Student Standouts: Grannum ’19, Larsen ’19, Noda ’19, Anand ’20, Cohen ’20, Polanco ’20, Chilakala ’21, Weber ’21, Kain ’21, Richards ’21, Douglas ’22, Dufner ’22, Fendler ’22, Yuan ’22, Dai ’23, Katyal ’25, Boys Basketball and Boys Lacrosse in the News
Congratulations to this week’s standouts below. Way to go #RamNation! And as always, if you have a story to share, please email weeklynews@micds.org.
"The Native Engineer" Award and Honorable Mentions
Congratulations to Ana Larsen ’19 who earned « The Native Engineer » Award recently! She utilized Leucanthemum vulgare, commonly known as the ox-eye daisy, as a geared rod (with pollen-shaped gears that turn on themselves) that can skim through water to coagulate small plastic waste and load them into a reciprocal net system. They’re used in waste removal in shallow lakes or waterways.
Congratulations to the two MICDS students who earned Honorable Mention:
Erika Noda ’19 used Dactylis giomerata, amine solvent covered field fans for direct air carbon capture.
Students Participate in Young Women's Leadership Conference
On Thursday, March 7, MICDS students participated in the Young Women’s Leadership Conference at the Chase Park Plaza. The conference brought together young women from area high schools who were invited to hear from women in international, national and local leadership roles. The annual event is organized by a committee of young women from area schools and co-chaired by young women from John Burroughs.
Sandra Polanco ’20 spoke to the group about her takeaways and the messages/stories that inspired her most. Fellow MICDS attendees included Nicita Anand ’20, Aadhya Chilakala ’21, Ceci Cohen ’20 and Morgan Weber ’21.
MICDS Ram Steps Up to 1st Place at the 2018-19 STEP Ahead Competition
Ferguson Boys & Girls Club member Danielle Kain ’21 has been selected by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and Manufacturing Institute as the first place winner of the 2018-2019 STEP Ahead competition. The program exposes girls in the Boys & Girls Club to the exciting careers available in modern manufacturing. With the honor comes an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC compliments of The Manufacturing Institute! To view Danielle’s award-winning video essay, click here.
Danielle also won a $1,750 Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream award from BGCA to be used for expenses related to furthering her STEM projects! Way to go, Danielle!
Sophomore Earns National Medal for Flash Fiction
MICDS Girls Dive into STEM at Catalysts for Change Program
Four MICDS students recently attended the Catalysts for Change Program held on the campus of Washington University. Part of the Women in Science Program, Catalysts for Change is a two-day STEM workshop for 9th grade girls in the St. Louis area. MICDS attendees included Lauren Douglas ’22, Hallie Dufner ’22, Sophie Fendler ’22 and Kate Yuan ’22.
Lauren shared, « Catalysts for Change gave me a greater insight on women in STEM. I engaged in activities that challenged my knowledge of STEM and heard from accomplished women. »
Sophie echoed these remarks saying, « The Catalysts for Change program was a really great way for me, and other girls, to meet people who had similar interests and learn about the challenges women face in the science field. It was also a great way to expose girls to all the different aspects of all the STEM fields. »
All attendees enjoyed the opportunity to immerse themselves in STEM experiments and listen to guest speakers to get more exposure to the world of STEM.
Middle School Artist Creates Art Breakthrough
6th Grader Featured for Outstanding Achievements
Sixth grader Abhinav Katyal ’25 was recently featured for his outstanding successes. Abhinav participates in the Kumon Math and Reading Program which highlighted him in an article entitled « Discipline is the Key to this Student’s Success. » Read the feature here.
Katyal is already learning algebraic concepts and reads high school-level literature. He’s considering the field of medicine for his future career path and has been selected to attend the Pre-College Summer Scholars Program at Loyola University Chicago. At MICDS, he was chosen by his teacher to be the grade representative for the Gifted Education (MOSAICS) Program, following an accelerated curriculum for gifted students. When he’s not working on academics, you might find him playing badminton or table tennis.
Keep up the great work, Abhinav!
Season Preview of Boys Lacrosse
« The MICDS boys lacrosse program under head coach Andy Kay has achieved overlord status, » boasts a recent STL Today article covering the boys lacrosse season preview. With five consecutive MSLA championships, the team is gearing up for another strong season to make it 6 this May. Coach Andy Kay comments on the fresh season as three Division I signees are mentioned: Graham Bundy Jr. ’19 who will go to Georgetown University, Thomas Niedringhaus ’19 who will attend Boston University and Henry Carpenter ’19 who will attend Penn State. Also mentioned are Joe Maguire ’19 and Nico Feldman ’19.
Hooping Up Boys Basketball Post Season Recognitions
Postseason recognition for boys basketball has been announced in this Metro League All-Conference post on STL Today. Congratulations to the following:
Metro League:
- Jack Pronger ’21 – First Team All-Conference
- Jack Brooks ’19 – Honorable Mention All-Conference
- Brandon Mitchell-Day ’22 – Honorable Mention All-Conference
Class 4, District 5 All-District Team:
- Jack Pronger ’21
- Brandon Mitchell-Day ’22
