Hall of Achievement gets first inductees.

COLUMN: Neighbors

MARLBORO - Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School recently inducted the first group of people into its newly formed Hall of Achievement.

"This is long overdue, but we finally decided to begin recognizing individuals who, through commitment, sacrifice, and dedication, have brought pride and distinction to the school, or who continue to distinguish themselves and bring honor to their organizations and community through exceptional achievements and/or service," Principal Mark Hollick said.

The award winners were:

Significant Contributor Award - James B. Denman, former Southboro School Committee member (posthumously); Anthony Mellace, program advisory member for computer programming and web development; Cecelia Temple, program advisory member for the licensed practical nursing program.

Distinguished Alumni - Jeff Furmanik of Berlin, 1987; David Kennedy of Northboro, 1982; James Arsenault of Uxbridge, 1978; Enid Parker of Hudson, 1977.

Valley Tech student wins essay contest

MARLBORO - Trenton Vartabedian from Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School was one of the five students who won $100 in an essay contest sponsored by the Montachusett District Rotary. Trenton wrote about bullying.

Jahlieca Marcelini, also from Valley Tech, was chosen as an alternate in the contest.

Students receive science fair honors

SHREWSBURY - Eleven high school students recently competed in the Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair at MIT. Invitations to participate in this event were based on their performance in the school and regional science and engineering fairs. The following students received honors:

Nidhee Krishnan, "A Methodology for Scene Perception Using Video Analytics," first place.

Rachel Kositsky, "Hearing Is Seeing: Ultrasonic Echolocation," second place.

Samuel Levine, "Solar Cell Efficiency as a Function of Four Variables," second place.

Raghav Mishra, "Dual-Chamber Microbial Organic Fuel Cell (MFC)," second place.

Nicholas Silverio, "Pirouette Problem," second place.

Lubana Afreen, "Role of MIRs on VIT-D Leads to Therapeutic Targets for Bone Disease," third place.

Ryan Carelli, "Rocket Stability in Subsonic Flow," third place.

Derek Bain and Greg Granito, "Interactive Video Games," team honorable mention.

Stephanie McCoy, "Using Saccharomyces Bayanus to Produce Ethanol from Waste New England...