
SOPHOMORE SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN SUMMER RESEARCH PROGRAM AT PITT
Bethel Park High School sophomore Angela Burns was one of 20 area high school students who successfully applied and was accepted to participate as a Summer Intern in the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute ’ s Summer Academy , which was held June 13 through August 5 .
Angela worked for eight weeks this summer in the Drug Discovery , Systems and Computational Biology Lab alongside Pitt researchers , conducting handson , cutting edge cancer research .
The program is designed to provide career preparatory experiences to highly motivated high school students who are pursuing higher education and careers in STEM fields , especially research and medicine .
In addition to her work in the lab , Angela also received instruction , toured facilities , participated in journal clubs and attended presentations by professionals in the field .
Angela found out about the UPCI Academy when she participated in a weeklong biology lab at Bethel Park High School this past school year , coordinated by Bethel Park High School Biology Teacher Barbara Eisel and conducted by University of Pittsburgh Researchers , to determine if genetically modified organisms ( GMOs ) are present in snack foods . Coincidentally , she interned this summer in the UPCI lab with David Boone , Assistant Professor of Biomedical Informatics at the University of Pittsburgh ’ s School of Medicine , who led the lab exercise at Bethel Park High School .
The application process for the summer program was rigorous , including three essays , a resume and transcripts . For participating in the program , students also received a $ 2,400 stipend and were required to give a 10-minute oral presentation at the end of the program about their findings .
Angela wanted to be accepted into this program because she enjoys participating in hands-on lab activities at Bethel Park High School and she wanted to not only work with the professionals in the lab , but to also share experiences with students from other districts who share her passion for lab work .
Angela ’ s college plans are undecided , but she is interested in either pursuing something in the biology or chemistry fields .
She was taught at Bethel Park High School by Science Teachers Monica Graziani and Charleen Kondrot . Her teachers were extremely proud that she was selected for this program .
“ Angela was one of my hardest working students ,” explained Ms . Graziani . “ She especially flourishes when participating in handson projects . She really deserved this opportunity .”
Mrs . Kondrot concurs . “ Angela is an excellent student . She always goes above and beyond with her work and she asks brilliant questions . I knew she would be a good candidate for the UPCI Academy .”
56 Bethel Park
Angela Burns
Clare ’ s Second Place Artwork : “ Chaplin ”
BPHS SOPHOMORE FINISHES IN SECOND PLACE IN CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION
Bethel Park High School sophomore Clare McMahan finished in Second Place in Congressman Tim Murphy ’ s 18th District Congressional Art Competition for her tempura color study entitled “ Chaplin .”
This year more than 40 pieces of artwork were submitted by high school students in the 18th Congressional District and displayed at the Westmoreland Mall . A panel of judges , comprised of local artists in the community , awarded first , second and third place winners on the basis of composition , creativity and artistic skill .
Her artwork will be displayed in Congressman Murphy ’ s office for one year .
In 2015-2016 , Clare was an Art II student in Kent Wallisch ’ s classroom at Bethel Park High School .
Clare McMahon