First place winner Jessica Palmer of Ossining High School in Ossining, N.Y.

On April 7, Jessica Palmer of Ossining High School in Ossining, N.Y., was one of two national finalists awarded a $50,000 college scholarship for taking first-place honors in the Young Epidemiology Scholars Competition, one of the nation’s most prestigious and influential high school science competitions.

The YES Competition, sponsored by the
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and administered by the College Board, is designed to spur students’ interest in the field of public health, specifically epidemiology. Epidemiology explores patterns of disease, illness and injury within populations, with the goal of developing methods for prevention, control and treatment to improve health.

YES competitors each developed a research project in which they identified a health problem, gathered data about the issue and developed a solution based on the data they compiled. Palmer was selected from among 60 high school student finalists who were chosen from more than 550 students from across the country who submitted projects. The 60 students competed in the final competition held in Washington, D.C., April 4-7, during which each student presented his or her project and fielded questions from a panel of judges that included some of the nation’s top epidemiologists, as well as high school teachers and curriculum developers.

Palmer’s winning project was on autism. Restricted and repetitive behavior is one of the defining features of autism. However, most research has focused on the social and communicative aspects of autism. Palmer’s study, “Examining Repetitive Behaviors in Parents and Siblings of Individuals with Autism,” is one of the first studies to examine the presence of repetitive behaviors in siblings and parents of autistic children. She studied more than 140 relatives of autistic children and compared them to 90 relatives of normally developing children over a two-year period. She found that nonautistic siblings of children with autism are more likely to display repetitive behaviors and a preference for routine. Palmer’s project was inspired by her volunteer work with autistic children in her community.

“The most memorable thing I experienced at the YES Competition would have to have been the people I met,” Palmer said. “Everyone was so devoted to their research and just wanted to share it with the people around them. There was so much encouragement and camaraderie in the middle of an incredible, intellectually stimulating environment.”

She said the competition is an opportunity to see the breadth of student research being conducted across the country. “High school students are definitely capable of research, and it was great to see so much evidence of this over the weekend,” she added.

For more information about the YES Competition, please click here.

VP Robert J. Alig

Try as we may, none of us can be as immersed in our client and member advocacy without really strong administrative support. This month I’d like to pay tribute to two really special educational associates — Daryl Morris and Jacqueline Piazza — unsung heroes and terrific colleagues who help us to expand the scope
and breadth of our member and client engagement.

Daryl Morris, senior educational associate, Higher Ed Services for MSRO, has proved to be a committed team member who consistently delivers above and beyond his colleagues’ expectations. It is his job to make sure that each Higher Ed educational manager has the resources necessary to maximize each and every institutional visit. Daryl helps the managers in the unit and office by thinking ahead, anticipating challenges, suggesting alternatives, offering gentle reminders and keeping others on track.

Higher Ed Chief Fozz D’Aloisio says of him, “What makes Daryl unique is that he understands our work from a strategic perspective, but then he can also break it down into tasks and manage resources to move projects forward. Over the past five years, Daryl has cultivated deep relationships with contacts both inside and outside of the College Board.” Internally, when something needs to get done, he always knows just the person to ask. Externally, he demonstrates a consultative approach with institutions, patiently listening, understanding constituent needs and delivering high-quality solutions addressing their concerns. Daryl is known as the “data guy” in the office because he is so fluent in the data tools, analysis, verification and reporting. Daryl independently manages the State Agency Report project including delivery of the preliminary analysis, preparation of all materials, ongoing support during SAR training and preparation for the executive summaries and deliveries. He makes sure that I and all of our educational managers (both Higher Ed and K-12) have everything we need to ensure successful, productive deliveries.

Jacqueline Piazza, senior educational associate, K-12 Services for MSRO, consistently receives the highest praise for her knowledge of CB data and reporting, her product knowledge, her account service commitment and her mentoring and coaching of peers. Jacqueline demonstrates a willingness to take on big challenges for the K-12 unit and always exceeds expectations
on her deliverables.

Highlight your institution and staff by submitting a session proposal for the 2009 Middle States Regional Forum, which will take place Feb. 11-13, 2009, at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore, Md.

The forum is an opportunity to connect with peers, engage in discussion and discover new strategies and solutions in a venue both convenient and affordable.

The Middle States Regional Office is soliciting ideas for presentations that address growing trends, new initiatives and/or effective strategies in any academic, financial aid or student service area. Interactive presentations are highly desirable. The deadline to submit proposals has been extended to May 16, 2008.

Click here to download the application form. If you have any questions or comments or need help with the application, please feel free to contact the Middle States Regional Office
(contact information at right).

Applying to be a presenter is straightforward and easy, so please submit your application today.