Awards Ceremony and Reception Dinner

Today, we had a very late start with breakfast at 8:30AM. Our Finalists were very appreciative of the sleep-in this morning. With the crazy line-up in the dining hall, we figured it would be fine to go down in the last 30 minutes of service and avoid the mayhem.

Finalists had another public viewing this morning at 9:00AM. School buses were lined up along the front of the Exhibit Hall for as far as you can see. The Richard Currie Centre was buzzing with activity.

Once the public viewing concluded at noon, we were to assemble with all other Finalists and Delegates from British Columbia for a team photograph in front of the Old Arts Building. This iconic structure is the oldest university building in all of Canada having been erected in 1827 and has been designated as a National Historic Site.

The Old Arts Building erected in 1827

Team BC 2015

Team South Fraser 2015

With the Team BC and Team South Fraser photographs taken, we quickly had lunch and went back to our rooms to get ready for the Awards Ceremony today at the Fredericton Convention Centre, located near the waterfront along the Saint John River.

Fredericton Convention Centre

All of our South Fraser Finalists looked amazing for the awards ceremony. As we approached the Convention Centre they were nervous and excited all at the same time. Although it was a beautiful day, the temperature reached 20 Celsius, so the heat did not help to contain their excitement.

They really pulled all stops for the CWSF here in Fredericton, NB

The West did very well this year.  BC and Yukon students received 3 Grand Awards – Best Project Award plus 2 Platinum Awards, 7 Gold, 18 Silver and 18 Bronze Medals as well as 13 Special Awards and 85 Scholarships for a total of $203,000.

Of those 144 awards and scholarships, Team South Fraser brought back 5 medals and 7 scholarships & awards.

GOLD: Om Agarwal - Cedar Hills Elementary, Surrey

Awards	Value
Challenge Award - Information Junior Sponsor: Youth Science Canada
Excellence Award - Junior Gold Medal Sponsor: Youth Science Canada	$250.00
Western University Scholarship Gold Medallist - $4000 Entrance Scholarship Sponsor: Western University	$4 000.00
Total	$4 250.00

GOLD: Meaghan MacKenzie - Southpointe Academy, Delta

Awards	Value
Excellence Award - Intermediate Gold Medal Sponsor: Youth Science Canada	$250.00
Western University Scholarship Gold Medallist - $4000 Entrance Scholarship Sponsor: Western University	$4 000.00
Total	$4 250.00

SILVER: James Ho - Semiahmoo Secondary, Surrey

Awards	Value
Excellence Award - Intermediate Silver Medal Sponsor: Youth Science Canada
Western University Scholarship Silver Medallist - $2000 Entrance Scholarship Sponsor: Western University	$2 000.00
Total	$2 000.00

BRONZE: Sonia Stewart - Earl Marriott Secondary, Surrey

Awards	Value
Excellence Award - Senior Bronze Medal Sponsor: Youth Science Canada
University of Ottawa Entrance Scholarship Senior Bronze Medallist - $1000 Entrance Scholarship Sponsor: University of Ottawa	$1 000.00
Western University Scholarship Bronze Medallist - $1000 Entrance Scholarship Sponsor: Western University	$1 000.00
Total	$2 000.00

BRONZE: Abhigyan Dabla - Devon Gardens Elementary, Delta

Awards	Value
Excellence Award - Junior Bronze Medal Sponsor: Youth Science Canada
Western University Scholarship Bronze Medallist - $1000 Entrance Scholarship Sponsor: Western University	$1 000.00
Total	$1 000.00

The ceremony really was full of pomp and circumstance. The lights, music, and the glitter just added to the exciting atmosphere. Below are a few pictures of Team South Fraser winners as they crossed the stage to receive their awards. 

Meaghan receiving her GOLD medal

Om receiving his GOLD medal

GOLD Medal Winners - Om & Meaghan

CWSF 2015 GOLD MEDAL Winners

Sonia receiving her BRONZE medal

James receiving his SILVER medal

Abhi receiving his BRONZE medal

Om receiving his CHALLENGE AWARD for Information

One of our juniors, Natasha, really put things in perspective tonight in understanding the spirit of what Science Fair does for young people like herself. She said, "with this being my first time coming to a Canada Wide Science Fair, I now understand the calibre of what truly makes an amazing project. I plan to work towards that standard throughout the year in hopes of participating in next year's CWSF  in Montreal. It's really about striving for the best and not letting anything get in the way." I couldn't have said it better myself.

Our Winners: Meaghan, Sonia, James, Abhi, and Om

The Finalists of South Fraser have done the best they have since the region began participating in the CWSF back in 2007. While not every Finalist is bringing home an award or medal, the entire South Fraser Regional Science Fair Committee is incredibly proud of the efforts all eight of our young scientists have put forward to come this far.
 
Once again, well done everyone and congratulations!