Dear SSEF/FFFS,

As the Executive Director for the Florida Foundation for Future Scientists, I cannot thank everyone enough for the wonderful  56th State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida we had this year!  It will never, ever go off without a hitch, but thanks to everyone’s efforts our “glitches” were minimal and easily solved.  I am keeping a notebook next to me at all times and I have already filled many pages of what to do differently and/or better.

However, the one thing I would never, ever change is the outstanding people/volunteers we have working in all areas of the Fair to make it successful.  Until you have “survived” your first Fair, no one understands the amount of hours that are put in 24/7 to make everything work.

My first thanks is to our Fair Directors and their own volunteer representatives who spend countless hours preparing students to attend the State Science and Engineering Fair.  Many of our Fair Directors are classroom teachers and do science research with their own students in addition to working with the rest of the Region’s teachers and students.  The Fair directors are responsible for having their own outstanding Regional Fairs to select their state and Intel ISEF winners.  They then make final preparations to travel to these events with their students.  Most Fair directors do all of this without compensation.

As always, I received many accolades regarding your students throughout the event.  The decorum shown during our Awards Ceremony was outstanding.  I believe that every student was honored and his/her name heard thanks to having Jim Payne from WESH TV as our emcee.  We congratulate South Brevard (twice), Thomas Alva Edison, and West Panhandle for their Grand Award Winners – Ying Scholars!  Kim told me they have not had a Grand Award Winner in 15 years and Rick said it’s been 8 years for TAE!! Also, congratulations to our Junior Section Grand Award Winners – Ying Scholars from Palm Beach and Lockheed Martin Manatee.

The FFFS Board of Directors and the SSEF Committee Chairs did an outstanding job volunteering in many capacities.  Everything begins with unloading truck so thanks to Danny, Craig, Maia, Joe and Lisa and Kim.  Display and Safety/Facilty with Kim and Danny in charge went very well this year and we appreciate those of you putting in extra time to help that Committee – Craig, Tom and Barbara, Maia, Lisa, and Roberta can always be counted on.  We want to thank the additional help from Polk County and the Retired Associates of Lockheed Martin (REALM) for working Wednesday.   The SRC with Sharon, Deborah, Joe, Nancy, Rick, Richard and others pitching in where needed – has a very, very difficult job and we certainly appreciate their efforts to work extra and longer to make sure protocol is proper and consistent.  The Registration area was efficiently run by Sandy, Vie Vie, and Lori who actually asked to be present to help.  Many thanks to Judy Griffin and Jacqua Ballas for putting together our Shoptalks for teachers and parents to attend and have an opportunity to learn more about the SSEF process!

We appreciate Bill Herschleb continuing to be our Judging Chairperson with Joyce Bervaldi and Karen Malesky helping in that area.  Many thanks to our more than 225 Judges who volunteered and took time from their busy schedules to judge for a full day.

The Awards Committee with Pat Zalo, Judy Legault , and Christie Tamayo who come in and make sure that our Special Awards are judged and recorded for distribution.  (I remember all-nighters in regards to Special Awards).   A special thank you to our many donors who provided almost $20,000 in special awards and more than $700,000 worth of scholarship nominations were awarded in addition to a summer internship with NASA.

Brittany Fornof  (a former SSEF Finalist) and Jackie Williams planned an outstanding Student Mixer at the Orlando Science Center!  Many thanks to these two fine, young ladies.

A special thanks to Sue and Phil Cole (and their committee) who work tirelessly for four days and nights on site,  (not to mention the hours after the Fair) to make sure that the photography is available and our one big fundraiser is successful.

I hate mentioning names for fear of leaving someone out, many, many thanks to all who saw a need to help and just volunteered without having to be asked.

I look forward to seeing the Florida Delegation for Intel ISEF in Los Angeles during May.  Good luck to all of our Finalists!  Please plan on wearing your Intel ISEF shirts to the Opening Ceremony to show a “strong” Florida!  FFFS has provided shirts for our Florida Finalists.  Additional shirts may be purchased through www.tucknshirt.com for other members of your delegation.