VERMONT SPACE GRANT UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

VSGC Awards are funded by NASA's National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program.  The recipients are recognized for their outstanding achievement as a scholar.  The purpose of this program is to establish a national network of universities with interests in aeronautics, space, and related fields; to encourage cooperation among universities, aerospace industry, and government; to encourage interdisciplinary training, research, and public service programs related to aerospace; to recruit and train professionals for careers in aerospace science; and to promote a strong science, mathematics, engineering, and technology educational base from elementary through university levels.

ELISABETTA ANELLI - A first year recipient, and a resident of Essex Junction, Vermont.  Elisabetta is a first year student at University of Vermont.  Elisabetta believes that her future training in clinical psychology, research psychology and behavioral psychology or microbiology will be of great use to NASA.  She is ready to be committed to helping NASA by aiding the brains and psyches of the astronauts that carry out many of these missions.  Elisabetta wants to pursue studies in the Humanities, in French, science or Spanish. 

 

WILLIAM MORIN   - A first year recipient, and a resident of Burlington, Vermont.  William  is a first year mechanical engineering student at University of Vermont.  He is a member of the National Honor Society.  For the past three springs he has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity in West Virginia.  He has participated in the COTS and CROP walks and has done volunteer work at Joseph’s House, an Outreach Center.  His career goal is to be part of a group that would work toward a renewable energy source that could replace fossil fuels.  He would also like to research solar power.  He says solar power could be very useful to NASA because it can be used anywhere in space.

 

JESSIE M. SWETT - A first year recipient, and a resident of Woodbury, Vermont.   Jessie  is a second year Animal Sciences student at University of Vermont. She says there are three major reasons why the study of animal science is especially relevant to NASA; the importance of animals as test subjects, the prospect of future sustainability in space or on other planets, and the simple need to know our own world to better understand the potential of others.

 

ERICA TWENGE - A fourth year recipient, and a resident of Bristol, Vermont.   Erica is a fourth year neurobiology and psychology student at University of Vermont.  She is an active member in the University of Vermont’s “Women in Science Program”.  One of the specialities in the medical field that catches her interest is that of space medicine.  Erica says she would enjoy devoting herself to this new and ground-breaking specialty of medicine in hopes of assisting the men and women who partake in space travel, and it would be her great pleasure to be part of a team that helps reduce and possibly even eliminate these issues from the field. 

 

HOPE YU  - A first year recipient, and a resident of South Burlington, Vermont.   Hope  is a first year biochemistry student at Middlebury College. She is a winner of the IBM Watson Scholarship 2007.  She is a semi-finalist of the 2007 Presidential Scholar program and a member of the National Honor Society.  She was a Gold Medalist at the 2005 Vermont State Science and Mathematics Fair, and also a winner of the South Burlington Varsity Tennis Coach’s Award.  Hope studies the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to prepare herself for a career in medical research.  In addition to working with NASA to research the causes of  health issues, she plans to research ways and the means to treat diseases.  She says as a future researcher, she looks forward to working with other scientists at NASA to research the causes and treatments of these diseases while also promoting medical research in space exploration.

 

 NATIVE AMERICAN AWARD RECIPIENTS

COREY BRACE  - A third year recipient, and a resident of Highgate, Vermont.   He  is a third year student majoring in Nuclear Medicine Technology at University of Vermont.  He was nominated for the National Honors Society for three years.  He is also a volunteer for the Inter Residence Association (IRA).  Corey would like to earn a degree in the field of radiology and has dreams of becoming a Radiographer.  He is currently starting his clinical internship and also plans on pursuing a career in angioplasty. 

 

ERIN MASKELL-FERLAND - A third year recipient, and a resident of Franklin, Vermont.   She is a third year Communications student with a minor in Human Development and Family Science at University of Vermont. Erin is a member of the National Honor Society and part of the FCCLA: Family, Career, Community, Leaders of America.  She is also a work study.  Erin believes that communication is the key in a technologically-driven world.  Ultimately with her studies she wants to become a speech language pathologist.  She would like to eventually work in her hometown so she can give back to her community.

 

SAMANTHA LYNN STEVENS - A first year recipient, and a resident of Enosburg Falls, Vermont.  She is a first year student at Champlain College.  Samantha is a member of the Sovereign Republic of the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi.  She is also a member of Students Against Drunk Driving (S.A.D.D.), Peers Educating Peers (P.E.P.), Junior National Honor Society, National Honor Society, and the Student Government.  The course of study that she has chosen is radiography and feels that NASA would be interested in someone who would possess skills in radiology and would also like to pursue a career in radiology.

                                                                                                                            

          BURLINGTON TECHNICAL CENTER /AVIATION TECHNOLOGY AWARD RECIPIENTS

MICHAEL BAUMANN, JR. - A first year recipient, and a resident of Stowe, Vermont.  Michael is a first year aviation program student at Pennsylvania College of Technology.  His honors include “SKILLS USA” 2007: First Place in Vermont for Aviation Technology; “SKILLS USA” 2006 2nd Place in Vermont for Aviation Technology; Michael also competed in the National “SKILLS USA” competition.  He was awarded 14^th place in Post Secondary Program and has achieved excellence in the Airframe and Powerplant Program.  He is also an Eagle Scout. 

 

KARL NELSON - A second year recipient, and a resident of Milton, Vermont, is currently enrolled in the BTC Aviation Technology Program pursuing an Airframe and Powerplant Certification.  His many extra curricular activities and programs include youth group band/chorus, leadership retreats and a community service trip to China Town in New York City.  He would like to continue his education in Aviation Engineering and feels the training that the school provides is a great way for him to get accustomed to what he will be doing in his profession as an aircraft mechanic.