Last weekend, UTM SAACS organized the 24th Annual High School Science Bowl that attracted schools from as far west in Tennessee as Brighton and Memphis, and as far east in middle Tennessee as Giles County and Smyrna.

There were 174 students from 18 high schools who participated. Memphis University School won the championship with Bartlett as first runner-up. Second runner-up schools were Waverly and Houston.

The SAACS, faculty and staff volunteers executed this project with finesse. Prizes valued at more than $600 from the SAACS Monsanto Endowment were awarded. It’s a fairly complex project requiring approximately 300 man-hours on the part of the organizers.

I use this letter to appreciate and congratulate an outstanding team of SAACS under the leadership of president Rebekah Kirkpatrick: Katie Allen, Jennifer Beckman, Andy Bernard, Emily Bethart, Erich Bitzer, Andy Bricker, Dan Comer, Leann Henson, John Mancell, Meera Patel, Minesh Patel, Emily Reeves, John Rippy, William Runions, Chris Schmitt, SamQuia Shedrick, Adrian Shook, Ali Smith, Kala Smith and Lucretia Westmoreland.

SAACS also acknowledge the readily forthcoming, crucial and valuable support of several faculty and staff: Dr. Robert L. Hartshorn, Dr. Nancy W. Hinds, Lana Ferrell, Dr. Andy Sliger, Dr. Mike Turner, Dr. Linda Hussman, Dr. Alice Mills, Dr. David Sammons, Dr. Richard Taylor, Dr. Cahit Erkal, Dr. Lionel Crews, Steve Lemond, Donna Butler, Tomi M. Parrish, Steve Vantrese, John Abel, and the University Center Staff.

The Science Bowl project involves a community of students and teachers both from high schools and UTM. The spirit of this academic competition parallels an athletic Saturday of football.

Dr. S.K. Airee is a Professor, Chemistry and SAACS Faculty Adviser.