(Black PR Wire) This year marks the fifth year of the City of Miami Gardens’ Science and Engineering Fair and each year it gets bigger and better. Well over 300 community members, science enthusiasts and supporters came out to celebrate students and their hard work at the 5th Annual Science and Engineering Fair’s awards ceremony. The event took place on December 8 at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex in Miami Gardens, FL.

The City of Miami Gardens’ Science and Engineering Fair is the brain trust of Councilman David Williams Jr., and has become one of the beacon projects in the community. The 2015 event was presented by the City of Miami Gardens, with generous support from St. Thomas University and the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science. Other noted sponsors include Jessie Trice Community Health Center, Inc., UAIC, Lehman Auto World, Amerigroup Real Solutions, FP&L, Audubon of Florida, Live Healthy Miami Gardens, North Dade Youth and Family Coalition, Early Learning Coalition, The Resource Room, The Oscar Thomas Foundation, and others.

“Each year I look forward to seeing how much creativity and passion students have placed into these projects,” says Councilman David Williams Jr. “It is so enlightening to see such sparks of interest in science, engineering and technology, which I know will be beneficial for each of their futures.”

The top ten winners from the Science and Engineering Fair were as follows: 1st Place – Leah Anderson, North Dade Center for Modern Language; 2nd Place – Carjae Duncombe, North Dade Center for Modern Language; 3rd Place – Jadel Guerrero, Carol City Elementary; 4th Place – Vaden L. Rafael, North Dade Center for Modern Languages; 5th Place – Madison Piner, North Dade Center for Modern Languages; 6th Place – Derrick Larkins, Scott Lake School Elementary; 7th Place – Peyton Joseph, Brentwood Elementary; 8th Place – Omari Page, Hibiscus Elementary; 9th Place – Mikavia Williams, Hibiscus Elementary; and 10th Place – Aden Sanchez, Brentwood Elementary.

Over 100 students competed for cash prizes ranging from $150-$700. Cash prizes were also awarded to parents of the top 15 finishers, courtesy of St. Thomas University. A key highlight of the event included a science presentation by the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science that wowed the audience.

With a population of over 107,000, the City of Miami Gardens is the third largest city in Miami-Dade County, covering twenty square miles. Its new city hall is the only Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design public facility in America. With over a decade of leadership under its belt, the City is filled with world-class universities, show-stopping entertainment, thriving businesses, exceptional restaurants and shops, and best of all, caring neighborhoods that reflect unity in the community. With stellar events, like Jazz in the Gardens, the City of Miami Gardens offers fine cultural enrichment, planting seeds to meet resident needs and continuously cultivating possibilities.

A complete listing of all of the winners from the Science and Engineering Fair Awards Ceremony is attached. For more information, contact Bernadette Morris at Sonshine Communications at 305-948-8063.

Top 15 Winners

1st Place Winner – Leah Anderson, North Dade Center for Modern Language
2nd Place Winner – Carjae Duncombe, North Dade Center for Modern Language
3rd Place Winner – Jadel Guerrero, Carol City Elementary
4th Place Winner – Vaden L. Rafael, North Dade Center for Modern Languages
5th Place Winner – Madison Piner, North Dade Center for Modern Languages
6th Place Winner – Derrick Larkins, Scott Lake School Elementary
7th Place Winner – Peyton Joseph, Brentwood Elementary
8th Place Winner – Omari Page, Hibiscus Elementary
9th Place Winner – Mikavia Williams, Hibiscus Elementary
10th Place Winner – Aden Sanchez, Brentwood Elementary
11th Place Winner – Asra White, Golden Glades Elementary
12th Place Winner – Kimara Jackson, Robert Ingram Elementary
13th Place Winner – Giovanni Massignac, Brentwood Elementary
14th Place Winner – Hendrick Mejas, Miami Gardens Elementary
15th Place Winner – Janashia Loveraux, Robert Ingram Elementary

Special Awards

Annie Neasman/Jessie Trice Community Health Center Award – Christopher Stother, Lake Stevens Elementary
Betty T. Ferguson Award – Brentwood Elementary School and North Dade Center for Modern Language
Principal Award – Sharon Jackson, Brentwood Elementary
Doris Hart Science Teacher Award – Tosha Walker, Brentwood Elementary
David Williams Jr. Award – Sgt. Carole Thony, City of Miami Gardens Police Department
Jr. Chamber Environmental Award – Delano Donk, Hibiscus Elementary
FAMU Award – Mikavia Williams, Hibiscus Elementary